Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Adonis was running the car slow as we headed to Guandong Province where I used to live. I never thought that during the time I was lost here, I would come back again while still carrying the bitter memories I had when I left. I looked outside where I was beginning to see the gigantic trees. Our place is still quiet. Nothing has changed. Adonis drove for almost six hours. Fortunately, he was not complaining.

I looked at his serious face; we left early; the sun was about to set and we still hadn’t arrived. If I could just drive, I would replace him. I stretched my body to wake up my sleeping spirit. I took food from our pocket food. Those are just junk foods.

I opened it and blew up. He didn’t even look at me, so I took another piece and placed it in front of his mouth.

“Ahhh!” I opened my mouth as if teaching him to gape. He just frowned, as I was already laughing at myself for what I was doing. When he didn’t do what I told him, I opened my mouth, then chewed the chip he didn’t want to swallow. Even it is already morning, he still doesn’t turn off the light of the vehicle. Why is it that all the places we go are scary? I used to be here then, but I had not walked in this place so early in the morning.

I rearranged the junk food that I hadn’t eaten because I am already full so that I may have something to eat later. Because of his car’s rush, it’s practically thrown away. I yawned, feeling weary at the moment. I didn’t ask Adonis where we would stay or sleep later since my eyes were so sleepy, and I didn’t know anyone we could stay with. We were also passing past a fire plantation. That was the location where we used to own, and it was supposed to be mine. Because it is a sugarcane farm, there aren’t many people that reside here. There isn’t a hotel here, of course. My thoughts drifted off, and I had no idea what time we arrived at our destination.

I just woke up to the noise of a horse passing next to Adonis’ car. The sunlight was also high, and it was a good thing that the sun didn’t hit me because Adonis’ car was sheltered in a big Nara tree. I looked around and saw we were no longer at the burnt sugarcane plant. We are now in the farmer’s rice field. I saw them put in the mud while Adonis was sitting and closing his eyes under the Nara tree.

A powerful breeze rushed across his place, parting his stray hair. Any lady will not reject Adonis because his face is so flawless. The strong wind blew once again, and it seemed to encourage me to go there since it seemed different. The window is open, and that is the only source of fresh air I have. I swiftly unlocked the door and hurried to Adonis, who appeared to be sleeping soundly. When the wind blew again, it felt as if I was being carried away, and I fell asleep again on his legs.

Adonis still doesn’t notice me. Maybe it’s because he’s too tired because of driving. It probably took us eight hours to get here. Since I am lying down on his foot, I moved. That’s when he woke up. His eyes were even surprised because of what I suddenly did, his eyes were reddish and drowsy yet. What I did was just close my eyes tight and enjoy the fresh dance of the wind.

When I eventually woke up, I noticed Adonis still asleep, his body leaning towards Nara. His hands were crossed, and he raised his head. I sat up and scan my surrounding; if the sun didn’t bother my skin earlier, it now appears like I am going to burn. My stomach growled, and I looked at the car, which was piled high with food. Perhaps since it’s already hot, the rice farmers went home. If they push themselves to work, they risk having a heart attack. Fortunately, Adonis had packed noodles, which were in a container you just need to pour hot water. There is also a thermos in which I kept the hot water. The only issue is that drinking water is scarce. We didn’t have much with us.

When I ran out of food, I got out of the car again. Adonis, who was sound asleep, still did not wake up. Feeling tired of waiting for him, I decided to go down to the bush. Maybe I can find a clean river where I can drink water. I’ve been thirsty since earlier. The heat rose, so I felt it even more. I felt like my stomach was drying up. As I went down, I took off my shoes so I could walk properly. The path is getting small and getting wet so I have to remove them and I might slip and have an accident.

As I got farther and farther away, I could hear the noise of the water flowing. Suddenly, my weary body came to life from the heat. I will drink first and then take a bath. When I followed the sound of the current, my eyes suddenly lit up. During my time living in this province, I didn’t know that there was such a beautiful place hidden here. I feel like I’m in a magical world. Too many flowers, even though the wild grasses are quite tall. You would never think that there is such a thing in the real world. Knowing that no one would pass by, I immediately removed my clothes and my underwear. I drank first because it was clear. That is the reason I knew it was clean.

Someone told me that there were falls and rivers because of the volcanic eruption. I don’t know if that’s true, because I wasn’t listening in science class then, so I did not know.

I quickly jumped into the water after drinking. Coldwater matters in hot weather. I just hope I have friends who can I ask to go here. It would be nice to have a friend or family with you to have fun. The only case is that I don’t have those anymore. I would have been sad, however. The image of Adonis suddenly flashed in my mind. As I was staring at my face in the clear water, I suddenly swam to the dry part of the rock and climbed up there. I’ll take Adonis here!

I enjoyed walking back. I’m also wearing the shoes I took off earlier. Maybe the road is wet because of the river at the far end of this place. You wouldn’t have thought that within the heights of this wild grass was a paradise you imagined you could only imagine.

“Maybe when I open up these tall grasses, there’s a snake.” I was still laughing as I whispered that to myself and unexpectedly, I quickly backed away from the thing I met as I passed. Its body is raised, and it seems like any time it will bite you.

The cobra is not the only common snake to be seen. It is more frightening than all because of the force of the venom that can kill you in just a minute or hour. It stunned me for a few more seconds before realizing that it was looking at me and straight neck with the whole body focused on me. Suddenly, the hair on my body stood up. Sweat suddenly condensed on my forehead. Even though I wanted to turn away, I was afraid that when I did, this snake would suddenly bite me. I was also afraid to run because of the small way I would go. It’s downhill and if you accidentally fall, you’ll probably be crippled or you’ll break a bone. What’s worse is that maybe not only the cobra is waiting for you below, but also the python with the eggs. They could eat you in an instant.

I swallowed and ready my voice. I took a deep breath first, then jumped up and shouted.

“ADONISSSSS!!! ADONISSSSSSS!!!”

I called his voice twice. I’m sure he can hear me because I’m just close to his place. I hope so ... I’m nervous because what if he didn’t hear me? What will I do? I looked at the cobra as if distracted by my scream and became hard and ready to grab me. I was even more frightened when suddenly there was a rustle that was the reason the cobra suddenly rushed to me.

I immediately closed my eyes ...

I prepared for him to bite me, or for his body to wrap around me, but nothing happened. When I opened my eyes, I saw Adonis holding a stick and there was a sharp one tied there while the cobra was stuck on it and still struggling to escape.

He threw the cobra into the thick part then stared at me sharply while it amazed me at what he did. He yanked me towards where we were sitting earlier. He did not speak as he returned the thing he used earlier to the trunk of his car. Because we have nothing to talk about. I just told him about what I had seen earlier.

“Adonis! Did you know I saw a river earlier?! It’s a paradise.” As I tell that to him, I happily imagine. If only there was such a thing in the city, I would be happy. He closed the back of the car, then looked at me. I don’t know why the way he looks, it seems like I would have done something wrong. He is now facing me because of his position. The difference between our heights is obvious.

He still couldn’t take his eyes off me, so I stepped on his foot. It was as if nothing had happened to him. He didn’t even moan or even pretend to be hurt. Since he still didn’t say a word, I punched him in the stomach and then spoke.

“Why do you look at me like that?” I stared at him, then fanned myself. When will this heat end, even though I bathe in the river, it seems like nothing has happened yet? Sweat is falling from my forehead again.

“You, you don’t know how to wait for someone? I just slept for a while and you are already roaming around.” His words were hard and emphatic as if I annoyed him pretty hard. I just ignored what he said because he was always like that, upset now sooner or later everything back to normal and he will be back from protecting me. Don’t be like that, Adonis, and I might fall for you!

I could have told him that, but I never said it. I just laughed in my mind, then he started asking. He is now also leaning against the car, as I do.

“Where will we go? Where can I visit my parents’ grave?” I looked at him and still fanned my neck and face. I wanted to get in the car and cool off with the aircon but we will just run out of diesel. He was also looking into the distance.

I followed what he was looking at. The mansion we gazed at had a great view. However — it burned.

Before I could speak, someone called us.