Chapter 18: Here

"Hey, baby. Mama's here. Nali wake up," I heard my mom's shaking voice.

"Please, Inara."

My head hurts so bad. I tried to open my eyes but closed it again. But the blinding lights welcomed me with its full glory.

I felt movements from my surrounding.

"H-Hey," hearing that familiar voice calm my nerves. I felt his hand gently wrapped around mine. His touch awaken my whole soul.

For the second time, I tried to open my eyes to see a glimpse of his face. I was successful in doing so, my gaze never left his handsome face ever since I open my eyes. Irritation and worry were evident on his features. Nonetheless, in his dreamy brown eyes, the worry overpowered the irritation he is feeling.

"H-Hey," I tried to speak but my voice came out hoarse.

Kale forced a small. He looked at me softly like I'm a fragile glass that can break any minute, "Are you okay now?"

"Yeah, what happened?"

"Someone pushed you. You lose your balance then your head hit the corner of the gutter," he explained. His expression changed like that memory is the worse one he had.

I tried to nod but I only ended up hurting my head. Damn.

"Don't move too much, the stitches might open up."

"Is my mom here?" I asked hesitantly.

"No, but your sister was here a while ago. She needed to pick up a call, she's outside."

Another dream again? Or is it my sister? Her voice and my mama's voice is quite similar. Soft but authoritative.

My eyes widened, my face heat up when I realized that Kale is holding my hand.

Holy hell! Wait, when did hell became holy?

Oh my gosh!

I lowered down my gaze in a very slow motion only to see his hand holding mine. I swallowed so hard when my vision focuses on it.

"Inara."

"Inara."

"Hey, Inara Araceli," my gaze averted to him when he suddenly shout.

His brow shot up, "You're spacing out again."

"N-No...I-I..." I can't say anything and just look at our hands. He look at it too.

"Oh," he slowly pull away his palm on the back of my hand. I don't know if I'm glad that he did that or I felt a hollow space in me when he let go of my weak hand.

"About earlier..." I snapped out of my reverie and my attention is now back on him. "Don't do that again..."

My brows furrowed, "What?"

"Don't run away from me like that, again," I was stupefied with his gentle tone.

"Don't ever run from me. I like watching you from afar or from the sidelines..." he shut his eyes close as if he's struggling. "But, I don't like seeing you getting far away because of me."

I remember all the adventures we shared together. Those exploration that changed me... That made me happy...

"Come on, Kale! Look at it! It's so pretty," I said while smiling from ear to ear.

I saw how he stop on his track then look at me while his hand were on his waist." I quit, I feel so damn tired, Inara. We go here every week. Don't you had enough?"

He's right, we're always here at Langley Peak. What can I do? I can't get enough of the spectacular view here.

"Then, stay there you fool," I shouted then stick out my tongue like a kid teasing a playmate. I run as fast as I can to reach the summit and let my eyes feast at the mesmerizing view.

My mouth gaped, my eyes twinkling, and then blinking dreamily. I open my arms so wide like I want to hug the whole view.

I laughed at myself. What an idiot, Inara. I looked sideways to see the guy I'm with.

I met his serious eyes. No, scratch that. I met his smiling eyes, looking intently at me, and a smile plastered on his face.

"The view is better here!" he shouted.

"Dude, you can't beat the view here!" I shouted back, not wanting to lose.

I pursed my lips. Don't have any idea what to say or if I should be saying anything at all.

"The moment you do that again, I'll chase you. Endlessly. I'll go after you until you get tired of running away. Also, if you've got problems, please tell me about it. If you want to run from it, I'll be with you, I'll run with you," he smiled weakly.

"H-Hey, where you at?" I asked over the open.

I heard movements from the other line. "Somewhere, why?" Kale asked.

"Nothing, I-I'm just curios..."

"Really?" he doesn't sound convinced. "What's the problem, Inara?" he inquired. He already know something is troubling me. What a quick-witted guy.

"Kuya and I got into some arguments..." I shut my eyes closed. "It's nothing big, you don't need to worry," I added so he won't worry. Knowing him, whenever I open up about my problems, he'll come running here and take me away to go on some random "adventures."

"It does sound quite big. Wait for me. We'll go somewhere," he declared and ended the call.

"Kale..."

"But, running away is not the solution. You've got to face your problems. Don't be afraid. I'll be with you while facing your problems too. I'll be there whenever you think that nothing is going the way you want it."

"Merry Christmas, Inara!" Kale pop up from nowhere wearing a red hoodie and a santa hat. What a cute bastard.

"Merry Christmas, Kal!" I tried to match his energy but he only winced.

I pouted. What a kill joy! Hmmp!

I faced him when I remember something."Right! Remember the agency you recommend to me?" I asked, in case he forgot.

"What about it?"

"I auditioned..."

"Really?!" he suddenly stand up—surprised.

"But, I didn't pass the first round," my head fell. He seem so excited, I didn't even passed the first round.

"That's a lousy agency," he said.

This guy! The audacity to bash the agency! For all I know, he's the one who recommend it.

"It's their loss, not yours. You've got a great voice, fuck those bastards," Kale continue to curse.

Yeah, he heard me sing for a few times. I'm kinda getting comfortable singing when I'm with him. Every reaction he had everytime I finished singing is always priceless, but nothing beats the reaction he had when we're at the hospital's rooftop.

"Come, I will buy you ice cream. Don't dwell on it," he hold my arm to stand up.

Such a drama king, I'm not even that disappointed. I'm sad about not getting accepted, but I already accept that fact. I don't dwell on such experience anymore. This guy here taught me to do that.

"Kale, I-I do—" he cut me off by putting his index finger about my lips.

"Let me finish, miss."

"And if you don't want me beside you, it's fine. I'll be behind you. This guy got your back. I won't let you feel alone because you're never alone."

Kale, stop...

My heart... It will explode...

Loud excited screams and my loud beating heart. Those are the only sound I can hear.

I'm at the backstage of the auditorium where the annual debate in the academy is being held every January.

I finally had enough confidence to join such competition in the school. I'm not alone, but I feel like I am.

My team is talking to our adviser. With no one beside me right now, I got too nervous. My hands are shaking, drops of sweat are forming on my forehead. I closed my eyes, calming myself down.

Suddenly, I felt a warm hand wrapped around mine. I was not surprised to see him standing in front of me.

Kale looked at me confidently, "You got it, poppet," he smiled sweetly.

What a cliche thing to say. I've heard those exact same words from my classmates this day. But, when he was the one who said it, my heart calm down. His assurance put me at peace.

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Now the final debate will start!" the emcee cheerfully announced.

I looked back at my position on the back stage earlier.

He is there. Kale is there, standing and smiling at me.

"I am here," he mouthed but I read it clearly.

Yes, Kale. You are here...

"Wherever you are, I'll be there. If you need me everytime you wake up, I'll come rushing to you. When you can't sleep at night, I will stay up all night with you."

Every word coming out from his mouth is the remedy that I need. Every smile and assurance he gave me is the thing that keeps me going.

"Are you bored, Inara?" he asked.

In one of those cold February nights. We are here at a drive-in cinema, sitting on the trunk of his father's Fortuner with pillows, blanket and foods.

"Nah, I'm just sleepy. I stayed up all night yesterday to finish a project," I explained.

The lids of my eyes is slowly dropping.

He hold the side of my head and make me lean it on his shoulder. I relaxed my body to feel more comfortable. This is nice.

I felt him sigh, "You can sleep. I'll wake you up."

"H-How abou—" like always, he cut me off.

"Sshhh. Don't worry about anything, 'kay?"

I nodded and then hold the blanket covering half my body. I felt his arm envelop around me. Making me lean on his chest.

My eyes is getting really sleepy right now. I let myself fall asleep and not worry about anything like he said.

"I'm here, poppet. Good night," I felt a soft lips on my forehead.

I confidently look right into his eyes. He is still telling me such fluttering words but I can't process anything anymore.

Without saying a word, I just stare at his lovely face shamelessly. Then, unconsciously smile.

"You are here..." I said.

---------------------------

Please vote and leave a comment.

Thank you for reading. :)