CHAPTER XXII: Calls of the Heart in Mixed Gasps

Since it was the first day, it was equally special as that of the last and final day for the entire week.

Tonight was also the time where every department will open their designated rooms for public viewing.

Allowing the people to applaud their creativity in showcasing their themes.

This competition will supposedly last for the majority of the week.

The announcement of the winners would take place at the end of the festival, along with the awardees for other particular fields.

The four of us planned to go through each room together.

In reality, just thinking about it makes me tired already.

Crowded places and sweaty people is just a big no for me.

But in this matter, my opinion is considered irrelevant because according to Solar, we should feel the heat of the excitement while it's still hot.

I called bullshit on that.

I had no choice but to go along with her whims and endure the stabbing pain in my soles, as well as the uncontrollable aching of my sore muscles.

Yep, I will not be needing any form of exercise for the whole week.

We stood at the center of the campus square and waited for the announcement to finish before we began our rendezvous.

After visiting four classrooms, my legs were about to give up on me. Literally.

I approached the nearest wall to me and leaned on it.

I tried to stretch out my crying limbs but it only resulted in me hissing all over.

I spotted Solar and Haru going inside another room. Well, Haru was being dragged unwillingly but what can we do? Her grips and demands were not exactly pleasant.

My legs were starting to give out when fingers immediately enclosed around my arm.

When I looked up, Ross was there.

"Need help?" He asked with a slight lift on the corner of his lips.

He was challenging me.

"Depending on the help you're offering." I smirked back.

We were silent for a few minutes, just staring down at each other.

After that, laughs were emitted from both of us, mixing in with the bustling noise in the corridor.

When we calmed down, Ross stretched out his hand towards me.

"Shall you take this hand, my lady?"

I raised my eyebrow at his unearthly act.

Nonetheless, I decided to go along with his whims.

I placed my hand on top of his and responded with a small teasing smile, "I shall."

What could possibly be worse than what Solar is making me go through?

Was what I predicted, but I forgot to include Ross in the equation of obvious sanity.

Yes, I didn't expect to be in it for a ride of the unforeseen.

To say I was embarrassed was an understatement.

Here I was, experiencing the most humiliating thing in my entire life.

Even more humiliating than what others had done to me before.

"Seriously, put me down!" I whispered in frustration.

"Nope." Was his answer, putting careful emphasis on the 'p.'

"What do you mean nope? Put me down!"

I was debating on whether or not I should plead. But my pride couldn't take any more embarrassment for today and for this worrisome lifetime.

He turned his head to me. "You're tired right? Then let this prince help you."

"Prince my ass. This isn't helping me at all!"

Gosh, no matter where my vision reaches, everyone is obviously staring at us.

JUST WHY DID HE HAVE TO CARRY ME IN FRONT OF ALL THESE PEOPLE?!

Plus! A piggy back ride? In the middle of the day? In the middle of the hallway? Between two adults?!

If I had known early on that this was the type of help he'll offer to me, I would have declined a hundred-fold.

I tried to cover my face with my hair, attempting to at least lessen the shame.

However, that didn't do much.

The fool had the nerve to laugh at my futile attempts. He just thinks I'm making it hilarious for him.

Ha! I wish I was.

"Ross! Fucking put me down!" I tried to wiggle my legs but he just held it tighter.

Why do I even bother? That was the third time I tried that, but he just wouldn't budge.

I even tried strangling him, but he threatened to either carry me bridal style or let me go.

And not in the nice way I was hoping for.

And those were not possible options. Simply because I'm freaking wearing a dress and I would not risk my skin forming any type of bruise because of this unfortunate circumstance.

"Why? I'm giving you a free ride already. I'm the one suffering here." He pointed out.

"In no way did I ask you to commit any noble sacrifice. So, stop this already!"

"Hmm, let me think about it."

"Yeah, of course. How typical. Let me guess the answer for you…" I grunted.

"It's a no." Both of us said in unison.

"Fucker." I grumbled under my breath.

"You know I can hear you quite well, right?" He chuckled.

"Oh really? How wonderful of you to have those perfectly…functional…ears." Rolling my eyes, I decided to bury my head on his shoulder. Not that I would like to.

At least, this will minimize the chances of spectators from getting a glimpse of my face.

The disadvantage in this, however, is the unavoidable opportunity for his scent to tickle my nose.

Indeed, it's a crisis.

Because he smelled hella good.

I didn't want to sound like a pervert, but I just couldn't resist sniffing him.

I knew he noticed me sticking my nose closer to him, yet the good thing was that he didn't dare point it out.

I would have killed myself, or him, if he did.

We had already been walking for more than thirty minutes. All of which was spent with me pulling out his hair and him laughing his ass off.

When I felt him stop, I slowly raised my head to look at the room we are now situated in.

Before I could even utter a single thing, Solar and Haru came blocking my view.

"Look! It's your department Dia!" She looked like she discovered the answer to the existence of aliens or something. She literally had her arms spread wide in front of me.

"I can see the obvious, Solar." Was my only response.

"Maybe you did." She flipped her hair and proceeded to wander about inside.

Haru hurriedly followed after her. No doubt, he was similar to a dog. Which was a little cute.

If anyone was confused why they didn't say anything about my predicament, it was because they already had their fair share of laughter earlier.

When they first saw me, I swear I could see Haru's frame shaking.

Solar didn't bother to restrain herself from falling on her knees and ridiculing me in every possible way.

After twenty minutes of torture, they finally got used to it and just moved on with their lives.

Which was a relief.

Bummed in the situation I am in once again, I pushed myself to take a look around the architecture department's creation.

I was slightly surprised with how well the decor was organized.

It looked neat and outstandingly appealing.

The theme was slightly related to nature.

There were round tables and chairs scattered around the room.

One thing that I didn't expect was an actual bench. How they placed it inside was a total mystery to me.

The room was filled and hung with numerous artworks.

It definitely looked like a gallery of some sorts.

Not only did it contain paintings, there were also sculptures and miniature dioramas of the entire campus.

Which was astonishing because even from a distance, the structure and detail it possessed was marvelously done.

Another thing that caught my attention was the hanging leaves and flowers covering the room's once baren space.

Last but not the least, was 'that.'

The room was packed with people of all ages. They were going around and about the room like tourists.

But an individual cannot easily divert his or her eyes from one specific display in the room.

It was located in the back. Surrounded by unknown people.

There stands a large canvas.

It was shone with two separate lights from each side. Allowing a natural sunlight warmth to cast down on it.

It seems to be glittering with its colors. Along with the dancing lines, the object of focus felt magnificently alive.

A portrait filled with life. Similar to what the woman in the flowing white dress was trying to reach out towards the audience.

She was surrounded by flowers of all kinds. Leaves and vines grasped her limbs yet she felt neither suffocated nor clasped.

Rather she felt free and united with her beloved nature.

It was life hanging onto life itself.

She wanted to shout with her eyes that she was without a doubt alive and there.

Awaiting for the one who'll accompany her in her caress.

"Brilliance." I heard Ross mumble.

I looked at him in confusion.

"What?"

It took a while before he answered me because he was so transfixed with the exact painting I was looking at. It made my heart beat, unquestionably. Small little thumps that I hoped he would never hear or feel.

Focused on calming my heart, I almost missed what he was supposed to say.

"Brilliance. That's what you are." He looked back at me.

"You're talking nonsense." I replied.

With a serious expression, he stared at my eyes.

"I'm not. Your radiance purely blinds me, my lady."

I couldn't move my eyes away from him. It was like I was being bound with his intense gaze.

I found myself…incapable…and stunned, again.

"And I'm not even complaining."

Was that the utterance from his quiet voice?

Because…

That's what my mind muttered in that exact moment.

There was no room to complain.

For my beating heart never once showed a sign of its hesitance.