Diadem's Birthright

Chapter 4

"Alright spill."

We'd just finished with Ashley's unpacking and cleaning up the place, now we were both taking a breather on our various beds.

"There's not much to tell," I said trying to downplay it, but she was having none of it. "Fine okay. Well I already told you about my little accident." I gestured at my injured leg which looked better compared to yesterday.

"Yeah?"

"Ramzan is the owner of the bike that hit me that day. He took me to the hospital and paid the bills but then left before I could thank him and well now he's our neighbour." I sighed then looked at her accusingly, "I still didn't get a chance to thank him today because someone was being dramatic and overreacted."

She bit her lip looking guilty, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, you had my best interest at heart. How could I be upset with you for that."

She smiled at me.

Ashley filled me in on the goings on of everyone in Sun Valley. It was the sort of place in which everyone knew everyone's business. No secret remained a secret for long.

"I'm hungry," she suddenly said then looked at me pointedly.

"Oh no! Hold your horses, I'm also feeling too lazy to cook."

Ashley placed her hand on her chest in mock affront. "I am not too lazy to cook, it's just that I can't cook that well. Your food tastes so much better than mine."

I kept on staring at her until she finally lowered her head and grinned.

"Fine, I'm feeling lazy. But it is true that your food tastes better than mine. How about we order pizza."

I laughed, "Yes definitely."

We placed our order.

That night, Ashley and I didn't sleep till like after midnight. Even though it had been just a few weeks that we hadn't seen each other, and with frequent phone calls in between, we still had loads to talk about. We spent hours talking, until Ashley eventually fell asleep. I could hear her light snoring coming from her side of the room.

Smiling, I turned around and switched off the lights before snuggling into my sheets while closing my eyes. I didn't know why but Ramzan's face appeared behind my closed eye unconsciously make the smile on my face widen more. I had known him for just a short amount of time yet I had thought of him more than I had ever thought of any guy or basically anyone else, even more than Aaron, the nerdy boy I had a crush on in 9th grade. Well nothing came out of that crush, it was one-sided and it quickly fizzled out.

Could I be developing feelings for Ramzan?

No! I quickly pushed that thought away. I hardly knew him.

Perhaps it was just because of how nice he had been after he'd accidentally hit me with his bike. Yes , I was just experiencing feelings of gratitude and misunderstanding them for something else. Having convinced myself of that, I quickly drifted off to sleep.

Rich brown locks in a tangled mess and dark circles under my eyes caused by sleeplessness was what met me when I looked into the mirror the next morning. I was getting ready for our morning class while Ashley was preparing breakfast which consisted of bacon and cheese sandwiches.

We were running a bit late so I just grabbed the first clothes I laid my hands on in my closet. We quickly ate, then rushed off to class. It was Ashley's first class so she was a bit nervous but I'd been going to class for days now so it was normal for me. I tried to reassure her that it was nothing to worry about, but She wouldn't believe it until she actually experienced it herself so I let her be.

The day was going as normal and the lecture was progressing smoothly until an announcement was made later at the end of the class. The announcement declared that the Archaeologists from the Archaeological association of the country were conducting a survey on a newly found site. While studying the site, they had stumbled upon the ruin of what they believed to be the boundary to a lost society and since studying ancient societies was something related to what we were studying, the association beseeched the university board for assistance and collaboration with the studies of the students. So the students were implored to join in on the two week survey and studies on site and by doing so, we would get an automatic pass mark for the course . The lecturer specified that it was highly recommended we join them, though it was unusual for first-year students to go on a field trip and that too at the start of the semester.

More than half of the class were excited at the prospect of going on the proposed field trip, Ashley in particular was beyond excited. I on the other hand was not particularly excited since it would mess with my part-time job but I also was excited at the prospect that it could boost my grade.

Throughout the day Ashley wouldn't stop talking about the field trip until it was finally time for me to head to work. She decided to accompany me, claiming she had nothing better to do, but I knew she was only coming along because of the fantastic donuts I had told her about.

The cafe wasn't busy when we arrived so I left Ashley at one of the tables while I went to change into my work uniform which all employees in duty were required to wear. Tying my hair up in a ponytail I left the staff changing room to get to work.

I was in the middle of work when I felt it. A certain shift in the atmosphere. I looked up, my eyes searching the bakery not exactly sure what I was looking for until I spotted him.

Ramzan.....

And he was heading towards my direction.

I fought to steady my suddenly racing heart. My lips moved up into the smile I usually greeted customers with.

"Welcome to Dionysus cafe, what may I get you?"

"Hi Mirabel." My name pronounced with his husky voice literally made my insides melt. "What would you recommend I choose?" He asked.

"Me? Well this is the store's most popular," I pointed at the chocolate glazed donut in the display case above the countertop. "But these three are my personal favourites." I pointed out at the strawberry shortcake, the lemon sundae and the apricot pie..

"I'd like one of each."

"Coming right up." I grinned, "Why choose one when you can have them all right?" I said teasingly.

"Exactly." Though he didn't laugh, there was a slight upturn to his lips and that was good enough for me.

"I never got a chance to properly thank you for the other day. Y'know for taking me to the hospital."

"I didn't know you remembered about that incident but it was my fault you got injured in the first place. So if anyone is to be thankful it should be me, since I am grateful for your decision to not make a big deal out of the matter." He shrugged.

"Still, it was kind of you. If it were someone else, they would have left me there. So thank you very much," I said sincerely as I passed him his donuts. "Besides, if you still feel guilty over it then I don't want your thanks. You can treat me to a meal when you have the chance." I say jokingly.

"Okay, I will take you up on that offer." He said before turning and leaving through the door before I could tell him that I was joking.

Did I just jokingly ask Ramzan out on a date and did he just agree to it?