Earlier
"Sapphire!"
I was feeding some of our chickens in the backyard. There were a total of six chickens, but my favorite is the white feathered hen. I named her Callie. I softly stroked Callie's round and dull feathers when a familiar voice called my name. I stood up from my crouching position and faced Caleb – who is now approaching me.
"Caleb? What are you doing here? Don't you have school?" Question after question, my eyebrows furrowed at his unexpected arrival. It was Monday, and I'm sure he has school on weekdays.
He stopped in front of me and chuckled.
"School's out. Didn't I tell you last Saturday?" My eyes widened. I almost forgot that it's already summer – which means Caleb doesn't have to go to school anymore!
"No?" I tried to remember if he said anything, but all I could remember is that Saturday was the day Dom went to the store for the first time.
"Oh well, now you know..."
"Well, that's great," I beamed. Caleb smiled.
I finally won't be bored on weekdays! Usually, I wake up, have breakfast with Papa or sometimes, Papa goes to the neighboring town named Canterbury early before I wake up. Dom let's Papa borrow a pick-up truck of his to transport our corn and wheat to the Goods Shed, a Farmer's Market, since our previous truck was too old to function. After breakfast, I read for a bit, take care of the chickens in our yard or water some of our plants. I usually open the store before lunch.
"Yeah, I'll hang out with you in the store more often now. My parents just dropped me off there earlier but you were–"
Before Caleb could finish what he was saying, loud thumps of horse steps echoed in our backyard. On top of a beautiful brown horse was Dom. He maneuvered the horse towards us like a mighty knight towering over.
Why is he here? Our fields are on the other side of the house where he usually works at.
And I never knew he had a horse. Although his cabin was right in front of the entrance in the woods, I never saw a horse there or even a stable. Dom stopped the horse and it neighed, making our chickens run in different directions.
"Whoa, nice horse!" Caleb said in amusement. I looked at him confusingly, but he was staring at the brown horse. I shifted my gaze towards its master, and saw Dom looking at me. My cheeks heated up and looked away. I suddenly remembered that he said I shouldn't be alone with Caleb.
"Hey, what's the name?" Caleb asked. It confuses me as to why Dom doesn't strike him, while my heart's pounding right now because of him!
"Dom," Dom said in a monotonous voice.
"Nice name for a horse!"
If I wasn't shocked at what Caleb said, I would probably be dying of laughter right now. But Dom looked serious. I don't know if he's mad or what. It's hard to decipher what's going on in his head.
I went near Caleb and whispered, "Caleb, it's not the horse's name..."
I looked at Dom again, and his jaw's already clenched.
"Oh, sorry. Nice to meet you, Dom," Caleb scratched his head in embarrassment. "I'm Caleb,"
Dom nodded and looked at me. I tried to tear my gaze away from him but,
"Sapphire..."
"H-huh?"
I hesitantly looked at him, but I remembered the words I said yesterday...
"You'll come with me to Canterbury tomorrow," Dom said in a low and somehow – menacing voice.
"What?" My heart hammered again. I have a store to manage, why is he telling me to go with him?
"What about the store?" I confusingly asked.
"You won't go there tomorrow," His voice dripped with finality.
I can't leave the store, for sure Mrs. Thomas will need something and I couldn't be there. I wouldn't want to let the old lady down. And Papa will surely be upset if I don't take care of the store.
"Your father told me to tell you. You should see what goes on in the market." It's like he knew what was going on in my mind!
"But someone has to watch over the store, Dom," My tone was almost a whine...
Dom smirked and glanced at Caleb who was silently standing there, watching our conversation.
"Maybe your friend can watch it for you..." He smoothly uttered.
I glanced at Caleb too, who looked helpless. I communicated with him through my eyes, telling him to not agree. It's not Caleb's job to watch over the store.
"W-well sure. No problem." Caleb didn't get my message. Instead, he gave me a reassuring smile and put his hands in his pockets.
"Then it's settled."
***
I rushed towards the house, with the keys in my hands, only to see that the truck is in the front yard already – which means Papa's home. I was about to open the door when Dom stepped outside of it. I put my hand to my chest because of shock.Why is he here, again?!
He stopped for a moment to glance at me, but he continued to walk outside the porch without saying anything.
I saw him ride the magnificent brown horse once again and he galloped away.
"Papa?"
I went to the kitchen and saw him there, there were some carrots and tomatoes on the table. Papa probably bought in in the Goods Shed for our dinner.
"Yes dear?" He looked at me and smiled. "Did you see Dom before going inside? We talked and he just left before you came,"
I nodded.
"Yes, Papa. Did you tell him to bring me to the market tomorrow?" I asked for confirmation.
"Well, that was what we talked about earlier,"
"Earlier this morning?" Papa's brows furrowed.
"No, just a few minutes ago, like I told you." Papa was confused too at what I said.
Huh. So Dom asked Papa just now...
But why would Dom want me to go with him?
BusinessAfter breakfast, I sat in front of our white porch while waiting for Dom. I was wearing my favorite yellow floral dress which I got from my mother's wardrobe. The fabric conditioner made it smell like vanilla and lavender. I paired it along with my brown boots. I didn't like wearing sandals, even though I have a pair. It just makes me uncomfortable when my toes touch the soil, especially when it's muddy sometimes.From the trail in front, I saw a shiny red pick-up truck approaching. It's him.He stopped the truck in front of the house and went out.
Head-turnerDom and I silently stepped out of the truck. In front of us is the Goods Shed. It's kind of a crowded place — since it is a market. It's quite amazing! There's a lot of people and a lot of booths and stalls. Father also has our own stall which we rented from Caleb's family.My smile widened while looking at different people carrying various goods, walking around. It's very different from the usual socialization in Georgebury.Dom walked in front of me, leading me to Papa's stall in the market. I looked at the other stalls with some vegetables that I've never heard of.
SickThe wind hurled against the dusty wooden window of the shop as I stared at the Jane Austen book in my hands. It's the soul-piercing story of Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth from Persuasion.You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone forever – Jane AustenMy focus on the tale has been long forgotten. I laid down my small bed, legs dangling at the end, and my eyes darted to the ceiling. Old, dusty, but calm. Like nothing can ever destroy the peace in this place. But even in the calm waters, danger lies underneath it all – waiting to ambush you from miles away or from meters below where you're standing at.However, my mind is far from calm. It's twisted – muddled a
Second home"Sapphire, do you need anything dear? I'm about to go to the neighboring town," Sapphire's father knocked on her bedroom door. "No Papa, you can go now. Stay safe, please," She told him while the white floral bed cushions devoured her body and soul."There's soup downstairs, okay?" Her father worried.Sapphire nodded in response, even though her father can't see her.A few minutes passed by, she went towards the window and saw that Dom's truck was coming forward to
LiarAnother day passed, and I've finally decided to go out. There's no avoiding it. I have finally came into conclusion that I can't avoid him. No matter how hard I try. He has this magnet attached to him, pulling me closer and closer until I can't resist anymore.I stepped out of our front door, and the morning sunlight greeted me. Holding a book in my hand, I strolled down the path surrounded by deep verdant green plants. The next thing I knew, I was walking beside the fields again, towards my favorite spot.I sat under the oak tree, relishing the peace and tranquility it radiates fr
IntentionsI was arranging some of the items on the shelf when I heard a tender ringing of the antique bell, signalling that someone just walked in. I placed old chimes at the top of the store's door so that I wouldn't be too surprised when someone goes in The last experience I had was quite...traumatic."Hey! You're back!" Caleb joyously beamed and walked towards me."You missed me, do you?" I laughed. Caleb chuckled and went behind the counter too. "Yeah, I sure did..." He playfully said. I slowly turned to him and grinned. I missed my best friend, of course!
InfatuatedHow does one know if they really, really, really like person? All night, I've been re-reading romance novels I've read. Jane Austen, F. Scott Fitzgerald, even William Shakespeare. All of the things I've read brought me to one ridiculous hypothesis."I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun." – Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen)From observation, I think it's time to experiment and prove this thesis statement of mine.
PhaseThe same thing happened on Sunday. We went to Canterbury again and helped Papa buy and sell goods. It was a normal day – a productive one. And I actually helped this time! It's starting to be a new normal for me to feel those metaphorical butterflies in my stomach, along with the constant racing of my heart like an athlete during a marathon – whenever I'm alone with Dom. There's really this aura that pulls me closer and closer to him.Now, I'm waiting for him to come. The winds gingerly brushed my hair as I sat on the shop's three-step staircase. The beautiful sun bid me goodbye as the truck I've been accustomed to approached nearer and nearer, until it finally stopped.