The cops got back to the scene where they had stopped the first bus. As they walked closer to the bus, they saw the rookie they had left in charge unconscious on the ground. They became alert.
"Throw out every weapon, open the door from the outside, and come out slowly!" the cop instructed. But there was no reply.
"Even I know there is no one in that bus. Is it because it's dark, or are you just blind?" Diana mocked them. She felt proud seeing some of the cops' faces twist in anger.
They opened the bus door, and as expected, no one was there. The back container was empty. They cursed underneath their breath.
They tried to get a fingerprint and anything they could use to track the driver down, but it seemed the driver wore gloves. Someone had taken out all the security cameras on each street, and all equipment was thrown away and was untraceable for some reason.
Diana, feeling bored, asked them to clear her, stating that she had a mother to care for. The cops knew deep down that she had something to do with the robbery, but there was nothing they could charge her with.
So they had no choice but to let her go. She walked back home and went to check on her mom, who was still asleep. She kissed her forehead before leaving her room.
She climbed up to the roof of her house, and in less than a minute, Star joined her. Diana took one look at her and turned her head away.
Star silently sat beside her and handed her a bottle of beer. Diana collected it and took a sip.
"I know I messed up, and I am sorry. I should be supporting you, and I wasn't being a good friend.
I just don't want you to go. I'll miss you, and so will your mom. But I promise I'll take care of her. Please, just forgive me," Star spoke.
"Three of us to my favorite restaurant," Diana said.
"Deal,after graduation."
"You're forgiven."
Star smiled and hugged her, and Diana did the same.
......….
The next day, "DIANA!!!!!" the usual yelling could be heard downstairs by her mom, who was making breakfast.
She did not get a response from Diana. She wanted to call her out again when she felt a hand covering her eyes.
"What are you doing? You will be late for your party," her mom said, smiling but confused as to why her eyes were covered.
"I know, Mama. I have a surprise for you."
Diana opened the door outside and then left her mom's eyes. Her mom saw a car outside and was in shock.
"W..wh.. whose car is that?" she asked, a bit confused.
"It is yours, Mama. I remember the job I told you I got in New York. I knew you always complained about your back, so I got you a car. And Nora will be staying with you from now on. So, what do you think?" Diana asked.
Her mom, still in shock, began to cry. Diana panicked and quickly crouched down to her level, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Mama, why are you crying?" Diana asked, sounding scared.
"It is your graduation… a.. and I couldn't get you anything."
"You have given me the world, Mama. Since the day you took me in from the roadside when I didn't know my parents or where I was from, you cared for me, loved me, and sent me to school with the little you had. I couldn't ask for a better gift." She hugged her mom, and her mom hugged her back.
"Alright, enough crying. I have a graduation party to get to," Diana said, and they both laughed. "And Mama, dress nice; I am taking you out tonight," Diana said before running to meet Star on the other side of the building.
They went to the party and collected their certificates. In the evening, they went for dinner. They laughed and enjoyed every little moment as if it were the last. When they got home, Diana tucked her mom into bed and went to her room to pack her things.
"That was pretty smart, what you did there," Nora said.
"I know, that's why you will miss me so much," Diana said, and Nora just laughed.
"Here is your ticket. Your flight leaves at ten in the morning. This is your new phone; her coordinates are there. I have taken care of her roommate, so all you have to do is go there and act like you belong," Nora said, handing her the phone and ticket.
"Thanks," Diana said, taking it and putting it in her bag.
"You do remember the plan, right, don't forget me" Nora said
"I won't"
"Oh, and…." Diana turned, but Nora was no longer there. She climbed into her bed and slept.
The next morning, she was taken by Star and her mom to the airport. They all waved goodbye, and she was sure she could see some tears in Star's eyes.
If she could choose, she would have stayed with the people she loved. But deep down, she couldn't be at peace if she didn't know the reason her husband, who had loved her deeply, betrayed her and killed their child.
She put on a game face. She was going to step back into her old life, and she would be in charge.
The plane landed, and she hailed a cab to an apartment. She knocked, and a girl opened the door.
Diana observed her. She hadn't changed; she still looked the same as before the plastic surgery. Her brown hair and brown eyes, which she always complained were too ordinary, and her freckles that always stood out. The girl felt Diana's eyes on her.
Diana cursed underneath her breath. She knew what that look meant; jealousy had already started.
Diana pushed past her and entered inside.
"Excuse me, who are you?" the girl asked.
"Your new roommate, of course."