A Break Apart

CHAPTER 9. A Day with Him

The bold, colourful sign of Aisle Street Park was spelt out on a stylish, semicircle metal. The metal was mounted in two thick pillars, paving a wide entrance that had no gate. The pillars were attached to a short metallic fence, with flowers and trees surrounding the large green field. The clearer view of the park made me question if I had slept off while Mum drove past it during our impromptu tour.

I felt like an animated character who had just found the promised paradise as William and I walked on the green leveled grass. The beautiful park was a different world on its own from Aisle Street.

The sound of giggles as children ran around the park made me feel younger. Couples strolled around holding hands. Different groups of people were picnicking on their mats. And majority snacked as they moved on their heels like no one else existed. But the weird part about this senerio was William bringing me here, because it felt too natural for his wild personality.

"Nice place," I simply commented, not giving him the pleasure of knowing he made me feel alive.

"I know right," he said, with a sincere smile that transformed his demeanor from arrogance to friendly. He then stopped and took my hand. "Come, you're going to love this."

I chuckled. "Where are you taking me?"

"I know you don't trust me, but it's not a kidnap," he said, and I jovially rolled my eyes. With my hand in his, we looked like one of the couples in the park. I quickly buried the thought.

He brought us under a tree that had the same built-in, concrete seat as the ones against the fence of the park. The spot was secluded, and it provided a full view of the park, as though watching a live TV.

"Wow. This is lovely." I couldn't hold back a genuine comment any longer as my eyes took in all the activities playing out before me, which blended with the feel of the natural environment. Everyone seemed to be undergoing some form of healing therapy that the universe offered freely; laughing out stress, smiling away pain, walking with ease, eating with no worries and skating past their sorrow like YOLO. They were basically embracing life because they only had one shot at it.

"I told you so," I heard William say.

"I assume this is where you do your thinking?" I asked, turning to him.

"That," he settled on the concrete chair, "and also where I organize the schedules of my clients in my laptop whenever I get bored staying indoors. You should try it."

I felt attacked, but his expression gave me no proof of an intentional mockery.

I joined him in the chair. "Why are we here?" I asked the question that had been on my mind since we appeared in front of the environment.

"Isn't this place way better than being choked up in a house all day?" His crude remark gave me the proof that I had earlier searched for in his face.

"Are you allergic to giving straight answers?"

"Not when I'm being asked silly questions."

My frown deepened. "You should work on your attitude."

"Okay." He nodded, staring ahead. "I'll answer your question," he said, and then turned his head in my direction. "We are here to take in oxygen."

I looked away. Before my eyes, a man held the bycicle of a little boy as he paddled gently. "Why did I follow you..." I mumbled to myself, already regretting the time I was burning on nothing.

"I guess watching telemundo on your couch would have been a better option."

I snapped my neck sideways, with a blazing gaze.