Chapter 6: Walk With You

His life was never a walk in the park. But look where he is right now, he may not see a thing but his heart can feel everything. Birds chirping. Fragrant flowers blooming, rustling leaves swaying all the way down to the earthly scent of the ground. He can hear footsteps, laughter, things he used to do, things he used to enjoy.

'Watch out!' she shouted.

'Ouch' his foot hit the stairs.

'Sorry, my fault, come, let's sit here for a moment.' she then guided him on a bench.

'My fault, I didn't see the stairs.' he murmured.

'No. I am with you, and he told me to take care of you.' she added.

'He? Who?'

'No, I mean I should take care of you.' she laugh nervously.

'Does it still hurt? Let me see.'

'No, it's fine. Can you describe to me this place?'

'Well, it's crowded today. Kids are of course happily playing, mostly are having a picnic. You know what, we chose the best day to stroll at the park, it's a nice weather, and the sky, you know when the light and darkness meet? Such a wonderful sight. In no time, stars will spread like butter in a toast in the night sky.'

He laugh, 'like a what? butter in a toast? you talk just like ...'

'Like who?'

'Never mind.' he stopped and stare blankly at nowhere, he's still reminded by her. His heart was torn into pieces, it was hard to get up from his deep sorrows. He doesn't even know why is she with this girl she just meet few days ago.

'Who? Hey spill the beans. Who is it? A new lover? Your ex lover? Tell me.'

'The day's been long for me.I have to go.' he uttered.

'So sudden? Okay let me get you a taxi.'

'No, I can manage.'

'No, it'll be hard for you talk alone, there's lot of people here, it's getting dark, you might get hurt.'

'Seriously? I said I can manage.' he said in a stern voice.

'What is wrong with you? You invited me to take a walk here and now you are pushing me away, I am just helping you.'

'Help? Do I look that helpless to you? I thought you're different, you are just like them, you see as a helpless and weak person. Why did I even invite you. Tss.'

He then walked away, but she followed him by her eyes. Until he reached the gate and grabbed a taxi.

'It's hard dealing with him but I have to do this.' and she left the park and decided to go home.

'How is he? Have you convinced him already?' asked a voice.

'No, I just meet him, I still need time to be close to him.'

'You better hurry, my patience is growing thin Laura, I want you to get Lucas in no time.'

Upon saying those words, she hit the red button and hang up. She is tired. Exhausted mentally and physically. She jumped into her bed. Push her head into a pillow, cover herself with blankets. She's confused.

Staring at the ceiling, thoughts are running through her head like trains in a railway, endless. Seconds, minutes and hours has passed. Blinking slowly and slowly and her eyes found their resting place.

Meanwhile, a soul is bombarded with thoughts and regrets.

'Why did I say that!' he exclaimed as he grabbed a paintbrush from his art table.

Each stroke was full of force. His canvass is being showered with regrets, his art becomes and outlet of his frustrations.

He then again allowed his temper to win against him. He knows Laura just wanted to help but he already have a lot on his table that he cannot help but to burst out all his anger in frustration, but sadly, on the wrong person.

After numerous sunrise and sunsets, he gathered all the courage in the world and decided to visit her.

*knock knock*

'Who is it?'

'Hi.'

'Hey, Lucas. What brings you here and how did you know where I live?'

'Sorry for the sudden visit and I asked your work mates on where your house is.'

'Oh you talk a lot now.'

'Sorry.'

'For what?'

'The park.'

'Oh what happened in the park. I forget. It's been two weeks.' she teased him.

'I shouted.'

'To whom.'

'You know what, it took me two weeks to fully decide whether to say sorry to you or not, I've done my part, and if you are not accepting it, I better go.' he turned away but she held his hand and faced him.

'I was just kidding.'

'Are you laughing at me right now.'

'Pfftt no, of course not, I'm serious.'

'Okay, uhm can you please step back, I think you're too close that I can feel your breathe.'

'Oh sorry, your eyes are pretty, you know.' she said teasingly.

'Tss step back, did you even brush your teeth?'

'What? Oh of..of course.' she was shocked by his questions and instantly checked her breath.

'It doesn't stink!' she shouted.

Lucas just laughed. But he felt something between his fingers. It was warm and soft. Later he realized she was holding his hand. As the thought hit him, he hurriedly let go of her hand.

'Coffee?'

'Sure. Thanks.'

'Isn't it weird, you having coffee in my house, I though you hate my presence that much.'

'I still do, but I'll try to hide it.'

'Wow. Thank you.' she said sarcastically.

'Describe your house.'

'It that an order Sir? Well, it's just a small apartment, I have pictures of my family her, it's minimalist and monochromatic.'

'Not like you.' he murmered.

'Why?'

'You're bubbly and I think your personality is colorful.'

'Oh really? Thank you.'

'I don't know, it's weird how I feel so attached to you when we just met. But thank you for being nice.' and he sipped the coffee from the cup.

'I've never felt like this before for a long time. Thank you.'

She just stared at him. Memorizing his face. Allured by the beauty his words contain, ans she shed a tear withouth her knowing.

'I have to Lucas, I have to.' she whispered.