Before Me, Him

Chapter 10

   It was ten am when my body decided to wake up on its own. The light was coming in from the windows and a comfortable breeze was kissing my cheeks. I slowly get up and walk towards the balcony. The sun was shining bright and the sky was a deep blue, no clouds in sight to ruin its beauty. I look around and see the birds flying from tree to tree, the wind messing up both my hair and the tree leaves. Somehow, I was feeling happy.

     I dress up and go down to have my breakfast. Therese was eating some French toasts while John was reading the morning newspaper.

     - Good morning! – says Therese enthusiastically. – Did you sleep well?

     - I haven't had such a great night in years, honestly. – I look around while picking up some milk and break. – Where's Emily?

     - Didn't she tell you? She left already, really early this morning. She didn't tell me where she went though.

     Emily left without me. I wasn't sad or mad, just confused. Well, it can't be helped. I'll just walk around the area for a bit. I think it would be good for me. Haven't been able to see everything around here by myself since I only got here two days ago. A day without those three sounds like heaven to me.

     After breakfast, I walk out the door, towards the green fields. I walked for a really long time, around two hours, non-stop while looking at the beautiful landscapes Vella had to offer. The lively green grass waved when the wind passed through its brothers and the different flowers in the fields reflected the light from the sun with its vivid colors. The warm wind touching my long brown hair and the sunlight touching my body making it feel warmer were creating happiness within me. As I walked in the dirt path I could see everything around me, naturally beautiful. I felt like running so I ran. The wind was stronger as my feet touched the path at an unfamiliar speed. 

     When was the last time I ran? It must have been years." I thought. As I was getting more and more out of breath I end up stopping and placing my hands on my knees. A couple of sweat drops fell from my skin but, even though I was extremely tired, I felt extremely happy. I raise my head and, in the distance I see a shape, a human figure walking forward, without looking back. I was curious so I walked a bit faster until the shape became clearer and clearer: it was an old man carrying some paper bags with several groceries. He looked troubled so I put an extra effort to catch up to him.

     - Hi! Those bags look heavy, would you like some help? – I offer the man a kind smile as he looked at me confused.

     - Thank you. – he says while I pick up both bags. – My house is right over there so it won't take long!

     - It's quite alright!

     He looked kind and his voice had a warm tone attached to it. He was wearing a white shirt with some dark red squares as a pattern along with some beige trousers. His hair was short and grey that worked well with his light skin tone. His face had several features amplified by the age wrinkles and his back was a little crooked.

     We walked for ten more minutes before my senses could capture what was a farmhouse. It was a small and humble building, made mostly of wood and some cement but around it, there were several different fences harboring lots of animals such as cows, chickens, and goats mostly. There were also some beautiful brown horses eating on the green fields around the area. As we enter the actual house, pass the fences and the outdoor gate I noticed several portraits hanged on the walls. That house was very simple, humble, and small but, at the same time, it felt very warm and filled with life. Maybe that was due to the animals around us or maybe it was just the whole environment that was previously created by the kind old man.

     - Would you like to have some tea? – he says while placing both grocery bags on his kitchen balcony – I have some chamomile leaves, it will be very refreshing so you'll be able to regain your energy!

    - Thank you. – I nod and smile.

    - What's your name, young lady?

    - June!

    - June is a beautiful month where the warmth starts to appear. – he looks at me with his warm hazelnut eyes. – It suits you. My name is Robert. Not as beautiful or remarkable as yours though. – his own statement made him laugh while he poured the tea leaves into the boiling water.

     - Robert is also a beautiful name. – I say creating a kind smile on Robert's lips.

     - So, where are you from?

     - Hollum. How could you tell? – I was genuinely surprised.

     - I had a hunch. – he said while placing the chamomile tea on the table and sitting down. I follow. As we both drank the warm chamomile tea we managed to talk about several different subjects. Robert asked me what I was doing in Vella as I told him about my parent's trip to Belgium. 

     Afterward, he told me that his grandson was also studying in Belgium due to his daughter having moved there two summers ago. He explained a little bit more about his family situation: Robert's only daughter was called Lucille and her son was Dylan; his wife had died last summer with cancer in her lungs and now he was all alone in his home. As he told me part of his life story I felt a terrible sadness. I wish Robert could have more social interaction, without animals included, since he has been alone for a whole year, hanging on. His stomach growled stating it was lunchtime.

     - It's already this late? – Robert gets up and goes into the fridge. – I don't have anything done. - Would you like to have lunch with me, Robert? My treat. – I smile as he agrees. I pick my phone from my backpack and, when I turn it on I am emerged with three missed calls and two new text messages. Everything was from Luke except one of the calls that was from Emily. I open my messages folder to see six unread text messages, two from today and four from last night.

Where are you? was the first.

I went to your house, you weren't there. Where are you? was the second.

Are you avoiding me? Stop running. was the third.

June for fucks sake, answer the fucking phone I just want to talk. was the fort.

Good morning, did you sleep well? was the fifth.

Can we meet today? was the sixth and last one.

     With Luke's persistence and my patience running low I end up texting him back saying: "I'm on vacation, will be back in a month. When I'm back we'll talk better until then don't talk to me". Send. Now I was just hoping he wouldn't text me back or, at least, understand where I was coming from. I go online to check the cab service numbers and after I got it, I call them. While we waited I called Emily and, in order for us to talk more in privately, I go outside.

"

     - Hello? Emily?

     Hi, June! Where are you? I went home one hour ago but you weren't there!

     - I'm not home right now, I went to take a walk.

     Where are you? Are you with cows?

     - Yeah I'm on a farm.

     That explains the background animal noise. Either way, we're going to have lunch at Jacob's house, do you want to come?

     - Sorry I already have plans. I'll meet you guys later.

"

     The cab arrives as I say goodbye to Emily. Robert and I enter the cab and we start discussing menu options ending up deciding on an Italian restaurant.