The Cursed Soul

Chapter 3

ÍROAS

The boy looked at me calculatingly as though checking his memory if he remembered me correctly.

"That was you, right? – The boy who's stupid enough to think he could jump into the reservoir?" His voice was a bit nonchalant though. I just noticed now how his tone is showing a little sign of accent – Italian, perhaps?

I rolled my eyes before facing him hesitantly, secretly cursing myself, "Uhm... Yes?" I timidly whispered, "I mean, Yes."

"Ohhh." is the only response he gave. Meeting him again made the memory of the incident yesterday flooded my head. Making me shiver from my position.

"What are you doing here kid?" he continued anyway.

"Stop calling me kid!" I scowled, "I reckon we're almost the same age."

He snorted, "I'm older than you think." Although he didn't look as he claimed, I didn't protest. It seems to me he's only three years older than I am but somehow, somehow I feel like he's telling the truth.

"Whatever, I gotta go, I need to buy something." I hadn't walked a couple of paces when he spoke up again.

"You mean the candies?" I looked at him with surprise.

"How did you..." But I was cut off when he pulled me inside his apartment. Giving me no choice but just to let him and follow. And for an unknown reason, the boy makes me think that I could trust him – like I've known this boy from somewhere else. Upon entering, my vision was swept over by the pleasing colors of white and gray among the walls and the classic brown and creamy white furnitures that stood out in the living room.

I was speechless by the coziness and the warm snug comfort it gives, "Your place is amazing." I said to him after he came out from one of the rooms on my left.

"Oh! It's not mine. The owners are out, but they will be back any moment now. – Here..." Only by then the bag he was handing to me, an arctic blue paper bag that had black scribbled words written 'Tsewe on Acaeirm'

I hissed mentally, 'Oh damn you dyslexia... I know it's Sweet on America!' The bag was a bit snaggy since maybe because it was drenched in rain yesterday. I took the familiar bag and saw the candies and chocolates I bought yesterday from the candy store.

"Thank Gods you found it!"

"It fell over when you ran away yesterday from the park." I pursed my lips into a thin line remembering how I rudely left him after saving me from drowning.

"Err sorry about that... And thank you for this." he gave me a small nod and was about to speak when I averted my gaze back to the door.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I think they're coming back. - I better leave, thank you again." I quickly said and marched towards the exit but I abruptly stopped when I felt three figures now on the other side of the door. It creaked open revealing the jovial faces of the two people I have seen before and another woman.

"Iro? Is that you?" the man said quizzically, "What are you doing here?"

"Err... hi Paul!" I whispered. By then, I was tackled in a hug by her daughter, Estelle. I hug her back and gently tap her head.

"Iro!" she shrieked happily.

"Hello to you too, Estelle." I looked at her father and smiled awkwardly.

"You knew each other?" The boy I was talking to earlier asked in surprise. I just realized then that I hadn't asked his name yet.

"We do, Estelle and I met him yesterday in the candy store."