Overlap

Questions and Answers

Nadine stretched her arms as she woke up.

Sighing, she took out her phone and observed her appearance and as expected, her eyes were puffy and somewhat red.

"I wish you were here, mom," she mused.

Her mom always knew the right words to say to make her feel better. She had a way of giving advice that was helpful yet not degrading to anyone, even when Nadine was just a mere child. And with her feelings being such a mess, she wondered what her mom would say to her if she were still alive.

"Probably to just finish my studies," she said with a chuckle. Sniffling, she stood up and grabbed their family photo album.

She caressed the cover--which was a picture of all of them--before opening it up and gazing at all their past memories.

Though she spent only a few years with them, they were filled with laughs, tears, and love. 

She lovingly eyed the photo of her and her lola--the last family member that cared for her. The one who raised her when her family all passed away. 

She then looked upon corner of the house in her sight.

It was odd to think that neighbors used to tease them for always being so loud. Now, it was nothing but silent as she was the only one who remained from their family portrait.

Though with Kath being here, it hasn't been that silent, she realized.

Whoever she was, whatever she was, and why exactly she was there remained a mystery. And despite Nadine's initial annoyance, it was nice to have someone else be around so she didn't feel so lonely. And though she couldn't replace her family, it helped to have someone to go to--especially when it came to matters she couldn't go to anyone else about. 

"Kath," Nadine yelled. "Kath? Are you there?" she repeated again, raising her voice as she looked towards the staircase.

When no one responded, she closed the photo album and placed it back on a shelf before going up the stairs.

"Kath?" she said again as she opened her room door. Nadine raised a brow as she realized she was neither downstairs or in her room either--which was odd as those were the only places Kath would mostly be at.

She walked by her bathroom and once again called out, only to hear nothing in response.

"Kath!" she shrieked as she began to open every door. 

To her dismay, she was nowhere in sight.

She ran down the stairs and put on a pair of sneakers before running out the door.

Kath had to have wandered off somewhere.

At least that was what she hoped.

--

"I'll see you later," The man said as he walked away.

Kath nodded in response as she gazed at his direction. She had never been able to see any face apart from her own clearly till this dream. 

Who is he? A relative? A lover? A friend? she thought to herself. Sighing, she waltzed across the room and pretended she was attending a grand dance.

"Or perhaps I am supposed to given this outfit," she mused. Lifting her dress a little so she wouldn't trip, she walked out of her room and glanced at what laid outside.

The building was even grander than her room. Smiling, Kath looked down upon the grand staircase and all that laid beneath her. 

Maids were tidying up the area and she could hear the sound of laughter emerge from somewhere--perhaps the kitchen.