Hapuch's Diary

The Pact

"It's I, Addison! You don't remember?"

"Um- No. Yes." I stuttered confusedly, "I mean, yes I remember you. What are you doing here?" 

My eyes narrowed at him, expressing a clear ambience of surprise.

"If you don't want to see me, I'll just leave." 

He turned, taking steps backwards towards his black Hilux on the side of the road. My inner voice scolded, you'll just let him leave? certainly not. 

"Wait!" 

He turned to me without a word. 

"You came to see me, so, it's only right you-- stay," I said calmly, fiddling with the door as I felt a strange uneasiness.

"You don't seem to be in a good mood. We could make a pact for another day, you know." 

My eyes widened as I uttered reflectively. "A pact! Oh!" 

He nodded, "You don't remember?" 

He stepped closer, looking straight at me. His intimidating height which fitted his muscular body was intoxicating. Clearly, the thick flesh beneath his solid V-neck sweater was worth grabbing. 

In an instant, realization struck me, that we made a pact to meet in five days, and it was the fifth day. Nonetheless, his visit was bewildering, 

"I didn't believe you'd come." 

"That's quite the contrast for me. I couldn't imagine not seeing you." He winked.

My eyes gleamed and a flush spread through my cheek. 

I looked heavenward at the young night and the man before me and I recalled his words, "On the fifth day of the week, before twilight; I will knock on your door." Truly he kept to his words, I couldn't hide my thoughts, 

"You amaze me, Mr Addison. Come in." 

His mouth curved into an innocent smile, “You amaze me more." 

He walked in so confidently as if he knew the house he was entering. He glanced at the squared size rustic sitting room. His eyes moved to the black armchair which I offered him, while I sat on the couch opposite him. I fixed my eyes on him all the while, even studying his facial expression and I concluded,

"I know it's not that impressive, but I love my home."

"And I like that about you." 

He sat, crossing his legs and placing both hands on the chair arms like a CEO. Damn too comfortable, I thought, who does he think he is? The arrogance he exuded was more menacing than dealing with Pancho.

"You don't even know me, and you claim to like something about me."

I picked the empty plate and essential oil off the centre table. And I proceeded to the kitchen to drop them.

"That's why I want to know you."

I was perplexed by his bluntness. I could not make clear his intentions; thus, It was right to find out. On returning, I asked before taking my previous seat.

"Have anyone ever told you, that you are complicated?" 

"No, did anyone say that to you?" 

He replied, casting his mesmerising gaze at me. I was at the brink of losing concentration when I spat,

"No!" I enveloped my knotted brows in my hand as if pulling out a wave of misguided thoughts.

"I am saying that to you! I've been trying hard to fix the pieces but I can't. You told me that I stole from you, you made a pact to see me, and you showed up. And now, you want to know me!" 

I paused for a moment, analysing his dreamy attitude. "Mr Addison, what do you want from me?" 

He was annoyingly poised and unaffected. "It's simple, I want what you stole from me."

I forced a peal of baffled laughter, nictitating in my growing anger. "You come to my home, and you call me a thief!"

I nodded, mind-reading his ill intentions. He said nothing in reply as if confirming my words. At this, I walked to the kitchen, bagged five apples and brought it to him. 

"Take, I'm paying back the apples I stole from you!" I dropped it furiously on the centre table, "I'll pay back twice as much so you can stop accusing me of stealing from you!"

In a sarcastic yet calm manner, he replied,

"Apples can't replace it."

"What are you talking about for God's sake! What did I steal from you!" 

I lurched out of my seat and readied to chase him out. Sadly, his silence and calmness caused burns in my head and I yelled,

"If you don't know what I stole from you, get the f**k out of my house!"

The next most unexpected reply struck me like an electric eel.

"You stole my heart. Can you give it back?"

His unusual honeyed voice ignited an unknown mix of emotions.