Hapuch's Diary

Not a thief

"Interesting." He cooed. "You know what, the first time we met, you were different."

"That's because you met me on a good day."

"It wasn't the day, it was you. You can never understand that."

His response was like ice on a bruised skin and it enlightened me of his notion towards me. The mere fact that; since our first meeting at the Edmundos’ home, he thought of me, subconsciously gladdened my heart and I was short of words for a moment. In any case, I had to say something.

"I'm sorry, I raised my voice at you but don't you ever call me a thief!" 

"I never called you a thief, on the contrary, you called yourself that!" 

Sneered, offended by his word play, "You said I stole from you!"

"But, you did steal!"

"Only apples!"

"What does that make you then?"

"You just called me a thief again!" I scowled, pointing at him.

"I never said the word, thief!"

"You said it in your mind right after the rhetorical question."

"Do you read minds or something? I was stating a fact." He turned to me, with one hand on the steering wheels, "I should be pissed off. Obviously, you sneaked into my house, stole my apples and the other thing. Now you-" 

"What other thing?!" I cut him off, flinching and almost j*********f my seat. 

"How would I know?"

"You are accusing me for something you don't even know! That's insane."

"Now you call me insane!"

"I'm not saying you're insane, I'm saying you're acting." I rolled my eyes, gesturing at the awkward yet annoying conversation.

"What's the difference: being insane and acting insane?"

"You know what, search me if you want. I am tired of making a defence!"

"No way, I won't fall for that."

 I turned to him abruptly with all my agitated nerves, screaming the F*** word multiple times in frustration. I was in the mood where punching a wall or banging my head on the dashboard, would be necessary to calm my temper. I couldn't tell when I demanded,

"Fall for what?!"

"Stop acting smart with me, I know what you're trying to do. You want me to touch you, so you can accuse me of harassing a minor." 

"I am not a minor!" I hurled. "I'm 18 and I don't want you to touch me." 

His serious c*m relaxed countenance was even more annoying and mentally strannous for me.

"ugh! spiteful 18." He mocked.

I was infuriated by his response, so much that I wanted to get even, so I asked sarcastically, "And you? spiteful 30? 40? maybe spiteful 60?"

"You're correct, dad is 60 but he's not spiteful."

"Oh! I didn't mean your dad." I corrected in a remorseful tone. "I can't speak ill of your dad."

"I know, it's okay."

"Listen! I'm really sorry for badging in on you, I wouldn't possibly repay your kindness by stealing from you. I'm not a thief. I was ...I was-" 

"Thank you for stopping by, you made my day." He put in, looking into my eyes. Strangely my heart skip, I was confused.

"I don't understand, you accused me of stealing from you, and now you said I made your day?"

"I wish I can say more but I've kept you outdoors long enough. You must be tired of me already."

I kept mute and stared at this complicated man while he glanced at his wrist watch. It was 8.35pm.  

"I got an early flight to catch tomorrow." 

"Good night Mr Addison." I muttered, before alighting the vehicle.

Surprisingly, when I had moved away from the roadside, he called,

"Keren."

"Yes." I came closer, standing by the driver's door. My bones were aching and I couldn't wait for him to spill his reasons for stopping me. He pitched his head out as he made a concise expression.  

"Whatever made you so hurt, is not worth a tear." A sad smile cut across his face, "let's make a pact." 

"A pact?" I wondered, unfortunately he misunderstood me and began defining the word PACT.

"Yes, it means an agreement between two individuals or group of people, evidently it's just you and I so we're taking the first part of the definition."

"I've known the meaning since 5th grade."

"Oh!" He pouted, "then what?"

"Why would you make a pact with me?"

"Uh- to talk, Yea talk."

I rolled my eyes, slightly leaving my mouth ajar as the words: 'what the hell is wrong with you,' refused to be uttered. After an awkward moment of silence, he stated what seem to be a pact,

"On the fifth day of the week, before twilight I will knock on your door."

"I get it, you're playing high school jokes with me, but it's not funny." I scoffed, rubbing my hand on my hair, with the other hand around my belly. I was really hungry and tired of him.

"It won't break a bone if you say the word, agree." He grunted.

"Saying, I agree doesn't-"

"Thank you!" A childlike smile stamped over his face and I wondered what excited him. In an instant he started the vehicle and drove backwards. I guessed he would make a turn at the next street.

I couldn't wrap my head around the essence of the so-called pact. In any case, I knew he wouldn't show up, so what's the fuse? 

I had walked few steps close to the entrance of my cabin, when Mr Addison drove back to where he had parked earlier. What could he possibly forget? Just then he called out,

"Keren, you forgot something!"

He opened the door, winked at me, and let down a basket before pulling himself in and sped off.

I stood there by the short garden fence watching him as he drove away, what sought of a man is this? I could not stop him and I could not reject his gift. 

Wow! I amble to the basket and picked it after taking a look around me. There were few people walking distance away and the place was quiet and well lighted. Only a few distracting noises of creatures from the surrounding bushes. 

In the basket were red apples and a nicely wrapped piece that seem like cake. When walked into the quiet sitting room. I put on the light and saw that, it was just as I left it that morning. 

As much as I didn't want to say it, I was so grateful for the basket of food. I placed the basket on my thighs and unravel the contents. Five red crispy apples and a round small chocolate cake. At the sight of the n***d cake, my stomach churned. "I'm damn hungry."

That night, I ate so fast that I began to choke. I hurried off to the kitchen and drank water from a the tap. I was really dehydrated, few drops splashed on me as I hungrily welled up my filled stomach. I enjoyed every bite of the cake and I craved for more. 

I placed the remaining apples in the fridge as thoughts of my inauspicious day crept into my head. What did I steal from him? He didn't say, yet he kept hammering that I stole from him. Hmm, it's all my fault. I should never have eaten the apples. 

Will he really visit in 5 days time?