21

Chapter 21

I had the weirdest dream wherein I was walking down the beach while holding hands with someone, but I couldn't see who it was. Despite that, I felt that I was loved and happy until I heard the sound of my alarm. I pressed the snooze button and went back to bed hoping that my dream would be continued but I only got ten more minutes of sleep because I heard the alarm ring for the second time. It was mildly disappointing because I wanted to know who it was. I turned it off and defeatedly got out of bed. I guess we'll never know thanks to my reliable alarm clock.

My throat was parched, so I headed to the kitchen for a glass of water. Suddenly, Richard appeared out of nowhere, asking, "What time are we leaving?" His sudden presence startled me that I nearly spat out my drink.

"Why are you here so early?" I asked, grabbing another glass of water.

"Why not? I'm wide awake and full of energy!" he exclaimed, stretching his arms. Honestly, I wasn't in the mood for anything to handle this kind of energy.

"Calm down. The event starts at 2 p.m. It's not like we're going to miss anything."

"But I'm ready to go."

I stared at him contemplating what to do next.

"Fine. We'll leave after breakfast." I decided and he gave me a pat on the shoulder before returning upstairs to his room.

I tended to my cat before making breakfast. I still don't know what to name her so I guess I'll have to look up for name recommendations later.

"By the way, where were you last night?" I casually asked Richard while were eating the morning meal I prepared.

"Why do you care?"

"Nothing." I replied when I realized that it's none of my business.

"Aren't you curious about what I did?"

"I apologize. I just realized it was a stupid question. You said it so yourself. You went to blow off some steam."

"Oh yeah? And what about it?"

"It's none of my business."

"Yeah right." he sounded mildly annoyed.

"Do you want your dad to know?"

"No thanks."

"That's what I thought."

After we ate, Richard insisted on driving, even though it was I who invited him for a hangout. It seems like I wouldn't get another chance to drive their car unless he was either drunk or seriously injured. There's just something about driving luxury cars that I missed.

We arrived at the park and the first thing that we did is to visit my favorite place which is Edith's bookshop. She greeted us both the moment she saw us.

"Back with your friend, I see," she remarked, noticing Richard.

"Unfortunately." I joked but Richard doesn't seem amused.

"Looking for something specific today?" Edith asked.

"Something light. Any recommendations?" I replied.

She smiled before pulling a small book from the shelf. "How about this? 'Desire Play' by Jane Conway."

"What's this about?"

"It's a short story. Better not to spoil anything but my son loved it."

"Okay." Trusting her judgment, I placed it in my basket. I browsed the shelves for a while before cashing out with 3 more books and a new bookmark.

"I hope you enjoy the book." she said with a mischievous smile. I made a mental note to read her recommendation first.

The weather is nice and the park is bustling with people. I can't help but smile as I watch everyone enjoying the day while their happiness rubs off on me.

"Want to rent some bikes?" Richard suggested.

"I'd rather not, but if you want to, I can come with you."

"Why not?"

My cheeks flush with embarrassment but for some reason I decided to be honest with him. "Because I don't know how to ride one."

Richard looked at me with a bewildered expression.

"Really? How come?"

"I mean I wanted to try it before but no one was there to teach me." I confessed though I didn't mention that watching other kids learn how to bike from their dads used to make me feel a bit envious.

"If only I knew, I would have taught you."

"Well you never asked."

My reply took him by surprise and it was funny that he looks very guilty as if he has done something wrong. "Not that I'm shaming you or anything but I only answered your question." I said.

His eyes light up with an idea. "I know what we're doing today."

"Please don't say we're renting a bike."

"Not me, you! I'm going to teach you a skill for a lifetime." He excitedly grabs my wrist and pulls me along blindly.

"You know where to go, right?" I asked when he stopped on his tracks and looked around the signs for directions.

"Actually no." he admitted.

I sighed and free my arm from his grasp. "Follow me. I'll show you the way." The park being my only source of entertainment during my free time made me know every corner of it.

When Richard suggested I learn to ride a bike, I hesitated at first, thinking I might be too old. But curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to give it a try.

Richard handed me the bike and asked me with a playful smile, "Ready for your first biking lesson?" After adjusting the seat and handlebars, he discussed what I needed to know before instructing me to get on the bike.

"Pedal, and I'll help you balance." he said.

I followed his instructions, but it wasn't as easy as I thought. The bike wobbled, and I struggled to stay upright. Richard offered some advice, "Don't try too hard. Just be confident with your pedaling." he would say repeatedly.

"I am trying!" I answered back. Some onlookers would turn their heads and raise their eyebrows when they saw two grown men bickering over a bike lesson.

"First things first, find your balance. Trust the bike, and it'll support you."

After some time, I began to find my balance. Richard detected that I was ready to be on my own so he lets go of the bike. I was starting to gain some confidence with my biking skills until I tumbled onto the grass.

"I give up." I said, lying on the park's greenspace, questioning myself why I even tried.

"Come on, it's just your first try." he cheered and offered his hand to help me up.

With his encouragement, I tried again, feeling the wobbling bike beneath me. Gradually and with Richard's guidance, I started to get the hang of it. We repeated the process, and with each attempt I started to feel more proficient.

Without a warning, Richard lets go of his hands on the bike.

"Wait!" I begged. A squeal escaped my lips but somehow my body forced me to balance myself and I found myself pedaling desperately.

"I'm doing it!" I said while laughing like a maniac with the sudden adrenaline rush. But then panic started to set in when I saw that the track is getting downward. "No, wait. Richard, Help!" I called desperately when the bike's speed began to increase. My fear intensified as I realized I was heading straight for the lake below.

"Use the breaks!" I heard Richard shout.

Oh yes. The breaks. I hated how they designed this bike. My hands are on the handle bars but the breaks seems so far away from my grasp. I managed to press the break only after extending my fingers desperately but the pressure seems like its not enough to stop the bike. Thankfully, Richard pulled me just in time to avoid further accidents.

I heard the bike crash somewhere on the pavement. It all happened so fast and I found myself sprawled on top of Richard's warm body again. I slowly opened my eyes and noticed that our faces were just inches away from each other.

In that suspended moment, I became acutely aware of his rapid heartbeat. His deep blue eyes, met mine. There was only silence even after all that chaos when we realized that our lips were basically brushing against each other.