Chapter 13: Self-declared Guardian

Rakiza dashed to the dorm lobby and into their room. It was already six o'clock, and from the forest into the dorm, Theo was all she could think about. The red blot on his shirt was clearly a blood stain. Rakiza felt guilty because he was hurt.
The wound on Theo's shoulder was clearly the cause of his absences from class. Rakiza reasoned that he had finally found an opponent who could match his arrogance and guts. She kept running to her room, pushing Theo out of her mind. "He's not my responsibility." Rakiza doubled her paces. Her flight accelerated her to the door of her room, where she pushed it hard, causing the door to swing open and slam into the wall. And her three friends were in her bed, looking for something when the door slammed.
"What exactly happened here?" Rakiza inquired, surprised.
Susan, Chin, and Muriel sat in her bed, staring at the floor.
"Some angry intruder got in," Chin explained.
"What's going on here?" Rakiza drew nearer to the girls.
"Look at your flower vase," Chin replied quickly.
When Rakiza saw her lotus and white roses mangled on the floor, she exclaimed, "On no! Who was responsible for this?" She knelt and gathered the petals of the flowers in her hands. "Who did this?"
"No one was aware, Raki. When I opened the door, it was already on the ground. Perhaps your flowers were destroyed by a cat," said Muriel.
"I agree," Susan said as she chewed something.
"However, I don't see any cats in the area," Chin agreed.
Throw away all of the flowers in your room. Rakiza's memory was haunted by Theo's voice.
Rakiza exclaimed, "There's only one person who could have done it."
"And who might that be? I'm guessing it's not one of us?" Muriel explained.
Rakiza explained that "Theodulf Monsanto was the only one who disliked flowers, and he warned me about it, and he said if I couldn't throw it away, he would."
"As we can see, it wasn't thrown away; it was mutilated and crumpled by a raged individual," Muriel concluded.
"Oh my God, how am I going to explain this to Nikolas?" Rakiza lamented and was sad.
"Well, the show is over," Muriel said, clapping her hands, and adding, "Rakiza, could you please get some lotion and soap for me?"
Rakiza turned to Chin and Susan and asked, "Okay, so what do you think about the two of you?" Rakiza said, "Make a list so I only have to go shopping once."
***
The shopping center will close at 10 p.m. Rakiza was perusing every display stall.
"Do you go shopping late most of the time?"
Rakiza heard Nikolas' voice from behind her and turned around to see Nikolas standing tall and smiling at her.
"You appear tired," he expressed concern. He looked so dashing in his all-black long-sleeved shirt and trousers.
Rakiza couldn't explain her feelings when Nikolas was present. Everything became hazy but happy. It was heartwarming to see Nikolas's face.
"I was doing this to supplement my income for art projects and materials." She smiled, "My mother could only afford to pay for tuition. As a result, I'll have to work extra hard to assist her; even run an errand for co-boarders. "
"What's your mother's name?"
"Veronica Zanier," Rakiza, shared some additional personal information with Nikolas. "We live in the town of Veto, but I don’t want to bother her for money."
"That would be nice to hear because you're such a good daughter. Our mother should receive our assistance and support in whatever way she requires. " He paused and asked as he stared at Rakiza's hands, "Could I assist you in determining what is on the list?"
Rakiza gave Nikolas Chin's list. And they began strolling and collecting what was on the list.
"I was born into a very poor family, so I have to help my mother at any cost and in any way."
"What about your father?" Nikolas inquired. "What is his primary responsibility to the family?"
Rakiza sighed, frustrated. "My father abandoned us when I was a child, leaving only debt to be carried by my mother alone. He doesn't care about us."
"So, you despised your father so much?"
"Partially, yes." She sighed. "I don't know what happened to my parents, but we used to be so close," Rakiza said sadly, not realizing tears were falling from her eyes.
"I'm sorry to hear about your painful experiences," Nikolas said soothingly. "However, family is family no matter what."
"I'm sorry for bringing up a sad memory that I'm sure you'd rather forget." Rakiza quickly said, wiping her tears away and continuing to shop.
"Take everything you require and desire. I'll pay it all. " Nikolas' offer was extravagant.
"No, my dorm mates give me money for their needs."
"I mean it, give that money back to them," Nikolas said flatly, refusing to accept denial.
They shopped in silence, and Rakiza occasionally caught a glimpse of Nikolas, who was busy collecting goods and putting them on her cart.
"That's all, Niko."
"All right, I'm sorry if I'm not fully aware of women's needs. I grew up alone, with only my mother around, "Nikolas admitted.
"Your father abandoned you and your mother, just like my father did." Rakiza's eyes blinked with curiosity.
"I had no idea who my father was," Nikolas admitted with a smile. "My mother told me he was a businessman, but I didn't believe her."
"How come you doubted it?"
"Because I couldn't feel that my father existed," Nikolas explained with a smile.
"What?" smiled Rakiza.
"I love seeing you smile," Nikolas said, his deep black eyes fixed on her.
Rakiza couldn't take Nikolas' stare any longer. "Perhaps I should go," she said as she turned away.
"Oh, it's late at night," Nikolas agreed, adding, "It's not good for you to be out late at night."
Nikolas paid for everything Rakiza had purchased, and he drove her home with a large bundle of groceries. The limousine came to a halt directly in front of the dormitory gate. Rakiza's purchases were unloaded by the chauffeur, and before Nikolas' limo left, he gave Rakiza something.
"Take this to remember me always," Nikolas said as he took Rakiza's hand in his and placed a necklace with a white rose design pendant in it.
Rakiza was enthralled by the necklace and couldn't express her gratitude to Nikolas. Nikolas had done so much to her that she couldn't believe it. His generosity was both overwhelming and unusual.
"Thank you very much, Nikolas. You're the most generous man I've ever met, "Rakiza said with a smile.
"What matters to me, Rakiza, is your happiness," Nikolas said. "Goodnight, and have a dream about me."
Rakiza felt overjoyed for the first time when Nikolas' limousine began to move. She was staring at the limo, which was fading in the dim light, when she heard a dog howling. Her hair stood up when she heard the dog howl. She could feel that someone was watching her.
***
Another bright and sunny day had arrived, and Rakiza was looking forward to her next source of income, her novel. She created a calendar journal for her "daily tasks," and writing her novel was scheduled every afternoon and night before bed. She had just finished her academic subject and was looking for a quiet place to write when she ended up in a small plaza by the woods, a few meters away from school. She spread her wide scarf on the ground, sat cross-legged, and began to write. Nikolas' necklace was on her.
She heard rustling sounds at her side after a few paragraphs and saw Theo with a basket of fruits in his right hand.
"Oh no, not him," she grumbled. "What brought you here, Mr. Monsanto?"
He said flatly, "I'm here to give you our freshly picked pears and apples," he said, without smiling, and sat the basket in front of Rakiza.
"What exactly is it?"
"I believe it was a peace offering," Theo speculated.
Rakiza sneered, "Do you think you can entice me to befriend you by bribing me with a basket of fruits?"
"I am your guardian from now on," Theo stated emphatically.
"What?" she asked, "And who declared you to be my guardian?" Rakiza yelled.
"Me," he said, "I appointed myself as your protector."
"Stay away from me, Theo," Rakiza said as she pushed him away. "I'm pressed for time."
Theo did not respond and sat silently on the ground with his legs crossed.
Rakiza was irritated by his actions and said, "What I mean is, you go away. I needed to be alone to concentrate on my story. Please go away. "
But Theo won't walk away, instead saying, "I won't bother you. I'll just sit here and be quiet the entire session."
"Are you pestering me?" Rakiza groaned.
Theo said, "From now on, I'm your guardian, approved or disapproved."