𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐄𝐀 ✔︎ (ongoing)

|09| arguments

I force myself out of bed to get ready and run downstairs. There are about ten customers either waiting for their order or sipping their tea and eating a pastry or biscuit.

Grandad nods after I mouth, going out and I rush out of the teashop, almost bumping into a toddling infant whose mother gives me a dirty look while pulling her child closer.

I say sorry and open the door for them but she doesn't even thank me. Oh well.

Where am I going? I don't even know. All I want is to sort out my plan alone without any distractions.

The first place I go to is the park. I take a deep breath, admiring the serene atmosphere with flowers, trees and the long grass swaying in time to the sound of the wind as if they are dancing and the wind is singing.

I walk up the path and observe my surroundings. But then, a group of familiar boys playing football in the distance catches my eye. They're my football team.

I run up to them and they suddenly stop the game, looking at me nervously.

"Why didn't you invite me?" I yell, angrily.

"Sorry, Francisco," says Solomon. "Sam reckoned you were quite busy with the tea shop so-"

"What? I never said that!" Sam scowls at him.

"Calm down," says Nick. "Anyways, Francisco, we didn't think you'd be available. Just like last time."

"How did you plan this?" I ask. I am fuming. "Did you make another group chat excluding me?"

They all look at each other, guiltiness present on their faces.

"We're sorry-"

"Forget it," I sigh and walk away.

Maybe I'm being a bit too dramatic but I hate them for it.

I continue walking through the park until I come across a takeaway place and I enter. The savoury aroma of meat, sauce and spices are activating my salivary glands which is making my mouth water.

I walk up to the counter and order a lamb burger with cheese and a portion of chips with garlic sauce and pop then wait at a nearby table.

While thinking about my plan to share the herbs with Richard, his very own daughter walks in. She looks at me and smiles.

"Hi, Francisco," she says.

I grumble a hi back and stand up to take my burger, chips and drink from the man shouting, "Boy! Your food is ready."

I sit back down with the tray and take a large, delicious bite from the burger, stuffing some chips in between my mouthfuls. While relishing the taste, Marina sits in front of me and I instantly stop eating.

"I want to say sorry on behalf of my dad," she says.

"It's okay," I reply.

I hand her my pop and she opens and drinks from it straight away.

"Thanks. Anyway, my mum wants to know if you've made up your mind about sharing the herbs? Of course, we don't want to force you but-"

"Yeah," I say. "I have. Richard will get it soon, tell him I said that."

Her eyes look like they're about to pop in surprise and she almost spits out the mouthful of pop in her mouth.

"What?" she whisper-shouts. "Are you sure?"

"I've been thinking about it for a long time. And, yes I am sure. Just make sure my Grandad doesn't find out."

A pang of guilt stabs my chest. I'm sorry, Grandad.