CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

chapter 18

"Oh its you." Chandler said kindly when I got closer and sat down next to him but at a distance.

"It's not me, it's just my soul." I said jokingly.

"Huh?." He was still confused by what I said.

"Why are you here?." He asked. I did not answer his question because I wanted to say exactly what I was going to say.

"Why did you lie to me?." I asked again. I did not look at him because I was just looking ahead as I looked out over the wide field from it.

"What a lie?." He asked again back to me. I was annoyed with what Chandler was doing so I looked at him earnestly.

"It's not your fault, right?."

"Sorry." He sparingly apologizes. I rolled my eyes.

"Why do you always apologize there?."

"Because I'm a bit guilty." I scratched my neck.

"Do you know that our two female classmates have a plan?."

"I know that."

"Why didn't you tell me right away?."

"That's why I'm sorry for you." What a lame excuse.

"You know your intellect but you fool talk." I complain.

It stopped at what I said and his face also turned red.

"Just kidding aside. I must be the one apologizing for blaming you." I told him.

"And so I was able to speak hurtful words to you because of that bullpen. That means a lot to me." I continue to explain to him.

"I grew up without my dad in my side." I said to the chandler.

"What do you mean?." He said. He seemed interested to know.

"My father has another family. He has a real family he loves and when I was young when I was about seven years old that I last saw him, he always gave me expensive bullpen and equipment." I pause for a while and I notice that chandler is already listening to me. So I decided to continue what should say.

"I collected the things he gave me and I did not use the others because they might run out, and so I do not want to use them so that I still have a collection from my father." I continue to explain. I notice chandler nod.

"I understand you, that's why you react like that."

I nodded at what chandler said. I also notice the sadness in her Voice. Did he feel pity for me?. ' Honestly he was the only one I told about such things except my close friends.

"Until now, your dad still hasn't shown up?." Chandler asked. I noticed that it no longer embarrassed me and talked to me like this so I was happy. He noticed I could not speak.

"I'm sorry, I might be interfering with your life." I was shaken by what he said.

"No, I actually want to talk." I told him right away. I noticed he was stopped. I continued to tell him.

"My dad doesn't come home to us because he has a job to take care of and he comes home to his real family so the last time we met was 'I was seven years old' then. Until I grew up it never showed me again. but I heard he is here in the Philippines but he never even approached me or maybe my father really forgot that he has a child outside. I do not want to ask my mother because she might be under pressure especially and she is the only one advocating for me. But as far as I know, my father supported my studies here. " I said at length. I rested deeply. I don't know why I told that chandler my grievances.

"We feel the same way now." Said chandler and sighed.

"How is it the same?. Aren't you also in your father's side?. Does he have another family?." I asked but he was shaken.

"We both feel sad, and miss our parents, but the situation is different." He says.

"I also miss my dead mother and I am in my father's side. Until now I can still see the sadness my dad feels. He is not looking for another woman to be with him. Mother have also been gone for three years. My father has also missed mom for years but somehow until now my father and I are happy and we often visit mom at her grave. " He gave a long explanation.

"I think you really miss your mother. Come with me to visit her today at her grave after our class." I told him seriously.

"Don't, its okay, I'll just go alone. It's embarrassing for you."

"No, I insist, I will definitely accompany you." I assure him.

"All right but it's okay if you have an important walk now, you can reject me." Chandler added.

"I'll be with you. Whether do you like it or not." I just said.

"All right, I'll be ahead of you as long as it's our issue, if you think I won't show up, you're wrong. I'll just wait you up for your next last class today. Is it okay?." He looked up at me as I stood up.

When he nodded I turned around and left him there. I'm not kidding, I really stand by what I say to him.

"There's the food I bought for you, fanta." Zaroh greeted me as soon as I came out of my last subject. I did not expect zaroh to be here and waiting. I smiled and accepted it. I am still ashamed to accept that.

"Thank you very much for the food, zaroh, why so many of this." I told him. While simply looking at my classmates now zaroh and I are looking at each other. There is trembling, there is rolling eye's, murmuring, gossiping, whats up with my classmates?.

I no longer care about their reactions. I don't really care what they think.

"You're welcome, since you're my cute friend. Anyway do you want me to give you a ride?." Zaroh said I immediately shook my head.

"I'm sorry zaroh. Can I just go next time with you?" I told him. Of course I did not agree because I will still be with chandler.

"Then I will give you a ride to what you are saying because look, you're carrying a heavy plastic bag so I will just---."

What zaroh was about to say was cut short when alleah appeared. "Let's go zaroh?. Alleah said. I was secretly fired. Zaroh looked at me.

"It's really okay zaroh, then someone will come after me too." I lied. No one will come after me, but someone who is after me will just nothing .

"All right, but next time, just be careful where you go now." Zaroh said. I nodded softly and sparingly smiled at him.

"Thank you for this food again." I'll just chase after zaroh.

"You're welcome again cutey." He said and messed up my hair again like a puppy. Zaroh turned around. They are really just like zemio. I looked at alleah who secretly stared at me. I also did not lose, I openly struggled with her even though she was very childish, I will not lose either.

I was shaken and went to chandler's last subject today while I was carrying the plastic bag with only food. The more zaroh actually bought. Rashdy is ahead of me. That's right too. Why am I lying?. I'll just go with chandler?. They may even ask what are we going now. I already saw chandler.

He has come out of his last subject. When he saw me he still hesitated to approach me. Why is it so hesitant to come to me?. Maybe it just can't believe I came up with our conversation.

It is also true that we both spend the same hours of time in class.

"What?. Let's go ?." I said when he could get close to me. He just nodded at me and we walked to the university show when we got out we were still waiting for a ride. We first sat in the waiting shed where we waited for a ride. Although I am with chandler, I do not feel strange on him even though he admits how he feels for me. He is quiet now so I spoke.

"Can't you believe I came?. You were surprised or what?." I told Chandler. He could not look at me but I noticed his nod and spoke.

"Of course not. But I don't know why you still accompanied me." he says.

"I just want to accompany you, is there anything wrong there?." I said and he shook his head.

"Let's just say I can't believe that someone like you accompanied me." He will admit.

"It's okay, I insist."

He doesn't felt strange on me somehow. I may have mistaken the suspicion of his actions. A few minutes later a bus parked in front of us so We boarded and headed for the cemetery. We just sat quietly inside the bus. I looked at the time, it was four o'clock in the afternoon. After the trip about fifteen minutes we were at our destination. Chandler paid for our fare so I had no choice. I thank him. Before we entered the cemetery, we first approached the candle seller outside.

Where there are many parked candles of different colors and designs, chandler bought a candle while I was bought flower. Chandler wouldn't have allowed me but he couldn't do anything because I paid since it was cheap but worth it. We then entered the cemetery and walked down the road where Chandler's mother was buried. He pointed it out to me where I was able to follow him.

Until we found it. We approached Chandler's Mother's tombstone. We sat down, the environment was clean and the surroundings were airy. Chandler lit the candle then laid it on his Mother's tombstone. I put down the flower. I read chandler's mother's name was Farrah Vargas. I noticed that Chandler secretly spoke to his mother as if he was also talking about it in his mind.

I just let him go and after a few minutes he also finished so I spoke. I talked to chandler's mother. "Hi, Ms. Farrah Vargas, I'm fantalia and I'm one of chandler's friends. Your son is really weird, shy but smart and Nice to meet you." I said.

I looked at the red-faced chandler and looked back at me who had been looking at me before. But I noticed his smile. I chuckle heartedly.

"What?. Are you feeling well?. Have you lost your sadness?." I asked Chandler. He nodded without hesitation. I can see the twinkle in his eye. I just do not know myself why I did it with him. But from what I see now, it seems that my sadness and longing have also decreased.

"Thank you, for coming with me here somehow I feel relieved now. But how is that unfair. You joined me here and then you ..." I cut him off. I was stunned for a moment by what he said.

"It doesn't matter!. I'm fine, I'll still wait for my dad." I told him. I tapped him on the shoulder but he jump for a little moment when I grabbed him by the shoulder. I lower my hand.

"I'm sorry, you're not used to touching." I also said while looking at him. It looked at me for a moment.

"I used to but I was just shocked." He innocently said that I laughed softly. He spoke again.

"I hope you see your father again." The chandler said I stopped. "Sure, I still hope to see him again." I recovered.

"Good to know that, don't give up, you know your father misses you too. Besides, we believe in a saying that a father or mother cannot stand his child." Said the chandler. Even though he was fascinated, he nodded and smiled. He has a point.

"You're great there." I said. He did not speak but raised the corner of his lip. I looked at the plastic bag with only the food that zaroh gave me. I took it and opened it since zaroh bought two dishes and with the food I gave chandler. I presented to him the food I had brought.

I noticed the frown on his forehead. "What is that for?."

"What else? Will you eat?."

"No thanks, I'm not hungry ." He refused.

"Will you take it or will I be angry with you. Do you know it is bad to refuse food?." Suppose I hate him. Finally he took it.

"Thanks for this." He sparingly said I nodded and chandler and I ate together. I also offered chandler's mother food so that somehow she would be respected even if she was dead because I was sure chandler's mother was just looking from heaven.

While Chandler and I were eating, we also talked from time to time. We seem to be close when we look at it. This is better than he can count on me. I will consider him a friend.

After we ate I stopped. Then I just remembered that I didn't have any water. I slapped my face lightly. Why didn't I think of that?. There is still no drinking water here and the exit here is still far from the cemetery.

I looked at my watch. There is still a long time to hang out here first. It is not yet five o'clock. I looked at the chandler who had taken something from his bag.

I was almost thirsty especially, when he took his tumbler from its bag. There is a bit of a water as well but there are many more. Chandler drank the water.

I almost swallowed with thirst when I saw him swallow the water. When he finished he turned to me. He noticed I was probably staring at him. Chandler's tumbler is still full. He had not drunk half of it.

"You don't have bottled water?." He says. I nodded and lick my lower lip.

"Can I have?.' I just told chandler. This is shameless. I want to drink. I noticed that he still doubted his water reach. "but it has saliva, are you sure you will drink it?."

"You probably don't have a contagious disease, do you?" I said frankly.

"Nothing but go ahead if that's what you want." He showed me his tumbler. He swallowed and handed it to me. I smiled and took it. What is he thinking now?. I noticed that he was blushing. Looks like I already know.

"Thanks for this. I'm going to consume it." That is not a question.

"Go for it." He Stuttered. I nodded and swallowed it. I consumed everything I had left, even a single drop. I returned his tumbler to him while I licked the rest of the water that stuck to my lips. The taste of water seems expensive.

"Thank you for the your water." I told him. It blushed even more. I secretly laughed. I am satisfied. As it was getting dark, we said goodbye to Chandler's mother.

He thanked me again for joining him. He will take me home because he texted one of his personal driver to take to our house. I did not refuse so I agreed. So that I can easily get home. When we got home we first thanked chandler before I got out of his car. When I got home I was out of breath. Mom is not there yet.

I got dressed and cooked for my mom and I to have dinner. I happily smiled. At seven o'clock in the evening, my mom came immediately. She was still carrying a greeting, always, I move toward to my mother and kissed her cheek.

"Are you cooking?." Mom asked.

"Yes, let's eat." I make sure Mom smells the new dish I cooked. My mother smiled. We started eating, until I remembered that we had a field trip next week.

"Mom." I call her attention.

"Why?."

"We have a field trip next week. I want to come, but if you don't want to, I'm fine." I said to mom. I was nervous about my mother's answer. I want to go but I can do nothing if she does not allow me, I understand.

"All right, as long as you don't mess with where you're going." I wanted to frown at my mother but I was so happy when she agreed.

"How much will it cost?." Mom asked. I especially did not expect my mother to ask that question.

"You don't have to pay mom because everything is free, about our shelter and food." Smiling I said. My mother was stunned for a moment then nodded.

"Good because it's free. Just be take care where you go. Wait, where is your field trip really going?." Mom asked. That was in my mind but we were not told where we were going.

"Mom, our professor didn't tell us, but we'll find out when we get there." I explain.

"In that case. Your professors will be responsible for me when something bad happens to you, fanta." Mother threatened. I understand her situation, especially since my mother is worried about me. Mom is still serious so I will take care of it even more.

"I will not do anything to harm myself." I told mom.

"How many days have you been?." Instead of mom asking.

"Its One week." I answered sparingly. Mom nodded but I remember when I left mom here, she will be alone.

"Always be careful, especially since your field trip is little bit Long." Mom said softly. I fell silent again but after a few minutes I spoke again.

"If you want, I will not come, cause you will be the only one here at home when I leave." I said. My Mother was shaken her head.

"No, don't worry about me. You should go because I know that's part of your project." Mom said.

"So if you still worry about me, I'll be there with your aunt thea first." Maybe my mother understood so I nodded.

I also thanked my mother because she allowed me. When we finished eating, I signed the paper with my mother. There is no doubt about signing. She kissed me on the forehead and told me to go to sleep because I was supposed to go to school early tomorrow.

Though I don't have an assignment and project yet, I just go to bed early. I went to my room. But I still haven't felt drowsy. I was lying on the bed but my mind was still awake. I tried to open my eyes but eventually opened careful too. I can't even sleep. I remember the mysterious book I always carry.

I got up from my bed and pulled my hair back then stood up. I took the magical book over the cabinet. Why is it like this?. It does not even have a letter on the thickness of the book. Then I remembered what Professor Esmeralda said. That when this book is written then the ring will be found again. But where else can the ring be found.

I gasped and put the book back on the cabinet. I was stunned for a moment when the book suddenly flashed. I was almost amazed at what I saw but it also disappeared immediately. I sighed then approached the window to peek into the sky. Beautiful night, because so many stars shines in the sky.

I turned around again and closed the window because a dog was barking. I immediately stretched out on my bed. By the time rest pulled me I slept well.

Third person POV

That night Tasaya or prof Esmeralda was on her way home, she came home from school with a stranger waiting for her in her house. As tasaya got closer to the man she recognized him as well as the posture. It was tilted from him so tasaya noticed the bulk of the man. He was the man who took refuge in his home in the middle of the heavy rain. Tasaya greeted the man and he turned his attention to her behavior.

"Why did you come here? And why did you get in here?." Tasaya said but he was not angry. The young man smiled.

The young man smiled. "That's why no one opened the door for me, you are just walking along ." Said the man.

Tasaya nodded and let the man inside and Tasaya made him sit down and then took a drink. When Tasaya returned, she put the juice on the table and then sat opposite the man.

"Thank you madam."

Tasaya spoke formally. "You did not answer my question before. Why did you come again?. Wait what is your name?."

"Oh! I'm lourd Philip. I came madam cause I would have weighed it I would have bought different fruits. I was great when I harvested fruits so I remembered to give it to you. As a thank you also because you let me stay in your house madam. " The man explained and then laid it on the table. Tasaya is happy with what the man did.

"You shouldn't have bothered anymore, because I helped you with so little." Tasaya said to lourd Philip.

"Even if madam, so I go ahead, how do I need to be the first, just a moment because I would have just passed this fruit." Lourd Philip even blamed the juice.

"All right, especially at night. Be careful on your way home." Tasaya reminded the young man. He nodded .

"I hope you like the fruits. That's sweet." The man chased words after tasaya and then he walked out the door out of her house.

The fairy Tasaya just sighed. She did not think he would be given so much fruit. But somehow Tasaya smiled and was even more comforted by what the young man did. But the pleasure inside tasaya's feelings was immediately erased. That should not be how she feels and it is better that she does not believe what the man did, she does not want to trust because it is difficult to trust. She helped the young man enough. He should not experience pleasure especially and that eventually leads to stupidity.

Meanwhile, the man lourd Philip is just like that when he smiles because he finally gave tasaya fruit. He did not know why he did this kind of procedure. But he had to do something to at least make up for the help, because that was the last time he met Tasaya so, lourd Philip really meant to go to tasaya's house.

That is just a sign of their last meeting and goodbye of tasaya because the young man lourd Philip is going abroad.

Fantalia

On Tuesday we did not expect what was happening inside the university. Rashdy and I went to school together. But as soon as we entered the university, we were surprised by the many students around who looked like gossip coming out of their respective classrooms.

"What's happening?." I asked confused. Rashdy was not silent and he pointed to something and I followed what he pointed out. I covered my mouth when I saw it. Inanimate and bloody crows. It was like being eaten by an unusual animal. But everyone is beheaded.

'Why is there a crow here?.'. 'Yes, it' s really over here in the widely failed it happens. '

'What could be the reason?.' 'Scary.'

That's what I hear my schoolmastes whisper. I also can't explain my fear of what I see now. It seems to indicate something. I looked around inside the university building. My eyes stopped on the rooftop of a mass of men. All the clothes are dark, but who is this person?.