Something Beautiful

something changing 2

"You'd melt him."

Umi ignored James, she continued the stare-off with the child, Odi, who like her, hated to lose. They'd been like this for minutes now, blinking at each other. Although it was excusable for a child who was not ready to speak, eyeing Umi with his bright curious eyes, she could not say the same for herself.

She's not good at this. She's trying.

It has been just a week since she surrendered her solitude away, at least a part of it. And now, they're comfortable on the picnic mat at the park surrounded by screaming children, dogs running after frisbees and 'good boy' pats, and people. Lots and lots of people, who had a world of their own, and were probably oblivious to a girl who had little to no social skills.

A barking dog dashed behind them and Odi, at last, directed his sight at the big and fluffy canine.

I won. A smug grin stretched on Umi's lips as she clenched her fist in celebration.

"I saw that." James teased as she peeled a banana and handed it to the boy, who somehow caught the dog's attention and was now staring at him.

Umi cleared her throat and proceeded to people-watching. It was an hour or two before sundown and the sky was still clear.

Odi shied away from James who attempted to take him away from Umi's lap, and rejected the banana. He pointed at the sandwich in Umi's hand.

"You traitor." James gobbled the fruit, glaring at his younger brother. She suppressed a laugh as the boy leaned on her, eyeing James then grinned.

"Fine." He dumped the peel on their trash bag. "As long as she laughs, it's okay even if you're her favorite."

"You whine too much." Then she handed him another banana.

"Oh yeah?" He challenged the boy. "I'm her favorite too. What are you gonna do now, Curly?"

Odi was more interested in the dog wagging its tail at him than his older brother. In silence and short bickering between the siblings, mostly James, the picnic was peaceful. No loud giggles, no running around nor upsy-daisies for the preschooler. Umi read poems with the boy sleeping and waking up by her side while James listened to music and occasionally asked her random questions.

"If animals could talk, which would be the rudest?"

"I think 'waddle' is the cutest word, don't you think?"

"Should I write a book about elephants?"

Umi replied without looking away from the pages.

"I'm talking to him right now."

"No, it's 'quiet.'"

"Try baboons, or about the rudest animal I'm talking to."

Their dotted and random banter was cut when Odi tugged James' shirt for help. "Nature calls." James dashed with the child in his arms.

Finally, Umi closed her book. The life all around her fed her senses, but it could not fill the empty spaces beside her. She assumed that for one to have social skills, one must also develop the talents for people watching. Everyone was wrapped in their bubble. Yet she did not indulge herself in envy and look for what was lacking. She could not have what they have, nor could they have what she is trying to grow as well.

With the number and variety of people, her gaze stopped at the still figure farther, in contrast to the movement around her.

"Ethan."

There was a large distance between them, however, his gaze overcame so were his steps, until finally, they were only a few feet apart.

"What are you doing here?" She finally found the words.