The things that happened today including the unprecedented event where the Student Council was actually blazing sick were still part of my plan. Though my confrontation just ended up in the clinic scene between the two of us, a not so pleasant circumstance.
I mean, I'm still guilty since I didn't know she had a fever and then I still had to adjust to help her because she needed help for real.
But everything looked like a mess given the reputation I have, literally even though everyone is on their way home, several students still saw me carrying her posthaste towards the clinic. From my eyes, I'm the gentleman, but through them, it's as if I did something wrong to her.
Here we are now, no longer wondering how it all ended up that I am now walking with the Council President with her right hand still clasped on my left arm just like my sister does to me every time she's with me when we walk outside.
Not only that, I even agreed to help her go home and I am doing it right now. I'm now obliged to assist her along the way. What a turning point of events, this is literally what they call living hell.
It seems I was just planning how to drag her out of the campus, now here I am accompanying her to go home as if I'm a trained dog walking beside her.
Fortunately, there weren't that many students walking where I was with her now, and I was even luckier because no one else saw the two of us when we got out of the gate as she only latched her arms on mine when we were out of the campus' perimeter, she's considerate and still thinking about what will happen to my reputation if someone sees the two of us, going home at the same time.
Of course, everything was not easy for freaking heaven's sake. My whole body was almost sweating every time we stride further because I was trying to synchronize the steps of her foot. We men usually move faster, she was too slow even for a woman, it seems she's relishing the moment. My sweat on the back is like a waterfall that never runs out and subsides.
The worst part now, people at the end of the street began to pop out, I hope none of them are students from the Saint Legacy University. But I can somehow sense their gleaming eyes, I should avoid eye contact no matter what.
An empty hollow bore on my heart, I felt a heavy solitude inside my heart. I really am not comfortable aside from my sister's presence, I can't bear this situation much longer. I bet people would think we're lovers, I just believe none of them recognizes me so I averted my face towards her making sure my identity is well hidden, I suppose.
This stupid nervousness when I am with another woman besides my sister was evident. I'm just not comfortable conversing with a girl or two, so sometimes I just look down on them so they can avoid me too. It's also my fault they get scared, but I don't care though.
After casually getting depressed on my own, a simple tug on my sleeves shattered my delusional reality. "Uhmm... Is it really okay with you? You looked scary and agitated..." She was a little embarrassed, glancing back at me while just looking at the road. I still can't believe she's the Student Council President. If she is shy, I am more at the same time with mixed feelings I can't convey.
"It's alright." I simply answered there's nothing wrong with it. I looked very cool and chill from outside but my heart's already pounding so hard like an engine I'd be able to run faster from how fast it was.
"Thank you again..." It's way too awkward, she covered her cheeks with her gentle palms. I settled glancing sideways again. Though, our skin contact is becoming longer than I'd anticipate.
"No problem." A quick breeze of the tranquil wind caught my attention. I was still bothered about the few who noticed us in the corner of the second subdivision near the school.
Her grip on my left arm got heavier and she stuck herself even more because I pulled back a little away from her. I moved based on my instinct, I'm just a little confused now, I really don't know, we've been like this before. Silent, not paying attention to each other walking towards nothing.
At the third corner, there we turned over to a large coconut tree in the first house. We paced further as I counted the houses until she stopped at the sixth. Several beautiful red and yellow Santan flowers lined behind fences in front and inside. Accompanied by roses amidst the well-trimmed grasses on her front yard.
Like our house, her home is a two-story house building like any other residence here in the subdivision. It is written on the family plate on the fence, "Florentino", her last name's written there so I'd never mistake it.
"Is this your home?" I'm just assuming this is the correct house. I also was having an internal monologue in my head how can I clear the strange air between us and tell her if I can leave now.
"Yes, here it is, welcome to my house." Matilda beamed at me. Her cheerful smile might make me forget how corrupt she is inside.
"Ahh..." A moment of silence entered the vicinity. After she let go of my arm, I finally was able to respirate properly. I thought the silence would remain but she could read the mood going on between us.
"All right, I'm leaving―" I was about to leave when she once again tugged the lower part of my uniform.
"W-Wait...!" Matilda stuttered, I never heard her hesitate before.
The Council President pulled my forearm dragging me inside the gate. My legs couldn't move, she also stood stagnant, I have no idea what's happening anymore.
"Y-Yes? Is there a problem? I need to go home as soon as possible, there are things that needed to be done." I crooked a grin. She came even closer to my face, I could feel her breathing tracing my neck, it was just like that one time, but I was wrong.
"'D-Do you want to drink tea before you go home? It's my thanks for taking care of me..." Matilda stepped backward blushing. She looked cute when she's being shy, again, is she really the prideful Council President of SLU? I see the revered side of her whenever she makes a formal speech at school.
Now, she's entirely a different person. I'm gradually discovering the uncharted and untrodden part of a mountain right now.
Yet, this is no time to think about her aesthetic figure. She had invited me for a glass of tea in her house, I'm standing in a perilous situation, one that can change the course of my life.
What am I going to do now? What should I do now, go home? Or will I be trapped and danced on her palms? Although maybe she just wants to say thanks because I took her home and this is her way of showing gratitude. I'd definitely look bad if I reject her offer.
"Is it really fine?" I asked. Why is it that I don't know how to reject someone? I hate this side of me. But, I also thought this was my big chance where I would make my assertive confrontation; not bad of a deal I guess.
"If you want." She basically laid up everything beforehand. I could do nothing, it was part of the plan. I need time from her and this is my chance or else I might lose more.
"I take that as a yes? Let's go in." Son of sweet potato, is it because I think differently about what my body is doing? What I mean is I looked awkward probably because I was too assertive of what I said when I accepted her offer. When the body moves, the mind will be nothing but ideas of thoughts. Since it was all part of the plan, it couldn't be helped.
I deemed it wasn't a wrong decision, she nodded and ushered me to her abode with open arms.
When I entered, the refreshing living room greeted me up, which was normal and just right in my eyes, not packed, not spacious, everything's balanced. I turned over next to the right and saw paintings on the walls, there was a bookshelf on the left probably for decorations, and next to her is the shoe rack.
"Sorry if it's hot in here, the air conditioning in my house isn't centralized." At first, I didn't care, hot or cold, everyone here in our country is used to the burning lake of fire. Although, I wish I could break down what she said a while ago, wondering and asking myself if what I heard was true if this residence was her abode rather than for her family.
"You mean to tell me, that you live alone here?" My eyebrows furrowed.
"Two years ago, my mom left us and went to Sweden for work. I was left here so I was alone." She honestly answered and right at that moment, I realized the problem I allowed to happen.
Does this mean that I entered the house of a lady who lives alone? I'd want to escape but there's no turning back. It would be rude to run without saying a word or two. But I have to leave no matter what happens because Matilda is what we are talking about here.
"You don't have a sibling? Where is your dad?" I also mentioned it out of curiosity.
"I'm an only child... And my dad visits me anyway..." Her voice weakened slightly upon her mentioning her familial matters. The hell, what controversial information did I just asked? I should recover the conversation right away.
"Ah anyway, aren't you having a hard time combining schoolwork and house chores? You know, you are the Council President. My sister and I get our daily routine done together so it's much easier." Because I also admire her, in fact, she can do the same thing that I can't do alone. Her multi-tasking is an extraordinary skill indeed. I don't know what kind of secret she's hiding if there was.
"It's not tough if you get used to it from the beginning." Matilda had placed her side bag near the shelves and made sure the air freshener above the table is working.
"Is that so?" I couldn't remark properly. She is still really impressive. No one can equal her self-esteem and talent to the point that I might have an inferiority complex remembering her scholarly achievements.
"Come with me." I still have some shame left, but she is the guide for this time. I follow her up the stairs to the second floor until we stumble on a door that says, "Matilda," on the name sign attached near the knob which means it's her room.
"What are we going to do here? Shouldn't we be in the kitchen?" I'm actually afraid the thing that resulted in the music club might also happen here. Maybe it's the impression of being pinned down, worried I'd get assaulted, I just want to get out of here as soon as possible.
"I'm still getting ready, it's hot in the kitchen and living room. I only have air conditioning in my room." I just think her reason for bringing me to her own bedroom is valid, she's just being hospitable, though, I just can't help but be really apprehensive especially since I remember what she did to me.
But I still can't help but worry 'cause I caught her grinning secretly when we went up the stairs.
"Are you sure?" I'm really bothered.
"Come on, just get inside." She just pulled me forcibly letting me into her bedroom. That is right, it's my first time entering a girl's bedroom beside my sister who always sleeps on my bed without my permission.
At first, I closed my eyes, timid about what I would see or what, it could be her room's messy and untidy and she just lets me in and we'll be both embarrassed to death. Is it really hospitality though? I think she had her own hidden ulterior motives, I already know what that is if that's the case.
"Just sit where you're comfortable, wait for a moment okay?" Does she plan to leave me here in her own room? Is there a sensible lady to let a man into her room and leave him be? What is going on in her mind, I can't believe she is the revered Council President.
"Wait a minute!" She did not even listen to me. The door slammed upon it shutting, she's rushing things out. I can't believe she completely ignored me! Now I have no idea what to do, escape is no longer an option, I should embrace this situation and adapt to whatever comes in my way.
I dug my own grave this time, I'll definitely reap what I sowed. Anyways, since I was already here, I looked around hovering my eyes on whatever I could see.
The place is neatly organized, there is no mess or any clutter, it looks like a standard room of a lady, like my sister's, but it's just a little messier with her.
The bookshelves on the right side of the room were packed, it covers two size corners that contain books for education. That's why she's smart, there's a high-end personal computer next to her bed so I can't help but come here to check its specifications in a closer look.
Unbeknownst to my will, I just sat on her bed without realizing it, even though I tried not to approach something where she sleeps every night.
"Hmm... what am I doing?" That was my first time touching a girl's bed aside from my sister. It feels soft and bouncy, its blanket is well folded, it smells great just like her. But why the hell am I getting worked up for everything that I consider first? I should first calm myself and let my sentience take over.
Going back to the topic earlier about the specifications, I noticed that she had a personal gaming computer with a glowing system unit case, keyboard, and mouse, all three beating my PC at home. While my keyboard is just a standard one I bought in San Francisco Mall.
Now that the idea crosses my head, does the Student Council President also likes games? Is it possible that she is a geek and she just doesn't let anyone know? I just wondered and drowned in the eternal sea of imagination.
The wall clock rang, it's been five minutes already. My hands were cold and my legs began shaking, this sensation is very familiar.
Regardless of what I was doing, I just lay down on the bed because I was so bored that I might die. I really want to try her personal computer but she might scold me because that'd intruding her privacy.
"Sigh..."
I tilted as I lay down on the pillow-shaped teddy bear plushie. I tried to reach to put it on the back of my head because my neck was already numb. This situation's a bit awkward if she ever caught me like this.
But when I got that pillow, I got something different that made me be surprised and bewildered; a little soft cloth that I could not believe I'm holding this thing. Whether my heart was restraining myself, or anxious, I knew immediately what my hand fished out, I still looked at it to be sure.
"Holy heaven!" Behold the heaven's grace; black and white underwear with a printed cute bear that I somehow know came from an animated show. Sticky while being delicate, the texture of the undergarment is cotton, it was so wet that my hand's shaking; I was about to throw it on the other side when the door suddenly opened.
"Reyler, the tea is here–" Speak of the devil, without a second notice, she is here, and I'm still holding the legendary artifact; Matilda's breath-taking undergarment. She caught me checking her underwear and I have no excuse for this. This is so embarrassing I'd kindly like to die.
She did not say a word and I just bowed in extreme embarrassment. I just told myself directly in my head at that time. "That stroke layered line was cute."
I raised my hands as if the police had caught me in a crime. I'll gladly embrace what comes to me next, I shall accept any kind of punishment, truly I'm just hopeless.
"Reyler...?" She definitely saw me, there goes my soul going up above the skies onto the heaven.