Suddenly, I'm Engaged

Net

James starts to warm up his fingers and twirling the wooden drum sticks in his hand, trying his best to impress Aliah. Then tap the sticks together.

One… two… three…

Take me to that one

Perfect night

My arms around your waist

Stargazing dreaming on and on and on

Hope against all hope

Should I stay if you should go?

Feelings overflow

Broken, we still fly

Time heals most of  wounds

Hope sings as I'm

Aliah was looking at James intently as she witnesses James’ hidden talent in playing drums. But she’s more amused to hear him sing…

Taken to that one

Perfect night

My arms around your waist

Stargazing dreaming on and on

Hope against all hope

Should i stay if you should go, woooh

Was it epic for you at all??

Or just a memory, a moment

Nothing more??

Aliah was in awe to hear James’ voice while looking at her dearly as he sings the chorus. It’s as if he’s sending her some hidden message, a message he couldn’t say directly at her. The lyrics may be tragic somehow but Aliah couldn’t help it, she was touched by James’ performance. That was the first time, first time hearing someone dedicates a performance for her. It’s as if he’s knocking into her frozen heart. Then James came to their table.

“How was it?” James was soaking with his sweat.

“Nice.” It’s all she can say. She couldn’t keep looking at him like she used to before. Maybe because she’s still moved by the performance. James smirked at her response.

“That’s all? I think it deserves more compliment from the ice-cold princess Aliah.” James teased her.

“Princess? Are we in a sort of fairytale?! Stop calling me princess.” She grumbled.

James just giggled at the way she reacts. Aliah is being way too different after watching the performance dedicated to her.

Aliah offered her handkerchief. And James grinned for that kind gesture. But instead of accepting it, he moved closer to Aliah and asked her to wipe his sweat instead. He’s acting cute towards her but it didn’t work like how he wants it to.

“Give it back to me after you washed it. Make sure it won’t stink with your sweat.” She said while avoiding James’ gaze. But he couldn’t stop giggling.

“Good thing I brought you here. I’ll better treat Zaine on Monday.” He murmured to himself.

“What?”

“Nothing. I’m just glad you appreciated that performance.” He excused.

========

Aliah was on her way to her classroom when Zaine suddenly jumped into her, full of excitement to see each other once again but Aliah doesn’t feel the same way. It seems like she is into trouble.

Aliah crossed her arms and frowned, waiting for Zaine to confess something but her friend just displayed a forced smile then run away from her. Aliah was about to run after her but she saw James walking towards her. She wants to avoid him but there’s nowhere she can go or even hide. James greeted her with a sweet smile.

Aliah couldn’t look away from him. It’s as if she was being hypnotized by that smile so she greeted back then walked speedily to stop herself from staring at him. She doesn’t know what’s going on with her. She’s been out of her mind since that day where she witnessed James’ hidden charisma. Or maybe he was charismatic ever since but she just keeps on ignoring him. No wonder lots of girls were after him.

After their class, Aliah and Zaine decided to do their homework together at Zaine’s house. But Aliah seems like she’s out of focus and having a hard time doing what she has to do.

“Are you okay?” Zaine looks so concerned. But Aliah just nodded in response. She keeps on biting her pen which bothers Zaine the most.

“Am I your best friend?” Aliah looked at her, perplexed by her random question. “If I am, then you know I would do my best to help you whatever it may be.” She added.

Aliah exhaled, pondering if she’ll gonna tells her or not. But if she wouldn’t, then no one could help her. She sighed.

“Alright. Is it me or James?” And that question bewildered Zaine. She looked at Aliah intently, waiting for her explanation.

“Would mind elaborating your question?”

“I’m not gonna tell you my concern if you’ll telltale this to James.” And that somehow excites Zaine. It seems like James managed to bother the ice-cold princess. He’s having an improvement. And Zaine, being the cupid, feels more excited for the two. She’s excited about Aliah’s thoughts regarding their hangout last weekend.

“You know that I’m always on your side. Whatever I do, it’s always because of you and will always be for your sake.” Zaine explained as she wrapped her arms around Aliah’s shoulder to make her feel reassured.

“I think there’s something wrong with me.” Zaine looked at her with furrowed brows. Guess it’s not going well according to how she wants it to. “He’s been bothering me since that night.”

Zaine worries for her dear friend. She was never like this. The confident and strong-willed Aliah never acted this way before. Aliah acting this way makes her anxious.

“Why? Did he do something against you? I never thought he was this kind of person. I thought he was sincere all this time. I’m gonna kill him when I see him tomorrow!” Zaine ranted and somehow over reacts. Aliah tapped her back to calm her down and looked at her dispiritedly.

“It’s not like that.”

She explained to Zaine that she’s having a hard time sleeping since that night. She was so mesmerized by that performance and that couldn’t leave her mind. It’s as if a tape-recorded video keeps on playing over and over again in her head. The way James looked at her, the way he sings, the way he delivered each lyric, and the way he expresses his feelings through that song, was so captivating. It was so enticing to the point that sleep refused to visit her each night. But hearing those words from Aliah, Zaine couldn’t stop herself from shouting. She covered her friend’s mouth to stop her from doing so or else her parents might come to the room and make them worried for nothing. It is not something to celebrate, she thought. She’s in a big trouble

“It’s your fault.” Aliah blamed her friend for setting this up.

“Sorry.” Zaine looked down as if she’s guilty of committing a grave mistake. But deep inside, she felt a great sense of fulfillment for being successful in melting her friend’s frozen heart.

“You should. I just hope that would be the last.” Zaine just nodded like a scolded child. Aliah told her to keep it from James. She’s not into dating and wants to focus on her study. She didn’t know that watching him once, performing in such a setting, could affect her easily. His sincerity sinks into her heart. But she has no plan on cherishing and enjoys such fleeting feelings.

==========

James walked into their classroom and it looks like he’s in a good mood. He’s been greeting everyone inside the room until he sits on his chair.

“It seems like it was a success,” Zaine mumbled.

“I can hear you.” Zaine covered her mouth for being caught. Aliah exhaled. Zaine looked at Aliah with full of concern.

“Are you okay?” Aliah just nodded and didn’t respond in detail. She’s having a hard time experiencing this kind of situation. But she doesn’t want to pester her friend anymore.

Their teacher for the third period, the subject before their break time, was not around so they decided to go to the nearest bench and take a sit to breathe some fresh air but Aliah is still out of her mind. She’s quiet and displaying her poker face even in front of her best friend. James is walking towards them but Zaine shook her head as a signal that it’s not the right time to approach her so he mouthed “Why?” But Zaine just shrugged her shoulder, being cautious not to be caught by Aliah in commuting with him.

“Do you have to take this seriously?” Zaine blurted as she fidgets while trying to avoid Aliah’s gaze. Aliah got annoyed by that comment.

Aliah frustrates Zaine for acting this way. She nagged her saying that they could just enjoy the process and forget about the rest. They’re too young for this kind of pondering. She advised that she doesn’t have to dive deeper and make herself drowned from these random thoughts.

“Let him court you if you want to. If you don’t, then reject him direct to the point. And if he pursues you despite that rejection, then it means he’s being true and sincere towards you.” She added.

Aliah thinks differently from those who were her age. While everyone enjoys dating every person that pursues them, Aliah wants to date someone who will be her first and last love. She believes that her first must be her last. That’s why she’s contemplating this.

Zaine tapped her back and changed the topic.

“You know what, let’s just talk about the upcoming Science Camp!” Zaine looked so excited about that event.

In the next two weeks, there will be a Science Camp wherein juniors and seniors students were staying overnight in the school. There will be a group of staff from NASA who will assist the students to witness the physical appearance of the moon and other constellations present on that day by their own eyes through certain equipment. It’s like seeing the photos of the moon and constellations in high definition.

There will be a set of programs before the moon observations wherein there will be some set of games and performances from different sections. And for the last part, as an ending remark, there will be a live band that will perform to lift the mood of the sleepyheads.

“Can’t wait for that day.” Zaine clasps her hands while smiling like a retarded seal. And that made Aliah smile after a long time. As expected, Zaine is the only key to make her feel better.

========

Two weeks have passed in just a blink of an eye. Zaine decided to sleep over at Aliah’s house so they can go to the camp together. Martha is busy preparing some food for the two so they can bring some to their camp while the two young ladies are busy packing their stuff. Everything is set, now it’s time to go to their school and just enjoy the night.

After understanding Zaine’s advice, Aliah starts to change her approach towards what she feels for James. Maybe she was just infatuated and there’s nothing more than that though there were times that Aliah still feels conscious and shy when James is around. As Zaine said, she decided not to dive in too much and just enjoy the process. She realized that she doesn’t have to be pressured by someone’s feelings. Not because they confess to you does it mean you have to reciprocate their feelings for you.

“Let’s go.” The two young ladies bid their goodbyes to John and Martha.

While walking towards their school, lifting their full-packed bag, someone approached them and offered some help.

“Thank you.” Aliah looked at him as she handed her bag and saw it was James. The smile on her face fades away and she starts blushing. He’s smiling brightly at her for letting him do so. If she knew it was James, she would probably decline his kind gesture. Zaine smiled at them as she feels relief from lifting such a heavy bag.

“Are you sure you’re just staying here overnight? It seems like you brought a lot of stuff which is good for more than a day.” James tried to c***k a joke in the middle of their awkward situation. Aliah just looked down, trying to avoid his gaze as much as she can.

“Aliah and I decided to put our stuff in the same bag that’s why it’s quite heavy.” Zaine giggled.

James keeps on looking at Aliah trying to meet her gaze, hoping she’s okay. Aliah managed to lift her head and looked at him but she stares at him for too long. She feels so shy every time their eyes meet.

“Are you okay?” But Aliah just nodded and smiled forcibly.

They finally arrived in their designated room. Girls’ and boys’ rooms were separated though they are not gonna sleep over the night. Maybe it would be more convenient for everyone in this kind of setup. Everyone’s looking at them as they saw James lifting Aliah’s bag, which is technically not hers alone. They start murmuring again. This is why Aliah feels more uncomfortable when James is around. She hates this kind of attention.

“Thank you,” Zaine said as she felt that James feels concerned for Aliah. “I’ll take care of her.” She murmured to reassure James.

James was about to leave their room when he called out for Aliah. Her eyes widened, shocked by how James called out for her. She walked towards him, gathering all the courage she has.

“W-why?” She asked while looking down. She couldn’t look at his eyes. But James lowered his face to meet Aliah’s gaze which made her blush. She covers her cheeks with her hands. James couldn’t help but smile brightly. He feels proud for making Aliah blushed. He’s one step closer to Aliah’s heart.

“Let’s meet on the bench in front of the Social Hall at 10 pm.” He whispered.

James left the room before Aliah could answer. Or maybe James wouldn’t take no for an answer that’s why he left immediately.

They were all gathered in the covered court where their seating arrangement is according to the wristlet ticket number. Good thing Aliah and Zaine sit at the same table. The queue for the dinner buffet starts. Everyone’s busy picking and getting their food when the Principal starts with the Opening Remarks. Explaining the house rules for the night and how the moon observation will work. After eating, the lights were shut down and the 1998 science fiction disaster movie entitled Armageddon starts to play. The film is about a group of blue-collar deep-core drillers sent by NASA to stop a gigantic asteroid on a collision course with Earth. Everyone’s been hooked by the story until the movie ends after one hour and fifty minutes. The closing credits start to scroll down when the spotlight starts to focus on the left side of the stage. The live band starts to play the song I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing which is the original soundtrack of the said movie.

The students focus on the band while Aliah focuses on the drummer. He looks so charismatic every time he plays the drums. Aliah puts her hands under her chin as she watches him diligently. Then she realized she was captivated by James. No matter how hard she denies it, she’s into him. Now she understands why lots of girls show their interest in him. She never knew he is so charming until she watches him perform like this.

Someone tapped her shoulder and smiled at her brightly as if she’s teasing her.

“That guy fell for you,” Zaine whispered.