Confusion (2)

Among the festivities of the school celebration where students are smiling and laughing with their friends, Althea seemed small and lonely in the room. Her eyes were unfocused as she fell in a daze.

'Ray...' absent-mindedly, she recalled the first time she had a video call with him. It was only around a week ago. He profusely refused it before, so they only get to go it twice until now. He said that he looks unbearably ugly and thus didn't want to show her his face, else she might feel repulsed by him.

At that time, she laughed at the statement and said that as long as he doesn't look ghostly then she'll be fine with it. But what she saw in that video was different from either her expectation or Ray's statement. Ray is not someone so handsome that he'll befuddle those around him with his looks, but to call it 'unbearably ugly' is too much. His appearance is tidy and clean, making it easy on the eyes.

In that video, Ray was wearing a plain black shirt that went well with his light brown skin. His eyebrows are thick and defined, with a sharp nose and full lips which barely changes to a smile throughout the call. His hair was a bit long for a man's standard but it gave him a bad guy vibe as it was pushed back due to his repeated action of running his fingers through it. What is most noticeable from his features, though, is the dark shade below his eyes, an undeniable proof of his insomnia, and his eyes which doesn't suit any guy his age. His pitch-black eyes held almost no emotion, but was filled with wisdom as if he knew everything in this world, and thus is unfazed by whatever happens around him.

Compared to a handsome playboy like Lucas, Ray is indeed inferior in terms of appearance. But he has a more manly vibe in him, added with a mature and dependable image.

'Ray, I'm sorry I couldn't help you much. If you still can't find the reason tomorrow, I'll gather my courage to tell you.' Althea was determined in solving this problem no matter what. With this conclusion in mind, she left the resting area. The sunset glow seeped through the door which she passed, as if it's cheering her on.

***

"Morning, sis!" Haru just woke up from his sleep. His soft brown hair was covering his wide forehead and his gesture of rubbing his eyes combined with a robot patterned pajama made him look adorable.

"Morning, Haru." Althea put down the spatula in her hand to pat her lovely brother's head and directed him to the bathroom. Just like every other morning, Althea was preparing breakfast for her family. She was wearing an oversized green apron with a big stamp of a certain dish soap's brand in the middle, clearly indicating the apron to be a bonus from the product. As a family who runs a shop, they do get a lot of kitchen and tableware which came as a bonus from buying lots of the product.

"Haru, you want to drink milk or tea today?" Althea asked as her she took the glass from the rack and pour some sugar while waiting for the water to boil.

"Milk!" Haru answered cheerfully with his face covered by a towel.

"Hihi, that's good. Drink lots of milk and grow up healthy, our Haru." Althea was affected by Haru's cheerfulness, pouring the milk and water into the cups.

With everything prepared on the table, Althea went to knock on her mother's room.

"Mom, the breakfast is ready."

Creak

Not long after, her mother went out of her room with traces of exhaustion in her face. She silently went to sit with Haru and Althea took her seat soon after. On morning, her father is still at the market to buy the things needed to be sold at their shop. Thus, it was only the three of them. Their breakfast was filled with quietness, as to how their mother taught them to be.

"Today after cleaning, come to help the shop. Since it's Sunday, the shop is going to be busy." Her mother said as she finished her breakfast.

"Yes, mother." Althea nodded without complaint. Her body was still aching from the event's full-day activities and she was mentally tired due to the problem with Ray, but she had no option to rest. Her mother was kind enough to let her finish her activities after all.

That day, she did as her mother ordered her to do. Her mind was more restless than usual, however. The reason being that Ray hadn't sent any message to her even though it is almost evening at her place. Thinking back on how bad Ray was at facing his own emotions yesterday, Althea was worried if he did something reckless. He obviously doesn't seem like one who would do so, but Althea wouldn't rule out that possibility.

"Ray, are you okay?" Althea sent. It was evening by the time she finally got free time after her family's shop is closed. But there was still no news from Ray.

Ten minutes passed by. Still no response.

Tuut- tuut-

Althea tried to call him but there was no answer. The worry in her heart started to grow into anxiety and she repeatedly called him.

'Please, Ray. Pick up the call. Please.' She silently begged. If anything were to happen to him, she wasn't sure she would be able to take it.

Tuut-

Still no response on her seventh try. Althea rose up from her bed and start prancing around her room, still calling Ray.

'God, please don't let anything bad happened to him. Please let him be safe-" Althea felt her eyes got hotter and her nose sore. If she were to realize anything today, it was that she cared for Ray much more than she thought she did.

Click.

Althea tensed up as she heard the call got connected.

"Thea?" Ray's weak voice sounded from the other side, but hearing it makes Althea felt unbelievably relieved that her knees slump on the floor.

"Ray-- Ray, are you okay?" Althea didn't realize her voice had turned hoarse due to holding up tears, but Ray definitely noticed that.

"I'm sorry, I was unconscious so I couldn't reply, but are you okay?" Ray's reply held a deep concern in it.

"Unconscious? Why? How did it happen? What happened?" Althea urged.

"Shh. It's okay, Thea. First, calm down, okay? I'll talk about it later." Althea never expected Ray's voice to be able to be this soft. It was as if he's trying to caress and embrace her by his voice in place of his physical inability to do so. His voice made Althea wanted to cry harder but due to her habit to hold back her voice when she cried, tears just keep silently falling down her cheeks.

"Yes... let's talk." Althea nodded her head as if Ray could see it, and wiped her tears before preparing herself to listen to whatever Ray had to say.