Diadem's Birthright

Chapter 6: Jealous?

Jealousy.

It is a feeling of unhappiness and resentment towards another's success and advantages. It was something I had never felt so badly towards someone before. Even in the orphanage, when I would be passed over and someone else adopted, I never felt jealous. Perhaps a little envious, but it would go away in less than an hour.

Yet that was what I was feeling right now. I was feeling jealous. Very jealous.

I had doubted it when Ashley said I might be in love with Ramzan, even secretly ridiculed the thought. After all I had only known him for a few days, had spoken to him for even less. So how could I be in love with him? And now I was even feeling jealous over him.

This feeling of jealousy started when I started noticing all the girls in school oohing and aahing whenever he passed by, I was jealous of the ones who got the opportunity to be in the same class as him, the ones who got the chance to speak with him. Everyone in our class knew of Ramzan. The guy with the handsome build and exotic looks. The guy all the girls wanted to have and I was no better. I also wanted him.

The two of us hadn't spoken ever since that day I had inadvertently asked him out on a date. We hardly saw each other even though we lived in the same building. It could be because our schedules didn't match, but he knew where I worked and he hadn't made any attempt to contact me.

I got the hint.

Maybe because this was my first time experiencing anything like this, I had imagined maybe he felt the same way. But now I have finally realized it was all wishful thinking on my part. It was all part of my extensive imagination. Since obviously, I had no knowledge in this particular area called love.

"Okay," Ashley said while slamming her palms on the table. "I've had it with this. Go and talk to the guy and tell him you like him and if you don't want to do that then just give up and stop wallowing in self pity. I'm tired of hearing you sigh all day." She complained in her usual exaggerated way.

We just finished attending a lecture and were preparing to move to our next one.

"I don't sigh all day." I refuted.

"Oh yeah? Then please tell me what the professor explained in class today." When I just remained silent and looked at her with a clueless expression, she said, "That's right. You have no idea because you were too busy sighing in class."

I sighed, "Sorry. I didn't know liking someone would involve all these other feelings."

She placed her arm on my shoulder. "You clueless thing. Of course it would involve feelings of jealousy and confusion. Even if the two of you were in a relationship, there'd still be jealousy if he so much as looks at another girl and uncertainty over what he thinks of you. Does he like the clothes you wear? Does he like your hair like this? Are you good enough for him? All these will be your constant worry. It's also more dangerous now since you guys aren't even in a relationship. It's double the uncertainty, jealousy, self consciousness and most importantly worry."

She leaned on my shoulder and groaned.

"And don't get me started on when you finally get to meet his friends or worse, his family."

I laughed. You could never have a serious conversation with Ashley without her adding a dramatic effect. But that was what made her Ashley and what made me like her so much. I could never remain in a somber mood for long in Ashley's presence.

"Thanks, you always make me feel better," I gave her a side hug.

"Yeah I'm awesome like that. You're so lucky to have me." We both laughed. "But on another note, maybe Ramzan has really been too busy to attend classes this last few days. I also haven't seen him around much in the neighborhood. It's almost as if he doesn't care that much about school and as if he's barely at home." She said in an attempt to comfort me.

"Yeah, it seems so." I respond. "Maybe I'm just overreacting, right?" I said. I didn't hear anything from Ashley so I turned back to see what was holding her up and to my surprise, I found her standing with her eyes open wide in an entranced state. I called over to her but upon hearing no response, I walked over to her and shook her to get her out of her trance.

"What's up girl? What's going on with you?" I asked her.

"He's beautiful," she replies absentmindedly.

"Who's beautiful?" I asked.

"Over there," she said while pointing at the direction of the humanities department hallway where a smartly dressed guy was having a conversation with two guys whom I recognized to be from our department.

"I am lost here Ash, which of them are you calling beautiful?"

"The one dressed in the turtle neck T-shirt and the crazy jeans trousers. Isn't he dreamy?" she said excitedly.

I looked back at the guy looking him over once more. What I saw was definitely appealing to the eyes but I didn't feel anything like the attraction I felt for Ramzan. He had long white blond hair that was styled artistically to frame his face and was also tied at the back of his neck. His eyes looked blueish from the distance between us and he also had a lean and sturdy body which was a total contrast to Ramzan's.

"Oh, he's coming over here Mira. He's coming!" She screamed silently. It was amusing to see Ashley acting in such a manner and I was glad she was enjoying herself.

"Hi!" The guy reached our side and said to us.

"Hi!" She replied him loudly, earning the attention of people nearby.

I fought not to squirm under their gazes most especially the new guy. I was so not comfortable with talking to new people. I had to force myself to meet his gaze and also reply his greeting.

"Excuse me ladies, can I bother you a little?" he said

"Be our guest, we don't mind." Ashley replied shyly.

"My name is Evander and I'm looking for my friend. He is a student at the department of Ancient culture and societies. His name is Ramzan, Ramzan Al' Makhir."

As soon as I heard Ramzan's name, my ears perked up in interest. "Ramzan? you know Ramzan?" I asked him eagerly.

"Yeah, I know him. He is my friend." He replied.

"You're friends? Wow, that's nice. We know him too. We are his neighbors. Nice to meet you Evander." Ashley said.

"Call me Evan. Evander makes me sound old," he said with a grin.

"I'm Ashley and this is Mirabel," she gestured at me. "We live in the same apartment building as Ramzan."

"He never told me his neighbours were two gorgeous beauties." Evan said with a growing smirk on his face.

Ashley's face became red upon hearing his compliments. I knew she was already being self conscious of herself and that we won't get to the next class on time if she kept up the conversation at this level so I decided to take over.

"I'm truly sorry, we haven't seen Ramzan for a few days now. We were even looking for him to tell him about the field trip scheduled for our class in a week's time since he wasn't around when the information was passed." I said to him.

"Really? That's so unlike him. If that's how it is, I will inform him for you when I eventually get a hold of him." He replied.

"Thank you. I'm sorry for being rude but we have to get to our next class as soon as possible so can you please excuse us?" I asked politely.

"Oh, I am sorry for keeping you. Thank you for your time. I am glad to have made your acquaintances Ashley and Mirabel, I hope to see you again." He said while looking at us respectively but his gaze lingered longer on Ashley.

"Did you see that? He was definitely looking at me at the end back there," Ashley whispers excitedly in my ear as we left him and went on our way to the next building where our lecture was going to be held.