"Well…it is just that I told Carol about my observation and she called me a busybody, it was just so annoying, I only was just saying what I observed, I was not trying to interfere in any body's actions ".
He scratched his hair with a feeling of regret.
"I should not have spoke to her about. I thought I could be friendly with her, and I was almost thinking of making her a friend.., I guess I thought wrong, hmm". He sighed.
"Now I get it…". Madame Devlin started. "I was speaking with her about you both sudden change in mood, but…I did not understand it from her perspective, I see clearly now".
She smiled deeply showing the gap in between her front teeth.
"Building friendship is not easy as it might seem, and it takes two matured mines to build something deeper than just friendship ".
"Some…thing more…than…than friendship?". He stammered.
"Huh… yes". She nodded.
"No no". He laughed. "I never want to get involved with matters of the heart". He paused and then added. "They only make you weak, and I want to be strong ".
"Love does not make you weak!". She rebuked.
"My aunty was beyond devastation when she lost her husband. She cried to go with him every day, and she eventually did leaving me behind".
After he long pause he said, "I do not want anyone to feel such pain because of me ".
"When love comes, you can not deny it, but to accept it".
"I cannot love , I do not know what it is or… how it feels ".
"You need not be taught how to feel when you feel for someone. When love comes it overtakes your heartbeat, melts your heart, penetrates into your body, and in your head it is all you think of, you can not deny it, for denying it only breaks you, but acceptance brings freedom that you find in nowhere else. I leave you to ponder on these words ".
She stood up, gave him a hug, and walked away.
Sitting down on a rock his ass hit the rock really hard.
"Aargh". He cursed.
"Are you hurt ?". A middle aged woman asked him.
"No aunty ". He replied with a groan.
"You are sure? That rock hit you pretty hard ". She massaged his head.
"Hmm". He sighed.
"Kid..when your heart is not honest, pain gives you the answer". She tugged on his head playfully." Always try to be honest with your heart ".
These were the words of his late aunty. He had always try to live by them, but only until the death of her husband he had lost the zeal.
"Honesty or…otherwise, my answer will always be painful ".
He was not in for any matter that concerns the heart. It only makes you delicate and breaks
you at the end.
Carol sat on a mat inside her tent arranging and rearranging her belongings.
"Why is Madame Devlin so obsessed about that unruly man".
She wondered.
"He just behaves as if he is a good and gentleman, but a man does not talk too much huh". She hissed.
"Are you finished big sister?". Lucius asked from outside her tent.
"No..I will soon be done". She folded all her clothes hurriedly into her bag, stood up and went out. "Come on let us go". She smiled , held his hands and they headed to meet with the others.
They all sat on the wide mat with their plates on their hands.
"We only have one portion of rice". Madame Reynolds said with surprise.
"And that is my favorite…". Carol cried.
"Hmmmm". Madame Reynolds sighed deeply.
"You have to ask him if he would like to share ".
She pointed at the gentleman who sat on the mat staring into space, as if oblivious of his environment.
Carol looked towards the direction she had pointed.
"Michael…?". She smiled. " Would you mind sharing your portion of rice with me? We would also share my portion of wheat ". She pouted.
"Huh…me…". Michael a young man in his early thirties asked.
"Huhm". She nodded.
"No my lady, it is him she pointed not me". He pointed at the man who was still lost in his own thoughts.
"Grit..!" She shouted.
Everyone was surprised and wondered the reason for her displeasure in knowing it was Grit Madame Reynolds has earlier pointed.
"Huh…yes…?". He answered as if coming from a trance.
"Big sister do you like big brother?". Lyon asked staring at the both of them with amazement.
"I have lost appetite ". She stood up and walked hurriedly away.
"What happened?". Grit asked staring at everyone.
"You wants you to share your rice with her ". Lyon answered.
"Oh! Why did she ask? She can take it all". Standing up he said," I will go give it to her , I guess she is too shy to ask me herself ". He made a mocking smile.
"Such a good gentleman ". Madame Reynolds smiled.
He took the plate of rice and walked away heading to her tent.
"Knock..knock ".
"Who is that?".
"It is I ".
"Man or spirit? You have no name?".
Sensing disdain in her tone he said.
"I am Michael ".
"Michael…?". She rushed out only to find him standing outside her tent with a plate of rice on his hands.
"You…?", she pointed annoying fingers at him.
"Me…what did I do ,have I offended by bringing you your food?" He asked feeling tensed.
"What am I doing bringing food to this rude creature?".
"I said I have lost appetite! I guess you only talk but do not hear" she hissed and walked back into her tent.