3 Won't Tell

“Look who’s here!” the not-yet-so-familiar voice called out. I didn’t dare look up. “It’s mister grumpy. Along with his sidekick, pen.”

I sneered. What the heck was that for a greeting?

“I see you’re making a story again.”

“‘again’ would be very much applicable if I were able to make one beforehand, but, if you well remember--”

She covered her ears, “Yeah, yeah, chew on your eraser.” She walked quite a distance before slumping down on the pad of grass. She brought out from her small pouch a sandwich that she started to bite from.

“I’m not giving you any.”

“Wasn’t even thinkin’ it,” I went back to my writing. Now where was I before this rude girl interrupted me? Oh yeah:

‘The lovers were no more after she found out of his secret affair--’

“…with a dog.” She once again disrupted my train of thoughts. And what was she talking about?! She probably noticed my disgruntled look because she repeated what she had said, “I said, you can go here with a dog!”

“I don’t have a dog, and please, stop it with the random things. It’s irritating.”

“Just trying to make conversation here,” she whispered and fell silent for a long time.

At first I was glad she zipped her mouth, but later, it kind of gnawed on my conscience. God forgive me for opening up a conversation with her, “Look here, I’m sorry. I’m just… not feeling well.”

She stared at me for maybe a minute or two before saying, “Are you sick?”

“Umm, no I guess.”

She stood up and sat beside me to touch my neck. Of course, I tried to back away.

“Hold still!” she said, and I did, “you don’t feel sick.”

“Like I said.”

She looked like she was in a deep thought, “Skipped your meals?”

“Sort of, yeah,” Well, who wouldn’t if the stench of five gazillion tons of garbage molded into one was overpowering your place?

She fell silent, but she took another piece of sandwich from her pouch. I thought she was going to stick out her tongue and shout ‘this is mine, idiot!’ just so that I might feel jealous, but instead, she offered it to me.

“I thought you wouldn’t give me any?”

“Just take it will you?” She wasn’t staring at my eyes. Good. I feel something awkward whenever our eyes meet. I don’t have a name for it yet.

“So…” I should thank her for the sandwich but another matter came to the tip of my tongue, “You were spot on.”

“I am particularly right in most topics, but pardon me if I ask what you are talking about?”

“About the hill,” I started, “This hill, well, the couple we saw here yesterday, I sort of overheard their conversation. They broke up.”

Leah pondered on this, “Stories are still stories. I didn’t particularly believe in anything about that myself. To me, what happened and are to happen are coincidences.”

“So, about your question?” I opened it up, “About what I seek for? I don’t particularly know the answer myself.”

“Sure you don’t.” She replied a-matter-of-factly. “No one truly knows what they seek until it’s too late. Until what they sought for is already taken.”

“You speak like you’ve been there in that situation before.”

“I’d be lying if I said you’re wrong,” her eyes were suddenly teary, “But mine is another matter anyway. I wouldn’t bore you with my problems. Heck, you don’t feel well, for crying out loud!”

“I don’t mind.” I don’t know what made me say that.

She let out a small smile, “but see, I do.”

“Oh,” was all I could muster. Damn, did I just get rejected?

“Maybe next time?” I wasn’t giving up that easily. Leah may be stubborn, but so am I.

She giggled, “Maybe. But, my, my, my, Mister grumpy? Is that you? What happened to all the glaring and smart-a*s talk?”

“I was just curious, that’s all, about what made you into a big blabbering eel creature named Leah.” I can’t seal my laughter.

“Why you!” She laughed in return, “I won’t tell you about it at all.” Her phone once again rang. She sighed, “It’s been a fun day.”

I was about to agree but kept it in. I didn’t want to give her any false ideas.

“And by the way, you do know how to apologize.” She winked and ran away…