Zeke's Secret Obsession

Chapter 6

Amber's

"Amber!"

I stopped from walking. Just before I stepped in on Pentagon's huge expensive gate, a loud voice shouted my name that probably got the crowd's attention— specifically the students and professors that were walking like me.

"Amber!"

I looked from behind to see a girl—a beautiful girl—running towards my direction with a huge bright smile painted on her lips, waving her long, slender arms to me.

"Amber."

She stopped in front of me, reducing the distance between us because of her intimate gesture. She held my hand and greeted me. "Good morning, Amber."

I stared at her intently. Her long, dark hair gracefully falls just right above her chest, her almond grayish eyes that would probably drown you somewhere deep, her pinkish lips, her fierce look with a drop of softness, and a goddess-like body any man will definitely drool for. Brushing those features aside, she really looked familiar. Still, I didn't know how or why.

"Done checking me out?" she asked rather boldly. She put a hand on her hips and gave me a smirk—a proud one to be exact.

I shifted my gaze on the pavement, realizing that I actually did and I had no excuse for it. That was very rude of me. I scanned the crowd and noticed their stares toward this girl, maybe admiring her stunning beauty, or maybe finding this one odd for her observed hyper behavior.

I looked at her after and sighed. "Sorry, but you seemed familiar." I apologized, "Have we met before, perhaps?"

The girl's eyes mirrored a hint of disappointment, I think that was it called. Seconds later a smile appeared on her lips along with the change of her eyes' light. It was as if she's amused or something.

"Aw, ang bilis mo naman makalimot." She pouted her lips. "Ako 'to, si Zeke. The one you toured last time. Remember?"

I felt something warm on my hands, only to know that she already laced her fingers with mine without my consent. She gripped it tightly, disallowing me to let go from her. I did try to get my hand but nothing happened.

I already remembered her in an instant. She's the new student I toured last time just like what she said. Ah, why I keep forgetting people who were not significant to me? I didn't see her for the last few days, so that can also explain why I forgot her that easy. It's not like it mattered.

"The girl who forced me to eat at the cafeteria," I blurted out rather unconsciously. It was a slip of the tongue kind of thought. I felt embarrassed but decided not to show it. What's done was already done, can't be take back. Besides, that's the most distinct memory that I can remember about her.

She giggled and hugged me that made me gasp. I groaned after. This woman was really clingy, we're not even close!

"Yehey!" she beamed like a kid, "Akala ko nalimutan mo na ako, eh. Halika na?"

"Where?" I confusingly asked.

"To our first class." she answered. "Ang alam ko parehas tayo ng schedule, eh. This is a great day to start." I can sense her immense excitement for some reason. "Kailangan kong humabol sa klase. Math tayo ngayon, 'di ba?"

I nodded slowly. Her smile grew wider as she quickly pulled me inside the Pentagon's gate, dragging me straightly to our room in a dash—without me—having the chance to complain at her sudden rush.

I was panting as we made our way to our seats at the secluded part of the room. She sat to my right side, pulling her chair closer to me. That was the first time I ran that fast just to go to class—and it's not even allowed to do that. I took my handkerchief to wipe my sweat.

How did I get in this situation? I hope someone can explain it to me. One moment I was alone and now I have to endure some company I didn't even ask for.

"Ang aga natin, kaunti pa lang tayo." she told me. She was too happy and I find it odd.

"Zekhaila," I called.

"Bakit?" She looked at me and I looked away like an idiot out of impulse. She's...I can't really explain.

"Will you mind checking your distance?" I asked politely. She surely didn't know what personal space means.

"Bakit?" she questioned. "At saka ano ba 'yan, 'di ba sabi ko mag-Tagalog ka naman? Mauubusan ako ng dugo sa'yo, Amber."

"N-naiilang kasi ako." I admitted. I have no real excuse, I was too used in English that I rarely use that medium. Whenever I try, I feel like I'll choke with my own tongue. Tagalog was a little bit troubling to me.

She smirked, moving closer to me. We're just a few inched away and I can already smell her minty, hot breath on my face. It's uncomfortable so I pushed my head back a little. She shrugged her shoulder, a smirk slowly forming on her lips. My eyes widened when she kissed my cheeks soundly and giggled like a kid.

I quickly clenched my fist. I was out of words with what just happened. My sudden racing heartbeat and the heat on my face didn't help the situation either. It was too fast that I was simply lost for any retort. "D-did you just..."

"Ano ka ba! Sa cheeks lang 'yon at gano'n talaga ako." She chuckled like a kid who won on a trickery game. She tapped my arm. "Isa pa nga."

She leaned closer with the attempt to do it again but I quickly put my hand in front her face as a mean to stop her from going further. "No, don't. I don't want someone kissing me."

I was internally trying to keep my heart calm. It was the first time someone got that close to me. It was too uncomfortable. Usually, people will try to maintain their distance to me because I was a little standoffish.

"Pero sa cheeks lang naman, eh." she reasoned. She even pouted her lips. On the other hand, I stopped myself from staring at it longer than intended.

"Still, it's a kiss. No kissing."

"Friends naman tayo kaya okay lang 'yon."

"Friends?" I frowned my forehead. "I don't remember getting chummy with you."

"I remember being friends with you." She smiled teasingly and shrugged her shoulders once again in a laid back manner.

I was silent for a few minutes. I never had a friend before and I don't think I like having one—specifically having one like her. She's too clingy and a little pushy.

"Sorry to burst your bubble but I'm afraid that I will have to decline."

"Sige na." She made a sad face by pouting her lips like a sad puppy, her eyes looking gloom, her hand gripping me tight in a plead. I tried to yanked it away but to no avail. "I want you to be my friend. And maybe more than that." she whispered the last part although I hear it. "Please, will you be my friend?"

"Bakit ba?" I asked. I felt my cheeks burning. "You can befriend anyone, you know." I said in a convincing tone. It was too obvious that I didn't want her but she's being stubborn.

"Ayoko sa iba kasi ikaw ang gusto ko." she answered in a matter of fact tone. "Please na kasi. Please? Please?" She put her hand on my shoulder and shook me repeatedly, it was startling. "Please, Amber, please?"

"O-okay, okay," I said, trying to stop her. This was what I was talking about. Forcing herself to me. "Stop shaking me." She obliged right away, doing an unexpected hug. I sucked a breath out of surprise. Her body's warm, it was seeping into my skin. I decided to ignore the feeling.

She let go and gave me a stunning, bright smile. She looked so happy. "Thank you!"

"Don't thank me yet," I opposed, "I'm still considering whether to be friends with you or not."

"That's okay, that will do." she answered. She raised both of her eyebrows. "Tha''s much better than rejecting me completely."

"Okay." I sighed. "Just don't touch me. No hugging and kissing."

She stomped her feet playfully. "Eh, pero normal na gawain 'yon ng magkaibigan."

"Fine," I said in defeat, "just no kissing."

She's too persistent. I didn't know how to stop this woman. She's a handful and it's still too early. The regret of touring her before was starting to get through me. She appeared to be approachable, anyone will like to be her friend. I can't think of any reason why she chose me.

"I can't promise you that." She leaned forward and gave me a quick kiss. "Yes!"

The teacher came in before I can even complain. All I did was to stare at her with a frown but she returned it with her unbreakable smile.

You're crazy, Zekhaila.

--

The ring belled, indicating that it's already lunch time, those two classes that passed made me exhausted, especially at math. I hate numbers. I might pass out because studying makes me feel hungry.

Zekhaila quickly hugged me from the back with force before I can even walk further. I almost tripped forward and thanks to the culprit who held me before I can even land my face on the floor.

"Woah, muntik ka nang masubsob, ah. Sorry, napalakas pala yung nagawa ko." She chuckled. She tucked some of my hair strands behind my ear before gently touching my cheek. "Ayos ka lang?"

"Y-yeah, thanks." I averted my gaze downward. It was kind of embarrassing and awkward. For some reason, she acted like a guy although her movements betrayed my thought. Maybe she's just too gentle.

"Kakain ka na ba?" she asked. She held my hand and pulled me closer to her. "Sabay na tayo."

"Is this what friends usually do?" I can't help but ask. I was literally new to this, I honestly didn't know. Sure I see friends going out but still I was never certain.

"Oo naman." She nodded. "Ano, sabay na tayo, ha?" In the end, I decided to agree by nodding. "Yes!" she did a victory pose with her fist. "Lunch date 'to, ha?" I was about to complain when she added. "Don't worry, friendly date lang."

"O-okay." Again, I just ended up agreeing, not being able to complain. She intertwined our hands as we walked together at the cafeteria. As much as I want to let go, she won't permit me to do so. How come this girl became so strong? I sighed. Her hand was warm anyway and it's starting to get comforting.

--

"Is it really okay to eat here? At the rooftop?" I asked. It's actually the first time that I went here. The wind was strong but it felt refreshing more than the air conditioned room. It was too bright but I like it. There were few clouds today. I rarely stare at the sky but I can sense that's the weather's fairly good.

"Okay lang 'yan. May sinabi ba sa rules na bawal kumain sa rooftop?" she asked. She was setting the lunch that we bought. I really think that she's been really expecting this lunch with me because she even brought a blanket. It's like we're in a picnic. "Sige na, kain na."

I roamed my sight at the food, feeling my stomach growling, and hungrily took the lasagna. I had my first bite. I really love food, that's one thing that's easy to know about me. Zekhaila started eating her sandwich as well, she did it with grace. I, on other hand, didn't really care as long as I was eating. Mabilis naubos ang lasagna ko so I took another one to eat. Good thing that we have plenty to eat.

"Ang takaw mo, Amber. Cute." She stared at me and I can feel the atmosphere getting awkward, or maybe it's just me.

"It's rude to stare, Zekhaila." I stopped eating and looked at her coldly—where in truth, embarrassment was eating me up. Maybe I showed too much of myself.

"Ay, sorry." She raised her hands up. "I just can't help it. Your cuteness is pulling me close to you." She winked and kissed me again on my cheek before pinching it.

"Sabi ko no kissing, eh." I pouted, which I didn't intend to do. What can I do, my cheeks were being touched too much.

Her eyes grew wide as a giggle escaped her mouth. "Nag-pout, ka Amber! Ang cute talaga!"

I averted my gaze back to the food. I can feel my face burning. "No, I'm not."

"You are," she insisted.

--

School ended smoothly and until now, Zekhaila was still clinging to me like a kid to her mom, hugging me from time to time and sometimes, stealing quick kisses at me. It was hard to stop her. I was really starting to think that she's a spoiled princess of her family. It was too obvious, it seems like she didn't like being rejected when she wanted something—like the friendship she's trying to get from me.

"Zekhaila, stop being so close." I said, like, for the nth time. How can I be a friend when I didn't even know how to be one? What were the requirements? What's the necessary trait that I need to have? This girl seems to know what she's doing but I think she's being too much. Weren't we supposed to know each other first before all this skin contact?

"Why?" She prolonged the word before pouting her lips. Maybe it's her mannerism. "Ang lambot mo kasi, eh, ang cute!"

And there she goes again.

"We're in public. People might think of something." I tried to reason out with her. It's true, there are lots of students around. We continued walking until outside the school.

I thought her eyes twinkled, or maybe it's just my imagination. I saw it sparkled like an excellent idea washed over her. She smirked. She leaned closer towards my face. "Edi kapag tayo lang dalawa, I can do anything to you?"

"No, I didn't mean it that—"

"Sabi mo 'yan, ah. Uwi na tayo so I can cuddle with you all day na." She cut me off and giggled.

I sighed. She's not listening. We're walking together for a while but I started to notice that we're both taking the same way. I stopped and she did, too. I was waiting for the car that will bring me home. I can't drive and I was not in the mood to learn either, besides, it's much convenient if someone will drive for me. Maybe Zekhaila was waiting, too.

A car stopped in front of us in just a minute. Finally. The driver opened the door of the vehicle for me and I went in without a word but confusion took place in my head when suddenly, Zekhaila went in as well and took the seat beside me. What? I didn't know what to say. I was just at my seat, staring at her with my eyebrows almost connecting. She looked at me and she had this expression like she realized something.

"Oh, sorry. I forgot to tell you." She smacked herself jokingly. "Starting from now, you and I are going to live in the same roof." she revealed like it wasn't big of adeal. "Isn't it exciting?"

I felt like a slow internet connection, like what she said didn't register quickly. Did I hear it right? Zekhaila and I, together in the same house —me, living with her.

"What?"

_____