STRAWBERRIES

We've been in the Waiting hall for about 30 minutes now. The sun is still shining so brightly, making it harder for us to go around because it can burn our skin. Two women brought some food earlier. They told us that it is their specialty here. 

The hall is made out of woods, there are a lot of bamboo chairs in here, which are the same chair we are currently sitting on. Oak tables are placed in an organized manner, while a long redwood table is placed in front.

Thank goodness there is a lot of trees everywhere, making the air cold, even if the sun is shining. The food is on the table near us, making my stomach growl as the mouth-watering smell is lingering around here. 

"Do you want to eat?" I asked him, standing up from my seat.

"Yes," He answered in a calm manner, looking at me. I nodded when our eyes met. 

I started walking toward the table in front of us. There are 3 kinds of food here, Suman, which is made from glutinous rice, cooked in coconut milk and is wrapped with banana leaves. There is Cheese Puto which is also called steamed cake and Pancit that is made from rice noodles with meat and different kinds of vegetables. There is a freshly made orange juice in the corner as well. 

I filled the two plates with food, putting all varieties of food inside it. I decided to just go back to the table since I can't carry two plates and two glasses of juice at the same time. 

I gave the first plate to Lianno which consists of food and a utensil that is essential for eating. While I just placed my food on top of my chair. Going back without anything in my hand, I took the two glasses of juice and bring it to our place as well. 

We started eating quietly, only the utensils that are crashing on the plate can be heard. Lianno is the first one to finish the food, while I ate slowly appreciating the taste of the food.

"Give me your plate," I was about to stand up when Lianno suddenly talk. 

"Why?" I asked him, out of shock. 

"I'll bring it outside" His brows furrowed as he said those words. I grinned as I give him my plate. Seeing him walking out of the hall made me sighed. 

I look at his chair while drinking the last few drops of juice in my cup and saw that his drinking glass are still there, sitting still on his chair. 

I grasped his drinking glass as I'm holding mine and went outside to find where Lianno is. My feet brought me to the back of the hall,l making me breathe in relief when I saw Lianno talking to an old man, wearing a dirty white fleece jacket and a black cap on his head.

I walk closer to them, besides the outside sink where the plates are placed. "I heard you bro-" They're talking got interrupted when the old man looks back and found me walking towards them.

"Hi!" I greeted him, 

"Hello, Lady," He smiled, glancing at Lianno then looking back to me.

"Uhm… Sorry for disturbing your talk. I just want to bring the use glasses in here"

 I apologized to the two of them, smiling apologetically. They seem to be talking about an important manner and It is rude for me to be the reason for the disturbance.

"Give it to me" Lianno took the glass in my hand, making me flushed at his sudden move. 

Without any choice he completely, get a hold of it, I didn't even have the time to contest since I didn't expect any of it at all. 

"Celestina, right?" The old man asked me. 

"Yes, Sir," I nodded my head and smiled at him.

A sudden emotion crossed his eyes that I am unsure of because it is replaced with a happy smile, seconds after. 

"They are right when they told me that you are beautiful" His words weirded me out. Who are the people he's referring to anyway?

"Thank you," I answered back, leaving an awkward smile.

"Can I see your palm?" He curiously asked me.

Without any choice, since I don't want to be rude, I raised my hand and gave it to him. He looks around the palm seems he's looking for something but git dismayed when he saw none.

"It's not been done yet" He shook his head from disappointment. 

"What has not been done yet?" I asked him, who got surprised by my question. 

Did he think that I didn't hear it? We are just meters away from each other so it is totally impossible for me to not hear him.

"Nothing," He smiled his head and fix his posture when I felt Lianno's presence on my back now. 

"Do you want to go down, Celestina?" He asked me, drying his wet hands from his handkerchief.

"We can go now?" I asked him in excitement. 

He nodded at my statement. "Let's talk again once I find tine, Uncle" He bid goodbye to the old man who is now staring at us with a smile plastered on his face. 

"Be careful," His voice deepened, placing his hands again on my back guiding me on my way down.

I'm starting to get conscious by the warm hand behind me. I bit my lips to stop myself from smiling. 

*Ahem

I cleared my throat, when we finally reach the bottom, Lianno's hands were not on my back anymore. 

"Where do you want to go?" He asked me, staring at me intently.

"Do you have strawberries here?" I asked him, as I feel a sudden will to eat some strawberries. 

He nodded, starting to walk to 'I don't know where will it lead to' destination. I looked around as I followed Lianno, who is a step ahead of me. 

My eyes glittered with excitement when I saw crops with strawberries hanging on them. We went closer to it, making me see it up close. I look around when I didn't see Lianno on my back as I rushed in here.

"Lianno?!" I shouted his name when I saw him on my right.'

"What are you doing here?" I asked him curiously. 

"Have a taste of this"

My eyes widened when I felt a cold thing in my mouth, leaving me no choice to open it and accept the food he's making me eat. I took a bite at the strawberry making my cheeks flustered when I felt his thumb on my lips.