Chapter 5 – Finally Him

Mikhael…

"Hey, what are you thinking?", Paul nudge me while staring blankly at the cafeteria's window while taking our break.

"I'm getting worried about my request for the grant.", I replied. "Do you think they've already rejected it?"

"Let's not jump into conclusion Mikhael. Let's be patient.", Paul said comfortingly.

"I can't help it. Enrolment is in two weeks' time. I almost missed the entrance exam last time remember. I'm worried that I won't be able to enroll this semester", I explained.

Paul looked at me with worried eyes.

"I can lend you money if you want. I have savings…", Paul initiated by I stopped him. I couldn't borrow his money. He had things to spend for as well and I didn't want to be a burden to anyone.

"Ok, if that's what you want. But if you change your mind, I'm just here.", he said looking at me lovingly.

We were together for quite some time now and I could tell if something is not right with Paul, so I asked.

"Paul, are you ok?"

"What do you mean?", he replied, confused.

"Are you sick? You look weird.", I asked. "And you are acting strange as well."

"I'm just trying to help. Why are you taking it wrongly?', he said slightly irritated. He went back to his seat, sulking.

"Paul, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I know that you just care about me. ", I apologized. "But, I hope you understand. I don't want to take advantage of you. I will get through with this. I know I can."

"You know that I am always here for you right?", he asked. His tone suddenly changed into something even more concerned.

"Of course I know and I appreciate it, a lot!", I replied reassuringly which made him smile. "You know what, this work is taking a toll on us both. We need to get this stress out of our system?".

"What do you have in mind?", Paul asked. Curious.

"Let's take a jog tomorrow!", I exclaimed. "in Southwoods!"

I may have not mentioned to Paul yet but whenever I feel down, stressed and need to take the burden off my shoulders, I go for a run. The sweat recharges me and makes me feel good about myself. Also, this is a good way to get out of the office and take some sun.

I was able to see and meet other random people when running.

***

"The sun is great. Gladly we took off early to see this.", I complemented the sunrise as we're taking off of the tricycle. Paul came to my apartment at 4:30 the morning. Our call time is 5:30. I didn't know what has gotten into him for being this excited.

"This place is amazing. It's huge and the morning sun is fantastic. I love the feel of the morning breeze as well.", Paul kept on saying as we walked to the jogging area.

When we reached a secure tree, we hang our sling bags and warm ourselves up. When we were done, we started to jog. We were slow at first, adjusting our pace. Later on, we started to jog faster.

At first, the area was clear but as the sun rises, more and more people are coming. Some on their cars with the family. Some on motorcycle, alone. Some are with friends, jogging and hanging out at the same time. They are so good to look at. This is one of the reasons why I love being here. Not just the feeling of jogging but the feeling of being part of something bigger, a family.

"Envy?", Paul asked, concern in his eyes.

"You know that I am with my grandmother only right?", I replied.

"I know, that's why I'm here. Always.", he threw me a charming smile then run fast, leaving me striding slowly. "Let's go slow poke. What are you waiting!", he yelled.

"Who are you calling slow poke?!", I yelled back and started running fast to catch him.

I tried my best to catch up with him but I can't. Paul runs fast. I don't know where he's getting that stamina but it seems unlimited. I had been jogging for quite a while now but I couldn't have a stamina like his. And his pace is faster than mine. I cannot maintain such pace for a long time.

I saw Paul took the curve and lost in sight. I ran faster to catch up but,

Buggg!!

"Ahhh, sh…t!", I yelled in agony. In my attempt to caught up with Paul, my legs got cramps and I tripped over. I gashed my knees in blood and hit the road hard. I sat on the road side to compose myself from the accident. Aside from the wounded knee and still numb legs was the shameful feeling of people saw me tripped off the road.

I am such a clumsy idiot, I whispered to myself.

After a minute, I decided to stand up and get back to running. Still feeling the pain, I forced myself up when suddenly, an arm grabbed me by the elbow in assistance.

"Are you ok?", asked by the person who grabbed me. I looked unto him and stared.

He wears a sport shades in red and yellow color. He is on Speedo sando, basketball shorts and jogging shoes. He is breathing heavily from running and his top is drench in sweat. But instead of stinky smell, I smell a light splash of cologne from him. A scent so attracting that you would want to lick the sweat off of his steaming body.

A smile lined his lips and asked again, "Are you ok? You're wounded.", he referred to my knee.

"Oh, yeah I'm ok. It's just a small would. ", I acted naturally. "It doesn't hurt at all, seriously.", I lied.

Oh my god. This guy is so gorgeous. His smile is so enticing and even if I cannot see those eyes, I know they're attractive.

"Ok then. If you're good, I'll go ahead. I still need to finish my laps.", he said then started running away.

"I'll try to catch up! See you around!", I called to him. He just looked back at me, smiled and continue to run.

I was left there standing and following him with stare. That's all I can do with this wounded knee and stiffed legs.

"Oh sh…t!", I shouted. "I didn't catch his name.", blaming myself. I was so distracted by his looks that I forget to ask for his name. How can I be so idiot!

"What happen to you? You got wounds.", Paul asked when he appeared on my back. He just completed one round of the jogging area. "Are you ok?"

"This is your fault. If you didn't ran that fast, I would not trip over and got wounded.", I blamed him. I was expecting an apologetic face from him but instead he started to smile.

"You tripped off?", he repeated, smiling. I knew what will come next; a loud, non-stop and humiliating laugh. And he did.

Paul started laughing at me, uncontrollably. I was trying to restrain myself not lift a hand on him but the moment is so overwhelming. I couldn't even hit him even if I wanted to because he would just run. And with my legs, surely I wouldn't catch up.

I walked to the other direction, continue my stride and left him. Ignoring him.

"I'm sorry Mikhael. I can't help it.", he said while following me walk. He was still laughing. "You are the one who invited me to jog but you're the one who got clumsy legs."

"I am not clumsy. I got cramps and lost my balance and tripped off. That's all", I said defensively.

"And what is the shorter way of saying that?", he said sarcastically, still trying not to laugh.

Caught by my own words, I continued walking instead and left him.

"Hey Mikael don't get mad, I'm just joking. I'm sorry.", Paul said, trying to sound sincere. "Ok, let me make it up to you by treating you to breakfast."

Hearing this made my mood calm down. Paul knows how to pacify me.

"There's the smile. Haha, you are so easy to please Mikhael.", Paul said confidently for easily pacifying my anger at him. "That is one thing I love about you.", he whispered.

"What did you say?', I asked him but only shrugged his shoulders in response.

We ran for one more hour; 5 more rounds in alternating run and jog before we cool down and took a rest before going to a nearby restaurant to take our breakfast. We took the spot outside the restaurant to avoid the cold air of the AC.

"What are do you want?", Paul asked.

"I'd like a muffin with sausage and egg and coffee for drink." I replied.

Paul took off and fall in line at the counter. A lot of jogging-goers were taking their breakfast here as well so the place was a little crowded. I saw Paul standing in line when someone asked me from behind.

"Are you ok now?", the voice asked.

"What?", I turned around to see who asked and it took me a second before I recognized who it was. It's that guy on the jogging area who helped me up. Again, I was stunned and speechless. I didn't recognize him immediately because he changed to white collared shirt already.

"Ah, yes I'm ok. I told you, it was nothing.", I replied and made a silly laugh.

"That's good to hear.", he said shortly.

I really hoped that he didn't notice that I was staring at him. I can't help it. Who would not make a stare to guy this gorgeous.

"So, I'd better go then. I just bought some fries to munch while walking home. My place is just a couple of streets away.", he mentioned.

As he walked away, my eyes are nailed unto him. I didn't know what magic this guy had laid upon me but it's so intoxicating. When suddenly,

"Oh, sh…t!", I yelled. "I didn't catch him name, AGAIN.", I was so disappointed about myself at that time. Why can't I focus and remember to ask his name when he is around?

"What's wrong?", Paul came with the tray of our breakfast. "Here's your meal.", he said when he sat on his chair.

Absentmindedly, I took my muffin and started unwrapping it when for the third time today I yelled.

"Oh, sh…t!!", this time, a lot of people are looking. Shocked.

"What now?", Paul asked, shocked as well.

"I remember HIM!!! I know who he is!!", I exclaimed.

"Who?", Paul asked, bewildered.

I cannot help myself in excitement for knowing who that gorgeous guy was. I was so stupid for not recognizing him immediately.

This is the third time that we meet. This could mean something and he mentioned that he lived just a few blocks from here. I could see him again!

Paul kept on asking what was happening but I could not get myself into telling him about what happen that night at the bar; about what I saw and who I saw.

The first two encounters we had were just like strangers passing by each other; either only one of them knew the other or both of them didn't knew each other totally. But this time, we talked. We exchange words. And I'm sure that it is going to be the start of something wonderful.

I hoped