All For You

He did

Part 11

The soft murmurs of the students could be heard in the cafeteria as they had their meal. Emerald was calm as she bought her meal.
Carrying it to the table, she tried to put on a smile. She've been feeling bored without Zarin. He was not in the cafeteria, he might be busy in the studio. When will he be less busy, she thought.
She sat on the table where Zain and Gabi was sitting. Gabi raised her head from her food to her. " U look dull ", she pointed out while Emerald looked down at the table. There's no need to lie that she's fine. It's already obvious.
" Just that Zarin isn't here ", Zain chipped in, chewing his food with pleasure.
Emerald flashed him a frown. Why can't he mind his business ? Is that too difficult?
" Oh Zarin ", Gabi paused her eating." I saw him in the studio with Mr Ray and a girl ", She finished, gazing through the air as though she wanted to recall more.
Zain shrugged indifferently. " He's busy then. There's no need to cry ", He threw Emerald an irritating smile, his white teeth shone towards her deepening her frown.
Gabi gave him a look that says ' Watch your mouth ' before turning back her gaze to Emerald with an apologetic smile." You can meet him after school whenever we're going home ".
Meet him after school ? Does that mean he's not going for break ? He'll be starved all for a school work !
He'll be alright, she tried to be calm with her thoughts.
School day was finally over as Emerald have prayed. She stood with Gabi and Zain at the school gate, waiting for Zarin to show up.
Emerald sighed now lifting her gaze to Gabi ,she said ," Maybe he's still in the studio ".
Gabi corked her head in belief. " Yes, I think he's still busy ".
Before any word could drop out from their lips, Zarin appeared in their view. He was running towards them. Why is he running... and without his school bag ? Could it be that he won't be going home with them ?
" Sorry guys ", he muttered under his breath. It seems like he've been running for a long while.
" I'm not done with Mr Ray. You guys can go. I beg your pardon ", he said with an apologetic look.
Emerald felt a chip in her shoulder as her heart skipped. Another day to go home without him, she thought sadly.
" I'm sorry Emer ", he noticed her sudden change of mood. Pulling her into his arms, he stroked her hair. Being in his arms, she suddenly felt good again. She wished she'll be there till dawn if only it'll be possible.
" Don't worry, I'm almost done with the work. Tomorrow will be better ", he promised.
They have to go now. " Alright guys. Goodbye ", he waved at them, running back to the school.
" Goodbye ! ", They yelled to his hearing .
Emerald wished everything goes well tomorrow as they walked.
Reaching home, she plodded to the bathroom, took a cool shower before meeting Julie in the dinning room.
" Seems like someone had a bad day ", Julie was cleaning the table when she entered.
Emerald walked straight to the covered food on the table. " I didn't have a bad day ", she took off the lid of the plate. A sweet aroma of stew and boiled potatoes filled the warm air. Her stomach suddenly groaned, reminding her she was hungry.
She quickly sat, grabbing the fork .her mouth watered for the food.
" You can't tell me you had a nice day with that long face ", Julie sat opposite her, watching her as she ate with pleasure.
" Julie, you're a good cook ! ", she exulted , grinning like a child.
Julie smiled at her. She've always wanted to make her happy and satisfied. Indeed, her happiness matters a lot. Losing her parents was a great loss and a nightmare and she wouldn't let her experience that heartbreak again.
The rest of the minutes during her lunch, She only watched her silently, unwilling to disturb her.
After her lunch, she went to her room then worked on her assignments. She felt so exhausted but restrained herself from sleeping. As she continued studying, she suddenly dozed off.
When she woke up, it was already sunset  She found her books, jumbled on the bed. Oh, when did she sleep ? She blamed herself inwardly for dozing off. She quickly checked her books to see if they were still unharmed. She might have rolled over them while sleeping.
Thankfully, everything was fine. She robbed her eyes, stretched her hands luxuriously then began to pack her books.
The thought of Zarin suddenly flew into her head. Oh Zarin! Does he still want to make out time for her? She suddenly sighed. How can a guy steal her heart  that she can't even stay a day without talking to him ?
Just then, her phone beeped knocking off her thoughts. As though expecting Zarin's text message, she quickly scrambled for her phone. As expected, it was a text message from Zain.
Without hesitation, she opened the messages.
Hi Emer, I have something for you) It says.
Something for her? What could that be? She opened the second message.
I've brought it. It's beside the entrance doorstep ).
She ran off from the room, excited like a little kid. Getting there, she saw the package. It was wrapped in box .She carried the box inside .
Burning in curiosity, she opened the box. It was a framed artwork. A painting of her and Zarin, kissing under the sunset. Tears welled up her eyes. Did he make out his time for this ? She suddenly felt special. There is no guy in her life like Zarin !