27 The morning after
The morning sun quietly seeped into the house, the birds outside were singing their song joyfully as they officially announced the arrival of a new day.
Sefi opened her eyes in a daze, habitually fumbled for the phone next to her and took a look.
It was only seven o'clock. Still early, she thought, Closing her eyes once more and continued to sleep.
A few seconds later, she opened up her eyes and picked up the phone again to double-check if indeed she was right.
Yup, only seven o'clock in the morning. She thought. It's still early to go to class, I can sleep for a while more. She threw the phone aside again.
She laid there with her eyes closed, still feeling that sense of uneasiness. Something wasn't quite right, what was it?
She checked her phone, Oh that's right, it was Saturday. No lectures on Saturday. She could have a lie in today. Feeling more relaxed, she spread her arms and legs out like a starfish.
Only a second later, she shot up from the bed, she stared at the room in front of her and blinked a few times. Suddenly remembering she was no longer in her room at St Catherine's College, she was at Tang's house.
Last night was Nathan and Eve's birthday celebrations. She didn't feel well and left the party early. Jin had helped her until Tracy took over and brought her over to her room.
Of course, she hadn't forgotten about Nathan's little prank, despite him apologising she hadn't forgiven him yet.
Did he even apologise? She found herself wondering. Trying to remember if he had said "sorry" or not. She couldn't recall. The events of last night were all a bit blurry.
But he did take you downstairs. A little voice in her head said. That was true, who knew what might've happened if she had stayed up on that balcony. She felt so down at the time, she might've jumped.
Whatever happened between Nathan and the original owner had nothing to do with her. She decided. Time to move on now. She doesn't mind being the bigger person and offer an olive branch first.
Since she didn't get him a birthday present, she decided to cook a hearty breakfast for him. Yup, that's what she'll do. As for Eve? She deserved a big fat lump of coal! Santa Claus does not bring presents for children on the naughty list!
Thinking of this, she lifted the covers and was about to get out of bed. She frowned slightly when she saw what was on her body inadvertently. Why was she still wearing that hideous yellow duck dress?
Could it be that you didn't even have the strength to change your pyjamas last night? The same little voice said mockingly.
She shook her head. When did she become such a lightweight? She'd only had one glass of champagne as well. Before she was such a good drinker, she could drink everyone under the table.
St Catherine's College was popular amongst the American students. They loved the fact that the legal drinking age was 18, instead of the 21 they had been well accustomed to in the States and everyone drank in University. It was part of the culture.
She went over to the dressing table and tied her hair into a simple ponytail, once again impressed with the makeup artist's handy work. Her hair looked so much better. It was lighter and she felt her mood lighten too.
Not that she was bragging, but she made the best pancakes in the world. It was better than McDonald's pancakes. It was light and fluffy, it had a nice degree of firmness to it and it wasn't overly sweet. It was just perfect. Anyone who had tried it always sang its praises.
She made sure the outer surface was a lovely golden colour or occasionally just slightly browned, depending on how well she controlled the temperature that day. It was a bit of hit and miss at times since she only made it once a year for very special occasions. But the inside was always soft and just melted in the mouth.
Nathan wouldn't even know what's hit him. She thought and she went downstairs to the kitchen humming a happy tune.
***
Nathan didn't sleep very well last night. He woke up around four o'clock in the morning and refused to get back to sleep. He tossed and turned for several hours, then once the clock hit six, he decided there was no point trying to sleep and went for a morning swim instead.
The moment he plunged his head into the clear blue water, the anger inside him felt like a fire being extinguished. The cold water rushed over from all directions and took away all of his stress.
That was what he liked about swimming. It allowed him to forget about all his worries and he found any confusing thoughts he had would automatically unravel themselves. He could think more clearly when he was in the water.
It was the same type of feeling he got when he was racing. He could forget about everything and just focus on the task on hand. He found it especially cleansing, spiritually too.
He held his breath and his stalwart body swiftly shuttled through the water like a merman. After a hundred laps back and forth, Nathan hauled himself out of the pool and breathed deeply.
The water droplets dribbled down his handsome face and along his washboard stomach. His lungs felt like they were on fire, but he enjoyed the feeling very much.
His mind became a lot clearer and sharper. He felt his mood more happier.
He picked up the towel that was draped over the chair and dried himself then wrapping it around his shoulders, he strode towards the shower room.
