Chapter X: Strawberries

Chris planned all of this.

Who in the world could not pay for his stay at the inn  but could buy and customize a camper van? 

That is my only thought while he is showing his camper van.

The last time that we met at LeFou, he told me that he had something to do there. And this camper van is that something. He bought it because he told me that he’s sure I’ll agree. The camper van looks like the usual camper van. It is color white. 

Argh! 

I settled the ruckus made by Chris due to his overstaying for a day. Since I have a day left for my stay, I told Violet that I’ll give it to Chris since I am leaving today instead of the day after tomorrow. Medyo naguluhan siya pero pumayag naman. I told her it's an easy logic, she’s stupid if she won’t get that. 

Chris has arranged all his things inside the van while I would just settle for today. After I agreed, he immediately helped me to pack my things. And now we are in his van. The first thing I noticed is the whiteboard where the to-do list is written.

His handwriting really sucks, just like the note that he left me back then. 

Like a usual camper van, there is a comfort room, a small kitchen, cute dining, and a bedroom.It is actually nice. But there are no other things inside, wala pang kahit anong stocks and toiletries. I glared at Chris, “of all the things that you need to buy, talagang inuna mo ‘yung whiteboard at marker?” He shrugged. I saw Chris’ stuff inside a built-in cabinet under the bed, he’s occupying two of the four drawers. I settled mine, good thing I already did the laundry the other day and threw the other things of mine that I did not need. I have lesser things than him.

“We’ll go to Agrabah. We’ll buy the things we need.” He stretched his arms and went to the driver’s seat. I saw him giving me a glance, “sit here.”

I rolled my eyes at him, “I’m going to sleep, just wake me up when we’re already there.” Hindi ko na hinintay ‘yung sagot niya at kaagad na humiga sa kama. The bed feels cozy and nice. I easily went to dream land the first time I laid. Probably because of tiredness, weariness, and all the things I experienced for the past few days. Patricia has been calling me for a hundred times, she even messaged me asking my whereabouts. I should really consider changing my number or just throw away my phone. 

A shadow and a vague scene appeared before me.

“Leira. We’re leaving this place, okay?” Mom said, holding my arms tightly. That’s what she’s been saying for a week now. Most of the time I would see her in the garden, planting. But now, she’s always locked up in her room. I remembered opening the door slowly, so she would not notice me. 

Slowly.

Until I can see her. She’s talking to herself, murmuring something, holding a knife.

Slowly. She acted as if she'd slit her throat. The knife traveled across her face and neck, giving her a different sensation I couldn’t quite understand. Her face looks so calm yet it frightens me. 

Slowly.

As slowly as opening her door quietly, she slowly ran her fingers through the knife.

She laughed. The laughter that I thought I could only hear at the movies. The part where an evil being or the antagonist is planning something hideous. 

Slowly.

As I was about to close the door, her eyes met mine. An understandable feeling traveled through my whole system. Her eyes, I am not used to seeing them this fiery yet excited. 

Her eyes got me glued from where I am standing. Her eyes locked on me, I cannot move and breathe. The silence seemed so loud, the wind seemed like it was surrounding my whole body, trapping the coldness of it within me. 

“Leira!” 

“Leira!” 

A gasp came out from me. 

Someone is saying something that I can’t understand. My vision is blurry, I can only hear a flow of water. 

“Leira! Breathe!” My eyes are watery and I cannot breathe properly.

Breathe Leira! I shouted at myself.

After a few seconds, I calmed a bit. I can see Chris staring at me. Hindi ko napansin na kanina pa pala niya hawak ang palad ko at minamasahe ito. Inalis ko ang pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko para punasan ang mga luhang tumakas sa’king mga mata. 

Funny. Why did I even tell myself to breathe again?

“Okay ka na? What do you need? We can stay here for a while until you’re okay.” 

“You want this, bear with it.” I said and rolled my eyes. I’m fine. It’s like a usual day for me. To wake up because of a nightmare, tell myself to breathe even though I shouldn't. 

Chris seemed to be worried but I did not mind him. Nauna na akong bumaba sa sasakyan para makita kung nasaan na ba kami. 

Just by seeing the market, I know we are at Agrabah. It is a town in Jasmine. It's not that far from where we came from, which is Belle. Agrabah is known as the center of trading. As in, everywhere you'll look, there are merchants and products from all over the world. Be it cars, luxury items, foods, artifacts, household items, anything and everything.

"Ano? Let's go." As an obedient person that he is today, he followed me. Though his eyes are full of concern, I do not need them. Sometimes I hate it, when people see you at your lowest and show you sympathy and nothing more. What good would your sympathy do? Will a sick man be healed by it? Will a blind person see the colors of this world? Will your sympathy fill an aching stomach? Will it? Sympathy is just a mere showing of pity. For what? For nothing.

I walked through and looked for the things we needed. This is just my second time here and from what I can remember, the place has become more crowded. As if we’re inside a piece of art, drawn in the middle of a canvas full of colors. And I am the only one composed of colors mixed together creating black.

I thought Chris was following me but he’s nowhere to be seen. I almost panicked and decided to come back to his van but a hand instantly pulled my hands. 

“Kain muna tayo.” He smiled and pointed through his fingers a small restaurant with a retro vibe. The feelings I couldn’t understand a while ago makes me wanna slap myself. It subsided easily as soon as he came. 

One touch.

One touch was all it took for me to calm down.

That one touch with familiarity.

I shook my head and followed him. 

Since my mind is somewhere else, I let Chris order for us. I took my time to appreciate the place. Stickers, picture frames of random images, and action figures of different sizes around the whole restaurant which I don’t even know. I think they are characters from comics. Mixed red and orange lights. Red and white tiles.

By the time our order came, I was amused. In front of us are two double cheeseburgers, a banana split with a strawberry on top instead of a cherry, large BBQ fries, and a strawberry milkshake. 

Those are my favorites! 

I glared at Chris, “did you order all of these? These are my favorite comfort foods!” I am excited to eat! I didn't know I was hyped, and to see the strawberry on top of the banana split made me happy. I did not know that you can request to change the topping!

Chris smiled at me, “I know.” Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata. “You know?! How?”

He shrugged and gave me a smile, spooning the strawberries at the top of my banana split. Tinabig ko ‘yung kutsara niya gamit ang kamay ko saka kinuha ‘yung strawberry at isinubo ng buo. He laughed at me with amusement, and so, kinuha ko din ‘yung strawberries sa ibabaw ng banana split niya. Before he could react, I was already chewing the strawberries.

Now he is the one that is glaring at me, I raised a brow, challenging him. “Madaya ka naman.” He sounded like a defeated child. 

His touch is familiar.

The way he calls my name.

He knows my comfort foods.

"Just who the hell are you?"

He sipped at the strawberry milkshake, “That’s for me to know and for you to find out.” 

Although he looks like kidding, there is something in his words that I cannot comprehend. I never shared my name to anyone, not unless he came from Ariel. If he came from that place, I am guessing there is a chance that he knows me. Ilang beses ko na din inisip kung dati ko ba siyang kaklase, might be from kindergarten, elementary, high school, or college, pero wala hindi ko maalala. I have never shared my favorite comfort foods with anyone else except Pat. My Father does not even know that. But this stranger is making me feel like he knows me and my whole being.