SEVEN

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.