Chapter 4

He clung to him tightly. He is saddened to see his father go, at least if he could stay with them a bit longer.

"It's okay son. Father will visit again, and for a longer period" Father gives an assuring look as he parts body from his. He glances at him as he turned and hops into the space shuttle with Uncle Rabanne and Auntie Rose. The space shuttle departs from the ground and vanishes into thin air. They are gone...

"All will be well soon" He feels his mother's warm palm brushes his cheek. She tears a warm smile then walk away, leading her way home. He can feel the bittersweetness in her heart. He concluded, when you love someone, sometimes the best way to protect them is to be planets apart from each other. Love indeed is strange and he wishes that feeling never invades his heart.

10 years later

He always comes to this spot daily, just to have a glimpse of her pass by, when he gets fortunate, she can glance his way and form a warm smile for him. So he has made this, his daily task, to wait for that moment when she smiles and his world stops, his heart melts and all that matters in that space and time is her, Violet. So he has heard her sisters or friends call her that, whenever she leaves the campus. He wonders if she's a student or a lecturer.

There she is. His body gets chills, His heart weakens and starts beating slowly, calling her name. Where is she heading? He notices her shadow disappears beneath the balcony of the two-storey building. Maybe she's visiting an office in this building. He waits silently, thinking perhaps he is wrong and he has finally seized her attention.

"Hey, stranger!" A warm vibrating alto voice echoes behind him. The footsteps move closer and there, his eyes met the apple of his eyes, Violet was standing next to him. Never was a day where has he fathomed in his mind this moment taking place.

"Hey" He lets out a relaxed greeting hiding his delighted heart. He glances at her and shifts his gaze back to the ground. He can't place his eyes longer on her mesmerizing structure, He does not want to place high expectations and hope for more to take place between them.

"Wow! The view here is beautiful "

He looks at the paved ground with a few invading spots of green lawn adorned with flowers.

" I guess" He fixates his gaze on the couple passing by. A surge of envy and wishing to be the man walking with his lover, Violet walking with him, together like lovers.

"Isn't it why you stand here every day and admire this grey pavement? or is there another reason?"

She's inquisitive, He admires that character.

"Yes" He is feeling a bit flustered, He was not prepared for this moment, because it seemed too impossible to be possible. In his head, he had thought this admiration will forever be in a distance, but today it's up close with him.

" I thought so too. This place is dull"

He hears her footsteps moving far away from him, suddenly there was a pause of silence. Is she gone? He turns his head, only for their eyes to confront each other. Rising still emotions which he promised himself not to temper with.

"I am Violet, you are?" Her face looks soft and young.

"Utah " He tries his best to compose his voice to sound like a gentleman's voice.

"Strange name. It was nice to finally see you up close. You are certainly a handsome man" She smiles and turns, she walks down the stairs. He can hear her footsteps fading with distance. After a while, He glances at her below the balcony, as she walks away. She looks up to him and waves gayly. She walks away.

What a moment. He will forever cherish this. Our first moment Violet.

*

"Did you finally talk to her today?" Urah and his wife wait eagerly for his answer.

"We have been talking for a while. I invited her for lunch" They all gape at him with shock. He smiles pleased with his sneak attack. No one saw this one coming. Yes, he has made Violet his woman, She is the only resident in his heart.

"Okay. That is pleasing to the ears. But..." Urah glances at his wife and glance at him with mocking eyes. They burst out a chuckle.

"What is it?" He asks baffled and lost amidst the laughter which seems to be mocking him in a way.

"I will never fall in love, EVER!" Utah lifts his posture held up high. " I will never!" His voice was firm and mocking.

He glances at him with a piercing gaze. How dare he mocks him?

"I don't regret what I said" He feels a burning sensation on his chest stemming from the mocking display they just acted out. He said what he said, he stands by it. He walks out of the lounge room where they were sitting. A part of him is hurt. He doesn't say his goodbyes, he heads to his car.

I wish I had her cell phone number, I would be able to call her and deliver this news to her. I wish I find her today on our spot. My ears shoot up at the words "Our spot", I mumble the words softly out of my mouth. His lips form a smile. What is this feeling? He smiles as he drives the car.

Unlike other days, he stands still and waits for her patiently; today it is different. The wait is excruciating pain. His heart drops, then it beats fast when he glimpses her image appearing with a smile. It's been a week since their official meetup.

Should I go down and meet her halfway? He thinks to himself. I don't want to seem clingy from the beginning, I want to take it slowly as possible because I am not sure what this feeling is. I am still figuring it out.

He is a man who thoroughly makes well-informed decisions, hasty decisions lead to unpleasant consequences.

A wave of warmth overwhelms his body. His body stiffens out of shock and wonder. He feels small arms wrapping from his back and warmth targeting his back.

" I am finally here" She gasps for air. "I saw that you arrived early so I hurried to see you, assuming you want to see me urgently" She releases him from her hug and stand beside him.

Glancing at her, his heart just melts with this warming feeling. That hug is driving him to yearn for a more intimate embrace, her in his arms. His eyes fall on her lips as she speaks and gasps for air. Was she running? Why was she running?

"Utah! What is going on with you today? You haven't answered a word I said to you, Are you okay?" She glances at him with her eyebrows rising.

"I am fine. I am just surprised you ran up the stairs. You are becoming more intriguing every time I see you"

She gawks at him. "Okay...You are so uptight. I have a little plan for us today" She grins.

"Where do you want me to drive you?" He asks in a delighted tone.

"Where are you driving us, that is the question". She grabs his hand and tries to pull him in her direction, but to her surprise, her effort didn't move his body.

This man is strong, she thinks to herself as her eyebrows rose in astonishment.

" Let me tell you something before we head to your destination. I need your help in convincing my brothers that we are lovers" His face was soft.

Her jaw dropped. She gawks at him in a trance. Her lips form to a wide playful smile.

"Okay, I will be your fake lover" Her hand was still in his grip. She squeezes his hand and he glances at her in astonishment.

"Thank you..." He wanted to smile but his smile was cut by a small ting sensation on his hand. What is she trying to do? When he gains consciousness, her face was almost close to his. His eyes glanced at her feet only to find her standing with her toes. His lips form a slightly crooked smile, but it promptly

disappears.

Her face was still close to him. Their eyes locked and for a moment they stayed in trance. She closes her eyes and pouts her lips to give him a peck, but she felt a sudden movement. She opens her eyes and realises the steps between them. Did he just duck her kiss? How embarrassing. Her cheeks feel warm and she tears a smile to camouflage her embarrassment. She needs a quick cover-up.

"So how are we going to convince your family we are dating, if you don't want me to kiss you? We need to work on our chemistry" She asks playfully and moves closer to him. This time around, he didn't attempt to move or avoid eye contact with her.

"There won't be any need for kissing, and the chemistry is already there, if not we will work on it" He talks gently. His body is tense, Violet's actions are exposing him and he needs to do something about it.

"Let's..."

"Have..."

They smile as they realise they talked at the same time.

"Jinx, I speak first" She pinches him.

"Okay, okay. Talk " He chuckles. His eyes were flickering with laughter and passion. She saw that, how can he not realise what is happening to him when she's around him.

"Have you ever been in love before?" She leans on the balcony wall.

"I have never experienced such feeling before" He retorts as he glances in a fairway distance.

"I see" She kept her silence in thought.

It is evident that Utah is not familiar with romantic love. How it invades your heart and make you alien in your mind, heart and body. She vows in her heart to teach him what it is and to realise his feelings; at risk of her nurturing this feeling, she feels every time her eyes place on his image, when she holds him when their eyes lock. She feels like a superwoman when she's with him and when she thinks of him. Lately, he's all that she thinks about.

"Okay. Can we get going now? We are meeting my family later today" He gently readjust her hand and tug her next to him.

"Okay...do I need a specific outfit?" She bits her lip in thought.

"Yes, but don't worry yourself with that, I have that sorted" He assures her. He lets her hand go leaving her high and dry. He takes his steps first. She runs after him and grabs his hand.

"Our act starts now if we have to perfect our chemistry for your family" She swings his hand joyful as she allows her eyes to peer into his eyes.

"Why do I have a feeling that you are enjoying this more than me?" He asks playfully and smirks.

"Oh no, I just enjoy torturing you" She let out a warm short chuckle. He joins her and shakes his head.

He could not think of any woman to help him with shutting his brothers' mouth but her. Perhaps this might come alive and they become lovers. Their energy is compatible. There's no need for him to pretend because his heart beats for her. He wonders again, What is this feeling I feel for her? I have never felt it in my entire life.

He places his soft gaze on her as she talks wildly. She's beautiful in his eyes. She might be the one to change his mind because his heart has already fallen to her charms.