Tulips

13. You're always in my thoughts.

Becky.

My mood didn't improve even when I'm driving. I played some music but still it didn't do anything.

"Angel? You okay dear? You've been quiet since the stop over." Mom asked.

Of course they'll notice. So I tried to come up with something fast.

"I'm feeling a bit under the weather. Don't worry, I'm well enough to drive."

Dad, who's on the passenger seat, put a hand lightly on my forehead. "No fever. Thanks to the heavens."

"Is it almost that time of the month?" Mom asked.

Dad looked confused. "Time of the month?"

"PMS, dad. No mom, I already had it last week. Maybe it's just stress."

"Yeah. Possible. Good thing we're on this trip. You could unwind later."

"Or you need some physical activity. You're always stuck in your shop." Dad said. "We've raised our kids are too hardworking."

We reached our destination. We took our gears and went to the registration office. This time I averted my eyes elsewhere and made sure I'll stick to mom or anywhere else not near her.

After a few minutes we started hiking. To my dismay, dad told Richie that he and Freen will go in the front since it's Freen's first time. So I had no choice but to unintentionally look at them. Looks like Freen haven't had any exercise at all so we were slow on our pace.

I was minding my own business while listening to some music. I didn't noticed that I gained speed which resulted on me bumping on her. She almost fell forward. Good thing I was able to put a leg forward that supported both our weight as I hold her by her bag and pulled her to me.

She turn to look at me with an angry expression. So I apologized right away.

"Sorry... I wasn't looking forward. I..." I stopped for when she saw it was me her expression softened in an instant, then in a second a smile appeared on her face.

"Should there be an accident before you get to talk to me?"

Gosh! Could this girl be any serious!

She looked down and when I saw my arms were still around her. I immediately let her go. At that exact moment Richie came but her eyes was still on me.

"Freen, Are you okay?" Richie asked looking at her for wounds. "Did you tripped?"

"I'm okay. I just..."

"I accidentally bumped into her..."

"What! What the hell are you thinking!? You know where that may lead." I was shocked to hear him raised his voice.

Freen was shocked too so she instantly put a hand on his arm which made him stop.

"No need to get mad. It was an accident. I'm fine. Let it go. Okay?"

Richie was able to calm down in a second.

"That's why you shouldn't leave your guest unattended." Dad said as he and mom went past us.

"I..." Richie went red on the face. "I'm sorry I..."

I chose not to wait for what he'll say. I just put on my headphone and walked past them. I was able to catch up on mom and dad.

Dad slowed down a bit to match my pace. "You okay angel?"

I wasn't able to hear but I know he said something. I took off my headphone.

"Sorry, what was that dad?"

"I asked if you're okay." He asked smiling.

"I am." I gave him a faint smile.

He took a deep breath. "I know something's bothering you. If ever you want to talk I'm all ears." He patted my head and continued walking catching up on mom.

He knows while I don't. Something is bothering me and I refused to know what. I just want to go home.

We reached the summit about 6 hours which should have been just 4 1/2. The night had fallen which made it more difficult. We slowed down from time to time so that Richie and Freen would be able to see us and follow the right trail.

When I saw her, I felt pity as she was so tired. As soon as they reached us, she sat down at the ground. Mom handed me two bottles of water and gestured for me to give it to them.

With heavy feet I took it, gave it to them and quickly walk away. We have 2 tents. One is large good to fit 3 to 4 people and another for two people.

Me and Dad started setting up ours. Dad tapped me and said. "I think it's time for a proper apology." He said then nodding at behind me.

I turned and saw Freen sitting at a chair near the bonfire.

"It could wait. I'll do it later. Let's finish..."

Dad looked at me silently saying I should do what he said. So I nodded in defeat.

With a heavy feet, I stood and walked slowly towards her. Not that I don't want to apologize, It's just I don't want to be close to her. Why though?

I didn't realize I already stopped beside her. I snapped from my thoughts when I heard her speak.

"Isn't the stars look amazing here? Why is it though? We see it almost every night at where we at but it looks extra special here."

I look up and agree with her. The stars looks so good at the night sky. I could clearly see a lot.

"It's cause here we could focus on the stars without any distraction. No houses nor buildings that blocks the vastness of the night sky. We could see many stars on the wide night sky."

She stood, went in front of me and looked at me straight in the eye.

"I could see you clearly anywhere, even when I close my eyes. You're always in my thoughts."

I looked at her stunned. Those words hit me as if it's a knife straight to my heart. Why am I so touched with her words that it gave me goosebumps and chilly shocks all over my body.

"Freen..." Richie said behind me.

I quickly composed myself, turned and walked away. It looked like he was about to say something to me but I didn't stop walking.

We had dinner under the stars. After that we sat around the bonfire. Dad and Richie took turns on telling stories for Freen. They even made her laugh. As much as I don't want to look at her, it's like my eyes itself want to. I watch her react on their stories even laugh at it. I smile upon seeing her laugh.

"You're always in my thoughts..." Her words had affected me greatly. It gave me the same feeling earlier, that chilly shocks, that pang in the heart and after a certain sadness as well.

If what she say is true... Then it dawned to me. Her kissing me again that night in Equinox, Her coming to the shop with a camellia which I'm not sure if she knows what it meant and how she stares...

I also think of her always as if she already invaded my mind. Being with her but unable to interact was kind of torture...

Oh shit, shit, shit... I'm in deep shit... I do like her.