Hapuch's Diary

Pancho

Minutes later, dressed in a black hoodie, I walked like a spy into the busy local market. It was passed noon and most workers were still in Don Carlo farm.

Women and men littered about, preoccupied with buying and selling. I walked passed a line of vegetable stalls.

Combating with the many voices of people and the resounding mentions of fruits and vegetables:

"Fresh Cucumber!” A lady said beckoning me to patronise her.

 And two others, “buy cabbage, carrot, banana, spinach, parsley, apple. Low prices."

When I heard apples my mind strayed to Addison and the stolen apples. Mere thinking of that day brings up sad memories. 

"Today is the fifth day!" Subconscious jubilation ignited but quenched immediately, "He won't come, besides, why should he?" With no answer, I convinced myself that he would not come.

I turned to the elderly woman in a headscarf and lovely handmade apron bought a few balls of unblemished red apples, which she packed in a sack and offered me.

I sauntered further in hope to get my cereal, just then I caught sight of two high school classmate Patricia and Valencia.

My eyes widened as I muttered, "No way!"

Swiftly, I spiralled in the opposite direction, moving at a faster pace. I tilted my head sideways in an attempt to avoid being seen. 

Beside me were rows of fruit stands on both sides, sadly, I hit my leg against a fruit stand and tripped over a stash of bananas. 

The fruit seller, who was seated behind the table, screamed, " Watch out!" Before rushing to me. 

In a blink of an eye, I was on the ground, partly immersed in yellow bananas. I looked around as some women came to my aid. Hastily, I stood up, ignoring the pain from my foot. 

"I'm fine. See, I'm standing." I said, trying to disperse the growing crowd of people asking, 

"What happened?"

 "oh God, she fell!"

 "Is she hurt?" 

"Be careful.." The voices went on and on.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't looking." I apologized while picking the bananas off the ground. 

The lady, who was probably in her late forties continued speaking in a high-pitch. This in turn drew more attention including that of Patricia and Valencia. 

"Young woman, you have eyes but you cannot see. The fruit was not in your way." Her brows creased, exposing fine lines coupled with the bitterness on her voice.

"Please stop shouting, people are watching," I said politely.

 "You hit my bananas and I should be quiet? You spoil my bananas, you pay."

"I said I'm sorry and you're still complaining, gosh! Get a grip of yourself." I was getting furious already. 

I squinted at Patricia, she was coming towards me and Valencia followed. Certainly, they had seen me, I didn't have to wait to listen to the fruit sellers rants. I picked up the bananas faster.

They were closing in on me, what should I do? Immediately, I brought out four coins worth 20 cents and dropped on the woman's table. 

"This is all I have." I didn't wait for the woman to agree, I grabbed my sack of apples and took to my heels. 

"Keren!" Patricia bellowed, and Valencia waved her hands in the air,

"Keren, wait!"

I didn't stop nor did I look back at them, I ran like an anxious thief in a flight. When I got out of the market. I looked around before stopping to catch my breath. I thought of sneaking into the market so I could get my cereal but I had no money left.

Just then his coarse voice called on me. "Hi pretty," he smirked at me from his GNR official car. "Hop in Honey, I'll take you home." 

I scowled at him and gave no reply.

His broad face lighted up, "Keren, I'm talking to you."

I snubbed him and began my journey home. I was furious at everything that was happening, and now Pancho! I couldn't help but scream at him.

"Mr Pancho Domingo, I don't want a ride with you! I don't want anything from you! Leave me the hell alone!" Some people around turned to us. I could sense he was embarrassed, but what do I care.

I walked faster, on the gully road. The market was about 15 minutes walk to my home. He kept following me driving slowly behind me. I stopped again.

"What! What! Don't you understand when a girl doesn't want you?"

"You won't accept a ride from me, yet it bothers you that I'm using a government road."

I stopped, gritting my teeth with one hand on my waist. My leg was hurting from the fall and I couldn't wait to get home, neither did I want him to notice my condition. I continued walking silently. 

 "Fine! but I won't stop coming after you. I like you a lot and I have a principle," 

His eyes twinkled casting a lustful glance at me, "I never give up." 

That was the last thing he said before leaving me. Truly, if all cops were like Pancho, I would hate police officers forever. Pancho was the perfect picture of a stalker and a p*****t.

I had known him since junior high. At that time, he worked in the security post close to my school, therefore, with his charms as his weapon, he would lure girls to his bed and enslaved them with drugs. 

Soon, rumours of his escapades spread among the young girls, yet, non was bold enough to report him to the school authority. Not until his entanglement with Babette was he so close to getting caught. He fled Douro Valley, only returned recently; now he wants me.

When I arrived home I was exhausted. I sat on the couch for a while after taking a glass of water. I changed into a pink tank top and a knee-length jean.  

I soothed the bruises on my elbow and ankle with essential oil. I was glad there were no broken bones nor sprained joints.

It was evening already when I heard a knock on the door. I opened the door, only to see Pancho.

 "Not again!" I groaned. I tried shutting the door but he held the door preventing it from closing.

"Listen to me please." 

"Stay away from me!"

"You must hate me. I know that, but please give me a chance. I promise I'll make you happy."

I stopped struggling.

"Sorry, Pancho. I can't give you a chance and Please, don't make me happy."

"Why can't you, huh! Is there someone else? Tell me!" His raised voice rang in my eyes and it infuriated me.

"What is wrong with you?" My eyes bulged erecting all the muscles in guts, 

"I can never want you, even if you were the last man on earth! Don't ever come close to me again." I banged the door abruptly.

What a day!" Dealing with Pancho could get a sane person unstable. “Why can't he just forget me!” I screamed.

It was sunset and I was eating the apples when I heard another knock. I hesitated for some time but the knocking persisted. I guessed it would be Pancho so I yanked the door open, fully prepared to blaze my anger on him.

"How many times should I tell you, I'm not inte...rest...ed!!" My raised voice sagged likewise my charged energy. "You?" 

"Yes, it's I Addison, don't you remember?"