Her Memories

CHAPTER 7. Knowing more

Joaquin brought Asia to an art museum, where a lot of beautiful paintings are displayed. She is not really a fan of paintings but looking at them made her feel so amazed. She thought that each of the paintings wanted to say something to the audience, like touching your heart.

"Why did you bring me here?" She asked.

"Don't you like paintings?" He asked, smiling.

"The truth is, all of them look so wonderful. It's just that it's hard for me to understand them." Asia honestly said, but he only chuckles and said,

"I like your honesty, but you don't have to push yourself to understand them because your heart will do the understanding for you." He explained.

When he said that, he suddenly became visible to Asia like slowly she started to familiarize him, the true Joaquin.

"I want to know more about you." Joaquin suddenly said while looking straight at her eyes, smiling.

"What?" Asia asked, confused.

"Do you have anything that you wanted to share?" He asked again.

They are currently seated together on a bench along the hallway of the museum.

"Hmmm???" She hummed, looking up, thinking of something to tell.

"I love sweets?"

"I already know that." He said and chuckled softly.

"Hmm, okay, why don't you ask, and then I'll answer," Asia suggested.

"Okay, I don't want to ask about your personality or your likes because I want to know them myself. How about something about your family? Your parents?" He asked seriously.

Asia sit up straight, getting ready to tell a story,

"Okay, are you up for a long story?" She asked first before going on.

"I don't mind." He also answered with a smile that is being glued to his face.

"Alright, so my mom died when I was seven in a car accident." She started.

"I'm sorry about that." He responded with sympathy.

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault," Asia said, smiling.

"My dad raised me alone for many years. He gave everything to me and still keeps on trying hard to provide everything I need. He said that he wants my mom to be proud of him. I remember one time when I asked him why he doesn't try to find someone to be with, and then he answered that it's just hard to find someone else because he always sees mom in me and that he feels like he is cheating on her if he does." Asia dreamily telling him her story, and he chuckles and says,

"So, you look like your mom?" He asked.

"Yes! Look." Asia gets her phone out and shows him her mother's photo.

"You're right. You really look like your mom, beautiful." He commented while keeping his eyes on the photo.

"I know," Asia proudly said while Joaquin just chuckles, handing back her phone.

"Don't tell me you left your father because of that reason?" He inquired.

"No, I am not going to leave him ever. It's just that after my mom died, our house became so lonely. My father always goes out of town, leaving me alone in a big lonely house. That's why I will rather be alone in a small one." Joaquin just nodded about her reason.

"What about you? Your parents?" Asia returned the question.

"Well, maybe they are not just destined for each other." He started.

Asia didn't say anything yet and was waiting for him to continue his story. He chuckled first and continue,

"Their marriage got terminated, I was really close to my dad, and I want my mom to always be at my side, but when they got separated, I didn't know how to divide myself to be with them both." He sadly said.

"I can feel that it's been hard for you, but you know what, there's always something that a child doesn't know about their parent's relationship. Let's just pray for their happiness and peace of mind." Asia told him, smiling, hoping he would feel better.

"You are beautiful." He suddenly said, looking at her intently.

She felt her cheeks heating up again, and so she abruptly cupped her face with her hands while Joaquin laughed softly at her.

"Yes, happiness, I bet they're happy, now that they have their own lives with their new lovers." He bitterly said.

"Aren't you happy for them?"

"Honestly, I don't know. Every time I think about it, I suddenly just thought about myself being alone," Joaquin mumbled with a forced smile.

"Don't say that," Asia said and reach out for his hand and hold it.

"Look, I'm here, with you. You will never be alone." She added.

He holds her hand as well and slightly squeezes it.

"You mean, you're staying with me forever?" He asked.

"Yes, we're brother and sister, remember?"

"Oh!" He was stunned.

"Yes, and from this moment on, you can always count on me, brother," Asia said and lightly tapped his shoulder, and he just softly chuckled.

"Thank you, and you always got my back as well," Joaquin said while also tapping the top of her head gently.

They spent almost an hour in the museum strolling around until they decided to go.

Joaquin drive Asia back to her apartment,

"Can you wait for me for a while?" Asia asked when they arrived and stopped in front of her apartment.

"Sure, but why?"

"Just wait," she said and quickly went inside her apartment.

After a few seconds, she returned with his hoodies.

"Here, thank you so much for these. I tried giving back the first one at school, but you're being stubborn all day, so I didn't get the chance to." She explained.

"You can just keep it anyway," He said, smiling.

"Well, I thought of that actually and planned to collect them, but it sounds so perverted, just so you know," Asia informed him, shrugging her shoulders, and Joaquin just laughed softly at her silliness.

"Okay, so, have you learned your lesson, my dear sister?" He asked, mocking her.

"Stop it. You're making me feel embarrassed."

"Don't worry, we are going to have a lot of adventures so you will never get bored again, and no need for you to go there, ever." He announced.

"Adventures?" Asia asked, confused.

"Yes, you and me and also Lily."

"Why am I having this feeling that it's you who is bored? And you are just making me your excuse?" Asia brought the statement back, raising an eyebrow at him, but he just laughed softly.

"Anyway, don't worry, I've learned my lessons. That is why I need to learn some martial arts to defend myself, and when I see that villain again, I'll make sure to break all of his bones one by one." Asia said, fisting her hand on the air dramatically.

"Really now?" Joaquin said with his mocking face, looking at her.

"You know what? It's getting dark already. I think it's time for you to go home." Asia stopped him.

"Alright, see you later." He said, then he leaned forward and kissed Asia on the cheek before getting back inside the car.

She was left dumbfounded by his action and just watched him leave.