17 Chapter 17: Sleepy

"Hey, Kal. Where you at?" the words came out automatically after he picked up the call. Right now, I'm behind our class' building. I'm going to skip class today 'cause I don't feel like listening to our teacher for an hour. Well, I shouldn't mind because next month will the graduation day, so why bother?

"In the room, obviously. I have class, why?" he asked.

"I'm outside. Behind our building, you know? I want to go somewhere, wanna join?" I explained then smile from ear to ear as if Kale is in front of me.

"What do you mean you're outside? Don't you have class?" confusion and irritation were dripping on his voice like some acid.

I set aside that thought, "Yeah, I do have class. But, don't have the energy to listen," my voice came out uninterested. "I want to go somewhere. You'll join me or what?"

I heard him groan in frustration. "Do what you want, I still have class," he sound so pissed.

"Yeah, whatever. I'll go anyway," with that, I rolled my eyes. "Bye," ending the call immediately before he could even protest.

I looked up at the wall in front of me. It's freaking tall, well, I think I can handle such height. Whatever, I've got no choice, this is my only way out.

First, I walk towards the mango tree beside the wall. Thank God it's not that tall, I started to climb it.

I was riding the biggest branch like it's a horse when I heard someone below me.

"What the fuck, Inara?!" I heard Kale muttered some curses while looking at me with his angry eyes.

Uh-oh.

"H-Hey," I'm stuttering but I manage to wave and give him an awkward smile.

Because of the wave, I nearly lose my balance, that may cause me to fall, "Whew, that's close."

"Get down here! You're wearing a skirt then you fucking climb a fucking tree?! You're such an idiot, you little shit..." his words came out one by one. The jerk is really pissed.

But, that doesn't mean I'll follow his order. Dude, I'm not your servant anymore. I'll decide on my own now.

"I thought you have a class? Why are you here?" I asked, raising a brow and looking down on him.

"I'm worried about your actions these days, you fool," he wasn't even faze. He's still making sure that he sets the rule between us.

"Yeah. Yeah. As if," I rolled my eyes, not agreeing with what he just said, "The mighty Kale Arche Lucine who doesn't give a damn about anything is now worried?" I crossed my arms and make sure that my balance is still intact.

He clenched his jaw then diverted his gaze.

"Last time I check, I was the one whose always worried. When did the tables turn, KALY?" I made sure I emphasized saying his nickname.

Teeth gritting, jaw clenching, furrowed brows, eyes burning with anger, "GET. DOWN. NOW," he said with finality. "Or else," for the nth time, I rolled my freaking eyes.

"Or else what?" I looked at him with the same intensity he's giving off. He didn't answer, "See, you don't even — Ahhhh." I didn't finish what I was about to say when I lost my balance because of a fucking hand gesture.

"Aww," My gosh! My body hurts.

Then, I realize, I fell on top of Kale. Oh shit.

My eyes widened after realizing it, I also felt my cheeks heating up. Fortunately, his eyes were close and feeling the pain that's why he didn't see me blushing.

I immediately pick myself up and get away from him because of the embarrassment. "It's your fault! How come you're already there?!" I blamed him and turn my back so he won't see me.

Calm down,Nali!"

"If I did not run towards here, your face must have hit the ground," he seriously said while wiping some soil on his uniform.

"Then you should have let me!"

"Why?" I faced him, his face is void of any emotion right now.

"Because you are angry," I whispered. I don't want him to hear it, it sounded so immature.

Now I'm feeling guilty. He got hurt because of me.

"Because I'm angry?! I'm not that immature," he said sarcastically. Knew it!

Suddenly, his face is back on serious mode. "I don't want you to fall and get hurt, but I didn't manage to do both. So, as much as possible I don't want you to get hurt."

I already did fall and get hurt,Kale. That time. That time that I confessed my feelings.

I can't understand why my chest is tightening right now. Why does he keep on saying those thing? Why does he always make my heart flutter every time he say those kind of words? Damn you, Kale. Just damn you.

My tears are now brimming while thinking of the questions clouding my mind.

"Give me your phone," he demanded.

I didn't move an inch, he approached me and looked for my phone, it's in my pocket. When he got it, he did something on it, typing, I guess. Then, Kale get his phone and did the same.

After a few minutes, he handed me back my phone.

"Let's go," he hold me by my arm. I winced with his touch. He let go of me and look at my arms. There's a tiny scratch there, it sting when touching it.

He muttered some curses. Then grab his own hair because of too much frustration he is feeling.

"What happened to you, Inara? These past few days, you always cut your classes," he's right. Me,cutting classes is getting frequent. "You're being completely careless!" he shouted that made me step back.

"What do you mean?" I tried to laugh to break the tension. "I'm just having fun, like you taught me."

"Like I taught you?" he grin. "This isn't fun anymore. You are neglecting your studies, you are getting more wounds each passing day. You are not taking care of yourself, Inara! As if you are not thinking anymore!"

His words caught me off guard. My chest tightened. My breathing slow down. My tears brimming.

"Is that so? Is that what you think?" I smiled bitterly. "Then fine. You win. I'm such an idiot, anyway. From now on, stop worrying about me. Just mind your own business like you always do," my back is now on him. The tears successfully freed themselves.

Maybe what he said is true. Maybe I am being careless. My mind is not working anymore, I can't think straight anymore. I learn to have fun, but I can't take care of myself. I don't think about the what-ifs now but my mind is going haywire.

I just want to take breather. Breathe, I want that... I'm exhausted. My thoughts is slowly drowning me again. Things are getting harder. The dreams I got before, turn into nightmares. It's haunting me. Chasing me endlessly, I can't run away from it anymore.

"You don't even know a damn thing about me anyway," I whispered. My steps were too fast he wasn't able to catch up. I don't even know where I am heading.

"Inara," he shouted.

"Hey poppet, you're doing good. You're slowly improving," he stated then smile at me.

"Really?" I forced my voice to be as energetic as it was before so he would not notice things. "That's good, then. Kuya said I look livelier than before."

He chuckled then mess with my hair.

"My brother said that there's this huge deal they might get," I diverted the topic.

"Really?"

"Yeah, after some weeks, they will hear the decision if they will get it or their competitor will."

After spending some time with Kale, I go home and sleep because of exhaustion.

"Inara, hey," who's that?

"Inara, come here," my heart started to race when I heard the creepy voice.

"Inara let's go. Let's go home," then I saw a lady standing in front of me. I can't see her face.

I step back so she won't be able to touch me. She step forward.

I caught a glimpse of her smile, it's Mamay!

"Let's go, Nali. Come with me," I run when she said that. She followed me.

I run and run and run. When I looked back, she's not alone anymore. Many people are chasing me. Calling my name repeatedly.

"Stop!"

"Stop!" I shouted again and again, begging them to stop following me.

"Nali!"

"Nali!"

"Nali! Wake up!"

I open my eyes, my face covered with sweat. Catching my breath while holding my tightening chest. Tears started to fell.

I looked at my mother. Worry is evident on her black round eyes. I instantly hug here then cry to my heart's content while remembering that scary dream.

She caressed my back, trying to make me stop crying, "Baby, it's okay. It's just a dream. I'm here. Mama's here."

"T-They're c-chasing me, they w-will hurt me," I said between sobs.

"Sshhh, no one's gonna hurt you, baby."

It's just a dream, Nali. Just a nightmare...

My steps became faster when that memories after that nightmare flashes in my mind. Kale is still following me.

I started to run so the guard won't catch me. Before I even cross the road, someone pushed me.

"Stop that man!" someone shouted.

Before I could even react, I lost my balance causing me to fall. My head hit something hard.

Damn. That hurts.

My breathing slowed, my vision is getting blurry, I can't move my body. I'm suddenly sleepy, I badly want to sleep.

I saw a blurred figure rushing towards me. It's him. I saw his bloodshot eyes, our gaze met. I tried to smile and say something...

I'm sleepy. Kale...

Everything just disappear. Like waking up from a nightmare. A dream.

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