CHAPTER 10 “GUITARMAN”

THE following day is the first day of Daniel's duty at the library as a student assistant. Many were delighted, most were women, as well as their librarian Shiela was unable to escape the venom of the young man's charisma. 

Jason, as Daniel's friend, is very as well. 

She expected that already, but anyone would be asked about what she feels, she is not happy. 

Maybe she lied in that part. But even though she admitted that she was fascinated by Daniel's good looks, she still couldn't stop feeling annoyed for him because of his excessive strength to tease. 

And Daniel's type of teasing is not just simple. 

It is mixed with mischief that can make her heart beat faster. And that was the real reason for the annoyance and irritation that she felt for the young man. 

"Just my luck," Ara whispered sarcastically to herself as she looked up at the schedule for the student assistant staff at the library for next week. 

“You are really lucky because you can be with me for a whole week! Just the two of us, inside the library.” 

When she heard that familiar voice from behind her, Ara's chest immediately throbbed with the mixture of nervousness, annoyance, and believe it or not, excitement. 

Despite the automatic annoyance that Ara felt because of what Daniel said, the young lady decided to just ignore him and instead, turned her back on the young man. 

But Daniel did the opposite of what she expected. He followed her on which caused even more intensification of the annoyance she was feeling. 

"Are you still mad at me?" he asked when she was at the baggage counter to replace Nancy who was on duty there before. 

Ara remained silent and kept herself busy by arranging the number-cards on the wooden tray. 

"You're really snobbish, I am already making friends with you," Daniel said in a lower tone. 

Whether Ara admits it or not, deep inside her, she could felt a pinch in her conscience because of what Daniel has said. That's why her eyes seemed to have a mind of their own that spontaneously stared at the young man and met his gaze. 

For a moment Ara seemed mesmerized by the beauty of Daniel's eyes. It was the only interruption when she heard the voice of her friend Jason calling her so she seemed to wake up from a deep sleep. 

"Until what time is your duty?" Jason asked her who gave Daniel a simple tap on the shoulder. 

"After Nancy's lunch. Why?" she asked her friend back. 

Jason nodded then opened his mouth to speak again as he turned to Daniel. "Have lunch with us?" he asked her afterward. 

With that question, Ara shifted her gazes over the two men in front of her. And that was when for some reason the young lady was unable to control herself from smiling because of the intense amusement that she has at that very moment. 

"Is that a yes?" that was Daniel who just like her is now smiling. 

Ara sighs and opened her mouth to speak but she was preceded by Jason. "Just say yes, we will wait for an hour for you here," he even told her. 

That was when Ara laughs softly then nodded. "Okay, your treat?" she joked. 

She saw Daniel and Jason exchanged gazes as both of them are now smiling.  

"No problem," that was Daniel who gave Jason a nice tap on the shoulder. 

*****

JUST like what they have agreed she joined Daniel and Jason at lunch. 

At first, the two were even arguing if who will be paying for her food, but in the end, Daniel was the one who did it that even Jason's lunch became his treat which made her best friend happy of course.  

Over lunch, Daniel became a bit quiet. 

It was Jason who became more articulate. 

As for her, she was content with the weak laughter that she released because, in fact, she felt very much discomfort. 

Ara was not surprised there because that is exactly what happens to her whenever Daniel is around. 

After eating, she said goodbye and went straight to her next class. While the two went to the library. 

That was her last subject for that day so automatically after her class she will go straight to the library to continue for the last hours of her duty. 

"Should I walk you to your class?" Jason offered as they walk the long canteen pathway. 

Ara chuckles then simply glance at Daniel who at that moment was quietly looking at her and Jason. 

The inexplicable trembling of nervousness immediately shook the young lady's chest because of the simple eye contact between her and Daniel. So just like she was used to doing, she quickly averted her gaze from the young man even though the intense amusement that shone through the windows of the man's soul did not escape her eyes. 

This man, he can still really bully me even with simple facial reactions! 

The other side of Ara's mind. 

"Hey, you don't have to do that. I'll go ahead," that is what Bella replied to Jason then turned her back to the two of them. 

*****

ARA'S subject ended that she did not understand anything in their lesson because at that moment Daniel was the only thing on her mind. 

She is annoyed with herself but she can do nothing because the truth is she also does not wonder why despite the annoyance she feels for the young man she still can not stop herself from secretly admiring him. 

"Are you okay?" she was packing her things when Ara heard that question from Jenny, her seatmate, and she could tell that she was closest to her in their class. 

She turned to her and smiled. "Yeah, why?"  

Jenny simply shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing, I just noticed that you seemed to be not on your usual self for the whole period," she told her following a soft laugh. "I have to go, I still need to help my mother with our bakery," she added. 

Ara nodded before she opened her mouth to speak. "Sure, I'll see you tomorrow," as she waved her hand to her friend afterward. 

*****

AT the library, Ara caught up with Nancy who during that hour was on duty at the baggage counter.  

She was actually assigned inside with Daniel. 

With the last thought, Ara did nothing but shook her head. She better wish herself the very best of luck since she will be spending until closing hours with Daniel. 

"Hello!" That was Daniel's cheerful greeting on her as soon as she entered the library office. 

She did not reply but instead gave Daniel a sharp look. 

“Oh, are you still mad at me? I thought our lunch earlier was the start of our friendship? ” he said in a very lively tone that quickly angered her. 

"Shut up! Do not start with me or I might kick you!" she said in a weak but angry tone then shot the young man again with a stern look. 

Ara heard the faint laugh the young man let out before he spoke. "Okay, I'm going out," he said, unable to hide the intense amusement in the tone of his voice. 

Ara did not speak and just sighed as she began encoding the book titles in front of the computer. She knew she would not win over Daniel, because apart from the fact that he seemed to have a doctorate degree on how to annoy her, the secret feelings that she has for him became a big advantage for the young man. So she thinks it would be better if she will just ignore him.  

The sun is setting when Ara finished what she was doing. So she left the office and started clearing the library itself. At that time there were not too many students there but not the books that she had to return to the shelves. 

It is included in the library policy that a student must return the books on the shelves after using them. But there are still these students who do not know how to follow simple rules and regulations or sometimes forget to practice them. 

Anyway, that's okay, and at least because of those kinds of students she got a job and she can study at this school now. 

She was about to finish when she noticed that some books on the shelf were already dusty so she thought of wiping them. It is better to be proactive, their librarian might even see those books and she will definitely be scolded because she the one who is on duty. 

Ara remembers washing her favorite rag yesterday and then drying it on the roof deck of the library. At the thought, the young lady smiled. 

Yes, she has a favorite rag she uses when she wipes books. And she does not allow anyone to use it. 

She does not like dirty rags. That is why it has been her habit to wash it immediately after using it and dries it on the roof deck. 

She was on the roof deck when she saw a familiar bulk sitting turning its back on where she was standing. Daniel. 

At that point, Ara couldn't stop herself from smiling. 

Daniel is holding a guitar that he is currently playing and accompanied by fine and good singing. 

Ara's heart was immediately touched by a wonderful kind of thrill. 

In fairness Daniel's voice is beautiful. And she is familiar with the song Fallin' by Janno Gibbs that he currently singing and playing with his guitar. 

My Guitarman! 

Those two words immediately made her smile which was also quickly rejected by her mind. 

How can I move on with the feelings that I have for you if you always give me a reason to admire you more? 

To that question, Ara just smiled to herself and then decided to leave. Even if she does not admit it, Daniel makes her happy. It's just that they didn't have a good start. So, the annoyance quickly mixes with her feelings every time she thinks of the young man.