Hindrance and Liability

'Earlier at the English class, while listening to the professor's lecture, he told us that we're going to have a project. I was thinking that he might assign us to write a term paper or conduct research but it's neither of the two because he wants us to create a video with the theme love.'

'Love? Seriously? Do I look like the type of person who does romantic gestures, says cheesy words, and is in a relationship; Hell No!'

'And not to make this, even more, worse, the person next to me which is partially the reason why am I late in the class is going to be my partner for 5 months.'

'I felt awkward because of our conversation in the elevator the other day. I even told her why I dislike the familiar tune that she was humming because of two things; (1) because we won't be seeing each other again and (2) because she's a stranger.

'But faith really likes to play on me because what I didn't know is that not only she study here but we're going to be partners.'

'When I heard about us both being partners, I looked at my side to see her widened eyes gawking at me. Both of us were gazing at each other and when we realized that we had been looking at each other for too long, we both looked away to listen to our professor.'

'I didn't expect that she will talk to me given our sudden conversation in the elevator the other day and given how rude I was to her. Also the sudden clash of our bodies in the hallway earlier. She asked me when we could start the planning of our project and I told her that we could meet at the downtown cafe near the S hotel because I live there and I will not need to think about the hassle of commuting in going to other locations.'

'We would start our day by planning but it doesn't mean that after that, it's already over. That is just the start and me and her will be seeing each other from time to time.'

'I was already at the door leaving when she told me her name. I look back at Alicia and saw that she really looks like a goddess and I was mesmerized again by those rare amethyst eyes but I completely shrugged it off.

After all, she's not that innocent, because with one look I could already tell that she's the outgoing and liberated party girl. I don't want the likes of her. Don't get me wrong I'm not gay, I just don't like the idea of dating and romance because that is not my forte and the last thing I want is women around me. '.'

'Now I'm here inside the cafe waiting for her arrival, I don't know if I'm early or late, but we didn't agree on what time we will be seeing each other, so I don't know when will she arrived, so I just busied myself on my phone while waiting for her.'

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'When class ended, I immediately went straight home to take a bath before going to the cafe for the discussion of our project.'

'Wearing a white hoodie dress and white shoes while supporting a messy bun, I went straight inside the cafe and I saw him already there waiting. He looks neat and clean just by wearing a black hoodie, jeans, and black shoes. I saw the eyes of other women eyeing him, but he didn't heed them any bit of care, not even a glance.'

'I went to his side and when he saw someone standing in front, he looks up and I saw again those gray eyes that I adore and are still lingering on my mind.'

'He broke the silence by offering me to seat on the chair.'

"Take a seat.

A waiter went to our table to get our orders? Good afternoon sir, mam, do you want to order anything?"

"I'm fine with coffee jelly," I told him my order.

"Two coffee jelly," he told the waiter.

"Anything else sir, we do have a new special menu for couples to enjoy, would you like to try."

My eyes widened when he mistook for us being a couple and I immediately corrected him.'

"No, we're not a couple! I frantically told him and realize that my face is heating up."

"Oh! I'm sorry for that. Anything else?"

"None." both of us replied to him at the same time.

The waiter collected our orders and went away to prepare them. When I heard his voice, I look at him, but it didn't last long. I immediately tore off my gaze because I can't seem to compose myself every time we look at each other especially with that intense stare.'

'I remember the waiter who mistook us for being a couple. I look at his clothes and mine and I saw that we are both wearing a hoodie but alternating colors even our shoes, no wonder he said that. We look like a freaking couple!'

'Oh my gosh! What am I thinking? It's just clothes, Not a big deal. Shaking off my thoughts I told him my plans, not wasting any time.'

"So I have researched our topic and I was thinking that we could both find couples who have lasted for 7 years or more and see if we could invite them over for an interview. We could ask them about their love story and if they experience mishaps in their relationship and how they survive it even after all those barriers. After that, we will compile everything to make it into one video."

"Isn't that a bit too cliche? I feel like a lot of our classmates will be thinking of doing that as well. Besides, how are we going to find those couples? Do you know any couple that we could interview for our work to be productive and less hassle?" he replied to me.

'He's right actually, I feel like the others will also conduct an interview and it's just the matter of who has the most creative and unique answers.'

"Well, I also thought that and I don't know any couples besides my parents but they will not have the time for this because both of them are busy. Well, that's my suggestion. How about you? Do you have any suggestions?"

"I don't. I don't do dates or cheesy things."

'My ears irk up because he doesn't even contribute anything and he looks like he was bored about our discussion and all he does is sigh.'

"I have no experience as well, but I still know what love means," I told him.

"Knowing about it and being committed to a relationship are two different things. the first you only the classifications of it but not the deeper meaning of its importance. The latter is that you are ready to commit yourself into a relationship and understanding one another, thus the true meaning of love but in entering a relationship you should also be prepared to get hurt."

'I didn't expect him to know a lot of knowledge about love. I thought he dislikes romance so I was shocked about what he said.'

"I thought you don't date, how come you know a lot of things? Have you ever been in a relationship?

"No I told you I don't do romance; heck I even dislike the idea of being in one. It's just my basis."

'Basis huh?'

"Your basis seems spot on, but you really hate love huh? Why do you hate it?

'I asked him that question with a curious gaze. He looked at my eyes before answering my question.'

"Because women tend to get clingy that they start owning you when no one should except for yourself unless you want them. Also, we will just get hurt in the end. It's either they hurt us or I hurt them and I choose the latter."

"Aren't you a bit prejudiced against women? What makes you think that the likes of you will not hurt us? You haven't even been in a relationship, yet your mind is already set on rejecting and hurting them."

'I was burning with desire to slap him because of how he views women. He's willing to hurt their hearts because he doesn't want to be the one who will get hurt in the end. Isn't that the point of love, it will make us happy and let us feel pain at the same time.'

"Don't you know the phrase It's better to hurt them than to get hurt? That's my motto. Besides, I don't have time for dating especially in my last year of high school. Women are liability and hindrance to my successes."

'Because of what he said, I snap. I was fuming in anger to the point that I don't care anymore if people will look at us.'