Chapter Eleven: Illusion.
They both stood rooted to the ground, everyone around them was glaring at them but they couldn’t bother. Life felt perfect at that time, Simon was delirious, finally being able to get someone who truly appreciated him. They whispered in each other’s ears. Apparently, she woke up because she felt his presence leaving hers. After noticing, she got up immediately and read the note Simon left for her and rushed down hurriedly to look for him.
After a few minutes of embracing each other, Simon told Nikki that he wanted to go home and have a change of clothes and they can meet up later. She agreed and they walked separate ways but not before another several minutes of hugging. When Simon got up the bus, he knew Nikki was very sad but he re-assured her that he will always be by her side. He told her to call him as soon as he got home as well. A few minutes passed, he didn’t get her call. A few hours passed, he didn’t get her call. He got very worried and decided to call her to ensure that she was okay. He picked up his phone, dialled her number but her hand phone was off. His muscles tensed, his head was full of sweat even though the air-con was blowing straight onto him. He started to imagine all sorts of situations. Most of them could only happen once in a blue moon. But as long as there was a chance, he would start hallucinating about them.
He was very anxious, so he got off the bus and hailed a cab. He went back to her house to confirm that she was okay. He was sweating profusely and used his white polo-shirt to wipe it all off. He was very worried; all this imaginations are sending chills down his spine. He tried to calm himself down by listening to some music from his MP3 but it didn’t work. He kept persuading the taxi driver to drive faster, and he did but he couldn’t go beyond the limit either. He tried to share his stress by sharing this problem with the taxi driver but he didn’t seem to understand, all he said was “okay”, or “I see”. It did help Simon a little by keeping his mind occupied. Finally he arrived outside her house.
After paying the driver, he got off immediately and dashed to her house. Outside her door, he rang the bell but no one seems to be answering. He kept trying to call her phone at the same time but nothing seems to be working. After a few minutes of continuous knocking, he stopped. He sat down by her door steps, and thoughts of her cheating him begun. This feeling is unbearable but there was nothing he could do either. He continued trying to call her but to no avail. Tears slide down his cheeks along with all the sweat. He was feeling so miserable but after an hour, he got through her phone. She picked up and sounded very sleepy. “Hello?” she said. “Where are you? Why is your phone off?” Simon asked her worriedly. She told him that she was sleeping and turned off her phone so she wouldn’t be bothered by anyone. She apologized because she forgot to call Simon. He told her to open her door and she did. Tears came out uncontrollably when she saw him. She was very touched by his actions and told him to come in.
She told him to seat on the couch and immediately turned the fan’s direction towards him. She took a box of tissue papers out for him to wipe his sweat and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “What’s that for?” said Simon with a surprised look on his face. “For caring so much for me, silly.” She exclaimed. “Shouldn’t I deserve more? Because I care a lot for you, and I should have one for loving you, missing you, protecting you...” before Simon could continue listing out everything, but Nikki placed her lips onto his.
After a brief moment, there was silence. Nothing was said, Nikki and Simon were both blushing and Simon excused himself to go to the toilet. He washed up and looked himself in the mirror. It was the first time that a kiss meant so much to him. He took a deep breath, flushed the toilet and walked out calmly. He walked out and saw her sitting by the corner, looking extremely disturbed by something. He walked up to her and asked her what was wrong. She looked at him and said, “Nothing” with a sweet smile right after. Everything was clear to Simon, she wasn’t alright at all. “It’s alright if you don’t want to tell me what is bothering you, but if you ever wanted to, I will always be by your side.” He said. She didn’t said anything afterwards but she switched on the television and they watch her favourite drama series together.
Simon thought it was boring but he tried to stay awake so he could accompany her. He couldn’t believe that Nikki actually fell in love with him but he knew for once that it was a truth that didn’t hurt for once. The feeling that he knew for once would be true towards him. Soon enough he fell asleep, but deep inside, Nikki knew he tried to stay awake for her. She continued watching the show for a few more hours and decided to take a rest.
Just like that, they both fell asleep. Simon woke up after a few hours and decided he was late for his curfew his mother set for him. He slowly stood up and gently laid Nikki’s head on the couch. He grabbed another piece of paper and wrote a note for her. He helped to pack her house from the mess they created while playing and took his leave to the nearby twenty-four hour coffee shop. He bought a packet of rice with his remaining money and brought it up to her house. He woke her up and told her to eat because she hasn’t eaten her dinner. Simon then went to her fridge and got a Panadol pill for her to eat since she has been having a bad headache.
Simon told her that he have to be leaving soon because he is already late for his curfew. Nikki tried to ask him to stay but he couldn’t. His mother had already called him numerous times and he knew if he didn’t obey her this time, he wouldn’t have the privilege of going out anymore. He told Nikki that he would be coming back tomorrow to look for her so she didn’t need to worry. She was reluctant to let him leave but couldn’t do anything about it either because she didn’t want him to get scolded. After a hug, Simon left her house and reminded her to sleep early and that he will always love her.
After he put on his shoes, he stood up, and started to walk away. He looked back and saw Nikki’s sad face. Almost as if she was going to cry. He was feeling guilty for leaving all alone and decided to go back and give her a kiss but before he could, the door closed. He gave up and decided to just go back, have a good rest and look for her tomorrow. He walked slowly to the lift, and kept thinking whether the door will always remain open for him to enter. But he knew that even if it was closed, there would always be a girl who will love him for perfections and flaws as well.
