CARRIE TAKEN AWAY

1

I AM SICK

When a woman gives her heart to a man, she loses the control over her own happiness. Everyone knows that and no one wants to be in that trap. But when the heart sees the person it takes a fancy to, everything breaks lose. A woman gives in to the man she loves, gives her heart and all of herself.

Carrie wasn't any different. She fell in love. Gave her heart. Yes, they were happy for years. But sicne everything is ,indeed ,subject to change. The love she used to get from Rudy suddenly fell.

Since this morning, her mind has been occupied with the thought of her boyfriend. She never had a man before Rudy. She never loved anyone before him. She is the woman who doesn't give her heart right away, but when she does ... Love at first sight was not her thing. In fact, it took him quite some months to win her heart. And he did. That moment she said, yes. That was it. She is a one-man woman. For her he was the only man. But that might be disadvantageous in some ways. When something goes wrong, it won't be that easy to bear.

She is currently readying herself to leave from work inside that office behind Apple Bean's showroom. She put on her jacket and picked up her bag she kept below the desk. Like usual, she checked herself in the mirror on the wall. In her face, it shows how tired she gets after a day's work. She slightly brushed her hair. She looked okay. She is now ready to go. She looked around to check for her colleagues. Three ladies are busy chatting, showing no signs of leaving anytime soon.

"Bye, ladies! See you tomorrow,"she waved her hand when they turned their attention to her after hearing her. They simultaneously waved back and continued talking.

"Wait! "She stopped when one of the girls called out her name.

"What?"

"Um, would you like to come with us tonight? At seven ,let's say?" Donna glanced at her watch and then looked at her again.

She thought for a while and then said, "I'll skip this time.."She is not in any mood for anything. Occasionally, she joins the ladies for a bottle of beer or two but today is just not the day.

"By the way, you seem to be even more dull than yesterday, huh?"Donna momentarily forgot her conversation with her friend and gave her full attention to Carrie. "Are you okay?" Her eyes became even more curious.

"I'm okay, Don. This is nothing. I just didn't sleep till late last night." She smiled tepidly. "Have a good time." She tried to look as causal as she can. But her voice didn't sound lively at all.

"Sure?" The other one asked her.

"Of course!" She turned and walked away from them.

"Maybe she is having her period, leave her alone.."The other lady remarked.

She had to walk from the end of the huge store to the exit at the other end. She passed by two other offices before she reached the exit. She left the store which is becoming crowded and noisy. Costumers usually start flocking at this time. Everybody come to shop after work buying things before heading home. Fifty meters away from the exit is where the public transportations parked waiting for passengers. Luckily she didn't have to walk too far.

At five thirty in the afternoon, the sun has already sat. The darkness begins to take over, she feels even more dim.

She is not going anywhere that afternoon. She is not in the mood for anything. She just wants to reach home, take a shower and watch TV until dinner.

Carrie's boyfriend hasn't called the whole week. And that is what she started resenting since few days ago. Of course, she can understand he gets occupied with work sometimes but what is sending her a message to let her know he hasn't forgotten her. Or what is a three minute call just to talk with her? She had become dependent on him emotionally. And who should she blame?

Rudy was the man who showered her with love constantly. That is why she's gotten used to that. In return she gave him all her love. What is more sensible thing to do than that, anyway? Like an addict who gets suddenly deprived of her supply, she is now feeling so lethargic without him around. It gets worse when she thinks that Rudy's love is going down. And the worst, the thought that he might eventually say goodbye. God forbid.

She wanted to spend the weekend with Rudy but the last time she called him, he was busy in his work. She sent few more messages after that but there was no reply.

Carrie has never felt more ignored.

For the tenth time after leaving work, she checked her phone to see for any sign of Rudy. But each time, there was none. For anyone who wanted to hear badly from another person but hears nothing after each attempt, worries will grow worse. That is what she is exactly feeling. Anxiety.

Still, Carrie would just let it go. But she is becoming desperate.

She sent another message. She is now angry and worried. The feeling when the person never answers no matter how you try.. but she decided to not let him feel it.

-hi. Is anything wrong? –She sent again thinking maybe this time he will lift his phone and reply.

Minutes later, still nothing came. 'This couldn't be happening.' She told herself. 'Maybe his phone is just out of charge or something. Maybe he is in a situation where he cannot receive or send messages. Maybe..

-Rudy,Please say something..- was her next message.

But her pleading didn't do anything. He anxiety peaked.

He must be in something she still doesn't know but whatever it was , ' don't I deserve to know?'

At home, Minda is with her two friends who live in the same neighborhood. They are Sarah and Linda.The three cannot stay without seeing each other and spending time together at least every other day. Their houses are just five to seven minute walk away. And that makes it even easier for them. Her backyard garden is their favorite place to hang out during afternoons sipping coffee or sometimes small amount of alcohol. It is the shade of the tree they mostly love while enjoying the weather. 'What else could old ( a little bit) people like them who retired early from work do? ' That's how they rationalize their habit. Sarah retired at fifty to enjoy life before she gets too old. Linda was running a small bakery but she turned that over to her daughter to manage, that rendered her even more freedom.

The three youthful ladies unanimously believe that they should enjoying life every day. Work a little but not waste your life on working alone. To them there is no point. All are truly against greediness and acquiring too much without giving yourself time to relax and have fun. But when they think of fun, they aren't looking for something unnecessarily expensive. Like being together, to them it is already fun. Taking life seriously is not in their vocabulary. But they make sure to make themselves beautiful which is very evident with the way they all look. Starting from their hair, down to their face, body shape, nails, everything is well taken care of including their wardrobe. And take note, they are not fans of spending too much.

The three have been there since three hours ago already. AS they enjoyed their usual afternoon, Linda does a little bit on her phone creating the perfect photo for her newest article in her blog. It is there where she talks about cooking and baking. She was now quite skilled on manipulating photos using her phone to suit her subject. All Minda and Sarah did was to agree or disagree on the outcome. Sometimes they suggest something also.

"There! I guess it is ready for uploading,"Linda showed the two who cheered excitingly.

The three heard the opening and closing of the gate. "Carrie is here already. Minda?"Sarah turned to her friend.

"Yes, it's her. She'll manage, "Minda said and then she continued with her friends.

Carrie, as she opened the gate, can hear low but excited voices from the back yard and already knew who were there. She paid no attention and went in. They can't see her but she knows that they know she is there. Her mother, Minda and her two other extra close friends are almost always together and are usually at their house. It is probably because there is no one else except her to disturb their happy hours. If she is at work, the whole house is theirs. And when coming home also, she barely makes any disturbance so the three are left by themselves.

Her mother found half of her happiness with her friends, she reminded herself. Good for her, she thought. Seconds later, she shrugged the thought off her mind.

What she'd usually do when getting home after work is either call Rudy and they talk for like ten minutes or so. Or if he was available , they can go out somewhere. Occasionally, he would come over and join them for dinner.

But that slowly became rare since her boyfriend started taking jobs outside town. It would take him couple of weeks or more before he comes back.

She dialed her manager's number. She is taking a two-day leave because she is not feeling so well tonight.

"What is it, Carrie? I am outside right now. You called me four times? What gives?"

"I'm sick. I cannot come tomorrow. "

"Sorry about that. Make sure to take care of yourself..."

"Okay. I'll be right back in two days. "

"Ok. Buh-bye!"She hang up.

Her colleagues are mostly very supportive , 'thanks God, 'she was relieved. It is not that she is incapable to work, she just really want to stay away from work for a couple of days. Two-day off should be enough for her to gather herself together and restore her energy. After that, she told herself, she will be fully recharged.

Six in the morning, she was startled when her alarm buzzed. She reached for it and turned it off.

"How are you feeling this morning, Carrie?"

Her mother is standing beside her bed when she opened her eyes. On her face is that same old caring eyes she used to see whenever she suspects she is not in good condition. But when she is, she goes back to her normal loving mode. Minda is no doubt a sweetheart no one can ever ignore.

"I heard from last night you called telling you are sick."

"Yes, Ma! I need some rest. " She sneezed. "I have a bit of colds but I will be okay."She turned her back and pretended to sleep.

"By the way, do you want to come with me for a walk? Maybe you need some fresh air? "She pulled the curtain to bring some sunlight in.

"No, Ma! I want to rest. You go ahead. Please don't disturb me for a while."

"Would you like me to bring something, girl? "

"No, I don't want anything!" Carrie pulled her blanket over her face.

"Okay!"

She eventually climbed out of bed in the afternoon.

"Are you up for lunch, Carrie?" Her mother is there waiting for her in the living room. "How are you feeling?"

"What is for lunch?"She asked and joined Minda at the couch.

"Actually, I still didn't eat. I ate late for breakfast. You showed no sign of getting up so I thought of waiting for you to wake up so we can eat together. "She is flipping the magazine she picked from the store on her way home.

"Do we have some fruits in the fridge?"

"I'm not sure. I haven't been to the supermarket for a while. What about sweet potato?"

"That would be good." Carrie said lazily. She is still yawning, she stretched herself on the couch.

"Right! "Minda left her and walked to the kitchen while Carrie crouched in the sofa.

Sloppy afternoon.