Capítulo 3: Label for a day
5th of May 2021 I was waiting in the arrival area of the airport, my Parent will be spending summer with me. Time of arrival 9:00 am the flight was delayed it was already 10:00 am and still I haven't seen them. Then around 11:00 am I saw a woman wearing a green sweater and a man wearing a red t-shirt with 5 luggage in their trolley. My mother colored her hair brown while my dad is still with grey hair, he doesn't like to color his hair. I walked towards them while smiling and shouted "welcome home Mr. and Mrs. Painter your daughter at your service this way please..." I was pointing them to the exit so that we can go to the parking area. My mother hugged me so tight and said "I miss you" and my dad did the same thing. I drove them to the nearest restaurant for lunch after we ordered our food we seated at the table near the window and when I turned my head, I saw Ford with a girl and I just smiled and talked to my parents. I had to take them home in our province it was like 4 hours away from my place so after our lunch we immediately left the restaurant. When we got home all my cousins ae waiting for them and prepared some food, I bid goodbye to my mom around 7:00 pm and said I'll just visit them again, my dad got so busy entertaining some of our relatives so I did not bother to say bye to him.
I reached my place around 11:00 pm and saw Ford's truck parked in front of my gate so, I went down and knock on his car window, he was asleep so, I knocked again but still sleeping so I called his phone then he woke up and said "hey where are you?" and then I answered "outside your window" then he turned his head around and smiled. "What are you doing here," I asked and he opens his door and went down to answer me "I bought some wine for us; I fell asleep waiting for you where have you been?" then I smiled and said "let's talk about it later, can you just let my truck in first?" then he smiled and said "oh oh yeah sorry I was blocking your gate" then he moves his car so I can enter. So, we sat in the balcony it was already 11:30 pm, I just reheated the fried chicken I ordered from the restaurant me and my parents ate for lunch, then I remember seeing Ford with a girl so I asked him "how was your date?" and he was like "huh? Date? What do you mean?" then I said "I saw you in the restaurant today with a blonde girl" and he was smiling like an idiot and said "Oh her… do I smell jealousy here?" and I smirk and said "I am just asking because I saw you and why should I be jealous Mr. Ford?" then he holds my chin and his face went closer to my face and he said "she is my cousin Ms. Red her name is Isha, we visited mom in the hospital and went to the restaurant to grab some food and returned to the hospital" then he put his hands down and drink some wine and my heart was beating so fast that I could not think of what to say so I just also drink some wine and then when I was already relaxed I apologized " I am sorry, that was so judgmental of me" he smiled and said "It's okay I like it that way, but don't make it a hobby" then we just laughed. We talk about her mother's condition but I haven't mentioned the story of my mom. I don't have any plans yet to talk it over with Ford, for now, her Mother's health is more important than the story of the past. Slowly I influenced Ford to sing with me, we are like crazy kids on the balcony just enjoying the night. It was already around 3:00 am when Ford said "Sorry I did not notice the time, you might be very tired, I'll go ahead." And I smiled and said "It's okay this is a good way to end a very productive day and start a rest day "then I accompany him downstairs when I was about to close the gate Ford had his hand holding it then said "Thank You Red" then he was about to kiss me but I was trembling and just cough then he smiled and said "sorry I'll go ahead" then I closed the gate and smiled like a child.
I woke up around 10:00 am that day, I check my phone and I had 5 missed calls from my Mom, Hazel, and Ford, I did not return any calls from them I first checked my email and saw an email from Phil. It was a strange email and the title is Warning so, I opened it and it's an emoticon of a sad face and a message saying are you still on Earth? Then I smiled I haven't been in the office for a long time. I replied with a happy emoticon and said "On my way to the moon… why?" then I checked all my work email and one by one I worked on it. My phone rang it was Ford calling, I stared at my phone and hesitant to answer it … I was nervous and don't know what to say, then when I was about to answer it, the ring stopped. I took my phone and went to my balcony then I saw Ford's truck leaving my gate. I felt bad and confused at the same time. I decided to call my mom then we talk for at least 15 minutes. I called Hazel and said I will get Ford's wallet within the day.
I reached Hazel's house around 3:00 pm and cupid opened the door for me saying "Its Godmother "he shouted to her mother then Hazel looked at me and said "the pick-up girl is here ha-ha" then I smiled and said "whatever zel". So, I went inside their house and played with cupid for a while since hazel is cooking an early dinner so I can join them. "Would you like rice or mashed potato with your steak Red?" she asks then I replied, "I'll go with mashed potato zel thanks". Then around 5:00 pm we ate dinner and while eating I told her about what happened to me and Ford last night then she was teasing me "Finally, someone brave enough to make you feel that way ha-ha" then I frowned at her and look at Cupid "I find it weird though" then she laughed "of course it should be weird, you only kissed one guy and that was a long time ago right? Wawu is that him?" then I laugh and said "yes only him ha-ha you still remember that?" then she said "How can I forget that Red it was 3:00 am when you called me because of that kiss for God's sake ha-ha" then we just continued to talk about, I love how my best friend can calm me in this kind of things then Ford asks "You kissed someone Godmother?" then I replied "Yes cupid, but that was a long time ago" then he said "I always kiss mom" and hazel and I looked at each other and laughed. It was a great dinner as always; I love spending time with these two. I left her house around 7:00 pm and drove back to the city and stopped in AROMA to see if Ford is there but no the staff said he just left an hour ago. So, I went back to my truck then I saw Ford's car is just about to leave then I tried calling him but he did not answer so I decided to follow him.
Ford stopped in a two-floor apartment a modern one with a wooden gate. He went down his car and looked at me so I went down also and said "Hi, I went to AROMA but I saw you…" just before I can finish my sentence he said "let's get inside my house it's too cold here" then I said "sure" and locked my truck. His house is so clean and almost empty, he asks me if I want anything then I said "No I am good I just ate dinner in Hazel's place and that is why I am here because …" then he did not let me finish my sentence again and said "let's go up to my balcony then, my turn" then he smiled and went to his fridge to get some drinks and food. So, we went up and, on his balcony, he has a red couch and a table with a cooling fan that obviously we will not use because it is already cold. Because it is a couch, we had to sit beside each other, and it was like a perfect night the Moon is full and there are so many stars up in the sky. He played a song on his phone "Chasing Cars" then like my world stopped all of a sudden, it is my favorite song the song I always sing to my sister. Then I look at him and said "that is my…" and he finished my sentence "my favorite song" then we laughed. I grab his wallet in my bag and handed it over to him "You are welcome four times" then he said, "ha-ha thank you four times, I thought I will lose this forever now but you found it again". Then I said how I got again. I ask him why do you always drop his wallet or forget it? He answered "I think me and my wallet don't like each other ha-ha" then I smiled and answered "maybe you have to build a better relationship with your wallet then" then he said "the last time I tried building a relationship it broke my heart, so that is why when my wallets dropped, I just replace it but luckily you are there to return it as always" then I answered with a serious face "What if the world runs out of wallet? Would you go back to find your missing wallet if I was not there to return it?" then he looked at me and said "maybe" then to lighten up I said "alright it's just a wallet … don't worry I won't get tired of returning it for you" then he smiled and said "I still have one more thing missing in my life would you like to return or look for it?" and I seriously answered back saying "huh? What is it?" and he touched my face and said "my heart" and he put his hands down after and puff his cigar and I was put my hand on his chest and said "yeah I think it's missing" then I put my hands down and put my I tried to listen to his heart and I said again "how can you be alive?" then he smiled and grabbed my head up to his face and said "I have to" then we kissed under the full moon and all the stars in the sky and I heard my heart pounding and beating so fast then after the kiss he said "do you want to hear it again? You might just return it" and I was like a piece of ice slowly melting in front of him, he was too good to be true. Then my phone rang it was my mom, in my head "saved by my mother" so I had to excuse myself from him and said "I have to get this sorry, it's my mom" and he said "sure". My mom called saying that they will go to my place tomorrow by noon since they have to meet an old friend in the hospital, at that time I haven't thought of Ford's mother since I was so carried away by what is happening at the moment with us. Then after my mother's call I returned to the couch and Ford looked at me with a blank face and I was like "are you okay?" then he smiled and said "are you?" and I laughed and said "yes, I guess… I mean that kiss, was it?" then his phone rang and said "odd, it's my mom also calling, I'll just get this." And I smiled and took a deep breath and drink while waiting for him, I almost finish the bottle of rum that we are drinking while he was on the phone when he finished talking to his mom, I ask him where is the toilet then he accompanied me on his room, it was so dark. His windows are covered with black velvet curtains and the wall is painted in black also but it smells so good. He opens the lights in his toilet then he said "I'll wait for you here outside" and my head was already spinning I just nodded at him. After maybe 10 minutes in the toilet, I saw Ford laying in his bed while waiting for me, he already changes his top and pants into a t-shirt and shorts then he stood up and handed me a towel and a big t-shirt and jersey shorts and said "stay here for the night, you can't drive in that condition and I am too tired to take you home" then he grabbed my hand and pushed me back in the toilet to change. I was already intoxicated with alcohol and my body is like burning in so much heat inside me. I took a shower and changed clothes then I went out and Ford is not in bed, I look at the balcony and he is not there too, I am already too drunk to go downstairs so I just went back to the couch to sit and drink water and eat some nuts while waiting for him. I waited for like 20 minutes but he was still maybe downstairs and I am already sleepy so I decided to lay in bed since he is the one who said I should stay for the night. On his bedside table, I saw the rosary that was in his wallet and when I was about to hold it, a cold hand touched my hot hand and said "you should take some rest, you can take that side of the bed" and I just nodded. I fell asleep fast because of the alcohol, Then I woke up with a hungry tummy and an aching head, I reached for my phone and it was already 12:00 noon then I suddenly look at my side to see if Ford is still sleeping but he is gone. Then I stood up and looked for him when I heard the shower flowing in the toilet and since Ford was still asleep, I went to the balcony and made a call to my mom who has been calling me since morning. "Mom, sorry I am in my friend's house I…" then my mom interrupted my talking she said "It's okay dear, me and your Dad won't make it there today that is the reason I've been calling you since morning. Your uncle Frank called in if we can join them on the farm today, are you okay?" then I replied "Yes mom, I just woke up anyway have fun on the farm. I love you," I said then she said, "take care. I love you more". Then I went back inside the room and I saw Ford in front of the mirror half-naked then he slowly turned to me and smiled "Good morning are you hungry?" he asks then I smiled back and took a deep breath and said "No, I mean Yes, I am hungry… should I cook?" then he teasingly smiled at me then said "No, I'll cook do you want to at least wash your face first?" he said while putting his red t-shirt on then I said, "right ha-ha okay". Then I went to the toilet and I saw there another T-shirt and a jersey short with a note, "I have a washer and dryer downstairs you can bring your clothes". So, after taking a bath I went to his drawer mirror to use his comb and saw a picture of a girl and him, I thought to myself she must be Lay, I held the photo and then he came in and said "Breakfast is ready" and he looks so surprised to see me holding the picture "Alright, sorry I just got curious. Is she Lay?" and he replied "yes, I haven't really cleaned for a long time. Let's go eat." Then I followed him down to have breakfast and while eating we talked about what happened last night. Then after breakfast, I washed my clothes but unfortunately, the power went off and my clothes are stuck in the washer. Ford looked at me while he was exercising and said "I guess it's not your lucky day Red, do you have any important thing to do today?" then I replied "Nothing" and he whispered "well I guess it's my lucky day then ha-ha" then he continued working out. I sat on his couch in the living room and just read some magazines while he turns on his music on his phone. The power went back around 4:00 pm and I was already cooking our late lunch and early dinner while Ford was washing his car then in my head I said: "Jesus Christ finally!" I am not comfortable having him around for that long maybe because it is the first time, I spent a whole day with a guy. I continued washing my clothes than before 5:00 pm our meal is ready so I called him "Mr. Select shall we eat?" and he replied "give me 5 more minutes I'll be there" so, I went back inside and just waited I prepared some veggies, roasted chicken and mashed potato. Then right after our meal the washer is also done so I have my clothes ready I put them aside then wash the plates first then accidentally Ford spilled his juice on my clothes and said "oh shit, my lucky day" then I looked at him and said "not really, it's my night. I'll just give you back your clothes tomorrow Ford, and I'll wash my clothes at home" then he grabbed my arm and said "I still have one bottle of wine, just stay for another night" then I stopped for a while his eyes are very inviting then I said "No, I can't … I mean I have things to do tomorrow, I should go ahead." Then he said "I understand, I'll see you when I see you then?" then I nodded and said "Thank you Ford" and got my keys and stuff and went straight to my car. I felt relieved and sad at the same time, relieved that I don't need to think about what to do or say to him but sad because I want to stay and be with him, weird. I drove fast back to my place and took a shower again. Before I go to sleep, I tried calling Ford but he did not answer then I sent him a message and he did not reply. My mind was full of thoughts, positive and negative.
I woke early and the first thing I did was to check if Ford replied but no, he did not. I was thinking about him the entire evening and thought that he still loves Lay, maybe he just needed a companion. So, I decided not to give any hope in my feelings about him I said to myself "I am just a friend, just like the other girl he dated after Lay, and that is fine." I went to the office on that day to destruct myself from thinking of Ford, the usual I walked going to the office then I saw a familiar face in the smoking area it was Ford with a girl her cousin Isha, I stopped in the convenience store to get a coffee first and hoping that when I get out they will be gone also then someone tapped me on my shoulders it was Phil then he said "Finally, you decided to go back to work ha-ha" and I smiled at him and said "I did not leave, I still work at home " then he laughed and we went out of the convenient store together then Ford saw us, Phil said "Hi Ford right? Your friend" pointing his fingers at me and I said "Yes. Hi Ford. What are you doing here?" then he replied "Hey, hmm I just picked up my cousin Isha "then he introduced us to her and said, "we will go ahead, I'll see you Red". So, I proceed to the office with Phil and stayed working until 4:00 pm on my way back to my place, Phil insisted to take me out for dinner, he said he wants to share something important. Then we went to Ford's coffee shop and Ford is not there, Phil was so excited to tell me that he wanted to court a girl from my team and he needs help with the girl since he is not customed to our tradition and culture. And I was happy for him and find it interesting to help him at the same time a way to escape from Ford. Then I and Phil started to formulate a plan on how to court Hannah my new assistant trainer in the office. I asked Phil some questions about him and what he saw in Hannah then we just talked until 7:00 pm and I haven't seen Ford in the shop. We left the shop and then Phil took me back to my place.
Phil and I bonded for almost a week for her courting proposal to Hannah, and fortunately, Hannah said Yes to Phil, our plan was a success. I am so happy for Phil and that our hard work was all worth it. Our team had dinner that night, we are all having fun and just enjoying ourselves. I went to the toilet then suddenly I bumped into Ford and surprisingly said "Hi, long time Ford" and he said "Hey Red, how are you?" and I replied "Good, we are just having dinner to celebrate" then he said "I see, good to see you again Red" then he walks towards the toilet and I walked back to our table. When I was back at our table after few minutes, I tried looking around to see where Ford is seated but I can't see him, then around 10:00 pm I already said goodbye to my team and said that I still have things to do. So, I went to the parking area then shortly stopped in the smoking area then suddenly Ford appeared and asks "can I borrow your lighter?" then I smiled "of course" then I handed it over to him and we talk to catch up. I ask him about his mom and he said she is doing better. Then after two sticks of cigarette, I said "Ford, it was nice seeing you again. Thank you but I have to go" then he said "It was nice seeing you again Red" so, I walk towards my car then left the restaurant. I reached home then after closing my gate a car stopped in front of the apartment it was Ford's car then I opened my gate and said "hey need anything?" then he smiled and said "I just forgot to return your lighter" then he handed it over and I said "yes, I did not notice it also thank you for returning it. Anything else?" then he smiled and said "are you busy?" then I replied "yes I have some things to finish" and he said "I understand, I'll see you when I see you then?" and while slowly closing my gate I said, "yup I'll see you soon Ford".
The following day I decided to visit my sister Michelle in the cemetery, brought some flowers and vanilla-scented candles her favorite. After spending an hour there, I decided to leave and go to my parent's house then I had lunch with them and visited my cousins, and just bonded with my family. "Don't you want to stay here for the night?" my mom asked "I cannot mom I had a lot of work to do" I replied then I left and, on my way, back to the city I saw Phil and Hannah in the gas station, I greeted them and said "hey lovebirds" and they replied "hey boss cupid how are you?" then they smiled and I said, "I'm good on my way back to the city, wherever you guys are going take care and enjoy". Then I closed my window and head back to my apartment. It was already 10:00 pm when I reached my place then I saw Ford's car parked in front of my apartment but he was not inside of it, so I assumed he is already inside my apartment so, I opened my gate then yes, he is already sitting in my chair outside the apartment. "Hey Red, sorry I got bored in the car" then I smiled and said "No worries, this is your apartment anyway" then he stood up and said "wine on the balcony?" and I said "do I have a choice?" then he laughed "Beer? Water?" then I laughed too. So, we went upstairs he went straight to the balcony while I went to my room to change and wash up. While I was taking a shower, I heard a knock so, I grabbed my towel and wrap it in my body then I opened the door it was Ford asking if he can use my toilet I said "alright" then he walks towards my toilet and turned to me before closing the door and said "by the way nice towel Red" then he smiled teasingly and I smiled and had a strange thought about him. After few minutes Ford went out of my toilet and said "Smells good in here" then he went straight out of my Shower room's door.
I wore my favorite pajama when I went back to the balcony and have a drink with Ford. I sat beside him and teasingly joked with him "Do you still want to stay here outside or do you want to go inside?" then I put my hand over his lap and he shook then looked at me strangely while saying "are you sure? We can go inside now." Then he holds my hand and puts it in his chest while his other hand is holding a glass of wine. Now he is looking so seductive so I gave him a cute smile and pull my hands from his chest and said "Ford come on I was just kidding ha-ha" then he moved closer to me and whispered "I was not kidding Red" then I innocently turn my head towards his face, we are like an inch away from kissing each other's face. I was so nervous and, in my head, why did I even say what I said so I utterly told him "Ford sorry I was just trying to lighten up our set up, it was not my intention to…" I was not able to finish what I was trying to say instead I just felt Ford's lips on my lips. My hands got numb while a sudden flow of heat started to go up in my cheeks from my numb hands. It was a long time since I kissed a guy, to think I only kissed one guy Wawu. "I don't like jokes Red" then he stood up and puff a cigar after an almost a minute kiss while I was left on the couch still shocked with what happened, "I don't know what to say" I replied then took my glass of wine. He was staring at me when I tried to look at him then I said "What?" he took a deep breath and ask "Who am I to you Red?" then I freeze and strugglingly answered him "I don't know Ford, I wanted to ask you that same question. You came into my life and this … we talk, laugh, eat, play, share each other's thoughts but you are still so unpredictable. You can be so cold and just disappear" then he replied "Sorry about that. Do you like me Red?" his eyes are now calm and I said "Yes Ford since the day I saw your wallet and picked it up I already like you, but you are an impossible guy to be with" then he walked towards me and hold my hands and pull it up so I stood up also, now we are standing face to face when he touched my face and said " I am an impossible guy to be with Red, I've been through a lot ever since I was a child. I may forget to make you feel love or special at times but one thing is for sure I will stick around" then we kissed again and he asked me to dance while our favorite song "Chasing Cars" is playing.
For the third time, we slept together, this time in my room and in my bed. He turned off the light in my bedroom but the fairy lights on my balcony are still on. He slowly took off his clothes and after that, he hugs me from behind and kisses my neck and one by one, he took my clothes off then we kiss until we get to my bed and we made love all night.
I woke up because my phone was ringing, it was Zel asking if I want to have dinner with them because cupid just finished his swimming class and he got recognition. I wanted to tell zel everything that happened that night but Ford is still asleep like a baby by my side and I don't want to talk that long. "Sure zel I'll be there, I might bring Ford also," I said "Ford? Are guys still seeing each other?" she replied then I just simply said "talk to you later zel" then I ended the call. I turned to Ford and stare at his face while smiling then after I stood up to make breakfast and I also cleaned the balcony. After an hour Ford woke up and as he goes down the stairs he was talking on his phone and looks so worried but he still looks so good. "Is everything okay? Coffee or Tea Ford? "I asked after he ended his call "Coffee please, it's about mom. how was your sleep?" he said, "it was great, the best sleep ever what about her?" I replied smiling while drinking my coffee "good to know, more to go" he smiled teasingly then we just laughed and ate breakfast and he did not mention her mom again. "I have to go Red, I have to see mom," he said "Of course send my regards I hope her well," I said and he walks towards me and held my face and kissed my lips and said "thank you for everything Red. I life you" then I punch him in his tummy and said "Life? Seriously?" then he replied "I Love you is too normal I am sick of it. Those three words are said too much. I want us to be different still three words but more meaningful." Then I smiled at him and replied "Alright then. I life you more Mr. Ford Select take care". Then he left my apartment.
I went to Zel's house for dinner and told him about me and Ford and she was happy about us. But she also said "I've met Ford once but knew him in your story for a long time now, I want to believe it's Destiny but this is different I guess so please be careful Red, you are like a sister to me and I will do everything to protect you" I was almost teary-eyed when I replied "Thank you zel, you are the only constant person in my life. You saw and helped me evolve. I owe you big time." Then we continued eating dinner and after I played a board game with Cupid then my phone rung it was Ford "Where are you?" he said and I replied "I forgot to tell you Zel was inviting us for dinner because Cupid got an award from his swimming class" then he said "will you go back to your apartment or sleep there?" and I replied "I'll go back, I'll be leaving in a few minutes" and he said "alright, I'll see you then. I life you" then he ended the call.
When I arrived in my apartment Ford's car is not there so I tried calling him but he did not answer. I went to sleep and just messaged him. Morning came but still got no message and call from Ford. I decided to go to AROMA to get coffee and look for him but in my shock, the Barista told me Ford left last night for China and he will be out for quite some time. My world stopped for a moment and went blank then the Barista said "Ms. Red are you ok? Here is your coffee" I just nodded, took my coffee, and went straight to my truck, and cried so hard.
I want to be mad at him but loneliness fills my heart at that moment. I took an indefinite leave from work; I waited for Ford's message or call but I got none. I had to surround myself with friends and get busy with other things just to divert my loneliness. After a month of vacation, I still haven't heard from Ford, I decided to slowly forget him though it is the hardest thing to do.
Ford taught me how to trust again in love but what he showed me is life. It might be that I didn't love him I life him, as he says love is overused already but I guess at the end of the day we all just crave love and deal with life. Love is an ingredient that should never be taken away because if it is life will be lifeless.
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