Chapter 94
Valentines
Jess and I almost went around the airport looking for Neil but we couldn't really find him. Maybe he's gone.
I let out a deep sigh as we stood and held Jess's hand.
"Miss pretty, I am tired," he said lazily and sniffed at me. I picked him up and just loaded him. "He left us?" he asked.
“He have to,” I answered. We are about to leave when I stopped. Maybe Neil is still here. I want to stay here for a while to make sure he really leaves. I’m still speculating that he’s still here.
But, what if ... he really left? What if he did leave? What about us? —Ah! I mean ... about Jessa and his studies?
Will he ever come back?
"Miss pretty, there he is!" he said, so I looked in the direction he pointed.
I feel relieved when I look at him. He was standing from a distance and I knew he was that. He stood as if he were watching the plane.
I lowered Jess and we ran over to him.
I called him but he didn't seem to hear me. Jess also called him but he didn't look at us.
We stopped. He is not Neil. I was wrong. I thought it was Neil but he wasn't.
I felt heavier again when I saw that man. He is not Neil.
“Where is brother Neil, Miss pretty? Maybe he left. ”
I just held Jess's hand tightly. I feel like I'm stuck where I stand. I don’t know if I’m going to walk or just stay standing here.
My brain is blank. I couldn’t understand how I was feeling and my mind was already confused. I can no longer understand why I am doing this.
Why did I follow Neil to the airport? Do I love him? —No! I don't love him! I have long had no love for Neil. He's nothing but just a school-mate to me. He's no longer my love.
I heard Jess crying, so I turned my gaze to him.
"Don't cry, he'll be back too," I told him to calm him down from crying.
“H-h-he left J-jess. H-h-he left us,” he said intermittently while still sobbing.
"Shhh ..."
He settled down somehow. Jess became close to Neil, so that's how he reacted.
To be honest, I'm also sad because I don't have anyone with me to go to Orphanage to visit the kids and Jess.
"He's coming back, right?"
"He'll be back," I replied, smiling at him.
"I'll be back."
I was stunned by what I heard. That voice came from behind me.
I suddenly turned to look at him. I could barely blink my eyes when I saw Neil, he was in front of us.
He's smiling on us.
"Neil!" Jess cheerfully calls and hugs Neil. They were overjoyed. "We thought you left," Jess said.
"I came back," Neil replied. He's directly looking at me, into my eyes, and there is a sign of joy in his eyes. I could no longer hide my smile as we looked at each other.
He lowered Jess.
"I thought you left already?" I asked
He was still smiling as he looked at me. I'm already counted because his smile is always there. I'm not used to him smiling at me like that.
"I ..."
We waited for the moment when he said ‘I’.
"... changed my mind," he continued. "Did you follow me here?" he asked. Jess and I looked at each other, we both smiled.
I couldn't speak, instead, I just smiled. I knew he had read the answer in my eyes.
Why did I followed him? Why am I here?
It's funny! Is this a mania? Why did I follow him to the airport? What went through my mind to do that?
Do I still love him? If yes, it’s hard, it’s hard to get his love. If not, what is it I feel and why I am doing these things?
I'm confused.
"You followed me?" he asked. I was still speechless and still smiling. Jess nodded in response. “I am not leaving. I still have to court someone special,” he said and looked at me.
I felt my cheek suddenly heat up when he looked at me after he said that.
Why did he looked at me? Am I the one he is referring to? Impossible!
Jess looked at me, still smiling at me. I feel more laughter and my cheeks get even hotter.
"Yiee," Jess joked, so I squeezed his cheek. I shuddered at him.
"Let's go?" courtesy of Neil. We nodded. I didn’t expect that he will hold my hand before he walked away.
I was shocked at what he did and felt nervous. My heart is pounding. My heart seems to be running.
I tried to get those things out of my mind.
I don't want to assume, I'll just get hurt.
We just took a taxi and took Jess to the orphanage.
"Goodbye, Neil and Miss pretty," he sweetly said and kissed us on the cheek. I was happy with what he did and I know he was happy too.
94.1
Even the nuns were happy with the changes in Jess. He's recovering.
“Get some rest,” I said.
He smiled at me. He lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. I hugged him before we turned to walk away.
" Neil," he called, so we both turned around. "Don't leave us again, okay?"
He smiled and nodded. We went out and closed the door. We said goodbye to the nuns before we left the orphanage.
Neil and I walked quietly. We waited the taxi in waiting shed.
"Will you leave again?" I asked but I didn't look at him.
"My feelings are holding me back," he replied. I stopped talking. A taxi pulled up and I got in there. I waved as the taxi drove away.
I have returned to the mansion. I went straight to the bedroom and lay down until I fell asleep.
The next day, I was just surprised when I woke up at 7:00 AM. I got up quickly and took a shower.
I have a class today even today is February 14. There are many programs in school, so I need to go there.
I also quickly got dressed and got off. I went straight to the kitchen to see if Mommy was there. As usual, I saw her there. She is preparing the egg sandwich for me.
"Eat first, Shey," she offered. I smiled as soon as I saw her.
I took the sandwich and ate first. It's okay even if I'm late, as long as I spend time with my mother. I ate a sandwich and drank the milk.
I also said goodbye to go to school. I kissed her on cheeks before I left. Uncle Gong took me there.
I was thrilled to see the decorations on the University gate. Lots of balloons placed. Every side and corner are full of red balloons. There are also heart baloons and on top is a ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ tarpaulin.
I have entered. The students scattered. Many students. wore red clothes. I saw many couples holding each other's hands. I’m happy with them.
I saw Leighden and Draek and they greeted me. Samuel, Fricks, and Iries also approached me. I really wonder why they drag me to the covert court.
The surroundings are noisy. The volume of the love song is loud. Someone is dancing and singing along.
"Let's dance!" Leighden happily and cheerfully said. Her body began to sway.
When I looked up, there were many hanging balloons.
I suddenly noticed people clearing. I wondered why they were leaving.
I noticed a man wearing a brown bear costume. I can't figure out if he's a girl or a boy.
It was as if I were stuck in my position. I am the only one standing here.
He/she was getting closer to me, so I was surprised.
He/she approached me and stopped in front of me.
I'm glad he's/she's wearing it. Who is the man behind these costumes? Is he a man or a woman?
There was a note taped to her/ his chest and she/he pointed to it. I picked it up and read.
"Look up."
My forehead furrowed but I just looked up. I wonder what's above.
Ahh! Bouquet of roses, but why the bouquet are above?
I noticed the bouquet was slowly coming down. I noticed that it was tied to the tied stalks. It went downhill until I reached the bouquet. I took that. There is also a letter, so I read it.
‘Look behind you.’
My forehead furrowed again at what it meant.
I got nervous. I can hear the screams of people, whether women or men.
I slowly turned around to find out what/who was behind me.
After I turned my back, a bouquet of roses still opened up to me, but this time, there was someone. The bouquet covered his face.
He's a boy, who is he?
I picked up the bouquet and saw his face.
My cheek is getting hot.
Am I just dreaming?
The people's screaming grew louder. Some jumped because of how they feel as they look at us.
My chest is throbbing. My heart seemed to explode. I don’t know what I’m going to do.
Neil is in front of me, yes, he is. He smiled at me, clear smile, melting smile. I couldn’t help but smile back at his sweet smile on me.
"W-what are these?" I asked even though I was still skeptical.
“I told you yesterday that I came back to court someone. That someone is you,” he said. I was almost deaf to what he said.
Please slap me if I become illusory. I'm just dreaming! This is not true!
“Please slap me,” I ordered. I am no longer in my own sanity.
He laughed and instead of doing what I ordered, he stroked my cheek and parted my hair behind my ear. I feel like it's getting even hotter.
"Can I court you?" he asked gently.
I could barely blink and move. I felt like a statue when he asked me. I don’t know what to answer. I could hear nothing but the loud beating of my heart. My ears seemed to ring.
I do not know what to do.