KNOCK, KNOCK
1138 Words
HOLDING the brown paper bag in one hand, June used the other to knock on the door. After the soft footfalls on the other side, the door opened.
“Good morning.” She greeted with a wide smile.
On the other hand, Diana blinked her eyes a few times before touching her face. She is indeed wearing the pair of the black-rimmed glasses she purchased recently. She thought she was looking at an apparition of the tall woman she had a conversation with the night before.
She was even thinking that the woman is only a part of her dream. She had never imagined that they will converse at all though she could catch a glimpse of the said woman at the coffee shop near her workplace.
After that dreadful night, they never had a chance again to have a talk. That was the reason why she thought that last night was just a dream. That somehow her brain is playing with her. Imagining that her savior is just around the corner and will come to her rescue at any threats that will come her way.
“What are you doing here?” She asked, disregarding the rude tone she used.
“I brought breakfast.”
Her eyes turned to the brown paper that woman raised in front of her.
She opened the door wider. The tall woman marched inside her small unit. She tried to straighten the knot in her hair as well as her pajamas.
She glanced at her guest. She blinked her eyes twice. The tall woman is still standing inside her apartment.
It’s eight in the morning. It is quite early for her on a Sunday. She would not chastise herself in case the woman in front of her is just another imagination. She would just have to reason out the lack of sleep.
She followed June as they moved towards the kitchen. Or is June really her name? She may have a good working brain but she can never be too sure.
Her place is a one-room apartment. The living room is only a few steps away from the kitchen. Instead of a dining table, there is an island table beside the stove and the sink.
The unit is quite small but enough for someone who lives alone.
Diana sat on the chair beside the island as the other woman opened the brown bag. The smell of pancake assaulted her nose buds.
Her eyes looked up when a paper cup was put beside her hand. The taller woman beamed at her.
“I hope you like hot chocolate.”
She smiled back. “Thank you, J-june.”
June beamed at her as she made a beeline for the chair opposite hers. It is a blessing that she has two chairs in the apartment.
A wide smile draws on her face when she saw the food in front of her as well as uttering the right name of the person who brought her food.
On the table laid pancakes, hash brown,s and bacon.
“Bon appétit, peu belle.”
“Merci pour la nourriture.”
June chuckled. “I must admit that the extent of my French has ended with belle.”
There was no hint of embarrassment nor a hint of blush in the older woman’s face upon admission. She carries herself with confidence. Admitting her limitation did not make her less of a woman and she knew it.
She smiled at her before cutting the pancakes into bite-size. Silence passed between them. When she raised her eyes, she found June looking at her with affection.
She suddenly felt embarrassed. Often, her friends and acquaintances deliberately told her that she is weird. She likes to cut her food into smaller pieces before eating them. In this matter, she will not bother to cut them as she eats. Besides, she wanted to savor the food she eats. Moreover, chewing her food thoroughly will prevent her from indigestion.
Slowly, she put the plastic knife down. She eats a piece of pancake and looks away to cover her discomfort.
“You’re cute.”
“Thanks.”
Surprises were after her this early morn. June continues cutting the pancakes, hash browns, and bacon into bite sizes as she did a while ago.
“Dig in, little girl.”
Light atmosphere surrounds them as they continue their breakfast. She also learned that June was on indefinite leave from her job. Though she did not disclose what she does for a leaving.
“School is about to start soon.” June started as they carry on their conversation in the living room.
The breakfast that the taller woman brought was gone before they knew it as they exchange banter. It came as a surprise since the food was more than enough for two.
Diana put her feet up and embraced her arms in her knees while June stretched her legs under the coffee table.
“Did you go to school from around here?”
“No.”
The older woman focuses her gray eyes on her. Frown smeared her beautiful but strong face. The gray eyes darkened when she did elaborate.
“Where? Are you going to move?”
“I’m not moving.”
“You did not enroll?” She shook her head in response. “ Why? Is it about money?”
She sent her a smile. The older woman seemed worried with her answers.
“I have work.” She added.
“Don’t you want to go back to school? University life is quite demanding but it’s worth it.”
“Maybe someday. I want to get as far away from doing a thesis at the moment.” She simply said. “How about you? Are you going back to work?”
“Soon. My alp--, I mean, my boss is demanding me to return.”
“You must be great at what you do.”
June smiled at her. She never goes into detail nor lifts herself.
“Can I fetch you from work tomorrow?” The tall woman asked totally changing the subject.
“If you’re not busy.”
“I’m not.”
June grinned at her. She returned it and glanced at the woman.
The tall woman is looking at her, too. Again, she sees the warmth in her eyes.
Personally, in June’s presence, she felt calm. This rarely happened since she is not comfortable with people. Most of the time, she is surrounded by people older than her. If not, she is with her lonesome self at work.
She did not know how June being there made her restlessness disappear. Maybe because the older woman saved her life. That alone made her felt safe already.
- Writer
