10

Slowly yet steadily Kiara got used to having Oz by her side. HE got accepted into the University that he wanted to after getting tutoring from Kiara. She slowly got used to her weird heart rate and ignored it as time went by. A total of four months passed and they lived under the same roof. And today was a day just like any other for Kiara where she hurried back home and unlocked the door to be welcomed by the savory scent of food cooked by Oz. At first, she was surprised when he cooked for the first time after his hand had healed wHen she asked he simply told her that his mother taught him to cook. He said he wanted to thank her for doing so much for him that made her heartbeat like a running train but then she got used to it.

"I am back!!" She announced to which Oz gave her a wide smile. He was wearing a check t-shirt with his cuffs wrapped up. A greenish apron secured his waist while he pulled out a pot from the kitchen.

"Just in time," He said. "You should wash up before having dinner." He suggested to which Kiara nodded.

"Will be right back." She said and rushed into her room. He pursed his lips and looked at her walking away nervously. "I will tell her after dinner."

He nodded to himself and continued to bring out the food. It was weird as he had cooked way too much today. Kiara who seemed too hungry as she came back in no time with a towel draped over her head and paused at the sight of so much food on the table.

"Am I forgetting something? Or was it a special day today?" She asked in a confused voice. To which Oz smiled and brought out a birthday cake.

"It is my eighteenth birthday," He said.

Kiara stood with a blank expression and soon her facial color faded. "It is your birthday? How come you never told me about it?! I haven't even prepared anything for you!" she whined.

"You don't have to, All that you have ever done for me was more than enough." He said.

"But still." SHe said uneasily.

"I don't want anything else." He spoke with genuine thankfulness, making Kaira take a deep breath and take a seat. "Anyway, I will still buy you something on my way back from work." She said and crossed her arms stubbornly to which he nodded. "Alright but let's cut the cake first."

"Oh yes, I forgot about that part." She quickly picked up the lighter that he had brought to the table and lit the candles. "Here we go!" She set aside the lighter and said while rubbing her hands. "Hurry up and MAke a wish!" she said excitedly.

"If I make a wish, Will you fulfill it?" HE asked with a tilted head, he caught her off guard making her nervously rub her wrist. Kiara wasn't sure what he was talking about so she asked. "What kind of a wish is it?"

"Well it's nothing special, I just wanted to make sure it comes true so I am using it here." He replied with his gaze still plastered to her face for a reply to this question.

"Okay, I will try," SHe rubbed her arm nervously.

"No! You have to promise!" he added with a hint of urgency.

Kiara who was getting nervous nodded. "Okay, okay just don't say anything absurd," Her head ran in many directions

"You have to come to my graduation ceremony," he said nervously as if he thought she might refuse.

Kiara blinked blankly and looked at him with confusion. "Why all of a sudden? And you are not even in your final year yet." She spoke.

"I know, I just wanted to make sure you come so I asked," he said innocently. Kiara nodded and said, "Okay, If that is your wish then I will make sure to come." He seemed relieved.

"You can't break your promise okay?" He said.

"Alright, alright I won't!" she scratched her head and said. Oz smiled to himself and picked up her plate to put food in it for her.

She ate her food happily and Oz seemed a little tense, After a long silence, he said.

"Also I wanted to tell you that I have found a place to live in. I will be moving out tonight," he said abruptly and Kiara looked at him blankly. "Huh?"

Clang…

The fork slipped out of Kiara's hand and fell to the floor making a loud ringing sound. It took her a few moments to understand what he had said and then she tried to act as natural as possible,

"Oh! Hah," She gave out a brief laugh. "YOu have found a place." She repeated in a slightly surprised tone.

"Let me get you another fork." He started to get up to which Kiara said. "No! No need for that." She shook her hands and said quickly. "Just sit down and eat."

She looked down at her plate for a few seconds and Oz peeked at her, waiting for her to say something. Just a few seconds later Kiara lifted her head with a beaming smile.

"That's great, Have you packed up or do you need help?" SHe asked.

Oz stared at her with a blank look as if he was expecting a different kind of reaction but Kiara snapped him out of his thoughts when she flicked her fingers before his eyes. "Have you already packed up?" She asked.

"Huh? Yes, yes I have." he blinked blankly a few times before he answered.

"Hah!" Kiara gave out a short laugh, "I was wondering why you would ask me to attend your graduation all of a sudden. Turns out you were planning on leaving." she forced a chuckle.

"I am sorry I didn't tell you beforehand. I was just trying to figure things out on my own this time." He said with guilt to which Kiara chuckled. "I was just kidding, It's your life, do whatever you please."

Oz seemed relieved when he saw her laugh it off. He looked at her hand that still didn't have a fork in it so he picked up the pasta in his fork and took it close to her mouth. "HEre." He said. Kaira was caught off-guard and she opened her mouth without realizing it.

"What was that for?" SHe asked in a flustered manner as she bit into the food.

"You don't have one so I thought we could share it." HE said in an innocent voice.

Kiara covered her mouth with her hand and got up from the chair abruptly. Oz looked a little shocked by it but before he could ask anything Kiara explained her actions. "I will get myself another one. You don't have to do that." She said and quickly ran away to grab herself another fork. But she didn't come back instantly as she could feel the warmth creep up her cheek and her heart making loud thumping sounds, she held her chest that felt like exploding and placed the other hand on the kitchen counter as she blew out heavy breaths.

"God! That was close!" she said and fanned her face.

"Are you not coming?" He called out from behind. It caused her heart to jump even more violently. She gulped in her saliva and placed her hand on her chest as she spoke in a normal voice. "Will be right there."