65
Sol looked out at the high school kids, who were walking back home, that afternoon through the glass window in the cafe. The first girl was busy on the phone while the second girl kept pulling and pushing her gently, to avoid collision or bumping into things. A bike was speeding towards the girls and the second was quick to pull the first out of danger. The first girl raised her head to her friend and although she couldn't hear them, Sol knew she had thanked her.
That was how her relationship with Jennie had been right from high school. They had been so close that she hadn't even start to realise when she fell for her.
"What are you doing this weekend?" Ralph asked her and she turned back to look at the guy before her. She had been sulking at home, when he had rung up for a cup of caramel macchiato earlier, and she had decided to go, hoping to get her mind of Jennie.
"Well..." Her voice trailed off as she wondered what she would say.
Luckily, she was saved when the waiter finally delivered their cups of caramel macchiato to their table. Sol's eyes dropped to the heart shape on the froth of the milk. It was just the way Jennie always liked her macchiato served.
Ralph reached out to get something from his pocket before passing it to her. "This exhibition is opening this week. I would like us to go together."
"Together?" She asked and he nodded.
Wait, why would he want to go with her? Was he by any chance...
"That's right. I'm asking you on a date." He replied as he had read her mind and Sol gulped.
"I like you..." His voice slowly drifted away as he thought of something. "Are you in a relationship?...I don't think I've asked before." "I'm not but..." Her voice trailed off as she considered his reaction after breaking the news to him. "I have someone I like."
Just like she'd expected, his face fell on hearing the news.
"I see...You have a crush on someone."
She slowly nodded and he looked away for a minute.
"Then, did you..." He looked embarrassed when he stopped. "I'm sorry. I guess it's personal.
"I got to confess, because my feelings kept growing."
"Here you go." Henry smiled as he lowered a plate of sushi, on the table. Demir must have sensed she was in a terrible mood and had suggested they went out for lunch at the restaurant where Henry, worked part-time. Tahti had just trod along, being in the mood to change environment as it seemed like the campus premises was sucking life and air out of her.
"How was the critique?" He asked.
"It was awful." came her subtle reply.
"Come on, everyone gets criticized by Professor Lee." He said and she sighed. He'd probably said that to cheer her up.
"Oh,... except for Demir, I guess."
He was right. Demir had never for once gotten scolded by any of the professors. Even Asians were trying to scout him.
"Aren't you busy?" Demir asked and Tahti raised her head. Was he trying to get drive him anyway because of her?
"I am but I should take care of you guys first... I'm sorry for not being able to make it."
"It's okay." She replied.
"Do enjoy your meal." He threw a smile and returned to the counter.
Her phone rang while she looked down at the meal before her and she wondered who the caller was. She prayed it would not be her aunt, as she reached to fetch her phone. Auntie Freya always knew when something was up with her. Luckily, it was only Josh.
"I'm going out for a minute." She said as she rose, not waiting for Demir's reply. She'd promised herself she wasn't going to disappoint Josh, anymore.
"Josh." She answered, once she was outside. "Can you talk right now? I don't want to bother you."
"You're not. I came out for a bit, because my critique went badly."
"Critique?" He asked.
"The professor always evaluate and criticize our works. I got scolded this time...This semester is the worst. I didn't get accepted into the exchange program either."
"Oh..." His voice came out in a whisper and Tahti felt like crying. "I wish I could come see you but I went back to Santa Barbara...
Tell you what, I'll come back as soon as possible."
She chuckled. "I guess you are feeling bothered by what I said. Are you trying to cheer me up?"
"You're already doing so well. Don't let a small setback like this discourage you, okay?"
"Thanks." She smiled.
Talking to him alone had cheered her up and had chased the sadness away, oblivious about Demir's presence, where he was standing by the turning beside where she stood, his heart sinking at the thought of the feeling that Tahti was drifting away from him.
Jennie kept glancing towards the entrance of Sol's apartment,from when she was seated on the swing at the park, which was not far from her place, waiting for her to come out. She had once talked to Sol about moving in with her as she particularly loved the park, which was in front of Sol's apartment but they hadn't reached a conclusion as Sol had confessed her feelings, even before she could decide whether to move in or not.
Jennie looked down at her wristwatch. It was almost two o'clock and Sol was yet to head out of her house. Was she planning on locking herself in, throughout the whole day?
She bit her lower lip as she sprang to her feet. She would just barge her way in and announce her decision.
"Jennie." She heard from behind her and her knees almost melted as she slowly turned to come face-to-face with Sol, who looked rather surprised to see her.
"Why are you here?" She asked.
"Can't I come here anymore?" She asked, in turn and Sol looked nervous, as she looked away.
"Well...My place is a little disorganised."
"It's okay. I can just say it out here anyway." She said and lowered her head, to avoid to Sol's eyes. This wasn't going to be easy as she thought, but she had to say it anyway, so she and Sol would stop hurting so much.
"Sol." She gently called.
"Yeah?"
"If I say I don't have feelings for you...What will happen to us?" She asked. It wasn't like Sol's answer was going to change her mind.
"Then...I'll keep liking you like I do now, and you won't return my feelings."
She finally summoned the courage to raise her head.
"And what if I say I like you too?"
"What?"
"We'll break up someday...But I don't want us to stay like this either."
A sudden smile crossed Sol's lips and her heart started racing, when Sol walked up to her.
"Is that what is troubling you?" She asked, in a whisper and Jennie nodded. Sol reached to take her hands in hers and Jennie felt warmth again, for the first time in a while.
"Jennie, my feelings will never change." She stopped to wrap her arms around her and Jennie finally started to smile, through the tears. "So, don't worry."
