There was a time when I told him everything about it. I confessed. It was very slow and frightening. I trembled in fear of what would he answer.
"Hey." he looked at me shortly after my quick remark. We were on our garden, and he's busy working with his laptop while I am watering the plants.
"I have something to say."
"What is it?"
"I have a question for you."
I'm still facing the plants and water it even if my hands are already trembling.
"Hmm?"
"Is it wrong if you... fall in love for someone who's older than you?" I faced him only to see the evident shock on his face. He was totally bewildered.
I placed the hose back on its shelf and walked towards him.
"What did you say?"
"If it is wrong if you--"
"Are you crazy?! Are you drunk? What are you saying?" he growled with rage while looking at me furiously.
Hmm...
I laughed fakely. "Nevermind... Just continue with what you're doing."
I faced the back and started walking back to the adjusted door. I can hear his soft curses until he muttered,
"Sorry."
I did not have the courage to face him again, so I just said, "It's fine."
"Iris..." he sounds so frustrated. I faced him for the last time, and he gave me a cautious look. I equaled his stare but I was only the one who gave up.
"Hmm? I said it was fine. Just forget about it."
I felt the urged to make the atmosphere light so I bravely walked back inside and helped Mrs. Martha set the table.
I also shouted, "Let's eat!" so he will not take it seriously.
He ate with us that night, but he became even more silent. I just thanked him because he's still not leaving me. He still shows up on the mansion. And he already forgets what I said.
Or maybe he intentionally forgets about it? Either of the two, it's fine. Both of it hurt anyway.
When I go back inside the mansion, I went out to the kitchen to asked Mrs. Martha. I placed the bouquet on the table in front of her, and she immediately arranged and removed it's cover.
"Nana... I just thought it would be better if I would learn how to cook."
Mrs. Martha stopped cutting the thorns of the flowers for a while. She eyed me curiously. I laugh awkwardly before reasoning out.
"Really?"
"Yeah... so maybe I could cook for myself whenever I want to, right?" I smiled widely to reassure her.
"Okay..."
I just think I should know this because I'm already too old. And some already know how to even just for a young age.
"Well, you have a point. I'll let you cook our dinner later." she smiled at me sweetly.
Yey! Finally, I'll get to cook something for Dion!
Nana Martha prepared everything that we will need. She set up the kitchen really quickly that I couldn't easily follow what she had done first.
"Now cut these vegetables." When she said that, I almost bleed.
Huh? How?
"Like this." she showed me how she diced the carrots perfectly.
I tried it but I was very slow. Until I finally get used to it. Luckily, I have survived following every step she ordered without getting myself wounded.
The process is not that difficult but it almost made me sweat because I am trembling with tension the whole time.
Nana was looking at my every move very intently that's why I'm nervous. And it's not a simple dish that I'll have to cook. It's a meat stew.
When she already reached out for a spoon and had a taste of it, I almost prayed for all the saints to bless me.
"It's great! You cooked it well just like your mother. Bravo, hija." she smiled sweetly again so I felt relieved.
After my great experience, I served it on the table and helped Nana Martha to clean everything.
Dion is still not here. Where is he anyway?
"Nana... did Dion tell you what time he will come home?" I asked while sitting on the dining table and holding my phone.
"Did he not tell you? I wasn't informed either."
"Oh... Maybe you should go and eat now. I'll just wait for Dion."
Nana Martha already finished eating and it's already an hour since I waited for him. I texted him but he's not responding. I am already getting nervous because I feel like he will never come back again.
Or will he?
Then I remembered his answer a while ago when I asked him what time he will come back,
"I don't know..."
I'm already hungry and anxious at the same time, but I'm trying to extend my patience a little longer. Until it took me another hour of waiting. My hunger was replaced by sleepiness. It's already 11 in the evening.
So I tried calling him.
And he's also not answering. Seriously? Does he mean what he said?
I stayed up until 12 in the midnight. I ate alone. If he ever thinks of coming home, I will still serve him. I don't care now. I'm very worried that it almost got me teary-eyed.
What could be the reason that he can't come home? Does he really have a pile of work to do? Did something happen?
My mind is clouded with fear until my dog Tobi barked loudly. I ran as fast as I can to open the front door. It was his car! It should be him!
Because of my fast ran, I almost slipped on the tiled floor near the front door. Luckily, I got a grab of the doorknob, so I can pull myself up. When I already twisted it, a drunk Dion entered the front door with his reeking smell of booze. I grabbed him quickly with both arms.
Seriously?
"What happened, Dion?..."
"Ris..." he said in a husky voice when he almost fell.