Chapter 33

MATT

Many cabs are parked at the station. I approach the one on my right.

"Where are we going?" the driver asks.

"You can enter the streets, right?"

"Sure. You just have to pay the fare."

"I will."

"So where are we going?"

"District 2, Avenue B, Street B1, Blk 3, Lot 22."

Nodding, he enters the cab. I take the backseat, and after a while, we start moving.

Looking outside serves as a reminder of liberty. I'm happy to be with her again. Finally, I've completed the ATPS.

I get my phone to send a message to Shizumi.

"I'm coming over. See you."

"I'll wait for you," she replies. "I love you."

My heart flutters like it's been carried by the wind and just continues to float around even if someone tries to bring it down.

"I love you too."

Never in a thousand years, I thought that I'll have a girlfriend here. To think that I don't have any experience before according to Anne.

My phone vibrates. A different profile is displayed on the screen. It's Anne.

"How is it going?" she asks.

"Good morning. Do you mean the date? I'm on the way to their house."

"Good. I thought you're letting her go by herself."

"It shouldn't be like that. Besides, the cab here's a commodity so it isn't hard at all."

"Where are you taking her?"

"There's a famous attraction at the mall she wanted to go to. It's kind of expensive though."

"You don't say."

"Don't worry. I'm using the money you sent for my supplies."

"That's a relief. Your father will be furious once he knew. He'll say you're not taking your studies seriously."

"I know." he's already angry at my art, to begin with, so he shouldn't know about this.

Not now.

"Don't tell me you're wearing casual clothes."

"What do you mean? I'm wearing something casual because we're going to a mall."

"But you're not wearing pajamas, right?"

"Of course not."

"I get it."

"How's father by the way?"

"He's good. He's still busy, but he's good. He's sending you his wish. Take care."

He could say something like that?

"Give him my regards."

"I will. Alright, I need to go back to work. Good luck on your date."

"Thank you."

"Be a man."

"I'll try what I can do."

"Act like yourself."

"Yeah."

The cab keeps on moving. The scene outside keeps on changing. On the other hand, I feel a sensation growing inside of my stomach. What's this weird feeling?

After a while, we stop.

"Is this the house?" the driver asks.

I take my eyes to the windows. The Victorian House I know is in its full glory against the sun.

"I'm just going to pick up someone. Wait for me, ok?"

"Sure thing."

I get off the car. The sleeves of my shirt protect me from the rays, but I can already feel my body sweating. I shouldn't stay for too long. I walk to the gate.

*Ring! Ring!*

Anne's right. I just have to act like myself.

The door opens, and a figure appears on the pavement. The figure, Shizumi, shows in a dark blue lacey long sleeve dress. She's wearing almost nothing for accessories, but it's enough to accentuate her outfit alone.

This is beyond what I have imagined.

"Good afternoon," I say.

She casts a beaming smile. "Good morning, handsome."

Her cheeks are roses from the makeup, full glammed up, as her eyes are not too smothered by the cosmetics. I offer my hand. She grips it tight.

"Let us go."

"Please guide me," she says while grinning.

"I'm glad that we're getting the time to be on a proper date. Sorry if I became busy for the past month. Because my Science teacher's going crazy on me."

"Hahaha. It's fine. I understand that you need to study for your quiz bee."

I open the door for her. Entering, she brings her hands to her knees and occupies a seat inside. Her beauty continues to radiate regardless of the angle.

"Good morning, beautiful," the driver says.

"Good morning. Thanks."

"Where are we going?"

"District 3, please. Evergreen II," I say.

"Alright."

The cab moves. Inside, the radio plays an upbeat song that's from a popular girl group that's forcing their voice to sound cute.

"How's the club going?" I ask.

"It's just the usual. You know, it would be better if you made it."

I nod. "It's weird how my painting cracked like that since didn't put anything on it except for the Magic Black."

"I know. It just hurts that I'm doing the thing I love while you couldn't."

This isn't the time to be sad.

"Hey, just let it go. They wouldn't listen to us, anyway." especially Sunjin.

"But you still love painting."

"Of course. But I'm into drawing lately."

"I'll ask m...."

"What's it?"

"I said, I love you more than anything in this world."

She brings her hand to my face and starts caressing. The warmth it emits is melting me. This is grace. I don't notice, but my vision becomes dark in a moment, and the sensation grows better.

It's just bad that I have to lie about my ATPS disguising as a quiz bee.

No. I shouldn't be a downer.

"Must be nice to be young again. PDA and PS."

PS? I open my eyes and look at Shizumi.

Her brows are scrunched, but she's still forcing a smile.

"It's never too late to do those things, mister," she says.

"I hope so. My wife died years ago and I'm already an old man. I doubt that I'll be like you two, again."

"No. Love doesn't choose any age. It would come whether you're expecting it or not and it'll go if you don't take the opportunity."

A smirk appears on the driver.

"Seems like I'm getting lectured by a teenager," he says.

"Hahaha."

Something in this situation feels light and the back of my throat itches to resound.

"Hahahaha."

This is great. Really. I hope that this would last forever.