Dating Mate

A week of intensive treatment from Doctor Charlotte and alternating with Doctor Esther made Lavelle recover quickly, even though the soft bone tissue in her wrist still had to be supported by a plaster cast, she was able to walk in the garden enjoying the fresh morning air, enjoying the smell of fresh coffee being processed in a building located three kilometers from the royal gardens—Theophile said that a few days after the decline in food and clothing at Neo Greenpeace as well as the emergence of newcomers from Purple Town they agreed to form a coalition for their welfare.

Yonathan also suggested that Theophile should start to build some additional infrastructure such as a school, a playground and a book center because they have to develop their people’s reading interest in order for their city to develop. Presenting several new job vacancies to newcomers and further smoothing developments in other fields. Johnny also added that they need good teaching staff who are really trained in their fields.

“Lavelle! Come over here!” A very familiar voice sounded in Lavelle’s ears, causing Lavelle to immediately turn her head.

From a distance Theophile came carrying a yellow bicycle with a basket in front of it, a little confused as to why Theophile had brought the bicycle over to Lavelle who was near the bird’s-drinking water.

“Would you like to come with me?” asked Theophile as she smiled a meaningful smile.

“Where to?” asked Lavelle to be sure.

“I don’t know, I just wanted to take you for a walk around here. Are you interested?”

“But, are you sure you want to go for a walk on this bike?”

Theophile was laughing. “Why not? Isn’t it rare for leaders to go around on bicycles?”

“That’s right, I’ve never seen the leader go around on a bicycle let alone on foot,” Lavelle replied.

“Come on, quickly get on my piggyback. How about we go around and go to the new factories?” Theophile suggested.

Lavelle was still a little afraid to get on the bicycle ridden by Theophile but, a moment later Theophile grabbed Lavelle’s hand and guided her to get on the seat. Lavelle just nodded and got on quickly—without waiting for long Theophile immediately pedaled their bicycle towards a new road that was about to open with a welcome from the City Leader and the respected Elder.

Shortly after pedaling out of the royal arena, Theophile turned the steering wheel to the right towards a shopping center in the city, a few days ago Wynsley and Juno had brought Lavelle some cute knick-knacks from there.

“I really like the smell of the air around here,” Theophile said.

“What?”

The wind was so strong that Lavelle didn’t hear Theophile’s words at that time however, Lavelle only tightened her grip on Theophile’s waist, almost even tightly as if she was afraid that she would fall and get hurt again.

“I really like to cycle and enjoy the cool air around the kingdom.” Theophile slowed down as he approached the shopping center. “Back when I was a teenager, every afternoon I rode my bicycle. Taking Mark to the pier while enjoying the sunset on the western horizon.”

“You’re so lucky to have such a comfortable life,” Lavelle mumbled and then tightened her grip on Theophile's waist—so that the hoddie looked really wrinkled.

Silently Theophile smiled faintly, placing his left hand on Lavelle’s grip. “Sometimes life is cruel, even crueler than an executioner in the black valley. I know you went through quite a difficult process so far, believe in yourself… you can and surely you can get through it all, you have arrived here… I will also accompany you through it all.”

“Theo...”

“I wish I was the one who could get rid of those bad memories and replace them with the most beautiful memories.”

“Theo, please don’t go. Even if you only exist in my illusion.”

For some reason Lavelle’s words made the rhythm of Theophile’s pedaling slow down even more when Lavelle dropped her head on his back.

Theophile smiled faintly. “I won’t do it, ever.”

“How am I supposed to know you’re making a promise?”

“Sooner or later, things will become clear, Lavelle. I will prove it sooner or later.”

***

Sandalwood trunks, oriental ornaments typical of the forest hang everywhere, shell hangers with beautifully carved stones also hang scattered everywhere, in every shop. Good food is served everywhere from the gate to the end of the shopping center.

Theophile seemed very eager to go around and mingle with his people, even occasionally he even asked some of the merchant’s children who were accidentally seen studying while selling—as well as Lavelle who seemed happy even though she was insignificant in her hometown she was very important here, when all eyes looked at her very decently even still impressed to be able to humanize a human being.

It was a very difficult feeling for an annoying woman like Lavelle to feel, she was so grateful she didn’t die throwing herself into the river back then—it still meant so much here.

Theophile handed her a fresh sunflower, then asked her to take a photo with it to print it but Lavelle refused because she wasn’t used to taking photos—plus she was very ashamed of herself at the time.

“Don’t be like that, believe in my words that you are like any other normal human being.”

“I don’t know why I think you’re boasting, Theo. Even without you saying it I can already reflect on what my situation is like.”

“If you think I’m bragging, how about we take a picture together? Come on?” Theophile smiled but, still Lavelle didn’t respond. Instead, she turned her gaze to a cupboard filled with bottles of oil with sunflower stickers.

“What is that?”

Theophile followed Lavelle’s eyes which were staring at a display case. “Oh, it’s sunflower seed oil, we use it as an oil substitute… actually sunflower seeds are very beneficial for our health. Do you want to give it a try?”

“Then, what is packed in that rattan basket?” Lavelle asked showing a basket woven from rattan.

“Hm… it’s Mangwol.”

“Mangwol? What it is?”

“A mixture of several herbs that can be cooked like seaweed,” replied Theophile.

Shortly after their conversation was over, there was a middle-aged woman holding her baby child and then pushing a cart filled with knick-knacks made of natural pearls.

The middle-aged woman was about to offer her wares to Theophile and Lavelle with some hesitation.

“Mr, Mrs, if you are interested in buying these trinkets… I’ll give you the lowest price and please take some stuff. I need a little money to buy food. I am an illegal resident from the other side of town.”

Lavelle pointed at one of the bracelets on the middle-aged woman’s wagon then quickly glanced at Theophile. “The colors and shapes are cute.”

“That’s right, do you want it?”

“Just buy them all and we share them with some other people? Or I can give it to my mother and my sister,” Lavelle said.

“Whatever you want I will give you.”