"Why are you all smiles today?"

The question snapped me out of my spacing, putting a rest to a beautiful memory. July's eyes narrowed at me, probably trying to force out the thoughts from my head.

"I just remember this funny video on the internet, " I lied.

She seemed to believe me at the excuse, although knowing her just for quite a few, I knew that anything having to do with the web caught her interest at most. She started rambling about all kinds of things while I continued my pondering, staring at the clocks attached to the wall as if by doing so, I could make time move faster. I wanted so much to end work so I could come home.

I missed my Alfie.

The cafe had been quiet since morning, and there wasn't much visitor. April, the redhead was again, working her master skill on decorating cakes, and Ember my other work colleague which preferred her name not to be associated with the month November was sitting at the counter, doing audits of the sales. It was quite strange all three of them coincidentally had names in the calendar. Yet, coincidence happened all the time they said.

"Do you know February used to have only 28 days? And the 29th only happened once in 4 years? They called it leap year, " Ember started. She liked sharing things from the past, especially anything with numbers on it.

"Well, I pity those with birthdays on that date then. We are happy with February the 30, thank you, " April replied with a slight chuckle.

"When is your birthday, Charis?" July suddenly asked.

My answer had to wait when the sound of a bell jiggles in the air, it came from the door, announcing someone's arrival. My distraction came to a complete halt at the recognition of the person who entered. Her knee-length dark blue coat swayed on each step towards one of the table. No doubt, her attire was what compelled most, it was strange, yet she looked good in it. The chair creaked on the spot of her choosing, an inline sight to where I was standing. For some time, my eyes fixed on her.

"Thalaa," I mumbled.

A nudge on my arm pulled me out of the slight perturbed. "Coincidence happens all the time, " July whispered to me.

Her ability to guess, or whatever she possessed on reading people had reached a new level to me. But this time she walked away after patting my shoulder and signalling me to take our customer's order. I wanted to make an excuse, but it was my job, and I thought I shouldn't overthink the situation. So I held my head high and walked to the table where my duty calls.

"What would you like to order today, mi-" My words refused to finish. I just couldn't let myself to address this person with a feminine term, not when he looked like my Alfie. Sure enough, the word miss didn't suit her. "I'm sorry, what would you like to order today?" I rephrased.

"Ah, nice. This is almost the same as I remember it, " she started, eyes inspecting the menu. "One Romeo's posen luv." She looked up at me, a sideway smile appeared on her lips.

I nodded and wrote down the selected order, however, had some sense of those moments they called Deja Vu while looking at my note pad. But I set aside whatever thought I had in mind and concentrate on doing my job. "Is that all?" I smiled at her.

"Yes, for now, " she replied.

While I twirl and bow, a wide grin replaced her small smile. But when I reached her eyes, the same sadness I'd seen before was still attached to it. How could someone smile, but looked woe? I thought to myself.

Arriving at the pantry, I started working with the ingredients to make the juice. After a while, the infused water of fresh cube cut watermelon and mint was ready in a small translucent jar. I looked over to April, who was on the other side of the table, she nodded at me as an approval. Carefully I put it on a tray and made my way to the waiting customer.

"Here you go, " I said as I transfer the dish to the table. At the close proximity, I spotted a bruise on her forehead. The shade of purple was still visible although almost hidden behind her hair. I indirectly furrowed upon my sympathy.

"Are you okay?" I asked. I didn't want to seem rude after looking at the mark, not after her eyes caught me doing it.

"Oh, this?" She ran her fingers on her temple where it was dented. "This is what you get when you mess with a woman."

I gasped, unsure why those words hit me hard than imagining the real blow. On impulse, I drew back and almost tumbled on my heels from the obstruction of the chair next to me. But she swiftly grabbed my arm, preventing the fall.

"Chill, I was just kidding, " she breathed out, losing her grip on me as I pulled away.

Embarrassed from the clutz, I collected my tray from the table and walked away. My brain caught the alarm, but I still couldn't process it. Something Thalaa said was pulling me back to my past. During the years spent in isolation, I kept recollecting my memory, especially what happened before my arrest, it was something I kept for my sanity.

As I reached the lounge, July's words on the term coincidence fought with my thought, convincing me to stop overthinking. I heave heavily, trying to calm my fast-beating heart. Ember, who was in a serious conversation with April, turned to me, April followed after.

"What's wrong?" Ember asked. She picked a glass and filled it with water before walking to my side. "Here, maybe you need rest, " she said, handing it over to me.

I took it from her, gulping it down slowly when the sound of the television caught my attention.

"For the first time in history, the supreme court has sentenced a death penalty on the offence. She was found guilty of kidnapping, the act of prostitution, and murder."

My eyes were glued on the screen where the news was aired. Minutes felt like seconds as a figure appeared for the world to see, but the world hadn't known her better than me. A face I longed so much was downcast, she was a lot skinnier than how I remember her. Still, my heart sank at the recognition.

She was my mother.

The glass I was holding scattered as it hit the floor, then my body came crashing down from losing strength. The last thing I saw was two panic woman running to me.

To be continued...

***

Thank you each and everyone of you for reading, I'm sorry for the late update. So at last, we know what happened to Charis's mother.

I love you all. Please stay safe always.