CAUGHT

It took Kaye almost ten minutes to change his bedsheet and blanket before she went out again giving the folded things to Ivan. She handed him a bag as well so he can carry it comfortably.

"Here. Put those things inside the bag so it's easier for you and make sure to come back before lunch."

"I'll make sure to finish washing before twelve. I'll go now." Ivan picked up the bag and marched off to his Auntie's place. When he left, the room was silent once again, an atmosphere that she wasn't used to after Ivan moved to her place.

Kaye changed her clothes and cleaned her room to tire her mind and body. Earlier, she was so happy and she didn't want to continue being in that state or else she wouldn't be able to sleep. She distracted herself through cleaning her room and rearranging her stuff.

Kaye was dusting off her drawer when her cellphone rang, it was her mother calling her from Malaysia. She put down the feather duster, picked up the phone and answered it.

"Mom, you've called. Is there something wrong?" she was sitting on her bed while gazing outside her room.

"Can't I call you because I missed you? You're too busy and I don't think you have time to call us." her mother reasoned to her which indeed made sense. She was busy, but not just because of her work but because of something else as well.

"I'm sorry Mom. But you know how expensive international call is." Kaye explained to make sure there wouldn't be misunderstanding.

"That is why I'm calling you. Since you won't use your money to call me, then I'll use our money to call you. Isn't it better?"

"I can't refute that. How's your vacation?" Kaye was very good in changing topics to get herself out of trouble.

"It's wonderful here. Your dad and I like it so much. You should've come with us." Kaye could hear the happiness from her mother's tone of voice and pitch. She was happy for them. Since she came into the family, her parents were busy raising her and didn't spend so much time with each other. This vacation was a rare chance given to them so she didn't want to come along and spoil it.

"Next time mom." Kaye responded with a soft voice. She was so engrossed with their conversation that she didn't notice someone sneaking inside the apartment.

It was after the person got what he wanted and was about to leave, that Kaye noticed the movement. She didn't move or made a sound, her mother still talking on the other end of the line, oblivious to what's happening with her daughter.

Ivan noticed that Kaye stopped talking and didn't make any noise, so he turned around and informed her, raising the detergent and fabric conditioner.

"Auntie ran out of cleaning stuff. I just returned to get this." though his voice was low and controlled, Kaye's mom still heard him.

"Kaye, is everything fine?" she inquired without asking her directly who she was talking to. Kaye covered the mouthpiece before answering Ivan first.

"I understand. I don't mind. I was actually talking to my mom. You can go back, I'm fine." then she returned her attention back to her mom. "I'm currently at the balcony and people are passing by. You might've heard them." she gave her an excuse that sounded plausible.

"Oh I understand. Anyway, it's your rest time already. Go back to your room and get some sleep. I'll let your dad talk to you next time." her mother hang up the call abruptly, as if she was in a hurry. Kaye didn't mind one bit about it. 'I'm actually inside the room already.' she took note to herself mentally as if saying it would let her mother know. Kaye put her phone back on the bed and continued cleaning, confident that her mother wouldn't doubt her.

In Malaysia, Mrs. Margaret Jimenez was pacing back and forth right in front of his husband who was reading a news from his tablet at the same time consoling her.

"Come on, Maggie. It could really be someone from her neighbor. Calm down." her father, Robert, was coaxing his wife after the call ended.

"No. I clearly hear him say those words and it was directed to her. And if she was outside her room, why didn't I hear any noise? It was so quiet at first before that person, god-knows-who-he-is came inside the room." her mother was panicking over the thought that someone might have tricked her daughter and took her away from her.

"How old do you think is our daughter? Shouldn't you be happy that she found someone?" Kaye's father retorted using the reality that their daughter was old enough to get a boyfriend.

"But still..."

"Let's ask her once we're back. Don't scare your daughter." he rubbed her back, calming her nerves down before turning off the tablet. 'My baby girl is a big girl now. If that person bullied her, I'll skin him alive.' he was thinking of how to deal with it internally while consoling his wife physically.

"Let's go back next week. I really want to know who that person is. You know me Robert, I wouldn't be at ease without knowing the truth." Mrs. Jimenez opened up again, letting him know her thoughts.

"Alright. I agree with you on that. Let's go back next week." Mr. Jimenez agreed automatically. When it came to their daughter's welfare, he wouldn't disagree with it no matter what it was.

"How about this weekend?" Mrs. Jimenez tried her luck to change dates but Mr. Jimenez frowned.

"Next week is next week. Maggie, aren't you forgetting that I'm your husband? Why is it that your time is always given to our daughter?" Mr. Jimenez was sulking like a child that Mrs. Jimenez couldn't help but laugh.

"This man. Of course I know. Let's go back next week then." and she gave him a hug to console him his time.