Chapter 46: The Next Date

A faint, horrifying sound could be heard screaming my name from afar. The longer it went on, the closer and louder it became. The scream blended with the sound of impacts, not just slaps, but more like hard objects crashing into one another. I had no idea what those objects were. The sound shrieked like a broken trumpet, hoarse, piercing, and terrifying.

“Frel.”

I did not respond. Not because I did not want to, but because I could not. My mouth and tongue felt stiff, as if they had lost the ability to produce sound.

“Frel. Frel. Frel!”

The voice called my name again and again. Frustration overwhelmed me. Truly. The sound was incredibly disturbing. I could only hear it without being able to move closer. I could not even answer. My throat felt dry, as if it were locked.

Suddenly, there was an extremely loud crash. I felt as though a massive earthquake was about to happen and crush me mercilessly. Fear gripped me. What if I died before I could escape? Who would find me if my body were buried under the rubble?

Crash. Crash. Crash.

Oh, God, please help me.

“Frel, wake up!”

Thud.

“Ouch, that hurts.” I clutched my waist while grimacing.

Damn it. I fell off the bed.

Who on earth was making such a fuss so early in the morning? Truly had nothing better to do.

Last night, I really could not sleep. At first, I thought that after the date ended, I would drift off while dreaming about Kevan. In reality, forget dreaming, I stayed awake all night because I kept remembering my stupidity at the restaurant.

Do you know what I ordered after that embarrassing sound came from my stomach? With great enthusiasm, I ordered pressure-cooked chicken rice. Even now, I can still imagine how tender the chicken meat was, right down to the bone. I also ordered fresh fruit salad and chocolate ice cream. I finished everything without leaving a single bite.

Meanwhile, Kevan just stared at me with a stunned expression. I only realized how embarrassing the situation was when his laughter burst out and echoed throughout the restaurant.

Embarrassing, truly embarrassing.

“Frel, wake up, wake up, wake up!”

Good grief. That had to be the voice I heard in my dream earlier. I scratched my hair in irritation.

So impatient.

With unsteady steps, I walked to the door and opened it. “Oh my God, Grandma. It’s still morning. What is it? Why are you pounding on the door with a pestle?”

No wonder it sounded like an earthquake. That pestle was made of stone. Luckily, the door did not break down.

Grandma stood there with her hands on her hips, staring at me. “Morning, you say? It’s already eleven a.m., Frel.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Eleven?”

“Past eleven,” she added mercilessly. “You’re a girl, but you’re so lazy about waking up.”

“But it’s Sunday, Grandma. There’s no school,” I protested while yawning.

“A day off doesn’t mean you can wake up like a hibernating bear.” Grandma looked me over from head to toe. “Now go take a shower. There’s a guest looking for you.”

I jolted immediately. “A guest? Who, Grandma? Dara?”

“Not her.”

I sighed. “Tomi?”

“Not him either.”

“Then who? Grandma, don’t keep me in suspense.”

Grandma smiled meaningfully. “Just go to the living room first. You can shower after that.”

I frowned. “Why is the order so strange?”

“It’s not strange.” Grandma’s smile widened. “Have fun again, all right?”

“Have fun?” I murmured suspiciously.

I had a bad feeling. With hesitant steps, I walked toward the living room, still wondering who the guest Grandma meant. As far as I could remember, I did not have any plans with anyone today.

As soon as I got there, my eyes widened. I nearly screamed when I saw the figure sitting calmly on the sofa.

“Kevan?”

He stood up from the sofa. For a brief moment, I caught a frown on his forehead as he took in my appearance, messy hair and a wrinkled sleep shirt. However, the expression only lasted a fraction of a second before a smile formed on his face.

“Hi, Frel,” he greeted casually. “So, are you ready for the next date?”

“What?” my voice rose. “The next date?”

“Yes.” He smiled, this time more gently. “I thought we were not finished yesterday.”

My heart started beating faster.

“But, Kevan, it’s Sunday and I haven’t even washed my face yet!” I exclaimed in panic.

“I don’t mind waiting. I’ll give you twenty minutes to get ready,” he said while glancing at his watch.

“Twenty minutes? That’s impossible!”

“Nineteen minutes and fifty seconds, Frel,” he teased with a victorious smile. “Hurry up, or I’ll take you out looking like that.”

I fell silent for a few seconds, then nodded eagerly. “Okay, don’t go anywhere. Wait for me.”

I turned toward my room with quick steps, trying to hold back the smile that quietly appeared on my face.

It seems this next date will not be any less embarrassing. Or maybe, just the opposite.

............................................