It’s half past six and we are still at the newly opened bookstore across my office. Ayle wants to spend time as much time as she could by staying far from the house. I’m not against her idea, but it’s kind of tiring after a long day at work. It would be great if I could go straight to bed after work. Or maybe, I could pay Rosie a visit. Should I ask for her number if we meet again?
“Are you in a relationship or what?”
I flinched as Ayle slammed her books to the table. I glared at her because some of the visitors are staring at us.
“Why the fuck are you so loud?!” I asked in a whisper-yelled tone.
“Stop acting like this is a library.” Ayle rolled her eyes and proceed to sit down. “You’ve been daydreaming for the past…” She glanced at her watch, “ten minutes?”
I folded my arms and stare at her unbelievably. “Since when did you become a paparazzi?”
“Cut the crap, bro. Are you thinking about the same girl Bryan told me?” She squinted her eyes, “don’t bother lying because I’ve had enough of your foolish smiles.”
I scoffed and pick some of Ayle’s books randomly. What is this?
How to master cooking in ten days?
101 simple receipts for breakfast!
Cooking hacks: Never fails in a new receipt
“Are you planning to burn our house again?”
Ayle snatched those books from my hand, not before smacking the three of them on my head. “I’m tired of you feeding me shits. Girliegotta know how to cook.”
The last time she tried to cook, she almost burnt half of the house. I clearly remember it was a sunny Sunday and I just got home from a morning jog. As soon as I kick the door open, I frantically run to the kitchen as the house was full of smoke. I thought I forgot to turn off the stove. But turns out, this girl has set the kitchen on fire with just a damn instant noodles.
“So, back to the topic. What’s behind your creepy smile?”
“Nothing. And have you finished? Because I would like to have my dinner now.”
“We aren’t leaving before you spill the tea.”
Being the stubborn human being she is, she crossed both arms and leant to her seat. I do the same. Ayle raised her eyebrow, which I did too. She glared at me and I just stared at her boringly. We stare at each other for like, three minutes?
“Oh, come on! Just spill it!”
“Nope.”
“Okay, that’s it. You never see me as your sister.”
I furrowed my brow. Here she goes again with being dramatic. I sighed as she grabbed her bag and slowly stands up. A forced sad expression is written all over this bitch’s face.
“Where do you think you are going?”
“Home.”
I rolled my eyes, “fine. But you better not say anything before I finished my tea.”
Less than a second, I found her sitting obediently in her previous seat. Ayle had both hands crossed above the wooden table. Not forgetting to smile innocently as she waited for me to start.
“Her name is Rosie. I met her through my company’s social experiment about one’s proudest moment alive. She got me shook by her answer. That’s probably the reason she is stuck in my head these past days.”
Ayle tilted her head, “what is it?”
I scoffed as she obviously ignores my rule not to say anything before I finished the whole story. She seems to realize it, then proceed to give me an awkward smile.
“She hates her family.”
I stay quiet after saying it, observing Ayle’s reaction. To my surprise, she seems calm. There’s no signs of shock from her.
“I said she hates her family.”
Ayle nodded, “yeah, I’m listening. Please proceed.”
“You aren’t gonna say anything about it?”
This girl just shrugged, as if it wasn’t a big deal. “I hate my own mom.”
Okay, that makes sense. I straighten my posture before continuing my story. “She works as a bartender at a night club.”
Ayle smirked, “that’s why you’ve been going to night club recently.”
I ignored her teasing because I have more important topic to tell her. “But I don’t think I’m going serious with her.”
“Elaborate.”
“My ex, Cindy, who is a straight A’s student, doesn’t even passed mom’s standards.” I sighed, “and Rosie, is clearly out of the list. Moreover, she works at a night club. You can do the math.”
“There’s no fucking math in love.” Ayle replied harshly.
“I’ve never said I love her. I just have a tiny crush on her. It’s not that serious.”
My sister looked at me with ‘are you serious’ eyes. I shrugged and leant back to the chair. She rolled her eyes for the nth times today.
“You do know how irrational mom is when it comes to this stuff, right?”
I keep my mouth shut because I know, she is right. But still, mom does this because she just wants the best for us. There’s no parents in this planet who wants to harm their children, right?
“Aside from the abortion, I’ve never regret doing what I’ve done back then.”
As our eyes meet, Ayle gave me a small smile. It’s a sensitive topic, thus we’ve never talked about this. And I don’t think we’ll ever talk about this. Moreover, in an open space like here, where people can easily eavesdrop. I turned around to check our surroundings, only to find two to three people on the corner, about twenty feet away from us.
“I’ve always wondered if dad didn’t leave us, will mom still be a this protective or she can be as chill as another mom?”
No cap, I’ve been wondering about it too. I used to make scenarios what would happen if dad didn’t leave. He will drop and pick us up from school on weekdays. Mom might be a fulltime housewife, whose worries is about what food to cook for today. Not the decreasing sales of her company. We’ll have a Sunday picnic, or just chill at home watching baseball game together. But no. Dad choose to divorce mom, then marry her secretary. What a party pooper.
“I’m not supporting dad, but maybe you can learn something from him. No matter how hard it is, he is still determined to marry his secretary. I’m quite impressed.”
I chuckled. I can’t tell if she’s being savage or really impressed by dad. “Are you seriously asking me to learn something from him?”
“That old man knows what he wants, and he doesn’t back down to achieve it. Even when it seems impossible.”
In some way, it does make sense, though. I wait for Ayle to mock me because I’m starting to believe her. But she didn’t. She keeps her face straight.
“Wait, are you really being serious?”
“Here, listen. You don’t need anyone’s approval. If that’s makes you happy, then go for it. There’ll be no rainbow if there’s no rain.”
“And there might be storms after rain.”
“Shut your smart mouth up and listen to me.” Ayle glared and I laughed. Gosh, she’s being really serious this time. “Go play with the fire. Better crying for the result than dying in curiosity. AND, stop pleasing other souls. Some people never learn how to appreciate.”
This afternoon’s talk is too serious and I can’t have it anymore. I stand up and grabs Ayle’s book to the cashier. “Let’s grab some dinner. What are you carving?”
“I want to try cooking pasta!”
“Nope. Not on my watch.”
“But- OUCH!”
Of course, this clumsy girl has to bump on someone. My eyes went wide as the girl fall to the floor. Ayle must’ve bumped the chair onto her.
“Watch where you are going!” I whispered yell to my sister before kneeling down to check on the girl.
“Shit! I’m sorry! Are you oka- Rosie?”
“Babe?! What are you doing down there?!!”
I looked up to a high-pitched voice coming from a guy who is now running towards us. He squatted down directly, tapping on Rosie’s face. Then shaking her shoulder. Then checking on her feet. After confirming there’s no injury, the guy helps Rosie to stand.
I spare a glance at Rosie who has her eyes on Ayle. I turned to my sister and glared at her, motioning her to apologize. But of course, this girl just rolled her eyes and didn’t say anything. She even has the guts to crossed her arms.
“I’m sorry. We didn’t watch where we are going.” I smiled awkwardly as I made eye contact with the guy.
“Let’s go.” Rosie replied without looking at me. The guy encircled his hand around Rosie’s waist. He smiled apologetically at me, probably because Rosie was being rude. I heard he whispered ‘careful’ before leaving Ayle and I.
Ayle scoffed and snatch the book I was holding. “Stop staring at her. It’s not like I break her leg or something.”
“Did you hear him calling her ‘babe’?” I asked hopelessly. I hope I misheard or something.
“What?” Ayle looked at me weirdly. “Yeah of course. Maybe he is her boyfriend. Why?”
“Right? Bold of me to assume Rosie doesn’t have a boyfriend.” I heave a deep sigh. I was just considering if I should go after Rosie or just crushing on her in silence. Seems like the cupid enjoys playing with me.
“Shit!” Ayle gasped, “is it the same Rosie we were talking about earlier?!”
Looks like my fire has burnt out before I could play with it.
“We’ll have another social experiment?”“Sales department said public has a great feedback about it. Most of them are asking for another experiment.”I haven’t got over the first social task we had. Let’s just hope there’s no certain participant that attracts my attention. Or better, there’s no certain blonde suddenly appears in our booth.“The topic is either the most painful thing you’ve been told or you’ve told. The management is taking votes for that.”“It’s… kinda interesting?”“I know, right. I definitely choose the painful thing you’ve told someone.”I take another bite of my burger. I almost let out a moan since it’s my very first meal for the day. “Why?”“I have listened to many stories where people being victims. I want to see the sides of villains. Ho
“Shit! I’m sorry!”I quickly kneel down and pick the scattered papers all over the floor. I’m in a rush and didn’t watch my step, causing me to bump onto the new intern girl. The meeting with Maggy took longer than usual. Of course, she has lots of complaints. All the way down from works to the tidiness of our office.It’s a little over seven, means I’ll be meeting Rosie in a bit. It’s embarrassing because with just the thought of seeing her tonight, makes me giddy all day. Bryan even notice my unusual behavior and keeps on bugging me today, but I just brushed him off. I’ll tell him when I think I stand a chance with Rosie.“Here,” I handed some of the papers I picked, “I’m sorry, I didn’t watch where I was going.”“It’s okay, I didn’t watch my step too. Thank you.” She bowed politely and avoid eye contact with me. She keeps her eyes on the fl
“Are you sure you don’t want to eat at home?”“I swear if you ask me one more time!”I quickly zipped my mouth and follow this blonde who is walking in front of me. I’m carrying a box full of chicken and two drinks, while Rosie has snacks on both hands. We are currently walking to the rooftop of an abandoned building. Since we parked at the 8th floor a.k.a the last floor for parking lot, it takes forever to reach its rooftop. We area on the last stairs and I can feel my legs go jelly.This building used to be a bar years ago. But its business went bankrupt and the owners probably hiding somewhere, leaving this place unoccupied. But it doesn’t mean this place is unused and haunted. Most of the time, the rooftop is occupied by youngsters to chill and stuff. Its night view is breathtaking, thus worth the effort to reach the rooftop.Rosie pushed the metal door opened. Its creaking sound makes several heads
“AYLE!”As soon as they heard my shout, both pairs pulled away.The plan was I came home to a quiet and peaceful house, since it’s almost one in the morning. But no. I have to witness Ayle and a random guy make out in our front yard.I could see Ayle urging the guy to get inside his car as I fasten my pace towards them. The guy is fumbling around his pants, maybe looking for the car keys. As I walk closer, there’s a strong reek of alcohol coming from both of them.As soon as I grabbed his collar, I waste no time to punch this bastard in the face. Now the intoxicated guy fell headfirst to the ground.This guy grimace in pain. I could see bloods flowing through his mouth. Although it stings, my knuckle doesn’t seem to be stopping soon. I land another punch, and punches, on this bastard.“Alex! Stop!”I felt a harsh tug on my back, thus making me left another kick on him before getting pulled awa
“So, the rumor is true?”“What rumor?”“You are seeing someone here?”I just laughed it off. Bryan has been way too persistent since I asked if he wants to go to the club. And I guess meeting Olive here last Friday, make it worse. The interns are quite active in spreading news.“Tell me, which chick keeps you here?”I ignored him as I pushed the door opened. Shake it off by Taylor Swift was being played out loud, yet no one seems to complain. If anything, the crowds get even wilder when the chorus came. I look over the counter and found Rosie bobs her head, jamming to the diva’s song.“Shit! That’s the blonde?!” Bryan shouted behind me, as we made our way to the counter.As she knows someone is watching her, Rosie turned her head towards our direction. Her lip curls slightly upward, giving me a dominance smile, as we made an eye contact. I wink and in an instant,
It’s been awhile since I feel this nervous. I’ve been inside my car since half to seven. And it’s almost seven now, yet I can’t bring my leg to walk and knock on Rosie’s door. I grinned widely over the rear mirror, just in case I have some food stuck between my teeth. Don’t want to give Rosie a bad impression on our first date.For the last time, I inhale a deep, and long breath, before finally deciding to step out of the car. I’m practically dragging my feet to Rosie’s front door. I didn’t bring anything either, because I don’t think Rosie is the type who likes flowers. Oh, maybe I should bring her fries and ice cream. Stupid me.“I thought you wouldn’t get out from the car.”I jumped back a bit.There’s a guy who folds both hands while leaning on the wooden frame door. Is this Bonnie? I don’t remember his face since I’ve o
We are currently waiting for our orders. I look at Rosie who is bobbing her head to the lyrics of Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa being played in the café. Her taste of song is just different from mine. Judging from her previous playlist in the car, Rosie is more into pop songs. I prefer jazz to pop songs, such as Fly Me to the Moon. That’s considered as jazz, right?“Have you ever been here before?”I blinked twice as Rosie turned to me in a sudden. She rolled her eyes playfully, but didn’t say anything as she caught me staring.“Nope. I did some research this morning and this café pops out the most.”Rosie nodded and her eyes go back wandering around. So, do I. I spent the last three hours of work racking my brain for this date. I can’t just simply take Rosie to common places I’ve always been to. It just felt inappropriate. After hours of googling, I decided to try this café. The rev
“Be careful, it’s slippery.”Our guide has been saying the same line for the last ten minutes. We have to walk for another five minutes to reach the top. The road is a bit slippery because it rained this afternoon. But Rosie and I have come this far. We wouldn’t want to miss the chance for stargazing. And I’m not complaining because I got to hold Rosie’s hand for the walk. She even teased me by saying she could hear my heartbeat. If only she knew, the butterflies inside my belly is wilding.“It’s pretty packed for weekday.” Rosie whispered as we almost reached the top.“I don’t think we can stargaze clearly since it’s still cloudy.”I let out my hand for Rosie to take, which gladly she did without any further tease. I pulled her up and we are now on the top of the hill. There are around ten or so couples here.“You guys can find any spots to sit, but make sure not t