Chapter 49: GUILTY PLEASURES
“Whether you like it or not, they are important to you. And that is because, they provided love, care, and support for you when you needed it. Things might not be the way you expected but that does not mean they didn't take you like family. Give it some time to allow everything to sink in.”
To give me time as she implied, Natasha headed towards the refrigerator to grab a bottle of water. While I sat with my hands folded on my thighs. It was sort of like staring into space, watching my life flash before my eyes. Maybe, just maybe I could have handled things differently. Way better, rather than straining the relationship I had with Mike.
“I guess you are right. But that doesn't mean it is less hurtful.” I finally found words, once she returned to join me with an extra bottle of water.
“It would hurt Jeremy, you just have to learn to let go of the hatred in your heart, little by little.” Her hands rested on my shoulder, gently squeezing.
“Yeah....” Still, I couldn't help but think she was speaking from experience. Of course, she was. The only question was, experience gotten from who?
“Your turn.”
“If you got to choose your last meal before your death what would it be?”
“Hmm, it has to be something with excess sugar. I ought to die with a sweet tooth.” To punctuate her statement, she shoved a chocolate bar into her mouth. She eats so much and gains little or no weight. That way, there's no need to bother about dieting or having the perfect hourglass model body, when it comes naturally for her.
“You have the weirdest kind of logic Natasha. So what would it be?” Titling my head, my brows wiggled. That was quickly becoming my signature gesture.
“Hmmm, deserts. Like perhaps a chocolate tower french toast, or even jumbo cupcakes and maple pudding. Maybe a Chocolate croissant bread pudding, with bourbon ice cream sauce. Yum.” Rubbing her hands on her tummy, she wiggled her brows too. We both burst into uncontrollable laughter, chuckling at our gestures.
“Looks like you have your last meal planned out already.” Supporting my chin, on my hand I turned to face her completely.
“Nah, just my guilty pleasures.”
“I like your food preferences.” I balled my hand into a fist for a bump. She jammed hers with mine satisfactorily.
“That's because we both love sweet foods.”
“Can you blame me?” I eat a lot just like my housemate but I never gain any real weight because I exercise a lot. I always have to keep up with my muscles and abs if I still want my reputation. My body must always be in shape, fit, and healthy. Most often, I indulge myself with junk foods and an unhealthy diet knowing I'll burn all the fat soon enough.
“Of course not. Anyways, it's my turn. Let's say you were stuck in the world, with just two people who would you want it to be? And you can't pick a relative.”
“Hmmm, that would be the guy from the ice cream mart and you.” Shrugging, I yawned in exhaustion. The time of the day was finally hitting me hard on the face. I couldn't go to bed until Natasha was equally tired. There's no way to get rid of good company.
“Aww, I always knew you had a soft spot for me.”
“Nah, that's not it.” Chuckling, I scoffed at her self-appraisal.
“Then......” She trailed off, gawking at me.
“That guy knows how to make ice cream. Good ice cream if I must say. I don't think any other person exists who wouldn't get tired of trying out his new recipes. So, it would be a perfect combo.
“So, I'll just be like your taste partner?”Baffled, she crossed her arms.
“Affirmative.” It would be great because we both have a sweet tooth, love ice cream, and want desserts. Like a win-win-win for everyone.
“Geez, what a way to hurt a girl's feelings.” Sniffling, she cried out half-heartedly. We seem to be getting the hang of this housemates thingy, having a lot in common.
“Oh, you're a girl? I had no idea.” My eyes widened in feigned shock.
“I always knew you were blind Jeremy. This simply confirms it.”
“Not so blind to stop by and look at my face in the mirror.” Once again, another strand of hair was tucked behind my ear.
“Before I burst your bubble and wipe the smirk off your face, kindly ask your question.”
“Okay, milady.”
“Don't call me that.” She eyed me down, glaringly with caution.
“Okay, Ash.” I thought to push her buttons a bit further.
“We're still on that? My name is Natasha. N-A-T-A-S-H-A. I don't want nicknames.” Coming as close to my face as possible, she spelled out the letters in her name. As though I had no idea what alphabets were.
“Seriously, I had no idea how to spell Natasha before. But that's for clarifying, super helpful.” Sacarstically, my lips formed into a wicked grin. It reminds me of the time she and Lucy were hell-bent on driving me nuts by calling me, Jerry.
“I detect sarcasm.”
“I guess you're smart after all. Why can't I call you Ash though?”
“Because...”
“Because?.....”??? Because isn't logical or explanatory enough to be an answer. Who on earth answers a question with a single word, because? Natasha, that's who!
“Nothing. You're just not allowed to.”
“Samantha gets you to call you Nattie, Lucy calls you momma. Why can't I call you something different?” Pouting, I whined dejectedly. I have never been one to go with the crowd.
“Samantha is my sister. By the way, momma is not a nickname dummy.”
“Fine Na-ta-Sha.” I pronounced her name in 3 syllables.
“This isn't the end, is it?” She asked knowingly.
“Of course not but I'll let it slide for now.”
“Your question!”
“What's that thing you've always wanted to do. A weird crazy urge.”
“Sing under the rain.”
“....”
“I don't know why I can't get it out of my head. It must feel good to twirl under the pouring rain.”
“That's indeed weird. Why would you want to do that?” I inquired, confused. The response anybody might have given would have differed. But singing under the rain? That's too petty to be postponed.
“Just cos......”
“Well, you know what. Why not go ahead?” Suddenly, an idea popped into my head.
“What do you mean?”
“It has been raining for more than an hour now.”
“Hey, how come I didn't know.” Natasha stood up to peek outside through a window. It's almost soundproof in here. I can understand if she didn't hear anything from outside, including the rain.
“You were too busy trying to get the remote and annoy me. Anyway, you get the point.”
“Yeah, but I can't just go under the rain.”
“Didn't you want that? Plus, I want to see your hair wet.”
“I don't really want to -”
Without allowing her to finish, I picked her up from the seat. It was no surprise she was as light as a feather. The woman barely weighed anything. Flinging her over my shoulder and marching to the door was done with ease, no hassles. Except her shrieks demanding that I put her down.
“Jeremy Heath! What do you think you're doing? Put me down this instant! I'll lock you outside if you continue with this. Jeremy! Please.”
“Shush, it's kind of hard trying to open the door with one hand. We should change it to a passcode lock instead.”
“Yes, that's handier. Still, far from the point. Put me down!” Then she went back to yelling at me.
“Okay.” Obeying her command, I put her down on the concrete floor outside the house. Quickly, I scurried back to the comfort of the dry front porch.
“NO! I WOULD KILL YOU WITH MY BARE HANDS JEREMY!” Throwing her hands in the air, she stumped her feet in rage.
“Then you'll get arrested for murder.”
“It isn't so bad when you get used to the cold and raindrops.” Her voice softened as the cold breeze brushed against her skin.
“Does that mean you don't want me dead?” I asked, in hope.
“You are still going to die in my hands, you idiot.!”
“Ouch, you'll let it go soon.”
“I doubt that.”
A hand reached out to pull me from the safety of the front porch. Oh, so this is what it feels like.
“No!” I screamed, just like the little woman.
“Must feel good right? To be soaked with rain!”
“You wanted it, I didn't.” Pouting, I removed the wet strands of hair from the front of my yes.
“Doesn't change anything.”
“Sing. Kindly entertain me.” Clapping happily, I whistled away in anticipation. Much to my surprise, her vocal cords began to work.
“Don't wanna sit alone when time ticks away... Yeah, we're dancing on the tables tonight.
WOOOAAAAHHHH”
“Push all your drinks asides no don't be afraid...Yeah, we're dancing on the tables tonight.
Oh-oh-oh
Oh-oh, oh
Yeah we're dancing on the tables tonight
Oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh, oh, oh
Yeah, we're dancing on that tables tonight.
my hair (oh-oh)
When it feels like it ain't fair
You're swimming in the deep end and nobody cares”
“Baby tonight, take your fears
Come on and let 'em all go right here
Don't wanna sit alone while time ticks away
Yeah, we're dancing on the tables tonight
Push all your drinks aside, no don't be afraid
Yeah, we're dancing on the tables tonight Oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh, oh, oh
Yeah, we're dancing on the tables tonight Oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh, oh, oh
Yeah, we're dancing on the tables tonight
Ooh, say you wanna, say you wanna dance with me Ooh, say you wanna, say you wanna dance tonight
Ooh, say you wanna, say you wanna dance with me
Ooh, say you wanna, say you wanna dance tonight
Don't wanna sit alone while time ticks away
Yeah, we're dancing on the tables tonight
Push all your drinks aside, no don't be afraid
Yeah, we're dancing on the tables tonight Oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh, oh, oh
Yeah, we're dancing on the tables tonight Oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh, oh, oh
Yeah, we're dancing on the tables tonight.”