When The Last Petal Falls | Romance

2. THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA

I brought him to my place, -- the house belonged to Naina's friend -- It was a two-bedroom house located a half mile away from the shopping center. It was a perfect place to hide since it had neither 'eye-catching' ornaments nor flashy coloured walls.

"I didn't mean to take you home," I hesitated and froze in a place. I attempted to find proper words that would not deviate my real motif of saving him.

"Because you're there."

"I... I would even pick a stray cat if I met it by chance!" I stuttered as I eagerly convinced him. He nodded and didn't respond to my argument.

I wasn't sure the meaning behind his suspicious gestures. I suspected he giggled since I heard a mumbling voice come from his mouth. Damn it! I sighed heavily, knowing my ridiculous explanation didn't work at all to prevent any possible misunderstanding between the two of us.

"Don't imagine anything funny!" I grinned my teeth as I walked away. I sat in front of a flat screen TV and my posture was so stiff like a log – I didn't let my guard off toward this 'unknown' kid.

"I have one rule if you insist on staying here," I threw a topic. I intended to distract him from the previous 'meaningless' discussion.

"Go ahead!" He prompted. His voice changed and he looked unhappy.

"Don't come near my room!" I paused, peeked at him.

He was still there, standing in front of the big shelf, near the front door. His eyes focused on the abstract painting hanging on the wall. I wished he was listening to my words.

"No matter what happens or what you might hear, just ignore it!" I commanded. He was still so quiet, didn't move even an inch.

"But you can take anything from the fridge and use that room." I pointed to the smaller room in front of mine. I was amused by his statue-like posture. What is on his mind? I was suddenly blank, and couldn't think of anything else to say. He was too difficult to read.

I shook my head. Did he really listen to what I said?

I compromised with myself to stop saying anything. I exhaled and looked away to the yellow-legged bird which perched on the tree, outside the glass window. The silence was still in the air.

"Then, what else?" He frowned. He looked at me, but I denied seeing his face.

"What?"

"What else I shouldn't do?" He sounded irritated

"No, that's it!" I scowled.

I stubbornly let the silence dragged on. Trying hard to not be curious about his thoughts. In fact, I was in a bit of regret to spontaneously save him, I was a hundred percent sure that we wouldn't get along well in the future. We're just not compatible with each other.

"I will cook something... we can eat together then." He didn't ask for my permission, he just simply ordered me to do so.

"Okay." I agreed, then nodded involuntarily.

His unpredictable mood shifted as quick as a wind, hard to follow. I could purposely argue with whatever he said, but that idea would definitely get us in big trouble. This was the very first time for me to let someone shut my mouth up. I convinced myself that taking a few steps back wouldn't be that bad. - losing for winning - I excused myself.

I was changing TV channels when someone knocked on the door. I jumped from the sofa but was too late to approach the door's handle, he already rushed to welcome the guest.

"Wait..." he said calmly, opening the door.

I froze, and didn't know what to react when he suddenly acted like the landlord of the building.