Chapter 97: Sorry

97. Sorry

It takes me more than two hours to reach the university. I call Emma the girl Riley told me about. She asks me to visit Wing B of the Dormitory.

“It’s late. I am not sure if they will allow you in or not.”

“Yes, I understand. Thanks for your help.” I reply while buying some flowers for Natalie.

I wish I had bought something for her at the gift shop.

When I reach the said building, I take a breath of relief when they let me enter the dorm only with a simple check-in. Of course, I lied about who I am. I just hope they don’t throw me out before I can meet Natalie.

“You cannot stay for the night.” The guard grunts and I nod.

My heart is thumping with excitement and anxiety.

After asking around for a while, I finally reach her room. It was hard because I almost looked like a creep.

Her room is locked, so I wait patiently. I am damn anxious and excited at the same time.

I just hope I can meet her without any incident. How will she react?

Will she be happy or furious?

With each passing second, I am feeling fidgety.

…..

“What are you doing here?” A girl asks. Probably a senior.

Fuck.

“Waiting for my girlfriend.”

I can call her my girlfriend. Right?

She raises a brow at me. “How about calling her instead of waiting in front of her room?” She asks me suspiciously.

“It’s her birthday, I want to surprise her.. “Thank goodness I was smart enough to buy the flowers.

She eyes me. “You are not some Ex or a stalker. Right?”

I flush.

I was anxious the whole ride wondering what if she was dating someone else now? What If I am too late? She wrote that letter two months ago, after all.

Does it make me a stalker ex?

I gamble and ask, “Why don’t you take me to her and we can ask her?”

I am suspicious. She knows Natalie, that’s why she is worried about her.

“Alright lover boy.. What’s her name? And how old is she?” She crosses her arms and asks me.

I grin. That was easy.

“Natalie Relish… She turns 18 today. Basically an adult.”

‘And you are still a minor.’ I can almost hear her teasing me.

“Why is she here?”

“A runner program. I can tell her favorite food, color and dress choices too. I know my girl.” I tell her confidently.

She nods approvingly and waves me to come with her, and I follow.

… …

She takes me through a labyrinth of passages, and eventually we are out of the building. It’s a backyard hidden away in a corner. Definitely not easy to access. There are many students around. It looks like a party or get together.

”She came here half an hour ago. She must be here somewhere...”

“Thanks,” I say.

“I hope you are indeed her boyfriend…” she says, eyeing me again.

“If you harass her or something… We won’t be good to you, pretty boy. So be civil with her.” She warns and takes off with her friends.

I want to roll my eyes. But I don’t dare. I am glad there are people here who care about Natalie. It’s a safe place for her.

Suddenly a laughter bursts out in a corner and a voice booms.

“Such a naughty - naughty girl she is!”

Then I hear her laugh.

“I had to try!” she says. I can recognize her musical voice anywhere in the world.

“Now baby-girl, you are in trouble…”

I walk towards her. The crowd of students block my view.

“You! Natalie… Have to understand you are an adult now... When you lie… and get caught.. you have to face the consequences.”

“Alright… Bring it on.”

Then I finally see her and I freeze in my spot… Mesmerized by her. I am not sure if she has turned more beautiful, or she always was.

Last few weeks were so hard I thought I would never see her again in life. She laughs, and I am just lost standing there. Seeing her feels like a fresh breath of air.

Some students push a boy in front of her and my trance breaks.

“Natalie! Lucas! Natalie! Lucas! Natalie! Lucas!”

And a realization dawns on me.

He holds her chin up, and I shake my head in disbelief.

“WAIT A MINUTE! What the fuck is going on here?”

The boy stops and turns his head towards me. He looks at me, confused, then at the flowers in my hands. Natalie doesn’t look at me. I am sure she heard me.

Fuck!

“Ohh… What do we have here…” the girl in the center drawls. “Have you been hiding a boy on the side, Natalie?”

Natalie finally looks at me with furious green eyes. Then she brushes past me and paces away from the party.

God, don’t tell me I fucked up again!

“Are you her boyfriend?” I ask the boy to be sure.

“Uhh,” He says.

“Are you?“ I snap at him.

“No!“

Thank Fuck!

I turn and storm behind her.

“Natalie… Listen!”

She doesn’t listen and keeps striding.

I grab her arm and tug her to face me.

She shrugs my arm away and snaps at me, “What the fuck do you want?”

I don’t know how to answer her.

“I expected a better reaction… To be honest!”

“Why?” She crosses her arms and her face is flamed in anger.

“Is it because we had such a lovely conversation last time?” She snarls at me.

I go quiet at her jibe.

“Or is it because you humiliated me in front of everyone?” She says, gesturing towards the ongoing party.

I frown.

“What the fuck do you mean by I humiliated you there?”

“You didn’t?” She challenges me.

I scoff. “You froze! I stopped him.”

Just unbelievable!

I thought it was obvious.

“They were bullying you to kiss him.” I add.

She shakes her head and says,

“Doesn’t matter… Now everyone will think I have a boyfriend, but still I am kissing around boys like a who-“

I drop the bouquet on floor and place a finger on her mouth before she can say the word. She stumbles back and her body presses to the wall.

“Don’t say that word.” I tell her in a low voice.

I haven’t forgotten June had called her that!

She blinks and I pull my hand away. I am caging her right now. The temptation to kiss her is strong, but I step back.

“Don’t use degrading words for yourself, Natalie.”

I hated that she wrote the same word in the letter too..

“And about our last conversation… I am sorry.. I was being pathetic that day… Whatever I said to you showed my narrow mind and distrustful character, Natalie. It had nothing to do with you...”

Tears pool in her eyes, and she looks away from me. My heart aches at her silence.

“Say something…” I urge her.

She swallows and looks down at the fallen bouquet.

“Flowers are beautiful…”

“I let you down Natalie… I am sorry…” I choke out words. “Say something that matters not about the damn flowers…”