'Why do birds suddenly appear, everytime you are near? Just like me they long to be, close to you...'
I suddenly feel the need to sing 'coz LOVE is in the air. Don't bother my craziness.
anyhow, another chapter...I hope you enjoy reading. ^_^ Vote and Comment please.
Thank you dawg! :D
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“See you later Scarlet” Elina beamed as we made our separate ways for our first class on the first day of second semester. I waved back at her and gave a small smile as I walked on the opposite direction.
Walking leisurely towards the room for my first class, a sigh escaped my lips when I remembered the events that had happened yesterday. Raf is so confusing and it’s so frustrating as I over think the words he had said and replay it inside my head. Still, I can’t figure what he said. I even gave up last night thinking about it and here I am again, thinking about it and about him. I cursed myself for doing this to myself.
Here I am, thinking about him when I made it clear that I should stop it and forget everything about him.
Yeah, I should probably do that. No Raf inside my head. Stop thinking about him!
With that final thought in mind, I realized I walked past the room where my first class will be held. Oops.
As expected, I saw few students inside the room when I stood at the door, since I deliberately woke up early to come early in class. Some were talking, some doing their own business, and some were even sleeping.
I didn’t see any familiar faces since I just started to pick my minor that will benefit my journalism major and my type of job I’d wanted to have when I finish Uni.
Oh well. I just shrugged lightly and hung my head, feeling some stares from the class. I started to walk towards the back like always, to keep low key profile. I quickly took a book out of my bag then started reading to kill time for the others to arrive and for the class to start.
I didn’t have to look up to know that the class was already filled with students as the noise turned louder. I busied myself reading, silently thankful that no one bothered to interrupt and sit beside me.
But luck was really not on my side when a pair of converse shoes appeared on my vision. So much for staying alone. Tsk. I didn’t bother to look up but saw on my peripheral vision that the person did really sat beside me. I silently groaned when I realized it was a guy. I let my hair fall down my shoulders to cover my face from the guy letting him take the hint that I don’t want to have any conversation with him.
I tried reading again but felt someone was staring at me. I raised my head up and I wasn’t right… it’s not someone, there are a lot of them and most of them were girls. Why were they staring? My eyebrows furrowed with bewilderment and annoyance.
Dude! I’m also a girl. I would love to say that.
Then I remembered, oh right. They’re not staring at me, they’re probably staring at the guy… beside me.
Involuntarily, my heart beat sped up. I tried to breathe normally. No, I’m wrong. That’s impossible. There are a lot guys in this University. But this inkling feeling was too evident to deny.
No! It’s not… him.
But my eyes widened when the guy beside me began to speak, “I’m sure you’re used to girls staring at me” Oh. My. God. Noooo!
My head snapped quickly on my right side then I winced as I felt pain on my neck from doing it but it was instantly gone when I stared at the most beautiful cerulean eyes. The eyes I’ve always love.
Those eyes that are twinkling mischievously at the moment. His expression looked amused. Oh my god! It is him! So much for stop thinking about him and no Raf inside my head!
What did I do wrong to make faith oppose to me?!
“I… I-i… Wha… You…” I mumbled incoherent words but didn’t get to composed myself when a bald old man entered the room.
His look screamed cliché professors with the entire fluffy thick beard and mustache and the big belly protruding out of his pants. I smile at the thought but was cut short when I heard a low chuckle beside me then my heart was bouncing as I remembered I have a bigger issue at hand.
Slowly, I turned my head to peek at Raf but looked straight infront of the class, my cheeks heating up, ‘coz he was staring at me still looking amused.
“The beauty is the eye of the beholder…” The bald professor started touching his beard, “We all know that phrase right? Will someone explain it to me?” He eyed everyone then chuckled to himself, “I’m just kidding. I’m a cool professor. I’m not one of those creepy professors that start class in the first day. So, I’ll let you do your business. Eat. Talk. Laugh. Read. Find a friend. Find a boyfriend. Find an enemy. Whatever! Just don’t leave the class until I say so. Agreed?” He asked authoritatively and all of us mumbled our response. I’m taking it back, he’s not cliché. He’s cool!
But I still have my issue beside me! I groaned silently again thinking of a way to let Raf know that I still want to be completely intact and sane. With him here, I don’t know if I can still be a normal person and not drift to crazy land.
Then I suddenly thought of something. Why would Raf choose photojournalism as his minor? I do know he loves photography but it’s not really connected to his major and does his dad know about this?
My thoughts were cut and my body froze when I felt Raf’s hand enclosed with mine. I turned to him again, eyes narrowed, “What do you think you’re doing?” I hissed, trying to remove my hand from him but he only gripped it firmly
He didn’t have the time to respond when three ladies stood infront of us. I stared up at them then scowled when I saw their flirty gazes directed to Raf then mentally scold myself for even feeling jealous. I shouldn’t be feeling that!
“Hi!” The girl near Raf, who was wearing a fitted tank top that her breasts look swell, greeted cheerfully and seductively may I add. Grrrrr! “I’m Kristine, and this is Alfa and Rain. We were just wondering if you want to have some coffee with us sometime?” She purred twirling her perfect curled hair
“Yeah. And you can sit beside us at the middle. It’s too lonely sitting here at the back, don’t you think…?” The girl named Alfa spoke slowly, waiting for Raf to also introduce himself
I gritted my teeth, trying to contain my anger towards these girls. Talk about being front! I mean, what the hell?! They didn’t even try to hide their slutty ways. I know I’m judging them but I can’t help it.
It’s called jealousy.
Argh! It’s so obvious!
The three girls with their slutty smiles waited for Raf to respond. They’re not even fazed that Raf was holding my hand! Breathe Scarlet… breathe.
I gazed at Raf when I felt his hold tighten but he wasn’t looking at me, he was smiling broadly staring up at the girls. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
“Rafael” He presented himself making my gut twitch, he’ll flirt with these girls? “I’m sorry ladies but I have to decline on your offer” He feigned looking contrite then he turned to me smiling… sweetly? I gulped, trying to act normal but my heart was already hammering inside my chest, “I’d love to have coffee with you but my girlfriend here might strangle me to death and the sit offer was quite tempting but I’d rather sit alone with my girlfriend doing our own business” He winked at me intentionally doing it to let the girls see. He was smiling widely, his dimples were so much more evident.
Then I realized what he said. Oh my god! He told the girls I’m his girlfriend?! He even emphasized it everytime he say it.
I looked at him in horror but collected myself quickly. I’d rather play with Raf’s games than him being dragged by these girls. Oh my possessive self!
I bit my lip, trying to hide my smile, when I gazed at the girls who looked shocked their jaws literally dropped on the floor.
“Wait! Are you gay?!” Kristine, the breasts swelling girl, shrieked. That’s not what I expected. Well, Raf was talking on his soft, girly voice.
“Yes” I blurted out the same time Raf said “No” Oops. The three girls looked between me and Raf with puzzled looks.
I winced a bit when Raf tightened his hold more. I bet my hand will break any moment. He laughed awkwardly, now sounding a bit like a guy, “My girlfriend is so funny right? She meant yes I’m gay ‘coz I’m happy. You know gay… happy” He explained calmly then glanced quickly at me narrowing his eyes
“Oh” the three girls answered in unison. Hooo! That was a relief.
“You’re too funny baby” He cooed facing me then without a warning, placed a kissed on my cheek. I stilled a bit, surprised by his action. He pulled away so I turned to him but my breath hitched when I realized he didn’t really moved away as my nose touched his. Our proximity was too close, I can feel his breathing fanning the side of my lips.
We locked gazes and I was surprised to myself I didn’t try to pull away. The room felt so silent that all I can hear was my heart beating so loudly. I didn’t even remember the three girls standing infront of us staring when one of them suddenly spoke breaking our own bubble.
“O-kay…” One girl, I don’t care who she is, spoken slowly, “We better go then, we don’t want to interrupt your own business with your girlfriend. Let’s go girls!” She sounded pissed emphasizing the words ‘own business’
Surprisingly, neither Raf or I broke the contact between us. Our noses were still touching, our eyes never leaving each other. Raf’s gaze and him being this close, made me feel so calm… so peaceful. But reality came crashing down on me when I remembered my argument with myself before I enter this class. Quickly, I pulled away looking anywhere other than in Raf’s direction. I can feel my cheeks burning with humiliation. Why am I so stupid for letting him easily crawl back in my heart?! Why was he even here?!
“Why did you that?! Are you out of your mind?!” I growled lowly. He mumbled something I didn’t catch so I gave him an annoyed look then looked straight again.
“Karmiy―okay, okay! Scarlet. Geez” He held his hands up as I glared at him, “I did that so girls will stay away from me, it’s kind of really tiring…” I rolled my eyes. Still the big head gay! Unexpectedly, he held my hand again. This time, intertwining our fingers. I looked up and saw his smoldering gaze. “And to do what I always do when we were in high school”
My brows furrowed with confusion but he just gave me a ‘Are you stupid?’ look. “What?”
“You really don’t know?”
I thought about what he said but I’m still blank, “Nope. Not really”
He groaned, rubbing his face, then squeezed my hand on his, “Are you really that innocent or you’re just stupid?”
“What?!” I tried removing my hand on his but to my astonishment he pulled me closer to him then removed his hand away from mine to wrap it around me. His other hand holding my hand again. “What are you doing Rafael Lucas Edwards?!” I wriggled out of his hold but he only tightened it.
“Shh. Keep still, you’re making a scene baby” He spoke smiling at someone. I looked where his gaze was and saw the three girls staring at us with annoyed looks.
I huffed but didn’t try to move anymore, “Why don’t you just go to them and spare me from those killer stares”
He chuckled, “Jealous?”
“I am not!” I denied turning to face him and saw that we’re so close yet again. I felt blushing but scowled at him when I saw him looking amused
“Sure you’re not” He snorted. I was facing infront again looking at the people who were busy doing something.
I don’t know what I should do. I kept telling myself that I should shove Raf away and stay mad at him but another part of me can’t deny that I love being this close with him. It felt so normal. It felt like we’re still best friends but like more of it. It felt… right.
“Karmiy―Ow! Scarlet! I mean Scarlet” He croaked after I elbowed him on the ribs. He paused but I didn’t want to see his expression, my burning cheeks will just embarrass me more. Suddenly, he moved his face at my side, “I’m so glad you’re here… with me” He whispered near my ear, spreading tingles all over me. I tried to grasp what he said then recalled my question awhile back.
Staring on his blue eyes, aware that our faces were so close, I asked, “Why did you choose this? Biology with photojournalism seems a weird combination?”
He removed his gaze, sighing, “You do know I love photography―”
“I do but I’m just curious” I cut him off, “Your dad knows about this?”
He stared at my face once more, not uttering a word. After sometime, he shook his head then sighed again. “I’m sorry Scarlet”
“For what?” That’s unexpected.
“I know you’ve been groping ever since about my family and I’ve been trying to hide it” He started speaking slowly like he wasn’t still at ease talking about this but I felt his thumb doing circles around my palm. He stared intently at me then continued, “I’ve never wanted to be a doctor. Don’t get me wrong, I love helping people but photography is my passion. I love the feeling of capturing things in their natural way”
“Like my candid photos…” I mumbled to myself
“Yes. Like your photos. Natural and beautiful” He agreed, speaking softly, “But I have no choice. I can’t do what I really love, instead, I should listen and do what my dad had planned for me” He divulged, frowning
I moved closer to him, my gaze never leaving his face, “Why?”
He raised our entwined fingers near his lips before speaking, “Because this is the right thing to do” He whispered then placed a chaste kiss over my hand, still holding me with his intense gaze
So Raf’s dad is also controlling him. I can feel his sorrow and it made my heart stung. He still didn’t tell me the reason but it’s a step for him to tell me the truth.
“Why did you suddenly decided to tell me this?” I voiced out
He untangled our fingers then raised his hand to remove some of my hair at the side of my face, “’Coz I’ve been taking you for granted” I raised my eyebrow at him, What? “Like I said, I know you’ve been so curious about my past. Specifically, about my family’s past. You’ve always been there for me no matter what when we… were still best friends. The least I could do is to tell you the truth” He heaved a sigh, playing a stray of my hair
Now, I can’t say anything to that.
We stayed silent and held gazes. I was right, being rich still held disadvantages. You’re not always happy even if you have all the money in the world. I just hope in time, Raf’s and Rupert’s dad will eventually see that his sons are not happy with his controlling and strict attitude.
I was brought back to my senses and gasped when Raf’s hand that was wrapped on mine tighten more placing it on my waist but my shocked doubled when his face moved closer.
“R-raf, w-what are you doing?” I stuttered shamelessly, asking the same question for the third time since we talk. I can feel my cheeks burning.
“More people staring” He answered huskily. His face now an inch near me, for the third time today, our noses were touching
“You don’t have to―”
I tried to move away but he held me still, placing his hand at my back, “Shh. Shut up and just love the view” He countered but I can sense the teasing in his tone
“I don’t love the view!”
His eyes widened in a fraction, then frowned, “You don’t?”
“I do―I-i mean, no… I mean…” Oh god! I just sighed, unable to compose the right words. This is embarrassing!
Raf chuckled, his hand moved below my jaw, “You’re so cute karmiy―don’t hurt me!”
I glared at him and he just laughed lightly at my expression. I can’t even understand how we’re we able to have a conversation when we were so close that when I pout, I can practically kiss him!
Ooh. Getting pervert again?
Pfft. I. Am. Not.
“I know you still love it” He teased but turned serious in an instant. He moved up, my eyes closed in its own accord when I felt him gently pressed his lips on my forehead. “I hope you still love the view” He mumbled at my forehead, I almost can’t hear it.
I do. I always do.