"My every breath belongs to you my every beat says your name I am yours totally from you my world starts from you my world ends you are the star I graze in night ... I love you... I just love you" He said then kissed the hand.
I couldn't resist his deep eyes, locked into mine. His sharp gaze waited for my answer I couldn't wait to be his. I hugged him, and a tear rolled down my cheek. I loved the depth of his emotions. Those honest eyes that can never lied...
"Aurelia.... Hey Aurelia.... Heyyy wake up you idiot!!!!"
I opened my eyes halfway and saw my elder sister standing in front of me, calling my name. She always scolded me for waking up late. I'm not a morning person. Everyone in my family wakes up around 7 a.m.—except me, the black sheep who wakes up at 10.
"Don't you have to go to the library to return your books? You've already missed a week! They've called me a thousand times. Why on earth did you give them my number?" Lara snapped.
"Umm… I just can't handle their calls every day. They literally call every single day, even after I told them I'd return the books next week! You know how busy I've been with assignments, projects, and lectures lately. I just don't have time," I said while getting out of bed, fixing the bedsheets, and placing things back in their place.
"Whatever. I don't care about your mess, but don't you ever give them my number again!" she warned.
"Yes, my lady. As you command," I said dramatically, side-hugging her and blowing a flying kiss before rushing into the bathroom.
She smiled and headed downstairs.
---
I wore a white shirt with denim jeans and a matching denim jacket, paired with white sneakers. I tied my hair in a high ponytail and looked into the mirror.
"Why do I look so beautiful even in something simple? What if a man falls in love with me on the street? Our eyes meet. I run away shyly. He searches for me across the city, only to ask for my number. Wow—what a scene." I smiled shamelessly, lost in the imaginary fairytale.
"You idiot! Daydreaming again?" Lara had returned.
"I've been calling you, and here you are, busy imagining some random love story. Don't you want a handsome man who'll love you effortlessly?"
"Of course I do," I pouted. "But you always interrupt my stories at the most romantic part!"
"Well, right now there's no prince charming, just your overdue library books. If you don't leave now, I'm calling Mom. You know what that means."
She picked up her phone and almost dialed Mom's number.
"Nooooo! I'm going! I swear, I'm leaving now! Bye, bye, bye!" I yelled, running out of the house.
---
Thank God! I would've been dead if she had called Mom. Not because I'm scared of her—but because of her lectures. Two hours straight over the smallest mistake!
I hopped on a bus and got a seat beside a boy. I couldn't see his face—it was covered with a scarf and a hat.
I pulled out my phone to check my emails and messages. A flood of messages from friends… and students I tutored. I work part-time as a tutor for students preparing for exams. We come from a middle-class family, so I have to contribute too.
In my house, there's Lara—my elder sister, a designer. My mom owns a small café, and my dad works for a small company abroad. He's unhappy with the pay—so much work, and barely anything in return. And then there's me, in the final year of my management degree, juggling part-time jobs and a small upcycling business where I turn waste into handmade items.
---
Suddenly, the bus stopped—in the middle of nowhere. Everyone looked around, confused.
I heard someone crying outside... a scream too. I couldn't see clearly, but there seemed to be a group of people.
I turned to the boy beside me and asked, "Excuse me, can you please tell me what happened?"
"Hmm," he murmured, half-asleep.
"What?" I leaned closer. I could barely hear him.
"Don't disturb," he said, turning his face away.
"Huh?" I asked again.
"What's wrong with you?" he snapped, annoyed.
"Our bus stopped. Something's happening outside. Can you check what's going on? I'm already running late!" I explained.
"Okay," he said, and finally looked out the window.
Then his eyes widened. He sat up straight, shocked.
"Oh God…" he whispered.
"What?? What happened??" I asked anxiously.
Something felt very wrong.