Fresh Start

Chapter 1- Fresh start

Bright light...so bright..

What is this? Where am I?

He opened his mouth and water came rushing into his lungs.

I can't… I can't breathe. Help me…

Is that a hand? Yes! A hand! I just need to reach it but ahhhh…

I feel helpless. It's like I'm slowly falling deeper and deeper to the abyss. Who's hand was that? The lights are getting dimmer and dimmer. Where am I? Is there an end to this pit?

He gasped for air one last time but swallowed more water and then, he gently closed his eyes, succumbing to the darkness. Then, he heard a long monotonous beep. 

Funny, is this what all dying people hear before their lights turn off?

All of a sudden, he felt a slight jolt on his chest. He gasped for air, once more.

What was that?

BEEP

BEEP

BEEP

The once still waters stirs as two strong currents from different directions pull and push the water. As the beeping sound grew louder so did the water go faster and faster and sucked him deeper in the speed of light.

THUD

He landed face flat on their wooden floor. OUCH! Out of  shock, he rolled himself up and sat upright. He gasped and gasped for air as if it was his first time to feel air in his nostrils and mouth. 

What the hell was that dream? 

His nanny heard the loud thud and frantically rushed to his room.

"Young master Melo, are you alright?" His nanny asked.

"Yes, nanny. I'm alright. I just had a bad dream." He replied as he scratched his head and gave his nanny a naughty grin.

His nanny sighed in relief and smiled gently at him. She walked closer to him and helped him pick himself up

"Now, now young master. Should we change your alarm clock? Looks like your alarm is making you jumpy. You've been waking up this way ever since you got it." His nanny said as she walked towards the alarm clock and picked it up.

Oh so the beeping sound was coming from my alarm. Where did I get that again?

He stretched his arms and arched his back then, he finally decided to  slowly stand up. He can't seem to remember where he got it, nor what happened yesterday. It's as if today was his first day living this life. He just shrugged it off and walked towards his nanny , 

"No nanny. It's fine. It's just probably a coincidence. Is breakfast ready?" He asked as he felt his stomach getting grumpy, giving out a loud growl.

"Oh yes yes, young master. Come along. Your parents are waiting in the dining hall. You better get dressed!" 

His nanny frantically placed the alarm down and clapped her hands. Three more maids rushed into the room. One of them started rummaging through his room and preparing his clothes. The other started preparing his warm bubble bath, while the other stayed with Melo to help him undress himself. Confused and surprised, he said 

“I’m sorry but I think I can handle myself.” The maids chuckled playfully. One of the maids answered, 

“Oh no, young master. Please, this is our job. Let’s get you prepared for breakfast” 

Melo felt uncomfortable as the maid unbuttoned his nightshirt. Before she pulled his pants down, he pushed himself away and grabbed his pants.

“Now, now Anne. Let the young master undress himself. He’s not feeling himself today. Let him be and give him some privacy.” His nanny said as she dragged forward the foldable wooden divider that was hidden behind one of his wardrobes. 

Anne put her hands down and nodded.

His nanny then continues, “Miriam, fetch the master’s towel and hand it over to him as soon as he finishes undressing. And Susan, is the bath ready?” 

Miriam grabbed one of the towels and placed it on top of the divider, lowered enough to Melo’s reach. She also just finished preparing Melo’s clothes and placed them neatly on top of his bed. Susan had also finished preparing the warm bubble bath with the sweet zesty scent of oranges and cinnamon.

“Yes, Mrs. Hearty. The bath is ready.” Susan replied. She then walked towards Anne and Miriam who were standing still beside the door with their heads bowed down.

“Wonderful. The three of you may now leave.” Nanny Hearty said as she signals them to head out. “Well then young master Melo. I’ll leave you to it. See you in 10 minutes. Please be prepared by then.” She told Melo as she bowed her head one last time and closed the door behind her.

Past Melo’s bedroom is the floor’s tedious living area filled with windows that start from the ceiling and end to the flooring which were currently covered with heavy, emerald green drapes. Mrs. Hearty then signaled the maids to start pulling the drapes up, allowing the brightly yellow rays of the sun light up the entirety of the room. There wasn’t anything special in that floor except that it all belonged to Melo. The walls are painted with plain white and wooden linings. There are no paintings on the walls nor plants that could liven up the miserable and lonely ambiance of the room. The room has either white or emerald green furniture.

 Mrs. Hearty asked Mirriam to  proceed to the dining hall where Melo’s parents were seated. Melo’s father’s eyes were glued on his holographic screen while swiping left to right and speaking with someone through his earpiece. He was dressed in his carnation pink polo with a navy blue dotted tie, and sitting beside him was his wife dressed in her pastel blue, suede, sheath dress, sipping her warm white tea with a spoonful of honey.

“Excuse me, Madam.” Miriam spoke softly with her head bowed low.

“Yes, Miriam. How long ‘till Melo finishes up” Mrs.Daetes asked with a pinch of annoyance in her voice.

“In 10 minutes, Madam.” Miriam replies.

“Anything unusual?” Mrs. Daetes asked again in an undertone.

“Still with the nightmares, Madam. Nothing unusual.” quietly, Miriam replied

“Well then, prepare the food already. Everything must be ready before he comes down.” Mrs. Dates said and signaled her to leave. Miriam bowed her head and went straight to the kitchen.

Eight minutes have passed and Melo hasn’t come down for breakfast. Mrs. Dates snapped her fingers three times and Miriam immediately approached her side. “Can you please call Melo to come down? Tell him, the food is getting---” 

Before his mother could finish, Melo kissed his mother on the cheeks and greeted her with an upbeat tone. 

“Morning Mom.”

Then, he turned to his Dad and gave him a kiss on the cheeks as well. “Morning Dad. Sorry. I got caught up in the bath. I got so relaxed that I forgot about the time. What’s for breakfast?” He sat beside his mother and drool over the scrumptious feast in front of him. He can see crispy honeyed bacon with bright yellow sunny side up eggs. There were also freshly made crisp toasts, sparkling honey glazed waffles, and golden giggly pancakes. On the sides, he can see newly picked berries of sorts. There were blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, wild berries, name it and they got it. He can’t even make up his mind which to eat first.

  

“Melo, you can pick anything you like. And close that mouth of yours, sweetie. It’s not appropriate. You always get to eat this stuff everyday.”  His mother said and smiled at him haughtily as she swallowed her piece of toast. 

Mr. Daetes held on Mrs. Daetes hand and slightly pressed on it to express his disapproval of her remarks. “Melo, why not try the waffles and put some jelly on them. They are tasty. Besides, that’s my favorite combo. Honey glazed waffles with blueberry jelly.” His father suggested without even glancing his way. His father glances his watch before he can take up a sip on his cup of coffee.

“Goodness! Look at the time. I got to go, Honey. I can’t be late today. I have an important meeting.” Mr. Daetes pushed his chair back and snapped his fingers. Miriam came running with his blue coat and black leather briefcase. While preparing, he gave Mrs. Daetes a kiss on her cheeks. 

Mrs. Daetes grabbed on Mr. Daetes arms and requested in a sweet tone, “Honey, one sec. Today is Marianne’s baby shower and they have invited me to come over. Would you mind dropping me off?” Mr. Daetes pulled Mrs. Daetes' chair back and held her hands with his eyes gazing at her as if time and space stopped between them. He grabbed her close and whispered to her ear, “Of course, Honey…” 

and there was a short pause.

“No. Mariannes’ house is opposite the office’s direction. Carlo can drive you off.” he sternly said. He let go of her hand and picked up his keys. In a snap, a moment of bliss suddenly turned chilling and desolate. 

What was that? Melo thought as he watched how differently his parents interact with each other.

  

Mr. Daetes approached Melo’s chair and gave him a kiss on the forehead then ruffled his hair before proceeding to leave the premises. Shortly after, her mother left as well without saying a single word. Melo was baffled with everything that was happening that he lost his appetite. He pushed his chair and slipped out of it.

“But, you are not yet done with your breakfast, young master.” Miriam politely said. 

“I’m full Miriam, thank you. Besides, I’m late for class.” He smiled and went straight to the door but before he could reach the door he realized he didn't know where his school was. He turned around with puzzled eyes and asked Nanny Hearty, “Nanny, how do I go to school? And where---” he felt a sudden pinch of embarrassment that he felt his ears heat up and his cheeks turn red when the three maids giggled at his question. Nanny Hearty hushed everyone and turned her attention back to Melo.

 “That is okay young master. Well,  you can choose how you want to. You usually walk to school. It’s not far from here.” She placed her gentle hands on Melo’s back and guided him to the door.

 “Walk with me. I will show you the neighborhood.” She said and flashed a gentle smile. Melo felt assurance and relief that at least his Nanny is not acting differently or making him feel embarrassed that most of his memories are vague.

 “See there in the corner of Mr. Jenkin’s house to our right? You will take that road and just past two houses, you will reach the school. Would you like me to walk with you?” Nanny Hearty asked.  

“I would love that, Nanny. I’m feeling a bit off today.” He shyly replied.

“That’s alright, young master Melo.” Again, she flashed her gentle and comforting smile, giving Melo a minor boost in his confidence.