Chapter 9

“PSSST!! PSSST!!”

Zharm was quietly writing novels at their backyard when she heard that sound. It was Saturday and she had free time. Even if she’s pursuing Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Zharm can’t give up her passion for writing that’s why, she uses her free time to write. Someday, when she’ll finally be able to muster up the courage, she’ll send her manuscripts to a publishing company to get it published. Until then, she’ll continue to work hard on her manuscripts and improve her craft as the time goes by. It was what she was planning to do but she can’t focus because of the sound she’s hearing.

“Pssst! Pssst!“

Zharm finally looked back and saw Jared at her neighbor’s balcony. He was sitting there looking so relaxed. His left elbow was resting on the railing of the balcony while his palm is resting on his chin. He had a smile on his face watching her. It seemed like he was doing that for a while. She wouldn’t have noticed him if he hadn’t called her.

“What are you doing there?”

“Chilling, looking at you.” He grinned. He rose up from his seat. “I had fun watching you while you’re doing your monologue. I haven’t seen someone having monologues while writing.”

She’s aware of her habit. She tends to speak out her dialogues as she writes. Maybe she’s just really engrossed at her scene that’s why she’s typing out the words, with feelings, if that makes sense.

“I do that when I’m writing,” she said.

“I know. It’s kinda cute.” Jared smiled. There was amusement in his eyes. “I was wondering before I came here what you’re doing and then I saw you there.”

“I had time so, I had to write,” she said. “And you? What are you doing at Gail’s house?” She’s been meaning to ask him that question ever since she saw him there.

Zharm knows that she doesn’t have to meddle with his life but she doesn’t like the idea that he’s spending time with Gail. Maybe that’s why he hasn’t even texted her that day because he already got someone to hang out wit.

Ever since they had that ‘date, they became closer with each other and she wants to be around him all the time. Now, she can’t stand the thought that he chose to hang out with Gail than her. She knows that she doesn’t have the right to feel jealous because he’s not her boyfriend but she felt really irritated. Jared looked over his shoulder before he answered.

“Nothing,” he shrugged. He obviously doesn’t want to go into details and it makes her furious. but instead of asking him useless questions, Zharm remained silent and continued to write her novel.

“I can go there if you want. That is, if you’re not busy,” he said. She looked back at him. How dare he ask to hang out with her when he already chose to spend time with Gail? Of course, she wanted to spend time with Jared but she felt jealous.

“You don’t have to do that. You’re hanging out with Gail. She’ll feel jealous if you chose to spend time with me, instead.” She tried to sound nonchalant but the irritated knot on her forehead maybe gave him a clue about what he’s feeling. When she stopped typing and looked at him, a ghost of a smile formed on his lips. His eyes were filled amusement like he was enjoying some private joke. “What?!” she asked.

“Are you sure that Gail’s the one who’s gonna be jealous or you?” he teased. She rolled her eyes at him.

“I don’t have the time for that nonsense. So, if you don’t mind, I’m busy writing my novel.” She glared at him before going back to her writing.

“You’re just pretending to be busy.” He chuckled. “Besides, what’s the use of writing a novel when you don’t even have the courage to send it to a publisher? You’re the only one who can read the novels you’re supposed to be sharing to the world.” Jared knows how much she loves to write and he also knows how much of a coward she is. She stopped typing and sighed.

“I’m not yet ready for rejections.”

“And what if it doesn’t get rejected? You’ll never know unless you try.” When she told her about the novels she wrote, he said that he’ll support her in whatever that she wants to do.

“But what if it does?”

“It shouldn’t matter. Think of your rejections as an opportunity to hone your craft. But before you think negatively of it, can you at least try to believe in yourself? Could you please try to put your novel out there before you give up? You’ll never know how everything turn would turn up if you won’t try.”

He has a appoint. Jared has always been an optimistic person. He’s someone who believes that a person should work hard for his dreams to come true, not to just wish for itThat’s why, it did not come as a surprise for Zharm when he’s starting making a name for himself in the field of Arts. He’s a painter and he had won several times for the murals he had done for several contests. He even painted a couple of murals around their university.

Jared is the type who never gives up on his dreams. If only she could have a positive attitude like him. She scratched the back of her head, frustrated.

“I’m scared. I’m pretty sure, they’ll criticize my work,” she said. She showed some of her manuscript to some of her classmates and even some of her professors but most of them criticized her writing.

“Why would you care about those people? They’re just jealous of you because you can write. Not everybody can do that. You have talent and you shouldn’t waste it.” He has always been supportive of her. When she’s doubting herself, Jared believes in her. She needs his encouragement because she’s really a coward when it comes to taking risks.

“Do you really think I have what it takes to be a writer?”

“Yes, of course. You have to believe in yourself first before you can make others believe in you.”

She sighed in frustration. Before they even talk about it, Zharm was thinking of submitting her manuscripts to a publisher she knows. Maybe it’s a good thing that he talked to her about it because he really did encourage her. He has a point. She has nothing to lose. Besides, her writing was going so well that she thinks that her manuscript has a chance in getting published.

Feeling hopeful, she continued to write her novel and she did not hear anything from Jared. He knows when to give her time and she appreciated him for that.

She did not know how long it took her but when she finally wrote the ending, she felt really satisfied. She was beaming with joy now that she’s finally done with the story, thanks to Jared’s encouragement. She looked at her neighbor’s balcony where Jared was a while ago, but to her disappointment, he was not there anymore.

She can’t help but feel irritated when she thought that he may already be spending time with Gail.

“The nerve! How can he act like he cared for me when he’s flirting with some other girl?!”

“Who’s flirting with who?”

She felt like her heart jumped out of her chest when she heard Jared’s voice and he was there, at their backyard. WTF!