Reaping Me Softly

Chapter 23 - The Life Options

How can love felt so right but somehow, felt wrong? Why do lovers meet in the right place but at the wrong time? No matter how deep they are in love with each other, if it was not their time, perhaps it won’t work. 

Lia was still young to see love worth fighting for. It would cost her a future. Her connection to education and a better life will be put at risk because of loving someone else. Love is just something one does not expect to come, like how she didn’t expect Simeon to appear in her life. 

Like death, it is inevitable. 

Clearly, she was afraid and antsy. It was difficult to balance both her mind and heart’s needs. Obviously, the brain will always be the one who contradicts what the heart desires. It stays practical... While the heart chooses to love and passion. 

What would be her life feels like if she chooses to love? 

Undoubtedly, it would fill the gap in her heart. The love and care, all happy moments with her lover... She will experience those feelings her parents forbid her to. 

She only has two options; a life full of love or a life where she has everything but was deprived to love and to be feel loved?

“If every wish could be answered, what do you think would the world be like?” Lia asked randomly. 

Simeon looked at her jumbled for a second. But then he smiled before answering. 

“Chaos...” he replied shortly. 

For that, Lia laid on her side to face Simeon. They were about to sleep together on her bed but their eyes can’t just close themselves. They have been talking random things for almost an hour, hoping the z’s will visit them. 

Yet they are still wide awake, staring at her false white ceiling and now facing each other for another round of random questions. 

“Why?” she grill. She put her arm underneath her head. 

He turned his body to confront her as he sneaked his arm behind her, running her fingers to her clothed back. 

“There were only two types of people on Earth; the evil and the good one. The selfish and the selfless type of people,” he started. “If every wish could be answered, the greedy one will be needier, and somehow, they would even try to take the rights of the individual to make a wish. The good... People have needs, Lia. If their foundation was not strong enough to stay on the right, they will probably get dazzled by things greedy people have corrupted.” 

“But what if it’s the greed one who will change the path?”

Her question made her brows knotted. She immediately raised her free hand to straightened it. His face turned soft afterward.

“Baby, no one will if you’re given the chance to wish what you wanted. They will be more greedy and that’s something good people can’t change.”

“They are capable of changing though,” she defended. “You’re depriving them the chance to make a change, Simeon.”

“I was stating facts,” he fought. “Let’s say you’re a bad girl. If you’re given a chance to make three wishes, what would it be?”   

“My freedom, financial stability—“ 

“Babe, that’s something greed people won’t wish...” He cut her off. “They want more than that.”

“Like what?” 

“Immortality...” he trailed off. “They want that, baby. A long-lasting life to take over the world. They wanted to rule the human race...”

Lia stared at him intently. He looked serious, even his voice was deep she thought she would get drown. Raising her hand, she traces his face with her fingers, still staring straightly into his eyes. Now she felt confused... How can this man be in love with her so much? Is there a beauty in herself she could not see that he can? 

"Even good people will want a longer life..."

"Do you want that?" she asked slowly. "Immortality. Maybe you might want to rule the human race," she jokingly said which made him frowned again. 

She chuckled and push herself to him, hugging him. "Don't frown, baby... You look ugly when you do that."

She settled her head above his chest. The feeling of warmth he's giving her sent her high. It was calming and she certainly loves the feeling of his body pressed against her. It was like a safe haven she was afraid to lose. 

Simeon gave her feelings she didn't imagine experiencing. She was beyond glad that he came... She felt human feeling these emotions. 

"Don't you really want to run?" she asked again. “We could find a job to sustain our studies. We’ll help each other achieve our goals without anyone’s help.” 

“That’s impossible, Lia. I can’t leave my family behind. We’ve been through a lot and currently facing problems with my sister, I can’t leave them.”

“Then, let me live with you...” she whispered weakly. “I’m just afraid, Simeon. What if my parents...”

“Shh. You’re thinking of that again.” 

He pulled from the hug and face her, tucking the stubborn hair behind her ear. 

Lia was not this desperate before. She couldn’t even believe that she’s telling him to leave everything behind for love. Certainly, between two life options, she’s choosing love over the better future that awaits for her in her parents' grasp. 

But what is life if there’s no love? What are those luxuries things for without happiness?

Empty.

She didn't mind living in blue before meeting Simeon. Now, everything has changed. 

"We should sleep, Lia. Don't tire yourself thinking about that, okay? Everything will be okay... We need to be patient as we do things slowly."

He kisses her forehead before embracing her again. 

She doesn't know how she slept that night. Maybe his warmth helped her to finally drift to sleep. 

When she woke up, Simeon was not on her side anymore. She relaxed and went to the bathroom to wash her face, fix her hair before going out of the room. Se could hear the noise coming from the kitchen and there, she saw him cooking. 

She leaned on the door and cross her arms, watching his back. He was not wearing a top, only jeans, and an apron so she could clearly see how the muscle on his back flex in every movement.

Gulping, she fakes a cough. Her heart was about to explode in her ribcage because of the luscious view. Also, she was feeling uneasy seeing someone naked.

She saw one before but it was in movies... Unlike now, Simeon in her kitchen cooking without wearing a top. Only apron...

He quickly turned his head in her direction and let out a wide smile.

“Good morning, baby!”

She squints her eyes. “Someone woke up on the right side of the bed.”

“Literally,” he chuckled and walked towards her holding a spatula. “And because I woke with the right woman beside me, hmm...”

Rolling her eyes, she smiled as Simeon pressed his lips on hers. It was a deep one that she had to sneak her arms around his nape to support herself from falling.

It was full of love... Her eyes opened when Simeon pulled out from the kiss.

“I’m cooking eggs,” he said.

“Good morning...” she greeted and took a peak on his lips before walking away, passing him by. “This is a lot, baby. We’re only two... And you cook for five people.”

He went back to cooking. “Just sit down and wait for the egg.”

“How about coffee? I’ll prepare it,” she offered.

She didn’t wait for his response. The two shared the love for coffee and for some reason, Simeon loves the taste of her creation. He loves the black one, while she liked it a bit sweet and creamy.

“What are your plans today?”

Today is Saturday. Clearly, she has none.

“I’ll have to go back home,” he answered truthfully. “I’ll be back in the afternoon, Lia. You’ll be alone here... Why don’t you go out? I’ll call Mallory to be with you.”

Her face crumpled upon hearing her name.

“Nope,” she said popping the p. “I rather stay here, Simeon. I’ll call if I find something suspicious.”

“Good,” he nodded before turning off the burner.

The two eat in silence. As Lia, she loves the silence... Peace.

When it was his time to leave, she spent her time cleaning the whole unit and laundry, too. She was even smiling as she folded Simeon’s shirt. There were few shirts hanging inside her cabinet as he usually comes wearing his uniform and it would be uncomfortable if he won’t change clothes.

When she’s done, she poured her attention into a writing journal, meditating, and reflecting. A lot happened for the past few days and she wanted to clear her mind. But then, it was interrupted by a phone call. 

She cussed... She tried to ignore it but it was nonstop. In the end, she stood up to fetch her call and bys seeing the name, her heart started to have a marathon. 

"Why are they calling?"

It was her parents and the way her heart thump, she knows the call brings nothing but bad news. The number, too... They are using their local number. 

Does that mean that they're back in the country? But it has been only eight days! She felt like crying thinking about it. If they're home, it would be the end of her happiness.