With Her (part 1)

'… and for the coffee (In Filipino)'

I heard Venice talking to Aunt Claire who just woke up 10 minutes from now.

'It's okay, it's just us anyway (In Filipino)', said the lady folding the dried clothes in the long table whom I found out to be Aunt Claire's cousin.

She's been insisting to pay for using the waiting area and for the coffee but the owner gave her a smile and refuses to accept.

Venice gave a sweet smile too for the kindness of the store owner, which is new for me to see.

*BEEEP!!

'Tsss'

I move aside when a car came to park in front of the convenience store.

Im standing outside the store waiting for Venice.

I don't even know why im waiting for her though

Now that she's awake and seem better, I should just said goodbye.

Damn, I don't think I'm even using my brain after meeting this strange woman.

'Hey', Venice said as we glance each other. I smiled at her

And I guess that's normal, smiling to someone you just meet and helped without even introducing yourself together.

Total deep shit, strangers.

I shook my head after realizing how complete strangers we were and yet here i am the disciple of goodness on duty.

'Excuse me? Would you..'

'Sorry'

I immediately move back when the driver of the car opened his window to gestured im too close on the door.

He step out from his car and gave me a haughty look before closing the door from the driver's seat. He looks young and tall, and he is wearing a uniform... Not a school uniform or work uniform but uniformed outfit.

He must really like green color. His sneakers is green too, his jeans is faded green, his shirt is green, and his car's steering wheel is shining green.

Woah is he the symbol of life then. Tssk, too tacky. But he's cute.. really.

He noticed me staring inside his car, and even grin before closing it.

'Nice right?', he said keeping his arrogant look trying to intimidate me.

Tss... Childish

I shrugged my shoulders and ignore him as i walk away to met Venice who just got out from the store.

Okay here she comes now. Whew... Venice smiled at me but not like the sweet smile she gave to Aunt Claire. It's awkward but this burnt sensation building inside me and the confusing thump of my pulsing rate, is more annoying.

Geez..

I hold my breath without reasonable cause.

I'm being childish

Snap it out Liam!

You're a 23 year old gentleman.

Act normally you idiot!

I convinced myself

'Im sorry for all the trouble', she said as soon as she got close.

'Nah', I said sounding cool, staying stiff at my current stand

'And thank you', she added

I cannot avoid to look at her because of this unusual feeling that tells me there's something more strangely about her. It's not only because of her pale skin but the whole thing I've experienced after meeting her. It is really odd, but I'm telling you she's giving me this kind of hint that she's not who you think she is. She's being mysterious just for being there, and it disturbs me.

Also, the paleness of her skin is not white because I could distinguish the Asian colour of her race. She has light brown skin to be exact, a Filipina who seemed to be raised in a wealthy family or who knows. But the tone was on the verge of turning to blue like a corpse who just died 24 hours ago, making it pale.

It actually creeps the part of me.

'I guess you know my name already, but let me introduce you myself. My name is Venice, I'm a sophomore in the University', she said waking me up from wandering.

'Liam. Liam Myers, we're in the same University I guess, I'm one way ahead of your year', I said sounding confident.

She look away with cold face.

Tss, i find it rude but i hope she's not.

...

'Uhm…Are you alright now?', I said avoiding the silence

That takes guts to ask.. WHooo

Shit

'Yeah, and thank you', she simply replied.

Silence takes over, as we are trap in this small space between us because we are not even moving. She's just standing here not looking at me- other arm down, the other hand in her jeans pocket behind, foot slightly apart. Ohh… is she a tomboy? I mean, her stance looks a bit boyish.

And me? I look like a school boy holding the straps of his bag. Does it matter anyway?

My body react, jerking for a moment when she remove her hands on her pocket then glance at me with an awkward smile.

It's awkward for me too, but my attention was towards her eyes. She look away after few seconds of staring each other. But in that close up glimpse, I notice her pupils to be slightly elongated--oval shape?

Did…did, i- hallucinate again? What's wrong with me?

F*Ck

She started to walk leaving me behind in a statues pose. I let out a nervous breath as I slowly turn around to see her with more confused look.

I'm looking at her back, walking slowly away from me, but the illusion of impossibility keeps reoccurring in my mind, her eyes turning gothic yet bright, odd pupils for a human's eye, the touch of ice on her skin, and the blank face yet fragile truth in her state.

Who is she?

I'm not a religious person but I believe in God whom I have no idea what He/She/It looks like, but this girl whom I just meet made me imagine things like a demon, ghosts, ghoul and a vague figure of a girl kneeling while holding someones hand like begging.

Did i just daydream in this situation? Just great *disappointment

I shook my head for the sudden nightmare but another scene flashes in my mind; a true scene I've witnessed, her, crying in silence before we arrive at this area that she asked for.

I let out a deep sigh before deciding to follow Venice from behind. I don't know where she's heading but it seems that she had no plan to call for a ride. She keep walking, slowly like someone who's in deep thought, emerge in her own world.

Did she forget about me?

She's not even looking back to see if im here or not?

How ungrateful, that hurts.

Ouch

But seeing how she converse casually with the store owner, maybe she's not actually rude in person if you get to know her. But it is still different from the blank face and fragile character I observed from her.

Does she have mental issues?

Depressed maybe

Am I helping a mentally-ill person?

No one knows but the real question is, WHY AM I FOLLOWING HER?

Is this an act of innate kindness?

Just great *sarcasm

We are at the side of the road, and the unending horns of vehicles is really annoying, plus the pollution and heat of the afternoon.

I stopped a bit and slowed my pace, after realizing I'm already too close to her, it just because she walks too slowly and I have long legs.

She surely is a petite one.

I did not intend to observe her physically, but I can't help myself. It's not a sin to observe someone in front of you, especially when you're the only people walking on the street.

Her hair length is shoulder level, and her hair style reminds me some of my short haired countrywomen (female characters in anime). She had a nice hair, I can tell, and we had the same natural hair colour. Mine is black which I inherit from my mom, but looks brown when sunrays reflects to it. Hers is the same but much softer.

She's simply dressed, tight jeans and a navy blue long sleeves, she's kind of cool on her own.

'Im so hungry'

I heard her utter as she stop from walking.

Does she know im following her? I should clear things out before she thinks the other way.

*fake cough

'A-ahh. Hello? UHm'

fuck! What to say

What to say?

'I guess im still bothering you', she said.

Busted!

She noticed me.

'Where are you going?', I asked her but before she spoke the noisy street cut her off.

Unfortunately, a sudden rock songs played in the background which made us realized we are standing inside the parking space of a motor shop. Venice started to walk again and I just followed her until we stop in front of a hardware shop.

She faced me and I look away.

Is she mad?

I can't actually tell because she had this usual blank face.

'Uhm…why don't we go there?', I said just after looking at a snack house across the street.

'I'm … hungry, would you..like to join me?', I said with unavoided awkward smile.

OH GEEZ

She just look at me with stern expression making me feel so pathetic.

She was like shut-up-don't-talk-to-me.

I feel so embarrassed. I slowly turn away to avoid that face and put my hands inside my pocket.

'Hmm… it's my threat then', I heard her say

I gulped.

I did not expect that.

She dropped her eyes on the ground when i turn at her.

Are we both the shy type? Or she's just the shy one?

'Shall we', she said breaking the silence.

*inhale

*slowly exhale

Okay..

She was about to walk when suddenly she outbalanced. I did not let her take the fall when I immediately hold her arm as she manage to balance herself once again. From the brief moment of touching her again, I felt her cold body despite of the long sleeves of her shirt covering her bare arm.

'S-sorry', she said and almost fall from the ground again if I did not act immediately pulling her arm as I get close and support her from behind.

'I guess you're not yet alright, why don't we go back -'

'No!, I've got enough', she immediately replied.

'Are you sure you're alright?', I said.

She nodded but she hardly breathe like being out of breathe.

F*CK!

My nervousness is eating me up and I don't want to think of anything worse that might happen at this very moment.

'Let's go back', I said once more while still supporting her to stand erect.

'No, please. I don't want them to find out', she said in her shallow breath.

I understand that part but I can't stop worrying myself because of her.

'Then I'll walk you to your house', I said in louder voice but she just shook her head and said 'far'.

'Then where?', I asked with unhidden frantic and irritance.

She tried to stand on her own as I keep my support behind her holding both of her shoulders.

She took a deep breath before turning around to meet my gaze.

'Sorry for the bother.', she said and pause to grasp some air.

'But,… I need to rest somewhere –somewhere else', she said.

'I could manage. I don't want to bother you more', she said and took a step and she passes next to me.

'No!, its alright' I exclaimed and turned to her.

'Stop!', she shouted,

She's mad and its no good because it makes me mad too.

Im getting pissed off, Im just being kind here.

'Im just trying to help', I said.

This is crazy. And I am crazy if I let a weakening lady walking on her own.

'Could you?', she said almost like a whisper in the air.

'Yeah, I could help you because you're not feeling well', I honestly replied as I face her upfront.

She look at me with a blank face.

'Then… take me somewhere where I could rest unbothered?', she said, sounding like she's challenging me with the faint sarcasm in her tone.

Her voice was soft, weak... But dared to talk like do-you-think-you-could-help? *Smirk at the back of her head

But before I could even answer she almost loose her balance.

Okay this is not cool

'Come on!', I said and pulled her. I wrap my arms around her giving full support. She did not move but stayed silent as I supported her.

I don't know what im doing now, im just acting accordingly. I extended my right hand to call for a taxi, while I ignore the coldness I could still feel from her body despite of the cloth she's wearing.

'We need to go to the hospital', I suggested when she suddenly move and remove my arms on her shoulder.

I immediately hold her wrist and I don't care if she resist.

She must go to the hospital- is what I could ever think of at this moment.

She almost stumble after pulling her wrist but I manage to grab her again.

I could feel the coldness from her hands much colder but there's no time to talk about it.

'Taxi!', I called but the driver wave his hand, gesturing me that his out of service.

Damn

'No hospitals, please I have reasons', she said , her voice lacks strength but her tone is firm and serious.

Still playing tough huh?

I swallowed the polluted air because of her stubbornness. Leaving me no choice.

'Okay fine! I should never helped you in the first place if you're this stubborn', I said out of impulse.

Im starting to hate her attitude.

'Then just go!

.leave me alone. ', she talk back in low voice. Totally weak but seriously is she mad at me? Im trying to help for f*cks sake!

I'm getting annoyed because I felt like I have responsibility in front of me. And I will not feel good afterwards if I just let her be.

To be honest im really worried because im the only person beside her who could help, and if something happens really bad and im not doing anything.... It will be my fault

She pulled her hand again and took some steps back when she almost slump on the dusty ground.

Luckily im quick enough to prevent that, but now I grab her waist and keep her closer to me for the second time.

Just f*cking how many times do we push and pull in this situation?

She's still trembling and the sound of her breath is so feeble making me feel more worried.

'Bare with me again. I'll call for a taxi', I said

'Not in the hospital please', she uttered

'Fine', I respond like half mad.

There are lots of jeepneys passing with lots of passengers.

There were taxis but none of them were vacant.

I don't have any choice but to ride on the congested jeepney that will pass at the village.

'Come on, try to look normal. I don't want them to think you're drunk or something', I said honestly. She did not say anything and give her best to stand straight and walk normally as I support her by my side.

Fortunately, the congested vehicle finally stopped and 3 people also drop by the area.

I let Venice first to enter, I bend over and followed. I took her hand from behind and guided her to our seat right in the middle.

'Give me your bag', I said and put it on my lap.

I notice that people in front of us where staring. I look at Venice, her expression is a worrisome, she looks so depressed but in fact, she just don't care if people were staring at her. Her hands where trembling and I can feel that because we are sitting just beside each other.

I hate to say this, but I'm really annoyed that she let this happen to her, and the fact that she tried to shoo me away while she's in this condition.

She's dozing off again-closed eyes

I grab her right hand which is too close to the passenger next to her. I don't want anyone to notice the trembling hands of this strange woman nor the coldness of her skin.

I hold her hand without second thought. I just did.

'Rest a bit, I'll wake you up later', I whispered.

She turned her head and stared at me. I jolted because I felt like being poked invisibly. Her face is getting closer to me which made me uncomfortable, then she reached out to my ears.

'I'll kill you if I woke up at the hospital', she whispered really cold.. Heartless, fudge

DID she just threatened me?

She's really testing my kindness. !

I was about to take off my hands from holding her because im a bit annoyed but she just pulled it tightly. And she even entwine our fingers which made me think about Dad's annoying advice from not so long ago.

So, is this what he meant seduction?

Shame on, im not even seduce just bewildered..tss and maybe….maybe I'm just my father's son with high tolerance at all.

FUCK! LIAM

What have you got yourself into?