The Last Moon

Chapter 10: He asked me out

Halea's POV

I just finished dinner and was working on my homework when my phone vibrated. It was Rahul asking me what I was doing. Although I am busy I answered his message.

Rahul: Hey are busy? What are you doing?

Me: Yeah, I'm busy working on my homework. Plus I thought you will only message me if you were not able to come to walk me home.

Rahul: (Smiley) I just wanted to check how you are and what you are doing. I can also help you with your homework if you like

Me: hmm, how good are you in math?

Rahul: I'm okay I must say, go on share with me the problem and I will help you solve it

Me: Cool, here it goes. The problem is about Speed of elevation of a hot air balloon. Here, I took a photo for you to easily understand.

Rahul: Oh, my kind of thing. (Smiley) Trigonometry. This one you need to use Tangent to find the height 1, once you have height 1 you will be able to find height 2 since it is just a sum. Can you do that?

Me: Yeah I got that. but how to calculate the speed?

Rahul: Speed equals distance over time. The time is 2 minutes and your total height you already calculated. So just divide them and you have the answer

Me: Okay, got it. Is it 3.16 m / sec?

Rahul: Very good. See we're progressing. How many problems do you still have?

Me: Well, I think I can manage now since they were somehow the same.

Rahul: Let me help you answer the half, take a photo and send it over. So you can finish early. Just make sure you study them.

Me: That's a great idea here its is (sending the photo)

Rahul: Got it, give me five minutes and I'll send it back

Me: Thank you, take your time no rush.

Rahul has been very helpful, at least I understand his explanation somehow. He sends in the answer after a few minutes while I answer the rest. I showed him to check my answer to make sure they were correct. He was a great help so I stayed a little while to talk to him since he helped me out. 

We were on call for about 20 minutes until we decided to hang-up since we will meet each other again tomorrow. 

***

Halea's POV

Everyday Rahul and I are meeting at the same location and talking at night, it has become a habit while Caleb would spend break and study time with me and the girls. Aspin still hated Rahul and nearly bit him one time when he reached to touch me because of a bug that landed on my hair. Aspin is a very protective dog and I love him for that, he is my real protector. 

It's Friday, and I was walking again with Rahul after school. 

"Have you waited long?" I asked him

"No, not at all. Besides I knew would come otherwise you would have "send me a message or called me," he said

"True, but you still waited. I know I was late. We were working on a project for art class and wanted to finish it today. That's why I came in late."

"No need to apologize, having you here is more than enough for me," he said smiling. 

For a few moments there, I felt like he wanted to hold my hand or something or maybe it's just my imagination so I held my backpack's straps near my shoulder. I saw him brush his hair with his hands. 

"Halea, can I ask you something?"

"You're already asking," I said smiling at him and he smiled back

"Do you like me?"

"Wow, where did that question come from?" I said chuckling, he got shy but he still asked

"Is that too soon to ask?"

"Not really," I said, I know right sooner or later this question will pop-out somewhere

"Well, the thing is I wanted to ask you out on a date,"

"I thought we are already going out on the feast day?"

"Oh yeah, but that was one month ahead. How about strolling at the baywalk and maybe playing at the arcade tomorrow or on Sunday, what do you think?"

Tomorrow, I told the guys I'm busy. But because I was also thinking of him, I know I was expecting this right. I was planning to roam around with Aspin tomorrow but I can do that in the morning while I jog. So it's still okay.

"How about just a friendly date, so you won't feel awkward," he asked again

"Okay, a friendly date then," I said shrugging my shoulders. I can see how his face brightens as if he won a lottery or something.

 "I'll pick you up at 4 pm is that okay with you?"

"I think it's fine," I said

"Great, we will stroll the city so you will be familiarized with the places then we will go to the baywalk and the beach then will go to dinner, how does that sound?"

"It was well planned," I said

He was beaming with excitement when a car honked at us and stopped next to us. It was Veronica, I remember her house is also somewhere nearby.

"Hi, Rahul and you're with?" she tried to check who I was so I faced her and greeted her

"Hi, Veronica," I said

"Lea, right"

"Halea, Rahul corrected her,"

"Do you guys want a ride?" she asked

"I'm almost near, just one block and it's visible from here already, how about you Rahul?" I asked Rahul

"Thank you Veronica but I'm fine, I'll meet Doctor Arthur to talk about my Mom, that's why I'm with her, " he said. I am not sure if that's true but I saw him winked at me.

"Oh, do you want me to come with you?" veronica asked Rahul

"No need Veronica, I know you're busy,"

"Will you come tonight?" she asked

"No, Veronica. I am busy with some work. I will just call you," Rahul said

"bye, Veronica!" he said and he faced me, "Let's go Halea," he said and he grabbed my hand to walk away

I let him hold my hand, and I can feel that sudden charge of tiny electricity running in my veins which gives me that tingling feeling. When the car passed us by I pulled my hand slowly from Rahul.

"I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't mean to do that, I just got annoyed at Veronica,"

"What relationship do you have with Veronica? I hope you don't mind me asking,"

"As you know, our family are close and she somehow expects something from it," he said and sigh

"It's also my fault as I never corrected her until recently,"

"What made you change?"

"I realised that what I have with her is just a sisterly affection," he said, for a moment there I thought he would say 'you'.

"and because I met you," he said.

I looked at him puzzled, did he just read my mind. He smiled at me. 

We are now in front of my house and he asked me if he could come in to meet my Dad. I let him inside while I called my dad.

"Rahul, have a seat. My dad will come soon. Excuse me, I will have to go. I'll see you tomorrow," I said and left him at the receiving area. I can still feel my heart beating so fast from what he said. When I reached my room I let out a giggle and picked up Luna and hugged her tight.

"Oh Luna, I love you," I told Luna as I kissed and pet her.

***

Saturday Afternoon 

I was roaming around my room trying on different clothes to wear when my Mom came in.

"Halea, what is this mess?" she asked bringing me juice and cookies

"I don't know what to wear Mom," I said

"Where are you going?" she said, teasing looking at me with that smirk in her lips. I know she knows already as Rahul asked my Dad for permission yesterday.

"Do you like this boy?" she asked me

"Mom? what kind of question is that?" I asked 

She laughed at me and took my favourite shirt and jeans, "Just be yourself, whatever you wear looks good on you. And you have to be comfortable, that way he won't think you've gone so much just to impress him," she said. And she's right, why am I getting crazy on what to wear.

I hugged my mom, "You know, I've never done this before so I get a bit nervous," I told her the truth

"I never thought you would be like this, I imagined you would just ignore this as if it's just a normal day," she said. Well, she's correct, I don't know what got into me.

"You're right, I must have been out of mind. But I think I'm just acting like a normal teenager would do," I told her laughing.

"Oh honey, you're growing so fast," She said as she hugs me.

"Let me help arrange your hair," she said as she combs my hair

After doing my hair I went to prepare myself. I put on my clothes and put on some powder and a little blush on and lip gloss. I also splash some cologne and choose sandals that match my jeans. I looked at my self on the big mirror in my closet and took a few turns making sure I look good. All I need to do now is wait for him. I grabbed my favorite book and will read through while I wait for him.