HEALING (bxb)

Chapter 8 - Student Number

(Wayo)

The sound of my loud heartbeat being rooted from extreme nervousness while staring at every striking beat of the hand of wall clock is torturing. My fingers are squirming involuntarily above my thighs with my gaze shifting to the abstract paintings plastered on the white walls of this office if it gets tired checking the time. Every blow of air from air-conditioning unit adds to the palpitating of my heart.

Can this day please end already?

The time shows forty-five minutes past eight in the morning; too early for most of the people around my age but not to those who are part of the working class. The beautiful secretary who is around mid-forties told me a moment ago that the dean of the Music Department is talking to his wife on his private office. Sure, more seconds passing, much nervousness looms my inside.

The secretary, whose name is Red, casually approaches me in the plush sofa inside the dean's office. "I heard Miss Suradet is leaving. Prepare yourself up, young man."

Then she gives me an encouraging smile which I weakly return.

When the glass door of the dean's private room which separates the sala of the whole office from his has opened, the instinct in my head dictated me to stand. Two people laughing at each other exited. They must be dean Suradet and his very beautiful wife. Rumors about them are positive, being ideal couple, but I heard the dean is strict when it comes to school policy and students of his department where I will hopefully belong.

Miss Suradet walks toward the front door, but it so happen that I catch her attention. My lips curved into a weak smile as I could not hide the anxiety within.

"You need something to the dean?" she uttered appreciatively to me.

I just nod then wai in return since I am clueless on what kind gesture my body has to do at the occasion. Until I hear my name being summoned by P'Red, "Dean Suradet is now ready to talk to you," she added.

My legs suddenly become heavy as the gravity beneath me seemed to have doubled. Walking seems to be difficult because I could not carry my weight coming to the private room of the college dean.

"He is nice. He will understand your need, just be straight to the point," P'Red encouragingly said whilst tapping my right shoulder.

Opening the glass door which assumedly is heavier than my body mass; my eyes are captivated by the kaleidoscopic walls and stuff inside. The fact that the sala of the entire office is too plain and formal, his private room is artistically built and aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. One would think that the person who occupies this wonderful room is a lover of the art and beauty, which I think is.

"Same reaction I got from people who are first-timer in my office."

The husky voice of Mr. Suradet captures my attention as I was getting absorbed on the beauty of the room, thankful enough that for a short time, I have forgotten the trouble I have to fix now.

"Take your seat, son. You must be a new student who probably has trouble getting accepted to our college?" I was stunned at his guess. My agitation shoots up instantly.

Mr. Suradet looks like more of my father but his disciplinary aspect could be traced from the lines on his face. He dresses formally in a white and neat long-sleeved polo which is pulled up on his arms. The necklace hanging on his neck has a golden miniature guitar as pendant. I assume he plays guitar on his young age because his aura matches those rockstars in the music band.