Chapter 6 Responsible

"From SONG AN. I received a call to come pickup a lady..."

The minute she heard that, her countenance brightened up and enthusiastically she replied

"Did you tell her to stay put and not leave the phone booth or the park!"

"Yes I said that, but she didn't get to lis... [Paused] wait are you?"

Mara nodded her head immediately, giving him a positive response as to say yes to his incomplete question, but he was rather angry than excited when she nodded,

"Damn, you should have waited in the park!"

He continued talking as he started the car engines and drove out of the park.

"...I told you to wait because I know Tx. An Khê very well, never a good place at twilight." Though he was angry, the tune at which he talked to her was rather friendly than violent. However, Mara being quick in understanding him, felt sorry for disobeying

"Am sorry!"

"It's okay, don't be. Just do as I say and we will both get along well."

"Alright Sir" she replied.

When he noticed her response was really kind and lovely, he turned to look at her closely and immediately, he held the break of his car exclaiming with words of compliment.

"Wow wow wow, what on earth are you?"

Astonished at the manner at which he stopped the car, Mara replied so pitifully,

"Have I done anything wrong again, Sir?" She asked

"No no no, just amazed. You are beauty personified. May I know your name?"

At this time, Mara was getting fed up with the whole thing, so she asked,

"Are you done?"

"Yes, damn you are beautiful!"

"Then let's get going Sir, please!" Mara said as she clamp her hands together as a sign of pleading, shaking her head as well to make him stop his sudden drama.

"So what should I call you?" He asked, starting the car engine again to continue driving.

"Mara, you can call me Mara!" She said turning her face to look out the window.

For a couple of minutes, they kept calm and the man kept looking forward and for each passing moment, he would turn to see her again and again.

Though filled with questions, he kept calm so that he doesn't get her to feel uncomfortable and paranoid. Mara suddenly started smiling as she recalled the manner at which he stopped the car just to compliment her beauty, she felt no one in the world had ever gone to such extent as to hold the break of a car just to acknowledge a ladies beauty.

As she smiled, she began to view the man on the wheels through the windows glass and soon noticed how uncomfortable and anxious he really was as he drove the car; she knew he wanted to talk with her.

"Please turn down the radio set would you" She said in other to get him to talk to her instead of behaving like someone under a panic attack. Without asking why, he humbly obeyed her to turn it down and when he had turned it down, he kept still and very much calm: he yet did not speak any word to her.

However, his silence was indeed annoying though; but Mara calculated his actions in her mind and thought he was only trying to be a gentleman. To an extent, it gave her this adorable feeling she was respected by a kind stranger because she recalled how she had told him to keep quiet and just drive: he must be a respectful and obedient young man, so she thought.

Mara wanted to know about him and was beginning to think more about who the man was instead of how to get home to meet her family which already were in tragic situation.

Mara whispered softly to know if the feeling was a mutual

one or if she was only assuming he was dying to get her engaged in a conversation, saying,

"So, which one are you?"

The young man broke out of silence without waiting for her to take a single breathe after her last word in reply, so eloquently he said,

"Am Daniel, Yes! You can call me Daniel Gomez" he said.

Mara at this time was in no doubt certainly to know he had wanted this but for respect kept quiet all the while.

"So how do you intend taking me to Manila?"

"Oh, by sea? Oh, I mean am here at your service, wherever you please, I'll take you." He replied raising his shoulders up high to demonstrate his willingness and capability.

Astonished at the manner at which Daniel spoke, Mara gave a quick reply bridging his next speech, she said,

"Even if it means journeying to jupiter?"

"If I can fly, be my guest. I will take you as long as I don't let go of this beauty I see tonight!" Daniel responded happily with so much outflow of ecstasy which made Mara blush.

"Ha ha ha, nah, just take me to Manila; Manila will be just fine." She added.

Sooner than expected, Daniel started asking her all the questions pilled up in his head all along. From getting to know her name, he asked her how she ended up stranded at the park and so on. Mara however kept talking and answering every single one of them, to ensure he kept his eyes on the road.

"Do keep your eyes on the road Daniel!" She kept reminding him every minute he stared at her to enable him keep his eyes on track instead.

"As you please ma'am, as you please" he often responded with a smile.

"So I kept thinking about home and missed every one so bad I needed to get home before the day's end." Mara said in respect to his previous question.

Howbeit, she never let him know or figure out anything concerning the news from the incidence back home, neither did she show any signs of sorrow or mourning. For Mara, Daniel is considered an acquaintance and had in no way earned any right to know her private life.