HEART UNDER CONSTRUCTION

CHAPTER 1

It’s thirty minutes before six; the sky is dark and drizzles are starting to pour. Joanna held her bag tight while feeling in her palm the droplets from the sky. “Okay Joanna, you got this. Just few runs before reaching the terminal” she encouraged herself. She plans to run to the nearest bus stop and retreat back home before the drizzle transition into a heavy rain.

She was about to step her foot forward when a hand stopped her by holding her wrist. It walked with her. She felt no droplets in her head. She looked up and saw a black umbrella shading her and the person next to her. He talked, “Walk faster, we’re not the only ones crossing the lane” DK said while still holding her wrist. It is Joanna’s first time to be rescued like this.

A car passed by with a fast adrenaline making the waters in the road splash through them. Before it could happen, DK pulled her close and shielded her with his broad chest. She felt DK’s heat and scent; it made her turn on. For her, it is so attractive from where he offered to walk with her under the same umbrella. “Are you fine?” he asked. His voice is gentle and his eyes convey concerns. She nodded, “Shouldn’t I be the one to ask you that?” she asked.

DK’s white uniform were stained with water and mud. “It’s alright. I can let someone wash it” he answered. He brought out his car keys from his pocket. He asked, “Where do you live? I’ll drop you there” he offered. Joanna declined, “It’s fine, we are in a bus stop, I’ll catch the next bus” she said. DK tsked, “I insist. It’s already dark and the rain might pour soon. Take this as a friendly treat; you can save up the fare” he said and looked at her with a smirk.

Joanna sighed, “Maybe I can’t decline. Just this once, okay?” she replied. “Yes!” DK quietly said. He succeeded in offering Joanna the free ride out of goodwill. He opened the passenger seat’s door and got her inside his car. He went to the opposite and started the engine. Joanna felt the coldness inside DK’s car. Besides from the scent and the cool air conditioner, she noticed that DK is well organized and neat.

Joanna kept roaming her thoughts around that she forgot to guide DK the way. “We’re close to your house, right?” DK asked. Her thoughts were disturbed and looked outside, “Yeah, we’re almost there” she replied. They reached their destination. It is an apartment-like house structure where the first floor is occupied by tenants. “You own this place?” DK curiously asked. Joanna nodded, “Someone is renting the first floor. Their monthly payment is what I use for living” she replied.

DK looked around, it’s not a bad place. It is wide enough for a person living alone. Joanna uttered, “Do you want to get inside? Want to grab a drink or a meal?” she offered. He was about to decline when Joanna continued offering. “Take this as a gratitude treat for dropping me home” she added. DK smiled, “Alright then” he replied.

The two went inside. The place is cozy and the winds are starting to get cold even without air conditioners. Joanna placed a cold meal inside the microwave to heat it. He just sat down and roamed his eyes on the space. “I told you it’s just simple” she uttered. “Not bad at all” he replied. Joanna served a warm drink and talked about life until the microwave tinged.

“I’m sure you haven’t eaten dinner. You can eat here” Joanna said. DK looked at the bowl. It smells nice and it looks like it tastes good also. “Did you cook this?” he asked. Joanna replied, “Yep. And lucky you, it is my specialty. Linguine pasta with chili oil”. DK wowed upon tasting a spoonful. “I haven’t tasted a linguine recipe that tastes so good” he complimented. “You’re such a joker” Joanna said while chuckling. DK looked at her, “I’m dead serious! You cook better than the chef in our house” he insisted. Joanna replied, “If you say so. Grab some more”

The two talked as if they own the night. Joanna uttered, “Do you think it’s time for you to go now?” she asked. DK glanced at his wristwatch. “Time flew so fast. I think I better go home” he replied. Joanna asked, “Well, if you don’t mind me asking, where do you live?”. DK looked at her and answered, “I live one town before the school’s location”. Joanna got surprised, “So my residence is out of your way? How can you drive at this hour?” she asked.

DK smirked. He went near her until her back is leaned on the wall; his palm touching the wall. “Are you worried?” he asked. Joanna looked away; she cannot stare at DK’s sharp eyes. It feels like she is having a hard time breathing while his body is almost touching hers.

He stopped, “I’m just joking. No need to feel awkward!” he said casually. Joanna breathed heavily. DK added, “I’m used to driving in late hours. Besides, my conscience will kill me if I let you go by yourself or if something happens badly”. Joanna looked at him, “And what will be the impact to you if something bad really happened to me?” she asked.

DK sighed, “Then every hour won’t be exciting for me anymore” he said and went outside. Joanna felt shivers; she never had a romantic relationship ever since. DK is her first time. She went outside and saw DK riding his car from the terrace’s view. To her surprise, DK opened his car’s window and waved goodbye at her with matching wink and a flying kiss. “What a charming guy” she commented and hid her smiles to deny that she is already loving DK’s presence.

DK drove the long road ahead him with a smile on his face and Joanna in his mind. He never had an experience of a true love and he vows that if it is Joanna will be the first, he will be glad to call her his lifetime. For him, Joanna’s life is interesting and it is for him to dig deeper as if he is expecting a gold in the deepest part of her life.

He drove for hours before arriving on their house. The lights were on and he knows what to expect – his mom is inside. He shrugged; maybe JL – his older cousin told something to his mom against him. “Maybe I should stop venting out to JL” he said and went inside without bothering to use the door key in his hand. He looked around and saw his mom sitting on the living room’s couch while sipping a cup of tea.

His mom is sophisticated in clothing, in attitude, and in manners. She raised him well but he turned to the disappointing side of life. “What now, mom?” he asked. His mom stared at him like a lioness aiming to attack a prey. She sighed, “You were reported again. This is your nth time having a public display of affection violation in your school. I moved you numerous times and I can’t think of any university where you can apply to deprive you from that attitude” she said disappointingly.

“I bet you heard this from your amiga; the dean” he replied. She quickly continued what she was saying. “It doesn’t matter where I got it. The fact that you dated a high schooler inside the university is already inappropriate! I cannot imagine how you did that” she added. DK breathed heavily.

“If you’ll continue talking about this again, excuse me ‘coz I had a long day and I have to rest up” he said and left her mom alone in the living room. Her mother didn’t move a bit. She’s fed up with those excuses and she knows that no one can stop her kid’s crazy actions.

DK laid on his bed after scattering his things on the floor. He turned on his phone and found messages of admiration from his i********: followers. He ignored every single message and went to his contacts. He didn’t know what pushed him to do it but he managed to send a message to Joanna saying, “I managed to arrive home safely”.

Joanna by that time is drying up her hair after a shower. She murmured, “I don’t need his update but, it’s my conscience if something happened”. She shrugged and shook off her thoughts. “Why should I be overly concerned to a man who I just met?” she asked herself. She stared at her phone screen and replied, “Great”. She sent the simple message and assumed nothing in reply.

DK wasn’t contented so he replied, “Sleep early. I’ll see you tomorrow ;)” he sent. Joanna’s eyebrow’s furrowed, she’s not used to receiving messages like this. She replied normally, “See you when I see you. Have a good night”. DK read it and it made him smile for a second. He typed, “Goodnight, beautiful”. He turned off his phone and enjoyed his night with Joanna’s message in his mind.

The kind of excitement he feels in expecting Joanna’s presence the next day makes him want to speed up the night time. He wants her but he feels like it will only last a week or maybe less than a month. Girls are his toys. When he’s had enough, he’ll throw it away and replace it to a new one but before that, he’ll destroy it first to the tiny bit he could crush.

Joanna read DK’s message and for her, it’s not that special. Everyone says goodnight and so, she thought to not to feel anything suspicious or to romanticize the simple message. She, who never had the chance to feel the world around her, doesn’t know what love really meant. She never had the chance to ask her parents how love was formed. She only knows one thing – love is unexpected and it will come anytime, on a time she’s not aware when or how will happen.