Chapter Seventeen

Ruzzel's POV

I admit I can no longer restrain myself from telling Aliyah my true feelings, words are automatically coming out of my mouth and I just can’t help it.

I am afraid to lose her so I will do my best just to protect her.

She didn't go to her frat fight anymore, and yes, I'm happy because of that.

I continued driving. I don't know where to go but my mind is heading somewhere else.

To calm me, I am singing the song which is currently playing, full of emotions.

I was about to reach the high note when suddenly, Aliyah turned off the stereo.

“Why?!?” I asked. Justice, please.

“It is your birthday today.”

I was shocked by what she just said. Seriously? Does she know?

"Y-You know it, Aliyah?"

"You idiot!" Then she showed me her phone. That is my profile.

So, she only found out because of my account :(

“Where do you want to go?” I just changed the topic.

"Wherever," she answered.

"Where is wherever?”

"Try to ask the birds, maybe they knew where can you find it."

Fine, maybe it's also a good idea to ask the birds. Maybe they would give me an awesome answer.

I parked the car at the emergency bay. Yes, I will try to speak with the birds. I lowered the car window. I may look like crazy, but this is it.

"HI, BIRDIE !! DO YOU KNOW WHERE CAN I FIND A PLACE CALLED WHEREVER?!? ALIYAH WANTS TO GO THERE SO I MUST FIND OUT WHERE IS IT.” I shouted at the passing birds... I hope they will answer.

"Twwwweeeeettt twwwwweeeeeeeet"

They replied .. that's it. I also do not understand.

I asked the other birds that passed by, if I had to count, they were ten. But in the end, I just decided to give up. Maybe I am not just blessed with the birds.

"Ruzzel, how old are you now?" I looked at my Aliyah .. she was serious about her question.

"19 years of age .. and currently in a relationship with the girl I truly and deeply love." I happily answered her question :) Proud boyfriend here. Hahahahah

"I just asked your age, not your feelings. Besides, don't expect too much from me, remember, we're just pretending."

"Hihihihihi. That's okay! Also, when I said I am truly and deeply love you, that’s true. I am not pretending." I indeed love Aliyah. And on my birthday, I only have one wish. I hope she would fall in love with me in return.

"Why did you ask my age, My Aliyah?" I looked at her. She rolled her eyes.

“You’re so childish. Who would have acted that way? You’re already nineteen yet you act like you’re just only six years old. Stop talking to the birds in the future. It is embarrassing.”

I just keep my mouth shut. Okay, my fault. Should I kiss her instead? Hahaha, just kidding.

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After a very long run, we arrived at an unknown place. Aliyah is now sleeping so better not disturb her because she might just hit me if I did that.

I got out of the car. I left her inside.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

What fresh air!

“WAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!! YOU ARE SO CCCCUUUUTEEEE!” And a mushroom suddenly came up. No, seriously, a stranger just suddenly appeared in front of me.

She is dressed in white and she is carrying a basket full of flowers.

"I said you're cute," she repeated. Is she trying to flirt with me? Oh sorry, I already have Aliyah in my heart. No matter how beautiful this stranger is, still, no one could replace Aliyah in my life.

"You're handsome too... Are you an artist?" she added. Like I know, I am handsome, I knew it since birth hahahahha.

“But I think you can’t speak. That’s a minus point. ”

She keeps on talking and I am just looking at her. She is about to touch my cheeks but I moved away quickly.

“FYI I know how to speak! You are so talkative. Is it your first time encountering a human? Tsk.”

Then she laughed. Oh yes, I am being rude but she can still manage to laugh.

"You’re are so funny," she said.

“Are you crazy?"

"Well."

I moved closer to her then handed her something.

“Here, a coin. Look for someone you can talk to. Buy something who will talk to you in return.” then I turned around.

“Hey boy! Oh, can I just call you baby? I don’t know your name, so calling you baby is just fine.”

Is she teasing me? Is it just okay if I slap her, just one slap?

“Stop what you are doing Miss. I don’t want to play games with you.”

“Ouch.”

Maybe, if I haven’t meet Aliyah, then my initial step is to flirt with this girl. But I already changed. Stick to one Ruzzel, for the win. Hahahha.

“Are you gay? Looks like you are so irritated with my presence. Does it knock you off?”

“Me, gay? Dream on!”

“Okay, then kiss me if you are not gay!”

This girl is something! Why is she tempting me? And temptation, why are you trying to go on my way now? How many times will I going to say that I already changed!

I was about to speak when suddenly Aliyah entered the scene.

“Where are we now, Ruzzel?” she asked.

“Oh, look. Who is she, baby? I am way better than her.” said the stranger. She is looking at Aliyah from head to toe.

“Who is she Ruzzel?” Aliyah asked

“I don’t know her either. She just suddenly appeared in front of me saying a lot of crazy stuff.” I explained.

“What? Why are you denying me? Tell her what’s going on between us!”

My eyes were widened. What is she saying?

"Hey crazy! Aren't you going to be quiet?!?!? Stop creating a story! Are you an author?”

“So, you don’t know her?” said Aliyah while pointing her finger to the stranger girl.

“No, My Aliyah. I swear.”

“Shall I slap her?”

I nodded but the girl suddenly ran away from us.

Aliyah looked so annoyed so she walked back to the car. I followed her.

I started driving again. Little did I realize that I no longer know the place where we are now. Wait, should I drove back from where we started? It looks like we are trap in a hidden place. There are no houses and even people in here. It is far from civilization.

“Couldn’t be that girl we’ve just encountered is a ghost?”

Aliyah crossed her arms then rolled her eyes.

“I knew it! We were lost!” So is it my fault?

"By any chance, do you know this place, My Aliyah?" I asked her.

"Maybe I know! I am awake the whole time you were driving eh!" she said sarcastically. Make sense.

She rolled her eyes again for the nth time.

"Stay away! I'll drive!"

I just didn't answer and just exchanged places with her.

She's the driver now. She remained quiet while driving and so I remained quiet too.

I looked at everything we pass through ... it looks like we are back to where we used to be, somehow.

Soon ... she stopped the car next to a .... river?

I followed her as she got out of the car.

More than what I expected, a very nice place, indeed.

Breathtaking. I thought I could only see this place in paintings.

As I was amazed all over the place, I was also amazed at Aliyah.

She sat by the river, smiling as she looked around.

Only now have I seen her like that, and only now have I received the best gift ever --- the smile of the woman I love.