Chapter 3- His other side

Amira's POV

The surroundings were so quiet, only the tick-tocking of the wall clock can be heard. The surroundings were so dim and only the flare outside gives light. I can hear the voices of the night. I close my eyes again and force myself to sleep, I imagined Sadako coming out from the T. V but I forgot we don't have T. V. I imagine slendrina watching me in the corner. I think about those scary stories and movies to drive me off to sleep but none of them have work. I spun my gaze into Patty and lucky her for taking a peaceful sleep that I couldn't have now.

"You are Amira," words from Patty lately dive into my head again. The thought of centering myself between them makes me feel more unwanted. Thinking about pushing myself in-between is desperate. I don't wanna enter their lives. Crushing and fantasizing Zeke is enough. Well, is it enough? I sighed as I thrust a kick and stood up, trudging my trail through the kitchen, grabbing some crackers and milk from the fridge. Without opening the lights, I ate in the middle of darkness. I was enjoying my food when I felt sudden goosebumps followed by the cracking sound which seems to be near me. I tried to ignore it but it keeps giving noise and by this time, it's getting louder than before which makes my heart skip its beat. I thought I would only feel it on Zeke. I stood up and run into my bed covering myself up with my comforter.

###

"WAKE UP! AMIRA!" I groaned and grab my hotdog pillow, covering it on my ears.

"AMIRA!!" The f**k! What's her problem? I'm still sleeping for Pete's sake!

"What's your problem?" I said in my husky, morning voice.

"Get! Up! We're late!" Oh, damn class!

"Tell our subject professors that I'm seriously sick."

"It's Saturday!"

"Then why bother to wake me up since it's Saturday! I sleep late last night!"

" Cause Amira-from-other-world-version, it's Saturday and we're going to the orphanage to visit the children with your oh-so-called-love Zeke, and please rise now and get change, ASAP!" My soul was fully awakened and my feet take their steps through the shower in just a second. After a shower, I put on some striped black and red—pencil skirts paired with plain black off-shoulder down to my black satellite. I styled my hair and put on some light make-up.

Viola! I'm ready!

###

"Are you sure you're going to the orphanage?" Patty stated, arching her eyebrows and scan me from head to toe.

"Of course! Is there any problem with my look?"

"There is Amira, you're going to the orphanage, not in the bar, get change." I pouted as I trump my way back to our room, changing from elegant to a simple one. I pick up the plain oversized shirt and put on the black skinny jeans paired with white high-cutted black shoes.

###

"So, He's also fond of kids?" I asked Patty with a wide grin on my face with overwhelming happiness in my heart.

"Yep! and that's what makes you—the old Amira rather loves him more and I know you feel the same way. " I just smiled and imagine my life with him, carrying our child in his arms while playing with our baby's little hands. Calling me, hugging me from the back while I am cooking—

"We're here!" My imagination cut the moment Patty shouted and shifted her gaze out from the taxi's window, it's the orphanage. There's a lot of children playing

around and most especially—Zeke.

"Are you just going to stick your ass on that seat and watch them till they'll melt?" I opened the door and the fresh air from the big trees outside welcomed me.

"Keep the change," I heard Patty said to the taxi driver and drove off after. I shifted my gaze on Zeke who's happily playing with kids and his smile, it's genuine. As I look at him now, he doesn't look like the arrogant and cold Zeke I knew.

###

"Thank you for visiting us again Ms. Amira, Ms. Patty," A Sister greeted us, " How are you Ms. Amira, I heard you've got into an accident, are you okay now? Jillian is so worried about you." Sister Rose added. Jillian? I look at Patty and she seems to know what I'm thinking.

" Yeah, Jillian, sister Rose, where's Jillian now?" Patty asked. Sister Rose lead us the way to the children's room and saw a little girl sitting on her bed alone. Why isn't she playing with those kids outside?

" Sister Amira!" she runs towards me and jumps, wrapping her tiny thin arms on my neck for a hug. " Sister Amira, are you fine now? Is there something that makes you feel hurt? Just tell me, I blow it for you." she stated and smiled at me.

" Not anymore, Jillian. How are you? Why are you here? Why don't you play with them outside?" I asked.

" They said, I'm creepy because I'm quiet. They don't want to play with me so I only stay here and play myself and wait for you to visit me. You know that sister Amira, don't you? "

" Oh-oh yes, of course," I nod and laugh forcefully trying to hide that I forgot everything about her. Jillian is so cute and innocent. We played cards with Patty and eat snacks with her. Jillian is so happy different from Jillian I've seen earlier.

"Pat, I'll just go outside, keep an eye on her for a while, okay?" Patty nodded and I make my way through the outside and saw Zeke still playing with kids. The kids run while Zeke catches them. He looks like a father playing with his children I was stunned when he landed his gaze on me. I shamefully smiled and slowly went towards them.

"Hello! sister Amira!" they greeted and continue playing with Zeke. I sat on a cement-made bench watching them playing. I took my phone out of my pocket and opened the camera.

"Sister Krisha!!!" Krisha's here? I saw Krisha went towards them and the children were running into her, welcoming her with their hugs and kisses. I felt sudden jealousy.

"Brother Zeke, hug Sister Krisha too!" A

caramel-haired little boy yelled. Zeke looks at Krisha with his usual look, deadpan. Krisha smiled at them and hug Zeke. I stood up and went back to Jillian.

Jillian is sleeping, making Patty's thigh her pillow. That seems to be comfortable. I slowly went towards them.

"Where did you go?" Patty whispered, trying not to disturb Jillian's sleep.

"In the comfort room, I suddenly got a stomach ache," I whispered back. I slowly sat beside Jillian and watch her sleeping peacefully.

###

"Time to eat!" The children happily gathered around on a long wooden table.

"Amira!" I turned my head and saw Krisha approaching me. "You're here!"

"Yeah, visiting them again." I simply

answered.

"It's good that your back, the children missed you a lot. " nope, it's seems like they missed you more. "Ye--yeah,"

"Ms. Krisha, Sir Zeke, Ms. Amira, and Ms. Patty,  dine in." Sister Rose invited us.

" Of course!"Patty exclaimed, marching her feet through the table. Krisha did the same and both Zeke and I just standing in the

opposite corner.

"Amira,"

"I'm full,"

"Never say no, Amira, it's already a merit," Patty stated, chewing her food.

"Yeah," Sister Rose added and the rest.

"Come as well, Zeke, never say no," Sister Rose stated handing him a spoon and plate. Patty did the same to me and I can't do

anything but accept it.

###

"Goodbye Sister Krisha, Brother Zeke, Sister Amira, and Sister Patty! Visit us next time."

"Sure, we will," Krisha said which makes

the children yelled in excitement.

"Thank you for visiting us," Sister Rose said.

It was four in the afternoon when we get back to our dorm with Krisha. Krisha already went to her dorm. I quickly sat on the sofa, spreading my arms and resting my head on its headboard, Patty did the same. We rested for minutes and change our clothes after. I suddenly crave something, cake, and coffee.

"I'll go to the coffee shop, do you want to come?"

"Nah, no thanks, I'm so tired playing with kids. My fats are stressed, just bring me some takeouts. I want cappuccino and chocolate cookies, by the way, thanks." I just shrugged and went off.

###

"One arabica and one slice of cheesecake. I'll be taking out one cappuccino and one set of chocolate cookies." I went to my previous spot and waited for my order.

"Amira?" I lift my head and saw Krisha again. "You're here again,"

"Ye--yeah, I suddenly crave coffee and cakes."

"Let me guess, arabica and cheesecake, right?"

"Yep!"

"Great! Me too, I love this place and mostly their foods."

"Are you always here?"

"Nope, sometimes," I just nodded. Silence came between us, both looking outside. Our order was served in a minute and we both dine in.

"You and Zeke lately...you two seem close." My mouth suddenly uttered for a topic. I wanted to slap my mouth.

"Me? and Zeke? Eww!" She groaned and acting like she's throwing up.

"I saw you lately, y--you hug him." This month, I wanted to buy a padlock and lock my mouth up.

"It was just an act so they'll not gonna notice that there's a feud between us, plus, he insulted me for hugging him when they all went inside, he says I'm dirty and never take a bath, that I don't deserve a hug from him.  I don't want a hug from a moron like him too!"  she huffed and fill her mouth with a cake. I laugh at the thought of him being so stagy. Silence takes over the ambiance again. I played with my cake with a fork. How lucky Krisha is to have a petty fight on him—I mean, he doesn't ignore her while on me, ... he's cold. I just heaved and finish my cake.

"Amira,"

"Yes,"

"Can I ask you?"

"Go ahead,"

"Why do you like Zeke?" My head automatically lifted. "I mean, he's not good, he's arrogant but—"

"Because loving someone doesn't need any reason." I cut her, yes, I love him for being him and not just a fictional character and I know it's not right. After seeing the other side of him, the different smile formed on his lips while he is with children, I know I have met the other half of Zeke and that makes me love him more for being him, not just a fictional character knew.

"Oh-oh, sorry,"

"There's nothing to be sorry for, honestly, his attitude does suck," I said, and we both laugh. We talk for a minute and went back to the dorm after.

###

"Thank you so much, dear."

"50 dollars in total."

"What?! Do I have to pay? But why so expensive? Are their coffee and cookies

made of gold?"

"Nope, actually, coffee cost 5 dollars and 10 dollars for the cookies, the 30 dollars is my requital. So..." I forwarded and played my palms, " my payment," she pouted as she slapped the 50 dollars on my palm.

"Arigato, Patty-san!" I happily went inside our room.

"I will never request to you again!" Patty shouted

"Sure!"

###

" Get lost! I don't want to contaminate my eyes with your ugly face. I hope changing face is easy as changing your clothes, tsk!"

" Wow! Do you think you're handsome enough?"

" I surpass famous models visual and many girls fantasize me, isn't it enough?"

" Woah! Cringe, Mr. Zeke Alejandro, very cringe. I'm getting goosebumps now. I wanted to wash my ears with holy water, urghh! Gross. "

" Same to you Ms. Krisha Fajardo, I wanted to wash my eyes with holy water as well."

" You—"

" Handsome, yeah I know." I don't what to react right now. Early in the morning, their petty fights welcomed us. It was just because Krisha sits beside Zeke.

"Tsk, very mature," Patty mumbled

"Shut up, Pat"

###

It was already 11:30 which means it's time for lunch, time to eat. After rushing out from the hot horrible place—the room, we straightly make our way through the cafeteria. It wasn't too crowded when we got there. We ordered food—of course and we sat at the very corner of the caf. I was about to bit my hamburger when my eyes drop their gaze to a man in front of our table.

Zeke

With just a blink of an eye, girls are already surrounding him, taking out their phones. The girls flirtatiously giggled eyeing at Zeke full of admirations. They look like a dog staring at the bone. The cafeteria is filled with screams and giggles and it's losing my appetite. Who told them they can linger around him.

"Zeke, can I sit here?" A girl in a ponytail asked in a stagy voice.

" Me too, look, there are no vacant seats anymore." another stagy dog uttered. I look around and saw some unoccupied seats. Where's the " no vacant seats anymore" tsk! Grr!

" Can I sit here? " It was Krisha,

" Sure, " Krisha pulled the stool and sit with us. I shifted my gaze again to Zeke who's still surrounded by girls and keeps pestering him.

"Poor, Zeke," Krisha uttered while shaking her head and munching her sandwich.

"He's in a great disaster," I added, sipping my lemon juice. I look at Patty who seems not to care about the happenings around and just focuses on her beloved, food.

We finished our food and leave the cafeteria after. When we get outside, we parted our ways. Patty's going back to the classroom and Krisha's to the comfort room. I sat on the bench near me, letting the boredom slap me. The school was noisy and the students are doing their business.

I missed reading.

Reading!

An idea comes into my mind. I found myself marching some steps through the library in just a blink of an eye.

Silence welcomed me as I step inside the

library. Only five students were sitting separately. I head into the corner,  looking for some interesting story. Especially, the fantasy genre I missed reading.  I passed into the history section and there's one book makes my feet step back.

Traveling To The Other Dimension

Why is it placed in the history section?

I slowly take the book out from the shelf. I gasp as I saw the amazing book cover which seems to be interesting to read. I was about to open it when someone grabs it from my hands.

"You are not allowed to read this." The librarian said, raising her thick eyebrows. I apologized and get back to searching for another book. They shouldn't replace it there if they don't want someone to read it. Tsk! I just pick a tiger-related book and sat on the vacant seat.

I smiled upon seeing the baby tigers.  I was only looking at the picture but not reading the full text. One tiger caught my attention and reminds me of someone.

Zeke

It looks like Zeke when he's angry.

Eyebrows arched and eyes sharpen.

The school bell rings and all students in the library including me, take back the books on their assigned shelf.

###

Professor Mendiola, the terror teacher was discussing furiously. We all are listening to him and focuses our attention on him, afraid of the flying eraser that will land on our foreheads. I was usually staring outside in times like this but when it's Prof. Mendiola, all of us became good students. Even those fangirls who always screams when Zeke's here,  shut their mouth up.

We are all afraid of Professor Mendiola's venom.