C29: Lancelot

I swiped C on my phone screen, revealing the calendar application. Today is Wednesday, my day off. Or in this case, our day off. Evangeline chose Wednesday as her day off, and a few days back we agreed that we're going to have occasional dates, or whenever we're both available.

The bad thing about this is, today, this very moment, is the first time where the thought, 'who'll lead other employees?' struck into my mind. If the manager and head chef won't be around, how will other employees work? But since Evangeline never thought of this either, maybe I should tell her when we meet. Jun is the only person I trust in the restaurant, so perhaps he can be a good substitute? After all, every Wednesday, he's the one who replaces me whenever I'm not around. It shouldn't be hard. The difference now is, Evangeline is here.

As this day starts, the first thing I did is to send Eve a message.

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Me: Good morning. It's Wednesday.

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Surprisingly, she replied fast. Does this person even put her phone off her hands? It's only 6 am!

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Evangeline: Yes, actually! I already had us booked in advance. 

Me: 'Booked?' Where are we going exactly? Who's going to drive?

Evangeline: You, of course! I did tell you that I don't have a local license yet, right? Besides, I'm your boss. Why would I drive for my employee? :P

Me: (-_-)

Evangeline: What? Am I wrong?

Me: I thought we agreed that we're simply friends when outside the restaurant?

Evangeline: Exactly.

Me: There, so stop calling me employee when we're not in the restaurant. You're getting my point and you're messing with me right now, aren't you?

Evangeline: Yeah, because you're waaaaaayyyy too serious about life. Do you even know how to have fun?

Me: Right. So, where are we going? How far is it?

Evangeline: Just trust me, you'll like it.

Me: Are you serious? I'm the one who'll drive and you won't tell me where we're going?

Evangeline: I won't spoil it! I'll tell you later! Ttyl!

Me: See you at …?

Evangeline: 9 am!

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I found myself smiling as I read her text messages. Not only because I can hear her cheerfulness as I read, but seeing the effort on how to make me smile at least. At some point, it makes me wonder if she's trying to make me become a different person.

Right after washing up, I went to the kitchen to grab breakfast. As I look around, I found the loaf bread and sugar. Lastly, I took the butter out of the fridge. I put a pan on the stove and it on in the low fire, and I put the butter into the pan, followed by the bread. I let it absorb the butter

and let it become crispy and turned it on the other side, letting another amount of butter melt into the pan for the bread to absorb. I sprinkled it with sugar both sides and made myself a cup of coffee. Things could've been easier if I have a toaster, but since I toast bread often like this, it broke.

When the clock struck at 8:45 am, I arrived at Eve's house, and she simply said that I should go inside because she's not done dressing up. Well, of course. That's an Evangeline trivia. It takes her an eternity to dress up. It's not like she needs to be pretty for me.

Exactly 15 minutes later, she went downstairs, a broad smile written on her face. I don't know if she's smiling because she's excited, or because she's with me. Probably the first one.

"How do I look?" her question made me look at her from head to toe, her black fitted top paired with a flowy, deep turquoise skirt, with her classic high heels.

"Not bad," I commented, and she pouted, as if not satisfied with my reply.

"Shall we go?" I asked, and as she nods, she went to the kitchen and came back bringing an eco-bag full of snacks.

"All set!" she confirmed and walked ahead of me as if she's the one who's driving.

"You do know that you're going to get fat if you'll eat all those junk foods, right?"

"Seriously, Victor?" she looked at me in disappointment, which I find questionable because there's nothing wrong with what I said. "Being fat is the last thing that you should tell a girl. They can be sensitive when it comes to their figure. You should keep that in mind so that you won't offend anyone next time. It's not always bad to eat such snacks, you should live a little." She defended, and I decided to keep my mouth shut.

When we got inside the car, the golden question gets revealed – "Where are we going, miss?" I asked.

"To the amusement park!" a gigantic grin spread across her face, her eyes lit up like the sky on a summer day.

"The closest would take us at least three hours," I reminded, and she nodded. "… and you're serious? Also, it's childish. This is a day tour, and there's work tomorrow."

"Hey, I already booked it, so no backing out now! I told you. You should live a little. Sure, you can call it childish, but it'll be fun!" Of course, there's no room to say no, since she had it all planned without even telling me.

I heaved a sigh and mentally closed my eyes, imagining how things will go, and thinking of what I should feel about everything. Thinking about it makes me feel exhausted, but perhaps, I'll just go along with her childish interests.

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She grabbed my wrist as we enter the amusement park, like a child pulling her father to play in the playground. However, it may be partly annoying, but I don't feel any hint of regret as I follow her.

She got us the tickets, and asked, "Where should we go first?"

"It's quite sunny since it's noon, so perhaps somewhere where the sun won't directly hit us?" I suggested, and she nodded in approval.

"It's lunch. Maybe we should eat first?"

"I'm still full. Did you eat your breakfast?"

"No," she confessed. "I was too excited, so I decided not to eat."

Great. I'm no longer surprised.

I gently pat her head like a child. "Then go, find us a place to eat."

We walked around to the area where we can eat, and she looked at each from afar.

"There are so many to choose from, I don't know what to choose," she looked up to me, an embarrassed smile written on her face. "So, suggestions?"

"Fine. Don't me ask that for an entire day, got it? Let's narrow down the options. What do you want to eat? After considering that, we can eat somewhere else if you want dessert too."

"You're good at this! I think I know now. Follow me," she made up her mind … that fast?

"You're crazy and childish, you know that?" I commented while we're stuck in line.

"I don't know if you're teasing me or you're insulting me."

"Neither. It's an honest opinion. I collected three Evangeline trivia for today, so far. First, it takes you forever to dress up. Second, you're childish when happy. Third, you may be crazy, but fun to be with. Satisfied?"

"Fun? You don't look like you're having fun," she replied. "I should make you a crown, with a title, 'King Poker-face.' I get it already. Maybe you're the kind who's not expressive? You're enjoying, yet, it can't be seen outside. Gotcha. That's the Victor trivia for you for the day, then."

"I thought that was already obvious since before," I blinked, unimpressed. The cashier greeted us when our turn came and asked for our orders. She pointed the carbonara with buttered bread and I ordered lasagna. The cashier asked for our drinks, and she picked some soft drinks, while I chose iced tea. When Eve was about to pull her wallet out, I held her wrist.

"Let me have this," I let go of her wrist and brought out some cash, and she turned back to look for seats, and I followed her as I carry our food.

"Were you thinking that you'll handle all the expenses today? You looked serious when you brought out your wallet." I put down the tray on our table and sat across each other. "Don't underestimate me, will you?"

"I wasn't underestimating you. I just thought that since I'm the one who pulls you around like this date, I should pay for it. I don't mind."

"It hurts my pride. I'm not saying that my pride matters, but be considerate. We both agreed to this, so let's balance it. What ride are you planning to ride first?"

She looked at my food, and my reaction is to look at it myself before looking back to her. Our eyes met, her eyes narrowed. "You ordered lasagna, eh? Is it your favorite? Did you order it because you miss my lasagna? Remember when I invited you over and shared that with you?"

"I forgot that one. But no, it's not my favorite. I just felt like eating it. So, are you gonna answer my question or what?"

"I'd like to go to the carousel. We won't be under direct sunlight that way."

"You … you can go ride it yourself. I don't mind childish games, but that's … too much. I'll wait for you at the exit."

She let out a disappointed sigh and pouted, and I continued eating my food silently, without adding more comments.

"Fine. What do you want, then?" she looked at me, leaning her elbow on the table, her hands under her chin.

"River raft ride maybe? Or 4D theatre? I don't know what movies they're offering though."

"Did you just say River raft? That'll make us wet. You up for that?"

"I wouldn't suggest if not."

"Finally, someone decides to learn how to have fun!"

She has no idea how tempted I am to ask where she's taking high energy all the time, and how come her jaw doesn't feel exhausted for over-smiling. Is it even normal for a person to be this … energetic? I simply don't get it.

After eating, we head to the river raft ride and fell in line for at least 20 minutes – when it was our turn, we were assisted in a circular ride good for eight people. We sat with six teenage girls. Judging them, they seem to be the typical 'girl squad' in school. Being surrounded by women in one ride like this makes me feel uncomfortable because it feels like I'm out of place. Don't guys ride stuff like this? I saw other rafts ahead us with men, though.

As our floating boat goes through the river course, we encountered turbulent waters and waterfalls – falls that strongly poured over our heads, and the river splashed over our boat, soaking our lower bodies, leaving us shivering even if we're under the rays of the warm sunshine. The girls – including Evangeline, screamed on the top of their lungs, some of them simply expressing how they enjoy it, while others hoping for more as we reached the end of our ride.

Water continuously drips from our entire body as we got off the boat, and even if we have no towels, everyone won't stop talking about what happened back in the ride. It's my first time being surrounded by energetic people all at once, and admittedly, it's annoying, yet fun … I suppose? It wasn't as bad as I thought.

I pulled out the handkerchief from my pocket to wipe myself, but clearly, it was damp too, which won't help me dry up.

"Did you enjoy it? You were wearing that classic poker-face all along in our entire ride," Evangeline commented.

"Yeah, I enjoyed it. So, perhaps the next ride would be something that'll dry us up?" I proposed, and she giggled.

"Roller coaster!"

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The sun began to set a couple of hours later, and as the sun hid its face, the entire park lightened up with different colors, making the chilly night looking warm. Families are going strolls together with smiles written on their faces, some others are taking pictures, while the rest are buying from different small stalls that include souvenir items, toys, candies, and some snacks. When Eve and I were walking outside the carousel, we found a man who was holding his lady's hand, and knelt, with a ring inserted in its small box, following the popular question, 'Will you marry me?'

Several people went closer and took photos of them even though they're strangers, and the lady was blushing hard like an apple – due to the surprise, the awkwardness, and perhaps happiness at the same time. When she said 'yes,' Evangeline went closer as well and congratulated the couple as if she knows them in person.

"Congratulations, you two! I hope for your happiness," she said eagerly, obviously happy for them even if they're strangers.

"I hope for your happiness too," the lady replied to Eve as her fiancé stood up, not letting go of her hand.

I walked towards Eve and held her hand, slightly pulling her closer to me.

"Thanks," I replied to the lady, and she nodded while waving her hand from us.

Eve's energetic energy faded, and time seems to have stopped as silence fell between us. We were looking at each other, curiosity and shock written in her eyes.

"What was that for?" she asked, and she broke eye contact, leading her eyes to our hands that are joint together. "Why thanks? I don't understand you."

"Let's go home. It's getting late, we have work tomorrow," I let go of her hand and walked away heading to the amusement park's exit, and when I didn't sense her following, I looked back and saw her watching me walk, and as I called her name, she followed.

At first, none of us bothered to talk when we entered my car, but after at least half an hour, she decided to break the silence.

"I want to show you my painting. Remember that painting I called 'Remnants of Departed days?' I already finished painting it," I sense that she's proud of her accomplishment, yet exhaustion is obvious from her voice alone. Some time ago, Eve described to me how that painting was like, and I had the feeling that I might relate. Now that she's showing me that, I can't help but wonder how relatable it is.

"You look tired. Maybe you should get some sleep. I'll see your painting later," hearing the word sleep makes me feel sleepy myself. Something that I cannot do as a driver, unfortunately.

"Why, don't you want to talk to me?" she asked, a hint of disappointment obvious in her tone.

I glanced at her, her lips curved down to a frown.

"I didn't say that. You look tired, that's all. I only suggested what might help, so don't get me wrong." I explained, although if I'll be honest, I prefer to talk to her. Only that I don't know what about it. The only important thing I can think of is for her to rest.

She leaned her back into the seat and closed her eyes, and in a matter of around 2 minutes, she's already fallen asleep.

Three hours later, we arrived at her home, and we went upstairs and led me to her art room, revealing a 720x350 painting of what she called, 'Remnants of Departed days' – a painting of a half-burning garden full of cypress flowers and trees, together with a man and a woman. A woman who was holding the man's hand – a man who's fading away, shattering into thousands of pieces, and yet, he's wearing a sad smile. While on the contrary, the woman was clearly in pain, seeing him like that. I remember her explaining that even if the man was shattering, he was smiling because he found peace, making his fragments be a mixture of small doves and fragments of glass, for the peace that gave him also caused him pain. Cypress flowers, as she said, means death, sorrow, mourning, and despair. The fire was supposed to burn all the 'cypress' in the man's life, and yet, it was too late, for he is fading.

Truly this man seems to be like me. A man who learned his past, a man who lived in the darkness and a life full of lies. Knowing those relieved and hurt me, and this feels like an explanation of why I feel dead inside.

"Victor? Is there anything wrong? Your eyes are … I don't know, it seems to be full of sadness whenever since you saw this painting. Don't you like it? It's my masterpiece, that's why I painted it this big." She said, her eyes filled with worry.

"It's beautiful and painful at the same time," I confessed, and I cleared my throat as I continue. "It feels like I'm the man in that painting, and you're that woman."