11 THE BOY

“No. It’s not the right time.” I thought to myself.

And bell rang. We both get up from the seat and made our way to classes.

“Let’s go.” She said with a smile on her face. I nodded in a yes enter the class. Students were still shuffling around. I sat on my seat. After some moments teacher came and class started. As usual I was really not interested in the class. It was so boring. I started to doddle in my notebook when the bell rang. It was our last class.

“All the best for test lost girl...!” she said patting my shoulder.

“To u too.” I replied with a bright smile. Mr. Colin read the instructions and distributes our test sheets.

“You all can start now and test sheets will be taken back five minutes before the final bell. Do you all understand...?” he said with his deep voice.

“Yes sir.” All said in unison.

With this everyone put their heads down in the test papers. Mr. Colin was pacing back and forth in the lane of class to check on the students. Only shuffling of his moving feet and scribbling of pens was floating in the air of classroom. I was happy that the test was easy. I finished my test and recheck it once. It was done.

“Okay students. Pens down. Come to my desk and submit your sheets.” With this he sat on his chair behind the desk and students start to move to submit their sheets. After submission he counted all the sheets.

“I hope everyone did their well. Your results will be given tomorrow.” He holds the sheets in his hand close to his flank. He looked at his brown leather strap wrist watch and raises his eyebrow. “Class dismissed.” And final ring of the day rang. With a faint smile he left the class.

Everyone in the class were chatting about the test and packing their bags. I packed my bag and turned toward Zoe. She was still packing her bag. She looked at me and smiled. We both made out way to the lockers corner. We settle our stuff and head toward the ground.

“Zoe! Zoe...!” we heard a voice behind us. We turned around to see who it was. It was Riza. She came running toward us and with a sudden jerk she stopped.

“What...what about assignment...?” she said adjusting her glasses on her nose, catching her breath.

“Oh. I totally forget about that.” Zoe said slapping herself putting her hand on the face. “Licia. You go. I have to complete my assignment so I’m going to library.” She said turning toward me.

“Okay. But don’t be late for home.” I said patting her head.

She laughed at my gesture and nodded in a yes. Riza was quite, watching the whole scene.

“Bye.” I turned toward Riza. “Bye Riza.” I said with a smile. She nodded to me as I got a look into her hazel eyes. With this they both went toward library and I step toward home.

After about twenty minutes I was in front of my house. I open the door and step inside. “I’m back from school.” I yelled from the hallway moving toward my room upstairs.

“Oh. You are back.” I heard someone from the kitchen. I got puzzled. I put my bag on the sofa and move toward the kitchen.

“What are you doing...?” I yelled at the scene. The whole kitchen was a mess. Flour was spreading here and there on the whole floor. Egg shells were drifting on the counter. A pot was on the stove which was boiling. And my cheeks turn red with anger.

“What are you doing Nova...?” I yelled at him from behind. He got startled and stood there like a statue. As he turn toward me with a bright smile on his face.

“I was making lunch for you.” He said trying to flip the omelette in the pan. My eyes grew bigger. He looked at me with a smile.

“Ahh....” he said as his hand touches the boiling pot on the stove.

“Be careful.” And I took the pan from his hands. He resisted saying I want to do it but gave him a death glare. He zipped his mouth and stand at the side of corner.

“You have ruined this place. And who told you to make lunch...?” I scolded him questioning. “What if you got caught by mother...?” I said putting the stove off.

“Mom and dad are off to aunt Kasumi’s place and will be coming back in two days.” He said taking off the apron and helping me in plating. “Why so sudden...” and he cut me off saying it was some function at their place. I let out a deep sigh and looked at him. He was already looking at me. “Now we can have time together.” he said avoiding my gaze. “I bumped him with my fist in his arm. He smiled without looking at me. “Yes.” I replied and made coffee for both of us. We both had lunch together. I don’t remember when the last time we had lunch together like this was. We had our lunch in total silence. While sipping on his coffee he breaks the silence.

“How are your studies going...?” he inquired looking at me.

“Huh. Pretty good. I had a test today. It was good.” I replied with a smile. He nodded to my answer finishing his coffee. After finishing our lunch I stood up to clean but he holds my wrist. I looked at him. He was looking at the table at empty plates still holding my hand.

“You go and change. I will do the cleaning.” He said looking at me.

“No. I can do it.” I replied still looking at him. “You go and change. Look at you, still in school uniform.” He said taking dishes from my hand. I looked at myself. He was right.

He stood up from his chair and put the dishes on table. He holds me from my shoulder from behind and drags me to the staircase. “Go ahead we have a lot to do.” And he pushed me to make me climb a stair.

“But.” I tried to resist but in vein.

“No buts’.” He gave me a hard look as I turned to him. Then I pointed toward the sofa of living room.

“What..?” he asked me looking at the direction.

“My bag.” And I jumped from his side to grab it. I ran to the sofa, hold my bag and walked toward him. “You are so unpredictable.” He said screeching the back of his neck. I giggled at his comment and ran upstairs. I opened the door of my room and shut it behind my back.

“Is this real.” I asked myself. I pinched myself on my forearm.” Ahh... it’s real. Everything is real. This is not a dream.” I was recharged with the energy of happiness. I started to jump on my bed. I was going crazy.

“Calm down Licia.” I heard him yelling from downstairs. Suddenly is stopped jumping and heard him laughing from downstairs. I giggled at my action. Then I got up, settle my bed and put my bag at its place. I went to shower and put on my casuals. After getting fresh I started with my homework. After about two hours I was done with it. I heard him calling me from downstairs. I got up and went down stairs. He was sitting on the couch with bucket of popcorn in front of TV.

“Come on. Let’s watch something.” He said looking at me and patting the couch beside him. I nodded.

“Popcorn...!” I said taking the bucket in my lap.

“What do you want to watch...?” he asked me looking at my happy and confused face.

“Anything is fine with me” I said with a surprised look. He put the remote on the table and looked at my face.

“Hey. Listen.”

I turned to him and our eyes met. There was care and love for me I his eyes. “I want to say that...” and he stopped.

I put my hand on his hand in his lap. “What is it Nova.” I asked him with a worried tone. He holds my hand tightly and kept silent for few seconds. Finally he broke the silence.

“I don’t know how to take care or show love. I have always been so cold toward you.” He moved his gaze away from me. “Always I wanted to have a normal relationship with you...like a brother and sister. But mom never allowed me with her actions.” He paused. “All these years...I have seen you in pain and crying but I was not able to do anything. I kept quite. I let you suffer alone.” A tear rolled down my eyes.

“But now I know what I have to do. I don’t want you to forgive me for this. Nobody can forgive this.” He looked at me. “I want to make a new start with you.” He said looking into my eyes. His eyes were wet. I have never seen him crying before. He has always been so stone hearted toward everything...but he never cries about anything.

“I know it’s hard to believe. But I want to give you all the love and care that you deserve.” He said in a breaking voice. And his warm tears fell on my hand. I could feel the guilt and sadness in that warmth. I wiped his tears and circled his back with my hand to comfort him.

“I know Nova. No need to explain.” I said with teary eyes. “It was only you who ever cared for me in this house. And I’m really happy that you share everything with me.” I said in a sad tone looking away from him. He put his hand on my cheek and turned my face toward him. He wiped my tears and pats my head to comfort me. I moved toward him and hold him next to me in hug and burst out in tears. I was sobbing badly holding his t-shirt in his chest. His arms were wrapped around me and he was patting my back to comfort me .for the first time in all these years...I have never cried so badly. It seems like everything that was buried inside me was coming out in form of tears. All that pain was flowing out in the warmth of those tears.

“I want to make everything right for you. It’s time for me to take the stand. For both of us.” He said comforting me.

I pull myself away from him and looked at him. He wiped my tears.

“Are you okay...?” he asked me with a worried look.

“Ya.” I replied to him. “Thanks Nova.” I said to him with a smile.

“Anything for you my sister.” He replied. I stood up and went to bathroom. I washed my face and looked at myself in mirror. My eyes were red. I wipe my face with towel and came out.

“Licia. Are you okay...?” he asked me in a soft voice. I nodded in a yes and sat beside him on the couch.

“Let’s watch now. How about a comedy one...?” I asked him taking the popcorn bucket in my lap. He nodded with a smile. After few movies movie started. It was so much fun to watch movie. For the first time we were spending time together like this. We were laughing so hard and patting out things and flapping hands at each other while laughing.

“She looks so happy and graceful while laughing. I’m going to make rest of her life like this.” He thought to himself stealing a glimpse of me.

After about two hours movie ended. Our faces were red and stomachs were hurting because of laughing so hard. We kept quiet for some moments. He took out his phone and starts to scroll. I stood up and moved toward the window. Sky was getting pink. I looked toward the clock. It was 6.

“I’m going to check my garden.” I said making my way out in the lawn.

“I’m also coming.” He said running toward her. Plants were looking more alive and bright. “Did you...?” she asked looking at him. He gave a bright smile to her. “Thank you Noah.” I said feeling the freshness of the green leaves. I watered plants while he was sitting and staring at me in the lawn. After completing my greenery rituals...I let out a sigh and looked at sky above my head.

“I should prepare for dinner...?” I said looking at him.

“How about a dinned outside...?” he said smirking at me. My eyes got wide at his question. “What? Don’t you want to out and have fun with me...?” he asked me again from his seat.

“i-i...ya.” I replied.

“Okay. Let’s go then.” He stood up from chair and opened the door of hallway, standing in between the door. I was still standing there, in surprise.

“Hey. Hurry. Get ready.” He said breaking my frozen state.

“hm. Ya.” I replied running toward him.

We both went toward staircase.” You have twenty minutes. Don’t be late.’ He said pointing at the clock.

“okay.” I replied without looking at him, running upstairs to my room. I took a quick shower and came out of the bathroom. I opened my cupboard and took out the hoodie that he had brought for me. I looked at hoodie and smiled. I put on the clothes and put on my favourite black boots. I stood in front of my dressing table. I was looking good but a bit dull. I took out my Pandora box and took out my makeup accessories. It was only eyeliner, mascara and a light fruity lip balm that I have brought for graduation day. I put on my light makeup. Tie my hairs in a bun and looked at myself in mirror again.

“Now you look like a girl.” I laughed at myself for lame comment. I took my sling cute sling bag and put my savings and phone in it and head downstairs. He was already waiting in the hallway for me. He looked at me with his round eyes. “You look very....” he stopped.

I looked at myself. What was it...? “Do I look bad...?” I asked him creasing my hoodie.

“You look cute.” He replied. I looked at him. He was smiling wide to eyes. I blush a little and move toward him.

“you too look very handsome.” I said without making eye contact. Everything suits his fair skin. Every colour seems perfect for him. Blue denim jeans and red black check shirt with folded sleeves give him a perfect look. I move toward kitchen, took a glass of water and gulped it down, and came back to him in hall. He was sitting on the sofa. “Are not we going...?” I asked him sitting beside him. “I’m waiting for someone.” He said. “Who...?” I asked with curiosity. He didn’t reply and looked at his wrist watch. “Where is he...?” he said impatiently. “Is there anyone else too who is going with us...? I asked him. He looked at me with cat eyes.

“Are you always so loud...?” he asked me.

“What...?” I replied and crossed my arms on my chest like a stubborn child. He giggled at my action but I ignored him. After few moments we heard a horn outside.

“Come on. Let’s go.” Saying this he stood up and held out his hand toward me. I looked at him and then at his hand. I hold his hand, stood up and came outside. Holding hands, we moved toward the main entrance. He opened the door and we both slid outside.

A blonde boy was standing on the gate with a black car. He was on his phone in one hand and other on pocket of his grey coloured jeans. “Lock the door and came out there.” Nova said letting go of my hand and pointing at the gate. I nodded in a yes. Then he moved toward the gate and waved at that boy. I locked the main door and put the keys into my bag. I turned around and move toward the gate. Nova and that boy, both were busy in talking. I took a deep breath and moved next to Nova. That boy looked at me and smiled.

“Meet Kai. He’s a friend of mine. Or say best friend.” Nova told me introducing me to him.

“hi.” He said extending his hand toward me. “She is Licia....” Nova wanted to continue but Kai cut him off before he could finish.

“So you are Licia. His sister.” Kai said with an excited tone. I nodded in a yes with a faint smile and we shake our hands. “You are very cute. Just like he told me.” Kai added.

I blushed and pulled my hand away from his hand and looked at Nova. He was frozen like his secret was disclosed. Then he bumped Kai’s arm with his fist and Kai let out a soft groan. I laughed at this and they both looked at me. I blushed more like a cherry. Kai gave car keys to Nova.

“Have fun and be safe.” Kai said before leaving.

“Ya. Sure.” Nova said to him.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I said waving to him. And he smiled at me. He turned around and went away to his way.

“Come on. Let’s go.” Nova said opening the door of car for me. I looked at him and nodded. He smiled at me and holds my hand to lead me. I sat on the seat and he closed the door and moved toward the driver side. He gets in and put on the vehicle.

“When did you learn driving...?” I asked him with surprised look.

“You don’t know much about me. Don’t you.” He smirked and we started to move toward the big city. I was still wondering about his comment. I looked toward the road. We were going fast. He put on the music. “So what” was playing with its full energy and enthusiastic music? I started to lip sync bump my head with the beats of music. Nova looked at me and smiled at me.

“It’s time to meet again.”