The unending race in my chest doesn't have an intention to vanish. I just follow her gaze as she is busy with her cooking. What am I even doing? Did I really follow him when he ordered me to sit here at the counter top? I would get upset with the Solidads when they found out I was cooking for their guest. He was on his usual white fitted shirt but rather than pairing it with a casual shorts, he's wearing a sweatpants today. "Did you have fun with your group mates today?" You frown at giving where he is with that word. "Hmm, they're not as bad as I thought." "Uh-huh?" He said sparingly as he translated what he had cooked. "They're also happy to be with." "Good to know that." It seems like that's where he ends our conversation so I just kept quiet and didn't speak anymore. Earlier I offered dishes and other things to use because no matter how hard I tried to cook for him, he wouldn't listen to me and I just kept quiet every time he gave me a tone. I shouldn't oppose him in any decision. he in life. True enough, I should be doing everything that he asks. But the thing is, he's asking me for something that I shouldn't be doing. Am I supposed to be confused by that? And what will the Solidads do to me once they see me sitting here and let their guest cook? I was dizzy at the thought of angering the Solidad's. Should I'd be down on my knees right now? Beg to let me do the all the task? Maybe I'm really tired and I can't think straight anymore. Why are you kneeling Ava? I shook my head hoping to regain my senses back. I. helped him set the table and waited for him to sit down to eat. "Tell me more. I want to hear more." I was just done picking up my spoon when he then said that. What can I say to him when I was quiet before? Aside from Leo and Oscar's fun teasing, I don't remember anything I can say to him. "Uhm." I bit my lip and looked up hurriedly going back all because I was afraid of not getting what he wanted. The clearing of his throat broke the seconds of silence that passed between us. I looked at him because I felt like he was choking even though he hadn't even started eating. "Jomar invited me to join them in Lagoona. I haven't been to it yet but Jomar said it was a small lake in the other town." I smiled at the thought that I remembered something to tell him. "Really? So you're coming with him?" Quickly but still my eyes hit the tension of his jaw as he spooned the dish he cooked. I didn't answer him right away because I wanted to appeal to him putting food on my plate. Because I'm afraid that he might gonna say something again, I just ignored it. "I'm not sure yet, maybe I'll let the Soliads know first." "And if they let you go?" "I'm coming." I smiled and started to eat. I have no reason not to come. Solidad's disaproval is the only reason I have for not being with them. But if they let me go, "I have to come because I don't want to lie to Jomar." "Oh I see, you've already built your foundation of trust for each other." I stopped when I heard the chiselin what he said. Did I hear it wrong? We finished our meal without anyone saying a word. I almost thank the cricket outside for the noise they make to fill the silence here inside. Did he regret eating with me? Did I say something wrong? When I saw him finished eating I immediately hurried the last meal on my plate and hurried to get up. I took what I could only carry and went straight to the sink, I wanted to go back to what I left but Levi who followed me was already carrying it. "Thank you. I'm here." I begin to wash the dishes but he still remain standing beside me. "Do you like him?" He said a few words very well. But when I looked back at him, his puffy eyes were talking. It was as if something touched my heart when I saw his eyes in its perfect shape now, far from the scary and intimate look of his. Thanks and soaked my hand in the dirty wash and I restrained myself from touching his gentle face. "Do you like that boy?" He repeat seeking for answer. "I like him. I like him as a friend because he's kind to me." I continued washing, afraid to linger in his eyes and see the drowning in them. "I'm afraid he sees you differently Ava." A 'huh' unexpectedly escaped on my mouth. I looked back at him again. What does he mean? "A friend doesn't hold your hand like that." Then why did you hold my hand? He reached for the faucet I had left running and turned it off. I was stoned again a little distance between the two of us. "And he did actually asked to court you." My eyes went OO from what he said. Am I deaf already? I never heard that from Jomar. I was stunned by what he said. When did he ask me that? And why lover? Am i even ready for that? "Yes. But my Ava is so naive to realize that." Does Jomar like me? All I knew was that he was Mariel's boyfriend. My head is enabling me to function. "No. W-when? He doesn't like me." I correct him. He cocked his head, waiting for me to say something. I really felt dizzy and tired of all that was going on. Nothing wanted to enter my mind and I could no longer process what he said. "I'm going to wash." Terrifying silence passed between the two of us and rattles of plates and dishes enveloped the entire kitchen. We seem to feel the same way about each other. We both seem to have something to say but we don't know what. "I'll be ... leaving tomorrow." I stopped. "You take care." It was almost a whisper and almost impossible to hear. But those were his words before he left. Out of energy I turn the faucet off, and just close in on the mixed feeling. The unfamiliar pain kicked in. Worries came rushing in. I want to follow him and ask why he's leaving, where he's going, and if ... he's coming back. True enough. It's Sunday morning, before the light goes out, I hurriedly climbed the stairs and almost ran to see if I could reach anything below. "Hija! Why are you in a hurry?" I didn't notice what Mother Celia said who was back this morning, I also saw a few helpers somewhere, but I didn't care anymore. I penetrated to the main door to check his car and after a few seconds, full of devastation - I realized... He really did leave.