“Hey!” A cute girl wearing a pink dress with a matching pink doll shoes waved at his face. He eyed her starting from her head to her toes.
“All pink. I'm guessing that's your favorite color?” his lips formed a small smile as he finished his sentence. He was waiting for her response but her eyes are still glued on him.
“You're cute.” her eyes gleamed with joy as she complimented him.
He burst into laughter as he finds her adorable. This is the first time someone strikes a conversation with him. He doesn't have any friends. Most of the kids around her neighborhood bully him. And he didn't gave them his attention either. For a child that young, matters like bullying is not new to him. And trying to fight back to children who wouldn't even understand what he was going to say would be a waste of time for him. It's always that lousy rebuttal from them that he doesn't want to even continue entertaining...
“What are you thinking?” He was brought back to reality the moment he heard her.
“Don't worry I remember something that is not so important.” He heard her chuckled.
“Can I ask you something?” she said.
“Sure, you can.”
“Do you have friends?”
“I don't have any.”
“Why?” She looked at him, eyes filled with curiosity.
“Because I don't need one. I can live life without associating myself with anyone.” He blandly told her straight away.
“No man is an island you know. You still need to acquaint yourself with people. Life will be boring without some socialization.” She was confident with her reason. In the hopes to change his mind.
“And what? You're going to be a social butterfly. Trying to fit yourself into connections that bring you no good. Being friends with people who wish you ill?”
“Here.” She handed him a bar of chocolate.
“What am I going to do with this?” He move his hands and swayed the chocolate bar in an undulating motion.
“Eat it of course. You stupid.” She rolled her eyes at him.
“But I am not a fan of chocolate. I don't like foods that has the element of a sweet tasting carbohydrates that are exemplified with glucose and sucrose.”
“I take back what I have just said. Because I like the way you formed your speech. You sounded so intelligent.”
“Thank you for the compliment. By the way, can I ask for your name?”
She stopped and acted like she's giving it a second thought.
“Don't tell me you're not willing to share your name?”
“I'm kidding, alright? Lessen your seriousness, please.”
“Well, I'll start. I'm Ajax Galen Sullivan. I'm already seven years old. My favorite color is blue and I hate the color red. It's unpleasant for my eyes as I can't stand looking at it. I love sushi, and anything that is related to Japan. I love lilies. And I am allergic to roses. I prefer books over games. You're not gonna grow and level up your knowledge if you're into gaming. There are so many things that I hate and will probably be still here in the open until 11:00 pm because it'll take me hours to elaborate all of it.”
“I can say that you're not really much of a talker, Ajax.” She marked with sarcasm. She looked at him straight in the eyes. And is preparing herself for her verbal answer towards him. She took a deep breath and starts to talk about herself.
“I am Sigrid Azaiah Macaluso. I am in the same age as yours, although you looked older than me.” Ajax scoffed at her because of her comment.
“I love red. I love it so so much. And you're wrong. My favorite color is not pink, okay? My clothes are almost always in pink because my mom loves to choose that. She said that a princess must wear pink. Because she said it adds up to the qualities of having delicacy and prettiness to the appearance of a female. I love Japan, too. But my love for Paris is greater compared to any other country in the world. I plan of going there, someday. I love home cooked dishes especially the ones made by my mom. She's a great cook. Whatever she cooks always taste delicious. I am not allergic to any kind of flowers. I like all kinds of flowers out there but my favorite is roses. We have a huge garden in front of our house that id filled with red and pink roses. I am seeing it almost everyday that's why grew up loving them. My mom and grandmother loves roses, too. And I'm glad we are sharing the love for a specific living thing. I am into reading books, too. But I also love video games. It's fun and I am telling you it's not too late to start engaging yourself to it. And pardon me for what I am going to do right now.” she grabbed the chocolate bar on Ajax's hand and decided to open the thing herself.
“Here. I opened this so you can try it for yourself.” She handed it over to Ajax.
“But I already told you that I'm not fond of eating sweets.”
“Nothing will happen if you'll try eating one, Ajax. Want me to feed you?” She teased him.
“No way. I am not a baby.” separate a piece of chocolate and put it in his mouth. He waited until it's tender and liquefied enough for him to swallow before proceeding to finish his statement.
“Done. Are you now satisfied?” He emphasized.
“Well done, Ajax.” She clapped happily with her hands, move closely to him and patted his head.
He was taken aback by what she did. He never ever received a pat on the head by neither of his parents. He was always envious by the kids he saw. The ones that are receiving the fondness and attention of their parents through which he knew he couldn't experienced. His parents didn't care about him. They only care about how to grow their finances and continue buying assets to stay being rich. They love giving him presents but always forget to celebrate the important events with him. His parents are always missing to every single occasion and his silliness to endure their action without any complaints is something that he wished he could've stop from doing any further. He is being susceptible to being emotional again. And he doesn't like it. For him showing vulnerability and pain towards things that hurt him is a sign of weakness. He doesn't like being vulnerable...
Flashback
“Crying is a state of lacking strength, Galen. It is an instability to the strong foundations of your mind, my son. A man shouldn't cry nor show any kind of frailty. A man must exhibit his masculinity, his robustness. Control and master your emotion, Ajax. By doing so, will only make you even more powerful. That no one can ever try to bring you down.” His father spoke with a demanding yet careful tone. Speaking sincerely with a full hearted manner.
Back To The Present
“Ajax... Are you okay?” Azaiah looked at Galen worriedly.
“I-I am fine. I just remember something.” He tried to sound that he is okay even though he is totally not okay with what he had just remembered.
“Alright. When Ajax says that he is fine, he is indeed fine.” Azaiah smiled at him enthusiastically.
“By the way, you lived here too?” Galen curiously asked.
“No, I'm from the other block. Awe- are you sad that we're not living close to each other, Ajax? Don't you worry. I'll meet you here everyday, so you can see my pretty face.”
Galen scoffed at Azaiah's comment. But ended up smiling at her. He made a friend. Although it could've been with a boy but a girl is fine. He doesn't have any experience having friends with anyone. Who is he to complain to the opportunity presented to him, anyway?
“So-you wanna be friends with me, Galen?”
“Yes.”
Azaiah offered her hand for a handshake which Galen immediately accepted.
“Friends?”
“Friends. We're now officially friends, Azaiah.”