UNREQUITED LOVE

CHAPTER-4

"Hey Erica." Markus called my name.

"Yes Markus?"

"If you don't mind, can you show me around? See there is no one in the school except you and me so you are the only person I could ask. So....?

"Yeah sure! Why not."

Oh god.. Why did I even agree? Erica, how can you do this? Remember what happened yesterday. Uhhhh...

I was unhappy but also happy to show him around. I mean I am definitely happy that there is only me and him and that also together in the school with no one around us but I'm also unhappy about the fact that I liked his post on Instagram which he posted a year ago and he could ask about it anytime. What am I supposed to do then?

I was showing him around the entire time but he didn't ask me anything. Probably he didn't see his Instagram. But whatever the reason was I was happy.

I took him to the garden where the flowers were beautifully blooming. There was also a cherry blossom tree. This tree was the most popular spot in the whole school. Every year during mid April to mid May the cherry blossom tree would bloom. The view was so pretty. And it became prettier as Markus was there with me to enjoy.

There was a bench kept under the Cherry Blossom tree. I told him that we can sit there and enjoy the view.

We both sat down together. I looked up to the cherry blossoms. They were beautiful. And then I looked at Markus. He was more beautiful. I had the best view.

"Hey Erica!" Markus suddenly broke the silence.

"Yeah?"

"What were you listening to when we were in the classroom?"

"Oh, I was listening to Serendipity by BTS."

"If you don't mind, can I listen to it too?"

This question made my heart run as fast as it could.

"Umm.. yeah, sure"

I took out my ear pods from my pocket and gave one to him and kept one for myself.

Each of us had one ear pods. Wow. I could never imagine this.

 As soon as I played the song he closed his eyes and was listening carefully. My attention went to him. I was staring at him forgetting about the song.

As the song got over he opened his eyes and looked at me. I got flustered. I looked away.

"The song is pretty good. I liked it."

"I'm glad that you liked it."

He looked away.

I saw children entering the classrooms so I told him that we should go otherwise we would be late for our class. He nodded and we went back to our classroom.

As I entered, I saw Naomi and Ashley sitting beside each other. I went up to them and greeted them.

"Hey Naomi! Hey Ashley!"

"Hey Erica." both of them said together.

"Erica, where were you?" Naomi asked.

"Oh I went with Markus. He wanted to explore our school. So I took him on a trip." I smiled as I said.

Both of them smiled.

Miss Holland came to the class and everyone got settled back in their own seats.

The day went by in a blink of an eye. After the school got over Markus asked me to go back home with him. I definitely agreed on that. Why should I miss this precious opportunity.

Walking back home, we didn't have any conversation between us. Both of us were walking quietly.

Markus broke the awkward silence between us.

"Hey Erica,"

I looked up at him.

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"NO!"

I said in 0.1 second.

"Haha...that was really quick."

"Yeah...." I was totally embarrassed at that moment. I mean why didn't I take my time. Erica! Come to your senses!

"What about you Markus?"

"What, boyfriend?"

"No, no,.. I mean girlfriend. Do you have one?"

Please, I hope he doesn't! Please!!

"I had one when I was in New Jersey. We broke up because it was not possible for us to have a long-distance relationship."

"Oh...What was her name?"

"Her name was Lia"

"Lia....that's a pretty name."

"Yeah.. and the person was pretty too."

"Do you miss her?"

"No, not that much but we've become friends. Told her that I didn't wanna lose a friend like her. So..."

"So you guys are friends right now?"

"Yeah, we often talk with each other. Isn't it cool?"

"Yes, it is." I was a bit sad after hearing about his ex-girlfriend but it would be unbelievable if he didn't date anyone with that looks.

We reached our home. He dropped me off and went forward to his place. It was sad seeing him go but what can I do? Obsession is not a good thing.

I went inside after seeing him go inside his house.

I had my dinner and went back to my room.

I got freshened up and sat on the study table because I had to complete my literature assignment which was due tomorrow.

I took out my literature books and notebook and started taking notes. There was a line in the book- "The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers."

This line made me think of today's morning when me and Markus were sitting under the cherry blossom tree and listening to the song together. My memories went back to when I saw Markus' face underneath the Cherry Blossom tree. As I was admiring his beauty, my phone alarm suddenly rang and I came back to reality.

Stupid phone!

I saw my face in the mirror and found myself blushing. My ears and cheeks were red. Only the thought of him made me blush and made my heart beat faster.

Erica! You cannot do this. You have an assignment due tomorrow. Stop dreaming and concentrate.

I came back to reality and started doing my assignment.

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