over again, step nine

over again
*
i woke up to the blaring noise of my phone. why can't people understand that it's the morning and people need their sleep?!
yes, hello?
morning sunshine! he replied cheerfully.
this is like the third time of this week, christ. can you give me a break?
but i am outside your house already.
fine. give me a minute.
i dragged my lazy bum out of the bed and rush towards the door. unlocked it moved towards the living room and fell on the sofa.
you really got to stop doing that and be more conscious of your surroundings.
i gave up. i feel like i am having a deja vu. 
you're not. get up and change. there's somewhere i want to bring you to.
noooooo. i want to sleep.
you sure? i can see your bo-
i jumped out of the sofa.
i'm changing.
i ran to my room and shut the door. my back against it.the heat rushed up to my face. i have never been so embarrassed in my life.i rushed into the bathroom and splashed the cold water against my face continuously. i have to stop wearing over sized tank tops to sleep, staring today, big time. i strolled back to the room and chose a sports outfit. hurriedly change into it and went to the living room. he was using his phone when i walked out. after a moment he lifted his head and stared at me.
really? you are gonna wear that?
i don't see what's wrong. you're wearing a everlast singlet and berms.
fine. let's go.
*
the ride was a quiet one other than christ humming to the songs playing on the radio. sometimes if he know the lyrics he would sing along. on my side, i am just too tired to do anything but look outside lazily in my rayban sunglasses. it has been a while since i had to wake up early in the morning consecutively. i think back to the past when i was still working a manager at some cafe, saving up some money to have my own shop.
that was also how i met christain.
*
one espresso, two green tea latte and one macchiato! clara shouted.
got it! i shouted back.
it was the morning rush hour. even as the manager i had to help make the drinks. at that point of time we really lack manpower and some newcomers just couldn't spent their break time or days off trying to memorize the recipe of the drinks. hence, during the rush hours they could only help to take orders, serve drinks and clear the tables.
shortly after, the crowd subsided but in another hour or two it will be busy again. after giving the workers some orders, i sat at one of the corners of the cafe taking a break. i lifted my head and took a glance at my surroundings empty seats and tables, then there was a man. he was sitting at the opposite corner of the cafe, towards the glass. when i come to think of it, he has been here for nearly a month. always sitting at the same place and ordering the same drink. his laptop on the table, a dictionary beside it. he got really defined jaws and two ear piercings. dressed in white tee and torn faded jeans. slowly, i approached him out of curiosity.
hey, what are you doing?
he pulled out his earpiece.
hmm.. i am writing a little novel.
oh. is it for sale?
nope. not yet. you're the manager of this shop right?
yupp. the name is christine. nice to meet you.
oh. i am christian. so what's up?
the ceiling? 
he laughed. the sound was deep and husky. it sounded sexy.
nah. i am just having my break and i just thought that it'll be nice to talk to regulars.
oh. that's sad. i thought it was because you finally couldn't resist my charms.
i giggled.
as if. the only charm you have on me is probably having the same liking of drink as me.
you like caramel macchiato?
all time favourite.
shall i get you one then?
hahahahha no thanks dude. i can make one myself for free.
okay fine. anyway, i have something to say and this is going to sound very weird but will you hear me through?
ermmmm.. okay.. i replied doubtfully.
i find you really interesting and i ran out of ideas for my novel on the characters. do you mind going out for lunch with me? i'll treat. 
no. 
what? you're just gonna reject me without considering?
hahahahaha. lunch is okay, but my treat. for thanking you for choosing this cafe for your morning coffee. okay?
sounds good. what time is your break?
at 2.
okay, good. i'll wait for you here then. see you then.
see yah. not that i won't be seeing you in the time between.
*
hey sleepy head wake up. we're here!
huh?
slowly i opened my eyes. everything was in black and white. then i realized that my shades was causing the color effect. i took out my sunglasses and took my time to get out of the car. i stood up and walked towards christ and i stared, mouth ajar. i am standing in front of a field of long grasses up to knee level and further forward is a stretch of sunflowers. the whole scene was dreamy, i wasn't even sure if i am awake.
you're drooling.
i closed my mouth immediately. i am not!
come on. let's go.
i followed behind christ closely. out of the blue, he just stop and sat down on the grass patch. i followed suit. he passes me a brown paper bag. i opened it and found my breakfast in it. i caramel macchiato and bagel with bacon and egg. in a flash i munched on the food.
thanks.  i mumbled between chewing my food.
nope. anyway you have any questions for me regarding the conversation yesterday night?
i reminisced to the night before. he was talking about his mother's passing.
ermm. how do you feel now?
well, i am still coping. but all in all i am fine. there aren't anyone there for me at that time. but now i got a handful of people supporting the things i do and the choices i make. so i feel alright. in fact i feel good cause if i don't cherish my time now who will? right?
that's true. and i linked what he said to what is happening around me right now.
anyway it's time for the next draw.
i didn't even bring the boxes.
i got it. this just shows how inattentive you are.
it's the morning doofus.
fine. let's get started.
he passed me his box while he took mine.
on three
one 
two
THREE!
you first! i said immediately
okay fine.
he slide the ring off and unrolled the paper. 
WHAT? CONFESS TO MY TOE? YOU'RE INSANE WHAT KIND OF DARE IS THAT?
it's a legit dare. HAHAHAHAHAHA
fine. what's yours?
give a call to someone when you can't sleep at night. what kind of dare is that?
obviously the kind you get when someone cares for you.
fine. you can start confessing to your toe now. it's convenient since you're already in flip flops. 
watch and learn.
he started by caressing his toe and looked at it intently.
hey, baby toe. this may come out of nowhere but all this time, i am really into you. the way you look, tiny and fragile.it just make me want to protect you and love you more. i love you, from the bottom of my heart, i want you as my body and my soul. i want to bring you around in my shoe to travel the world. to see the different sun rise and sun sets. will you accept me? silence means consent. i love you so much.
i was giggling throughout and burst out laughing when he replied his own confession.
thanks for making me look like a retard.
anytime dude. hahahahahaha.
okay here comes the anxious part. the third box.
he took the box from behind him and slot his hand in.
he pulled out and glanced at it.
you just wrote a word?
what word is it?
solitude.
oh. okay how should i say this.
you want to tell me through the phone? or do you want to say it now?
now is fine. no worries. basically, i am always alone.when i was three both my parents passed. so i was alone and i don't really have any relatives that wanted to take my in as my parent's marriage wasn't approved by my grandparents. at that time, i was too young to understand what was happening and at the same time in need of parents love and care. but on my side no one wanted to take me in so they threw me to some orphanage and only visit once a month. during that time, i cried myself to sleep. i avoid crowds. i skipped meals whenever i can. i chose to be alone. stubbornly i kept thinking that i only wanted my parents and maybe if i don't get close to anyone they would come back to me. but that never happened and somehow i moved on. made friends and grew up. it wasn't a time that i want to remember. those times still brings me nightmares sometimes. i can still remember the cold environment, the loneliness and the emptiness. for a three year old kid, it's like telling them happiness is not possible. well, that only changed when i met liss from school.yeah. so that's about it. questions?
nope. just that, you're a really strong girl.
he pat my head and gave me a awkward hug.
well done. anyway we got to go. or rather i got to go. i've got to work.
alright let's go.
*
that's all for today. wait should be tonight.
sorry for the long update!!
i was busy with my exams, projects and work.
sleep tight midnight bunnies!!!