Chapter 3: IT HAS ALREADY BEGUN

Days have passed and Calix still isn't contacting me.Doubts begin to creep into my thoughts - does he truly not care about our connection or is this just an elaborate prank? Either way, it stings deeply and leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. This waiting game feels cruel and unfair; every second feels stretched out into eternity as I long for even the smallest glimpse of reassurance from him. But amidst these swirling emotions, a small flicker of hope remains within me - perhaps there is more to this silence than meets the eye.

"Hello Scarlett. It's Alex from a moment ago". A text beeped on my phone.

"Right.Hi" I replied.

"Are you coming to the flea market? I'm serving at the booth. Or you can come to the after party. He replied almost immediately.

"Okay then".

"Really! then I'll see you there!" I could almost visualize the excitement from his text. He seemed to be very interested in me. To be honest, it doesn't feel bad..

The anticipation grew with every minute as I put on my favorite black dress and styled my hair elegantly. It felt exhilarating to finally have plans for the evening - something to distract me from Calix's silence. As I slipped on my heels and picked up my clutch, a surge of confidence washed over me. Tonight was about having fun and embracing new experiences, regardless of what awaited me at this after party.

"What? Do you have a cold? Stay away from me". Estella says trying to block my breath from her face as I yawned.

"I don't know, I have a headache." i reply rather dismissively.

"Are you sick from quitting Calix? Withdrawal symptoms?" She ask giving a naughty smirk.

"What are you on about?"

"You haven't been hanging out with him, is it really over now?"She asks again,displaying lots of inquisitiveness in her eyes.

"I don't think we really click" I finally gave a response.

"I'm disappointed.The quiet kid usually ends up causing trouble".Estella says.

"That disappoints you?".I gave a confused response.

"Of course. I was looking forward to some drama. This is so boring." Now, she looked really awkward.

"You seem to want to push me into hell's pit just for your entertainment."

"Come on, don't say it like that".She responded, grinning.

"Do you know what you need to catch a big fish, Scarlett?"

"You're going to say patience,right?. He's not even a catch". I gave a blunt response.

"Hey, Scarlett..." Someone was waving at me from a distance.It was Alex. I gave him a quick wave and stood up to meet him, bidding Estella goodbye.

The excitement bubbled within me as I made my way towards Alex at the flea market. The stalls were filled with vibrant colors and interesting trinkets, but my focus was solely on him. He stood behind a booth, his face lighting up as he saw me approaching. As I got closer, I noticed his eyes twinkling mischievously - it seemed like there was something he wanted to tell me. "Are you going to have dinner?" I asked.

"Yeah sure. Let's go together".Alex gave nothing but beautiful smiles.

As we ate, he talked about my art piece he had seen earlier on, and also movies he would love to see with me.He seemed really excited.

" What are you too talking about?" Calix happened to walk in. I really do not know if he put a tracker on me or something. Or maybe he's just everywhere.

"We're going to watch a movie together ".Alex gave a reply.

"You two seem close. Calix says, placing his hands on my shoulder.He obviously was having some weird assumption.

"Yes we are. Closer than you and me, anyway".I intentionally gave him a tactic reply, pulling his hands off. "Let's watch this, Alex. I like romantic movies."

"Okay then".Alex chuckled

"Hey. Isn't this erotic. Says Calix.

"That's better then, let's watch it".I replied, facing Alex.

"Right, then. You will need a good reference. The male lead is a good kisser. Scarlett is fussy about kisses....Be careful because she will push you away if she doesn't like it".Calix says.

Gosh!. I held his arms and dragged him. "Let's talk outside". I say. Anger was starting to boil up inside me.

"What was that about? Why did you suddenly mention kissing?Are you playing games with me?".

"playing games? You are the one who pushed my hand away".Calix responded.

"I never let you touch my shoulder. There's nothing between us, you know".

"Why are you so upset?" Calix asked.

"I'm not upset". I started feeling sad at this moment." You never contacted me since that day.You know that".

"And what's so wrong about that?"Calix asked a shocking question.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not that kind of person". I replied

"What do you mean by that? I thought u were enjoying it". Calix says."Don't worry I won't try anything with you".He continues.."Goodluck with Alex".

"Fine". I say, walking away...

I don't know why..but I'm always the first to walk away from every conversation.

I walked away, my heart heavy with disappointment and confusion. Calix's words lingered in my mind, replaying over and over again. Was he just playing games with me? Did he truly think I was that kind of person? The pain of his indifference stabbed at my chest.

My footsteps echoed through the deserted streets as tears threatened to spill down my cheeks. How could things have gone so wrong? All this time spent waiting for a connection that seem more like an illusion than reality. But amidst the pain, A new found determination flickered within me. But I refused to let it consume me. Tonight was about embracing new experiences, and that's exactly what I intended to do.

I almost forgot I was with someone...I quickly wiped my face and walked back into the cafe....

There he was, looking all cheerful, smiling at me as I made my way to him.

"Are you okay?". He asks..

"Yeah, sure I am. I say, trying to fake a smile.

"Can we still make it to the after party?". Alex asks sounding a bit down.

"Sure...Why not..."

Standing amidst the pulsing crowd at the after party, an idea sparked in my mind - why not use this opportunity to explore my passions further? Pushing through dancing bodies towards a makeshift stage at one corner of the room,I approached an enthusiastic-looking group organizing impromptu performances.

"Can anyone join?" I asked hesitantly.

"Of course! We encourage everyone to express themselves," one person replied warmly.

With newfound courage fueling me from within,I took hold of the microphone as anticipation buzzed in air.Hesitation melted away as words flowed effortlessly from my lips.Immersed in storytelling mode,a fire ignited inside- unleashing creativity that had long been dormant.With each word spoken,the crowd listened intently.It seemed like time stood still,everyone captivated by this unexpected twist.But most importantly,this performance served as reminder-to embrace our true selves,in spite uncertainty,and find strength within our own voice..........

********

(knock, knock, knock)...Someone's at the door...

As I rush out of my bed to find out who, my leg slipped

The moment I opened the door, reality seemed to distort around me. Standing there was Calix himself - his familiar smirk gracing his lips. Confusion filled every inch of my being; how did he find me here? Before I could utter a word, he stepped forward and whispered softly, "I've been searching for you...we need to talk."

My heart raced at the sight of Calix standing before me. The air felt heavy with anticipation as I invited him inside. We sat down, tension hanging in the silence between us. "Why are you here?" I finally mustered the courage to ask.

Calix took a deep breath, his eyes searching mine. "I'm sorry ," he began, his voice tinged with regret. "I realized that I made a mistake in pushing you away and not communicating properly. The truth is, I've been struggling to understand my own feelings for you."

His words echoed in the silence between us, leaving an air of vulnerability hanging in the room. For a moment, time stood still as we both struggled with our own emotions. Finally, I gathered the courage to speak up. "I've missed you," I confessed softly.

He just stared, without uttering a word.

"Why do you leave your hair down?"..He asks, out of the blue.

"It's comfortable ".I replied

"Still...just for me. I want to see your hair tied up".He winked.

Calix took out a rubber band and tied up my hair slowly....

The sensation of Calix's fingers intertwined in my hair sent shivers down my spine. A subtle connection formed between us as he carefully styled it into an intricate braid. Sometimes love is found in the simplest gestures - the ones that speak volumes without uttering a single word...

Again, hell broke loose.And this time, I started the kiss.

The kiss was filled with longing and desire, as if all the pent-up emotions had finally found their release. It was a whirlwind of sensations - his touch igniting fireworks within me, his breath mingling with mine in perfect harmony. In that instant, I knew that this connection was worth fighting for.

Soon, I was lying on the sofa. I took off his hoodie and he took of my nighties..his gentle lips pouring kisses all over...his fingers crawling down my thighs.

Finally,....we made out....******