BE ON CLOUD Masterpieces~A Snippet Collection

BOC Snippet 09-4 Minutes-Hope

BOC Snippet

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Hope

Tonkla's POV

When I first met him, I never expected anything. To be honest, after the death of my mother, I thought I have stopped expecting anything at all. All I wanted was to survive with Dome. To make sure there was food and shelter for us so we could...live another day. To see Dome get out of the hell hole we are in now. He does not have to take me along, but I wanted him to go far and beyond, with or without me. Maybe this was an expectation on my part. See Dome grow and live his own life happily.

With him though, I have to start the story by going all the way back to my college time. I met him in my first year of college. I felt really out of place since I was one of the few scholarship kids in a somewhat prestigious college. I don't recall what made me take the offer to study there. Probably it was the extra money I could get to buy Dome a new pair of sneakers he needed for gym class. I was willing to do anything for Dome, my only reason to live at that time.
I knew him as another senior, the student council president. Some big shot's son of course. It would be a lie to say I did not notice him. As awkward as I was, I eavesdropped enough of the girls and boys from orientation week gossiping and whispering about him. I picked up bits and pieces. Apparently, he was one of the kindest, smartest, richest and most eligible bachelors around campus. I heard he has a pre-selected fiancée somewhere too. He lived in a different world from me. Worlds where it was not likely for us to even cross path ever. Until that one day.
Dome was sick, so I had to take care of him. That meant I was late for orientation activities. I neither hated or liked the activities. I mean, I never had that many chances to mingle with people throughout my life, so talking to new people was definitely not my forte. I did enough for survival when I worked part time, but I always chose jobs which I needed least interaction anyway, like internet cafes. But meeting new people also fascinated me. While I never showed it, I always wondered how people lived their lives. If they had it worse or better than Dome and I. Anyway, I was late and it was the last day to submit the notebook. We had to collect the seniors' signatures.
I thought it would be fun, forcing myself to talk to seniors but it was not as pleasant as I thought. The first one was P'Bas from my faculty who made me do rounds around the fields. I was out of breath before he would sign my note book. I did hate running but I did what I was told. It is always better when I did what I was told. He huffed and threw me a smirk after signing my notebook, reminding me I would be on the list. I did not understand what he meant, but I knew it did not sound too positive.
Since I had to submit the notebook whether I got all the seniors' signatures or not, I decided to try my luck with the school president. I do not know why I thought of him, but I decided to let my heart do its bidding for once. When I heard the campus bell ring, I started to jog faster. The end of the day was approaching and I might just miss catching him. I was right.
He was already packing when I arrived at the student council office. Long story short, that was the first time I was alone in a room with him let alone speak with him. He was kind when he spoke to me. I felt my stomach churned a little. I do not think I was hungry though. When he spoke to me in that gentle tone, I couldn't seem to look into his eyes. I don't feel uncomfortable like what happened when I spoke to other men since that incident. With him, I felt nervous but...the non threatening kind.
Not only did he sign my notebook, he also took the time to listen to my excuse of coming late and not gathering as many signatures.
"But you do understand, those who got the least signatures will have to face punishment right?" He reminded me. I bit my lip as I shook my head. I remembered P'Bas saying I am on a list but if that meant punishment...it was my first time hearing about it.
He probably noticed the change of expression on my face because he continued, "But now that I know you have family issues and that was the reason you came late and probably didn't have time t get more signatures, you know what? I will help you pass this activity, okay?" He said a mouthful but he signed my notebook.
I nodded my thanks and extended my hand to take back the notebook, but he held on to it. "In exchange, can I have your number?"
Huh? What does he mean? He wants my number...as in...my contact number? "My...number...khrub?" I stuttered a little.
"Yes. Your number. So...if you have any family issues in the future and couldn't make it to college activities, you can let me know directly and you wouldn't be penalized okay?"
I was definitely shocked and could only nod. I took out my cheap working phone on the cheapest data plan and let him scan my app to exchange contacts. Then he passed me back the notebook.

 
"Go back home safe okay?" he said and patted me on the head.

How long was it since someone patted me this gently on the head? I can't remember. He went to his table and took a seat and went back on reading a file which was opened until I came in. I wai-ed him as politely as I could before leaving the room.

I can't believe what just happened! The first person who just exchanged contact numbers with me. There was someone out there who wanted to have my contact numbers! I think I smiled like an idiot that day. I remembered running back, to tell Dome all that happened.

Maybe this is my chance to finally experience a real friendship. 

Or love, for once. 

I don't dare for the latter to come true but one might hope for it right? 

Yeah, it's okay for me to just hope. 

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Yukichi's Note: My hope of writing 10 short stories in one short and scheduling them to post everyday is definitely not coming true. I have to go to Thailand again for work starting tomorrow. 

I just want to write more.