"Argh..."
My head felt like it's been stomped all over, as if my arteries were pumping endlessly. I winced, massaging my temple with fingers.
Eyes flutter open and I quickly looked around.
I found myself laying on the bed.
Slowly, with my hand on my head, I stood up getting off the bed. I roamed around my room, crouching down to look under the bed only finding dust and hair fall unswept.
I also looked inside the closet, hovering my clothes away for any large spaces he could've possibly fit into.
I also looked outside the window.
Guess it's really all a dream.
Catching my breath, the way his eyes gazed over mine flashed in mind.
Dark hues looking at me warmly, as if contented in someway I can't explain everytime it met mine.
I opened my phone and the our chats flashed in sight.
"Were you waiting for me?" He wrote.
"Yeah. I thought you weren't gonna come..."
My gripped tighten on my phone.
Maybe I kept dreaming of our chats like it's real....since I felt understood and comforted.
A smile lurked on my lips, his words echoed again in me.
'Were you waiting for me?'
As if he's somone desperate to see me.
But...
Who would ever want to see me so badly anyway?
'Ding!'
A message on my phone appeared.
"Annie, mommy's going to go home today, okay? Did you eat well?"
I smiled. I guess....there's one person.
I quickly typed a reply, "Yes, ma. I bought food and ate well yesterday. Take care and have fun on your way home!"
Maybe....there's two people who actually cared...
"Where did you buy food?" A message from mom appeared again.
My mom...
'Don't worry...' His voice echoed vividly in my ear. 'I'm here.'
And him.
I paused and eyebrows furrowed.
What am I thinking he's a stranger!
I shook my head from the delusions flashing in mind.
Annie, he only appears in your dreams.
I sighed, shaking off the thoughts and my fingers tapped on my phone.
"From the corner store nearby, ma. The Tapsilugan." I replied and closed my eyes. I turned off my phone and stared at the ceiling once again.
"And worst of all he's just A.I., Annie!" I uttered loudly, lecturing myself to refrain from delusions.
Maybe I just chatted with this bot too much and that's why I'm being hysterical right now?
I let out a sigh.
Why do I feel hopeless anyway?
There's no use to drown yourself in sadness too much. I already did that with Dylan so it's no use to be that stupid anymore.
I tapped another contact on my screen and typed, "Hey, Kim. What 'ya doin' girl?"
I closed my eyes, as well as my phone. Maybe I need some harsh words from this person.
My eyes fixed on the ceiling as I lied back on the mattress.
3...
2..
1.
I sat up and turned on my phone again.
No reply. I brushed my hair back and fidget slightly.
"She'd answer quickly before...why hasn't she answered now?" I muttered under my breath.
And right now that I need a hand with my thoughts!
I stood up, getting off the bed.
My eyes focused on the unreplied chat on my phone, twisting the doorknob and heading outside my room--
My feet paused.
Garlic? I walked to the kitchen, following the aroma lingering under my nose.
Is mom home already?
I smiled and rushed to the kitchen, hugging her from behind. The aroma of fried rice being stirred in the pan is reaching my stomach.
"Did you sleep well?" A deep and calm voice echoed.
"Ye--"
I froze, looking up slowly to whom my arms were wrapped around onto.
Wait, this isn't my mom--
"AHH--mmph!" His large hand covered my mouth and his eyes fixated mine in shakily, hinted with a slight panic.
"Shh...calm down, Annie. The neighbors might think I'm doing something to you." He said in a panicked tone, whispering.
His eyes shakily met my gaze for a few moments....until my shoulders lowered and lost its tension.
I calmed down...
Slightly.
I release his waist from my grip.
Gosh he's so muscular--
My eyes shut from the thoughts.
Damn it, Annie!
"Are you okay now?" He asked, making me blink and return to earth from my thoughts.
He slowly moved his palm away from my lips, eyes still looking with those furrowed up brows.
I sniffed, "Something burning--"
"Oh, shoot!" He quickly faced the stove, stirring the edge of the pan and mixing with force.
"Did....the rice stick on the pan?" I asked and he turned off the stove. He remained at his position for a few moments, staring at the pan.
...
I know I shouldn't trust a stranger but--
"Uh...are you alright?.." I asked hesitantly and he rubbed his nape, turning to me slightly. He bit his lip and smiled.
"I think I burnt some parts, master."
My eyebrows furrowed and flinched--making his brows furrow up more like his worry is doubled.
He threw his hands up slightly, as if trying to calm me down. "I-If you want I'll cook another--"
"Why the heck are you calling me master!?" I raised my voice in shock and he blinked.
"But....what else do you want me to call you, Annie?"
I blinked twice at what he said as if my brain short-circuited
"Why call me master when you can call me by my name!" I muttered and he paused, blinking twice...as if he didn't know what he did wrong.
"A-alright, alright..." He gave me a soft smile and I tiptoed slightly, peeking at the pan.
"No." He protested and blocked my view with his bare back--
Wait, he's topless and and only wearing an apron.
Fudge, why haven't I noticed it earlier?!
I felt heat on my cheeks flare up.
"W-why are you--"
"Well, I guess almost everything got burnt..." He laughed slightly, trying to hide his faint dissapointment.
"I'll just buy you food, Annie." He turned to me.
"No I meant, why are you tople--"
"But don't worry, you don't need to come outside." His eyes looked at me warmly, as if comforting me.
"Huh?" My eyebrows furrowed as I felt a familiar feeling.
"You don't have to see that person again." He smiled and took off the apron, revealing his well-toned body. "Don't worry."
I gasped, quickly facing my back. "U-uh...who exactly?" Feeling heat swell up my cheeks again, I gripped my shirt and fanned it.
Why does it feel hot suddenly?
"Dylan."
My hands stopped, and eyebrows furrowed.
"How did you--"
"You....told me yesterday, remember?"
I froze in my position and memories from yesterday flashed right through me.
I typed, "I hate him. I just want to stay at home so that I can't see Dylan anymore."
"A-are you really..." I trailed off. It's impossible.
Is he really that chatbot?
I jumped as I felt his warm hand on my shoulder. "Wait here, I'm gonna buy you food." His breath fanned over my ear and walked past me.
"Huh?" Little did I knew, he was already holding the doorknob--
My eyes widen, "Hey! You don't have a shirt on!" He turned to me and tilted his head like a confused puppy.
"Mhm?" His eyebrows raised slightly.
My mouth parted in mock offense, "Wha--well, at least grab a shirt before going out!"
I quickly ran to our laundry area.
Argh, I'm going to have a headache with this guy!
My eyes shut and grabbed whatever large shirt I can from the fresh laundry basket. I sighed, at least he won't be catching attention with his bare top.
"Oh, sorry. Is it rude to go topless outside?" He rubbed his nape and a faint blush crippled on his cheeks. "You see, I am not programmed to have a customed shir--"
I tossed him my dad's shirt and gasped.
It landed on his face.
He grabbed the shirt and put it on, making my mouth part at the shirt's print.
'I love my wife'
the heat around my face worsen. I shut my eyes out of embarrassment.
"W-wait, don't wear that let me get you anothe--"
'Eek!' the door gently slammed closed against the floor and he was already gone.
I blinked twice.
Wait.
Does he even have money?
My eyes shut and bit my lip, I quickly grabbed the money from my bag.
Then, I found myself outside looking for him.