Fem is Angry (6)

Fem ignored Mark who's head was bowed staring at his feet while waiting for his turn of her attention. She turned to the balcony to see Stanley out. She followed her with her sight until they waved each other goodbye.

She leaned on the railing of the balcony with her folded right hand while she liesurely drank the remaining water with her left. The reach of her sight was far but her mind was nagging her that there is a man behind her waiting to talk about who knows what.

After finishing her water, she tossed the container into the garbage bin placed at the corner of the balcony then swiftly turned back to enter her room passing by Mark at the living room as if there was no one there. She folded her blanket, uncreased the bedsheet then stood up putting her right hand on her waist while her left hand scratching the side of her neck.

She opened the windows to let fresh air come in. The smell of the beer last night still lingered in the room. On the floor at the side of the table were two plastic bags. One was of the empty beer cans and packets of chips they consumed last night while the other one was some bread and juice. She leaned her back against the open window as her eyes roamed around her former room. The feeling of being a university student refreshed her mind and emotion that brought her a faint smile while staring at her work on the wall. It was a tower in an oblique view by one who is sitted at a bench on the ground not very near the building. The view towered to the clouds while an airplane flew near above it. There two eagles, a little smaller than the airplane, were spreading their wings flying towards the tower. With the group of nimbus clouds as the main backdrop, the view was more realistic and dreamy at the same time.

In the living room, Mark could not take already being ignored. He rose up from where he was sitted and slowly entered Fem's room. He caught her staring at the wall opposite her. Following her line of sight, he noticed the spectacular view posted on the wall. From where he was, the poster looked so natural but when he went nearer to it, he noticed it was a delicate sketched work. He stroked it with his fingers while admiring the neat and detailed lines. His fingers stopped at the right bottom of the post. There on it was a cursive writing which read "simplefhem".

Mark turned to Fem in astonishment. He nodded as he strode towards her to join her beside the window. He sighed and silently continued to scan his surroundings. He saw the poster above the headboard of the bed. On its top was written "My Dream Home". He was reminded of one of her letters to him before. The backdrop of her beautiful poem. He smiled and decided to remind her of how he understood the last verse. The exact thought of that poem was why he is here now... to make that love happen.

"Fem, do you remember one of your letters to me? The one with that sketch of your dream home?" Mark began to speak slowly with eyes fixed at the posted 'Home' design.

"Tch!" Fem smiled wryly as she bowed her head. That was the backdrop of poem she sent to him.

"Remember?" Mark moved closer to her slightly bending as he observed her side profile. Her head was still bowed and her arms folded on his chest while shaking her head.

"Why don't you go straight to what you want to say Mark? What's the name of that bad typhoon that blew you here?" Fem lifted her head to look at Mark in his eyes. Her hazy eyes were misty.

Mark:"..."

Fem: "What?"

"How should I put it now?Hmmmm.... It's called Typhoon My Sun ... do you remember?" Mark remembered to use the title of her poem. "I particularly love the last verse this time, the first two verses are cute too." He said gently almost in a whisper as he moved himself more closer to her. His mascular biceps touching her shoulder now.

Fem remained unfazed by Mark's coaxing but deep inside, she knew what Mark was taking time to make her calm down. He was reminding her that it was now time to be together and build a home.

However, she has to show that she is not one to be manipulated by anyone. She's has been dictated by her father all these years on what to do and what not to do, and the way he dictates instilled in her a deep sense of fear rather than respect. Although now that she's an adult, she begins to see the point and her father's reasoning, but still, the manipulation makes her felt violated. Now that she's an adult, she has the choice to decide on her own without being dictated, much more manipulated like she was a complete moron.

"That's not the point! What makes you think that you can manipulate my life?!" Fem's voice sounded shrill and cold.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart, it'smy fault. I got too excited when I talked to your father. I thought he asked you before he told me." Mark said in an apologizing voice.

Fem gritted her teeth in annoyance. She looked up to the ceiling and breathed deeply to compose herself. She knew that Mark was determined to stay but her anger could not just go away any.

"Now give me three reasons why I should get married with you on that date!" Mark was stunned with Fem's furious voice. His body quivered at her sudden burst.

He had no sensible words to say to calm her down. It was because of Greg's call that he suggested what his grandparents told him and they both agreed to set at that date. It was indeed unfair for her not to have been asked first.

"Fem..." Mark had nothing to say. He just knew that his woman needs to calm down first. He slowly enveloped her in his arms determined to calm and comfort her first. He knows that her weakness lies in his arms. He loves the feeling he feels when she is comfortable in his arms.

"Fem, I understand you're angry at me and your father. I'm so sorry." He whispered above his head while his hands held her firmly leaving her no space to struggle.She was trapped in his strong arms, pressed on his wide and firm chest. Only her furious and controlled breathing can be heard.

Fem wanted to push him away but her arms were locked in between his chest and hers. She breathed deeply and screamed a shrill cry in protest using all her might to resist him to no avail. She heard him whisper 'I'm sorry in a sultry voice that reverberated from all his system. She felt the rise and fall of his chest and his diaphragm. It somehow distracted her from her fury. She felt his arms have no intention of letting her loose yet until he can feel her calm down. She knows that he knows how to make her feel at ease. In short, he knows her weakness.

After staying in that position for sometims, Fem decided to be rational and not let her emotion take charge. After all, she is a rational person. She could understand reasons behind other people's actions or words. The only thing she doesn't understand an will never understand is why people lie and pretend not to have lied.

"Mark, please let go." She said solemnly.

"Are you sure?" Mark felt unsure if she was calm yet. He kissed her temple feeling her soft body against him. He felt her nodding.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Fem said softly almost inaudible.

Mark let loose of his arms but did not release her yet. He slid his right arm at her back and stroked gently while his left arm pressed her lightly over his chest. "Enough of your anger sweetheart. We need to talk . Okay? This cannot be resolved by anger." Mark continued to rub her back until he felt her stiff body go at ease.

Having felt that, he was so eager to see her face. He lifted her face by the chin so that their eyes locked up. "Please look at me Fem, am I your man?" He smiled and he saw her frown in a conflict of anger and delight. He wanted to kiss her hard already.

Mark led her to sit on the bed while he pulled the other chair beside it and sat on it. He held her hands on her lap and bended to level his face with hers.

"Fem sweetheart, I'm so sorry to have hurt you again this time with my carelessness. Will you forgive me?" He said.

"I am not God." Fem frowned. Inside her, she was touched that her man can go as low as this just to win her back. He should be commanding battalions of police forces by this time.

"Which means....?" Mark's face confused. This time he didn't want his assertiveness to take the lead. He waited.

"I don't think you're too sinful not to be forgiven." Fem said then shut her mouth

"Oh! Then are you saying I'm forgiven? You forgave me right?" Mark was being too careful not to assert because his woman's words can have two meanings.

"My goodness! Am I going to get married to an idiot?" Fem gave a smug face.