Monday, December 22, 2008
Friends with benefits (Chapter 6) - Passing the time
"Are you okay?"
Naqi’s face was so close to Hana’s when he asked that question. It’s as if he’s examining something bizarre up close. From Hana’s point of view, Naqi had this puzzled look that was dangerously cute. Maybe it was cause of the fact that his face was only 30 centimeters apart from hers. It took her a couple of seconds to snap back from his alluring eyes.
"Huh? Say what?" Hana snapped.
"We’ve been walking in this mall for 15 minutes and you haven’t spoke a word."
"Owh. Sorry. My mind was elsewhere."
"Do you need to be somewhere else right now? I’m sorry if I ruin your plan or some sort by asking you to hang out today." There’s a worried tone in his voice.
"No no. It’s not that. I was just thinking…"
"About what?"
(About you, dammit!, she thought to herself)
"It’s okay. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. Wanna grab some ice cream?" His thumb was pointing at the Baskin Robbins behind them.
"Sure." Smiling.
They sat at a table opposite of the cash register while waiting for his 'chocolate chip cookie dough' and her 'very berry strawberry'. Naqi was sitting in front of her. It was almost like they were on a date. She couldn’t be more happier right now. But she still need to redeem herself bout the 'what if' talk.
"About the other day."
"What about it?" Naqi said calmly, smiling.
"I wanna apologize. I don’t know what got into me." Staring down at her black and white converse. Lying seems so easy.
"There’s no need for apologies you know. It was just a game."
"I just thought that you might take it the wrong way."
"I’m not twelve okay. Let‘s just forget about it, kay?" Still smiling.
"Okay…"
Here comes the moment of awkwardness. The 30 seconds of silence.
"So… does Syahira knows that we’re hanging out right now?" Naqi asked alas breaking the seconds of silence.
"She wasn’t at home when I went out. Wait… you mean you didn’t tell her that we’re going out together?"
"Do I have to tell her everything that I do in my life?"
"But she’s your girlfriend." she said softly.
Naqi paused for awhile. His face expressed that he’s puzzled. Then he smiled faintly.
"So Ira told you, eh? You‘re the first to know then. I don‘t think she told Tania yet. That girl was bugging me all day long with the couple thingy."
"Don’t change the subject. You two ARE together, right?" Hana asked, her face showed how innocently confused she was.
"We’re not an item."
"What does that means? Don‘t you love my sister?"
"Love is a strong word. I’m just passing the time." Naqi wasn't looking at her when he spoke those words. He had his eyes on the ice-cream counter.
"Then why did you asked her to be your girlfriend?"
"She needs something to hold on to. She needs someone to turn to when everything seems to be falling apart."
"Sounds like false hope."
"I like to call it compassion." Naqi was smiling.
"Charming."
"Look, I‘m here to take care of her fragile heart. To mend it when someone hurts it. To pick up the pieces when someone shatters it. I'm providing her a safety net... That's my only reason of being with her. It's a win-win situation. Don't ask what i'm winning coz i won't tell you. Moving on."
"You know, you have to tell her sooner or later."
"Tell her what exactly?" he puzzles.
"About your real feelings, silly."
"It's no secret. She knows."
"Then why didn't you tell her bout right now? If it's not a secret that she knows how you really feels towards her, it wouldn't matter much if she knows that we're hanging out, right?"
"Coz i don't feel like telling her." Naqi had a grin on his face.
In a situation where she should feel sorry for her sister and at the same time be pissed with what she just heard, Hana is actually feeling a slight cheer inside her.
"I never thought you cared that much bout her. I mean, you used to hate her, don't you?" Naqi asked.
"I STILL hate her. That's not going to change"
"Then... what's with the questions?"
"Rafael...." Hana looked stunned.
"Huh?"
"Rafael!" Hana repeated herself.
"What does he has to do with you asking these things?"
"No silly. It's Rafael. He's here at the mall. Raf! Over here!" Hana was holding her hand up in the air, waving softly at someone behind Naqi. Her face expressed joy and happiness.
Naqi turned his back to the people passing by to have a look. It took him awhile to spot the dude wearing a blue shirt,faded jeans and white adidas sneakers. His hands were in his pockets.
Rafael was walking towards them, smiling.
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8:09 PM
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8:09 PM
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