THE OLD ME BACK

Chapter 53

"Ice cream for you, my future girlfriend," he sweetly utters upon stretching his arm to reach me out in a very close distance. We have just gotten out from the church when there is dirty ice cream vendor who passed by right in front of us.

"Thank you, this is my favorite flavor," I reply while smiling, before I'm able to lick on the top of the cone.

"Oh really?" He asks me unbelievably. "I want chocolate, too," he says to the vendor right away after my nods. Then Denzel pays for the two cones he has just bought.

The vendor continues his walk while pushing his cart. When I turn my eyes to him, I see him so serious in licking now the top of his cone. I suddenly put my ice cream on his face and to his surprise, he chases me abruptly while I'm starting to run away from him.

"Let me do that back to you. You shocked me so much!"

"Waaahhh! Don't you ever follow me please!" I'm already hysterical that people who are around from the church look at us while we're both running fast.

"Get ready, Alesha. I'm coming fast! Bwahaha!"

"No! Please!" I beg while I'm running away. Some parts of ice cream on the cone are already dropped due to making myself run very quick.

"I got you!" He shouts surprisingly, and that's when he hugs me back so I hurriedly turn behind. We are already facing each other then, so I choose to keep my face away from him while he's locking me down through his arms on my waist.

"I want to taste your ice cream," he dares me while looking at me very close. I could really feel his breath on my face, and his masculine perfume really captures my sense of smell. Wait, what did he just say?

"But I already licked it," I excuse.

"That's why I want to taste it."

"What? You're so gross!"

"I'm serious."

"You really are?"

"Yes," he answers straightforward. Right away, he licks the top of my ice cream so I got to put it all over his face. He also did it to my face and we both laugh so hard for this foolish thing we did.

"OMG! Is that Denzel?" Someone whispers which we both hear from. We're walking together in the downtown, unwinding ourselves from school works and apartment's chores. "And who's that gir--whoa! Is that Alesha?"

"Perhaps, yes? She got changed her looks."

"The old Alesha comes back?" The other one adds before they pass us by.

Denzel and I look at each and that's when we smile to each other for what we just heard.

The old Alesha comes back? Hopefully, yes, but not the whole Alesha yet. I know I'm still struggling of my inner desires which I haven't had these before.

He suddenly holds my hand when he leads me to a stall selling key chains. There are many designs to choose from, but he buys key for him and the lock to me. He faces on me while he's holding both.

"I hope I'm the key for you to unlock your heart for me," he seriously says those words which make me breathe deeply. How poetic he is! I like him more by that.

I smile widely as I accept the lock, "I think you are. Thank you for this, by the way."

He nods while smiling. His dimple that always captures my attention whenever he smiles. He winks all of a sudden which makes me tap on his chest accidentally.

"What's that wink huh?"

"Nothing, you know what, I'm just doing it only for you."

"Really? You don't have any other girls other than me?"

"Of course, I have. My mother and my sisters."

"But other than us," I state.

"I have a female cat and I wink at her when she gets my mood better," he answers.

"Other than us and your pet?"

"No one else, because you have a very special place in my heart."

I look at the other direction with an uncontrollable smile I'm about to produce through my lips. No way he let me feel giddy on this way.

"Alesha, where are you looking at? Are you blushing?"

"I'm not," I answer when I make myself so serious with my smile faded away.

"I see. Anyway, I can see post there. The town fiesta is getting near!" He says and points out the poster. I also read it and he's actually right. Five days to go, it's already town fiesta.

"Wait, there is a contest to be held a day before the fiesta. Let's check it out." He grabs my hand again until we get near to the poster.

"Painting Contest?" He asks and looks at me gladly. "Alesha, your hobby is painting, right? You can join here. Register now."

"How did you know it's my hobby?"

"I'm your stalker before, okay? I know your hobby, your favorite food, your motto in life and everything that you like."

"Fine," I say to him and sigh. "But I have never done it anymore for almost two months."

"You can do it again, Alesha. I'm here to support for you."

I smile for what he says. It is really pleasing to my ears. He is very much eager for me to join this contest. So I look at the poster again. Perhaps, it's another way for getting back myself.

"Let's go, Alesha."

We go to the office that the poster is telling us where to register. Afterwards, we buy painting materials.

"I'm very much excited on this, Alesha. I know you will win." He utters.

"I'm a bit nervous, but I'll try this again. I miss painting." With a smile, I say.

We just got out from the mall when the bar captures my attention which is just few stores away from us. I remember we drank there several days ago. I gulp for what my tongue wants now --the taste of alcohol. I really wanted to drink.

"Alesha, what are you thinking about? Is there any problem?"

I heave a sigh and simply smile. "Nothing. Let's go home now."

Denzel doesn't want me to drink again after we drank together in that bar, so I just keep my longing deep inside me.

We got home at seven in the evening and what we do after a short rest is to eat our dinner cooked by Yves. Right now, I'm already in my room, looking at the painting materials such as water color and canvass.

"I hope I can do painting the same great as what I've been doing before." I whisper to myself.

While my eyes are still on the painting materials, something catches my attention which I directly open my phone to check it out.

It's Thea. One message from her just now.

Do I need to read it?

Btch, where are u now? Come here, let's drink.

I deeply sigh, then I check the time on the wall clock.

"Oh my gosh Alesha you're here! I can't believe it, bitch!" She greets me abruptly while I'm roaming my eyes around. She kisses my cheek afterwards when I turn my head to her.

I guess she's already drank because of her stingy breath.

"Come on, bitch. For sure they're so happy you're here."

He holds my hand and leads the way until we reach the corner.

"Hi Alesha!" They greet me and I just smile. Thea directly gives me a glass with a beer in it.

"I know you can't resist this, or should I say, us. Bwahaha!"

"So hard to resist what I've been into." I reply.

"Come on, let's dance."

Her friends invite me to go to the dance floor while there are men who are sexily dancing. I'm about to drink now the glass while my feet are walking towards when there is a hand that stops me from drinking it.

"What's this Alesha?! I thought you already stopped it?!"