Derelict Whispers

iii

chapter 3: a chance

Kareem's eyes widened as he raised both of his hands. God. He looked so defensive. "N-No! I didn't mean that way!” Then he sighed as he tried to calm himself. “You know, this place is crowded. I was just trying my luck to bring you somewhere else."

I looked around and noticed that he was right. I looked at him again when I realized something. "Well, we're at a party. What did you expect? Deafening silence?"

His lips parted as if he just saw his world crumbled right on his watch. Then he shook his head with that silly smile. "You're really different from others."

"We are all different from each other."

"I mean, you took that on a whole different level."

"Is that a compliment? What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing.” He shrugged it off as if it meant nothing. Then he leaned on the bench as he crossed his arms. I immediately spotted his muscled arms. I immediately took my eyes off. As far as I can remember, he was lean. Maybe he frequently hit the gym now?

Kareem cleared his throat to get my attention which he successfully did, by the way. “Anyway, I know you'll act this way. As expected from you."

"Is that disappointment I hear?"

"No. I meant it positively."

"Okay. If you say so."

Then, we both fell silent. Even with the loud music in the background, that did not cover the dull and silent world we were thrust into. I remained admiring the moon. I felt someone stare at me, and I know the moon cannot stare back with this kind of intensity. Just what does he want? I cannot play this silly old game anymore.

“What?” I nudged him.

"Are you always like this?" he suddenly asked, and I felt a loud pang in my chest. I don't know. . . but I felt insulted. What did he mean by that?

"What is this?" I tried to ask for clarity.

"On a top note, I did not mean anything negative. It's just so new to me. You're a challenge. What did I mean by this is. . . I don't know. Maybe someone so serious?"

I blinked as my stare fell to his chest. I often hear that from almost everyone. It doesn't really sound new to me anymore. But hearing it from his mouth doesn't sit well with me. Or whatever.

I cleared my throat and decided to shoo the nagging feeling off. "It's weird if I'll laugh with everything you say considering the fact that we are not that close."

His jaw dropped, but he was fast to recover. He nodded as if he agreed with me. "Right. You're absolutely right."

Then, we fell silent once again. I breathed heavily as I mustered all the courage to call him. I just don't like this anymore. I don't know what he wants to do with me. Why did he approach me like the old times? Is he igniting an old flame?

“Kareem,” I called him. He did not say anything to me. He just looked at me; patiently waiting for what I'm going to say next. I narrowed my eyes. “What is it that you really want from me?”

He furrowed his thick brows out of confusion. "Are you saying that I have an ulterior motive?"

I was fast to nod my head. "Yes. You won't shoo my friend away just like that if you have no hidden intent."

Did he think I did not notice how Heaven immediately vanished from my sight the moment he walked in with that bottle of beer in his right hand? It was obvious that there was a conspiracy that happened. I do not assume things, but I am not that stupid. Also, it was so obvious that even a blind man can detect it.