https://youtu.be/cVHrkYBEgFM
This time, I half expected to see him, so I was not surprised when I saw Aaron leaning against the wall as before
I walked up to him with a question
"Were you a flower boy during your school years?" I asked
He looked at me with a smile
"How did you know?"
"I saw traces" I replied
He rose an eyebrow
"Which other forty-something man, almost fifty, leans on a wall in the manner you do?" I asked
His smile got brighter
"What can I say? I never failed to get attention from people" he answered simply
"There are two types of attention, you know. Which are you referring to? The good one, or the bad?" I asked
He used the leg flattened against the wall to push himself up
"What do you think?" he winked
I rolled my eyes
He looked at my outfit
"God bless D. This is perfect,"
"Can you tell me why in the world I am wearing this?" I asked
"I did not hear any please," he said
"Because I didn't add it," I replied flatly
It was his turn to roll his eyes
"Let us go"
I did not move a centimeter
He looked back at me
"Do you not want to get your answer?" he prompted, and I joined him, reluctantly
We passed the back of the hospital this time and the walk was not as long as I feared it would be, it was quite close to the hospital. We walked into a building that looked commercial, but there was no signboard
"Let us go in" Aaron urged and I followed suit
"What in the world?" I said looking at Aaron
I turned back but Aaron dragged me; he was stronger than I thought he would be
"Welcome" he chirped
"Welcome, my foot," I said as I yanked my hand from his hold
He immediately blocked my exit
"Why did you bring me here?" I asked
"It is something that residents of this town do"
"So? I am not a resident"
"You, for a fact, are. Judging by the weather, you going to be here for a long time"
"Are you cursing me right now?"
That darn weather
His hands that were spread out went to his waist
"Causing you? What do you mean causing you? Are you trying to say that this place is a place of those accursed?" he asked
I looked at him, "Do not even try. You are not the one that is supposed to hold the longer end of the cause of disagreement"
"Why are you bringing the cause of disagreement in this conversation?"
He clapped his hands together,
"That reminds me. You have not eaten, right? Then, why do we not finish here and then go to eat? It will be my treat"
"Aaron!" I shouted in unbelief
He sighed in defeat
"Fine, then. I was wrong. After all, not every human can be up to the task. Right?" he tempted
I clenched my teeth together
"You should thank your God that you have more years ahead of me"
He gave a goofy smile, "God, I thank You"
He was challenging me. I knew that he knew that I knew that, but I could not, but accept the challenge. Surrendering was not part of me
I walked into the 'Academy for Martial Art' as the signboard inside said
"Where are you going? The exit is this way" Aaron chaffed
I glared at him while he just shrugged
Putting aside what I felt, I sent a small smile to the man who had been standing, with his hands on his waist, waiting for Aaron and me to finish our repartee
"Hi, I am Caleb," he said stretching his hand
"Raelyn" I responded with a smile, taking his hand
"You said you were going to treat me," I said, still trying to catch my breath
"I did?"
I glared at him
"Do not even dare" I warned
He chuckled
"Do not worry, I am still going to treat you, but not today; it has been postponed"
"Why?" I asked
"Something else came up," he said
"What?" I asked, angry
"Let us go," he said and started heading toward Davina's home
A feeling of dread came over me
Did something happen to Davina? I feared
Instinctively, I hesitated in front of the door
"Are you not going in?" Aaron asked from behind me
He came beside me and opened the door
"You are all here" I stated, angry. The house was full of both people and food while Davina, with a smile on her face, was in the kitchen as expected
I got nods in reply
"Well then, enjoy yourself. I will not be a bother"
"Where are you going?" Davina asked
I turned to her from the stairs
"My room, of course. Where else would I be going?"
"To a seat" she replied
"A seat?" I asked
I looked around as I asked the question
"Why would I?"
"Well, I ain't ever heard of celebrating a birthday with the celebrant absent," a woman said
Her face was familiar
"It ain't my birthday," I mocked
"That is called applying a figure of speech, darling" she retorted
I smiled
"Thank you for the lecture. I will be sure to use it well"
"Now that is enough both of you. There is no room for silent dissing" Pastor Hebrew scolded
I blinked; I did not expect to see him here
He smiled at me
"Hi there, Raelyn. I trust all is well?"
"As well as can be expected"
He frowned
"And why will that be?" he asked. "Come, dear, come sit near me,"
I complied
D brought a plate to me with a smile
How did she make this many portions for all and still manage to make it this wonderful? I mused
Pastor Hebrew waited patiently beside me until I was done
"Thank you, Davina"
"Davina does make the best meal, does she not?" Pastor Hebrew agreed
"It is all the Lord's doing?" she said
Pastor nodded then turned his focus to me
"I heard you started work at the hospital"
"Yeah. Unfortunately, I seems like I might have to stay here for a while so I figured it would be better to find something doing instead of just moping around"
"That is a good decision. How was it?"
"I just started so I cannot say"
I looked around the room, ungrateful towards the peering eyes
"Would you like to take a walk?" Pastor suggested
We went back out of the house
"Tell me about yourself, Raelyn"
I crossed my arms
"What do you want to know?"
"Hmm. Let us start with how you got here?"
"I was caught up"
He smiled
"I do not see you like a person who would let herself get sucked into a tornado"
"I am not. However, things were a little bit.... emotional that day"
I tucked my hands into my pocket
"Emotional?"
"I lost control and had a squabble with my dad"
"Hmm"
"What?"
"It is just that you seem to have a knack for fighting with your dads"