My childhood is boring as they say. I love to be alone. For me, to be a homebody is amazing. I can just read books all day during weekends and listen to my favorite songs.
Not until this little boy came into my life.
When I was 5 years old, both of my parents left us to work abroad. 5 years later, they went home in the Philippines to bring their children, including me, of course. But I declined. I just love my grandparents and my aunt that I couldn't leave them. I beg my parents for them to let me stay. I know that it cost a lot to stay there. Only ate Sab and Kuya Baste came with them. Since ate Sab is grade 7 and Kuya Baste is grade 11, I think they need it more to be there.
I didn't cry while they're bidding their goodbyes. But when they finally left, I went into our subdivision park, I stayed in this little nipa hut, and there I cried.
I don't want anyone to see me crying, but I love to cry all alone. While finding peace alone, someone handed me a handkerchief. I saw the sincerity in his eyes. I wanted to ask him to leave me alone, but at that moment I knew I needed someone by my side. I accepted his handkerchief. I stopped crying but I never talked. He just sat near me, but we're just silent.
A few minutes later, I handed him his handkerchief but he didn't get it.
"I'll leave now after knowing that you're okay. Just keep it, maybe you need it again. Take care!" He said before he left me.
From that moment, I can't stop thinking of him. I was just 10 years old but I already felt something in my stomach. Butterflies in my stomach as they say?
After a week, I didn't expect to see him in our class. I was in grade 3 at that time. The boy I met at the subdivision park. I sat beside him since the seat was empty.
"It's you again." He said. "Crying baby girl."
"My name is Jeize Elena, not a crying baby girl." I pouted.
"What's your whole name?" He switched to being serious now.
"Uhm, Jeize Elena Iverson Arturo. And you?" Curiosity hits me. I wanted to know his name.
"Such a long name. Can I just call you Jeia? Or do you prefer crying baby?"
"Stop it. I'm not a crying baby!" I complained.
"Okay, I'll just call you Jeia, shortcut for your long name." He laughed.
"What's your name? Your whole name." I asked again, I still don't know his name.
"I am Theodore Achilles Bautista Simpson." He offered his hand for a handshake.
"You have a long name too. I'll just call you Tabs." He's a little bit chubby, it fits him. He suddenly puts his hands on the table. So, he doesn't want to shake hands anymore.
"I disagree. Everyone's calling me Theo, so just call me as it is." After he said it, he ignored me right away.
I tried to be friendly in the best way I can, but I'm not good at making the first move. So, I also ignore him. Maybe, I'll just wait until he talks to me again.
Our teacher came and he introduced Theo. Transferee from Baguio.
A month has passed but he's still not talking to me. Until, I went to the subdivision park and there I saw him crying.
I always brought the handkerchief he gave me. This time, I handed it to him. I didn't talk. He didn't accept it.
"That's already yours." He said while wiping his tears.
Maybe, he's ready to have a conversation.
"If I'm the crying baby, then you're the crying baby boy. It's a tie" I'm trying to lighten the situation.
YOU ARE READING
In Silence
Teen FictionJeia, the youngest among her 2 siblings, grew up with her grandparents. Her parents are working abroad, and her brother and sister are living with them. She loved to be alone when she was a kid. She's just playing alone, until this little boy came i...
