Chapter 6

• “What’s up?” Asher asked Ella.
• “You never told me you’re going on a trip.”
• “A vacation of sorts, yes. Why? Did you miss me and want to come with me?” He snickered a bit.
• She scoffed on the other end. “You know I have a project that I need to do. It can’t be delayed.”
• “Well, then, why are you calling me? Go, work. It’s all you do, anyway. You rarely meet me even when I’m there,” he retorted.
• The forty-two-year-old woman sighed audibly. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault, okay? You know that filming is no easy job, but I was just free for a few hours today, and I thought of visiting you, but your caretaker told me you’re not in the country. She was even surprised that I knew nothing about it. Where are you exactly?”
• Asher snorted. “If I tell you where I am, are you coming then?”
• Ella groaned. “You’re a man, but you’re such a bitch!”
• “I know why you’re doing this, Ella.” His face went grim. “Stop it, I’m telling you. This is not the first time that you’re—”
• “Hey, I’m just trying to help—”
• “I know! I know.” He sighed.
• “Asher—”
• “Just let me be for now. I beg you, Ella.” He then hung up, facing the police officer again to conclude their conversation. “Sorry for that. Where were we?”
• ***
• “Good afternoon, Auntie!” Peri greeted her client with a smile filled with respect.
• “Hey, Peri, thanks for coming! I know it’s your rest day today, but I thought I’d need your help with these,” her late mother’s old friend said, gesturing at some plants that needed to be repotted.
• Peri smiled and nodded. “Of course. There’s no problem. I thought it’s also a good idea to get out of the house.” She lowered her eyes.
• Mrs. Sienes’ face reflected concern. “Is anything wrong?”
• Peri was a little uneasy. “Well, I…” she trailed off.
• “Come on, I know that you’re my ‘young therapist’ for my mild depression, but if I can help you with anything, don’t hesitate to tell me. Your mom’s not with us anymore, and I promised myself that I’d do anything to help you. You’ve been working so hard to self-study horticultural therapy on the side, because you want to become more effective to be able to help me.”
• Peri met Mrs. Sienes’ gaze, her lips agape. She blinked a few times. “You knew?”
• “How couldn’t I? It’s obvious, so instead of hiring a professional therapist as what my doctor recommended, I chose you. You’re not as expensive as their hourly rate,” she half-joked. “Peri, I know your temperament. You always give your all. I know how you work so hard for your dad and your grandma. I’m even added to that list, which makes me feel special, by the way.” Mrs. Sienes gave her a kind smile.
• The back of Peri’s eyes began to burn. “Auntie…”
• “Come on, I didn’t tell you this to make you cry.”
• Peri sniffled and blinked away the tears.
• “Let’s just do this, and tell me what’s on your mind.” She gestured at the plants again.
• Peri nodded. They started to work on the plants to repot them. Despite their age difference, they had become more than friends. Mrs. Sienes used to tell her stories about her mom; thus, she was always excited to see this particular client during weekends or whenever she was needed. Most of the time, they talked about plants and avoided mentioning food due to Mrs. Seines’ eating disorder that led to her depression. She used to binge eat. And today’s topic was also different. Peri, though hesitating, talked about what happened that morning at the convenience store.
• “No! Is that true?” Mrs. Sienes couldn’t believe it, pausing her repotting.
• Peri pulled her lower lip and nodded. “I just didn’t tell Papa and Grandma, because they might get stressed.” She also didn’t mention this to Denize, just in case her friend slipped.
• “I suppose you made the right call. Ignorance is bliss, as they say. But I’m glad you told me.”
• “Thank you for listening, Auntie.”
• “No need to thank me. I’m the one who should be grateful. You always come whenever I need you, even though you have other important things to do. Sunday is the only free day when you can study properly, but here you are.”
• Peri shook her head. “It’s alright, really, especially today. I’m just glad I could let it out.”
• Mrs. Sienes gazed at her for a few moments while Peri watered the newly repotted plants. “I understand. Talking does really help a lot. What you have inside that you must let out, you know, like a fart, you have to let it out. It’s bad to hold it in.”
• Peri laughed at the simile.
• “How’s your work at the hotel and the restaurant, by the way?” Mrs. Sienes wanted to know.
• ***
• Peri pushed the cleaning trolley and stopped in front of the elevator. The doors opened, and her heart jumped upon seeing the foreigner who saved her and the others at the convenience store. Perhaps it was because she unexpectedly met him.
• ‘Or is it because he looks especially attractive in his shirt and city shorts?’ her mind offered.
• “H-hello, sir,” she greeted him with a small smile.
• “Hey. How are you doing?” He glanced at her nameplate on the left breast of her beige uniform, which was composed of a short-sleeved blouse and pants. He purposely stood between the elevator doors to keep it from closing.
• She recounted what had happened last weekend. “I’m good, thank you. And you?” she politely replied.
• He nodded with a toothless smile. His eyes were intensely gazing at her pretty face. “Super.”
• She beamed at his reply. “I… I guess I haven’t thanked you properly for saving my life last Sunday. I really owe you, sir,” she said humbly and couldn’t meet his eyes in a straightforward manner.
• “Don’t mention it. Or, are you trying to tell me you want to thank me properly?” He stepped closer to her only to push the cleaning trolley a bit, so it would block the elevator door, ignoring the beeping sound.
• “Huh?” She looked confused. “I’m sorry. I have to get on the elevator.”
• The American guest’s lips curved into a smile. “What time are you free tonight, Peri?”
• She swallowed hard; her head went blank at the sound of her name on his lips.