WHAT YOUR FATHER SAYS ✓

11

CHAPTER 11
Dance of the Knights — Sergei Prokofiev

//

Today I did the same thing.

I ran away from Esmerelda because I knew she wouldn't run after me... and she didn't. I just enjoyed the freedom, the liberating choice of walking away despite hearing her protests. I feel like a captive bird all the time, one that can't use its wings but knows it can fly. So if one had the chance to fly, wouldn't it?

However, today differed. I was running away with numerous grocery bags that I had to keep swapping on different arms due to their bulky heaviness.

And holy crap, I panicked because it was starting to rain again and the bags were going to rip apart. "Crikey." I muttered and made my way to the same porch. Yeah, I don't curse.

This time, it was later in the day and it was starting to get dark. Although there were people huddled again to protect and shield themselves from the rain, I started to feel uneasy and safe. I made my way towards the back and set down the bags between my legs to rest my arms. There were lined creases in my palms and I sighed.

Soon, an important realisation came to me. I had an umbrella. But there was no way I'd be able to keep a hold on it under the raucous rain as well as my bags.

As I stood there, the people all around me were on their phones and I suddenly wished I had a book with me so I could feel some sense of relatedness. Instead, I watched the clouds turn dark grey as it rained on the city.

I took out my umbrella, ready to leave with it when the rain had calmed down but it continued to shine its fury.

My gaze was interrupted soon after, by a male, familiar figure who blocked my view. It was the boy who shared a smile with me the other day. The one who I didn't notice was here again. This time, his features faced me and I could see his brown eyes and eyelashes up close. He seemed majestic.

He opened his mouth to speak, "Ma'am... my car is over there." He pointed towards a car on the opposite road. "Do you mind walking me there using your umbrella?" He glanced at my item. It automatically tightened in my hand as I stared back with parted lips.

"Well, of course." I smiled as we started to walk together. He huddled underneath the umbrella with me, shoulders brushing as I accompanied him to his car.

I was too afraid to look at him because he was so close to me. Eventually, we reached his small car and we stood together as he unlocked it. His eyes then met mine as our heads stayed beneath my dark umbrella.

"Will you be walking home?"

"Yes."

The boy mentioned his name, "I'm Hoseok." He greeted and realised his hand was wet before laughing, deciding not to shake my hand. I was still struggling with my bags. "Let me drop you home... it was nice of you to walk me-"

I forgot to say my name and now, I feel bad. Would I even see him again? But Hoseok, the name fits him well, he seems like a nice and polite boy with well taught manners. He treated me with respect and never meant any harm. He seemed like the kind of person that is always kind. "It's no problem at all. It only took five seconds out of my life honestly." I said, motioning for him to get into his dry car.

We both laughed and the climate felt amiable. His laugh sounded nice along with the pouring rain on top of us. I found myself enraptured by the way happiness looked on the boy. Happy is certainly his colour and I unfortunately didn't have the chance to tell him.

"Thank you for your kind offer." I smiled at him with my blue eyes and watched him as he opened his car door. "I'll be going now." I stepped away.

"Wait a second." I struggled with the plastic bags hanging from my arms as he waited for me to do or say something.

I gave him the first thing I found from the grocery bags. A loaf of bread. I wanted him to know I was grateful for his kind interaction with me. A stranger had never laughed so nicely with me before and it was nice to be seen.

"Take this."

Hoseok was holding back a laugh. "What's this for?" He asked.

"As a way to say thank you for being so nice."