Trial 25: Sneaky Action

The sound of my phone's alarm woke me up. I jolted out of my bed to wash my face and brush my teeth. Afterwhich, I left my room to proceed to the aisle leading to our common exit. I tried to hide as I await for Dashiell to pass by. I opted to do it that way because I have no way of checking if Dashiell is already on his way to visit his "beloved one" unless I checked him in his room which is something that I'm scared to attempt.

A few minutes had elapsed and I'm feeling a bit drowsy. Please Dashiell, just show up already. And just like an answered prayer, Dashiell appeared seconds after. He is carrying a backpack which I assume, contains some food. Less than a minute after he went past the spot where I stand, I followed him from behind. I walked as stealthily as I could; however, Dashiell's senses are so sharp that he noticed that someone's following him. He demanded that I reveal myself. I revealed myself and I felt mortified for being discovered which is why when he asked why I am following him, my response was a little bit delayed. Despite how pathetic I may have sounded, I told him the truth. I confessed to him that I want to know who he's visiting regularly and that I want to accompany him. He released a sigh that signals annoyance but still, he allowed me to go with him. When I tried to reason that it was all because of my curiosity, he just snarks, "Yeah, right; you and your suspicions." I tried to reiterate my point, but he just told me to stop and said that he understands that I'm still suspicious of him which is natural. Even though I want him to believe that it wasn't the case, I just gave up and let him think the way he does on the matter. I quietly walk behind him and let him lead the way.

Before I knew it we arrived at the doorstep of our destination. If I remember correctly, this must be the disguised staff room of uncle Ray's apartelle. Without hesitation, Dashiell unlocked the door. When we both got in, Dashiell locks the door. The inside revealed something I didn't expect to see and hear; a soft "meow" from a round-faced feline who looks really fluffy. The feline continues meowing as it approaches Dashiell. When it reaches Dashiell, it nuzzled itself on Dashiell's foot. Dashiell bent down to the feline's level to pet it. The feline purred at the action then Dashiell picks it up as he stood up and heads to the room's sofa. I found everything I saw unbelievable which is why I am glued to where I stand with a gaping mouth. Dashiell frowned upon seeing my state and asked, "What? Is it out of my character to keep a cat?"

"N-No, that's not it...I-I...uh..." came my stuttered reply.

"You don't have to feign that you think otherwise. It's normal to mistake a stranger's character, " pointed Dashiell.

I wanted to change his understanding over the way I reacted but I opted not to talk anymore because I think it's better to leave it at that. Nothing positive will come out if I continue to prove my argument. After all, my reaction was partly due to what Dashiell thought of although mainly, it was because I thought I'll see a woman in this room, not a cat. Again, I still don't know why but I'm glad to know that the place he frequents belongs to a cat and not to a woman.

My gladness must have been reflected by the way I look because, on the next second, Dashiell remarks, "Now, you're grinning like an idiot. I don't get your mood changes."

Embarrassed, I didn't know what to else to do but to mutter an apology which Dashiell just waived off.

Now we're both seated on the sofa with the cat and I find myself in an awkward situation because I don't know how I can initiate a talk after being embarrassed by my early actions. It is a good thing that Dashiell didn't comment on anything about it.

No words came out of my mouth even after a few minutes had elapsed. Conversely, my mind is screaming, telling me to take this opportunity to ask away everything I want to know about Dashiell but how can I do so when I'm both shy and afraid that what I will ask of might get Dashiell offended. Oh! How I wish Dashiell will break this silence!

I don't know if I'm lucky or what because not so long after I wished for that Dashiell begins talking.

"So, besides your "curiosity, " what brought you along with me?" was his inquiry.

I struggled to explain my reasons that I ended up stuttering, "N-Nothing... I-I... I am bored I guess. Y-You s-see I haven't come out of the bunker in more than a month now."

Dashiell nods, saying, "I see. That can't be helped I think."

"Y-Yeah."

My inner self is beyond relieved that Dashiell didn't bother to question my response anymore, but that disappeared when Dashiell remarked, "I know you have some inquiries, and now's your chance to ask 'em away."

I stayed silent for another few minutes because I suddenly felt conscious. My period of silence was broken by the cat's nuzzling on my lap. I squeaked out of surprise and uttered, "Oh my gosh! Don't sneak up on me like that!" My reaction caused Dashiell to laugh out loud and as for the cat, it just purred louder, leaving me in awe.

When Dashiell recovered from his fit of laughter, he encourages, "Come on, it's okay! Ask away whatever and I'll answer."

"But, won't that-"

"No buts, just ask away. I won't mind."

"Are you really okay with that?"

"If you ask that question again, I'll change my mind and leave you hanging-"

I interrupted him, "No, wait! I'd love to ask away."

"Okay, now we're talking. If you're wondering why I agreed to this, my answer is I have my fair share of inquiries about you. I know you find me suspicious. Well, we're strangers so it can't be helped. But first, let me feed Pillow; she's hungry for sure and I know that you are too so while I feed her, you take some bites too. What do you say?"

"Yes that will be good but Pillow, is that the name of this cat?"

"Yeah."

"That's cute! Were you the one who-"

"Stop! Geez! I told you we'll eat first."

"Oops! Sorry."

And so Dashiell sets up our food on the coffee table and as he does so, he says, "It's a good thing I always pack foods for myself aside from Pillow's foods. I'm sorry that the food doesn't look sufficient for two people."

"No, it's okay. It's not your fault. I sneaked up on you so-"

"Right! Why would you leave with an empty stomach at a time that you're not even accustomed to waking up?"

"That's...uh-"

"Later, let's eat for now. We're all hungry here, " interrupted Dashiell.

Dashiell settled Pillow on the floor then gave her a bowl of her food. He sat back down to the sofa and ate quietly. I did the same as I watch the way Dashiell looks at Pillow which warms me up and makes me think that I was wrong about my judgment on Dashiell's character before. I now think that Dashiell is sweet yet manly at the same time. One day, I hope he'll give me the same look that he gives Pillow. Wait, did I just have such hope? My heart starts racing at the thought and I decide it's best to focus on my food to recover.