Chapter 96
Take the chances
Since that day, I have tried to avoid Neil but destiny is really making a way for us to meet. I also haven't been to the Orphanage for a few days since valentines.
I want to avoid him, so I don't love him again. I don't want to get hurt again later. I don't want our relationship to start and end eventually. I’m afraid of being hurt and I don’t want to collapse because of love.
I am often absent because I don't know if I can attention class. I want to stay alone here in my room like now. I need some time to think and peace of mind.
I always turned off my phone, so that no one could call me. I told Mommy Yuna not to let anyone in. I want to be alone.
I'm confused. I can't control my emotions because I don't want to be hurt in the end. I don't want to gamble and bet on myself because I don't want to lose, I don't want to fail again.
I knew they were looking for me. Leighden always comes here to the house but I don't want to talk to anyone. I want to avoid everything because I know I will be hurt in the end.
It's raining again now. I don't go to the coffee shop like before.
I don’t know how long I will be avoided.
How long will I avoid Neil?
I'm not yet ready. I don't want to prepare my heart and then eventually I will be crushed too.
If Neil was destined for me, he could wait. Love can wait, and if he can’t do that, he’s not destined for me.
I just sat on the bed. I am deep in thought and to be even deeper than the sea.
I picked up my cellphone and opened it. Maybe, this is the time for me to stop avoiding everything.
Neil should be the only one I avoid, but why everyone? I avoid them even Jess.
I know he misses me. I didn't want to visit the orphanage because I knew Neil would go there. I still don't want to see him.
I don’t know if I’m doing it right or it’s just madness.
I have to prepare for the pageant tomorrow. I can't be stressed because I'll look like a raw fish.
I was bombarded with text messages. Lots of missed calls from Leighden, Iries, and Neil, but ... not a single missed call from Caleb.
He hasn’t been calling me since February 14. I hurt him, I don’t like that.
I was just staring at the phone when someone called. Jess was calling,so I answered the call.
‘Miss pretty,’ he called me languidly from the other line.
"A-are you okay?" I asked. His voice was sluggish and I knew when he was sluggish. Jess might be sick.
‘I am not okay,’ he said softly and it was obvious in the tone of his voice that he was sick. I need to visit him, so I can take care of him.
"Why?"
‘I am sick,’ he weakly said and he coughed. I was worried when I heard him cough. He is sick and he needs me.
“I’ll be there today, okay? Don't worry, I will take care of you, so you can recover quickly. ”
I ended our call and left immediately even though it was raining. I drove until I reached the orphanage.
I immediately got out of the car and entered the orphanage. I went straight to Jess's room. When I opened the door, I was greeted by Jess's hug.
I was surprised but also excited. He was energetic and not lethargic.
I wondered, so I checked him. He smiled at me. I touched his neck but he was not hot.
"You said, you're sick?"
“I am not sick,” he said.
"What?"
I still went even though it was raining to take care of him because he said he was sick. He's pranking me.
He laughed, so I laughed too. He stopped laughing.
We're just at the door. He greeted me immediately. He was standing and my body was slightly bent, so that I could see him. I almost knelt down.
“I have magic for you, Miss pretty,” he said. I'm going to laugh, I'm just holding back. "Don't move your head, okay?"
I just followed what he said. It was as if he was going to take something from my head and I was shocked when he was already holding the rose. He gave it to me.
I'm surprised. How did he get a rose on my head? Wait ...
I stood up and turned around. He's here.
“Hi,” he softly greeted and smiled on me.
"Ah-a Ha-hi."
I looked back at Jess and stared at him. He signed peace and smiled.
"Jess ...?"
"I called Neil and said that I am sick and I need flowers," he said. I don’t know if I’ll laugh or get angry because he lied to me. “I missed you that's why I made way to see you again. Ah-a I'm sorry. ”
I smiled at him. I understand him. He just wanted to see me but I didn't really expect him to be in pain.
“He is always looking for you in me. He always asks me questions,” Neil said, so I turned my gaze to him.
I didn't say a word, I just watched.
"Neil said he misses you," Jess said.
Neil just smiled at me.
I couldn't help but smile suddenly, so I also suddenly averted my gaze. Jess noticed my smile.
"You are smiling," he commented, so I laughed suddenly.
Oh- I forgot something!
"Ammm ... I'm leaving first, Jess," I said but he sniffed immediately. “I need to go to school to take an exam. I have pageant tomorrow, so I have to hurry,” I explained and he nodded while pouting his little red lips. "Don't worry, I will visit you again and call you."
He hugged me first before I left. I stopped at the doorway, waving to him.
I looked at Neil and pointed at him. "Take care of Jess, okay?"
"Yes, my lady," he said, still a little weak when he said 'My lady'.
I left and went straight to school. I have exams today, so I have to catch up.
I arrived late. The exam started but my professor allowed me to take exams and gave me 3 hours to finish my exams.
I reviewed my notes last night even though many things were bothering me.
My other classmates left because they finished the exam until I and Professor Kim were the only ones left.
I was stucked. I am staring at my exam paper and trying to remember the lesson I reviewed last night. I bang the ballpen on my head while staring at the exam paper. I can't remember the answer.
I accidentally looked out the window and saw Neil carrying Jess. They wave at me and smile. At that moment, I remembered what the answer to the exam was, so I smiled. I finished quickly, so I went out as well.
He lowered Jess.
"Did you finish your exams?" Neil asked.
"Yes," I replied and my chest lightened because I finished the exam.
"Let's go?" he caressed.
"Where?"
"Somewhere," Jess answered and he grabbed my hand then walked first, so I just followed.
The three of us were walking out of campus when a woman stopped in front of us, Neil.
“Hi, Neil,” she greeted. I ignored her and turned my gaze to something else and to Jess.
"Oww, Celine, hello," he replied. To illustrate, a girl with ashed-blonde hair, 5'4 ft, clear skin, not too chubby but not too thin, and ... pretty. She looks dominant and classy.
“Nice to see you again,” she said, smiling on him. I try to divert my attention but my ear is really listening. Sh was just in front of us.
"You also. Why are you here?” Neil asked.
“My mother is the principal here. I just want to visit this University. ”
They talk as if they are alone. They don't seem to notice us.
Hey! We are here! Take a look at us! —Just like that.
Celine looked at me, at Jess, and looked back at me. She looked at me from head to toe ... just feet away! Che!
She smiled but frowned slightly as she watched me. I'm wondering.
“She’s your wife? Your son? You have family already? ”
"No," Neil replied quickly.
“Ahh. I thought they were your wife and child,” she said then laughed a bit. "Is she your sister and little brother?" she asked again.
"No," he replied immediately again.
"Who are they?" she asked. She looked at me and pointed at me. "Who is she?" she asked again.
I was a little annoyed with her. She kept asking questions, she was not an investigator.
"This is Jess," he introduced Jess. Jess smiled and waved at her.
"So cute little boy," she praised. "What about her?"
They both looked at me. I'm just calm. I don't want to frown, look bad.
"She's Pershey."
“Oh! The new International University Queen! ” She smiled as she looked at me. "She's more than prettier on TV," she said. "Ah— but prettiest in personal," she clarified.
Whatever.
“Oh, I have to go. Bye. ”
We left and got in the car. Neil drove my car. I had no idea where Jess was going to take us.
He stopped and we got out of the car.
This place is beautiful. Lots of plants, flowering plants. Lots of trees, green trees. The place is quiet and cozy. The weather is not so hot and the climate is not so cold.
"What place is this?" I walked around. The plants are even taller than me. The place is nice. Clean and quiet.
“The Garden of Peace,” he said. The beauty of this place. I've only just been to this place.
I stopped and savored the breeze. Fresh air, the zest to feel.
When I turned around, Neil and Jess were behind me. Neil and I were so close to each other that I was shocked and backed away when I almost fell because I was wearing 3 inches sandals. The good thing is and I didn't expect it when he held me by the hip, so I wouldn't fall over.
My chest throbbed quickly. It was as if the wind was dancing in my hair and time was slowing down.