STRAWBERRIES AND THE PAST

"My bark heart needs more of your light, I won't be selfish"

***

Netflix and chill is what we did for the rest of the day and even though I was hesitant.

It got better, Luka loves Disney movies and I haven't watched much of them. Seth doesn't mind as long as he eats the pizza and Icecream then there is no problem.

We watched alot of movies in a span of six hours and with the pizza gone, more and more snacks found there way to the coffee table, Luka has some of his clothes here so we changed into PJs immediately we got home.

Home.

Funny that I haven't even been here for 48 hours and I've called it home already, home was where Mary was but I guess this can be home too.

We are watching a show called Riverdale and I am in love with it and it's only been three episodes Luka wasn't too happy to learn that I haven't watched it or any other series that he was mentioning and claimed he will be my movies and series buddy until I am up to date with all thats happening in the world today.

It's nearly quarter passed nine and we haven't had any proper food, Seth and Luka's tummies growl in hungry at the same time which made me laugh, seeing as I was in the middle of both males on the couch I leaned my head on Luka's shoulder and laughed hard while holding my own tummies tightly because it hurt to laugh so hard while hungry.

Luka and Seth get up and leave me still laughing, the movie watching really made us bond in a way that it doesn't get awkward every time and I'm happy I can be like this with them.

Sobering up, I walk to the kitchen and find them getting things ready for cooking.

"So what are we cooking?" I asked sitting on the bar stool and propping my cheek on my hand.

"Luka and I are cooking I'll famous spaghetti and meatballs with Greek salad while you sit there and admire us" Seth said stressing on the "Luka and I" part and smirking my way while Luka puts a pot on the stove with water.

"I would like to help, you made breakfast the least I could do is help with dinner" I said now sitting up straight and pushing my curls from my face.

"No no it's okay we've got this, you are still new here and we need to make you comfortable" Luka opened the fridge and got out strawberries and out them in a bowl which he put in front of me and smiled.

"Grazie Luka" popping a berry in my mouth.

"Sei il benvenuto Rain" turning back to continue what he was doing.

"So is there any secret recipe for your dish?" Still eating the strawberries.

"No it's just the regular spaghetti and meatballs" Seth said with a soft laugh, I hummed in acknowledgement

"Do you like to cook Rain?" Getting the mince from the freezer and deforesting it in the microwave and also getting tomatoes, green paper, onion and cheese and other things I don't know setting them carefully on the counter the knives, chopping block and spices followed. Seth was in his element he sliced and diced the things that needed to and when the mince was done seasoned it and made meatballs all while waiting for my response. "Rain?" He said my name again.

"Sorry I am a little distracted, you really know what you are doing and it's cool watching you" I say my eyes still focused on how his gracefully doing his work.

"Oh I've worked in a restaurant before and I learnt a few things" he was still seasoning and I saw a ghostly smile touch his full pink lips like reliving a pleasant memory "Still waiting for that answer though" he looked back at me with a smirk and turned back , is that all I'm going to see a smirk?

"Yes I do know how to cook, it's a nessessary skill back in my country" I say which is true.

In Zambia and probably most African countries a female child should learn how to cook, clean and do laundry in your early age by 12 or 13 one should know how to take care of yourself and others. Most traditions the children are a younger than that and in rural areas even 7,8 or 9 year olds take care of their younger siblings since most of them have to be the parent and take over when there is on one to care for them. Their dads are out drinking and their mothers out at the market making money for a meal they will probably eat for two or three days in a week.

"Oh then you must cook something form your tradition or tribe? Is it?" He said fully done with the meatballs and I haven't noticed the pan on the stove.

"Well I don't know my tribe, I wasn't adopted and I don't know who my parents are or their tribe and I never adapted anyone else's tradition" I say in monotone. I could tell what I said made him feel pity for me but it doesn't hurt anymore, I don't feel anything.

"But you know some things from other traditions?" He came and stood right in front of me but the counter separated us.

"Yes I do, I learnt a couple of things at the orphanage and also with Mary" I say looking at him in the eyes but I wasn't seeing, I was looking at him but not seeing him as my mind was in a daze taken back to a place that haunts my dreams every night I close my eyes.

Seeing a girl with hot soup and nshima in her hair being shamed and humiliated, insulted and spat on. The heartbroken girl with eyes of gold they said, they girl of the dark lord they called. Rain

"Rain?" Blinking away the pasted I finally see him now closer than I remember, Luka now across from me and Seth in front of me with his hand on my cheeks.

"What?" Removing his hand from my skin like his touch was fire burning my skin with only a touch, I got off the stool and stepped away from him.

"Nothing" he said going back into the kitchen and out the meatballs into the pan, the sizzling can be heard from where I stood.

"Hey how about you continue watching Riverdale while we finish up here" Luka sent me a small smile and bobbed his head .

"Yeah, I'll do that" still in a daze , I walked into the living room and folded my legs, I paused it before going to the kitchen and I pressed play.

An hour and half later Luka was tapping my shoulder from behind me and I looked up at him, hearing him say food was ready I nodded my head and got up. Even though I was watching I was paying attention, my mind was still trapped replaying all the bad memories and I felt that pain again my chest hurt and it was again one of the worst feelings. In the pasted year and half I haven't had to think about that pain only focusing on work and saving money, thinking about that now I went wondering how Joshua is doing out of all of then he came, he came to apologise and I know he is was really sorry for what happened but that doesn't excuse what happened what was going to happen.

When I nearest the kitchen my tummy growled and I felt my mouth water at the amazing aroma and when I saw what was going to sit in my stomach the more it growled in response.

"Wow I think you are more hungry than both of us put together" Luka said laughing at me.

"Oh hush up" I dismissed him with a wave of my hand. Sitting on the stool again.

"Ok let's say grace now" Luka declare and I was surprised not expecting him to say that, he took Seth and I's hands while I took Seth's and feeling his warm hand made me blush.

"Grace" and that how he says grace I shouldn't be surprised though what was I thinking, I lifted my head and raised my eyebrow at him in question.

"That's how you say grace?" When they tried to let go I hold them tighter.

"Um yeah... what is wrong with how I say it?" I don't know if his faking or being serious but that's not it.

"Let us say Grace the right way" my tone hard to put to point out " Our father in heaven we give you thanks for all you have done for us today and we want to thank you again for the giving us food, we ask you to provide to those who do not have and we ask you to bless the hands that have prepared this food, In the name of Jesus Christ we pray amen" letting go of their hands I dig into my food and notice I am the only one eating, I look up and find them both looking at me.

Luka looked at me in shock while Seth's gaze held wonder or admiration I'm not sure.

"What is it? You aren't hungry anymore?" I asked still in there daze I shrugged my shoulders and got back to the delicious food on my plate.

"I have never heard anyone pray that long" Luka said then grinning like an idiot "You surprise me everyday Rain" with that he started eating and shaking his head as if disbelieving what he just heard.

"Yeah" Is all Seth said and also started eating his food.

"Well get used to it, it's going to be happening alot" I said with a laugh and ate my food.

After dinner we washed our plates and ate the icecream for dessert, watched till we couldn't eat anymore and after a while passed out on the couch.

Tomorrow we are job hunting and it's gonna be amazing well that's what Luka says.

I surely hope so.

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Hey I know it's been a while I have just me feeling weird but I'm trying I really am.

Thank you for reading and I hope you stay with me and be patient with me.

It's only been a few chapters and I know it's annoying not getting updates but I promise I'll do better at it. I'll still post a chapters in-between days or whatever.

I know I said Sundays are for update but I have Church in the more and other stuff during the day that leave me hella tired later.

So please add, vote and share!!!

Till next time