Chapter 11 - Meeting

It's already dark outside when I went out of the library. I headed to the library after my last class for today to do advanced research in our report.

I was walking when I ran into Yuseff. He's wearing a basketball uniform with a black bag on his right shoulder. He seems to have just finished training but he looks undeniably fresh.

"Hi" he greeted me and we walked together. I think he's going home as well.

"You have night classes?" he asked me like he's wondering why I'm still here at school. I can see him giving glances at me.

"Nope. I research our topic in the library." I said and even show him the notes I made.

"Oh about that. Can we meet this Monday instead? " he asked me as he checks the notes. "I won't be available on other days because of my basketball training. Would that be okay with you? If yes, what time are you free?"

"I'm free after 3:00 pm. Did I research our topic correctly?" I asked him and waited for his opinion.

"Yeah. It's perfect. So, it's settled then. This Monday at the library, 3:00 pm." he smiled and then handed me back the notes. "Are you going home now?" he asked as we walked to the university parking.

"Yeah. My driver is on his way actually."

"I can give you a ride if you want" he suggested but I refused.

"Don't bother. Thanks for the offer anyway."

"We live in the same subdivision so I don't see any reason why you'll reject my offer" he tried to convince me "unless you're afraid of me?" and a smile suddenly flashed on his lips.

Yuseff is really mysterious. There are days that he's putting a barrier or a wall so no one could reach him but there are also days like today that he's being himself like he has taken off his mask temporarily.

"Of course not!" I said with conviction. Why would I be afraid of him?

"Then, text your driver to just go home. Your driver can spend more time with his family."

He has a point, but our driver is on his way here.

"Let's go?" he said and open the front seat door for me.

"Wait! You're driving?" I asked when I didn't find his driver inside the car.

"This is my car so, normally, I'm the driver." he looked at me with amused in his eyes "That day at the mall, I was just planning to take a jeep but then I saw you there so I have no choice but to call my granny's driver and asked him to fetch us," he explained.

So he has his own car. I wonder when can I have my own too!

"Sorry, but I have to decline. My driver is almost here" I said and as if on cue, I got a text from our driver.

He nodded as a sign of defeat. I thought he will go home already after I rejected his offer but he insisted and waited until our car arrived and made sure I get into our car before settling himself.

Gentleman, huh?

***

It's Mom's Birthday today and she has no idea that Daddy will be arriving any minute now. We're having our breakfast here at the dining table and she's blabbering about Daddy's not greeting her. That's her topic for five minutes now.

I even almost choke when Mommy doubted that maybe Dad has a mistress. Oh, Mommy! You don't have an idea how Daddy adores you so much!

Daddy texted me to bring Mommy to the library so while waiting, I gave Mommy my gift. She was very happy to see her portrait with Dad. She's so excited as she thinks where's the best place to display their portrait.

Then, all of a sudden, the door opened and Daddy went in with a big bouquet full of her favorite flowers and a cake in his other hand, Dad was followed by our house helpers singing a happy birthday.

My eyes are filled with tears when Daddy hug Mom.

"I hate you, Roman! You and your surprises!" Mommy ranted but the joy and love on her face are visible. I secretly took them a picture. This is one of the moments that I want to cherish. We're complete as a family.

I have nothing to ask for but that same weekend, someone surprised me at home. I was really shocked and can't even move when I saw Cheska, my best friend in high school. She's here? As in, in flesh. What is she doing here in the Philippines? I can't help but scream in joy when she shared the good news.

Cheska is staying here for good and what excites me more is she will be studying at my school.

This is indeed the best day of my life.

***

Our Professor in my last subject is not around and just instructed us to do some research in the library. That was an advantage for me as Yuseff and I will meet here later at 3:00 pm to do our report.

I was waiting for him when I received a text.

From: 0910*******

You're already aware of the meeting later, right? 3:00 pm! Don't be late!

Meeting? Is this Yuseff? I told him to introduce himself when he texts me.

Me:

Is this Yuseff? Our Professor is absent in my last subject. I'll just wait for you here at the library. See yah!

And I hit send. I read some articles and books related to our topics when my phone vibrated.

From: 0910*******

What?! So, you didn't bother to save my number??

I was even more confused by the message. How can I save his number if this is the first time he texted me.

Me:

Huh? What are you talking about? Isn't this Yuseff?

I replied but I didn't receive any text. I just shrugged and maybe ask Yuseff later.

"Sorry! " I lifted my eyes and saw Yuseff. He immediately sat beside me. "Our Professor dismissed us late and I left my phone at home so I'm sorry you waited long," he explained as he opens his laptop.

"You mean you didn't text me today?" I'm confused. Who texted me then?

"What text?" he asked like he's curious what I'm asking him about it.

Who else would text me about a meeting? I only know that I only have one agenda for today, and that is to finish our report. I stilled when I realized something. Is it possible that it was Red who texted me? I deleted his number and texts to me the last time.

Well, I just check it later. For now, we will concentrate on our report.

"Ah never mind. Let's start?"

"Sure" he agreed but he stared at me for a moment before he managed to focus on our topic.

We are in the middle of discussing the report when I saw Red and Eric walked past us. I tried to concentrate on our report when Eric looked at my way.

"Sabrina, you're here. We have our College Assembly meeting today. Aren't you coming?" Eric stopped for a while. I look at Red who's mysteriously silent.

"Hi. Sorry, I didn't know. Is it required to be there or--"

"If you want another sanction then by all means you can stay here." Red cut me off and then without another word, he left. Eric convinced me to attend the meeting before he followed Red.

What's wrong with him? I think Red is in bad mood.

"You can go Sab. We'll just continue it next time" Yuseff blandly said. He's seriously typing on his laptop. "We're almost done here anyway." he looked and smiled at me just to show me that it's okay.

I don't know if it's really okay for him because I can't read any emotions from his face. I know that he will be busy in the coming days so I'm kind of torn whether to attend the meeting or not.

"Are you sure?" I asked him and observe his reaction.

"Of course. You go ahead." he smiled and then continue typing.

I nodded and then started picking up my things.

***

There were no vacant seats when I entered the meeting hall. I didn't know that the College of Engineering and Architecture has a good number of students. Many are standing here in the back, late just like me.

Red is currently speaking, with Clara next to him.

"Attendance stub will be given right after the meeting," he said it with authority "We will no longer have the writing of names and signatures way of checking the attendance. It has come to us that after writing their names, some will sneak and then go home. And worst, some are just asking their friends to write their names even if they are not here" he explained and I heard some people talked as they someone doing it.

"If you're thinking about forging my signature at the back of the attendance stub, then we have our college seal as well. So please do not try to forge it because we are not tolerating it "

The meeting lasted for more than an hour as we did some voting on what would be the theme of the Acquaintance Party.

Masquerade Party will be our theme. I still don't know why that was chosen. How can we recognize each other when we are wearing a mask? Well anyway, I'm not sure if I could come so I don't have to stress myself about it.

The officers started distributing the attendance stub. I decided not to go with the crowd and wait for my turn later. I'm not in a hurry in the first place.

"Here" an attendance stub suddenly appeared in front of me. I lifted my gaze and it's Red who handed it.

"I think you forgot to return something to me," he said as his eyes talked about the intensity of something that he's been trying to control.