Rename the White and Black

CHAPTER XXII - TROUBLED

I was happy today because I was free from my older brother’s tease. My attention was caught by students gathering around the bulletin board. I felt goose bumps as I saw the students were walking backwards.

“What’s the matter?” Haji asked behind me. He looked at the students and his eyes went small. “I think, we should go now.”

“Yes, of course.” I smiled. The students made a way to the person walking and she smiled at me.

“Tamara?” Haji whispered.

“Who else do you think?” Tamara smirked with a fierce eyes. “I’m back.”

It sounded like a danger to my ears. Her presence made my knees trembled and I sighed with disbelief but why would I fear her? I did not do something wrong. She was the one who should apologize to me.

“Let’s leave her.” I whispered to Haji and we started to walk away and pretended that nothing happened. I heard her calling my name that made me face her.

“Sae!” she called me again.

“What do you want?” I asked seriously; crossing my arms.

“Let’s make a deal.”

“A deal?” My eyebrows met. I could not believe that she would make a deal with me.

“A deal that will make Kai mine again,” she said with annoying confidence.

“He’s not yours because he’s mine,” I courageously said. I saw Kai from afar looking at us seriously with his usual look. I saw how his face blushed when I said it.

“No, I will make him mine,” she said with a small laugh. Arah and Adriana looked at me with a mad look. May be, they would take revenge against me.

“Let’s fight!” she yelled and she attacked me with her nails dugging on my shoulders. Her two minions were holding Haji’s arms, keeping him away from me.

“He’s mine!” she screamed. She pulled my hair, circling it with her hands, making my hair messy. She pushed me to the ground and she slapped my face many times. “Just die! Just die!”

“Stop it! Stop it!” Haji screamed and he pushed the two minions hard to the ground. For sure, they were hurt.

He grabbed Tamara’s arms and I sat on the ground, fixing my hair. She bit his arm that made her free and she attacked me with scissors in her hand. “Let’s cut your hair or let me stab you until death!”

I saw the students around us walking backwards, hiding themselves but they kept on watching us. The two minions were busy holding Haji’s arms.

She attacked me and I covered my face with my arms. I cried so hard when she started to cut my hair.

“You’re not beautiful. Why would a guy fall for you that easily?” she said with mockery.

My ego was deeply hurt. Why would he fell for an ugly girl like me? I was not worthy for him. I should end this marriage before it would tear me into small pieces. I pushed her hard and her scissors made a wound on my face. It was a small horizontal line to be exact drawn to my left cheek. The two teachers grabbed her away from me and Haji fixed my hair.

“I’m sure that you’re not okay. Let me help you,” he whispered. He guided me to stand and walk in the clinic.

“We should be careful next time,” he said with an angry tone. My eyes met Kai’s blank eyes. He did not look at me or even helped me.

What was he thinking? Where was Kai that I knew in times like this? I realized that my eyes were wet because of my tears and Haji wiped it for me. I looked at him and I hugged him.

“Ssshh..” He tried to calm me but I cried so hard that made him to panic. I did not care for the students staring at us or even gossiping about us. All I know was, it was hard for me to held this feeling of being hurt. I felt my chest starting to burst and I could not breathe.

“Sae!” I heard him calling my name and everything went black.

I woke up seeing Haji holding my left hand. I looked around and there was no trace of Kai. I felt sad when he was not here.

“Are you okay?” he asked and he yawned.

“Yes.” I smiled pretending to be okay.

“I know when you’re okay or not. I know when you’re happy or sad,” he said seriously. “Tell me how you feel.”

“Thank you,” I said heartily.

“All you can say is ‘thank you’?” he asked. Although, I know that he was worried at this time, how could I say it if it was too heavy? I think that I would burst out into tears if we keep on talking like this.

“Okay, fine. Tell me if you’re ready,” he sadly said. I know that he was hurt too, seeing me like this. I wish that this could end soon. He patted my head and brushed my hair to my left ear.

“Does it hurt?” he added. I shook my head.

“Not anymore.” I smiled slightly.

I did not know how to face Kai later when I would be at home. What would I do to get away from him? What if our grandfathers would soon know this?

“What will you do to Tamara?” he asked while he gave me a bottle of water.

“I don’t know. Let the school administration decide for her punishment.” I said seriously. “Let’s go home. I need to rest.”

“No. Let’s go somewhere that will make you smile.” He grinned.

We walked to the streets with a crowd. I smelled some sweet foods everywhere. I saw him smiling while he went to our favorite café. I smiled at him and I sat on our favorite spot near the glass window.

“Good. You’re smiling.” He smiled at me and he started to sip his wintermelon milktea. “Refreshing,” he added and I laughed a little.

“Where are we going?” I asked curiously.

“At the amusement park. I want to have rides with you,” he happily said.

“You’ll really make me smile.”

“Of course. You’re my best best friend ever!” he proudly said as we enter the amusement park. He let me ride the carousel like a kid.

“Haji!” I called his name while he was laughing.

“Let’s ride on a roller coaster!” he exclaimed. My eyes widened and he pulled me in the seat beside him. “Just hold my hand or hug me.” He chuckled.

“You’re teasing me again!” I punched his arm slightly. When the engine started powering the whole machine, I closed my eyes and held his hand tight.

“You should scream all your thoughts, Sae,” he said while grinning and the machine went scary going up and down. I screamed to ease the pain in my heart. I wish this could help me to forget all the things Kai had caused.

“Here.” Haji gave me a strawberry ice cream.

“Thank you.” I grinned. He sat beside me while licking his strawberry ice cream.

“How do you feel?”

“I’m going to be fine.” I answered sincerely. Yes, I think I was going to be fine with your presence. I would not bother about Kai’s presence later.

“Do you want to sleep in my apartment?” He offered.

“Wh-what?” I stuttered. “Why are you offering me to sleep at your apartment?”

“Nothing. I just care about you because I’m worried if you will see Kai later,” he answered. He looked serious and concerned about me. What should I say?

“I can handle it,” I confidently said. “No matter how hard it takes, I’ll take the risk.”

“You’re always like that. That’s good in you.” He smiled and he patted my head.

“Did you compliment me?” I teased him.

“Yes. I’m saying the truth. I know that you’re strong.” He looked at the sky. “It’s getting late. You should go home before sunset.”

“Let’s go!” I exclaimed with a smile on my face and he chuckled.

We were walking near our house and I faced him before heading to the gate. “Thank you!” I smiled at him.

“You’re welcome. I’m here always just for you.” He smiled back at me and he waved to say good – bye. I waved back at him while watching him walking away.

I went in our house and I saw Kai sleeping on the couch. I ignored him and I directly went to the kitchen to cook for dinner. I saw him watching me preparing the table. He sat opposite to me and he did not say anything.

“Delicious!” I whispered while chewing my food. I finished my dinner quickly and I went to take a shower. It was awkward when he came silent.

I went to my bed and I wonder why he did not carry me to his bed. I was a bit disappointed at him.

No! Don’t think about sleeping beside him. He would hurt you after all. He would let you hurt by someone again.

I tried sleeping but I could not sleep. A part of me felt like missing the warmth of his breath, his back hug, his lips – No! I should not think of it at this hour.