QUESTION GAME II

"That man must be blind." Ivan uttered that made Kaye laugh so hard. She laughed out loud because he was right on point.

"He is indeed blind." she told him amidst her laughter. "How could you be right on point?" she laughed again which made Ivan laugh as well. Earlier the teardrops were because she was sad about him being in love with someone, but now she was laughing madly with pure joy and happiness, knowing she get to spend time with him.

"I have another question, it's really something that I found mysterious. Why do you always wear turtleneck clothing or those with hight neckline and long sleeves?" Ivan asked her curiously. When they were washing their laundry, he found out what kind of clothes she always wear. They were not really so private when it comes to laundry aside from underwear and socks.

Kaye became conscious when he asked her the question. She's hardly breathing. Her palms were sweating and beads of sweat formed on hear forehead. She clutched her skirt in her tight fist, trying to breath.

"I'm...I can't bre..ath..I'm..." she wanted to hide and run away from him. She shivered in cold even though it wasn't really that cold.

Ivan heard her gasping for breath and panic. "Kaye, take a breath. Look at me. Don't think of anything else." He was holding her left hand with his other hand while trying to sooth her back with the other. Kaye looked at him but the more she looked at him, the more she panic in fear.

"Don't leave me." she choked on her words, unsure if he heard her.

"I won't leave. Just breath. I'll be right here." Ivan opened the window of the taxi to let in some air. "Breath with me Kaye."

Kaye did as she was told. She breathed in and out in the same rhythm as Ivan. "I'm sorry. I just felt suffocated earlier."

"You gave me a scare there. Please let me know as soon as possible if this happens again." Ivan release a sigh of relief while giving her a hug.

Hugging her was so sudden that Kaye felt her world was spinning. Her heart was hyperventilating again. She gave his back a pat as she tried calming her own heart. "Thank you. I'm sorry for worrying you."

"Do you have panic attack?" Ivan asked her after releasing her from his hug, trying to make things look normal, though he took advantage of her. Both of them were taking advantage of each other.

"I tend to panic when I remember something horrifying. You know those scary movies that linger in your mind and would suddenly surface? It does make me panic. That is why I no longer watch scary movies. I get scared easily." Kaye told her half the truth without exposing the remaining half. She's indeed scared of ghost but that wasn't the reason why she was having panic attack earlier.

"Right. Don't watch those if it scares you." Ivan agreed instantly. " So what kind of movies do you usually watch?" he tried to divert her attention by changing their topic of conversation.

"I like action movies, warfares, rom-com, fantasy and other types, as long as it's not horror, I'm fine with anything. How about you?" she asked him back. She didn't know if it was still part of the game or if they were just having normal conversation.

Ivan paused before answering her awkwardly, "I didn't get to watch movies before when I still have my eyesight. Most of the time, I would watch documentaries and practice my skills. So far, the movies I've watch were action movies and warfares. At least we have something in common."

"You didn't go to a movie date with your ex-girlfriend, do you?" she asked him, squinting her eyes while observing him.

"I didn't. How did you know?" Ivan was surprised as well that she was able to guess it.

"Duh, it's not hard to guess." Kaye rolled her eyes at him. "As far as I know, girls don't watch action movies or warfares on a date. Since you've only watch those movies, that means you didn't go on a date."

"Well, it doesn't matter. She wasn't the right girl after all." Ivan just shrugged his shoulder like it doesn't have anything to do with him.

"By the way, who thought you to cook braised chicken and mushroom as well as spicy garlic shrimp?" it wasn't really her intention to ask him but it popped into her mind. Honestly, she was curious as well.

"My auntie thought me how to cook it when I was fifteen." Ivan said that made Kaye wonder who his auntie is. 'They couldn't be the same person right?' Kaye asked herself mentally.

"Your auntie must be amazing. Where is she now?" she's not really expecting to much, just want to know something about him. Yup, she just wanted to know who his auntie is.

"She's working. I haven't seen her for a while. The last time I know was, she moved to a different city." Ivan's answer disappointed her. Miss Maine didn't leave the city so she couldn't be the same person. Though disappointment crossed her face, she didn't show it in her voice.

"You should find and see the people you miss. We only live once. We don't know what might happen the next day. It would be best that you'd see them so that there's no room for regret later on." Kaye told him with much sincerity. She wanted Ivan to be happy even if it cost her happiness.

"Soon. I have more important things to do." he looked outside with just a blank stare before returning his gaze to her. "Are we still far from home?" Ivan asked.

"Almost. I just hope that the movie won't start soon." Kaye answered her before leaning her head on the window shield. The lights were crossing her face as she looked at the cars that were gradually decreasing on the road.

Life is short. You should treasure every second of every moment. She overcame her panic from the question he asked earlier, but the fear in her heart for him to be taken away still lingers.