LOVING A MANNEQUIN

Chapter 48: Cool Off 1

*BARBIE HEAVENWARD POV*

It was early in the morning, when I was about to go to the store room to grab some items, I noticed Anica crouching in a corner. She was spacing out while stroking her ring finger.

After a couple of minutes I spent to observe her, I couldn't help but become curious. Usually, she was always cheerful and lively, but today, she seemed different. I could even feel her sadness.

Seeing her like that was very strange for me. I didn't know why but curiosity aroused inside me telling me to come over and fish something to gossip. Wow, since when did I become like this?

I was about to go over to Anica when a hand suddenly grabbed my arm. As I looked back, I knew it was Angelo.

“What is wrong?” I asked simply. “Do you need something?”

Angelo shook his head with his lips stretched into a tiny smile, and asked back, “Can’t I talk with you if there's nothing?”

“No. No. No. That is not what I mean. What I am saying is, if you have something needed, can we settle that later if that is not urgent because I have first to do.”

“What?” Angelo followed the direction where I was staring and he quickly understood it. “Oh, so you are talking about Miss Anica. Alright, I won't disturb you then. By the way, I have something to do this whole day until night too.”

“Is that very important to you?”

“Very important!”

Angelo released my arm and motioned his head, telling me to approach Anica. I smiled a little at him and said, “Thank you. - - Also please be careful.”

“Barbie, don't forget. I am Mannequin. Nothing and no one can hurt me. It's them who should watch themselves.” Angelo said with a wink.

I wriggled, “That's creepy! Alright, go away now.”

“So mean? Don't you want to talk a bit longer with me?”

“I want to but for now, can you let me spare time for others? You are fine and just idling around but Anica doesn't look good. She is so down. I want to comfort her.”

“Alright! Alright! I will give you private time and space. I am going too. Bye, bye.”

He was about to turn away when I called him again, “Angelo, wait?”

He looked back and asked, “What's the matter?”

“This- this- I- Angelo, I don't know what happened to me but I will feel uncomfortable if you  don't tell me what you are doing. Can you at least tell me what business you are doing and where you are going?”

Angelo smirked, “Maltana Town. That is only I can tell you for now.” Angelo looked at me intently, “Don't worry, nothing will happen to me. Just trust me.”

While meeting his eyes, every word that he said was easily imprinted in my memory and inside of me was struggling not to hug him. I bit my lower lip to the point that I tasted blood and eventually nodded.

“Thanks! I will come back right away if it's done.” Angelo held my head and kissed my forehead. “Wait for me.”

That's all and he left. Sighed! What was wrong with me today? Seeing him walking away, I felt like losing him. No! Impossible. He was Angelo. I was pretty sure nothing would happen to him like what he said.

Before turning my attention towards Anica, I smiled after blowing an air.

Still the same position. She was in daze while stroking her ring finger and I noticed something was missing in there. Wait? What was it?

I racked my brain to think of what was missing and not long, my eyes widened in shock to realize that the diamond ring was missing. What's happening? Weren't they still fine yesterday?

I squatted down in front of her, and slowly touched her hand, “Anica, what is wrong?”

Anica flinched, causing her to almost fall down with butt first if I wasn't a bit late to support her. She was like me, squatting in the ground.

She shook her head, “Nothing is wrong with me. I am just tired.”

“Anica, don't get mad but I know you are lying. You are not fine. If you are seeing me as a friend, can you tell me what's the problem. Perhaps, I can help you lessen your sadness.”

Anica grinned bitterly, “Help me? Barbie, there are some things, even how capable you are, you can't do anything but just play along or watch.”

“But at least I can comfort you.”

Anica looked at me, “How are you going to comfort me? Even I, myself, don't know what is going on with me. I am confused.”

“Sometimes, it is good to tell others those things that confuse you. Because we, most often, don't understand our own feelings or self, but others can.” I reached out her hand, “Anica, I know, the root of your sadness is related to the ring with you. If you say you lost it, I won't believe it. Tell me, why are you not wearing it today?”

Anica sighed loudly, “He took it off.”

I stood up suddenly and shouted,  “What? How dare he?”

“Barbie, you say, when the ring is still with me, I kept saying he was nothing and I don't feel anything about him. I even hated to see it because I felt like my freedom is ruined by it. But - - why? The moment that he pulled the ring out of my finger, my heart shattered and it pained a lot. I-- I can't even have a good sleep last night.” Tears rolled down silently from Anica’s eyes, “Just several hours the ring was not in my finger, I felt empty in my heart. I am incomplete.”

“Anica, don't you realize that you like him?”

“Yes. I am stupid. I don't even know my real feelings until last night. If he is really nothing to me, why would I feel sad that he cooled off our engagement and retrieved his ring? Why does my heart become empty thinking that we are already over? Why did I miss him so much despite the short time that we are done? Why can't I help but think of him?” Anica giggled desperately, “I am really stupid. I fell in love with him but I didn't realise it because I was blinded by anger thinking that I was just going to marry a stranger because of money. I hate it. I felt that I was just being purchased. Do you know that feeling, Barbie? It's disgusting and detestable. But- it's too late now. He doesn't want to see me anymore.” Anica sobbed.

I hugged her and at the same time reflected on myself. Weirdly, I discovered that I seemed to feel what she felt. Feeling of fear of loss, missing, and feeling empty inside. That was exactly what I was feeling when Angelo was not around me. Could it be I fell in love with him too?

I held my chest and felt my heart. It was pounding fast which was a bit uncomfortable. I closed my eyes and inhaled air. Then, I calmed down. If it was true that I love him, then it made sense because every time we had close contact with each other, touched each other,  and accompanied each other, I felt I owned the whole world. I was happy, content and safe.

“Barbie, hey, barbie?” Anica shook me.

I twitched, “Huh, what's the matter?”

Anica wiped off her tears and narrowed her eyes, “What are you thinking? Why did you become like me too? Spacing out and not in yourself.”

I smiled to cover my thoughts, “What are you saying? I just remembered something.” I breathed, “By the way, what really happened between you two? Yesterday, you said you are going to have lunch together, why now, you broke up already, even cancelling the engagement. This is too much.”