Times Three

Chapter 14

I slap his hands from pointing at me and tell him that I am just joking, the thing about me in the rooftop is we were practicing there and I told Aspire to get my spare clothes in my locker so I can sleep. I did not know that KID is doing rounds in the whole school and then this happen. Its not my fault that I did not sleep because of Aspire, who scares me at three in the morning so I did not dare sleep again.

“Aspire sleep at your house?”

My eyes widen when I voice out what is on my thought again and unfortunately, someone like Fash hears it. I cover his face with my hands, not letting go and does not care if he runs out of oxygen until KID knocks at the room leaving me and Fash dumbfounded. What is he doing here, with my bag? I told Aspire to get my back in my locker room, where is he?

Fash taps my hand to let go of his face, while my attention is still at KID who enters the room and place my bag on the table. Unconciously, I remove my hand that is covering Fash's face and stands up anxiously. I say thanks and he just left like he is done with his mission for this day. 

I pick up my table and look at Fash motioning me to use the Supreme Council's room to change into civillian clothes. After a few minutes, I went out and Fash bored face welcomes me. He is in daze and suffering from huge problem, not knowing that I am already in front of him. I flick his forehead real hard that he shouts like a girl and his mouth started to loose again. However, his words slips when he accidentally reveal that there will be a fireworks display this coming concert and Aspire suggests it last minute.

Then I remember our conversation last night in my room, when I told him that it would be great if there will be fireworks when performing on stage and students can light up there own sparkles after the concert as they wish for good luck. I smiled at him when he asked if girls are into romantic guys, and responded to him with these words.

"Not all of us likes romantic guy, some likes a cool guy and such."

"What about you? What do you prefer, romantic or cool guy?"

I faced him and rested my cheeks in my right palm, suspicion was painted in my face on his question.

"What do you think?"

A snapping finger made me comback from reality that Fash is with me, with his curiousity tickling he bugs me with thousands of question. I push him a little and asks him who will bring me home, and he responds that Aspire already called Mr. Santy to fetch me. He added that Aspire requests for a day off from our club's president so that I can practice the song for the concert. Come to think of it, I have not decided on which song should I pick and the day after tomorrow is already the concert that we have been waiting for. 

I am too preoccupied of the current issue with my family and KID, that I forgot what will I be playing. The corridor is filled with students who are busy for the club's preparation. My choice of instrument is guitar when I first said I thought of piano, because guitar are so handy than piano. Besides, it does fit to my first choice of song. 

The day ends and Fash texted me that my excuse slip for tomorrow is granted as well as Aspire, Annika also texted me the details of my clothes and hairstyle that fits my clothes. I responds to them with 'Okay' and proceeds to eat some fruits I bought in the mall as my dinner. 

After my dinner, I pick up my guitar from the side of my bed and starts strumming to the song of 'Bubbly' by Cobbie Caillat. Singing while picturing what will happen in the concert and to release the stress in my body. As the song near ends, my laptop beep from an invitation from Aspire for a video call. I click the link and he pops on the screen with his guitar, asking me what song should we play at the concert.

"It's you? Well, it is intended for Korean Drama but it was sung in English, and we can arrange it for duo singers."

He nods at my suggestion and we discuss about the distribution of parts, we practice the chords until our finger tips hurts. I massage my fingers and look at him who is doing the same thing, massaging his fingers. Today, we really pushed our body to its limits and the exhaustion took over my body again even when I slept on the rooftop of our school. I ask Aspire if he feels tired but he said no like he is immune to it.

I bring my laptop to my bed and put the quilt under my chin, looking for the remote control of my aircon and put it in mild temperature. Aspire starts strumming his guitar, do not tell me he will play 'The Climb' again?

When he strum the first note of the song, I immediately search for my bamboo flute in the mini drawer beside my bed. This melody is Ed Sheeran's Perfect, a song that he wrote from his fiancé as a tool to express his love. Everyone that time wants to have like Ed as there boyfriend.

Just like what I told you, I can play various instruments but bamboo flute was not taught by a professional. One of my Chinese friends introduce me to this instrument called Dizi, well the quality of the sound is good as long as you know how to play it well. Like its pulling you to sleep. I am telling you that it is hard practice because my fingers were too stiff and my breathings always rag. Also, this Dizi is a side flute that is why I have to look in the mirror to see if I am pressing the right chords, and see how I look while playing.

The song ended and Aspire claps like a proud parent to his child's performance. I laugh at him and plays another song, this time it is from a Chinese movie titled Mulan. Aside from piano, flutes are my second favorite instrument because they are good for my breathing and the sound it produces soothes all of my stressors. 

I look at Aspire and he is listening intently on me playing 'Reflection'. Never thought I would be playing this instrument again, I never touch this Dizi since I was in eighth grade. Not because of Aspire but mother told me to stop because it is not pleasant to hear it playing.

Ah, I am to blame in that part. Since I am not a good musician back then, the sound of Dizi is similar to a goat. Nana laughed at me when she heard mother lecturing me from disturbing her work due to my incompetency. Haaay!

The song ended and he smile's at me saying that I never lost my touch in playing Dizi, he knows because he is always there. I mean, almost everything I do he witness it or he is the one who teaches me.

My thought lingers on choosing another department next year, should I choose Arts instead of Business? If Arts, that would be favorable for mother. I shakes my head and smiles at Aspire, when Nana knocks into my room.

"Nana?"

"KID is here and he is looking for you."

My mouth slightly parted and asks her again, then I stands, ready to leave my room when he speaks again. 

"What is he doing at your house?"

I look at Aspire who has this unpleasant expression in his face, and disconnected the call. My eyebrows furrowed and I look at Nana who is suppressing her smile. Aspire loose another screw in his head, and I have a visitor to entertain in the living room. Probably that asshole will sleep, since we are both exhausted from the practice.

KID is busy with his laptop that he did not hear me calling. I face Nana and told her to prepare some tea for him, Nana nodded. As I approach KID, I see pile of papers and a fountain pen beside his laptop. Huh?

I poke his shoulder to get his attention and he immediately look at me with those eyes again. I only see it once, that his eyes shows emotion and that is when Annika fake illness and was rushed to her hospital. That is so memorable but let's not think of it anymore.

Nana came with two glasses of tea and served it to KID, he just smile a little as a 'Thank You' then I told Nana that she can rest. She smiles at me and tells me to take care. I smiles at her and look at the man who is sitting in front of me. He closes his laptop and reach for one of the contracts laid in the table, scans it for a second and give it to me.

I look at it for a minute and this is why he goes to our house? For my signature over a business papers? 

The contract looks good and I do not see any clause that I do not like. Then, he extends the fountain pen to me so I could sign when the door opens without hesitation.

"Aspire? What are you doing here?"