I noticed Omar give away his spot after Liam was lacking behind. He pretended to slow down so that Liam passes him. Why on earth? I stood in the pool and made my way outside. I removed my safety jacket and my pony tail too. I shook my head so that the water in my hair gets drenched. I pulled it together through my shoulder all the way down my chest so that it drenches properly. I sat on the beach chair besides the pool and looked at Liam and Cass on the mountain after they got the flag. Liam smiled at Cass and caressed her face. She leaned on his arm and consequently turned her face and kissed his hand. They looked so cute. I couldn't help but smile. Love moments.
A staircase emerged from within the mountain. It was pink coloured and went down the pool forming the tongue of the dinosaur. Very creative. If are a hallucinator, you'd totally think you're going into the mouth of the animal and it'd feel like you'll be dinner. I looked away from the mountain because I didn't want Cass and Liam to notice that I was staring at them. I'd make them uncomfortable. I looked toward the pool and fortunately or unfortunately caught Omar looking at me. I blushed and looked away caressing my hair. Whenever he looks at me I feel these chills down my spine. For a reason I didn't know.....yet. I didn't know why yet but soon will. I got up, got into the pool and followed him .
"I saw that", I began folding my arms on my chest.
"What?",he asked putting his hands in his pockets and looking sharply at me. Was he trying to intimidate me? So that I don't tell him I caught him looking at me? Not gonna happen,I ain't the type of girl. I boosted my confidence ready to splat it out but on second thought,If I told him I caught him looking at me,I'd be awkward because it would mean he's into me when he might not be. I don't wanna awaken his love because of my words or actions. I wanted it to go with the flow and let it be natural.
"I saw you deliberately..... fake and stunt to delay yourself and let Liam pass through...you made us lose on purpose", I howled trying to sound serious while on the inside I thanked God for changing my speech so instantly.
" Am sorry....We'll win on the next one", he assured me "I actually planned this whole thing so that Cass and Liam can have their spark back. Liam told me he's been missing her since she's got her work and is almost always busy so I planned this for them to get together....and fall in love again", he explained. I really loved it. That was so nice of him. Helping out to burn his friend's love once again so that they fall to their first love....all over again. While bringing a sparkle to their love,he was indirectly bringing a spark to ours too. I kept looking at Omar. I just got impressed by what he did for Liam and Cass. What a friend Liam found in Omar. I just pray to God that I find that friend in him too.
"Guys.....",Cass came running toward us "we got the flag!".
"Wo-Who",I clapped jumping up and down "Go team Cass!".
"What's the prize?",Liam asked excitedly. Cass opened the envelope attached to the flag and opened it.
"Draw-Dino", she read it out "What on earth does that mean?"she asked in anguish. "We climbed that mountain in vain?"
"Calm down",Liam hugged her "It means something and we'll figure it out" Omar took the paper and examined it. "Draw-Dino....I think it's got something to do with a draw pocket game. We're supposed to go somewhere were you can draw out something", he explained. It really made sense. Oh! Knight Omar to the rescue.
"Let's find it then",Cass said looking on her booklet and heading the eastern direction. We all followed behind her. She took us to this cabin-like house and she explained to the man on the reception why we had come. She referred us to a man who took us next room to a guru. Cass was seriously flaring up. I can only imagine.
"Veils for the ladies", he said giving me and Cass red veils. I think we were going Indian style. Am loving it. I took one and gave the other to Cass. We wore the veils and he took us in. An elderly man in a white robe sat on a pedestal in the throne area of the room. He summoned us to walk one by one to where he was and as we did, he either touched you by the hand or face and whispered something which I for one didn't hear. I really didn't hear him and I didn't even bother ask what he said. I didn't even think it was in English.
" Draw-Dino",Cass told him. He took a pot with a red veil around it and gave it to her. She drew a dino head from it. Instead of papers they wrote whatever it was on an art craft shaped as the head of a dinosaur. A dinotherium. She opened it and read it. "Up the mountain...you shall climb....Make way to the precious fountain.... and hence you shall find your fortune. Where eye's can't see thee that is visible to the heart"
"Seriously?", Omar asked "Am so bad at riddles"
"It's not a riddle,it's a guide", the man said. "This is a taste of your love"
"Oh my God", Omar sighed and I knew that was one of the disbelief kind. He didn't believe in all this and he must have wondered to himself why bother him? I found it disrespectful to look down upon and to disregard someone's believes even though we don't believe in them. Our differences are what make us beautiful. We think differently and it's what brings out the diversity in the human race. I am because someone else is and Omar was because someone else was. A tree has a lot of branches but they don't point in the same direction. Different sides they aim at and it brings out such a magnificent sight. All because of difference.
"C'mon",I cheered, "how bad can it be? We came here to have fun right? So let's have fun".
We went out of the room and met a man right on the exit. He took us to another building. Pyramid shaped full of stairs all it's sides.
"More climbing", Cass sighed. Am pretty sure she expected something more. "Up the mountain you shall climb...Make way to the precious fountain...and hence you shall find your fortune. Where eyes can't see thee that is visible to the heart ",she read the paper again. Thee that is visible to the heart.....that's love. Only the heart can see true love.
"Men....you have to tie this string to your leg and against her leg and hop up the mountain ",the man told us. Omar and Liam gasped in horror. Looks like we were uo for some leaping frog! Naaasstttyy.....in the awesome way of course. We thought he was joking but apparently he was being truthful. He led us to the foot of the pyramid and made sure the men were tied to us properly and that the strings wouldn't be able to break. Omar lacked behind again so that Liam takes the lead. They climbed until half way the pyramid and stopped to rest. The rule was to not sit down. If you're tired you walk slowly or stop if need be but not to sit down. Take it to the top of the mountain.
"Time for another trick",Omar whispered. "Pull your veil over my legs"
I did as he asked. Without question.
"Prim! Move your veil ....it's blocking my way and it seemed as though my leg's gotten crouched to it... I can't walk up the stairs with it over my legs..", he began and pretended to stagger as if he couldn't really walk. He was one good actor. He could definitely beat Idris Elba. I was so sure of it.
" Er.....hold on....", I said pretending to fix it. I was also a pretty good actress on the other hand. "it's tangled to my hair and I can't seem to free it...", I sighed after I had seen Cass and Liam stop to look at us. Cass giggled. She must have been happy that they were going to win again. Omar fell down to make Liam think it was because of my veil. He made sure he fell safely so that we don't get hurt.
"It worked",I smiled at him fixing my veil. He smiled too and stopped to stare at me. I've never seen him this close before. His face was like inches away from mine. His cute brown eyes staring straight into my silver ones making me lose myself in them. A slight breeze blew past us and made his hair fuzzy. It lightly spread his scent all over making me inhale the sweet fragrance of his. I lifted my hand to fix his hair with my hand but I felt his on my face pushing some strands of hair behind my ear. I must have forgotten to put my ponytail back after hilliness-rhinosarous Rex game. Such a weird name for a game.
"You're very beautiful Prim", he said while standing up and giving me his hand. He wanted to help me get up. Hey! I didn't say anything. You didn't give me a chance to say something. I thought but it was for the better. I think I'd mess it up if I said something. I was too excited to speak. I gave him my hand and he pulled me up.
"Thanks",I said after gathering a tons of courage. I had to pick the right words before I spoke. I didn't want to end up adding salt when I was supposed to add sugar.
"Anytime....."
"Are you okay?", I asked smiling. Omar looked at me and got a bit terrified. I saw fright across his face right after I asked him that question. Was something wrong? Why did he seem scared ? My smile faded and he noticed.
He quickly changed his expression. He rubbed his face in his arms and smiled again. "Oh..yeah,am fine..totally". He gave me a light brow on my shoulder and made this funny faces that really made me laugh. He was running away from my curiosity and if he thought this was going to drive it away, he was a tiny bit wrong! We both ended up looking at the pyramid and saw Cass and Liam seal their love.
"...thee that is visible to the heart", I smiled "beautiful right?" I asked him.
"Very beautiful", he agreed "The fortune was a kiss?" He asked a bit frustrated.
"Umm...yeah..where eyes can't see thee that is visible to the heart....you don't see yourself when you're doing it... you just feel it in your heart", I explained.
"Oh My God I need a rematch...", he shouted but no one seemed to get him except me. I just managed to laugh at his childishness.
"Am really happy for them",Omar said putting his hands in his pockets.
"You are bound to be happy", I said pinching his cheeks and smiling.
Cass and Liam ran toward us with happy faces. I wonder if they were happy because of the fortune or the whole fun time thingy. There was a different glow on Cass's face. I can tell when someone feels in love and when he or she really is in love. Cass was in love. She slowed down and held on to Liam's hand. He made funny faces and warped some words. Cass just kept on staring at him. With admiration, with passion,with affection,with love. She started laughing and slapped Liam a bit on the back. They both burst into this contagious laughter that somehow somewhere made me start laughing too.
" Hey guys",Liam waved. "We are back". He reported happily.
"Yeah...we know", Omar wailed and walked to where Cass was. "Can we eat now?",
Cass grinned "No" she said opening her booklet "One more game"
She flipped the pages looking for the right game for us to play. I bet she'll pick something that involves me and Omar winning. It's high time since we won. I am a not selfish but I just wanna have fun too. Who knows....by the end of this thing maybe more than two people will go out home happy today that the other girl or other boy just had to exist. That'd probably be me!
"Build your Dino", she squeaked. "I'll be with Prim", she said giving me a warm hug. I hugged her back although I was a bit sad. I saw Omar whine through Cass's shoulder and I was delighted. I wasn't alone after all. Two hearts destined to be together just waiting for the environment conducive for their love. The potential was already there too but the conducive environment was needed. Last Sunday at church the pastor said 'everyman has potential to live a righteous life but the environment can be of a stronger influence than the potential that already is there. We all have the potential to do anything, the only hindrance is the environment. Some people around you influence you, some desert you, others look down on you and in the long run, you gradually become like them. Hopeless, faithless and unrighteous. That's just what was here...there were some sparks...all that was needed now was a good environment to make our tiny spark into a fire. We walked into this room that had different sections built against the wall in shape of squares. Each section had minute pieces that am sure was of a dismantled dinosaur or rhino figure whose picture was against it.
"So....each team picks a dinosaur they want to build and we have exactly twenty minutes", Cass explained still wearing the delighted smile on her face. She really was having fun.
" We'll get the ....the flying one", Liam pointed at this female looking dinosaur with it's wings spread. It had red lips and sharp nails emerging from it's legs that looked like those ladies put on their nails today and it made me suggest it's a female
"We'll take the rhinoceros", Cass said and pretended to roar. Omar and Liam shrugged their shoulders and gave these weird sarcastic smiles. The timer was set once you automatically step into the gaming zone. We started building the animal .It was a bit hard for me but Cass seemed to know these things so it wasn't a big of a deal to her. Each time we got stuck,I'd spy on the boys to see if they were almost done but to my delight they were even worst than us. No one knew dinosaurs among them. This caught me by surprise for Liam. He had a dinomaniac for a girlfriend and yet this proved to be hard for him. What did they spend time talking about if not dinosaurs? Well,who knew? Just because you have someone you like doesn't mean you should turn into a replica of them. We are different and it makes us beautiful.
"Pass me that one ",Cass pointed at a piece far right next to my hand. I picked it and gave it to her. She completed the figure by finishing with the horn and just then the buzzer rang telling us to step back. I saw frustration on Omar's face when he saw our figure after him and Liam literally did nothing. Like literally nothing.
"You have won",the computer programmed voice said splashing me and Cass in glittery flowers and giving us two sparkly bracelets with the words DINO-RHINO on them. They were so beautiful. They were made from emerald. It was made of two strands that got twisted all through out. At each junction a tiny light pink flower. Mine had roses, Cass's had sunflowers. They were just beautiful.
"We did it", I jumped on Cass and gave her a huge hug. I finally got something to remember this day by. I even won. Winning is really good although sometimes like today it's not about winning but having fun. Bella Bringer, the three time international Griffindor gymnast once said 'It's okay if you don't win, but winning is much more fun' and today Primrose Gerardia agrees 'winning is super fun'
"Let's go eat",Omar said leaving the building and taking the direction to the café. We followed behind. We reached the cafe and all the tables were set for two. Cass and Liam had their table and I had mine with Omar. I ordered a grilled chicken and coleslaw while Omar had Spaghettis with minced mutton. He zoomed his eyes at me and then looked at my plate. My lower jaw dropped. If anything I was supposed to do that to him. He had loads on his plate unlike me.
He guzzled his food, drank water and burped. I laughed at him because what he just did was childish. He just ate recklessly without being conscious that he might portray a bad image of himself to me. He didn't mind if I'd think he has no etiquette; and it made me happy. He didn't want to hide the crazy part of himself from me. He was expressing his true self before me without fear of anything. Whether I like him or not,that should be my own decision for he has showed be both of his sides. The cool Omar,the sweet Omar and the crazy Omar. Of course, the romantic Omar. If he can go as far as booking the whole Dino-Rhino just for the love of his friend....wow. I was impressed. People sure do have a heart for love. A special heart for it. I don't know what I would have done. I've never really had friends anyway. My friends were my workmates and some of my classmates back in art class. I was never close to anyone. When my mother and sister left,they broke me. They killed the loving Primrose. I wasn't heartless just that my hope in love was lost. Why did they have to leave me? I couldn't understand that. I lost love for myself and for others too. My aunt Vanessa however fixed me. She taught me how to love. She loved me as if I where her own. She was my mother's sister. I've never met any relative of my father's. I never even met him. My mom told me that he died when she was pregnant with me. She didn't tell me the reason. Whenever I asked ,she would break down so I just stopped. I lost hope in love. I just couldn't accept anyone's love for me. I couldn't let anyone into my heart. My heart had frozen. Yet little by little ,with the little tricks he did Omar seemed to be melting it. I really liked how he pushed my hair behind my ear back at the base of the pyramid. I won't deny if the great God made us live the same day twice. I would definitely love to live that moment again and again. He even said I am beautiful. Only my mom uses to tell me that. No one else has and yet Omar comes out of the cloud and stands out. He asked me to be his date along with Cass and Liam for the day out they had at Dino-Rhino. If he wanted,he would pick any other female friends of his; but he chose me. He desired to come with me. That surely got my heart melting. Finally giving me hope. Maybe it's okay to let someone into your heart. I hope this whole thing ends up well..
"She also loved grilled chicken", I heard Omar say. He looked firmly at my chicken but I knew he wasn't. He must be in his memories. Who was he talking about?
" Who?",I asked a bit curious.
He suddenly looked at me and at the surrounding. He must've been lost. Then he looked at me again."Oh.....umm...",he sighed "never mind,forget I said that".
" umm.....okay",I shrugged my shoulders and put my folk down. This was good chicken . I just hope it wasn't a baby flying dinosaur. That would be wicked.
A cloud of silence covered me and Omar. We just sat and stared at each other. At times we would look at Cass and Liam and admire how much fun they were having. At times we would scratch our heads as if we were thinking of something cool to say but silence covered us still. I wanted to ask Omar something. Why was he living alone? Where were his parents? His siblings? Or anyone from his family?
"Omar...why do you live alone in your apartment?",I asked a bit nervous
He seemed scared or frustrated. He seemed disturbed and confused. He scratched his head and played with his fork a bit.
" You don't have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable", I quickly said. I didn't want him to make it difficult for him. It already seemed difficult for him as it is. I didn't want to chase away the celestial fire that was finally melting the ice in me. I didn't want to put it out. I just wanted to know. As a friend. Besides it's been a month now since we became friends. I feel like I have to know as a friend and hence forth I asked.
I wiped my face with my napkin. Cleaned myself and made sure I picked up the bits of chicken and salad that fell all over my place.
"Am done....", I told him. He looked at me and at my plate and them at me again. Seriously,what was that? I felt discomfort. Did he have to look at my plate to make sure I was telling the truth? Or maybe he didn't want us to leave anything behind since he paid for this whole thing? Men! They are so sweet but this pride of theirs makes them sour at times.
"Done?", he asked looking at Cass and Liam. Cass nodded. We left the café sat on the couches just outside under the shade. I missed making espresso. I didn't make it for the whole today and am already missing it. I needed to go to work. I had to talk to Lizzie about me visiting Tony and using her special.
" Um.....Omar....may I talk to you for a while?", I asked playing with my fingers. Liam looked at Cass and made faces. I scared them with a blow I made and they pointed at each other.
"I want to go to work...",I told him. "I know you already asked for my day off but...I just miss making espresso....I wanna make some.... Plus I miss Lizzie". I explained making sure he doesn't give me a reason to stay. I made it sound like I really had to go. Deep down I knew I wanted to stay. Although we weren't really talking, the silence we had was more than a conversation. The silence that makes noise. That speaks for you. The one that makes the road clear for you to pass through... The silence that is full of noise.
Omar asked why I wanted to go yet we still had the day but I insisted that I go. He explained it to Cass and Liam. They seemed sad that I had to leave. I was also having fun. It felt so good to hangout with people I'd finally call friends. I had a good time. I'll never forget this day. I hugged Cass goodbye and waved at Liam. Omar told them he'll come later to pick them up since he didn't want to kill the fun.
We went into the changing rooms. I wore my work uniform since it's what I wore when coming here. I pulled my hair in a ponytail. Again. After I enjoyed putting it down after climbing a hideous dinosaur-rhino figure's back. I went into his car and he drove me to work. We quietly drove all the way. No word. No something. Just silence. The journey seemed shorter than when we were going. He parked the car in the parking lot. I noticed a lot of customers came in and they surely would use my help. I opened the door to go out but Omar grabbed my hand. I wondered what he wanted to say. A sorry for what he did? Or a thank you for being his date?
"Don't go yet Prim", he began." I need to go in first to talk to your manager before you go in"
"He doesn't come to work today",a frustrated me said after what I expected did not happen.
" I talked to him on the phone....he said he'll be here...", Omar explained. He got out of the car and went into my office. I got angry. He didn't apologize. How dare he? What does he think of me...trash? .... Yuck!
I got out of the car and went into the restaurant. I looked around for Lizzie to explain to her what just happened. I didn't see her around but I was sure she was in the kitchen. The restaurant was a bit crowded and I bet she was busy working. I decided to follow her there but I bumped into you-know-who as I was about to go to the kitchen. I felt embarrassed. He asked me to wait in the car but I didn't.
"I couldn't wait....", I explained.
" It's alright Prim....thanks for today",he smiled leaving. I was sad that our day had to end so quickly but it just had to. I missed espresso and macchiato. The aroma gave me a new life. Every single breath kept reminding my soul that I was still alive. Lizzie crossed her arms around my waist and hugged me from the back.
"Where has my girlfriend been?", she asked me squeezing my waist. She did that whenever she really missed me. I bet she did. It'd been a really long time since we had some alone time. I don't know what has really kept me busy. I really don't know. I just feel like I've been busy lately.
" My darling...I have been busy lately...",I started with no idea where I will end. I had no excuse to give. I quickly spun her so that I was looking right in her face. I really loved her purple eyes. I really loved them. They were she beautiful. Somehow they always reminded me of my mom. I didn't even understand how but that was always the case.
"I missed you so much...", I said hugging her again.
" I miss you too",she hugged me back. "I have something to tell you". She said looking so excited and blushing. I knew it was about a boy definitely. Before she could even say anything more, Marvin came in and brought a few more orders.
" I guess it has to wait",I told her. "C'mon". I pulled her into the kitchen and we started making the beverages. I really missed doing this. I really did. A day without espresso was a day without joy. I always felt happy making it. My favorite part was designing. I loved it like so much. I used it to express how I felt. Each time I made a design I'd feel relieved. I felt like I've expressed myself in the best possible way. Making espresso always calmed me down and gave me a new beginning. I made almost five different cups and did the delivering in the restaurant. Lizzie was busy too. I looked at her and smiled. She smiled back and looked in the direction of the door still maintaining her smile. I got surprised. Who was she smiling at? I couldn't hold it but turned my head to look. TONY!!!!
The inner me gasped as I carried the tray back into the kitchen. Why were they smiling at each other passionately. I don't miss it when I see it. I clearly saw it in Lizzie's eyes and recalling from her expression when we met, I definitely new something was up. Tony?! It just can't be him. Why Tony?! Why on earth him? Lizzie and Tony.? More like fire and fire... Oh dear God,what do you consider when arranging these bonds? Tony and Lizzie? Oh My God.
What if am just over thinking it? What if it's not like that? I so pray it's not like that. I longed for Lizzie to finish her deliveries so that we talk. I impatiently waited for her in the kitchen. I removed my hair ribbon to relax myself a bit. Anyway,the day was almost over and the restaurant would be closed anytime. I removed my apron and hanged it on the wall. Lizzie came in dropping some cups in the sink.
"Phew!", she exhaled and took her apron off "done for the week.."
I looked at her and forced a smile. We were receiving our salaries the me the next day and we normally get the rest of the week off and resume the next Monday.
"So.....", she said holding my hands in hers. "I wanted to tell you something... Me and Tony...are a thing",she blushed "I've been crushing on him for a while now and I was so excited when he dropped me at work last month. When he finally spilled the candy,I couldn't resist but give my word. Am really happy.... ", I could really see the joy on her face. I can't believe it's happening. I honestly didn't like Tony. I had this deep feeling he has something under his nose and I think dating Lizzie is part of his scam. I needed proof though. I heard a car horn beeped.
"Oh", Lizzie jumped in delight "That's my boo....he always gives me a ride home from work". She pecked me goodbye and left.
Huh? I was totally lost. This happened right under my nose. Oh My God. I had to save my friend from Tony. I went into the changing room,changed into my cloths and left the uniform in the laundry. I carried my bad and walked toward the main door still disturbed when Natasha grabbed my hand worsening my mood. She squeezed my hand and made me groan as she pulled me into her office and closing the door behind her.
" How dare you?",I roared.
"Easy tigress..... I just wanna talk", she began folding her arms cross her chest. Seriously were did she learn that from?
"Why don't you talk to your grumpy, ill-mannered reflection in the mirror?", I asked making way to the door. She grabbed my hand again and pushed me away from the door so that I don't leave.
" Hey! I said easy alright. I don't want to use force on you.."
"Excuse me? What did you just do seconds ago?", I asked flaring up.
" Alright am sorry ",she apologized. What was this snake up to this time? She opened the lower drawer of her table. She took out a beautiful cream-white part patched with purple hearts. She stretched her hand and gave it to me.
" I would like you to come to a hot tub party I have Saturday night. Look Prim,I know we're always head on with each other. Iron and iron,eye for an eye. I would like to make up for that. I am an adult and I should act like one. Please would you come? Am throwing it for my girls. We haven't had sometime together since they were out of the city but now they're here and I would like to enjoy my time with them...with my favorite waitress. So what'd say?",she asked. This isn't the Natasha I knew. She changed colours like a chameleon. She was trying to play good and act bright with me. I certainly knew she was up to mischief. As always. I snatched the card from her hand and shoved it in my bag. I walked toward her so that I get a sharp eye contact.
"I know you are up to something... Am not dumb enough to miss the fact that you can never invite me to your party. This is a charade. I know that", I said sharply pointing right at her so that she understands.
She rolled her eyes at me and spoke up " This is exactly what I want us to end",she tried to reason. I could feel betrayal right in her voice. I could smell it.
"Look Missy", I said dramatically bringing an end to this. " Don't you dare mess with me. I know your planning to drop dynamite on me but I promise you....you're gonna be sorry", I groaned heading for the door.
"If you don't mind...bring a friend", I heard her say as I banged the door shut. Something was going on. Tony dating Lizzie. Natasha inviting me to a party. These two where up to something. I swear I was gonna get to the bottom of it.....if not,then my name isn't Primrose Gerardia.