Kismet | ENGLOT

Chapter 4

Charlotte's POV:

Saturday morning, I felt very cheery as the wind blows on my face. The bus just stopped in front of me. I smiled at the driver while I climbed and tried to find a vacant seat. I'm on my way to help with the community garden. I fell in love with the garden when I was a child. My parents used to bring me there to see all types of flowers blooming during spring. As years passed, people stopped helping to maintain it, hence, it's not as beautiful as it was before. A year ago, I decided to go there every other week and help the other volunteers to restore the garden to its former glory.

Looking through the open window, I felt a presence beside me. I looked to my left and there she was, Engfa. She was just scrolling on her phone while wearing her earphones. I stared at her and opened my mouth wanting to start a conversation but I didn't even know what to say. I stayed like that for God knows how long when I suddenly heard her say without looking "Don't you know it's rude to stare at people? Also, keep your mouth closed if you don't want flies going in". I immediately shut my mouth and felt my face heat up while I looked away. She shook her head then just continued scrolling on her phone.

The bus went to a stop and I tried to get pass Engfa as fast as I could. She stood up same time as me and without looking back, she exited the bus before me. I was confused, this stop doesn't have any particular destination aside from the community garden, so why was she getting off here? I continued and saw her, still with walking with her crutches, to the direction of the garden. She stopped at the entrance to look around as if she was lost. I wanted to talk to her but I still felt sheepish about what happened earlier. I went past her and made my way to the shed to gather my gardening tools.

"Charlotte? Are you there?" I can hear Mew's voice coming from outside the shed. Mew is also a volunteer at the community garden and goes to the same school as me. We're also both part of the drama club, hence, we became close. "Yuppp! Just gathering some tools" I said with a cheery voice. I saw Mew and Engfa having a conversation just as I came out of the shed. They both looked at me when Mew said "Char, this is Engfa. She's from our school too. She's gonna help us rebuild the garden, so I was hoping you can show her the ropes on how we do things here?". I looked at him then to Engfa. "Yes, we've already met before. And yeah, sure I can help her but I don't think she can do a lot with those crutches" I said eyeing her from head to toe which earned a chuckle from Mew. "I can handle myself well, thank you" Engfa said without any ring of amusement in her voice. She looked straight to my eyes, her expression blank as if waiting for me to say something when Mew suddenly spoke "Alright, I'll leave you two to it. Go easy on each other, okay" and with that he left us.

With a smirk on her face Engfa suddenly moved close to me, leaning on her crutches, "So, are you going to tell me what I'm supposed to do now, or you're just gonna stand there and continue with your daydream?" and with that I realized that I was just standing there looking at her since Mew left. What's happening with me? I thought to myself, it seems that being near this woman just makes me stare into space feeling lost. I blinked and looked at her forcing myself to sound composed, "Let's get our hands dirty then. Just watch out and don't get yourself hurt more than you already are". She just rolled her eyes then followed me. This is going to be a long day...

Hours passed and before we knew it, it was already noon. I felt my stomach growl, reminding me that it was time to eat lunch. Engfa looked at me, clearly hearing the sound that my tummy made. She chuckled and teased "Do you keep a lion inside that small tummy of yours?" I glared at her and was about to say something when Mew suddenly came from behind me.

"Hey Char! Wanna grab lunch with me?" he said with a smile that reached his eyes. Engfa looked at him then me, both of them waiting for my answer. "Uhh.. Sure. I was about to go alone but would be better to have company." I answered Mew with the same enthusiasm.

Mew is a really great guy. He is very popular with girls but always treats them with respect. He is not the usual playboy. He's also the only guy who is not embarrassed to be friends with me, that is why we became close, almost like a brother to me.

"How bout you Engfa? Do you have any plans for lunch? You're free to join us if you want to?" Mew then turned to Engfa. "I'm good. I have to meet someone for lunch anyways. Besides, you don't want me to ruin your date." she answered, voice laced with sarcasm looking back and forth between me and Mew.

Mew just chuckled at her remark and said "Okay, suit yourself then. See you around!" Mew then led me to his car, his hand behind my back. I looked at Engfa who had her feet still glued to the ground. She then spoke before as I passed by her, "Thanks for just leaving me here with all these stuff by the way. Don't worry I'll manage to bring back all these tools to the shed on my own." she scoffed, her voice dripping with annoyance.

"Just leave them there, I'll fix it when I come back after lunch." I said feeling a bit guilty. "Nevermind, you guys enjoy. No need to worry about me, I'll get these sorted out." and with that, she just turned her back and started gathering the tools. I was going to help her but Mew stopped me.

"Let her be Char. She said she can manage." I looked at Engfa, then back at Mew. I just nodded then walked with him to his car. I tried to glance back at Engfa and caught her looking at us but was quick to avert her gaze.

Mew and I arrived at a small cafe just a few blocks from the garden. It was cozy cafe tucked in a suburban area. We sat in the corner after ordering our food and drinks at the counter. As our food arrived, Mew tried to engage me with some small talk.

"So, have you heard that we are going to be the lead characters for our upcoming play?" he said with excitement. "Yeah. Mrs Warren informed me yesterday." I said with a smile. "I can't wait to read the script. Mrs Warrener said she's gonna give it to us first thing on Monday. You know, I'm really looking forward to act on stage with you as my lead Char." he said genuinely. "Thank you, I hope I won't disappoint" I said acting coy. 

Mew gave a sheepish smile and shook his head "You know you are quite too humble for someone who always gets the lead character in every play." I just gave him a bashful laugh.

We were about to finish our food and continued with our conversation when I see someone enter the cafe. I turned to look directly at the couple who were walking to the counter. It was Engfa, with Pichy.

Mew waved at her while I stared back into my plate and pretended to finish my food well in fact I was already full. Before I knew it, both of them approached our table. "Oh, I see you guys are almost done with your date." Engfa said as she got to our table hovering over us. "Yes. We're about to head out, just waiting for Char to finish her food." Mew was quick to answer.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your new friends baby?" Pichy said while snaking her hands around Engfa's arm. Engfa caught me looking at how Pichy clung on to her. She smiled mischievously and said "Oh yeah sorry. This is Mew and Charlotte. And this is Pichy" she said looking at me while gesturing to Pichy. "And they are not my friends, just acquaintances" she finished. My face dropped at her remark. Well, we really weren't friends though, and I don't think she would ever want me to become her friend. Well, not that it bothers me, but it would be nice if she doesn't make it too obvious that she despises me.

I gave Pichy a smile and a small wave and she just gave a small nod in response. "Well, it's nice meeting you both. Let's go baby, I'm starving." Pichy said while trying to drag Engfa away from us.

Engfa gave us a last look "See you guys around" then gave me one lingering look before finally walking towards the table farthest from ours. I let out a long breath I didn't know I was holding. Mew noticed my mood change and asked me if I wanted to go. I nodded and he got up right away and held out his hand to help me up.

We were on our way out when I felt like someone was staring at me as I walked with Mew. I tried hard not to look where Engfa and Pichy were sitting, but my eyes went to them like it has their own mind. That's when I saw Engfa, looking straight back at me with that fiery look in her eyes.

Well, it's official. She clearly loathes me. I thought to myself as I quickly averted my gaze.