“How can I already welcome someone in my life when there’s someone who just walked out?”
Chapter 10
the Drought, the Desert, and the Oasis
the Drought
“WAIT!”
James stopped and turned around. Laisa’s hands are on her knees, catching her breath. She talked in that position. “I still have something to say. You can’t leave just like that.”
“I thought we’re done talking?”
Laisa stood straight and walked to him. “You’re probably done. But I still haven’t said anything.”
James waited. A shy smile escaped on Laisa’s lips. “I like you too.”
“And cut! Good work everyone!”
Everyone sent their thanks to the director. Some staffs thanked James and Laisa too which they replied with a smile plastered on their faces. “You worked hard, too.”
“We don’t have shooting this weekend, do you have plans?”
“If you’re asking me out then I’m afraid I’ll refuse. I have a photoshoot for a magazine.”
“I didn’t know you were a workaholic.”
“I’m feeling good. Because I’ve never been this busy.”
“But why sigh? When you’re feeling good?”
Laisa’s sigh went louder and longer. She sat on the swing which they used for the shooting earlier. “My career’s taking off far way I expected but I don’t know. There are times I feel quite empty.” she sighed again. “I’m sad!”
“You guys really don’t talk anymore?” James chuckled. “Damn. Why do I know about your one-sided crush and why am I here comforting you? This is cruel.”
“Sure. I’m cruel.” she wanted to sigh but held herself, but ended up sighing again. “Maybe we are just the same. He never knew how to treat someone better, and I never learned too.”
“And you will end up learning through me.”
“What? I never---”
“You will eventually do.” James looked at her gently. His lips are curving a little. “By the way. I like your new hair.”
“I never thought I had to to die and cut my hair short. If only I knew…”
-----
“I MISS you.”
The other line stayed quiet. Laisa continued tapping her heels on the floor. “What? I won’t try to keep it in anymore. You already know.”
Still nothing.
“You’re probably thinking now. I told you I’ll take responsibility for my feelings right? That was my selfless self, and this is my selfish self talking to you now. At least let me tell you.” she brought her phone to her mouth. “I missed you.”
-----
the Desert
“I MISSED you.”
The toot sound echoed on his head. The call ended a while ago but his phone is still on his ears. Gabriel knows Ria, who is sitting across him is saying something. But he wanted to hear the end call tone more.
“You must be looking down on me.” the beeping sound already ended. Gabriel slowly put his phone on top of the table. “You need my help for what? To help you---” Gabriel couldn’t finish his sentence. “I know you’re just trying to say something beautiful to convince me. You are an author. You always know what to say.”
He wanted a sip of coffee but his cup is already empty. He exhaled noisily through his nostrils. “I’m a heavy reader but you know, I don’t read your books.”
“Did you even try?” Gabriel asked for a refill, ignoring Ria. “Why do you think I’m lying? Look. I know this sounds funny, what I’m asking you is definitely funny but I’m not just saying things. I really need your help.”
“But why? But why me?”
Gabriel stood and went to the counter. He talked to the bartender. “I’m sorry but please make my coffee to go.”
“Mr. Alejandro. I don’t think we’re done talking yet.”
Gabriel’s take-out coffee arrived. He payed for it and hurriedly went out of the coffee shop.
“Gabriel Alejandro!”
“Please stop!” the coffee he’s holding fell on the street. He stared at it blankly. “I never wanted to look pathetic in front of someone. I even refused to show it to---” Gabriel shut his eyes and sighed. “Please stop this. I’m not in the position to help you.”
-----
GABRIEL went straight home afterwards. He found a take-out meal set from Jollibee on the table with a note “Eat this ----- Bella” pasted on it. He opened it and started gritting the chicken legs.
“Was I too harsh?” he murmured, chewing. “Like what she said it’s funny, but why can’t we laugh? I should have just laughed it off.”
He downed the cola in one go. A loud burp soon followed. “Grace of God.”
It soon started raining followed by thunder and lightning. His phone vibrated on his jeans’ pocket. He took it and looked at the caller ID. Author R.S Moon.
“What?”
“Are you now willing to listen to me?” Ria is shouting. The sound of the rain is strangely louder on her side. Is she outside?
“Sure.” he replied quietly. It went well on the other line.
“I know you’re going to understand me.” Ria started. “That book. That book was my drizzle. That was the storm threatening inside of me. While it is easy for everyone to judge that book, but you tried to understand it. You tried to understand why it was written that way.”
Gabriel stood from his seat and looked for his umbrella. He took it and ran outside.
-----
the Oasis
RIA watched Gabriel leave the coffee shop until he turned left at the end of the alley. She took the spilled coffee and threw it at the nearest trashcan. She brought her car, but she decided to walk her way home though it was quite far. She also put on earphones and played her usual raindrop sound.
“I’m doomed.”
She tied her shoelaces and started running. People she passed by all looked back at her. She felt like a wind passing by. A wind probably felt already but still remembered--- somehow.
She never wanted to be different. She just wanted to feel alive.
Rain started pouring. She ran faster until she fell.
“I missed you, my lovely.”
The rain slowly wet her hair and clothes. She thought she’s going to enjoy it, but looks like she have to look for something else to run to again. The rain drenched her heart, it flooded.
It’s cold.
She took out her phone and called the last person she talked to. She shouted every words she’s saying. “Hear me out before walking out, jerk!”
“I know you’re going to do this.”
Her mouth parted. She stared at the ridiculously big umbrella now on top of her and at the man looking down on her.
“How did you know?!”
“Because you slept at my place once.”
YOU ARE READING
Love, Pour on Me
RomanceA story of 3 different individuals in their late-20's and their views on love. Gabriel Alejandro is a first-year fiction novel editor. Though he is an attractive man, he is single and is only interested in fictional novels and how to pay his overdue...
