Chapter 3 - A Fragment of Memory
1031 Words
Memories surged like an unstoppable stream...
"Khalid! I like you!"
A young man with a bright smiling face suddenly appeared in the window.
Khalid was completely startled, his desk was right on the window, and with this, he could completely see the man who just appeared.
"Hey I like you!--" he stopped the young man from speaking anymore by covering his face with his palm
"And I don't really like you." the young Khalid smiled, "If you jump down from here, then I'll consider liking you about .01%"
Everyone in his class was already amused by this everyday 'courting' of Alder who belongs to the next section whose room was just beside them. The man just crawled his way out to just see Khalid by the window, they could even hear his classmates calling for him.
But Alder never backs down to every challenge Khalid wanted him to do, "Okay! You better keep your promise."
"Hey, hey! Is he really going to jump?!"
"Khalid! You better stop him!"
His classmates started to panic but Khalid was just smiling, "If he's sincere, he'll jump."
" Are you serious?!"
Alder already turned his body to face the field, the distance between the ground and from the second floor is about 3 meters.
It's not that bad, he thought.
"Here I go!" He called and was preparing for the launch when a hand grabbed his back collar.
"You..." It was Khalid with his startled expression. This guy has been pestering him since their second year in high school and he shows no sign of stopping! He even went to the next level!
Alder just laughed, "What? I'm sincere."
It was a commotion and just after a second, the teacher arrived. Alder and Khalid were once called in the guidance with some scolding once again.
It was not their first time because every time Alder declares his love for him, it will end up in guidance. He is too hyper and noisy that he's getting on Khalid's nerve sometimes but the guy was tough, he will never stop!
It was already late afternoon when they left the school, sun was already settling in west.
Alder walked behind Khalid, appreciating his crush's back. The guy was tall and handsome, having broad shoulders and athletic body even his brain was too excellent, he has everything! Everyone at school had a crush on Khalid, a lot of people lingered on him each day and each hour so he can only get his attention through some vulgar ways and Alder was not regretting it at all!
He really loved everything about Khalid! Handsome, smart, sporty, gentleman and hella loved by his Grandma!
Even though his Grandma and Khalid never met, Alder's Grandma already knew everything by just his stories and daily life and agreed that Khalid deserves him! So Alder needs to work hard so that his crush can meet his Grandma!
He was in his fantasy world again and just snapped back when he bumped into someone's back.
It was Khalid! He stopped from his tracks.
"You know, it already annoying," Khalid spoke then turned to him.
"Don't you have any sense of shame and consideration?" he asked
It made Alder shut his fantasies, "I'm sorry..."
"Will sorry will do? You've been guarding me all day long and would do anything disturb my peace. It's already... "
Alder could only lower his head, it's just because he likes him too much!
Khalid turned his head sideways, "I just think...that maybe, you're just sincere."
Alder heard it and immediately raised his head. In that orange light from the setting sun, Khalid's blushing face was visible.
"You're so annoying that your face was already appearing in my head every hour and every minute!" Khalid exclaimed, "I think something is really wrong with me."
Alder had gone speechless. In all honesty, he really just loved Khalid so much that he was willing to do everything even though he is well aware that he will not be reciprocated in some way.
But hearing him now... Maybe, just maybe...
He smiled and cupped Khalid's blushing face, "There's nothing wrong with you! You're just starting to like me!" he exclaimed in happiness
Khalid blushed even more, "L-L-Like you?! W-Why would I like you?! You're a guy!"
He turned and away from Alder's clutches, "You better go away!"
Alder laughed, he is really happy as if he could die right now.
His first love is starting to like him!
Alder gave a bitter smile, it's been a long time since that happened...and he almost forgot some of it.
He touched his stomach, the pain lingers again.
His phone rang, its Lance.
"Hey." Alder spoke first, "Are you done there? You've been calling too much today."
"Are you scolding me for calling you too much? I'm hurt." Lance cried
Alder chuckled, "I'm just worried with your workload."
"You should worry only about me, why would you worry about my workload?" He cried again
Alder arrived at the bus stop, "Because your workload doesn't cry like a baby when work is piled up due to neglection."
Lance laughed, "So I'm a baby? Can I be your baby?"
Alder shook his head as he light laughed, "Okay, you can be one next to Dion."
"Nope, that kid was never been a baby. He's too grown up for everything, and too serious!" Lance refuted
Alder laughed, "Hey that's still my baby."
They both laughed imagining Dion's expressionless face hearing them talk like that.
Lance leaned on his soft chair, "So, who was that acquaintance that you met?"
"Oh, just a high school classmate, we talked a bit... " Alder's speech slowed down.
Should he tell Lance that the first love he talked about before was the one he met?
"Actually..." Alder saw the fully packed bus, he immediately went forward since he can no longer wait for the next one since Dion is waiting at home.
"Okay my bus is already here, talk to you later. Love you."
Lance heard him end the call. He put his phone away and turned to the west horizon visible through the glass window on his wide office.
Thoughts ran in his mind.
- Writer
