We stood on the side of the road. I was in desperate need to know what I was doing or what I wanted to do. I have gained something; I need to encash it, and I have only seven days. How? The prime question that I am seeking an answer, in the middle of nowhere.
There were so many courses of events that were thrown at me on the spot in the past, and I had dealt with them with the same level of energy, without questioning myself. I never thought so much. When I made up my mind, that was it; I would overcome any hurdle without backing off. Eventually, success would be mine; it would be late, but it would always follow me.
This situation is different. This whole circumstance is different. I am on the spot, and I had the chance to avoid this entire thing. For the first time, I came out of muteness immediately after I was thrown on the bloody spot. How the hell is it fair? I can't plot anything. I can't think of any plan, as I suck in my personal life. I can't consider the positive or negative impacts because I must focus on the positive; thinking about the negative would ruin my entire life. The pressure is just too much, and I can't even open my mouth to complain. Everything from now on matters for the sake of my future. I should seal my mouth.
"I need a break from everything." I thought of the same thing. We needed a break, but for sure it would turn into a permanent one. I can't risk it. "I, I, just can't anymore. I need to get out of everything that's happening; that's too much to take." Ralph cast his head down; tears on the side eye were shimmering due to the sunlight. "What are we even bloody doing in the middle of nowhere?" That came louder by stretching his hand in question. I was a little terrified to repeat my notion. "Listen, he took a long breath, probably trying to control another outburst. I need to go home. I am done with everything. I want to sleep. I want to get away for a while. I need a fucking break from everything. Do you get that?" I hummed at that, scratching the beard that I had trimmed. I am giving him a break from everything, right? I mean, hypothetically speaking, he is taking a break from everything; the only thing is I am tagging along or making him tag along. What I am trying to say is that he is getting what he wants at the same time, and I am getting what I want. What's the actual problem when we are getting what we want? I dare to say these aloud.
I exaggeratedly outstretched my hands in the air. Like I was the victim, I went through the whole situation like Ralph did. Like, I am going through the pain, but I can't help it. When he keeps on asking the same thing, again and again. I am not going through less pain in him in a twisted way. I also want a bloody break from everything, but that doesn't include Ralph. I need answers. I know what I want, but I don't know why I am so hesitant. We need closure. We can't keep acting like immature people. We should get over things. We should overcome the past; at the same time, we need to take strong steps into the future. Breaking up, making up, and finding a chance—these things should be ended. Everything needed a break, and this is the right time to conclude things. It's now or never.
"We should get going." That was my strong step toward the future, with no plans. If looks could kill, I should have been buried deep down by this second, and I really want Ralph to tag along with me. Geez, I can be cliché. I have hit his bottom because he was raging, flaring through his nostrils. His gaze was making me squirm a little. Does he think I am going to change my mind? After prolonging so long, I have made up my mind, and here he is trying his best to change my mind. Not going to happen. No turning back.
I started walking, taking slow, hesitant steps, at the same time making sure whether Ralph was following me or not. I didn't hear any. I badly wanted to turn back and drag him along with me, but instead I took determined steps ahead. A smile stretched on my lips when I heard his footsteps. This is something new, a goofy smile that was playing on my face.
We started walking. Ralph was behind me, not trying to walk with me, and I wanted to pout at that so badly. "Where are we going?" I don't know whether to answer to annoy him or remain silent to irritate him more. Either option is bad, and I don't know which one to choose. I sighed, for the umpteenth time. I muted for a few seconds, and he started giving an impatient groan. "I don't know, and please stop asking." The answer only irritated him more. "You are making me tag along with you. How was I supposed to shut my mouth?" "We need this." That's all I can come up with now. Let him buy it or throw it; like I care. "You mean, you need this?" I huffed. "Whatever." Our journey has not even started, and I am already done with him.
We walked for a few miles, and there were lots of curses along with groans coming from Ralph. If we continue this, he will explode anytime, so I stopped. Ralph was breathing harder; he should have hit the gym now and then rather than crawling always. I once again held my tongue wisely. I started observing where we were: in the middle of nowhere, just the touch that I needed at present. Before, so many times, I plotted kidnapping Ralph and caging him forever, but my career stood out immediately, so I had to brush the idea aside without even giving it a second thought. Now, if I wanted to execute it, this would be the perfect spot, if only I could dare like my teenage years. I feel old already, and I have not reached my 30s.
What the hell am I even thinking in the middle of nowhere? This would have been an ideal idea when Ralph would have opposed me, but he is damn following me. I am the one lucky bastard, and at the same time, I am not.
I turned right and left to check if any vehicles were passing, but to my luck, none were. Just my luck. I didn't have enough courage to face Ralph, who would be fuming, so once again, I started walking. The whole way, we didn't utter a word; thank god, I really felt at peace. Ralph is a good companion when he is not this furious and resentful toward me. Now, his questions will only check my sanity, as my answers only boost whatever he was carrying. I inwardly chuckled at the situation we were in, with no destination, but I didn't feel like I was lost, and I hope Ralph didn't either.
I heard a heavy vehicle sound behind, so I turned around and spotted a red truck coming. Thank god, something out of nowhere. I stretched my hand, indicating a lift, and Ralph was not pleased with the idea. Thank God, it stopped in front of us. The driver was in his mid-50s and rolled the window. "Can you give us a ride, please?" I was so polite, even I was in shock. "I will charge." I eyed him suspiciously about the charges that he was implying and concluded he was asking for money. This journey is going to suck more than I thought. I still maintained my politeness and answered. "We don't have money; please, a few kilometers' ride would be very helpful for us." I heard a cough behind me, and I held myself from snapping at him. I really tried to squint my eyes so I would look cuter. "Please." The guy eyed me and Ralph, who was crossing his arms without a care in the world. "Where are you guys going? If it's on my way, I will give you a ride to your place." I sighed at the question, and a snort could be heard from behind. "Right, where are we going? So, the guy could drop off at our destination." I wanted to turn and glare at him, but I held back as the guy was expecting my reply. "Can you drop us off at the next petrol bunk?" "Of course, jump in." By thanking everyone, I dragged Ralph over his protest.
I sat in the front, and Ralph was in the back seat. I introduce myself along with Ralph. The guy, John, started digging about us, and I promptly lied with no hesitation for his every question. After a few minutes, unwrapping, a crunching sound started coming from behind. We both turned around. Ralph was munching on something eagerly. He didn't even ask permission from the guy. John chuckled at that. "Grab those; I don't mind. I bet you both are starving." Reluctantly, Ralph threw a packet at me, which I caught before it hit my face.
John drove us a few miles, talking about anything and everything, and I was nodding just to make sure to him that I was listening. We got off at some point by thanking and bidding goodbye to John.
It was evening when we got down, and the cool air started hitting us. The atmosphere was blissful, and our journey continued without interruption. After a few miles, once again I could hear whining, and I groaned at that. "I am tired." Here we go once again with his ranting. "I haven't eaten anything since morning, and I am damn hungry." I turned toward him with a glare. "You literally snatched back whatever you threw at my face." He was giving a disbelieving look. "It was bloody chips." "You had like five packets; you can sustain for a while." "Are you kidding me? "Do you think I am kidding with you?" "I don't know. I swear you are. I want damn proper food at this instant." "Yes, princess, hold on for a while." "Don't call me that. I am hungry, and I may die at any second. Wow, he is overacting. "No one will die if they skip food for a day." "I may." "No, you won't." "Yes, I will." This went on for a while until it was dark, and he started getting more on my nerves.
I don't know where we were, but I was certain we trespassed on some property. It looked like some ranch, and it was damn wide. We came across a fence surrounding the area, and I concluded we had trespassed, and right now I really don't care. Ralph lazily walked beside me, hitting the stones wherever he saw them. I can detect his angry state, and I can't do anything to ease the tension; my mind is damn clouded.
"I am hungry." He whined, dragging the sentence. "Where the hell are we going?" Oh, for love of God, I can't take this anymore. "You will survive with the packet of chips that you have hidden in your pockets." He wasn't surprised by my statement. "No, I won't. I need damn food for surviving." I huffed. "Princess, will you stop complaining for a while? I really need to think and come up with something." He glared at me. Come on, when he turned into a whiny bitch all of a sudden. This is not the Ralph I had known; he was a good guy, adjusting to every situation. "You want to think now, in the middle of nowhere. I bet we are trespassing, too.""Well, pardon me, I didn't get the damn time to think and to come up with something." "Well, it looks like it's not my problem, but you made sure I am included." "Well, we need this." "Stop saying that." "Stop whining and complaining about everything." "Well, I am not fucking used to this, got it. You literally threw us on the road with no money, and I fucking led a luxury life." He was whimpering with fury. For the first time, I was a little shaken in front of Ralph. Please note down, this has never happened before. What's going on? This was not the journey that I anticipated, at least predicted from afar. I cleared my throat to make sure I am not rude and sound too soft for my sake. "Princess, he glared harder, and I swallowed. I really hate to witness this side of him, and I don't want to bring this side of Ralph out in any coming days. "Shall we please focus on our journey? Please adjust for the night, and I will make sure to throw something to that stomach of yours." Oh crap, can't I behave for a minute? He took a threatening step toward me. "Come again." I took an immediate step backwards. "Please, this one night. I don't want any of those chip packets. I promise." "Like I am planning to share any with you." I swear I never came across this side of Ralph; this journey is introducing too many new things about him. I wanted to give some sarcastic comment, but I couldn't find any. "Ok, I don't mind, and try not to whine anymore for the night." I wanted to yell that I need a break for the night, but I slashed out immediately. He sighed, tapping his right foot furiously, and my eyes were stuck on it for no reason.
"We should start walking." That came too slowly with a pleading voice. "You are the boss; please lead the way." "Yes, Princess." I just couldn't stop; before I took any step, my butt was on the ground. I groaned on the hard fall.
The ranch was very wide. After moving for a few minutes, we found a house that was in the middle of the ranch. It wasn't big like a mansion, just one storage building, not too shiny, an old country home. I surveyed the surroundings, and there were a few animal shelters. There was a horse barn, hens, cows, and goats. There are a few other things I couldn't see, as it was dark. There was no light in the house; the owner or caretaker might have slept. It was late at night, and of course, he had slept.
"What now?" By stretching his hands, Ralph questioned. "Will sleep in the barn and leave very early in the morning." He was taken aback. "Are you crazy? Let's knock on the damn door and politely ask whether we could stay for the night." "Are you gone mad? It's the middle of the night; if we knock, he will think we are some burglars or something. Either he will end up calling cops on us or use his damn gun, or he will throw us from his property." He pondered for a minute. "No, we should knock. We already trespassed; we can't enter his barn without permission." "If the guy is worse or short-tempered, he may shoot without questioning. I am not taking the risk. Trust me, we will sleep and will leave the barn without making a sound and before he wakes up. I am going to make sure of it." "Still," Before he could complete the sentence, I dragged him to the barn.
The door was heavy, and we tried our best not to make any sound. It was huge; there were at least 10 to 12 horses, and I couldn't take my eyes off Ralph's face. He was too excited. He started making his way to check the horses. I don't know whether it was a good idea. They make violent noises if they see unknown faces, right? My protest would never stop him. Ralph started making his way toward them. There was a glee in his eyes when he was approaching every horse, and I was suppressing my yawn. His tiredness vanished, I guess, which is a good sign, but with the time he is taking to check every horse, in no time, it will be morning, and we will give an invitation to the owner of the ranch; in no time, we will be in prison for trespassing. This is a huge deal to me, at least.
I dragged Ralph back with so much politeness, but the whole time, he didn't stop throwing his tantrums. I sighed when we reached the dry grass, which was our bed for the night. "We need to rest for the night; in no time it will be morning." He was searching for something. "Where?" Right, princess. I wanted to show him the place where we were going to sleep, but my hand shook a little. I muster up some courage that was left and point him toward the grass. "Please don't tell me. No, over my dead body." This is it; I am losing it. I gritted my teeth. "Please for the night." "Like, tomorrow I will sleep on my damn bed." I wanted to roll my eyes at his princely behaviour. "Please, will you just comply with me for once? We are tired, we need energy, and we need to sleep before the sun starts showing up. Please, come on." I have never pleaded this much in my life. This is bloody exhausting. "Fine." He grunted.
Immediately, I fell on the grass with a sigh, and Ralph was taking his own damn time. "Common." By patting the place beside me, I urged him. He was beside me, with his annoyance. I wanted to close at this second. I was tired and hungry, and I needed sleep, but that was the case with my mate. He started making an irritating noise and moving too much beside me. Oh god, this night is not going to end. "I can't; so many things are itching my back." I sighed in exhaustion. "Just close your eyes; sleep will take over, please." I never used the last word so many times. "I would have wrapped my arm." "And I would have kicked you." "Right, just go." I couldn't talk anymore. I was losing my battle; I don't know whether to Ralph or to my sleep.
He should be easy-peasy, right?