I GOT A NAME

"Rays? I asked.

"Yes. Don't you like it?"

I like you better.

"Rays. I am Rays."

"Nice to meet you, Rays." He chuckled and stuffed me closer to his body, and guided us deeper into the market.

He paraded round the market like a child, indifferent from the physiques he possessed. I found it funny and interesting but scantily curious about it.

"Do you like the market so much?"

"No."

"Oh!"

That wasn't the response I expected.

"It is overwhelming. Bustling is not my fancy."

"Huh?"

"You don't believe me," he pouted. "It is alright. I am not planning to make a second coming of it either."

I don't believe it. This is the largest market in the province. How could someone not ever being here?

"I am starving."

He announced after another round of roaming the market, picking and unpicking things.

Actually, we didn't buy a thing. Jason came to shop with his eyes and hands, and not money. He takes up item he fancies, tries it, take a photo with it and drop it back on the table to the frustration of the seller.

At first, I found his style of shopping uncomfortable but after a few visits to stalls and running off when the owner yells at our buying nothing, I found it intriguing and relaxed in the fun of it.

"I know a good place with awesome meals."

"Take me there!"

He drew me into another phase of running and we ended at the food stall, panting and breathless.

Jason is energetic. We ran half the market and jogged the other half. In a short period of our window shopping, we covered every part of the market, taking and posting pictures.

Jason settled on the table with waggling feet and dancing neck. He hummed at every bite of his food, attracting other customers to us.

"Jason?"

"This is the best soup I have ever tasted," he appreciated loudly.

"Everyone knows Mrs. Vena makes the best soup."

"I am now everyone," he spoke happily. "I can make a review as well."

"Well, can we eat?"

He nodded and slurped his soup. "I am done!" He dropped his bowl noisily on the table.

"Jason..."

"I want another bowl."

"Huh?"

We left the stall after his gluttony feeding and insist of paying the bills.

"Thank you. I will treat you next time."

I said in guise to propose a next time but Jason, yawned and stretched.

"I am tired," he said.

"Then, it is a good bye"

"mm mm,' he shook his head. " You are coming with me."

What? Coming with him? No I shouldn't. I should be on my way to get a new pair of shoes and end this crazy day with this handsome stranger.

"I have to go."

"You will. Not yet," he pulled me along. "We need a nap."

He took me to his car and please don't let me scream on the luxury of it.

He caught my expression and on a brief smirk, he opened the door for me. "I can drive you home if you want," he said.

"Drive me home?"

"Yes, anything you say."

"And what do you say?"

"I want you home with me."

I swallowed my lumps at the sound of it. I didn't grow up to be this vulnerable to people. I don't know what's going home with me but I want to go home with this stranger boy!

"I would like that."