The Blood's Elegance

Chapter 38

Chapter 38

SPRING IS THE SEASON OF LOVE II

What was love? Was it something that could save people from hunger? Was it something that could save anyone from evilness? Or was it worth cherishing at the moment? But what was love again? It could be platonic, the purest of all, or romantic, the most precious for others. It was something hard to define when you question yourself or others because this is one thing that is best explained through action, not words.

“Are we all ready?” asked Seth.

We were all gathered in the living room, ready to leave for the closing of the festival. I was done preparing earlier, so were the girls, but the boys took their bath in the garage and played with the water hose. The main reason why they were in the garage was to wash their cars, but they said, Liam initiated splashing water to them. Not backing down and letting their pride lead them, they spent water and failed to finish the car wash, and also, consuming an hour in their childish act.

Even though it was the last day of the festival, we still had to comply in wearing the mask. There was no need to force ourselves into the extravagant gowns and suits because we were visitors. Since we used our masks the whole day yesterday, Seth brought out the extra masks their family always had in reserve as it was very important in the festival. He distributed it to everyone, giving me a blue mask that matches my outfit. To feel more comfortable, I chose to wear a white sando crop top under a blue sheer long sleeves mesh crop top and paired it with tattered jeans and white sandals. Seth preferred his open light blue long sleeves exposing the white shirt underneath tucked inside his black pants. He finished the look with his blue sneakers, matching the color of my outfit, and speaking of outfit, the others decided to follow us and base their style with their partners. Seth and I were in blue, Mary and Drake were in pink, Ann and Liam chose dirty white, and lastly, Leslie and Frank wore stripes.

“Do we have what we need?” Leslie seconded the question. “Where’s the picnic basket?”

Ann raised the basket.

“Are the foods all there?”

“Yes.”

“What about the cooler?”

James lifted the cooler. “Here.”

“Water and soft drinks there?”

“Yeah.”

“Anything else?”

Ayuna spoke. “I have alcohol, napkins, and wet wipes in case of an emergency―”

Drake cut her off. “The house is not too far. Anyone who want to poop can run here.”

Ayuna glared at her. “This is to wipe our hands from the dirt, stupid ass.”

Welp, there she goes.

Leslie stole the light from them. “Plates and utensils?”

I showed it to her. “Also bottle opener. Cups is in Liam.”

“I also brought trash bag, insect repellent, and the blanket is on mine,” he added.

Leslie nodded at us then at Seth.

“Good. Let’s go.”

It’s a good thing that Seth’s family house was a walking distance from the main location of the festival. We headed to space at the end of the street where they held the opening on the first day. It was more like a park, and everyone looked like they found a place to settle before the closing starts. It had become crowded, and I couldn’t find any space for us. We should have come here in the morning to reserve an area for us.

I spotted a group of people combining their blanket with the other group as they laugh and noticed that the space they left was enough for us. I pointed it to them, and Drake, being competitive, ran there as if he was chasing a frisbee but landed on the ground like a football player.

“Touchdown,” he shouted.

He was lucky to not carry anything. Maybe, this was his purpose.

We walked to the spot and laid the white and red striped blanket on the ground. Frank and Seth helped to straighten it, so we could place our belongings. Mary put the picnic basket in the center, away from the possible thieves of food, if there were any. I saw one of the girls from the other group looking at us. I smiled and mouthed ‘thank you,’ but he did not react. I looked in the direction where she was staring and realized that I was in the line of vision with Seth. What was so attractive in this guy? He got the common color of hair and eyes―he dyed his hair black again to match mine, according to him, and he had grown a beard, but that contributed to his features. He was just wearing a casual. Seriously, what was so special in him? When did he become a magnet of girls or was he always this way, but I didn’t realize because I thought that it is normal for the girls in our school to have a crush on him since there were not that many handsome guys.

I tried to forget about the girls and had fun with my friends. The sky turned dark, and the street lights gave light on us just when I understood the object that was standing from afar based on its silhouette. It was another fire pit but smaller than yesterday.

At exactly six on the clock, the beat of the drums reverberated, and the performers appeared from every direction and went straight to the center where the fire pit was. Compared to the performance we watched yesterday, these people wore informal costumes. It more like a costume for festival dancers, unlike yesterday where the Cara Danvers wore gowns and suits. Half of their faces were covered by scary masks. Red inks flowed underneath their masks to their collarbone. The chests of the men were decorated with black and white ink. Crown made out of feathers still on the top of their heads. They danced with the staff also adorned by the feathers, and to end their show, they shouted a loud “Ahoo!’ from the top of their lungs. The sound of our claps died down as they exit the imaginary stage. One member stayed. Someone from the crowd handed him a branch of a tree and a lit candle. Using the fire from the candle, he lightened up the wood and threw it on the fire pit. The flames slowly engulfed the woods.

Another member returned with a body blended with blood. Some screamed at the sight. Hearing Drake’s story about the origin of this festival echoing in my ears, the ends of my hair rose. I couldn’t tell if it was an adult or a child, or a girl or a boy.

“Monsters from nowhere, accept our sacrifice and leave this place at once!” The man, who seemed to be the leader of their group, received the dead body. He threw it on the flames, and people yelled in joy.

What was wrong with these people?

I was feeling dizzy and out of breath.

I... I wanted to leave immediately.

“Seah.” Seth tapped my shoulder. He secured me with his arm and helped me lean on his shoulder. “That was a dead, rotten animal. Not a human,” he explained.

I heard our friends breathed their relief.

Still feeling a little bit under the water, my breathing turned normal. I rested my head on him until I felt better than earlier.

“They used dead animals who acquired sickness as a sacrifice as part of their festival, so you have nothing to worry,” he added. “I should have told you, guys, about it, so you wouldn’t be surprised. My bad.”

“It’s okay at least you told us about it before anyone faints.”

Seth brushed my hair. We watched the sparks of the fire flew in the air. Our friends chatted with each other. He slightly moved. “Do you want a barbecue?”

They felt excited. “There were people selling uncooked barbecue near the bonfire. You could buy from them and ask them to cook it, or you could cook it yourself using the fire.”

Liam, James, and Frank stood. “We’ll buy.”

The girls’ eyes followed their backs until they were far from us.

“Barbecues are not that heavy.”

“Men need company when going somewhere just like how women need company when going to the comfort room,” Drake uttered, and he met the deadly glare from her girlfriend, “but that is not the case for everyone. Anyone can be independent.”

She punched his boyfriend and opened the lid of the basket. “Let’s prepare dinner while waiting for the barbecue.”

Ayuna helped her in bringing out the cook dishes. Seth made an effort of cooking the food, so we could stuff our stomachs with homemade dishes and not food filled with preservatives or foods from fast-food chains or restaurants. When he was done cooking earlier, he approached me and hugged me, complaining about his aching arms.

“Can I have a water?”

Gabriel helped Ann take out the small water jug from the cooler, so she could pour us in the paper cup. She passed it to Seth, and Seth helped me drink.

We spent time talking, and the boys just arrived. I licked my lips at the smell of the barbecue. We prayed before we ate, and I enjoyed the freshly cooked food. It was kind of hot in my mouth. As I chew it, the oil and favor dripped on my tongue.

“I should be use to you moaning every time you are eating something delicious,” Seth whispered behind me.

“Just pretend that you didn’t hear anything,” I said and winked mischievously.

“By the way, guys,” he said, trying to forget what we talked about, “they will end this day by flying lanterns. It was the counterpart of the ‘Farewell possessions’ yesterday.”

Everyone commented, anticipating the beauty of the closing event. When we were done eating, we were picking on who will buy the lanterns. The boys suggested it should be us, girls, because we could probably get a discount. I volunteered to buy together with the people who did not carry anything earlier. Although I did bring the utensils and plates, I wanted to walk to feel better after eating a lot. Because Seth cooked the food and Leslie washed the dishes after our breakfast and lunch, they stayed, too.

Mary, who had visited this place before, led the way to the store for the lanterns. The lines were long, so we waited. When we returned to light the lanterns, someone not from our group was beside Seth. He gave her a small smile and said something. Ann and Leslie saw us coming; the latter shoves the girl away. She turned around to see the most dangerous eyes she has ever seen in her entire life.

“Sorry.” She came back to where she was from.

I threw her one last glance. I handed the lantern to Seth. “That’s the third girl within two days,” I muttered under my gritted teeth. “Why was that girl here?”

“She was asking for my number.”

“So?”

“I told her she can have it from you.”

“Yesterday, in horseback riding, what did you talk with the girl?”

His shoulders tensed. “She was asking for my number, too.”

“What did you say?”

“I told her I lost my phone.”

I messed his hair. “You are good at that, but you disappointed me in the first girl.”

“Who? Zia?”

“Yes. She didn’t know her limits.” I groaned, clenching my fist while my eyes pierced the fire pit. I looked at Seth again. “And her name sounds like mine. I don’t want to be called Seah again.”

He held my hand and brushed his thumb on my skin. “Then how should I call you?”

I stared deep into his eyes. “Call me yours.”

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