1......2.....3 SMILE

PART 3

Feeling guilty, I wasn’t able neither to make a move nor to utter a word.

“Here…” she removed my camera on her neck and handed it to me. I didn’t respond right away, instead I stared blankly at her- as if examining her face.

I am standing in a beach, looking at the horizon where thesun is setting. I felt happy as I saw the sun bidding good bye to me. The lovely view is petrifying....

“HELLO?!” she shouted wearily. I startled, and then my senses told me I wasn’t watching the beautiful sun setting- I was staring at her face.

“I said here is your camera! I’m giving it back!” she resounded. I was still immobile and tried all my best to react. I gathered all the strength I got to move, but all I produced was a blink.

“Are you taking it or not?” she sounded impatient.

“sorry…” I finally managed to resonate. I took my camera and previewed the images. Then, a picture of me appeared on the screen. I have to admit, it is impressive. The shot was beautiful, only the subject is not.

“You got talent.” I adulated. “It’s a nice shot”

“Thank you” she replied sweetly. She eyed me for a moment, “Good thing your easy now” she then said.

I exhaled. “Pardon me for being ungentle” I apologized with all sincerity. Then I let a humble smile escaped on my lips. She smiled as a reply. Did I saw sparks? I shook my head lightly.

Resting assured there was no more tension between us, I offered my arms and introduced myself; “Rex Andrei Arellano”

She smiled widely. “You are so formal”I was embarrassed and felt my cheeks heated. I was about to pull my hand back but she extended hers and grabbed mine. “Jessa Jane Viguesilla. But you may call me Jane in case you find it awkward to call me by my full name” unknowingly, I laughed then shook her hand attached to mine.

“Perhaps offer me a seat?” She suggested. I immediately pulled the chair beside me and gave her a gentle “sit here” look.

We sat facing each other. There was an air of awkwardness in the silence between us. Out of uneasiness, I suddenly felt like going home.Mommy.

“So, what’s the problem?” She broke the silence. Jane’s voice is genuinely sincere. I stared at her confused. “I mean, a while ago… I saw you melancholic” she continued.

A flashback of the happenings at the pathway made me draw back. I felt the pain crawled in me again.  This girl has seen me cry. How pathetic I surely had looked: a geek, crying like a boy in a table at a lonely place. How humiliating.

“Forgive me for interfering. I'm just thinking I could help. This may be odd but you know you could trust me” I felt trueness in her speech. Sadly, I haven’t figured out how to respond with it.

I don’t know what magic this girl has casted on me. But I swearshe had erased my depression away and made me feel comforted.

No matter how much I wanted to speak, my vocal chords just couldn’t produce any sound.

“What was I thinking?” she burst. “Oh I am really sorry! I don’t intend to meddle… Please excuse my intruding to your private life. I should go now” she said nervously. She may have interpreted my silence as a rejection to her offered help.

“No, Jane!” I held her hands, stopping her to leave. Standing, she looked at me, her face still on hysteria.

I let her hand go then I looked away. “Do you ever feel stuck on a place you don’t belong?” I softly said. I took a deep breath then continued. “How about, choked and tired of all things that are happening around you?” I looked again at her and I saw her face saddened. Her eyes were full of sympathy, full of condolence to my distress. I felt humiliated. I tried to refute the comfort she was reaching out for me. But I couldn’t. I can’t deny I like the way she makes me feel at the moment.

She returned to her seat; her stare, still pinned on me. I bowed my head down and felt her soft hand brushing my shoulder.

“Thank you.” I said staring at her eyes. She stagnated. “I never thought this could be possible but even if I had just met you a while ago, I already feel comfortable with you”

“And so am I. it’s strange” she gave me a smile that shows her amazement with the incidence we both find weird. 

“I sincerely appreciate your kindness. You are the first person here in West Ridge who treated me with humanity. Are you not really disgusted with my look?”

“If I am, I would not even dare come near you” she answered: Her face, like that of an angel.

I felt safe and delighted after she said that. I was like lifted to the clouds. Next, I realized my heart was pounding out of the ordinary.

Her stare caught mine. “Come to this place when you feel like an outcast; you are always welcome here. When you are put to shame, come to me… Consider my place yours. Youcan count on me from now on”

Her statement brought me bliss. I found a refuge.

From that day forward, I always come to the botanical garden to meet Jane. Every day, we get to know each other better. We would talk about our likes and dislikes, even our dreams. For the first time, I have shared the story of my life to a person. Jane was really fun to hang out with. What I like the best about her was herbeing expressive, open and vocal. She tells me almost everything; except her past.