Mila was standing in front of Shal's house. She rang the bell nervously.
Shal walked excitedly to the doorbell camera and a smile spread on his face. He pressed the button to open the door and walked to the door.
Mila removed her shoes and walked inside, "You are living alone here?"
" Yeah, but I told you before. I think you are a forgetful type" She looked in his sparkling eyes curiously and his smile widened.
" But it's okay, I can remind you every time you forget it" he said holding her face in his hands.
She flickered her eyes and pulled herself back putting her hands on her legs awkwardly, " Don't be so touchy"
" Why?" He made a sulky face " It's my right"
" Where is refrigerator?" She tried to change the topic as she couldn't get the situation.
" It's this way" he lead her inside storage room. Navy Blue refrigerator was settled there. It still had shiny gloss as it looked good in condition.
She tried to open it but it didn't open.
Shal came behind her and extended his hand, " It's locked. You can open it like this"
She was startled by his closeness and turned around leaning on refrigerator. His hand was still on refrigerator above her head. She looked at his eyes that were staring right into her eyes. He found her so cute and brought his lips closer to her and kissed her. It was so sudden that Mila got drawn into his actions. He putted his arm on her waist and pulled her closer while kissing her. At that time Mila quickly pushed his hand away and freed herself from his grip.
" What do you think you are doing?" Her eyes got teary.
He noticed that.
" Mila" he walked to her.
" Don't come closer to me" she said walking backwards. She quickly walked out of his apartment.
" Why is she acting like that" he thought looking at her from behind.
From that time on she started avoiding her . He went to her desk during lunch time. She quickly picked up her book and walked out of classroom.
Shal walked behind her and looked at her walking away in the hallway.
" Where did things gone wrong. What did I do that upset her" he thought, " Should I give her some time? Or should I ask her what's wrong?" He took a deep sigh and looked at the playground, " But how? She is not willing to listen to me" he ran his hands through his hairs in frustration.
A week passed by and Mila didn't gave Shal a chance to talk to him. It was Monday and Shal was determined to talk to her today by all means. He walked through the Institute gate and saw a boy confessing to Mila.
" Please go out with me" he said extending his hand in which he was holding a flower bouquet.
Shal curiously looked at Mila. Mila noticed him standing there. Their eyes met before Mila looked back at the guy . She accepted flowers and said " Sure" an awkward smile took place on her face.
The boy hugged her happily. Shal whole body gone numb. Shal extended his hand to stop him but backed out, " Is she breaking up with me?"
The boy held her hand and they walked away leaving Shal looking at them from behind. A drop dripped at his hand. He touched his cheeks " Am I crying?" He thought while wiping his face. He kept staring at them until they disappeared. He wanted to walk inside but his feet didn't budge. The fear of losing Mila took him by surprise.
**O**
" Why did you break up with Shal " Rosa Mila's friend asked stuffing her face with food during lunch break.
" We were never together"
" Don't lie. I saw him kissing you at lips"
" About that I want an explanation too"
"Huhh?"
"Sigh, I don't know" She rested her head on table.
" What about new boy"
" I accepted his feelings to avoid Shal"
" What? Are you playing with Martin?" Rosa asked raising her eyebrows.
"It's not like that "
" Then why are you avoiding Shal? If you don't have feelings for him you can reject him straight forwardly"
Mila stayed silent at this.
" Don't tell me.... You like him?"
Mila nodded slowly " I do like him but I think he is a bad boy. I am afraid that my feelings will take over me . That's why I want to date Martin to forget about my useless emotions"
" So you are dating Martin while you have someone else in your heart?"
" Don't worry I will fall for him while we date " Mila said picking up her bag leaving her food tray that wasn't touched at all.
" Where are you going"
" To get some fresh air. I feel suffocated here"
**O**
Shal entered his room and threw his bad on the ground. He sat down on his table and saw his face in the mirror in front of him.
" Why ? Why she chose him over me like others. If she was going to leave, why would she come into my life?" He sat there like this for a long time. Slowly the door started knocking and an old song started playing. He poured some water and took out his pills but suddenly stopped. He stared at the pills for a while . The moments when Mila avoided his touch played in front of him.
" What if it was all an illusion. What if every touch with her was a lie" He looked into the mirror in his eyes, " Then I was forcing..... " He covered his mouth and stopped talking stunned at realisation.
He quickly stood up, entered the bathroom, opened the shower and stood there for a long while. He was trying to deny the reality.
He was looking down on his feet. Water flowing from his head to his feet then heading to the drain nearby. Suddenly the water going to drain started to come up and started to wrapp his body. He thrashed around to free himself from the icy grip of water. He stumbled and fall down to the floor. He covered his head with his arms and closed his eyes. He was breathing heavily. His body was shivering.
He stayed in that posture for a while then opened his eyes. There was nothing around him. Just shower water was falling down. He relaxed his body and leaned over the wall . He pushed his hair back, stood up slowly and walked out taking support of the wall.
The next day he entered the class room, ignored Mila and sat down on his seat. He looked out of window habitually.
Mila noticed the bruise on his cheek. She stood up and approached him , " What happened to your face?"
" None of your business" he said coldly recognising Mila voice still looking out of window.
" Yeah it was my decision to leave him. Let's not mind him" She thought as she bit her lip and sat down back on her seat.
She couldn't help but steal glimpses of him during classes.
" What happened to him?" She mumbled.
" He is waiting for you" Rosa whispered in her ears.
She looked to the door. Martin was waiting for her.
Martin and Mila was sitting on the bench.
" I have something to tell you"
" Sure, go ahead"
" I want to apologize for accepting your feelings."
" Huhh?"
" I actually have someone I like. I just accepted your feelings to avoid him. At first I thought I will slowly fall in love with you. But to be your girlfriend.... I need to.... I need to touch you and everything but I think I just can't do that. I'm sorry" she said stumbling upon her words.
She stood up bowed and shouted " I am really sorry" then ran away.
Martin looked at her going away and chuckled. He threw the burger he was eating on the ground, " How dare she take advantage of me!"
Rosa was heading home.
"Rosa!" Martin called.
Rosa turned around.
" Were you aware that Mila was interested in someone else" Martin asked approaching her .
" Re...ally? Hah ha how would I know...."
" I know she shares everything with you and just now you confirmed that you knew" Martin interrupted her .
" But why do you want to know?"
" I'm just curious okay. I just want to know who he is " he said nonchalantly.
" But it will only make things awkward "
" I just want to know what type of man she likes" He insisted.
" Shal her classmate. But you two are dating isn't this...."
" She broke up with me for him" Rosa was intrupted by Martin again.
" Then why would you ask about him?" She questioned dumbfounded.
" See you later " he ignored her and walked away.
" What's wrong with him" Rosa mumbled in frustration.
**O**
Days passed by and Shal and Mila only grew apart.
Shal was standing in front of the mirror looking at himself.
(Flashback of His Illusion)
The doorbell rang " Dingdong"
Shal looked through the doorbell camera. Mila was standing there.