Encounter

Aleia

I dropped by to buy a gift for Jake. Jake was one of my childhood friends here on the island. We used to attend grade school. Not until dad brought me to the city again, he love surfing, so I bought a pair of surfing attire. He would indeed love it.

But then I noticed a pair of summer attire. Zach’s image came flashing like a movie clip. It would look great on him. It is a pair of white vests and board shorts. I decided to buy it for him even though it’s not his birthday.

“Is that for him?”

I turned around and saw Zach behind me. I was about to open the door when he came. I just gave him a slight nod.

“Come in,” I said after opening the door. He strolled as his eyes scanned the entire living room of my house.

“You have a nice house. It’s quite big too.”

“Thank you. Do you want anything? I mean coffee or tea?”Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

I put the gifts I bought on the table. “Just don’t bother. I know that you still need to attend someone’s birthday.”

“You’re not coming with me?” I asked as I sat on the sofa beside the table. He was looking away from me and trying to avoid my gaze. He looked cute. He looked like a child in tantrums. So adorable in every angle. So lovely that my heart always races every time he is around.

“No. I don’t want to disturb your quality time together,” he added. He stood up and walked to the door.

“Zach! Wait,” I shouted and held his hand before he could open the door. He sighed and looked back.” I… I have something to give you.” His brows furrowed. “Would you like to take a look?” I said, smiling.

His face lit up as we walked back to the living room. I gave him the pair that I bought for him. He was hesitant at first.

“I thought you bought something for Jake,” he said.

” I did. But I also bought something for you.” I opened it and showed it to him.” Do you like this?”

He snatched it from me.” Nice choice. How did you know that blue is my favorite color?”

” Ohm… I just bought it randomly.” I replied. Of course, I spent many years loving him secretly.

It made me discover things about him. I was like a stalker who was watching him from afar. I almost knew everything about him. One of those is his favorite color. That’s why I bought it a while ago. I knew he would love it. I hope.

“Why did you give me this? It’s not my birthday.”

“Do we need a reason to give someone a gift? I just thought it would look perfect on you.”

Zach, we do not need a reason to love someone. Because love enough can justify everything.” I wanted to tell him. But I guess this is not the right time. Not yet.

“I think I need to go. I know that you still need to prepare for his birthday.” He walked to the door. But before he could open it- he looked back. “Ale, please take care of yourself. Have a good night. Enjoy!”

I watched him vanish as he closed the door. But I could not just let him leave like that, in that state. I decided to follow him outside.

I could not find him at first, and then I saw him standing near the shore. His hand holds the gift I gave him, and the other hand is raking his hair messed up by the air.

I hugged him from behind, and I noticed that his body stiffened. I even felt him sigh and take a deep breath. As I also felt his hand holds mine.

“Zach, don’t you want me to come there?” I said as I was carried away by my overflowing love, inhaling his manly scent and hugging him. I wish we could stay like this forever with no barricades and no hustles.

“No. It’s a special day for him, Ale. You should come.”

We went home separately after that. I did what he told me. After a few minutes, I headed to Jake’s house with Ryder. Jake has only few visitors. But most of them were men.

“Ale,” Jake mouthed as he saw me coming.

“Happy birthday, Jake.” I hugged him and kissed him on his cheek. I even heard his friends scream and tease us. But Jake and I both know that we are just friends.

“Is that a gift for me?” I nodded and gave him my gift. “Thank you. But you know that you being here tonight is already a gift. Come and sit with us.”

Although they were all men, I knew all of them so dealing with them is not that hard. Jake sat beside me, and later on, he invited me to the buffet table to get some food.

“Where is our guest?” he asked. I scanned the foods on the table, and I chose to pick the grilled squid. I love grilled seafood. Eating them is like heaven to me. Though I knew it was not healthy. But being an island girl made me love it.

“Not in a good mood, I think.”

“He likes you, Ale, and he is jealous of me. He doesn’t know that I considered you one of the men.” We both burst out laughing after that.

“You really know my favorites, Jake. Thanks for these.” I pouted at the food on my plate.

“I made it for you. You are my best brother, though. But I guess you will be a full woman soon.” He then tapped my shoulder as we both walked back to the table.

Our friends looked at us as if we were a tandem in a movie. I just smiled and shook my head to brush away whatever they thought.

” You two? Are you sure you are just friends? You look like a couple in love.” Kalvin said while looking at us intensely.

I looked at Jake, who at that moment was also looking at me already. We both smiled at them.

“Let’s not doubt them, guys. They will reveal it sooner. Right, Jake?” It was Ivan.

Jake just laughed as he put his arms on my shoulder. I laughed with them.

“Okay, so Ale, our only princess. Why don’t you give the celebrant a friendly kiss since you said that you’re just friends.” Kalvin said while giggling.

“It’s not necessary. Ale, you don’t need to do it if you are not comfortable,” Jake whispered. I squeezed his hand to give him a sign that it was okay.

I looked and kissed him on the cheeks. His friends were screaming and tapping the table loudly. It was also when I noticed a male figure watching behind us.

He was wearing the summer pair that I gave him. What was he doing here? I thought he was not coming before other people could not see his presence- he walked away.

I immediately stood to follow him. From my understanding, he did not like what he saw.