Rainbow Within the Darkness

Episode 5

Chapter 9 "Late night talks"

"Rana, Crimson!" Yumi waved her hands towards their direction.

Upon seeing the welcoming wave, Crimson smiled while Rana remained stoic. Even after seeing her like that, Crimson didn't say anything and gently walk with her pace. He even let her hold his blazer and when they're about to approach them, he took a glance at her and look back at the people in front of them.

"Rana, I'm really sorry about earlier." It was Marica who talked first. Originally, she was planning to tag Rana along in the Mountain of San Marcos to say her sorry but seeing her this near, she decided to say her apologies earlier.

When Rana saw how sincere Marica is, the grip of her hands on Crimson's blazer became even more tighter, almost suffocating his arm. Truth to be told, she was afraid that her actions before will reveal some things that should stay hidden hence she was afraid to face her. But now that Marica only said her apologies and didn't utter any questions, she was at least relieved yet somehow nervous. She moved her eyes through and upon seeing her cousin's familiar glimpse of smile, she felt as if every rock on top of her head became pieces of stone and at last, even without smiling, she uttered, "It's fine. It's alright." Now, her aura became a little bit more comfortable.

Marica sighed in relief. "Then, do you want to come along?" Of course, she was talking about the trip this upcoming weekend. Although Ran agreed to invite Rana, Marica felt a little more comfortable so she ask herself than waste Ran's time. Partially, she sounded graciously confident and firm however, a front can't always be the inside, she wasn't that confident at all. Just thinking how embarrassing it is if Rana declined the offer makes her knees weak. Hence, she cried in plea to have Rana's yes. Perhaps, the God heard her wish because Rana said , "Of course. I'll talk Ran about it." And afterwards remained silent.

On the other hand, Crimson took his time to introduce himself and when done said his goodbyes. He tag Rana along with him. He told the others that they both have to go somewhere and even when curious, Marica no longer ask anything. Besides, she wasn't that nosy as Xian. Now, it's Marica, Ran, Yumi, Hase and Xian whom left. Just like what has planned, they all walk together until Hase reached his street, next is Xian making Yumi, Marica and Ran alone together.

When they're in the center place of the Capital, Yumi suddenly bid her good byes. The reason was because, according to her, she saw a long time guy friend of her. Of course, who the hell would believe that, not Marica perhaps however, when Yumi left and went across the road, there's indeed a guy she fist bump with. When she saw her like that, the elegant Yumi doing that, the thought of maybe she had a boyfriend forthwith left her mind. Maybe there's more behind the word guy friend. And whatever that is, it's not beyond Marica's business anymore. Besides, what Yumi did gave advantage to her.

She took a glance on the bright buildings upfront to suppress her smiles however, when she looked at the young and handsome cimmerian guy standing beside her, a wide and sweet smile formed on her lips. She can no longer hide her joy. "Hmm...so, are you going home now?" She unconsciously queried. At first, it didn't get her mind. But after seconds, she realized how silly her question is. And eventually ask herself what deficient food did she ever swallowed for her to ask such a humorous question. Perhaps she bumped her head somewhere and lost her right mind? Whatever it is, she was awfully embarrassed and instantly reprimanded, "I mean, are you going somewhere else?" Upon hearing the latter, Ran's expression calmed down and Marica relieved at ease.

"No. I'll walk you home." Marica's ears twitched in impenitent delectation. It must be an act of courteous gentlemanly but hearing those words from Ran made her mind go beyond the deepest hallucination, assuming he said it to out of romantic care. Anyways, it doesn't matter whatever reason he has as long as it made her delighted, then it shouldn't be a problem. At last, she smiled, "Okay." And added before continuing their faltered journey.

As the lights of dissimilar buildings around them fulfilled their brownish eyes, Marica focused her consciousness on the person beside her and vise versa. Albeit not looking directly at each other, just feeling their presence side by side is already enough for the both of them and thus, even silenced, they both deliberately decided to walk slower and slower. While in the middle of shadowed crowd and unflamboyant scintilla of throng, Marica fakely glanced at the night sky and ask, "How's tita Cresiah?" However, when she didn't hear a blistering response, she felt rather anxious hence, she looked back. What made her more anxious was Ran's unreadable expression.

"Is something wrong?" She worriedly questioned. She knew there's no need to ask because something's really not right however, as if woken up by something, Ran forthwith reprimanded, "Nothing." His answer made Marica cease in silence. Obviously, his tone meant to stop asking hence, she really silenced her mouth. It wasn't that long when Ran finally answered her question, "She's fine." Two words, two words and Marica once again forgot her brief and slight melancholy and retorted, "Then, can I visit?" Ran nodded.

"By the way, Ran..... I'm being nosy here but, have you ever had a girlfriend?" Indeed, that came out of nowhere.

That question was queried a step away from the pedestrian lane that's why he paused a bit, gently grabbed Marica's left arm and together crossed the road before answering, "I did. But no one of them lasted." His tone was lazy and bored as if it's nothing important hence, Marica was more and more tranquil.

"Really? Why?" She intruded.

"It's because they want me to be someone I am not. Some ladies prefer quiet and boring guys at first because they are cool but when time passes by, they make us change into this, into that, until we become a someone ourselves don't know of. That's why rather than being a stranger to my own self, let alone be single and solitary." Certainly, he was right. Some women often fall for quiet guys for they see it as cool but when things became boring to them, they ought to change for their own likings however, it's not them who will change rather it was the guys themselves. Isn't that a little unfair? It is, but society is society. It might change someday but for now, let's be more realistic. Thus, without having even a slight of disapproval, she gently nodded in agreement.

"However, I don't think guys are not like that. It doesn't matter if who among us makes and does it worse, what matters is how we should fix it ourselves." Hearing his addendum, Marica can't help but to feel proud, pleased and respected. While on the middle of feeling her delight, she finally lost her care with the surrounding and only then did she felt that she almost got hit by a car when a pair of arms encircled her upper body, making her face crash into a soft chest. When her senses came back, the area around them was already filled with beeps coming from the cars behind them and when she looked down, she found out that they already crossed the road. It was because the end of the lane was already a step away from their feet. Behind Ran who was hugging her was a car parked in between the pedestal lane while the driver was standing just outside the door. That driver approached them.

"Miss! Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere? Tell me! I'm sorry! I didn't see you!" The driver exclaimed and repeatedly uttered his apologies.

Marica kept silent. Truth to be told, she doesn't know what to say or to do. Hence, she decided to stay on Ran's embrace. And even if she knew it's not a good time to think of naughty thoughts, feeling his arms on her was shamelessly enjoyable.

"No, we're fine. It's my fault. It's my fault." Ran with his usual cimmerian voice replied.

With a partial sneak peek on Ran's shoulder, Marica saw the driver scratching his head and again apologized before going back to his car. When things are obviously settled, the cars and vehicles stopped around them finally continued their paused trip and only then did Marica sighed in relief. After a while, she felt Ran's embrace loosened until she no longer feel any skin of him touching her. She then hurriedly glanced at the skies and lights behind Ran and cramped her hands into a tight fists, waiting for a harsh and long scolding. However, even after a long time, she heard none hence, she looked at him. When her eyes met his, Marica could no longer feel anything aside from pain.

It was because what she saw wasn't the angry Ran but rather a scared one. She need not ask anymore because seeing him like this, having eyes as if lost and slightly trembling lips, Marica knew he was afraid, perhaps to see a real life accident or rather to see her on an accident. As she was trying to hide her pain, she softly stared at Ran who's as white as paper and lightly caressed his paled cheek. She at least wants him to forget the feeling of fear and she was right, when Ran felt her palm, as if a lighting, his fright immediately vanished into thin air. He woke up from his grotesque dream.

"Are you alright now? I'm sorry, Ran. I didn't know." She apologized wholeheartedly. However, Ran reprimanded, "It's... it's fine. It's my mistake." His voice was hoarse and rough. He, then unconspicuously removed his cheek away from Marica's touch. When she felt his slight movement, Marica voluntarily took down her palm and sincerely smiled. "It's not your fault. But come on, let's go. Thanks for saving me. Thanks, really." Indeed, it wasn't Ran's fault. However, she knew he blames himself for the accident. She maybe no longer knows the Ran todays but she somehow knew out of instinct of what he might feel right now. And Marica doesn't want him to own a mistake he never committed to begin with. Hence, rather than blaming some false accusations, she forthwith said her thanks.

"I'll... I'll take a good care of you for the mean time."

Marica threw herself against the soft bed of her apartment. She laid flatly and plainly stared at the white colored ceiling. After a while, as if crazy, a wide smile unveiled on her lips. Even who knows how long it is, she still can't subside Ran's last words to her and indeed, she felt totally happy to the point she can no longer hear anything aside from her heart's loud thumping and rapid beating.

When the morning came, a pair of dark bags came just after her eyes. She wasn't able to spare even a minute of sleep last night thus resulting to black eyebags. And in order to hide those hideous dark circle beneath, she tried to put make ups numerous time however wiped it after realizing how weird it is to see her wearing make up itself. Hence in the end, she went to school with bare face.

When she arrived, the crowd was still the same and the plants are still blooming to their own beauties. She ignored everything and decided to go straight to the main class but upon reaching the last stair on the way to second floor, three guys halted her. She was taken a back but still managed to smile out of formality. "What do you guys need?" She queried wearing her most business sounded voice.

"Hm... You're Marica, right? Of the main class." The guy on the right side of the guy on the center asked.

She pursed her lips slightly and wavered. Honestly, she really wants to meet Ran as early as it is so she rather prefer to ignore anyone around however, it is kinda rude to ignore someone who already asked a question hence, she answered, "Yes." And took a glance at the guy in the center.

This guy standing in the center was directly looking straight at her. Due to that, she felt a little uncomfortable. Plus, he have a rough features, he's handsome I can say but his appearance was like one way similar to guys who loves violence. He's tall, taller than Ran however, Ran is a miles more attractive. And also, Ran never made her feel uncomfortable before. She knew it's a bit rude, but she can't help but to compare this guy to Ran. She sighed in self amusement.

Chapter 10 "Vivan's sudden change"

She soon shrugged herself and forced her mind to temporarily focus on the guys in front of her. When she finally stopped comparing Ran to this person on the center, she sighed again. She then stared back and patiently waited for their next question. It wasn't a while when the guy on the right side elbowed the guy in the center. As if woken up from a long dream, the guy on the center blink many times and turned his hand into a fist before putting it after his mouth and gently cleared his throat. After a while, he smirked and offered his hand, "I'm...." Perhaps he intended to introduce himself but he back out for a second and changed his poised. He put his hand on the pocket of his blazer and queried, "Are you the person who took Ran back to the main class?"

Marica was taken aback. Upon hearing his question only then did she realize that everyone around them was already looking towards their way. Some are in duos gossiping and some are walking along with a group obviously talking about something while intently staring at them. At first, she thought, perhaps they're just talking about something involving this guy but when a duo walked pass them, she heard them whispering, 'She's the one, the girl whom they say who took Ran back' or 'She took our Ran' and there, she finally understand what their gazes meant. What they're gossiping about was the supposedly secret negotiation between the principal and her. It looks like the principal didn't stand on her ground and the worst part was she also exposed it. Thinking how untrustworthy the old lady is, she can't help but to curse loudly on her mind. Now, what she'll gonna do if Ran himself found it out?

With her loud thumping heart, she smiled and replied, "Yes...yes, I am. Now, can I go?" Obviously, she was in a hurry however she must end things with these guys first before leaving and afterwards explain herself to Ran before he find it out. Without even hearing their answer, she began her steps expecting she was freed but then, a cold palm locked her hand and stopped her from moving forward. She was alarmed, at last, she can no longer hide her annoyance and impatiently took her hand back with force. Her eyebrows killing each other like swords almost sparring. "What? What is it?" She questioned in noticable irritation.

"Why did you do it?" His voice and tone was undeniably gentle and soft however, Marica reprimanded, "It's none of your business, don't you know that?" Truthfully, she was really annoyed to the point even a soft daring voice could no longer make her at ease.

"Just answer it!"

"I told you, it's none of your business." She coldly snapped back. The way she said it sounded as if she did something big and hideously consequential but in reality, she only followed the principal's desire for her to change class and she traded Ran's freedom dragging him along with her. Although the old lady already warned her about Ran's troublesome profile, she couldn't do anything to stop her because they both knew there is only two things to consider; either she'll stay in Ran's old class or she'll drag Ran with her to go to the main class. Of course, either way, Marica will benefit from it, at least, that's the case for the old lady. That's why in order to have revenge, she spreaded the secret negotiation putting Marica on a tight situation.

"Why are you so hard headed....Marica...." The guy on the center muttered hopelessly.

"I told you, it's none of your business. Besides, who are you to act superior in front of me? Look at yourself in the mirror, you look like you're about to beat me up." Marica replied back as if informing an obvious news, the guy on the center sighed and rebuked, "Are you pretending not to recognize me? Stop the act will you?"

Marica was taken a back. She gasped loudly and laughed in surprised, "Just who do you think you are? Excuse me, but don't be too shameless, it's kinda a turnoff."

"Aren't you the one being the shameless one here? Acting so tough and brave, tsk! Anyways, I'm not here to make a scene, just put Ran back to his original place. That bastard is nothing but a s**t. Stop meddling with someone else's business—" Hearing him cussed Ran as if it's a normal thing to do, Marica's ears twitched in fury and without even delaying, she cut off his next words, "Don't worry. I already did. You know, no wonder why you're not in the main class, perhaps other students deserves to go up there, however, with your attitude and mouth like this, it's not shocking to see you not belonging there. Too jealousy really is a big turn off."

Suddenly, the crowd became even more bigger that it almost occupied the whole area around them. Even in the stairs below and above, many students are watching them, obviously curious of whatever's happening. After a while, gossips about the commotion became even more louder giving them the ability to hear each other. When this guy on the center could no longer take people's words, he decided to drag Marica along with him and talk privately hence, he grabbed her arm however, when he's about to pull her, someone came in between them. His hand was involuntarily removed from hers. When they both look up in surprised, they found out it was Vivian. As usual, she's wearing this beautiful yet grievance look as if she was ready to burn anyone who comes and attack her. And just like yesterday, she wore the same uniform as everyone while there's a maroon colored little hat on her head. Without wasting any time, she smirked and pushed the guy a little, giving them more space in between them. She then said, "Quit it. It's early in the morning and here you are again, making a chaos." Albeit sounding so confident and thunderous, the guy on the center reprimanded, "Don't meddle, Vivian. If you don't want to get hurt, back off." Indeed, he sounds more thunderous and threatening, crushing all Vivian's confidence.

Despite the threat, Vivain, on the contrary didn't back off and she looks like she won't. After a while, her smirk grew bigger and bigger. "You should be the one hiding behind your women, Eion. If Ran found out about this, it'll be more complicated for you." Upon hearing her words, Marica was in daze and albeit not having the chance to complain, she kept asking herself what has happened between this guy and the main class. It looks like there's something more behind the question, 'Are you the one who put Ran back to the main class?'. Furthermore, this Eion seemed to have a big grudge against Ran. Now that she had a temporary and not sure hypothesis, her eager to know more became voluminous. And if she really can, she might've asked already.

"How long are you going to show off Ran to us? That shitty bastard who run away when you're all soaked in the mud shouldn't be looked up at like this. Hey, Vivian? Are you really awake?" It was Eion who talked.

"Look who's talking. A more shitty guy? Come on, no wonder why no one stays beside you, all you did was to make other people worse than you." Vivian talked back and the guy on Eion's left side, the one who never talk before finally said and rebuked, "Vivian...shut your mouth."

"Why would I? Twin, are you taking drugs? Fix yourself first and think more. Is this the kind of friend do you really prefer to have? If I got hurt, I'll f*****g blame you for that." She paused a while and gaze at Eion, again. "We'll get going now. If you want a fight, don't worry, I'll inform Hase and Ran. They'll come, for sure. Now, f*****g step aside." When she uttered those words, she softly took Marica's palm and pulled her silently. When that guy on Eion's left side tried to catch Vivan's arm, she violently groaned and crashed his soldiers to walk pass through. That guy backed off a little steps and when Marica glimpsed at him, he saw the shadow of a sad stare behind his eyes.

Marica won't act stupid anymore, she knew, upon the arrival of Vivian that the guy on the center was Eion, the kid who used to bully her when they're kids while the person on the left was her twin brother. It looks like they're not in a good condition for now that Vivian even cussed at him and she even told him that he'd be the one to be blamed if she ever got hurt. Indeed, the Vivian she saw today wasn't the Vivian yesterday. Even her tone and words were not similar to the one before anymore and it is not on Vivan's nature to come and rescue an old enemy, thus it seemed like she changed. And no matter where you look at, this matter wasn't something so light. Perhaps, there is really something big that happened before.

When they arrived in the main class, Vivian let go of Marica's hand. And the first thing she does was to slam her bag in her own table. Marica knew she must not talk hence, she silently walk towards her own table. Soon enough, her classmates approached the mad blazing Vivian on her seat. On the other hand, beside Marica was the early comer Ran who's already looking at her. His eyebrows were slightly meeting towards one another and his palm was supporting his cheek. He lazily took a gaze at Vivian before he stared back at Marica. When his eyes changed direction, the curiosity and worry became slightly visible making Marica's heart jump a little.

"Eion halted me when I was coming here." She began. She was just trying to explain what happened because she knew Ran wouldn't ask.

"And?"

She pursed her lips and smiled nervously. "We had an argument and Vivian helped me. But then, she and her brother fought a little." She again stopped talking. Silence came next hence, she switched her eyes and look at Vivian instead, she then secretly clutched her hands into a fist and added, "You probably knew about the thing....about you switching...c-classes. Look, I'm r-really sorry—" She was cut off by Ran's soft chuckling. "I knew it from the start. No need to explain." He muttered leaving Marica in a deep daze. The next thing she knew, a smile was already plastered on her face and the nervousness already vanished into thin air.

Looking back two days ago, when Marica stood up and opened her mouth, he already knew who's the mastermind and wholeheartedly accepted the fate whom she upon decided. He himself doesn't really know why he suddenly calmed down when Marica told him to stay in the class, all he did was to follow his heart and go with the flow. That's why now he's again in the class whom he once abandoned, sitting beside a girl whom he adored once and perhaps secretly adores until now. Truthfully, even himself could no longer understand him. And all the barriers he built was crushed upon the time they met. And everytime he see these brownish eyes of her, he always end up wondering if she's either a rainbow after a rain or a thunder after a lightning. Either way, for him, he must avoid for they're only phenomenon that happens and eventually vanishes leaving only a beauty or a debris.

"Thanks, Ran. But, why didn't you scold me?"

"Do I have to? It's not like doing that might change something." Indeed, Ran was right. Even if they fight against each other, Marica doesn't seem to change her decisions that easily hence, rather than creating a chaos within chaos, better to accept it and stay quiet. However, Marica reprimanded, "It might not change anything however, you can embarrass me until you reach your satisfaction."

"Tsk, I'd rather suffer alone than doing that." Marica was pleased. No wonder why he likes him so much, indeed, there's nothing great disappointing of him. And even if there is, it's not like she'll have a change of heart in a blink of an eye.

When the class began and unnoticeably ended, they all went in the cafeteria together and this time, Rana was with them. While walking along the long spacious hallway, Marica noticed someone missing and when she accidentally locked gaze with Rana, she finally realized it. Crimson wasn't with her today. And that's indeed unusual. Marica slowed down and changed place, still dragging Ran along with her. Now, their walking position changed. Hase, Xian and Yumi on the lead while Rana, Marica and Ran on the back, just a meter after the first three. After a while, out of concern, Marica queried, "Where's Crimson? Why aren't you with him?"