Chapter 11: Overcoming The Fear

The morning sunlight filtered through the kitchen windows as Sameer, Tom, Paul, and Suzein sat around the table, enjoying breakfast.

"So, Tom, are you feeling better now?" Paul asked, concern evident in his tone.

"Yeah, the fever's gone, but I still have a little cough," Tom replied, his voice sounding much steadier than the past few days.

Suzein leaned forward, her excitement bubbling over. "Hey, that means we can hang out now, right?"

Paul grinned. "Yeah, we can."

Tom shifted his attention to Sameer. "Hey, bro, what about Alya? Did she finish her work?"

Sameer hesitated for a moment before answering. "I don't know, but now that you mention it… Alya told me the other night about a big fair with fireworks happening today."

Paul's eyes lit up. "Oh yeah, that's right. There's a fair today!"

Suzein clapped her hands together. "So, we're going to the fair, right?" she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.

Paul chuckled, his smile widening. "Yeah!"

Sameer, however, was lost in his thoughts. Alya… I wonder what she's doing right now. I wanna talk to her… He paused, realization dawning on him. Hang on, I have her number! I can talk with her.

Later, Sameer wandered out into the garden, his phone clutched in his hand. He muttered to himself, pacing back and forth, "Should I call her or text her? Call… text… call… text…" He sighed in frustration. "Oh man, I can't decide. Okay, I'll text her."

He started typing but froze, his thumb hovering over the send button. "But I want to hear her cute voice…" he mumbled. Determination flickered in his eyes as he nodded to himself. "There's no other choice. Sorry, Alya, I'm going to call you."

With a deep breath, Sameer hit the call button. The phone rang only once before Alya picked up.

"Good morning, pervert," she greeted, her voice teasing but cheerful.

Sameer stammered, caught off guard. "G-Good morning… How are you doing?"

In Hospital, Alya sat in a hospital waiting room, her voice light with amusement. "I'm fine. How about you?" she asked, leaning back against the chair.

"Somehow… alive," Sameer replied.

Alya couldn't help but laugh, the sound echoing softly in the quiet room.

Back to Sameer, Sameer smiled as he heard her laughter. "You know, I'm very excited to go to the fair today with you. Are you excited?" he asked, his tone warm.

"Yeah, I can't wait," Alya admitted, her enthusiasm shining through. "I'm already wondering when it'll be evening so we can go."

"Same here," Sameer said, unable to hide the grin spreading across his face.

"Be ready at 6 PM to pick me up, okay, pervert?" Alya instructed playfully.

"Okay… but from where?"

"Where else? From my place, of course," she replied.

"Got it. I'll be there."

"Good boy," she said with a teasing lilt. "Okay, bye, pervert. I have some work to do."

"Bye," Sameer replied, his voice tinged with both fondness and anticipation.

As the call ended, Sameer let out a sigh of relief, already looking forward to the evening ahead.

At the Hospital, Alya stood up from her seat in the hospital waiting room and began walking toward the exit. Her thoughts were a mix of anticipation and unease as she stepped forward. Just as she reached the door, a familiar voice called out behind her.

"Hey, Alya, wait up!"

She turned around to see a nurse hurrying toward her. As the woman drew closer, Alya recognized her immediately. "Oh, it's you," she said with a small smile.

The nurse stopped in front of her, slightly out of breath. "I'm sorry for yelling so much at you on the call that night. I shouldn't have," she said, her tone sincere.

Alya shook her head gently, her expression calm and reassuring. "Hey, no need to apologize. I didn't mind it at all," she replied with a soft smile.

The nurse, visibly relieved, smiled back. "Don't worry, Alya. Everything will be fine," she said, her voice filled with quiet confidence.

Alya nodded, her smile faltering just slightly. "Yeah… at least I hope so."

The nurse seemed to sense her hesitation but chose to steer the conversation to something lighter. "Okay, enough about that. Did you tell your friends about the fair?"

Alya's face brightened instantly. "Yeah, I did! And they're going with me," she said, her voice tinged with excitement.

"That's great," the nurse said with a warm smile. "Just forget about everything and have fun. Create some unforgettable memories, okay?"

"I will," Alya promised, her smile growing wider. "Thank you so much, Freya, for everything."

Freya waved her off casually, giving a thumbs-up. "No problem, Alya. Now go have the time of your life with your friends."

With that, Alya turned back toward the exit, her spirits lifted. She stepped into the day outside, ready to embrace the happiness that awaited her.

It's evening in the shared room where Sameer and Tom stayed. Sameer was bent over, tying the laces on his sneakers, while Tom straightened the collar of his shirt. Both were gettingg ready for the fair, excitement buzzing faintly in the air. Once prepared, they headed downstairs to join Paul and Suzein, who were already waiting.

"So, is everyone ready? Let's go!" Paul said with enthusiasm.

Sameer hesitated for a moment. "I have to pick up Alya from her place," he informed them.

Tom nodded, understanding. "Okay, you go pick her up. We'll meet you both at the fair."

"That's cool. Okay, then, I'm going," Sameer said, starting toward the door.

"Hey, wait! We also wan—" Suzein began, only to have Tom quickly clap a hand over her mouth.

Sameer turned back, puzzled. "Did you say something?"

Tom smiled innocently. "No, not you. You go ahead."

Shrugging, Sameer nodded and left.

As soon as the door closed, Suzein pulled Tom's hand away, her voice loud with protest. "Hey, Tom! Why did you cover my mouth?"

Tom sighed deeply. "Because you were about to tell him we want to come too."

Confused, Suzein tilted her head. "And what's wrong with that?"

Rolling his eyes, Tom explained, "Don't you get it? Just leave those two alone. Let them spend some time together."

"What do you mean, 'spend time together'?" Suzein asked, still not understanding.

Tom let out another sigh. "Look, Sameer's shy. He barely talks to any girls. And, on top of that, he's the only one who's still single in our group. Now, do you get what I mean?"

"Hmmm… not really," Suzein admitted, still looking puzzled.

Paul chuckled softly. "I get it. Suzein, Tom's right. Let's give them some space and let them enjoy themselves. We'll continue to the fair."

Meanwhile, Sameer stepped out of the elevator and walked toward Alya's door on the 8th floor of her building. As he rang the doorbell, he felt his heart race, a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

From the Intercom, Alya's playful voice came through.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"Uhh… it's me, Sameer," he replied, trying to sound composed.

"Oh, Pervert! It's you. Just wait a sec, I'm coming," Alya teased.

Sameer blinked, momentarily stunned. "She called me Pervert again…" he muttered to himself, smiling. "But it sounds so good when she says it."

A few moments later, the door swung open. Alya stood before him, radiant and effortlessly charming. Sameer froze, his face turning bright red as he quickly looked away.

Oh man, he thought, this outfit… she really wanna kill me by her cuteness. She looks so beautiful and super adorable!

"Wow, Pervert," Alya said, her tone teasing. "Don't we look like a couple?"

"C-couple… b-but how?" Sameer stammered, caught off guard.

"Look at us!" Alya gestured to their outfits. "You're wearing a white T-shirt, black pants, and white sneakers. And I'm wearing a white top, black skirt, and white sneakers. We match!"

Sameer tried to process her words. "Y-Yeah, but I'm also wearing a black check shirt, and you're wearing a black short jacket," he pointed out hesitantly.

"So what?" Alya grinned. "It's almost the same!"

Sameer nodded awkwardly. "Y-Yeah, it's almost the same, I guess."

Alya leaned closer, her eyes sparkling. "So… what do you think? How do I look?"

Sameer blushed even harder, avoiding her gaze. "Uhh… I think cute."

"Oh, really?" Alya teased. "Then why are you turning your face away?"

"I—I'm sorry!" Sameer flustered. "I just… you're looking beautiful, Alya. Cute and adorable. I mean it."

Alya's cheeks flushed pink. "You're such a Pervert!" she exclaimed, giggling. "Let's go to the fair."

"What?!" Sameer blinked but then nodded, smiling. "Okay, let's go."

As they walked toward the elevator, Alya's thoughts raced. What did I just say? Couples? That's so embarrassing. And why am I blushing? He was just complimenting me, calling me cute and adorable. There's no reason to blush… but still, it felt so good when he said it. She sneaked a glance at him. And… he looks so awesome and… kinda cute, too.

At the fair, Sameer looked around but didn't spot his friends. He pulled out his phone and called Tom.

"Hey, where are you guys?" he asked.

"We're roaming around the fair," Tom replied casually.

"But you said you'd wait for us."

"We couldn't help ourselves! Plus, this is your best chance to spend quality time with her. So enjoy and thank me later," Tom said before abruptly cutting the call.

"H-Hello? Tom?" Sameer stared at his phone, sighing. "Oh man, they're such a pain."

"Is something wrong?" Alya asked, tilting her head.

"No, nothing," Sameer replied quickly. "They're already inside. Tom said they couldn't wait."

Alya smiled. "Oh, it's not their fault. The fair is really beautiful. Let's go, Pervert. Let's check it out."

"A—Yeah," Sameer said, following her lead.

But as they reached the entrance, Sameer stopped abruptly, his expression filled with terror.

"What's wrong, Pervert?" Alya asked, turning back. "Why did you stop?"

Th-there's so much crowd in there," Sameer stammered, his voice trembling.

"Well, it's a fair—crowds are normal. Why do you look so scared?"

Sameer's voice cracked as he confessed, "I—I know it sounds ridiculous, but I'm terrified of crowds. It—it feels like everyone is staring at me, judging me, talking about me behind my back. It's so uncomfortable. It's been this way since middle school… and now I just can't bear it. I—I can't…"

In that moment, Sameer felt something warm and firm in his hand. Startled, he looked down and realized Alya was standing beside him, holding his hand tightly. Surprised, he looked up to see her face, gentle and full of reassurance.

"I don't know what happened to you in middle school," Alya said softly, "but I do know one thing—you were probably alone then, with no one to walk beside you, no one to support or share your burden. But now, I'm here. I'll hold your hand and walk with you…"

Sameer's surprise melted into a soft smile as her words sank in.

"…So let's enjoy this fair together," Alya continued, her eyes shining. "So much that we can't forget this day no matter what. Are you coming with me?"

"Yeah, I am," Sameer replied, his voice steady and full of warmth.

Grinning, Alya tugged at his hand and started running ahead, pulling him along. "That's my Pervert."

The fair buzzed with energy as they walked through the stalls, taking in the sights and sounds. Sameer glanced down at their intertwined hands, his heart swelling with a mix of relief and gratitude. He looked up at Alya, her face glowing with a smile.

She's smiling. Yeah, she's correct. No one is talking about me behind my back.

But just as he began to relax, snippets of murmured conversations from the crowd reached his ears.

"Hey, look, that boy looks so terrified."

"Who's that girl with him? She's so cute."

Sameer's heart sank. No, this can't be happening…

"Look at that weird guy. Do you think that girl beside him is his girlfriend?"

"Oh man, that girl is so hot and cute, but that's her boyfriend? What's wrong with her?"

Sameer's hands trembled, and he began to shake.

"No, no, this can't be," he thought, panic rising. Because of me, people are talking about Alya too. No, stop talking about her, please…

Noticing his distress, Alya stopped and looked at him. "What's wrong? Why are you shaking, Pervert?"

"I'm sorry, Alya," Sameer said, guilt weighing heavily in his voice. "Because of me, they're talking about you too. It's all my fault."

"Why are you apologizing?" Alya asked calmly, her tone reassuring. "I don't mind them at all. I just ignore them. You know, there's nothing to be scared of. Let them say whatever they want. Like me, just ignore them… and just focus on me."

Sameer's heart pounded in his chest as Alya looks away, her cheeks turned pink.

"…I—I mean," she added, stammering slightly, "it's easy for you since you're such a Pervert, isn't it?"

Her words brought a newfound resolve to Sameer. Yeah, she's right. I just have to ignore them, that's all. And there's nothing to be scared of, not when Alya is beside me, holding my hand.

Taking a deep breath, he looked at her with renewed confidence. "You're right, Alya. There's nothing to be scared of. Now, let's enjoy this fair and make it unforgettable, for real."

With a sudden burst of energy, Sameer dashed ahead, pulling her along. Alya stumbled slightly but quickly matched his pace, laughing as she watched his carefree smile.