Effeminate Within

Chapter Twenty-two

Chapter 22

I TRIED TO open my eyes wide as it could, but it won't. I straightened my body and found that I was not in the couch anymore. I was in our room—with Greg. He transferred me here while I was deeply asleep. He carried me here even though we just fought and even though we just shouted at each other yesterday.

It made me feel how terrible boyfriend I was. The realization just made me want to cry more.

I stared down at Greg who was still sleeping. Despite having a bad temper, he was sweet and caring.

My heart melted. I leaned down to plant a kiss on his cheek. He smelled like alcohol.

My little action woke him up. He groaned and stretched out his body. Before he was totally conscious, I walked out of the room and prepared a breakfast for the both of us. I finished my food quickly and went to bathroom. I wished that the dripping water from the shower could wash off guilt and sadness in me.

Greg was eating the breakfast I prepared for him when I exited the bathroom. He was silent and didn't greet me. Neither of us spoke, though I could feel his gaze on my skin following me. I dressed up quickly, but when I checked myself in the mirror, something was different. My eyes were swollen. I couldn't go to school with these, so I paced back to refrigerator and got some ice cubes.

I soaked cotton in the water from the melting ice and rubbed it around my eyes. It worked. It lessened the swelling, but still, my eyes were showing how hard I cried last night.

The door creaked open and Greg walked in. I saw his reflection in the mirror and he was standing behind me. "Are you still mad?" He asked.

I didn't answer.

He stood still, waiting for my answer. But when he saw that I was done and cleaning up, he hugged me from behind and it stopped me. "I'm sorry." He whispered.

His grip on my body was strong, so instead of stepping back, I turned to him and studied his face. He was staring back at me but his eyes were dark and wrinkled. I cupped his face with both of my hands and his beard beneath was tickling my palm that it made me smile.

He smiled when he saw the curve on my face, and without a second thought, I pressed my lips to his. It was so good, so cozy. But there was something funny I felt when our lips parted. It never felt the same. It felt different.

Was it possible for love to dwindle?

***

The summer fest started and the College of Pharmacy was working together in a cluster with the College of Medical Technology and College of Dental Medicine.

All clusters must be able to come up with a project that would benefit both the society and the university.

A leader was elected by votes and we, the cluster B, were lead by a graduating pharmacy student whose name was Lester who was another Asian and a guy from the Christian group of Czarina. We were so lucky having these intelligent Asians including this studious one, Darryl.

A room was provided for the 4 competing clusters. Our cluster and the cluster C were assigned to occupy rooms 545 and 544 which were both at the fifth floor of the CAS building, the oldest building and it had no elevator.

My leg muscles were tensed as I climbed up. When I opened the door, everyone's eyes were on me. I was ten minutes late and I felt so bad about myself.

Lester nodded, gesturing me to enter.

"Sorry," I muttered, walking fast to the nearest vacant seat.

"OK, guys. The project is final and will be submitted to the office as soon as possible unless anyone disagrees. Is there any objection?" Lester watched us but no one raised a hand. "Cool. Expect that the fund will be discussed as soon as I finish collecting it."

Lester beckoned me from my seat and we discussed what they had talked about and what would the project be.

"A probiotic drink dispenser?" I almost shouted, astonished by the idea.

"Yes. The College of Medical Technology will be working with our college about the culturing of microorganism and the College of Dentistry promises that they'll try their best to find a cheap dispensing machine."

"That sounds really awesome. You're such a brilliant, Lester."

He tried to be humble but it was obvious in his smile how flattered he was with my compliment.

An hour after, Gregory came to our room and excused Lester for an announcement. He found me through a gap in the door and he winked at me. I didn't respond and just looked away.

"Attention, everyone." Lester swallowed. "I just received an announcement that we are only given five weeks to finish the task. After that, the winning cluster which will be judged by anonymous judges will receive two thousand five hundred dollars."

People in the room all cheered.

"So, guys, let this serve as a motivation. God bless us all." And then he sat to work again on his laptop.

Curious, I walked toward him and took a look at what he was doing.

"I will consult you after I'm done with this but since you're already looking at it, I'll let you read this explanation of how our project will work. Just promise me that you're not going to bring this idea to your boyfriend, cause, uh... that doesn't sound positive." He showed a crooked smile. Hearing him tell me that I had a boyfriend was kind of terrifying me. I felt like I might get a lecture again from a Christian friend.

"Of course not." Then he turned the laptop's monitor to me.

The explanation was ten-page long. I was sure it was the briefest it could be.

So the plan was, like what was said, a probiotic drink dispensing machine. The drink would be bottled, each containing 25 mL of skimmed milk which contained microorganism such as Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium longum, and other more I couldn't remember. And then if seen possible to be healthy and beneficial, it would be clinically tested by the DOH and will be tried to children at elementary schools.

"This is a breakthrough to your career, Lester. I'm wishing you the best for this one. It sounds really promising."

"I can't make it possible without all of you. And else, let's not be so glad. The competition is just starting. And yes, I forgot to mention to you. You're my assistant for this project."

"Really? Well, it's a huge responsibility. But I'm hopeful for this is really a brilliant idea. Thank you for trusting." I patted his shoulder twice.

"Yes, thank you." He fell silent, looking at his laptop. He seemed like there's more he wanted to say. It bothered him and couldn't control it. "So, how's the thing between you and Greg?"

I was not surprised to hear that, "We're better. Everything is fine." I lied.

"Yeah, it looks like it. Uhm, Maybe I can invite you next Sunday after this week? There's a new church place just across the neighborhood where you live and they need someone to play a violin."

I nodded and promised to go.