HANG OUT

“ You are home” Mom kissed my cheek “Straight here to have dinner after bath”

“All right Mom, Wait! Why are there three plates? Is there a visitor coming for dinner?”

“Ya, fast get yourself clean” Mom pushed me

“You haven’t told me who it is?”

“You will know. Fast go”

“Boyfriend?”

“What boyfriend?’

“You have been single since Dad left us. It is the time for you to get one”

“Stop talking nonsense” Mom patted my head softly.

I shouted while running to my room “Mom, it is ok. If you get yourself a partner. I’m ok with that”

“Stop talking nonsense” shouted my mom

After bathing, I heard noise downstairs, Then I slowly walked to the kitchen

Mina patted my shoulder “ Joanna is in the kitchen with your mom”

“What!. Why is she here?” replied Johnny

“Probably Mom saw I am talking to you guys. No worries, I just need to pretend I didn’t see you guys”

I wave my hand while walking near Joanna “ Hello, Ms Joanna”

“Hello Mr Gerrard. How are you?”

“I’m good, What brings you here?”

“To check on you. Didn’t see you see since your last appointment”

“I am good!. That's why I think it is not necessary to go for another appointment”

I saw Mom smile provoked by embarrassment after I told her “So no worry Mom” while she was holding dishes out of the kitchen.

I was waiting with bated breath for the dinner to end early. The environment was quite tense to me, Joanna made me feel like I was trapped by the incident memory. She even scheduled an appointment. I’m not going for that. After dinner, I had an argument with my mom. I shouldn’t treat my mom in such a way but I really don’t want to go to the appointment as I don’t think any wrong with me.

I was lying on my bed, suddenly I received a message from Leslie. She was asking me out for a movie tonight and would take me at 9.30 o’clock to the theatre as the movie starts at 10.00 o’clock. I’m kind of excited. It took me 30 minutes to choose what to wear.

Ring! Ring! (phone ringing)

I answered the phone, it was Leslie outside waiting for me then I rushed to meet her.

“Hey, where are you going in this late night?” asked my mom

“I’m going out with my friend, Leslie for a movie. Sorry didn’t inform you early as it is a sudden plan”

“Leslie. The person really exist” Mom murmured

“Pardon,” I asked

“Stop pretending you didn’t hear it” said Johnny

“Nothing, enjoy your night but don’t be too late” replied mom

“Ok, Good night” I gave Mom a goodnight kiss. I think she needed it after what had happened after lunch.

I open the car’s door. Turn facing my mom and wave goodbye.

“Seem like you have a close relationship with your mom,” Leslie said

I just smile as I do not want her to know much about myself

I asked “Did you wait long”

“Just arrived”

“You look different today, You have changed your dressing style and even makeup?”

“Am I looking pretty?”

“Ya, Kinda pretty” I continued “So what are we watching?”

“Andy Lau’s latest movie”

“He again!”

“Please, don’t give me the gesture. I don’t know who I should ask to accompany me to watch the movie”

I interrupted “So you think of me?”

“Ya.” she answered with a smile “ No choice after Mona was admitted to hospital. Arg.. I’m

sorry for accidentally mentioning her name”

“It is ok”

We reached the theater but only left the front seat which Leslie didn’t like so we decided to watch an old Thailand horror movie called Art of Devil 3”. I hate horror movies. I grab a drink and a bucket of popcorn before entering the theatre. The movie was making me anxious feeling carried over to after the movie and beyond. Most of the time I was closing my eyes when I heard people in the theater screaming out of fear. I didn’t really understand what was going on not until it got too intensely involved in the film. I was experiencing a racing heart and sweaty palms after watching the female lead chanting the black magic, pin one of their eyes open with safety pins then rub salt on them, drip hot wax into the eyes, tearing out the toenail, and etc. Johnny laughed at me because I clung to Leslie’s arm when watching the freaky part. Then I let go of her hand but Leslie was fast enough to hold my hand. Did she notice that I was scared? or She scared as well but she didn’t seem scared of watching horror movie

“Man up!” Shouted Mina

“I can’t. You know I'm scared watching those.” Replied to Mina

“If you hate horror movies, why didn’t say it out?” asked Leslie

The movie ends.

Arg , Leslie misunderstood that I talked with her but in fact, I replied to Mina but I can’t explain this to her as she will either think I was crazy or there were ghosts beside her.

“Because you are really fond of horror movies” I continued “Then just now you hold my hand because you know I was scared?”

She smiled and walked away.

What did she mean by just smiling and walking away? I really didn’t understand the gesture. I chased her and asked over and over but the answer remained the same, a smile on her face.