DAYMARE 3: First Day, M'aidez

I scoffed and looked at Mommy. “You’re kidding, right?”

Daddy shook his head, smiling. I gazed at Mom, but she shrugged.

They’re teasing me, ugh! "So, after all, this was your plan?"

“Uh-huh,” Mom answered.

My palm pressed on my face. The heck! I even asked Mom when the answer is obvious. Great, just great. I complimented myself for being dense.

“Come on. Let’s enter our new home altogether.” Daddy walked into the main entrance of the new home.

Yes, it looks new, but I know it's not brand new. They said we’re renting this.

I approached the two of them, and they opened the door. It’s clean, bare, simple, and seems okay.

“At the count of three.” Dad positioned us.

He’s on my right, and Mom is on my left. We held hands.

Dad started counting. “One, two, three!”

At the count of 2.5 seconds, I stepped forward because I’m getting impatient.

What’s with Dad’s gimmick, anyway?

"Hestral!" My Dad startled me when he called me, as I was already inside, wandering around the house.

"What?" I glanced back at him.

"I reminded you, at the count of three, but you already stepped away."

Oh no, Dad noticed. How sharp his eyes are.

“I didn’t mean to. And what’s with the stepping altogether to enter the house?”

Well, there's a rumor that if you're moving to a new house, all members of the family must step into the house simultaneously. It seems to be about luck that drives away evil elements. And it’s silly, Dad believes in it.

“Hestral” Dad called out to me.

"Let it go," Mom interrupted.

Dad calmed down. “Change that attitude of yours.”

What a big deal that he got upset with me like that.

I continued roaming around inside and went up to the second floor. There were three bedrooms and a balcony. And of course, the most comfortable room would be my room.

Wait! I haven’t asked them where we are yet.

“Oh, Hestral. Help your dad unpack our things.”

“Mom, answer me… Where are we?”

She chuckled. What’s funny?

"We're in your father's province."

My forehead creased.

“We’re sorry, dear. We waited this long to tell you because we knew you wouldn’t agree.”

It shouldn’t be a surprise that we are in a province because there are only trees, natural landscapes, blocky roads, small wooden houses, and our house is the biggest in the area.

"Mom!"

"Well, we want to surprise you."

Instead of being delighted, this has brought me frustration.

"It's a strange surprise, then," I mumbled.

“Everything has been completely arranged, so you don’t have to worry, okay?” She flashed me a reassuring smile.

I kept a straight face and asked Mom.” "Are there any mosquitoes here?"

"Hmm… Not so sure because-"

"Is there a signal here?"

"Of course,"

"Is the Wi-Fi strong here?"

“I think so. There are computer shops down the road.

"Is there a mall here?"

“When you take a ride. Maybe 50-55 minutes? A little far from here.”

"Tea and coffee shop?"

“I guess they don’t have that. You can make it for yourself.”

“Public transpo?”

“We own a car, Hestral.”

Yes, but we only have one at the moment.

“Can we make friends here?”

This place is serene and remote. What if there are emergencies and we need help from a neighbor?

“Your dad already met someone a few kilometers from here.” That far? That doesn't count as a neighbor.

“Where can I buy snacks? I’ve seen no single convenience store here.”

I can’t live without those because I need them to calm my nerves by doing an impulsive food hopping.

"Hestral-"

"Is there a school here? What about my studies?"

“Hestral, calm down. We won't let you move in here if the school isn't good. We’ve settled with the teachers about it. You’re ready to go.”

That shut me up. I’m just making sure my needs will be met, then I will accept defeat and force myself to live in this isolated area.

“But isn’t this place so peaceful?” Mom is still there, staring out the window. The red floral casual dress she usually wears indoors, and outdoors is getting swayed by the wind.

"Somehow," I answered.

***

After unpacking our things, we ate our dinner.

"I enrolled you in your new school before we moved." Mom opened the conversation.

"Is it any good?"

“Uh-huh. The teachers are kind, and I assure you, you could make friends.”

When I was about to eat the pasta, I set the fork down...

"Ah!" I twitched.

“What’s wrong?” Dad asked.

I squinted my eyes in disgust, pointing at my food on the plate.

"Oh, why?" – Dad

"M-My food… There’s something on it!"

“What? Clean your mess,” Dad said without a hint of confusion in his eyes, same with Mom’s.

I opened my eyes and was confused about how my food went back to looking normal and appetizing. It was odd, like I’m losing my mind, but a moment ago, the meatballs looked like eyes, and the pasta noodles were wriggling, rotting worms. Gross. Lost my appetite and ate junk food instead.

***

After dinner, I took a bath and stepped into my room—a messy room. Quickly checked my phone and video-called them.

"I'm here in my dad's province."

“Eh? Province?” – Neilsen

"Yeah"

“RIP, Hestral. Huhu ” – Neilsen

"Shut up."

“Hey, no. Not Rest in Peace but Rest in Province!” What a corny joke from Neil, tch.

"Ain’t funny,"

“How’re you there?” Anikka is worried.

“What’s our motto?” I asked ‘em. “We, the gang consisting of four members with no leader or boss, when unexpected things happen, when unbelievable and impossible events come to us, when those circumstances would become a hindrance to the four of us, we solemnly swear that…?”

“We find ways!” Neil and Anikka answered in unison. And so, we laughed.

I already miss them.

“Jethro? Are you there?” I called him.

He doesn’t speak, staring at me, looking serious.

“Here” – Jethro

“He’s in a gloomy mood because you left us.” – Neil

A light smile formed on my lips. I can’t blame them. It’s too sudden and was surprising for all of us. We talked until we all went to bed.

I was about to close my eyes to sleep when I felt there was a pair of eyeballs fixed in its gaze at me. It was as if someone was watching me sleeping. My neck grew cold.

What’s with this eerie feeling?

I scanned around, but neither Mom nor Dad was there. The noise of cricket tonight is loud. It simultaneously disturbs and puts me to sleep.

***

"What?"

That was the only word that came out of my mouth the moment I closed the car door and stepped onto the ground.

I glared at it while holding the left strap of my khaki school backpack.

“How’s it?” Dad came out of the car, wearing his company uniform. He still works as a manager for the same company, but he got transferred to their new branch in this province. He couldn’t say no because he wanted to move here, where his childhood began.

He grinned when I gazed at him.

"What?" I asked with a poker face.

“Come on, Hestral. What can you say?”

“I’m speechless,” I answered, observing my new school.

Dad hugged and kissed my forehead to appease me. This is what he does when he knows I’m truly mad. He returned inside the car and lowered his opposite window

“Call me if you need anything. Have a great day, dear!” And so, he left.

Dad went to his work a little far from our house. Mom was left at home. And me? I was left in a daze, standing on a bumpy road, and staring at my new school. This is it? This is the school my mom brags about.