Remark

Begin Again

I didn’t know what to do or expect today. I just know I wanted to break free from all the stress I’ve been having lately and thanks to the people that’s keeping me company, I’m actually feeling better now than before. I step out of my apartment and I see Jonah flash me a smile as he waves his hands over my direction. “Jonah,” I called and walked towards him who was leaning against his car. “What are you doing here so early?” I asked him.

“Oh you know,” he scrunches his nose. “Parking my car here in front of your apartment for no apparent reason?”

I blinked. I wasn’t sure now if Jonah was being serious.

“A guy’s waiting for you outside your place, you think it’s normal for them to just park there? Really, Nami? Did your ex ever came to pick you up at your place in the morning?” Now I get that he was being sarcastic. “You have a seven thirty class right? I’m picking you up obviously,” he slips his hands over his pocket and stands across me.

I frowned. “Why do you have to do that though? I mean, I can go to school by myself.”

“Oh because if he doesn’t see me sending you to school in the morning, he’ll think I’m serious in courting you.” How sarcastic. “I don’t think so.” He shakes his head, crossing his arms with a smirk. “If I fake my courting, might as well make it look believable. You can get in the car,”

I chuckled, shaking my head. “I don’t like taking cars on my way to school and back home. It makes me feel really nauseous that’s why Mark never came to pick me up.”

“You don’t want to ride the car?” he repeated and I nodded. “So you’re a jeep girl.”

I laughed fixing my almost falling bag. “I’m not that either.”

“Bicycle girl then?”

I wheezed and finally told him, “I’m a walking girl. Mark used to always walk me home.”

“Walking Dead. Walking…” He mumbled to himself before pressing something he was holding that made the car beep, and he slides the thing over his back pocket. “Walking then. Got it. Let’s go then.”

I wondered and stopped him when he started dragging me with him. “What do you mean let’s go? What about your car? You’re not really going to walk with me to school right?” I asked and he laughed. I’m a little insulted by his laugh. It’s not really a good laugh but he’s the only person I’ve seen that laughs hard who still looks good. I mean, when people laugh their asses off, they stretch their faces and turn ugly. That’s me and not him apparently.

“It’s staying here, of course. You don’t have violent neighbors, do you?”

“No?” I answered unsure.

“Then it’ll be fine. I’ll take it back after I walk you home again later this afternoon. Aren’t I the best fake suitor you’ve ever had?”

I laughed at his humor. “You really don’t have to do that, Jonah.”

“I’m still your suitor in general, Nami. Let that be fake or not. I think it’s only right to do it.”

“But you’re not really my suitor.”

He suddenly grinned and loosened his tight grip around my wrist. He looked at me so creepily that I wasn’t sure if I should be worried that his brain might not be functioning well today or if I should be scared that he might just kill me anytime soon. “That’s what you think.” Maybe I should be scared. If that doesn’t sound creepy to anyone, then I’m not normal.

“OH MY GOD!!! SO IS IT REALLY TRUE?”

I sighed glaring at Hikaru who was quietly chewing his food across me. When he looked at me, he gives me an innocent shrug as if he knew nothing about it. He probably told Sophee by now. “He’s just playing with Mark, Phee. He thinks Mark will try very hard to win me back if he sees compete—” I stopped talking when she suddenly squeals over the phone.

“Well if he’s doing it then it might as well be true. Nami, why do you always get the hot guys?”

I rolled my eyes and shook my head in disbelief. Sophee never changed. “It’s nothing like that, really.”

“The locker guy is a different guy too right?”

“Why do people always assume it’s a guy? It could be a girl too,” I tell her but I hear her scoff.

“Because it is a guy,” I can almost picture her rolling her eyes over me. “You can practically switch your ex to a different guy right now if you wanted to but obviously, you’re still hung up on that guy. If I never found out about your Jonah dude, I would have crushed Mark in the freaking face but since you’re all good in the other guy’s hands, I’m pretty sure I got nothing to worry about here.”

I looked down and had a big gulp. That’s a harsh truth slap. Sophee was right but I had to be strong. I mean I can’t show up weak in front of Mark. That’d just degrade my dignity as a woman. If I even am a woman. For my age, I still feel like a child which makes me just a girl, to be honest.

“Anyway, I’ll call you again tomorrow. I’m getting really sleepy. Bye!”

“Bye, Phee. I miss you.” The call ended and I immediately target Hikaru who has been keeping his silence. “Why did you have to tell her about Jonah and the suitor thing? Sophee didn’t need to know about that!” I exclaimed.

He stopped eating – finally. “I’m sorry okay? Sophee told me to tell her everything and I’m just doing what I’m being told. Besides, she’s only worried about you. She wants to know how you’re doing and she deserves to know everything. She’s still your best friend, remember?”

I guess Hikaru was right. I was going to tell Sophee sooner or later after all.

“So,” He spoke. “No note today?”

“There’s always a rainbow after a storm.” I recall the words I’ve read this morning when I saw the note in my locker. “It’s starting to scare me. What if it’s just someone who’s messing with me and has been taping all my reaction since the day the notes started? Then they sell it in dark web or something for entertainment without even my knowledge?”

Hikaru frowned. “You’re over-thinking.”

“No, I’m not. I’m being super realistic. Life’s not always like the novels you know. It appears sweet and all romantic but it really doesn’t end up that way. We should stop our illusions and start thinking rationally.”

He nodded in agreement which was overwhelming that he got my point. “But still – you’re over-thinking.”

I sighed. “Well, whoever this is, I just want to find out who.”

“Are you really scared about the sender or you just really want to meet the person behind all these?”

I looked at Hikaru unsure why I suddenly felt like he was stating something that I was unconsciously aiming for. “Maybe a little of the wanting to meet the person behind all the notes? If it happens to be someone I know, I’m sure I just really want to thank that someone for having the time to do all these.”

He gives me a teasing smile so I frowned.

“Don’t even give me that look, Karu-kun.”

“I won’t even be surprised if you end up with the guy behind all these notes.”

I glared at him. “I don’t think that’s going to happen.”

“Girls always say that but they end up with that conclusion.”

I shook my head. “Not me.”

“Funny how you said the same thing about Mark when Sophee told you that you might end up liking him after all the annoyance,” He raises his brow at me and I coughed. “How much more if someone sends you these notes with such delicate words and mystery.”

“Anyway, are we still having that dinner with your family tomorrow night?”

He laughed. “Nice try.” I rolled my eyes in defeat and gave him a light slap on the shoulder. “And yes, my mom’s too eager to cancel this off and you are bringing Johnny right?”

Right. Johnny.

“Mom said he wants to meet your brother.” He emphasized. I should just tell him I’ll try telling him and end up telling him tonight that Johnny wasn’t interested – sounds like a plan to me. “And she’s going to be very disappointed if you don’t keep your promise.” Great. I guess that’s not the plan for me.

“Okay. I’ll tell Johnny later.”

It was after all my classes when I received a message from Gail that we’re having an emergency meeting so I head over the office to attend. I wasn’t sure why they were holding this meeting but it won’t be emergency if it wasn’t this important. I trust our department officials enough to remind myself I won’t be wasting my time.

When I get there, everyone was almost present except the others who were apparently not available at the moment. “We’ll just start the meeting without them. Gail, you can just tell them everything after.” Jonah started as he stood in front of everyone. “So the World Architecture Day is coming up and I wanted to hear your suggestions for activities we can implement.”

I never knew there was such thing. I wasn’t really sure what you’re supposed to do that day but I was sure it was one special day. I try to think but my mind wasn’t cooperating so I leave the thinking to the older members of the board. I wasn’t in my right mood to think creatively.

“Hey, Nami,”

I turned to Terry with a questioning look and he just gives me a teasing glare. “Yes?” I asked and he wiggles his brows towards Jonah then back to me. It was pretty obvious that he already knew that there was something going on and I was worried that he might not be the only person who’s noticing this.

“You and Mark? You and Jonah? Who is which actually, girl? Can’t you just f*****g make up your mind already so you can just give me one of them?”

I shook my head and let out a small chuckle.

“You’re technically calling yourself garbage T for telling Nami to throw her trash on you.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore. I just desperately want one of them.” Terry rolls his eyes over Yelena who suddenly butted in whispering loud enough for me to hear. “Either way, it’s a win-win for Nami because whoever she picks won’t be any problem.”

When the two laughed, the room fell silent and everyone’s eyes’ were on us. My eyes widened as I examined everyone’s faces. Then mine landed over Jonah’s who was just quietly eyeing my two co-reps with sharp eyes and some crossed arms. “You three done talking?” His eyes met mine and I blinked pressing my lips together in shame.

“Sorry,”

I was actually surprised that Jonah knows when to separate our relationship together inside and outside the department. He was very professional is what I was trying to say. After the awkward silence that slowly ate the atmosphere, Jonah finally continued what he was trying to say. “As I was saying—”

The meeting went on like that for the next hour and by five, Jonah dismisses the group. I was on my way out of the department when Jonah suddenly stopped me. “You’re not really leaving without me right?”

I looked away unsure if he was seriously asking that question. “Am I supposed to wait for you?”

“Well, I kind of left my car in front of your apartment this morning just to remind you so yes, you’re supposed to wait for me so we can go back to your apartment together.”

Oh. I pressed my lips together and smiled. “Y-Yeah. I was really going to wait for you down here.”

He raises a brow and gives me a face of someone who doesn’t believe. “Has he ever told you how bad of a liar you are?” He teasingly laughs at my face so I frowned and walked next to him. “I’m sure he did.” He added so I rolled my eyes when he suddenly slips my bag off my shoulder and wraps it over his chest. “I’m courting. I can’t let you carry this heavy bag you’re holding.”

“You’re courting – not my maid.” I grab my T-square from him.

“Why are you even getting so much? Are first years busier than fifth years now? They even had to borrow my tools this morning because they left theirs. Can you imagine?”

“We’re all busy in some way.”

He shrugs but bobs his head ironically.

By the time we reached my apartment, we were both shocked to see Mark standing by the gate. His expression just as shocked as I am. Staring at his face reminded me of how much of a beautiful man he was and I almost said his name but I shut my mouth and remained quiet as I stood next to Jonah mentally cursing myself for being so reckless of my actions. I need to control my emotions better.

“Hey, man.” Jonah greets.

“What are you doing here?” I asked and his eyes divert to me.

“I’m here to tell you that I won’t let that guy have you without a fight.” I wasn’t sure why Mark was initiating something like this but it didn’t feel like him for some reason. “Not physically fight. I’m saying I’ll win you back to me, Nami. I’ll go against your president and show you that he’s not the guy for you no matter the circumstances. I’ll show you I’m better than him or any other guy who wishes to be yours.”

Jonah surprisingly smirks and steps closer to Mark raising a hand as if he wanted a handshake – well it was going to happen that way anyway. “Then may the best man win.”