Friends?
'What is a woman doing here in a dark place?' Mei looked at the person who is speaking towards her. There's no other woman there, except her so it must be her that he is talking to. And she confirmed it, the man who spoke to her is Lucas. Their new neighbor
'i'm just thinking about something' she said as she was telling the truth
'really? Here in the dark place?' the man sounded like he was annoyed. Tho, she is not affected on how the man deals with her
'yeah' she sigh
'aren't you afraid of dark?' the man asked again that makes her chuckled
'nope. I love to be alone rather than to be in a noisy place. I can have some quality time with myself' she said while holding her hair because it was being blown by the wind
Lucas does not know on why he is talking too much. While, he is not used to talk and ask to strangers.
'how about you? Why did you come here?' the woman asked Lucas.
'i just saw you when I was about to go back at the cottage' he said and slid his hands in his pocket. The girl thinks that the man would be tired if he will just remain on standing so…
'how about you sit down so you wouldn't get tired?' she offered that the man follows and sat beside her
They were filled with silence…
The man is just observing on how the woman acts. She's just combing her hair as it enjoys wetting her feet in the sea water. It's already eight in the evening yet, they are still in the dark side of the sea shore. They don't mind tho.
'what makes you choose this place?' the man asked. The girl turned her attention to him and smile before she speaks 'because this is the only place I can run whenever I have a lot of problems'
'then do you have a problem?' now that makes sense
'actually, I haven't' she said.
'then why are you here? You may be raped here. This place is too far from your friends'
'I'm not afraid' she chuckled 'i grow up here so, I know this place better, than the rapist' she added. The man cannot control himself from questioning. He's like a kid who asked about everything they want to know.
'what if the rapist lives here?'
'then he will be easily recognized. I can run fast too and I'm wise.' she said as she is proud of her ability.
'okay. I will no longer oppose' the man surrendered. If he'll just continue on asking, the girl has too many answers. It will make his head hurts.
Silence filled them again.
'there is something that I really want to ask..' she look at the man in the eyes that makes the man feel a little bit akward. This is also the first time that a woman looked deeper on his eyes.
He has a scary eyes that people is afraid to look at. And he feels embarrassed whenever he saw them scared. He hates his eyes too. that's why he let his hair grow longer to cover his eyes. But this woman…
Just look at him without disgust like what other people looks at him. And at that moment, he did not feel the hatred that he planted to himself.
He couldn't response immediately, because he feels like something is stucked within his throat. His bangs was being blown by the wind that exposes his eyes and his forehead. He's shock but he manage not to let the girl see his emotion.
What he hates the most is when someone saw his emotions.
'you have a very angelic e-eyes' the girl stammered that wakes himself from being shocked. He looks away.
'don't look at me like that again' he said and a threat is evident to his voice
'why? They are… beautiful' the girl said with a fact that she's really are not lying. She is captivated by the eyes of Lucas. They are different from the eyes she usually see.
Lucas knows how much he want to shout the girl because she's saying such horrible things that he can't ever believe.
He let out a deep breath to calm himself. The woman is still looking at him intently.
'what is it that you really want to ask?' he asked as he remembers her question.
'oh right!' her mood change into a jolly one like, she's excited to know that thing 'what does city looks like?'
'seriously? She has not been to the city yet?' Lucas unbelievably look at the woman. While the woman excitedly waits for his answer.
'it's very different from here. There are a lots of people. Busy city. Many infrastructures, like bar, casino, and hotels.' he said timidly. He's not good at explaining. He will just depends to the words that his mouth utters. Then, that's it.
'is living there… fun?'
'nothing in particular… it will just depends on your state of living' Mei is nodding like she's imagining something.
'you've never been there?' he asked. The girl looked at him sadly and just shake her head.
'i wan't to see how city looks like.' and she looked at the calm sea.
Visiting the city is her dream. She want to see how city looks like. She's very curious that she wants for more beyond. Like travelling the world. It's her parents fault, they wouldn't allow her to come with her friends whenever they plan to go the city.
She just can't violate her parents decision.
'Let's go. It's getting late' she doesn't want to go home yet but the man is right. It's getting late and her parents might scold her for going home late.
She stood up and follow Lucas who was now walking back. Along the way, no one has the guts to say something. Until they reach the cottage.
'uhh, Mister Pablo I'm going home now' Lucas said to Mister Pablo, the fisherman who invited him earlier. The old man tapped her shoulder and turned to let the others that he's going home.
'Everyone, Lucas will be on his way home'
'thank you for the invitation' he bows in front of them
'no problem. You should visit us here often.'
'you are always welcome here young man'
'take care on your way home.'
The others said. He faced Mister Pablo and say thank you again.
But before he leaves, he noticed that Mei is looking at him. He looks at her with a questioning look. He feels like Mei wants to say something that's why he waits.
'uhh..' Mei does not know how to say her proposal. She's thinking it earlier while they are still walking at the sea side.
'uhh..' she's now playing her hair with the use of her point finger. This is her when she's feeling nervous. 'Oh damn… calm down Mei! It's not like you're going to court this man' she rebuked herself
'what is it?' Lucas seems so bored while waiting for her to say something. While his both hands are on his pockets.
'Can you be my friend? I mean, can we be friends?' there! She finally said it.
He was happy to be with. Even though, he's cold. He's interesting and honest. She have friends but, she doesn't feel like she's really in their circle. She's always out of place. She can't relate to their topics.
'i'll think about it' and then he left. He didn't even let her say goodbye.
She sigh.
'Will he accept me as a friend?' she ask to herself before she take the stone passage that leads back to their house.
'Mei!' she stopped from walking and face her cousin
'what is it Blanche?' she asked. Blanche is panting and is regaining her breath. Well, she's running just to catch up to her cousin Mei
'Have you seen Lucas?' her brow raised and turns into an on flick. Is this girl has a crush on Lucas? She wants to confront her but she stopped. They will just argue if she will asked that thing. Tho, her cousin will open it to her if she really is into him.
'He went home. Why?'
'oh no! I did not reach him' Blanche is sad. She can say that. She look at what her cousin is bringing. There she confirm it on why her cousin is having a sad expression
She's speechless.
'you want to go to our house? I will cook you some dessert' she offered and change the topic
'nah! I need to reach him and give these.'
'but---' she was cut off when Blanche didn't let her to speak further and said 'bye coz!'
She let out a deep breath before she continues to walk. To go home.
'Good evening ma' she pick her mother's hand and put it in her forehead to show some respect.
'have you had dinner Mei?' her mother asked while putting some water at the glass
'yes, ma' she answered
'where is Jay?' oh no! She forgot about Jay!
'mama!' she felt relieved when Jay came.
Jay hugged their mother and kissed their mother's cheeks. 'mama, the food is really delicious!' Jay said as he praise the food happily.
'Really son?!'
'yes mama! And do you know that I meet a handsome man yesterday?'
'handsome man? Who is that?'
'he is brother Lucas! He is kind! and rich! He gave us a lot chocolates earlier with my friends!' Jay is jumping. His stomach is really big like a ball that makes her chuckle. And Jay saw her.
'sis! You should court brother Lucas!' and that shookt her.
'what the…?'
'Mei!' her mother warned her so she just said…
'fudgeee! What are you talking about Jay?! I'm not doing that!' she said and went nearer to her brother then she messed it's hair.
'why?! He's handsome!' she laughed. Her brother knows nothing so she understands him. He is still young that needs more patience about such things.
'Jay, that is not good' her mother said and lecture Jay. She stood up and excuse herself.
'im going to rest ma' and she went upstairs to rest.