爱の恐惧

Love Phobia

[ Chapter 17 ]

We were given

two hands to hold,

two legs to walk,

two eyes to see,

two ears to listen,

But,

Why only one heart ?

Becausethe other one was given to someone for us to find ...

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" Juliet .... " Reagan said.

" huh .. ? " I responded ...

I've responded to him unknowingly. I was in fear. Somehow my intuition tells me that he knew it was me.

" that was her name ... tsk .. come to think of it .. it was real ironic how it all began & ended. I used to be so adamant about my platonic relationship with her, only to find out at later stages, it was a term that most has refered to as "love" . Yet this love doesn't consist of kisses, hugs, & even confessions. It was just a beautiful love story woven by a blanket of light & purity. Perhaps this is what love has been all about, the simple truth & vast meaning behind it .. S'Agapo "

I was left dumb founded after hearing what Reagan has said. My tears slowly flowed down the cheeks. That feeling cooped up within me all these years just exploded in a burst, it gushes out like a endless river flowing down the stream.

--------------

After my sharing, the shadow is crying again.

" hey you alright ? did you see something again ? or did i mention anything to trigger your tears ... ?? hey if I did .. I'm real sorry about it ... "

I was rather panic-stricken, cause I'm not really good with dealing such situations, moreover towards a stranger.

The shadow only responded by shaking her head vigourously.

Just then at this moment, the lights came back to life, the whole school building was lighted up again. It seems that the night walk has ended. I went into eye contact with the frightened schoolmate.

" Juliet .... " I murmured.

She was in tears, & immediately ran out of the classroom after seeing me. I chased after her. I do not want history to repaeat itself anymore. It was a scene back then which left me in regrets till now, I just want everything to come to an end.

" Juliet .... Juliet ..... " I shouted as I chased after her down the corridor.

At the end of corridor, Juliet suddenly ran into the arms of another schoolmate. I ran closer, only to find out that it was actually Joanne.

Juliet was crying softly in the arms of Joanne. & I appeared stunned, not knowing what to do. Joanne seems to be in a confused state of mind too.

" what happened ... ? " Joanne broke the ice by asking.

" sh .. she .. she seems petrified by the night walk just now ... " I stuttered.

"Juliet dearie .. its all over now .. shhh ... dry up your tears ... " Joanne whispered to Juliet.

" erm .. I think I should be getting back to my group .. see ya around ... "

I turned my back towards them & walk off solemnly. Seeing Juliet in good hands, I kinda feel at ease, but I was kinda affected by the appearance of Joanne, it was kinda weird to talk to her the way we did before in the past before that incident, & moreover she knew juliet which made things more complicated.

-----------------------

" Juliet dearies ... you ok ?? " Joanne trying to calm me down.

I nod my head in a monotonous manner.

" I'm so sorry earlier on, i was being pushed from the crowd, then I loses you ... you seem really petrified from the night walk ar ... must feedback to the senior .. tsk tsk .. " Joanne explained.

" nah its ok .... anyway its over .. " I replied with a smile.

In my mind, i was praying that it will be all over between me & Reagan.

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" RIng !!! Ring !!!!!!! " the school alarm went off.

It was the first day of school after orientation. Mixed feelings engulfed me through this whole of orientation especially after i finally get to see Juliet. I was eager to see her once again, & clear all the misunderstandings & doubts we have back then.

I went into the lecture hall with anticipation of getting to see Juliet again. Upon entering, I tried to search for her, but to no avail, once again it failed just like the previous experiences I had .. I found a empty seat & sat down. It was kinda demoralizing after the numerous attempts.

" sighs ... a bad start to the day .. " I mumbled to myself.

Just then, I heard a familiar voice behind me ...

" phew ... glad we make it in time ... Joanne .. can you pls wake up early next time .. ? tsk "

I immediately turned my head around, & saw Juliet talking to Joanne. My actions seem to have captured the attention of both, & they paused their conversation.

" erm ... hi .. good morning ~ " I stuttered ending off with a smile.

I could see the stun reaction on both their faces.

" hi .. mr shakespeare .... " Joanne suddenly interrupted the awkward & tense situation between us.

It was just like the good old days, where me & Joanne will greet & make fun of each other.

" uh .. come on .. we've completed that syallabus .. isn't it .. no more shakespeare .. hurhur " I replied

" ta-haa ~ bleah .. " Joanne answered me back teasingly.

So the session ended off with that hope re-ignited in me. I knew that It was a chance not to be missed this time.

-------------------

" RING !!!! " break time finally came.

" Joanne dearie ... you .. "

" STOP !!! I know what ya going to ask .. " Joanne interrupted me before i could continue on ...

" actually .. I've been sorting out my thoughts all these time. Reagan wasn't at fault for that incident, he didn't let me down, well at the very least he was being frank with me, instead of letting me sink deeper into this misunderstanding, it was more on my wishful part that allow this friendship to have gone wrong .. I can't possibly let my pride overturn all these, to lose a good friend, " Joanne ended off with a smile.

" uh-huh .... actually .. Joanne .. I've something to confess too " I replied back.

" hmmm .. confess that you actually know Reagan ? "

" huh ? how you know ? "

" te-hee ... it all started from the orientation .. when you first met each other in the lecture hall ... the way you both looked at each other, I should have guessed that you both have something going on, well I got further confirmations during the night walk .. tee-hee "

I was speechless. Inside my mind, it was full of twirls, I'm just confused on what to do next.

" Joanne dearie .. I'm sorry .. I didn't really meant to hide it from you ... "

Joanne gave me a hug.

" Nah .. its okie .. some things aren't at the right moment to reveal, or else there will be more frictions causing more misunderstandings ... "

" Thanks for being so understanding .... Joanne dearie .. "

I started to tell Joanne the story behind me & Reagan from day one till now.

" wow .. fascinating ...the "fatum" between you both ... gosh .... " Joanne appears to be overwhelm by the story.

" "fatum" ? I would rather labelled it as a feud between the two families .. *sighs* .. I just don't know how to face him anymore, if he ever get to know the truth behind his mum departure .. "

" But ... its not your fault at all .. why let the wrongdoings of the previous generation fall upon this generation ... moreover you can't deny that "fatum" link between you both, & I'm honoured to be part of this link between you both ... tee-hee " Joanne teasingfully said.

" awww .. come on .. lets not get started again ... " I replied

" well ... afterall I know mr "ROMEO" little secrets too ... tee-hee .. I not only study with him for the past 4 years okays ... " Joanne making fun of me again.

I started to visualize in my mind, if only that fearful truth didn't exist, what will be the outcome of me & Reagan ?

" aww .. Joanne pls spare me .. I'm all confused now .. don't get it going ... "

" tee-hee .. yes Juliet dearie .. but i ought to let you know that mr "ROMEO" is a good catch okays .... look at the popularity he has .. mesmerizing all the girls here with his "SOTONG" look .. hahaha "

" sighs ...... "

" RING !!!! " it was back to lesson time.

We will be going back to individual classroom for home room period. It was also a first look at our own classroom & classmates for the next 2 years.

" hey .. Juliet dearie .. I'm all excited to know who will be our classmates ? make a guess , will we see mr "ROMEO" again .. keke " Joanne whispered to me.

" well .. its bad enough that we are in the same lecture group le .. pls spare me .. " I gave a piercing look towards Joanne.

Just at this moment, Reagan entered into the classroom.

Joanne acted as if she striked lottery, & was in a frenzy mode.

" hey ... Juliet ... you can't win the "fatum" afterall .... tee-heee " Joanne joked.

" sighs ....... "

------------

I went into the classroom, hoping for a chance to be in the same class as Juliet. Fate didn't fails me this time, as she appeared right in front of me.

I went in & sat down.

Before long, our home room teacher came in.

" alright .. class .. address me as miss Tan ... I'll be your home room teacher for the next 2 years to come .. feel free to approach me if you guys have any problem with studies or even your personal problems .. hmmm firstly let me take a good look at this class ... come on loosen up don't be so tense ... whats with all that serious look in all of you ... I'm not that scary right ? " Miss Tan ended off with a dorky expression.

The whole class broke into laughter.

" hmm .. I don't like what I'm seeing at the current class seating arrangement ... why the girls seating at one side & guys one side .... tsk humf ... I prefer to see a balance in this small community here .. guys ... don't let your ego stop ya ..& girls stop being paiseh (shy) ... okays !!! alright .. lets do some switching of seats ... that guy with that "SOTONG" look ... " Miss Tan pointed towards my direction ..

I turned my head behind ...

" Hey .. its you ... stop turning your head ... "

Only then I realised that it was me , the guy with "SOTONG" look ?

The class broke into laughter again ...

" taa-haaaa ~ yes .. mr "SOTONG" boy .. its you ... & oo ~ just for your information .. I've always this liking for "SOTONG" .. thats why i usually address those handsome hunks as SOTONG .. " Miss Tan joked.

" awwww ... HANDSOME HUNK !!! " The class sychronising together to shout, playing along with the joke.

" Thanks ... Miss Tan for your compliment ... " I replied back ...

" taa-haaa alright enough of jokes .. hmm you switch places with that lady at the middle, the petite one with specs ... "

Miss Tan was refering to Joanne, which means I'll be sitting next to Juliet. I turned my head towards Juliet & Joanne direction, to see Juliet's shocked reaction.

I nodded, & slowly approach my way towards the table.

" Good luck to ya .... " Joanne whispered to me in a soft tone, before gathering her stuff & make way towards my old table.

I sat down & take a look towards Juliet, she was clearly avoiding from keeping an eye contact with me, as she looked down the table most of the times.

" hmm .. okays .. I'm satisfied with what I'm seeing now .. this shall be the new seating arrangement .. lets gets on to knowing you guys well ... hmm who shall start the ball rolling first ... " Miss Tan asked the class.

" the " SOTONG" boy ... " Joanne suddenly shouted.

I was kinda taken aback, & soon after the class started to cheer & applause for my introduction ..

" woo .. you're becoming popular ... " Miss Tan joked.

I brave up my front, muster my courage, & walked to the front. Just at this moment, a familiar scene was reanacted in my mind, when Juliet first came over as a transfer student back then ...

"Hi everyone, my name is spelled ... R O M E O, Romeo ... I'm sure most of you have just completed that R & J syallabus during ya O lvls .. so you guys should know me at the tip of your finger tip .. "Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!/ For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night."

The class broke into laughter ...

"hee .. alright enough of jokes .. I'm Reagan previously from RI .. hopefully I get to know all of you, & lets create some havoc for Miss Tan this 2 years .. okays .. "

" YEAH !!! " the class started to make some noises

" o .. & before I go back to my seat, YOU !!! ask me a question " I pointed towards Juliet ...

The whole class went silent & looked towards Juliet direction.

" s-oo-so-so you got a girlfriend named Juliet ? " Juliet unexpectedly greeted me with a smile.

The whole class went into hilarious laughter mode again.

I gave a smile back instantly,

" nahz..so u wanna be my Juliet ? " I replied back.

We both stared at each other for the first time since the night walk incident.

It was just exactly like how me & Juliet first met back then.

[ To be cont.. ]

My bounty is as deep as the sea,

My love as deep; the more I give to thee,

The more I have, for both are infinite.

William Shakespeare