Heartbeat

Episode 2

Some minutes later, Ryan’s car stops at the student parking lot and I sigh deeply because the parking lot is quite far from my department.

This is the main reason I prefer walking which will be easier and time saving. Meanwhile, my phone continuously buzzing with Melissa’s texts as she apologises for her boyfriend’s behaviour.

Ryan’s throws me a glance when I lean my head against the car seat. “What’s up, princess?”

Unenthusiastically, I answer him. “I have to walk now. It’s gonna take time. I told you I can walk.” My tone changes but he still seems amused with my reaction.

“I can carry you.” He leans in, leaving few inches between us. His piercing blue eyes looks deep into mine then it slowly moves down to my lips. Blinking few times for his attempt, I hop out from the car abruptly and speeds up my steps away from him and his stupid tricks.

“Mayaa. Hold on.” He calls me out from behind.

“What?” I stop and turn my attention to him. My half yell voices gain some students’ attention too where they give us confused eyes. We stare at each other and neither of us say anything. My rapid breath is flaring through nostrils. I turn my sneaker and start walking but he stops me.

“Mayaa, I know I messed up. You were right. I was coward but I realised my mistakes when I come here. I missed you so much and regretted for whatever I did to us. You can ask anyone here. I’ve never dated anyone since you. I wasn’t serious with anyone except for you. I looked for you in every girl that I talk to. Please Mayaa. Give us a chance. I’m sorry, princess.”

I clear my throat as I squeeze the strap of my bag. For few long deadly seconds, I stare at him and wonders if he’s saying the truth. He goes on again while I was figuring out the truth behind his words. “All I need is a dinner with you. Just dinner. I’m not sure if I can fix everything over a dinner but you won’t regret it.” It’s unbelievably frustrating when I let myself to melt under his words and gaze just like that.

I gasp when he takes my hand and drops kisses on the knuckles. “Say yes please?” He murmurs as he strokes my hand affectionately.

***

Anxiousness creeps in when I walk down the little hall where the university guitar club is having registration day. Spending hours on contemplating if I should join the club, I finally make my mind at the end of previous lecture.

The freshies crowd the area with forms in one hand. This club is one of the popular and highly demanded club just for the eye candies in the organization. But that isn’t the reason I’m here.

Gawking the hall, I notice the table that provides the registration forms for the interested students. As I near the table, I find an attractive specimen sitting there with his blue Polo and eyeglasses. I tug a strand of my hair behind my ear and smiles at him nervously.

“Hi, can I get a form please?” I ask politely. He throws me a flirty wink and passes me the form.

“Here.” I shift uncomfortably with the registration form when his eyes fixes on me. Thinning my lips together, I continue to fill up the form with my personal details but it doesn’t take my time much because I have no any experiences on playing guitar as a representative at high school or anywhere else. With the hope that this is just a formal process of joining a club, I sign it and submit the form.

I pick up my pace and ready to leave the hall. “Mayaa Andrew.” Narrowing my eyes, I turn around and look at the same guy I saw at the registration table. He reaches over me and stretches out his hand. “I’m Daniel.”

My eyebrows arch before reaching his hand with a smile plastering on my face. A smile that never leaves my face. My mum always says that I’m quite generous with my smile. I think she’s right; I never had the resting b***h face. I hate to be sour but also never been rude to anyone. I like to keep my vibe in calm.

“You know my name. Nice meeting you, Daniel.”

“You have nice name Mayaa. Why guitar? You look more like a piano kinda girl.” He says as he eyes me from top to bottom.

I chuckle, “I don’t know. It just seems nice to have guitar, easy to carry. You can’t carry piano everywhere.”

He laughs at my lame joke. “Mind if I ask you the exact reason for joining this club. I know why girls join this club. Prove me wrong Mayaa.” He lowers his voice as he leans down to reach my level. He’s tall.

“I don’t find anyone attractive here, Daniel if that what you want to know. Completely, here to gain knowledge.” I look up at the smirking face who now watching into my eyes as if to detect lies in my words.

It’s not a lie. He’s attractive and also others but nobody around here seems like worth my precious time.

“Wait, is that mean you’re one of the top committee members?” I question him curiously with one brow lifting up.

He nods with a smile biting his lower lips. “Oh, I see. President?” I ask again.

“Nope. Vice-president. Hey, can I get your number?” He blurts out without holding back.

I tilt my head to one side and smile at him and also his boldness. “It’s in the form, Daniel.”

The last thing I want to do right now is flirt with the vice-president of the club and add mess to my life. I end the conversation before I get too friendly with him and gives wrong signals. One thing about me, as a basic introvert I’ll get friendlier with strangers and get called as b***h who gives me hope.

Fuck man, I’m friendly sometimes.

His hand scratches the nape of his neck and nods numerous times. “Oh yea.”

“When can I know the results?” I ask as I squeeze the bag’s string when my heart begins the part-time job. I thought Ryan is in class. He can’t be here. I fish out my phone while maintaining eye contact with Daniel.

“Probably by end of today.” That fast! Efficient enough. I nod at his words about the efficiency of the club on handling. None of his words enter my mind as my eyes scan the room but there isn’t any sight of Ryan nor a text from him.

“I’ll see you around Daniel. I got to go. Nice conversation.”

‘Mayaa.’ My heartbeats double when I hear my name. Okay, this is crazy. I am crazy.

“Huh?” My steps halt and the word slip out automatically causing Daniel to look at me weirdly as he arches his brows. “You okay, Mayaa?”

I give him a small smile and walk out from the hall but taken aback when I see the familiar figure standing outside the hall. See, I’m not crazy after all. “I knew you must be here.”

Ryan walks closer to me, “How is that?” I shake my head, refuse to answer him instead beam broadly.

“How was your class?” I make small conversation while we both make our way to the café. The café that I’ve been hanging out since day one at Cambridge. This café holds a special place in my heart and it’s remedying to sit there with a cup of caramel frap and the hot classic donut.

Hazel and Melissa can easily guess my whereabout if they can’t spot me at library. The inviting scent of freshly brewed coffee goes through my nostril when we step in the café.

“Mayaa.” Ryan calls me as he touches my hand softly. I look up at him as my eyes reaches his gaze. A soft smile forms on his lips. “Thank you for accepting my dinner offer,” His eyes still in disbelief when I say yes for the dinner invitation.

“Don’t make me regret for it.” I say teasingly as I devour the donut. Donuts unavoidably reminds me of someone. A long heavy sigh releases from me reluctantly when memories flashing into my mind and heart clashing at the same time.

“You won’t Mayaa. Everything will change after the dinner. I promise.” We sit there talking about our classes and some random topics.

“Guess what? Earlier at the hall, a guy named Daniel asked for my number. Not sure his idea though.” A frown appears on his face when I say about the vice-president.

“Do I have to worry about him?” He asks with a worried face.

I smile reassuringly to him, “You do know that you can only start worrying after the dinner, right?” We’re not together and even though I said yes doesn’t mean he needs to do the boyfriend duties for me. Things have changed now so I can’t decide hastily.

“What time is next your class?” The time reads 4pm, how fast time flies. I ask Ryan while scrolling my phone. I have no class after this and probably will head back to house to get my good nap.

“In an hour.” I nod at his words but something with the new email come in make me stare at the phone screen with opened mouth. “What the hell does this mean?”

“That I have class in an hour?” Ryan says back.

I click my tongue at him and shove the phone screen on his face. “It’s this Ryan. How can they reject me for this silly reason?”

The email is about the disapproval for me on being a member in the guitar club because I don’t seek guitar lesson from professionals and also didn’t participate or perform anywhere.

“Opps, babe. I didn’t expect this. Are you okay?” Ryan asks in concern filled tone.

“I can’t believe this. I don’t know about these requirements, Ryan or else I wouldn’t go there embarrass myself.” I groan in frustration and bury my head between my palms.

“Mayaa. You don’t need a club’s approval to show your talent. You know about the open space, right? People will acknowledge your talent better than any other club. You should consider that.”

I heard about the open space when I attended the orientation. A place where students free to do anything such as reading out poems, singing, dancing and everything that considered appropriate.

“But it’s not about that. I wanna gain knowledge through the club since there are talented guitarist.” I sigh. Ryan’s hand rests on my shoulder, making me to face him and says, “Mayaa. Let go of this please. You can sign up for classes. Learn from them. It’s fine.”

And a moment later, Hazel’s voice attracts me and Daniel is tagging along with her. “I’m sure you received the email, judging by your grimaces.” Daniel says that.

I nod weakly. “But I don’t get it. No one tell me about the requirement. Not even you.”

“I thought you know about the terms. I’m sorry Mayaa, I can’t do anything much about it. We’re not the decision maker.” While Daniel trying to comfort me, Hazel’s eyes dancing from Ryan to me and also to his hand filling mine. A teasing smile appears on her when my eyes locks with her brown eyes.

I mouth her, ‘Not now’ and continue with Daniel.

“And who is the decision maker? You should come off clear with terms before giving out the form or even state it clear on the form. But there was not anything.”

“I’m so sorry Mayaa. Like I said, we just sort the potential ones. It’s Owen who decides who he wants in the club since he’s the president.” Okay now that name sounds familiar. Yes, Owen. Melissa’s boyfriend. As if could guess my thoughts, Hazel nods agreeing on with my mind when I avert my gaze to her.

I let out a long-exasperated sigh. “Who else got rejected?” Hazel and Daniel look at each other and face me.

“Hmm, let me think. You and another girl named Mayaa Andrew which means just you.” Hazel answers me and leave me thunderstruck. I hear a small gasp from Ryan who still standing with me even though he getting late for class.

“No! Only me?” I ask in disbelief and hiss.

“Yup. Look Mayaa. Don’t waste your time worrying about not getting in that. Consider open space.” Hazel repeats the same idea of Ryan. They both should marry each other.

She pauses for a while when Daniel excuses himself from us and continues, “I’m sure Owen has a reason. You might deserve something better than stuck there.”

“You always side him. Of course, he’s your friend.” I roll my eyes.

“Mayaa. You’re my friend too. But Owen is the president there and he obligated to follow the rules that he makes.” I glance at my watch and it’s getting late for Ryan. He should leave before gets late for class.

“Ryan you should leave for class. I’ll be fine.” I say as I face him.

“You sure? You can take my car.”

“No. no. I want to walk. Need some fresh air.” He nods and caresses my cheek before leaving to his class. His stunt definitely earns a loud wheeze from Hazel.

“Aww I can’t get enough of you both. So good together.” She squeals in excitement but I’m not. Hazel doesn’t stop from trying to make me feel better about Owen and his disapproval for terms that not even mentioned or written at the first place.

The guitar club really excites me but everything turns upside down now. I wonder what is the deal with this Owen guy. Is it because his mood swings? Like yesterday, even before I could finish my sentences, he speeded off. I don’t need a ride in his sexy black beast like Ferrari.

Jeez, he should act professional. He really has some serious mental issues. Oh god, I’m going crazy over a damn club. I should get over it.

“Look babe. Owen is the last person you want to mess up with.” Hazel says and that shocks the hell out of me.

“Why would I mess up with him in the first place?” I question her in disbelief which turns my forehead to crinkle.

She shrugs her shoulder and replies, “I don’t know you look like plotting a murder. No, right?”

“Hell no, Hazel Greens. I don’t want to end up in jail for some club.”

***

Hazel has to run some errands when we’re on our way back to house so she ditches me and I’m walking alone now with heavy mind. Nevertheless, fidgeting the wristband makes me feel good. Making slow steps, I blow a sigh in relief when I finally get around the neighbourhood.

My brain starts working on my upcoming agenda. I should slip out my foot from the sneakers I’m wearing, strips out my clothes and wets myself under a cold shower. Then wear a big tee with no bra and a short. My kind of evening. Not forgetting a good nap on my bed with a sky view ceiling.

The giggling inside me dies instantly when I saw the same black Ferrari right in front my house. Repeating the mantra to make me stay calm inside me, I walk forward. A devilish smirk appears on my face. Gawking around to check if anyone watching me, I let out my tiny anger by kicking the car tyre.

“Woah, woah. Mayaa. He’s in the car.” That’s Melissa’s voice saying something that I wish to not be true. I move my head slowly to see her coming out from the house.

“Like right now in the car?” I raise my eyebrows.

She nods with entertained plus shocking wide eyes.

“He can see me through the tinted windows?”

She nods with the same expression and says with low voice. “Yes. He can see you through the tinted windows. And I know the reason for that kick.”

“Is he going to kill me?” I ask as I purse my lips together.

“Maybe.”

“Ok bye.” I sprint away and closes the door with a thud without looking back at Melissa or her boyfriend.

I’m so dead!