Their Resolve

"Next, about our talk." Ray proceeded to the next problem.

"Yes."

"I think I'll be able to manage some time daily. But I can only allocate 30 minutes at most. You are still free to contact me anytime though, I'll reply when I can. Is that okay?"

Althea processed the long sentence and nodded her head, "I'm okay with that."

"Good." smile returned on Ray's face and he made a gesture of stroking Althea's head.

"You know, Ray..." Althea placed her head closer to her camera as if to let him pat her more, "I like being patted and all but I can't differentiate which part are you patting."

"I know right," Ray replied softly without stopping his hand.

"What do you know?" Althea looked up with a giggle.

"That this condition can't continue," Ray took down his hand, "Let's meet soon, dear."

Althea nodded, "that's what I wish too... How do we do that, though?"

"Well, this is why I'm working so hard now." Ray massaged the back of his neck, "Since I'm a year older than you, I can-- no, I have to get the scholarship first, save up, and meet you."

"Meet me?" Althea's eyes shone to the thought.

"Obviously, who else?" Ray flicked his finger, "I can go to your place after one semester."

Althea almost nodded eagerly until she remembered her situation, "Uhh... I guess it's better if you don't."

"Why?"

"My mother won't let me hang out, remember? How am I supposed to accompany you if I can't go anywhere?"

"I see... Then shall we meet at the University?"

"Hihi, geez" Althea shook her head, "You're talking like we already get the scholarship."

Getting the scholarship was no easy matter after all. There were three selection process: document selection, written exam, and interview. With thousands of people registering every year, they need to excel in each process to pass.

"You don't believe me?"

"No, not that. I believe you'll pass with flying colors with how much you've been working for it. I'm just.... not confident about myself." Althea smiled bitterly.

"Thea." Ray's voice turned a tad lower.

"Yes?"

"You have potential. Even more than me." Althea expected Ray to say it out of formality to cheer her up, but his expression was nothing but serious.

"Uhh... Do I?" Althea fiddled with her fingers. Many have told her how brilliant she is, but she always thought it's only because she was diligent and people study less at her place.

"Yes you do. As long as you focus on what needs to be studied, I believe you'll succeed."

"Umm... Even if you say so..." Althea searched for the memory of the exam from past years and was wary of how difficult they were.

"You have a year, dear. If you start from now, you'll cover the syllabus by then. Moreover, I'll help you if you have any difficulties."

Listening to Ray who spoke with such resolution, Althea couldn't help but brace herself to fulfill those expectations. Not just for him, but for herself too.

After all, getting a scholarship to study in another country not only would lighten her parents' burden to pay for education, but also enable her to do more than what could be done at home.

"Okay. I'll work hard."

"Good." Ray smiled in approval, "Is there anything else you would like to talk about? Our talk became irregular since you started it."

"Not like I intended to do that..." Althea pouted. She looked at the clock on her pastel-colored wall and realized they've talked for long, "It's this late already?" she exclaimed.

"I guess it is," Ray shifted and Althea could see some pillows stacked on top of each other on Ray's left side. The colors were different which made Althea thought it must've not been from the same set, but all of them looked dull and worn off.

"Are you on your bed?" Althea's interest was piqued as she watched Ray took a faded maroon-colored pillow from the stack and laid his head on it.

"Yes. Why?" Ray asked as he saw curiosity reflected on Althea's expression.

"Can I see your room?" Althea clasped her hands and moved it back and forth in a 'please' motion.

"So eager?" Ray smirked as a mischievous thought emerged in his mind.

"What eager? Of course I wanna see. When we call you were always in your study room. So all I knew was your study desk and cupboard. That's it." Althea protested.

"I see, I see. Well, should I show you then?"

Althea missed the strange tone in Ray's voice as she nodded eagerly, "Yes, yes show me."

"Ahh, but I'm so lazy." Ray closed his eyes and placed an arm above them.

"Eii, don't make excuses. You just need to move your phone. You are still holding it now anyway."

"No, I'm lazy." Ray still didn't budge even though he clearly still held his phone up as Althea could see him from above.

"What lazy? You just need to move your hand!" Althea pointed out.

"Hmm... Maybe if you give me motivation I'll show you my room." Ray's tone was equal but there was a subtle grin after he moved his arm from his eyes to his mouth.

"Motivation?"

"Uh-huh."

"Like what?"

"Hmm..." Ray moved his eyes to the side before focusing on Althea again, "Like a kiss?"

"..."

Althea gulped unconsciously as she leaned her ear closer, "What did you say?"

"Kiss me, Thea." Ray said again, amusement thick in his voice.

He watched as Althea's eyes wandered in her room while she coughed to feign ignorance, "I think that you must be tired, yes. You need to rest now. Thanks for your time." Althea said in quick succession.

"What about my--"

"Good night, Ray." Althea greeted without letting him finish his sentence and scrambled to close the call.

Ray, who was enjoying the whole reaction chuckled as he shook his head.

'Just wait until I meet you, my innocent lamb.' he thought as he sent a "Good night" message before closing his eyes to rest.