After the Breakup

Burying Memories

He’s still holding my hand as we walked towards I don’t know where. I don’t seem to have the will to pull back. For once in my life, do I allow myself to be carefree and just go with it?  He seem to be someone who will protect me but at the same time, someone I need protection from.  Though more on someone who will protect me, I guess. I decided to let him hold my hand and guide me as we walked on the sidewalk, towards what appears to be another roller-coaster ride.

We are in front of the Hollywood Dream when he stopped and faced me.

“Let’s ride this one, then have lunch after” he said, without even asking me if I want to.  Then he guided and followed the queue of people lining up for the ride. I wasn’t sure if I want to ride another roller-coaster after the first one.  I was looking at my feet as we move forward.  He has never let go of my hands, not for one moment. He probably noticed my silence that he looked back at me. He messed up my hair and smiled.

“Hey kid, still scared? “

I just nodded, trying to look sad though his gesture is making me smile.  

He pushed my hair at the back of my ears, and lifted my chin so my eyes can meet his.  

“I’m here. You can cry all you want. Though I think you will enjoy this one” Then he smiled at me as if he is really going to be protecting me from anything that can go wrong.

I felt my heart flutter at the gesture and his words.  Who is this guy? And what makes me follow him like this? He’s not asking for money, which is good. At least, I am sure this is not one of those scams where you get hypnotized and they steal all your money. Or what if he drugs me later?  Nah! He doesn’t seem the type, right? But serial killers don’t look like serial killers anyway. I need to remind my self to keep my guards up.  Don’t be too carefree.

I ended up still joining him in the ride and he was right, I did enjoy it better than the first one.  We tried the normal one and not the backdrop so it is probably less intense than the first one.  I probably should have tried this one first before taking the Flying Dinosaur but if I did, then I wouldn’t have come across this guy.  

“Hey, you didn’t cry” he said, laughing.  “I was actually looking forward to that”

I smirked and gave him a sharp look. I turned away from him, heading for the exit then I felt his hands on my shoulders as he guides me out.

“Ok, come and let me give you your reward. What do you feel like having for lunch?”

I waited until we are outside then stopped to think about where to eat. I looked at him, with my arms crossed.

“Hmmm… do you know where they serve the most expensive food here? “ I said, smirking, thinking I will get my revenge.

“Bring it on baby. But I don’t really know. Let’s check the map?” then he brought out the map of the theme park so we can check for food options.

I saw Three Broomsticks which sounds interesting. So it’s decided, we are having lunch there.  

He folded the map, put it inside his jacket and held my hand again as we head towards our lunch destination.

It’s already around 1pm and I’m starting to feel the revolution in my stomach.  The late lunch plus the adrenalin rush riding those rollercoasters seem to have drained my energy and increased my appetite.

We walked inside the restaurant and searched for a place to sit.  Good thing there’s not a lot of people inside so we have a lot of options.  We decided to sit in one of the 2 seater tables at the corner.  

I decided that I will eat a lot today so I ordered a bunch - Fish and Chips, Shepherd’s Pie and Rotisserie Smoked Chicken. Partly because I am really hungry with all the walking, stress, adrenalin rush and I want him to spend more than what’s probably normal.

He didn’t seem to mind that I ordered a lot.  He just ordered fish and chips though that I almost felt guilty that I am eating more than him when he is probably at least 1 foot taller than I am.

“Is that really all you’re having?”  I asked while I looked at his plate.

“Well, this is all I can eat from this restaurant actually.  Not a lot of choices for people like me.” He said in a tone that sounds like a combination of sadness and sarcasm.

“What do you mean people like you?” I asked, curiously. He doesn’t seem the type who will be insecure, so I wonder where that’s coming from.

“I’m Muslim”. He said, looking at me as if waiting for my reaction.

“Oh ok. From what country?” I asked.  Suddenly curiosity level just rose. I have never been in such close contact with a Muslim before.  This trip is really something new.

“My family is from Saudi Arabia but we moved to Canada when I was about 10”.  Khalil answered, seemingly satisfied with my reaction.

“So Khalil, what brought you here? And why are you alone?”  

“Well, I am travelling. I always like to travel and most of the time, that means I travel alone. I am here in USJ because I want to be here. You can probably say, I want to experience something new, and probably to meet you as well”  He said those last words while looking at me and I felt my face burning that I looked at my plate, trying to pretend I didn’t hear those last words.

“What about you, what brought you here and why are you alone?” He asked me

“Me?” I asked with a naughty grin.  

“Yes, who else am I talking to then?” He said, smiling but with firmness on his voice.

“Ok. Same with you, I wanted something new.”I answered, looking at my food and avoiding his eyes. I wasn’t sure if I need to tell him that I just broke up with my ex about 2.5 months ago and that I am doing this as a form of recovery but it looks like my recovery will have a different turn because I met him.  It’s just supposed to be me but him entering the picture makes me feel a little confused and daring at the same time.

“Hmmmm… I think I know this.  You just had your heart broken, right?” He suddenly said, surprising me with his seeming nonchalant attitude towards my current state. I don’t know what to say so I just gently nodded.

“Then, we should make this trip really great that it makes you forget about him” My heart jumped to my throat when I heard him say those words.  I felt his eyes on me.  I wasn’t really sure what this is all about.  Where this is leading to, but I have this feeling that I will be willing to just let it flow and see where this meeting takes us