Second Chance : A Rare Opportunity

Chapter 9

Daniel

“He is not your son Daniel. He is not yours” she said.

And my heart felt a pang of hurt. He is not mine? I can’t believe this.

“So stay away from both of us” saying this she turned around to leave but I stopped her by holding her wrist but this time making sure that I am not hurting her.

I smirked and she looked at me with confusion written all over her face.

“And do you think I will believe you? I know you don’t want to give me any chance, that is why you are saying this.” I said.

“I am telling you the truth” She said trying to make me believe.

“You don’t have to try so hard, because I am not going to believe you. I know you are angry with me, and think that I am still same as before” I paused and took a step towards her.

“But I promise, I will prove to you that I deserve this chance. And after that I will make you and Kevin, most happiest people on the earth” I said with determination and leaned down to kiss her forehead.

She didn’t flinch away this time and I was glad for that. She was staring in my eyes with some unknown emotions as if she is sad, very sad.

But why?

I said, “And regarding the kiss earlier, I loved it. I missed doing it for past five years but sorry for kissing you forcefully without your permission”.

"My way may not be right but I really am being genuine. I really want to make everything right" I told her.

She didn’t reply and turned on her heals making her way out of here. She was in deep thoughts, what was she thinking about?

After watching her retreating back, I called Matt and told him to prepare everything as I have instructed.

I need to meet my son properly.

.................................................................

Sophia

I came into my cabin and sat down on the chair. His words kept repeating in my mind. He said he will make us happy.

I wish he had said those words then, when I needed to hear them the most. I wish he had treasured the first chance I gave him.

Then I wouldn’t have lost……

I came out of my thoughts when I heard a knock on the door. I told the person to come inside and Claire entered.

She was looking worried. But before I could ask her what’s the matter she asked, “Are you okay?”

“Why are you asking?” I asked wondering, ‘was she worried for me?'

“I saw you, with boss in front of the building when he was kissi…” she stopped seeing my expressions. I am feeling embarrassed.

What will she think about me? I know in past, I never cared about what others thinks of me and I still don’t care much.

But I do care about what people close to me think of me. And Claire is someone I have already started considering as a friend.

“I told you that we had past right. He wants to get back with me” I said in short. Because I am still not comfortable to talk about my past.

“Oh, I thought….. leave it. So what are you going to do. Will you give him a chance?” she asked.

“No, I can’t. He thinks it was just a heartbreak but only I know, what I had to go through” I replied.

“I feel bad Sophia that I can’t even help you. But please be okay because you have to think about your son. Don’t be stressed and get sick. You have to be okay for Kevin” she said.

I smiled and put my other hand over hers and said, “Thank you Claire, for caring about me. You really always come at such a time when I need someone to comfort me and I am grateful for that”.

We talked for a while about some work related stuff. She joked a little bit trying to lift my mood up. And it helped a little. When she is being friendly and talkative, it’s completely different from her professional self.

After she left I tried busying myself into work. I still have some reports to make that Daniel wanted.

But my mind is going back to all those moments I spent with him. Each and every moment that I spent with him is haunting me again and again.

And I am spacing out thinking about them……..

Past (from Sophia’s POV)

I came out of my dorm building to make my way to the college campus. I am getting late for the first lecture. I overslept.

I took only few steps and my eyes fell on him standing there leaning against his car. He is wearing black jeans and black leather jacket over white t shirt.

He is wearing black shoes and black glasses. He is looking dashing.

He was doing something in his phone that is the reason why I am staring at him and giving you guys a full description of his looks.

But what is he doing here? I asked myself.

‘Don’t act dumb Sophia, you know very well why he is here’ my subconscious mind replied.

Yeah I know, he is here for me. Since past whole week he is coming here everyday, to pick me up but I am ignoring him. But this man is not ready to give up.

Last week when he confessed his feelings for me, I told him that I am not interested in him. But he said he will court me until I give in and give him a chance.

I still remember the moment when I got out of the washroom on that day, when he confessed in the medical room. He was standing outside the door waiting for me.

I tried walking past him but he held me by my arm and said, “It’s bad manners to walk away when someone is talking to you”.

“You were talking rubbish. I think you have hurt your head badly because of that hit, as you don’t seem to understand what you are saying” I replied taking my arm out of his hold.

“My head is absolutely fine. And you know what after getting that hit for you my doubt is confirmed” he said and I looked at him in confusion not understanding what does he mean.

He understood my confusion and clarified, “Earlier I said, ‘I think I like you right?’"

“But now I am sure that I actually like you that is the reason why I saved you without even thinking for a second” he completed.

“Okay, I accept you like me. Thank you for that. But I am sorry because I can’t do the same for you. I am not interested in you so please forget about me, if there is even one thing to forget” I said those words in cold tone.

I turned around to leave but I felt bad as he got hurt because of me. He saved me otherwise I might have gotten hurt badly.

I stopped in my tracks and turned around to find him staring at me. His sad green eyes brightened when they met mine and a victorious grin appeared on his lips.

What’s wrong with this person? I thought.

But ignoring his weirdness I said, “I am sorry that you got hurt because of me and really thank you for saving me there”.

He came running to me smiling and stood in front of me. “I accept your apology and you are welcome. I will save you at every chance I get in future” he said.

I again didn’t comment on his comment because I know it will lead to another long conversation and I don’t want to talk to him.

Nodding my head I again tried to turn around but he again held my wrist and asked, “Won’t you return the favour?”

“And how can I do that?” I asked trying to free my wrist from his hold but his hold became more firm than before.

“First stop removing your hand from my hold. I don’t have any contagious disease which spreads by touching” he said.

“And second, let me court you” he said the words and my eyes went wide hearing his words.

“Why don’t you understand…..” I tried to put some sense into his head but he cut me off.

“I had decided to give up on you the moment you walked away but when you turned around to apologize, it gave me a hope that I can win your heart” he said with a smile.

I should have just left, I thought.

“Thank you for turning around, I was hoping for it” he said leaning closer. I leaned back to maintain some distance between our faces.

“So will you allow me, but even if you don’t I am not going to give up” he said staying in same position.

“Okay” I said agreeing with him. And this time his eyes widened, he didn’t expect me to say yes this early.

“Won’t you argue?” he asked.

“No, I won’t. Because I have heard you never pursue anyone and I am no different. My cold responses will make you give up” I said.

“Are you challenging me?” he asked standing straight.

And I slapped myself in my mind for challenging him like this. I found out that he doesn’t like loosing.

“No I wasn’t challenging” I said.

“Good” he said patting my head and I shoved his hand away.

He smiled at my reaction and said pointing towards his wound, “Thank you for treating it, see you around”. He winked and left smiling ear to ear.

I came out of my thoughts when he pressed the honk of his car. I found myself still standing in front of my dorm building holding my bag on my shoulder.

I spaced out….

He came running to me and said, “I know I am looking good but you could have first said hi then I would have allowed you to stare at me as much as you wanted”.

My face flushed due to embarrassment. He caught me staring at him. Now he will use it to tease me.

“You look cute in this red dress and with those red cheeks” he complimented with a smile.

I didn’t pay attention and started walking. He followed me and said, “Come with me, I am here to pick you up”.

I didn’t say anything and kept walking. He came and stood in front of me blocking my way. I looked up at his face in irritation but my expressions changed when I noticed the look on his face.

He looks hurt.

“Aren’t you being too cold? It’s been a week I am coming to pick you up. Can’t you just come with me once?” he said.

“It’s just a five minutes distance from here Daniel. I don’t understand why you are bothering yourself?” I said. I am feeling guilty now.

“Okay I won’t come from tomorrow but at least come with me, for today at least.” he said hopefully.

I hesitated at first but just said yes to him. He grinned and opened the car door for me. I sat inside and he started driving all the while smiling.

“I hope you will not come to pick me up from now on” I said and he nodded saying, “I won’t”.

I started staring out of the car window. Within few minutes I will reach college and then I will be away from him.

“Would you like to eat something?” he asked.

“No I won’t” I replied.

“Okay, what lectures do you have today?” he again asked trying to start conversation with me but I just said, “I don’t remember, I’ll have to check”.

We reached the campus and he stopped the car. He got out and came running to my side to open the door for me but I already got out.

“I hope it will be the last time we are meeting” I said.

“Nah, I guarantee you that it’s just the beginning” he said shoving his hands into his pocket.

I frowned and asked, “Are you doing it because I challenged you that you will give up in few days?”

“If you want to win against me then I am sorry. You can stop it. I apologize for challenging you” I said. I felt a little hurt when this thought crossed my mind.

“I didn’t even remember that challenge Sophia. I told you that day that I like you and that is why I just want to be close to you ” he replied.

I left him there without saying anything further. What can I say, this man always have something to talk back.

I saw people are gathered in the campus to see the scene unfold.

I heard someone in the crowd saying, “It’s first time that Daniel is dropping any other girl who is not his friend. He never courts any girl”. Few are cursing me and few talking sh*t about me.

And now I am getting used to it. Because since past week I am the hottest topic of discussion or I should say ‘gossip’.

…………………………………………………….

I am making my way to cafeteria. I attended all my morning lectures and thankfully didn’t meet him even once. But still all the classes were irritating, due to people’s gaze.

I don’t like it when people give me attention, especially when it is more than necessary. And nowadays every single person keeps staring at me.

Don’t they have better things to do? I thought.

I got my food and sat on the same empty table in the corner. I started eating ignoring everyone in the room.

Suddenly someone sat in front of me on my table. I looked up and found Sarah sitting with a smile on her face. I also smiled and asked her, “How were your classes?”

She scrunched her nose and said, “Boring as always” and I chuckled at her reaction.

She became my first friend here in this college after I saved her. I didn’t want to be friends with anyone as I don’t easily trust people but she is someone I think I can trust with closed eyes.

She gives off such a vibe. So that is why I decided to be friends with her. We’ll see whatever happens in future.

We ate our food and started coming out of the cafeteria when out of nowhere someone put their arm around my shoulder.

I looked up and saw a boy almost same height as Daniel around 6’3 standing beside me with a smirk on his face.

I have seen him before. His name is Landon and I have heard he is the biggest competitor or I could say biggest enemy of Daniel in this college.

Before I could say anything I heard a loud noise of plates breaking. Landon turned around making me turn with him as his arm was still wrapped around my shoulders.

My eyes fell on raging Daniel who has just entered into the cafeteria and had thrown the plates he was holding in his hands.

He strode towards us and pulled him away from my body. He is looking very dangerous it means right now he is beyond angry.

“How dare you touch her?” he barked with gritted teeth.

“I was just asking her out” Landon with a smirk making him more angry.

Daniel looks like he will kill this poor man any minute.

“I am warning you, stay away from her” Daniel said balling his fists to his side.

“Who are you to say that? She didn’t say anything yet” Landon said fueling his anger.

Daniel held him by his collar and was about to punch him when I said, “I know him. And he was just asking about our appointment after college. I have plans with him”.

I said these words to stop him from hurting Landon. I guess he thought Landon was mistreating me and wanted to protect me. I don’t want him to get into fights because of me.

But the look he gave me upon hearing my words made my throat go dry and cold shiver ran down to my spine.