Lost in Paradise

Chapter 8

The seniors provided a variety of activities and games to students and most of them were won by Nadia and Joshua’s team. Nadia who was just following what she was told to do, quietly observed Joshua. Joshua serves as the leader of the group, he is quick-minded and with good leadership traits. He was easily obeyed by the rest of the group. She noticed that he was friendly and very popular among women. Girls were cheering for him even those from other groups. He is just a freshman but many students seemed to know him already.

That was a great experience for Nadia because she did not feel the uneasiness from the group, they became approachable to her and she was able to meet some new friends. And she knew it was because of Joshua. He joined her in the group even though they had just met, he introduced her to them and didn’t allow her to be out of place. That personality of Joshua truly impressed Nadia. She was so worried at first because Rebecca was not there, but she genuinely enjoyed it. 

After the activities, freshmen tour the entire campus. The seniors guided them and showed the different facilities available at the school. After that, the event ended successfully, and the students left the venue separately. Nadia planned to thank Joshua but the other students pulled him somewhere until the man completely disappeared from her sight. So, Nadia just decided to go home.

While walking, she suddenly received a text from Rebecca.

“What's up? Is it over?”. “Wait, did you go? I want a pic!”

Rebecca wanted her to send a picture to prove that she really went to the event. So, she can ask her for some stories and gossips later on. She knew that her friend would not stop. So, while she is still at the venue, she decided to take a selfie to send to Rebecca. She opened her phone’s camera and used its front cam. Nadia immediately captured a photo of herself and got surprised when Joshua unexpectedly appeared behind her.

“Hey Nadia! Here you are” said Joshua approaching her.

Nadia was so shocked that she almost fell her phone.

“…are you taking a selfie?” Joshua added.

“Ha? M-me? No!” Nadia denied and quickly kept her phone.

"But you seem –”

"Why you’re still here, I thought you…"

“I forgot to tell you. The team wants to eat outside as a celebration… hmm… just in case you want to join?” he asked hesitantly.

Nadia's heart beats faster. She did not know why but she was so pleased with what the man said.

“What? He invited me to eat with him, I mean with them. Did he really come back just to tell me that? Did he look for me just for it? Wait… should I go with him? But it’s getting dark” Nadia spoke with herself.

“N-nadia? …Are you going?” Joshua asked after not getting an immediate response from Nadia.

“N-no” Nadia muttered. “What? Why no? Are you fine?”

“You sure? I mean, they’re expecting everyone to come” Joshua replied.

“Hmm… it’s getting dark… and… I have important things to do” Nadia explained.

“That’s fine. There is still next time… so, I guess I must leave now?”

“Yeah… I guess they’re waiting for you… you must go now”

“Alright… you take care okay?... Bye!”

“You too... bye” Nadia said waving.

Joshua already took a few steps away when Nadia suddenly called his name.

“Joshua!” Nadia shouted.

The man stopped and turned to face Nadia.

“T-thank you,” she timidly mouthed.

“What??” Joshua shouted. He didn’t hear what she just said because of their distance.

“Nothing… I said take care!” Nadia exclaimed who quickly turned around and walked away from the young man.

~~~

Nadia is still looking at their picture on her phone. This is their first picture together and the first time they meet. It was the first time she had ever admired a man. Interestingly, in an unexpected moment, she got a picture with the first person who made her heartbeats which is also the reason for its crushing. The girl later noticed a teardrop in her cellphone, she was crying, she was crying again. She wiped away her tears and decided to erase the picture completely. There’s no more reason to keep this happy memory, she must move on. Looking at this picture gives her joy, but along that joy is an intolerable pain of being left alone. Just before Nadia press the delete button on her phone, she heard a soft voice…

“Candies?” said a cute little boy handing her some candies using his small palm.

“It will make you feel better… try it!” he mumbled with his soft little voice.

He might have seen her crying.

"You sure... I'll get it one, is that okay?"

The boy nodded and Nadia took one candy. She immediately tried it.

"Woah! It really works... I'm feeling better now." said Nadia while chewing the sweet.

“Thank you, baby boy. You're so sweet” she added.

"I'm not a baby anymore"

"Oww really? I’m sorry… Anyway, what are you doing here? Is anyone with you?”

"My dad told me not to talk to strangers"

“Stranger? Me?... well you’re right” Nadia cried with full of amusement towards the child.

“Ok. What about your name… may I at least know your name?”

The child just ignored her. Nadia suddenly heard her name in the distance.

“Nadia!!”