Glance of his (21)

Ayesha Point of View

I was shocked to see Vener staying on the rooftop with his dog named Toti sitting beside him on a long wooden chair. His face is tilted facing Toti. He was caressing Toti's head and feathers while talking to him. Toti was swaying his tail like he was entertained by Vener's gesture. The dog seems to understand what Vener talking about but I can barely hear what he's telling the dog because of barks. I just know he's talking because of the movement of his lips. It's nice seeing him soft-hearted when it comes to animals. I absentmindedly smiled. But I eventually scolded my inner self doing so.

I was about to leave but my eyes caught off guard recognizing that Vener was wearing a sleeveless undershirt exposing his broad shoulder paired with jogging pants. It's my first time seeing him wearing that kind of shirt. I used to see him wear a tee-shirt, polo or uniform. He was like going to the gym to get a fit body. But I didn't see him going to such a gym session or maybe he's been doing exercises in his unit. I don't think so. I guess?

Watching him from a meters away made me feel strange. I feel like I can watch him all day doing the simplest thing not minding who he was. It's a magnificent and mesmerising scene to catch a glimpse of him talking to a dog. It feels like my face heated and there was a strange feeling happen in my stomach that made my feet were glued to the ground. I even forgot the reason why I don't want to see any trace of him the rest of the hours after I eavesdropping him talking over the phone.

I recall one article I read these past few days that having butterflies in one's stomach, this feeling may be the result of the Enteric Nervous System diverting blood away from the stomach when the brain experiences tension or stress. Enteric Nervous System sends "happy signals" to the brain starting a chain reaction that makes someone's feel better.

I shook my head in disagreement. Why do I feel that the article I read back then seems so wrong? Or am I just overthinking because science has an explanation about it and I can't accept that it was true?

After a minute, I decided to leave the rooftop and do not disturb Vener in his moment with Toti. But before I will step my right foot and turn around, Toti suddenly left next to Vener and ran and jumped towards me causing me to sit on the floor out of fear, shock and panic. My heartbeat seemed to stop and I couldn't breathe properly. I suddenly closed my eyes and silently prayed briefly then I opened my eyes.

"Are you alright?"Vener asked. He sounds worried. I made myself relaxed before I respond that I'm fine. He helped me got up and carried me to the long wooden chair to sit. Toti followed us. Vener looked at his dog furiously.

"What did you do Toti?" Vener scolded Toti like a child. Toti bowed his head while swaying his tail as if he's admitting his mistake and looked at me. Vener fixed Toti's laces and fastened them to the rail of the wall. He looked at me again and lend me bottled water. I accepted the bottled water and opened it to drink.

"I always have water with me. Is nothing wrong with you? Your ass, doesn't it hurt? Are you sure? We'll go to the hospital to check if it's okay or not. I'm bothered," he kept on asking me and I kept on answering him I'm alright many times. "I'm sorry for what Toti did, sometimes, he's so reprehensible and nasty."

"Same with our dogs but they serve as a happy pill. I just didn't expect that but don't worry, I'm totally fine," I answered to change the atmosphere and he agreed with me. I laughed all of a sudden because Toti became silent and still looking at me like he's guilty for what he did, those begging eyes melted my heart. Then, he rested on the floor. I stopped laughing when I noticed Vener was looking at me. I immediately felt a little embarrassed.

"Don't look at me, Sir Costello," I shyly said because I don't know how to react. I was forced to smile that ended a grin. I notice a slight redness of his face and his ears. I frowned and looked at him as if there's something wrong. Or is it just my imagination? It's dark and only the lamp post giving us a gleam. He's tan after all that made him attractive.

"It seems to be comfortable seeing you laughing," he said with a smile. I felt a little bit conscious about myself. A small positive remark made my face warmed up.

I'm getting weirder and weirder when I'm near him.

"By the way, what are doing here?"

"I want to breathe some air," I honestly reply. I feel so alive and free now that appears like nothing bad incident happened and these unwanted emotions lingering my system.

"Why so elusive all day long?" I slightly felt alarmed by his question. Instead of answering him, I looked at the clear sky. No stars. Only a waxing crescent moon filled the glow of the dark, clear and peaceful sky. "Just asking. Well, if you are upset that I will judge you for hearing our conversation with my mom, it's okay. You don't have to worry about it."

His statement caught me off guard like a thief who is trapped because he doesn't cautious.

"Mom was like that. She wants me to quit but I don't want," he burst out. What is the good in teaching? A lot.

"Is it the profession you want to become?"

"It was. I feel complete knowing that at the end of the day, I did what I wanted. It's a nice emotion knowing that I touch lives and gave direction to those lost youth," I tilted my head to see his expression. He was honest and he knows what he wants. I envied him because teaching was not my choice but no one pushed me to pursue it.

"I studied business just like what my mom wants. I made my best to finish the course and take units in teaching, took the board and this is it. I just want to tell you this for you not to feel guilty for listening to someone else privacy."

"That's not the case. I made my way to go back to the conference room but I heard you over the phone furiously. I got curious," I mumbled. I sounded like defending myself and he just laughed at me and stopped for a while. "It was true."

"If you say so," he said with a playful smile and look up at the sky. I felt embarrassed reminding myself not to get curious. Curiosity leads to death and I'm troubled. I suddenly want to vanish where I was seated and not wanted to see any trace of him.

"Are you free this weekend?" He asked out of the blue. I got confused. I blinked many times and analysed what he said.

"I just want to ask you to go with me to our farm. If you want, asked Ron if she's free." I abruptly realized what he's talking about. He kept what he said. I genuinely smiled that he can keep his word.