3 Two:Soft and sweet gummies

~Fate~

The room was sun litten when I woke up.I stared at the window for a moment and appreciated the shimmers coming in and out as the morning air gently swayed the curtain.The clock said its 8 in the morning.I usually wake up at 8 to get everything in the house ready including everyone's lunch,then sleep again 'til 10.

My phone on the side vibrated and without even checking it,I stood and opened the window.The sun was a bright yellow and it glistened the morning dew unconsciously resting on the hanging plants lining frontward my window.

Before long I heard Kevin's voice downstairs.I tied my hair and went down.

The smell of burnt sausages was all over the kitchen.

"Hey!Kevin!"I shouted as he was arguing with Dad again.

They turned heads and I saw Kevin snappily ran towards the stove.

"I got this.Stay away,"as I stole the flipper from him.

"Dad,why are you fighting early in the morning?"I said while putting the sausages on the plate.

They were just exchanging squints.I guess I should get used to it.They're always arguing about lame things like civil rights and corruption.I must rephrase the word lame,though,but still,they shouldn't argue everytime.

I told Kevin to take a bath.I started packing his lunch and had Dad eat his breakfast.I also prepared Dad's lunch.Most of the time,I can't come home during lunch time that's why I prepared everything before I leave everyday.

"Gotta go,"Kevin waved with his lunchbox on his hand.

"You better do good,"I teased and he scowled instantly.

After I ate my breakfast,I decided to just got myself ready for work.I didn't sleep again.

For the past few days,nothing more happened other than these repetitive runs.I managed to buy my needs,our needs,Dad's supplements,and Kevin's school fees.Moreover,I overcame the struggles I had with night shift and I guess I could say I'm doing pretty good.At least that's what I know...and what I tried to believe.

~Beam~

Last Thursday night,I submitted my completed version of "To live,To kill".Basically,I wrote life-based story which are actually not life-based.I could say that they're more-like my own conception about people and their lives,and they're always been like pieces of embroidered bullshits.I heard a lot about people's stories-fun,dramatic,tragic...all sort of genres I guess,but I can't understand any of them.

No,I failed to get myself relate to them.

I always tell myself that I wrote stories that will help readers understand life but for me,those are just another set of the prettily sewed hoax I made for myself.I don't even know what life is and what it feels like living.A friend once told me that my genre doesn't suit me but I don't know why I'm still keeping it on,even slapped a hundred times by that fact.To convince myself that I'm alive,I guess.At the end of everything,I had to face my own lies,alone.

I got up from my seat and headed to the wall.The calendar hung perfectly for my eyes' access had today's date underlined in red ink.

Is my born day still important?

~Fate~

My wrist watch struck 10 o'clock.Customers are lesser today so I slacked my shift watching pet videos on the internet.The mellow,sweet breeze of October air felt a lot like Taylor's humming into my ear.

My phone rang and I took the call immediately.It was Kevin saying he aced their exam.I'm not surprised,though.He is smart,way smarter than me.

After I ended the call,I proceeded to watching pet videos again until my eyes gave up.My eyes can't endure to be on screen for hours.

I just decided to have some cold cola and spoiled myself with some gummies.

"Cigarette."

I almost jumped out of my seat when I heard him talked.

I wasn't expecting it,I mean...

"How the heck..."I stopped myself when I realized it was that same mister.

I sighed and swallowed everything inside my mouth.He was mysterious all those times and now,he seemed like a ghost randomly showing at my face.

"Three packs,"he said.

I got him three packs of cigarettes.He went out right after he pay...not even sorry about how he'd scared me to death.

I decided to went outside to calm my soul with some air,only to see that mister seated in one of the bench puffing out smoke with a cigar in his hand.

I thought of returning inside but I didn't do that and sat right next to him instead.

He wasn't saying a word for minutes.

"You're living near here?"I asked.

He nodded.

"I'm Fate,"I offered a handshake.

He didn't take it so I just head front,retrieving my hand.Is he this grinch always?I was just trying to be friendly since it seemed like he doesn't have one.

"Its beam."he spoke,nonchalantly.

I faced him with my brows raised.

"Beam.I'm Beam,"he said as he avoided my gaze.

I smiled because it was my first time having a real conversation with him.I wanted to know his name before and now,we're even introducing ourselves to each other.That's how my nosiness works.

"Living alone?"I asked him.

He just smirked and lighted another cigar.

"When I was in High School I tried smoking out of curiosity.It tasted gross,"I said.

I heard him chuckled.

"How can you enjoy that,Mister?"as I narrowed my gaze into a squint.

"Did you really smoked all those cigarettes you brought?"I asked.

I saw his lips curved into a smile,nearly a muffled laugh.

"Mmm,"he nodded.

"Ugh,quit that,okay,"It made him smile,looked genuinely this time.

"By the way,why do you look sad like always?"I asked and I wasn't sure if that's fine.

I saw him tilt head and faced me.He stared at me for seconds and I was just staring at him,too.Now,his eyes looked sadder upclose.

"Just because,"as he returned his gaze upfront.

Would you like some?"I handed him my gummies and gladly he took some.

"Don't be sad.Its fine to cry sometimes but don't be sad always,"I said.

He was silent for few moments and I went inside to get another pack of gummies.

"Here,"I handed him the gummies I got.

I wasn't sure if he would accept it but I just felt like I needed to do it.

I saw him extended a hand and took the gummies from me.

"Whoah!I thought you would say 'no thanks,I'm fine',man!"I said,jokingly.

He laughed and it was bright in some ways.What's with this mister,really?Is it because its the first time I saw him smile?

"Don't be too proud.I am just accepting it because it's the sweetest thing I had today,"he said.

I smiled at him and it felt like I've known him for a long time.Fool,you always said that whenever you feel at ease talking to a stranger!

"That's a gift,"I told him.

He put on a deadpan and pressed another cigar between his lips.

"Not quite bad for a birthday gift,though.Thank you,"he said.

Wait,his birthday?That was random.

"So today's your birthday?"I asked.

He simpered.

"You didn't say!"I said.

"I'll walk now,"he waved as he started walking.

"Happy birthday,"I waved in return and it made him laugh.

I sneaked inside and spent the rest of my shift eating my remaining gummies,delighted of how soft they were as being chomped between my teeth.

Then the clock struck 12 AM.