Derelict Whispers

ii

chapter 2: somewhere else

"I'm so sorry about that. It was a dare."

The fastest he uttered that most cliché pick-up line I've ever heard, the fastest he took his words back. I mean, who wouldn't take those back? He's only contrasting the image of him that I have instilled in my mind. That surely didn't sound any like him. Not even a bit.

I shrugged and calmly took a sip on my wine. Then I looked at him. "It's okay. You're fine."

He blinked and took a really deep breath. It was like he was relieved by some burden he didn't want in the first place.

"Anyway, you want some pizza?" he asked while staring at me, and I just knew that he was calculating my move.

I blinked when in a second, there was a plate of three slices of pizza in his right hand. Whoah. That was something. Then I totally understand when I spotted the waiter who was holding an empty tray. Maybe he requested it before approaching me.

"Sure." Who says no to pizza in the midst of booze?

I accepted the plate with my left hand and placed it on the counter. I smiled a bit at the bartender when he saw what I did. I put my wine glass down as well and held a slice of pizza. The mere smell of it was enough to send excitement all over my system. Especially digestive.

I looked at my pizza-giver and smiled a bit. "Thank you for this." I slightly lifted my pizza. Kareem simply nodded with that usual smile of his. “Anyway, you want some?” I offered him the other slice.

He was fast to shake his head. “No. I'm good. Thanks.”

I looked away as I took a bite. This is amazing.

"How are you, Riri?" I heard him ask while my teeth were busy grinding the pizza. The excellent aftertaste of my not-so-favorite food lingered on every corner of my mouth. And I want some more. Normally, I'd eat my pizza halfheartedly. But right now, I appreciate its presence in the middle of booze.

I cleared my throat. Good thing I finished the first bite. I looked at Kareem again and meaningfully raised my right hand. It was a sign of dismissal.

"Do you mind if I finish my pizza first?" I asked him in a polite tone.

Then his eyes widened as recognition flashed on his black orbs. Maybe he's got recollection from the past. Well, I never liked talking while eating. It's like insulting your food and disrespecting the one who's talking to you.

“Not at all,” he replied, still staring at me with something I couldn't explain. It was like he's really watching every move I make.

So much to my relief, he blinked then that certain expression vanished. He looked normal again. At least to my naked eyes. I turned around to finish my food. I didn't munch it fast or slowly. I did it normally. . . like I was just taking a beach break after my tiring day. Then suddenly, I felt the presence and that's when I remembered that Heaven was sitting beside me.

I glanced at Heaven who looked like she had been starstrucked all the while. I pointed the slices of pizza to offer. "Pizza, Heaven?"

Heaven blinked as if she finally came back to reality. "S-Sí! I mean, definitely no, Riri. Thanks."

Just then, the conversation was turned to her.

"Heaven?" Kareem echoed as if Heaven rang familiarity with him.

Heaven simply nodded her head while maintaining her smile. "I am Heaven, and I am going to excuse myself now." Then she stood up and tapped both of Kareem and I's shoulder. "You two have fun, alright?"