Chapter 8: Mud

Chapter 8: Mud

The next morning as Nadine was being driven to school she noticed a fence around the side of the road leading to the river. She had the car stopped and there were barbed wires surrounding the fence. “PRIVATE PROPERTY” the sign board said and below that was the logo of the company of Anthony’s father.

Once inside the campus she tried to look for Jeff and Tony but she had no luck. She tried again looking for Jeff at lunch time but she only saw Anya who she totally ignored. After classes in the afternoon she waited for Jeff but only Tony showed his face. “Hey Tony what the hell is your father trying to do?” she asked and he grinned. “Actually it was my idea, I have plans for that place” he said. “And what plans are those?” she asked and he laughed. “Of course to take out his sweet spot, I know that is where he like to hang out and I saw you two there yesterday” he told her.

“I was there yesterday but he wasn’t” she said. “Oh? That is not what I saw. I saw clearly that after you left he also left the place. So don’t lie to me now, you hate liars so don’t hate yourself” Tony said and she slapped him in the face. Tony was about to slapped her back but Bart threw a punch straight to his jaw which knocked him to the ground. Tony was dazed and could not stand up, “Don’t bother standing up, just crawl away asshole!” Bart yelled and Tony mustering his pride, he crawled away to safety to the delight of onlookers.

“Are you alright Nadine?” Bart asked and Emily stood there beside them. “You bitch how dare you even show your face to me!!!” Nadine screamed as she was about to slap Anya on the face. Bart prevented her from doing so and embraced her. “Stop it Nadine! You two need to talk” Bart told her. “I don’t want to talk to that bitch!” Nadine yelled and Maureen showed up and faced her. “I really think you two should talk” she said.

Nadine agreed so they all sat down on a nearby bench. Anya stood in front of Nadine and stared her in the eyes. “If you don’t want to talk to me, then you just listen” she said and Nadine tried to look away. “Jeff approached me about three weeks ago, asking for a job. He said he needed money so I tried give him but he said he wanted to work for it” Anya said. “He brought out that issue to me first; he was asking why you were acting strange towards him. I told you might be bored so I suggested that he treated you to your favorite restaurant. I tried to lend him the money but he said he wanted to work for it” Maureen added and Nadine looked at them.

“He came to me for help so I let him work at my estate. He cleaned our cars, just to earn enough to treat you on a date at your favorite restaurant” Anya related and Nadine was starting to feel very guilty. “For twelve days he would come to my house and work that is why you don’t see him every afternoon. On the twelfth day he was problematic since he felt he was losing you to Tony” Anya said and all Nadine could do was take it all in.

“He planned everything, he sent you a text message that afternoon so you had no time to react and just go there. He waited for two hours and you never showed up. I felt worried so I came over and when I tried to call you…you called me first and saw us there…you didn’t even bother to listen to us” Anya said and Nadine shook her head in disbelief.

“I can’t you believe you for making up that story to cover up your fault” Nadine said and she stood up and walked away. The three didn’t stop her and just watched her walk out of the campus exit. A few seconds later Jeff stood in front of them, the noticed his shoes were all muddy and he had his head bowed. “Thank you for trying” he told them and he too walked away.

The last day of the exams arrived and Nadine just came out of her final class. She was walking the hall sluggishly and her professor caught up with her. “Nadine, I never saw you like this. Is something bothering you?” her professor asked. “Professor do you know a student named Jeffery Atkins?” she asked and the professor’s face lit up. “Ah yes Jeff, I heard some colleagues speak of him at the lounge” she said. “What course is he taking?” Nadine asked and her professor paused and nodded. “I think it was Literature or something” she said and Nadine’s heart suddenly beat fast. She never asked Jeff what he was taking, and he never told him her course either.

“Professor may I ask why is Jeff famous?” Nadine asked and her professor smiled at her. “That boy has gone through so much in life and he wrote a story telling his tale. The story was not finished yet actually that’s what he said but that incomplete story earned him a scholarship here. I think you should go see their dean. Oh if I could remember he likewise had a poem collection which the university decided to publish as a gift for his graduation” the professor said and Nadine just froze and guilt feelings started to encompass her whole body.

“Nadine are you alright?” the professor asked and she shook her head. “Professor could you please accompany me to his dean, I want to take a look at his work” Nadine said and the professor gladly accompanied her.

Upon reaching the Dean of Literature’s office Nadine and her professor was surprised to see the floor muddy. “Jean, what a surprise, come in. Don’t mind the mud, our top student was here a while ago and I just don’t know why his feet and pants were muddy” the old man said. “Jeff was here?” Nadine asked and the old man looked at her. “Henry this is our top student Nadine, I’m sure you have heard of her” Jean said.

“That’s funny; Jeffrey left something for a certain Nadine Sanders. I think this is for you” Henry said and handed over to her an art notebook. Nadine quickly opened the art book and saw a sketch of her, the other part was missing so she quickly got out her folder and took the sketch Tony gave her. It fitted perfectly, and the result was a sketch of her holding the tulip. She could remember now, the clothes she was wearing on the sketch were the same clothes she wore the first time she visited the place.

She turned the page and another sketch of her wearing the clothes she wore the second day. As she flipped the pages, tears started to fall down her cheek. Only Jeff could have drawn these since he was the only one with her at those times. At the last page was a sketch of her lying in bed beside a man without a face. “This was the last image I had of you. I hope the sketch that you have fits perfectly to the missing page of this notebook” was scribbled below the last sketch. She could not take it anymore; she fell to the ground and sobbed.

Everyone inside the office tried to console her but Nadine cried even louder. She hated herself at that moment; she didn’t trust him and let herself be duped by Tony. An hour later the campus was almost empty because it was Spring break already. Nadine walked out the building holding the notebook close to her chest. Outside were her friends who she did not trust waiting for her. She again cried and everyone hugged her.

“I was wrong, I’m so sorry” she said as she embraced Anya. “Hush now, don’t worry about it” Anya said as she hugged her tightly. The four of them took the back route towards the river to check if Jeff was there. They walked through the mud only to find a piece of paper stuck on the trunk of the tree.

It was a poem for Nadine, all she read was the title and she began to lose control again and sobbed. Bart took the paper and read it aloud, “Farewell, Nadine” he said and Maureen stopped him. Bart folded the piece of paper and placed it inside Nadine’s bag. They all walked back towards the campus comforting her along the way. Nadine didn’t want to leave the campus but it was already dark. Fritz was already there so she gave in and they went home.

Two days after, Anya was ready to go on her Spring Break trip but she decided to stop by the campus and take a last peek at the river. She walked towards the barbed wires and she saw a pair of legs with muddy shoes. She could not tell who it was because the upper body was hidden by the huge trunk of the tree. “Jeff! Is that you?!” she yelled but the body didn’t move.

“Jeff it’s me Anya! Are you okay Jeff?!” she again shouted but there was no response. Anya could not do anything and she even got her hand cut by the barbed wires. Her driver stepped out to help but he too got wounded by the wires. “Is there another way around madam?” the driver asked. “Yes but we have no time for that, can we cut open this fence?” she asked and the driver got back in the car. “Madam please wait for me, I will be back as fast as I can” he said and the car sped off. Anya was worried because the body under the tree was not moving. “Jeff! If you can hear me please move your legs” she yelled but still he wasn’t moving.

Minutes later her driver returned with a huge wire cutter. They got inside and ran towards the tree. Anya fell on her knees as she cuddled Jeff in her arms. He was full of mud all over his body, he looked very weak. “Jeff! What happened to you?” she asked but the driver carried Jeff and they ran back to the car. “We have to take you to the hospital” Anya said as Jeff was lying on her lap. “No…I’m fine…I’m just hungry” he whispered so Anya instructed the driver to head back home.

“How many days have you not eaten?” Anya asked and Jeff just smiled at her. “You still can smile after this?” she asked and he looked at her. “Because I’m tired of crying and having pity on myself” he replied and she almost broke down into tears. “Don’t worry I will take care of you. I will give you a bath and feed you” Anya said just to keep her tears in check.

As soon as they got to her house Anya helped Jeff to the bathroom and started to undress him. “Hey, I said I was hungry and not horny” he told her and she laughed. “You look dirty and you smell I am going to give you a bath” Anya said. “You’re going to see me naked” Jeff said and she looked at him. “Well you’re right, so you bath yourself” she said and she stepped out of the bathroom. Five minutes later she went back inside to check on him, she saw Jeff seated on the tiled floor naked. His head was looking towards the shower head and the hot water hitting his face.

“Jeff what are you doing?” Anya asked. “Hiding my tears…can you distinguish my tears from the water Anya?” he replied. “Bathe yourself now, you might get sick if you stay wet too long” Anya told him. “Maybe later…I feel too weak to move right now” he whispered. Anya took off her clothes and got inside and started bathing him. “Jeff, the other day we went to your spot but you weren’t there, where did you go?” she asked. “I was there…I saw you four…you just didn’t look hard enough…but I was there” he answered. “It was getting dark but honestly there was no one there” she told him. “I was…lying on the mud…I fainted…I tried to get up but I fell back down…I felt too weak so I laid there. I heard you all talking, I was there in the mud…probably where I belong” he said.

Anya embraced him as she could hear him sobbing, “What did I do wrong Anya? Why is it so hard to please people like you? I thought she loved me…then why could she not believe in me? She said I was worst than Tony…am I? She called me a liar when Tony was the one lying. Is it because I am dirt poor that she cannot trust me? I did my best to please her Anya you know that, but why did this happen?” Jeff emoted as he continued sobbing. All Anya could do was embrace him tighter and cry with him.

“Hey Anya are you crying?” Jeff asked. “Yes but you can’t distinguish the tears from the water” she replied. Jeff leaned his head backwards and he was able to see Anya’s face, “The water isn’t hitting you, I can see your tears” he told her and she smiled. “Jeff were you trying to kill yourself by staving?” she asked and he shook his head.

“I went to withdraw from my ATM, my mom sends me food money. The machine said that my account was suspended. I asked the bank but they called the police because someone reported my card stolen. They took me to the precinct for they did not believe me that I was the real owner. They had to wait for the University to open to verify who I was. I got locked up, at least I got to sleep on a bed. When I was released the bank said they needed twenty four hours to get my account back online, I couldn’t even withdraw from the counter” he recalled.

“Why didn’t you come to me?” Anya asked and Jeff bowed his head. “I was ashamed…you have already done so much to help me. So with the loose change I had left I just bought some sweets and candy…I decided to just sleep it off and go back to the bank the next day but I just was too weak to move so I slept again but I was calling out for her. She never came…she never heard me…but you did” he said softly.

“Hey Anya” Jeff said. “What is it Jeff?” she asked. “Breasts are soft” he stated, Anya’s breast were pressing against his back, she knew he was stating a fact since he said so innocently. Anya laughed and hugged him tighter; Jeff giggled and shook his head. “Anya, you better stop that its causing major blood rush to one of my organs” he joked and they laughed together. “That is a natural reaction” she stated and again Jeff giggled. “Yeah I know I’ve been having the same thing for twelve days when I had to wash your cars” Jeff said and Anya laughed louder.

“It’s your fault actually for wearing skimpy outfits and watching me. You know I could have cleaned two cars in a day but I was trying to hide the tent that was forming in my pants half of the time” he joked and the more Anya burst in laughter.

“How are you able to make me laugh after all that you have been through?” Anya asked and turned around and looked at her. “Because this is the only way I can repay you for your kindness” he said softly and Anya smiled at him. Jeff moved his face closer to her chest and Anya froze trembled. Jeff sniffed her and then faced front again, “Anya you smell nice…do you think you can make me smell nice too?” he said. Anya could not believe what just happened, they were both naked and he could have done worse but it was clear he didn’t have any malicious intentions. She just laughed and started to massage his hair to get the mud out while Jeff just sat there enjoying himself.

After the bathe Jeff had no clothes to wear since almost all the contents of his bag were soiled and muddy. Anya lent him a bathrobe and they proceeded to the dining area where a festive treat awaited them. “Anya are you sure it’s okay for me to be here? You’re parents might get mad” Jeff said as he sat down in front of the table. “My parents are never home, they are just here for the holidays. So basically it’s just me” she said. “I see, hey Anya I am so hungry I might not eat according to your proper dining etiquette so please forgive me” Jeff said and Anya laughed. “I don’t mind, would you like me to teach you?” she asked. Jeff looked at all the food on the table and smiled at her, “Can you teach me some other time, right now I just want to eat. Don’t worry I know how to use the fork and spoon” he said. Anya burst out in laughter as she watched Jeff eat to his heart’s delight.

“Ei Anya do you have any male clothes I can borrow?” Jeff said as he finished eating. “Why?” she asked. “Well I need to go to the bank and find a place to stay” he said. “You are not going anywhere, you will stay here” Anya replied and Jeff looked at her. “I cant do that, I need to go find work and I don’t want to bother you. I know you were supposed to go on a vacation. Maybe you can go later once I leave” he told her.

“No, I am not going anymore. You stay here, don’t worry about anything” she said and Jeff bowed his head. “Hey you know what you’re too bossy that’s why people don’t like you. You better tone down a little so they won’t be scared of you. How will they ever know that you are a wonderful person when the first impression they have of you is someone scary” he commented.

Usually when given criticism Anya would get angry but this time she was flattered, “Jeff you can stay here as long as you like” she said and Jeff smiled at her. “Okay, see it’s that easy and you should also smile often. You are pretty but you are prettier when you smile” he told her. Anya blushed and smiled at him, just months ago she disliked the man in front of her but this time everything was about to change.

Chapter 9: Selfish

Chapter 9: Selfish

Jeff woke up the following morning as he heard the door open then close. He opened his eyes and saw Anya walking towards him and getting under the blanket. “Anya im naked” Jeff said and she laughed. “Yes I know” she replied. “Anya, I am not wearing anything” Jeff reiterated. “That’s the same as being naked I know that. Why are you worried I have seen everything yesterday” she said and he laughed.

“Can I borrow your phone? I want to call Nadine and check up on her” he said and Anya felt a slight stab on her chest. “I have been trying to call her since last night but she wouldn’t pick up. I called their home and the maid said they went for a vacation” Anya lied. Jeff felt sad hearing that and Anya noticed it. “She broke up with you right?” Anya asked and Jeff sighed. “Yeah but you all came looking for me, I saw her crying. Maybe she didn’t mean to break up with me” Jeff said.

“Well if she wanted you back then she could have stayed and looked for you. She could have been the one that found you” Anya said and Jeff turned and faced her. “You looked for, why?” Jeff asked her. Anya could not look him straight in the eyes but her heart was racing. “I was concerned about you” she said softly. Jeff caressed her face and Anya trembled, “Remember when I said I saw nothing when I stared at you…I take it back. I misjudged you Anya, you’re a good person and I wish everyone sees that. At first I thought you were this manipulative bossy bitch but I was wrong” he told her.

Anya felt shy so she turned around but Jeff moved closed and embraced her. He leaned his head on her shoulder and Anya could feel his warm breath on her neck. Jeff pulled her closer to his body and she started trembling. “Jeff could you move back a little…I can feel something hard down there” she said giggling. “It’s your fault, coming to my room early in the morning wearing another skimpy outfit” he whispered. She was waiting for him to make a move but he never did. Jeff fell asleep and Anya held his hand tightly. She was feeling guilty but she didn’t want to let go of him now. She turned around and faced him; she wrapped her arms around his body and she closed her eyes.

At that same moment Nadine was sitting by the river, he shoes muddied and unlaced. Tony had fenced the place and destroyed all the Tulips so she was planting new ones. With every seed she planted she made a little wish, hoping that when they grow she and Jeff would be together again to see them.

For two days Anya pampered Jeff, he showed him what it was like to live like a king. Jeff had fun but he missed Nadine badly but he never showed Anya this.

The following morning Anya woke up and quickly ran to Jeff’s room but he was not there. She could not find him anywhere inside the house so she asked all the workers to look for him. After an hour of searching she gave up, she went back to his room and noticed some of his clothes were missing. There was only one place she had in mind so she summoned her driver and they headed towards the river.

The car stopped and Anya rushed out of the car, she slid through the opening that they made days ago and ran towards the tree. Jeff was there seated, his shoes unlaced and muddy. “Are you expecting her to just show up here? I told you that she went on a vacation” Anya said and Jeff kept his head bowed.

“Jeff I know you miss her but have pity on yourself. Look what she did to you, she didn’t trust you. I know Tony did much damage but at least she could have given you the benefit of the doubt. You have to move on Jeff, coming here makes it more difficult. If she still wanted you or cared for you she could have stayed and looked for you. She could have called me up and asked for help to look for you. But where is she now? Tell me where is she? Is she here?”

“Jeff she isn’t here…but I am” Anya said. Jeff slowly looked up and saw her crying, he looked around and there were no more Tulips left. “They are gone, we used to come here always because of the flowers, but they are all gone” he softly said and stood up. Jeff wiped her tears and embraced her. “I am sorry Anya; I know you are trying to help me. Could you please bear with me a little longer, this is my first heart break so everything I am experiencing is new to me. I know what you are trying to tell me, I have to move on but please give me more time” he whispered to her ear.

After spending a few minutes together by the river the two decided to head back home. As they were inside the car Anya noticed the other vehicle approaching, it was one of Anya’s cars. Her windows were not tinted and Anya would be able to see Jeff and she did not want that to happen. Anya quickly bent forward and touched her right foot and pretended to be in pain. Jeff likewise bent forward and massaged her aching foot. “Are you okay?” Jeff asked. “It suddenly hurt but please don’t stop massaging it” Anya replied.

Inside the other car was Nadine, she recognized Anya’s car so she quickly rolled down her tinted window. The cars were moving slowly, as the two cars were side by side Nadine saw no one seated at the back of the car. Nadine felt odd; she didn’t know why Anya’s car would come from the campus on a vacation. She didn’t think much of it as soon as she saw the barbed fences, “Miss Nadine there seems to be an opening on the fence, would you like to enter here or should we proceed towards the back?” Fritz asked. “Proceed to the back Fritz, don’t worry I’m wearing rubber shoes” she answered as she looked down at her shoes and started to unlace them. She had hoped that Jeff would show up and lace them for her.

Back at other vehicle Anya’s foot got better but she took the acting to a different level, she leaned towards Jeff and closed her eyes. “Anya are you okay?” Jeff asked. “I suddenly feel so weak” she whispered. Jeff panicked and he didn’t know what to do, “We should take you to the hospital” he said. “No, just hold me for now” she said and Jeff embraced her.

Once they got back to Anya’s place they ate breakfast but she pretended to have no appetite. “Anya you have to eat, here let me feed you” Jeff said. Anya liked what was happening so she continued her act after eating. “Jeff if you want to go look for Nadine go ahead. I will just go to my room and sleep. You can ask my driver to take you anywhere and here take my phone so you could call her yourself” she said. “No Anya, I cannot leave you when you are like that. You took care of me so this time I will be the one to take care of you. Come on let me carry you up to your room” he replied. Anya wrapped her arms around him as he carried her.

Once inside her room Jeff tucked her in bed and Anya held his hand. “Jeff lay down with me, I feel so cold” she whispered. He got inside the blanket and embraced her; Anya’s heart was again racing. She knew Jeff still loved Nadine but hopefully this act of hers will draw him closer to her and eventually he could forget Nadine. She pretended to shiver and he embraced her tighter. Jeff started to hum and she wanted to laugh but she kept it all in. “What are you doing?” she asked. “I’m humming you to sleep, sorry I can’t sing so I hope this is fine with you” Jeff said.

“I don’t like it. I want you to sing me a lullaby” Anya told him. “If I do that the more you won’t be able to sleep. You ears would bleed and you might be deaf the rest of your life” he joked her and she laughed. “Jeff please sing for me” she whispered and leaned her head on his chest. “Okay...Oh my God please help me just this once...One lullaby” Jeff whispered and Anya kept laughing, she already forgot that she was playing sick. “Why do birds suddenly appear, every time you are near…just like me we tend to be close to you…” Jeff started singing and Anya was totally surprised.

He looked at Jeff and saw his eyes closed, he could sing and his voice was giving her goose bumps. “Jeff you have a wonderful voice” she commented and he opened his eyes and smiled at her. “I know, you’re the first person ever to hear me sing. So this is our secret” he told her and closed his eyes again and continued singing. Anya was mesmerized by his voice, at that moment she wanted to kiss him badly but it was too early for that. She just embraced him back and listened to him sing.

The next morning Anya woke up and looked at Jeff while he was sleeping. She moved her face closer to his face and again her heart started to beat faster. She wanted to kiss him and now was her chance. Her lips were so close to his and she started to close her eyes, she felt her lower lip touch his lower lip, she was about to seal the kiss but Jeff woke up. “Anya are you trying to kiss me?” he asked. Surprised she was so she quickly moved back and shook her head. “My God was I trying to kiss you? I thought I was just dreaming I am so sorry” she said and Jeff laughed.

“Why are you laughing?” she asked. “Well I could have pretended to be asleep you know” he replied and she laughed. “Well you should have, you could have known by now how soft my lips are” she teased. “I already know they are because I kissed you while you were asleep” Jeff said and Anya was surprised. She looked at Jeff and his face showed he was serious, she started to blush and Jeff started to laugh. “You actually believe I did that? I was just kidding you” he said.
Anya pouted and felt embarrassed but she turned her game mode on. “I believe you didn’t kiss me, but did it ever cross your mind?” she asked. Jeff twitched and took a deep breath; she was not Nadine so he could have easily lied. “Honestly, I thought about it twice” he told her. Anya smiled and laughed a little, “Why didn’t you then?” she asked. “Well it would not be right, we are friends and I don’t want you to think that I am a pervert or someone who is taking advantage” he said.

“But you wanted to right?” she teased and Jeff smiled. “Were you really asleep and dreaming a while ago?” Jeff retaliated and Anya smiled at him. “What do you think?” she said and Jeff suddenly moved his face closer to hers. “Tell me Anya, if I tried to kiss you right now will you stop me?” Jeff asked as he stared at her eyes. Anya trembled and her heart began racing again, she wanted to say yes but she could not get the words out of her mouth. Jeff’s lips moved closer and closer to hers and Anya closed her eyes and waited for it. A few seconds later she opened her eyes and saw him smiling at her. She got fooled again so she started hitting him on the chest to hide her embarrassment. “You tricked me again!” she shouted and Jeff laughed loudly.

“Actually I was not kidding you but you never gave an answer. If you said yes then I would have kissed you” Jeff explained and Anya smiled. “I say yes” she replied and Jeff laughed at her. “Sorry, the offer expired seconds ago” he said and she pouted. “Jeff be honest, did you really mean what you said at the clubhouse?” Anya suddenly asked and Jeff looked at her. “Of course I did” he answered. “Okay, you don’t have a girlfriend anymore so what’s holding you back? You said you wanted to kiss me; you didn’t need to hear my answer a while ago if you really wanted. So what’s holding you back?” she asked.

“Anya if I did kiss you I would not know how you would react. I was afraid you might take it in the wrong way and it might put a gap in our friendship and I would not like that” he explained. “You and your excuses, why can’t you just admit you don’t find me attractive enough. Guilt is holding you back because you are still thinking of Nadine” Anya said and Jeff pinched her cheek. “About Nadine, yes I feel guilty but never say that I am not attracted to you. I find you very pretty, don’t make me compare but trust me I find you pretty. I do want to kiss you; I have wanted to kiss you, who wouldn’t? Maybe there are more things I would like to do but not just now. If it’s like, yes I do like you but I can’t just kiss you because I like you. There must be a real good reason for me to kiss you, so if you could just wait a little longer but I promise you I will kiss you” he told her.

Anya smiled and pinched his nose and they both laughed. “Just a little” she whispered and she embraced him. “Maybe later…maybe tomorrow…maybe the other day…but definitely it will happen” he said and he kissed her on the cheek. “You kissed me!” she shouted and they both laughed. “Oh so you’re satisfied with that?” he asked and she giggled. “No, but if it hit the right spot then maybe yes” she teased. “And what spot is that?” he asked her. Anya started to laugh and shriek as she pointed her finger on her lips. “Oh so that’s the right spot” Jeff playfully replied. “Hmmm...It’s just one of them” she teased and they kept laughing.

Because of the guilty feelings Anya never hid her phone; she would always make sure Jeff sees it. Each evening she would check the phone if it was used, but Jeff never did and she was happy. Two days before the start of the second semester Anya got up early and went to Jeff’s room. She lay beside him and showed him her phone. “Why haven’t you tried to contact Nadine?” she asked him. Jeff faced her and caressed her face; he stared at her eyes and moved his face closer to hers. “You want me to call her?” he whispered and Anya started to trembling, “I mean…since you miss her…ah maybe she is looking for you” she mumbled. Jeff held the back of her head and he kissed her, Anya was surprised and she froze. She could not move she didn’t expect this; it took her a few seconds before she realized that this is what she has wanted from the beginning.

“Give me your phone” Jeff whispered and Anya whose lips were still burning looked at him. “Why?” she asked. “You told me to call her so I will call her” he said. Anya dropped her phone on the floor and pouted, “You really want to call her do you?” she asked and Jeff nodded. “Why?” she again asked. “Well I want to tell her I am okay and that I still think of her and love her” he said and the more depressed Anya was becoming. “And I want to tell her that I just kissed you, and I will kiss you again and again because I like you” Jeff explained and Anya smiled and played with her hair. “You really don’t have to call her and tell her that, we can just make her jealous when she sees us as a couple you know” she whispered.

“A couple?” he asked and Anya felt shy. “Yeah, you and me, but if you don’t want its fine with me. I am okay with you just being with me like this” she replied. Jeff embraced her and smiled, “That’s going to be difficult, I might not be able to hold back any longer if we are a couple” Jeff teased her and Anya giggled. “So all this time you have been holding back?” she asked. “What do you think? Teasing me every day with, just seeing you makes me want you, and then you just have to wear skimpy outfits. Can you imagine the pain and anguish I had to go through just to resist temptation?” he told her and Anya burst out in laughter.

“Jeff I know this is your last semester, I know you have been supporting yourself for several years now. You have been deprived of so many things; time is precious to you I know that but if we are going to be a couple I want you to spend more time with me. So please swallow your pride a little, I want you to live me. You won’t have to worry about food and a place to stay. All you have to do for this semester is concentrate on your studies and the time you used to spend on thinking about the next day and other things, you spend it on me, be with me” Anya told him.

Jeff paused and looked at her, what she was offering was too much, “Anya I can find work and a place to stay. I will find time to spend with you I promise” he told her. “Jeff please, I know you will graduate soon, you will find a job afterwards. For now I want you to enjoy life for a change. Don’t think of it as taking advantage, I want to do this for you, all I ask in return is being together with you. Jeff please swallow your pride just a little, please Jeff I want to be with you always. I don’t want to worry about you; I don’t want to keep thinking if you have eaten or if you are safe where you are sleeping”

“I care so much about you. If you are ashamed about what people will say then we will keep it a secret. Please say yes” she pleaded and Jeff took a deep breath. “Wow, I don’t know what to say really. So this is going to be my room for one semester then” he replied and Anya grinned. “I have a bigger room and a bigger bed” she teased him and he laughed. “Fine, I will agree in one condition. We must have separate rooms” Jeff said and Anya pouted. “Okay, that is fine with me” she replied. “Really? How come you look so sad all of a sudden?” Jeff teased her and again she pouted.

“I just said we must have two separate rooms and I never said we never sleep beside each other. I can sleep in your room for one night and you can come sleep in my room on another night. Since you have lots of room we can sleep on other rooms too” Jeff said and Anya laughed and embraced him.

Chapter 10: Truth and Tulips

Chapter 10: Truth and Tulips

Jeff was hardly recognized by his friends in school for he was sporting new clothes. Gone were his long curly hair and his handsome face stood out to the delight of many girls. Anya was still the same pretty lady but everyone noticed her smiling for the first time. Maureen was blooming, she met a guy last break and they have been going steady ever since. Bart was no different; he too met a guy who loves him for who he really is.

One month into the semester and nobody has seen Nadine. Jeff was secretly searching all over campus but he failed to find her. One day as he was about to meet Anya he noticed a blond girl with short hair rushing towards the back of the campus. He never got to see her face but one thing that made him follow her was her unlaced rubber shoes. He was certain that this girl was Nadine and his heart was starting to beat faster, he was not over her yet.

Jeff followed her; he made sure she would not notice so he kept his distance. He watched her walk through the mud and take out a small cup from her bag. She filled the cup with water from the river and walked to the place where the Tulips were and watered the ground. He watched her do this repeatedly and after some time she walked towards the tree and started carving.

Jeff slowly approached her, Nadine noticed someone at her back but she continued carving. He saw lots of sticks figures carved on the tree trunk, “What are you counting?” he asked and Nadine paused and dropped the knife. “The number of days that I have not seen you. Now I made a mistake, I have carved one for today but when I turn around I get to see you” she replied.

“How are you Nadine?” Jeff asked and still she would not face him. “I am fine I guess, I want to ask you the same but I heard rumors that you and Anya are together now” she said. “They are not rumors, it is true” he revealed. “Good for you, I don’t think you should be here then. Anya is the jealous type” she told him. “Just like you” he said and she laughed. “Nadine you are being rude, I am talking to you but you wont face me” Jeff said and this was almost the same situation as before, that time she was the one saying it.

“I am not being rude, I am just afraid to turn around and face you” she explained and Jeff curious. “Afraid of what?” he asked. Nadine walked towards the riverside where the Tulips used grow, Jeff followed her but still she would not face him. “They are all gone right? Don’t worry I planted new ones, I just don’t know if they will grow the same way” she muttered.

“I am sure they will, let’s take care of them together” Jeff said and Nadine sighed and bowed her head. “No we won’t” she said and Jeff was surprised. “What do you mean we won’t?” he asked. “I will, not with you. Don’t worry I promise to take care of them” she said. “Hey, I know were not together now but we can still be friends right? Let’s forget what happened in the past” Jeff told her.

“Hey Jeff…I heard another rumor that you cut your hair” she said softly. “Yes I did, turn around so you can see for yourself” he replied. “If only I listened to you and trusted you then my heart won’t be aching this much. I can’t sleep at night thinking of what I had done to you. I just want you to know that the time you saw me in bed with Tony that was just an act to make you jealous. We never did anything I swear. I don’t know why I am still explaining myself now that you have moved on already”

“Jeff I want to apologize for everything I have done. The last poem you wrote me I never read it. I didn’t want to hear you say goodbye, I thought there was still a chance but now I think I am going to read it” she said. “Jeff, I am going to turn around now” Nadine said and she slowly faced him and she quickly hugged him tightly. Jeff embraced her and tears started falling down his cheeks. “I miss you so much Jeff and I am so sorry for what I have done” she whispered. Jeff embraced her back and caressed her back. “I miss you too Nadine” he said. The two of them just stood there embracing each other.

Nadine looked at Jeff and she moved her face closer to his, Jeff looked away and she leaned her forehead on his chest. “I’m sorry Nadine, you know I can’t do that” he told her. “Jeff, if I ever do something bad will you forgive me?” she asked. “What? What are you planning to do?” he asked. “I won’t harm anyone I promise, will you forgive me?” she clarified. “Of course I will, why what are you planning to do?” he asked. Nadine looked at him and took a deep breath. “I am going to kiss you…all you have to do is keep still. I know you can’t kiss me back so I will be the one to kiss you. Don’t worry this will be the last, I miss you so badly and I really want to kiss you right now. So please let me commit this mistake” she softly said.

“No, I can’t let you do that” he told her and Nadine bowed her head. “Nadine look at me” he said and she slowly gazed at his eyes. “Let’s commit this mistake together so that there will be no regrets” he said and he kissed on the lips. Nadine put her arms around his head and he embraced her tighter. He knows he was with Anya already but somehow he was not guilty, it just felt so right and he did not know why.

Even when they were out of breath they would stop but still continue kissing. Little did they know there was also another person near them watching them, she was fuming mad and could not stand seeing them together.

“What the hell are you two doing?!!!” Anya shouted. Jeff released Nadine and hid her at his back. “Jeff how could you do this to me?!!!” Anya said and she approached them. “I am sorry Anya its my fault, I was the one who kissed him” Nadine told her. “No! You don’t need to apologize! We don’t need to apologize! In fact you are the one who should be apologizing!” Jeff shouted at Anya’s face.

Anya was shocked, Jeff grabbed her arm and they walked towards the tree. “At first glance I did not realize it, but when I was kissing Nadine it all became clear. Look at this count Anya! Look clearly! Everyday Nadine came here and would etch one stick when she didn’t see me. Count them! Go ahead and count them!” he shouted.

Anya was just staring at the tree trunk but she bowed her head. “Did you count them? Those are the number of days Nadine has not seen me! What a coincidence, those are also the number of days I have been with you! Don’t you find it funny?!” Jeff was in so much anger already.

“You told me she went for a vacation. You told me called her. I trusted you and I cant believe I really did. Oh yes you found me here that day but if I waited a little longer Nadine would have found me too. Oh yes you made your phone available to me anytime but every night you would check if I used it. I didn’t use it! But let me tell you I was waiting for her to call up, I was praying for her to call up. You brainwashed me and I am such a fool to fall for it” Jeff said.

“You made me fall for you but the foundation of the feelings I had for you were all lies! I hate myself right now and it took one kiss to make me realize that” Jeff told Anya.

Jeff walked towards Nadine and knelt down on his knees and started to tie her shoelaces. “Nadine this time it was my fault. I should have waited for you, I knew you would come find me but I am sorry. I don’t want to hurt anyone anymore, I have caused so much pain for everyone” he said.

Jeff stood up and hugged Nadine, “I am sorry Nadine, I don’t want to hurt anyone anymore. Take care of our Tulips” he whispered in her ear. Jeff turned around and started to walk away but Nadine ran after him. “Jeff are you running away again? Will I ever see you again?” she asked. Jeff looked at her and smiled, “Of course you will, I just need some time on my own now” he said. Nadine let go and Jeff walked towards the muddy area and back to campus.

Anya was about to leave through the fence opening but Nadine caught up with her. “What do you want? Are you happy? We both don’t have him anymore” Anya said and with all her might Nadine slapped her. Anya fell on the ground and Nadine stared at her. “From the beginning you planned to take him away from me. I thought you were changing but I was wrong. Tony is bad but he has no balls and no brains. Now I understand how he was able to think of a clever plan to break us up. Tony gets me and you get Jeff. I never thought of that before but now I do understand”

Anya laughed and slowly stood up, her cheek was so red and she was caressing it. “Nadine you never grew up, you’re intelligent but you were never wise. I always knew you liked Tony, so I used him. You are right, that guy is dumb but I should say he is a good actor. We almost succeeded but he did not cover his tracks that fool. Anyway he got the job done, we managed to make you look like the bad guy and I got what I wanted. Well I had a great time with Jeff, he is all yours if you ever see him again” Anya said and she quickly slipped out of the fence.

“What do you mean if I ever see him again?” Nadine asked and Anya laughed. “Do you think I never plan ahead? Silly you, well you will see what I mean” Anya threatened.

The next day Anya filed assault charges against Nadine. She had bruises on her arm and face. Nadine’s parents planed in to be with their daughter but Anya’s plan was flawless. She had witnesses in tow to make her more believable. Nadine’s parents decided to settle the issue quietly and Anya’s parents agreed.

Anya wanted Nadine out of the country for one year, outrageous as it may seem but Nadine’s parents agreed. They missed their daughter so they brought her with her. Anya filed a restraining order, so Nadine could not come near her. Nadine found this silly but when she saw Anya by the river she understood what her purpose was.

Nadine didn’t have the chance to say goodbye to anyone. She could not leave Jeff a message by the river since Anya was always there. With a heavy heart she left hanging on to the last words Jeff told her. “Of course we will” is what Jeff said and she believed no matter how long they would be apart they would see each other again.