Maybe if one of mama or papa was with me at that time, I would go straight to the bedroom to cry. I wouldn’t show them that I was scared and I would rather cry alone. I don't know, and why my tears suddenly came out when I knew that someone else was with me. I stopped them but it didn't let go and even went ahead as if there is a prize for whoever falls first.
“Ah‘ is that it? No problem, I didn't say anything about what happened. My answer to those who ask how you are is simply ‘she is okay.' ” I sighed and then smiled but he suddenly smiled at me. "But there is a reward for the favor you are asking for and you have to answer my question." He smiled as he swallowed the carrot cupcake whole.
“What a question of?” I was a little nervous and maybe that’s what he would ask me. Maybe I can't answer and he will spread what he saw. But honestly, he doesn't look like a gossiper.
"Why did you try to pour Clorox on your mother's plants?" I stared at him, not badly, not funny, but with a stare without emotion. I want to tell him he doesn’t care. But I suddenly laughed when he coughed, it looked like he choke on something.
"That look of yours is scary." He drank water at the same time. "It's ok even if you don't answer and maybe I will die at your stare." I laughed and then drank bubbe tea. I took a deep breath before answering.
"Because I hate plants, especially flowers." I saw him frown at my answer.
"Why?" he asked me in surprise.
“Because they are like annoying elves. It comes out every time I do something wrong or embarrassing to make fun of me and insult me.”
"You have a negative mind," he said. "Isn't it possible that they show you to make you happy?" Our eyes met again and we both looked at each other. I couldn’t understand myself but there seemed to be something in my stomach that I didn’t know what to call. It was also the first time I felt this way in my entire life. I feel like I’m losing my organs and the strength of my nervousness that I can’t explain.
My stomach ached as if I had diarrhea or itching that I didn't know. I also feel my cheeks heat up a lot. I just feel weird right now.
"Do you think that?" The only thing I said then was averted my eyes.
“Maybe, why don’t you try to look at them in a positive way. Think that what they are showing you is to make you happy. To smile and to remind you that it is better to live with a smile than to live with pure negativity.”
"Really?" I asked him pretending not to believe.
“Of course, you know, we look at things differently depending on how we look at them. If you have a negative in your mind and you look at the positive, he will also be negative because that's how you looked at it,” he explained as if he was very sure of what he was saying. "Do you get it?" he added.
"You said so! All right I will try to look at them in a positive way as you said. But I have a question for you,” I said. But the truth is I just enjoy talking to him. Just now I enjoyed a conversation especially and I haven't a close friend. Well, I'm not really close to anyone because I hate hanging out with others. So this is the first time I have talked to anyone in a long time. Because even mama and papa and even Janel don't talk to me like this.
"You still owe me one. Now you will ask again,” He says laughing.
“What one? Ah because you saved me?” He shook his head because of what I said.
"Not that one, it's my duty as a good citizen." I laughed at what he said so he looked at me. I signed peace so that he would not be offended.
"What else do I owe you?" I don't remember the favor he gave me except for rescuing me and telling me not to say that he saw me cry.
"I didn't tell your mother that you're plotting to harm her plants." Of course, I remember him saying I owed him and he would charge me. I just pout with protruding lips so he looked at me. "You're cute like that."
"Hey!" I scolded and he smiled at me.
“Oh go ahead, say what you want to know. Just let go of that debt first.” Debt? As if what you think is literally debt.
"Why people of Sta. Teresa afraid of you?"
"Afraid?" He repeated what I said as his eyes narrowed.
"Yes, they are afraid of you, is it because you are a bad boy?" He laughed so hard. Nothing is as funny but if he laughs you think I'm a clown doing something funny in front of him.
"What's with the laugh?"
“They weren't afraid of me, but they respected me because I didn't show them anything bad. You really misinterpreted what you heard and saw because what you have in mind is purely negative,” he explained while still laughing.
"TSS!" I'm embarrassed to say.
"I'm just telling the truth based on what you said."
"So, it's still my fault now?" I ask
“No! It is the fault of your naughty mind that the thought is purely negative.”
I don’t know why I can’t get angry at what he said. Maybe, because everything he said was true. He was right when he said that my mind was full of negativity, so when I write, I recover and make it positive. So I have no right to be angry if what I hear is the truth.
"Aren't you angry with what I told you?" I shook my head at his question and didn't say a word. "Don't be too affected by what I'm saying." I looked at him and k he stared at me. I feel like my organs are losing even more.
"Everything you said is correct," I said then lowered myself to the table.
"You're a writer so I know how to read you." That’s another thing I want to ask him is why he hates writers. But he said then that he only judged me for what I did, in short, he just beat me up during those times so it didn't count. "Isn't your name Mia?" he asked.
"Yes, why?"
"Beautiful name, just like you." It was simply stretched but brought on an inexplicable feeling. I have never talked like this to anyone with a man. Because the truth is I don't talk to men so maybe no one tried to woo me. But seriously, this is how it feels when a man compliments you face to face?
"Do you know what Mia means in Spanish?" he asked me again.
"No," I answer quickly.
"Mia, I hope so---soon." I frowned because I didn't know what that meant.
"Nah, nothing." Later, I will search for what it means when he is gone.
The door of the shop opened and a man entered carrying a bunch of roses. It looked around as if someone was looking. When he looked at our place, he immediately approached.
"Bro, these are the flowers you asked me to buy." He handed Jr. the flowers that the latter immediately picked up then looked at me.
Here they are again, they are laughing at me again.
“Positive,” Jr. said then took a rose and handed it to me. “Oh! For you.” I hesitated if I would take the rose but he seemed determined to really give it to me.
"Peace offering," he added.
I accepted the flower which is now like a baby laughing and dancing. First time I receive a flower from a man. I don’t know if I’ll be thrilled or annoyed. But deep down I was secretly smiling.
"Thank you," I said reluctantly and smiled.
"Bro, let's go, and maybe we'll spend the night and Adeline might still be mad at you." Jr. smiled at me.
Adeline, who is that?
“Yeah -------- Mia, thank you for the free bubble tea and cupcake, huh? I wish I could stay longer but I need to go.” He said goodbye to me then stood up. I nodded in response and he and his companion walked out the door.
I put away the rest of the snack and then brought it to Marla.
"Marla, do you know Adeline?" I ask. Marla is a good source of gossip, she knows everything that is happening.
"Yes, Jr.'s girlfriend, why?" Suddenly my mood changed when I heard Marla's answer. "Mia, I asked you, why?"
"Nothing." I said something annoyed. TSS! He already has a girlfriend and yet she talk to me like that.