What if?

Chapter 59: Hot Soup in a Rainy Weather

Nick

We are now inside the car and the driver is already driving home. “Michael, are you okay?” I asked after noticing that he was turning red. He might have gotten sick because of the rain. But I clearly remember that he had an umbrella when he was running our way a while ago. “Maybe he is just sick.” I said to myself. “Eh?! ME? I am not sick.” Michael said while pointing to himself as if he was confused. If he is not feeling well he might have felt it already but why does he look so red? “You look red are you somehow not feeling well?” I asked Michael again. “I am okay. I am not sick, believe me.” Michael said while turning his head left and right disagreeing with what I am saying.

“I guess he is really okay.” I said to myself. “Janice, can you check Michael’s temperature?” I asked Janice. “Okay.” Janice said to me. She then looked for the first aid kit. We also have it inside the car. “Oh here. Come Michael, let me check your temperature.” Janice said to Michael. Michael moved himself closer to Janice so she could check his temperature. Before Janice checked his temperature, I saw him breathing in and out. “Your temperature is good.” Janice said to Michael. “Thanks Janice.” I said to Janice as soon as I heard what she said. 

Michael turned back to his normal color. “Oh! You don’t look red now.” I said to Michael after noticing it. “I told you.” Michael said to me. “This is a good thing though.” I replied to Michael. “Nick, Janice, do you want to eat something hot now? The weather is so good to eat hot soup.” Michael said all of a sudden. Seems like he is really having a nice time. I thought he wanted to go home early a while ago and now he is changing his mind. “Are you thinking of eating at a restaurant?” Janice asked Michael. Janice still doesn't get it. “Hmm… exactly!” Michael said cheerfully. “Wow! That would be great. Okay!” Janice replied to Michael. 

They are excited now. I think it would be really great to eat hot soup outside though. “Where are we going to eat?” I asked Michael. “Let’s see where our driver will take us.” Michael said to the driver. “Okay, let me see then.” The driver replied while smiling. Michael must pay for the food then. I think he has the money though, besides, he has a money card so he can just use that to pay for our food today. 

After 3 minutes the driver stopped the car. “Is this the place already?” Janice asked the driver while looking at the window. You can see the name already from outside because it is so big. There are also a lot of people inside eating. I think this restaurant is popular because a lot of people are inside.” This is the place. You are correct.” The driver said to Janice. 

We went outside one by one and one. Janice went out first, then Michael and me. Michael waited for me to come down the car and shared his umbrella with me. “Thanks!” I said to Michael as soon as I got out of the car. We then entered the restaurant. “Let’s look for a place to sit first.” Janice said to us then we looked for a free table. “There!” I said to Janice while pointing at the empty table by the window. “Okay, you two go there first and we will order the food.” Janice said to us while extending her hand to Michael. I think she is doing that to tell Michael to give her the money card. As soon as Michael saw Janice’s hand he gave her his money card. He gets what it means. 

He was the one who wanted to eat somewhere outside all of a sudden so he must pay for the bills. Luckily he has his own money card. I don’t have one and I don’t need it though. Besides, what else do I have to spend? Michael, mom and dad buy things for me so I don’t need it. I could even eat properly back then, now I get to eat everything I want so there is basically something more that I want to have. I just feel like everything is provided to me. 

After Michael gave Janice his money card, we immediately walked to the table that I pointed at a while ago. As soon as we arrived at the table, we sat on the chairs. Michael and I are beside each other while we reserve the seats in front of us for Janice and the driver. “The driver seems to know a lot of places.” I said to Michael while looking at him. I really wonder about this a lot. “Hmm… I think mom and dad hired him because he is a street person who used to be a part time driver. Dad once got lost and he was the driver. Dad could not remember where he had to go and the driver asked him the name of the building and the driver was able to drive him there. Dad also mentioned that he liked the way he drives so he told mom about him and fast forward, he was hired to be the families driver until now.” Michael explained the story behind to me. 

Whaa! He might really be something. Dad trusted him and now he is part of the family. “By the way, I really want to ask why he is only called the driver?” I asked Michael. I have been wanting to ask this question but I find it weird to ask. “You must have been really curious right?” Michael teased me while pinching my nose. “Of course! Who would not? Everyone has a name, why is he being called like that?” I asked Michael again. 

“Hmm… Okay I will tell you so listen carefully and never ask this again.” Michael said to me while still pinching my nose. “Ouch! Yeah, and stop pinching my nose.” I said and he stopped pinching my nose. “He is called like that because that is what he requested to be called. He said that he is really grateful of what the whole family did to him and he wanted to change his name into THE DRIVER or DRIVER because that is to make him remember that it was the reason why he got in the family in the first place. Weird right? I don’t also get it but we have to obey what he wants and he has been really helpful.” Michael explained everything to me.

“I see. I think I get him.” I said to Michael. I totally get him. He wants to let himself remember every time he is called like it because it was the start of his new beginning. “I know… and… let us stop talking about this now because they are coming. Don’t tell them I told you and just act you know nothing.” Michael said to me. “The driver must really want to change himself as a new person just like what I wanted to be after I got into this family.” I said to myself. 

“Hey, they are here… act normal.” Michael said to me. I sat on my chair well and prepared myself to act normally. “Michael, this soup smells well.” Janice said as soon as she put the soup on the table. “Hmmmph… this really smells good.” Michael said after placing his nose near the bowl. Even without moving myself near it and just sitting properly, you can definitely smell how good it is. “Grrrrrllll…” My stomach suddenly sounded. “Sorry.” I said in a shy voice. “HAHAHA!” Michael, the driver and Janice laughed after hearing the sound of my stomach. “Let us start eating then.” Janice said to all of us. “Wait! Michael, your card.” Janice said to Michael as she handed the car to Michael. “Thank you!” We all turned to Michael and said. “Your welcome, eat well!” Michael shouted. 

All of us started to eat the soup. “Whaa!! This is really good.” I said after my first spoon. It just doesn't smell good, it is also so good after eating. Some food just smells good but when you taste it, it is not like what you smelled like. You know, fake. “We need to buy some for Maria, Theresa and Leonora too. So they can eat this.” Michael said to us while eating. Michael is no wonder a good person.