Chapter 32

I swallowed hard as I heard to what he said. "Why do your parents want to see me? Do they know who I am? Am I going to see them tonight?" I asked.
"Not right now," he said, shaking his head, "but they want me to take you home. Is that okay with you?" I couldn't respond immediately away, so he continued. "There's no pressure, El. It's OK," he smiled, and I nodded. "We need to get home because my mother had no idea I was here and they could find me among my friends."
He took the plastic bag carrying the food he had purchased earlier. He spent too much money, yet he didn't eat a piece of food. I also only ate a pack of chips and a Yakult, thus the items of the plastic bag appear to have remained unchanged.
I followed him as he began to walk. "What are you going to do with all those snacks you bought? You bought too many and didn't even eat one."
"We're short on time, I didn't eat; don't worry, I'll just store it in the filthy kitchen cupboard and if you want to come back here, we'll come back," he added as we walked down to the main floor.
We walked into the filthy kitchen, where he had already placed the chips and beverages in the cupboard. He smiled as he turned to face me. He asked, "Do you still want to come back here?"
I took a deep breath and nodded slowly. "Why not?" I said, "but I'm not sure when."
"Just let me know when you're ready," he said, and I nodded. "I'm always available when it comes to you," he said lightly, and I couldn't hear him.
"Wait, what? I didn't understand what you just said."
He smiled and shook his head as he approached me, saying, "Let's go," and tapping my head before passing my place.
I followed his back, just as I had done earlier, until we exited the house and passed through the gate. We went for a walk on the beach, and despite wearing shoes, I let them get soaked with water. The water was warm and pleasant to touch, and I'm sure it was good to bathe and swim in due to the little waves. I'll bring additional clothing the next time we visit, and I'll take advantage of the opportunity to swim. I like to come here when there is a full moon, as is now the case, because it is frightening to gaze around when there is no moon.
"El, look at the moon," Ivan said as he came to a halt. When he was in my side, he turned to face me and resumed walking. I moved slightly aside when I felt his hand brush my skin while he was staring at the moon. "El, I feel like the moon is following us, and look at the lovely reflection; it's almost as if it's shining a spotlight on us."
I kept my mouth shut and strolled silently. We took our time and just had to go a short distance to reach the port entrance. As most people have returned home, the number of people on the beach has fallen slightly. I'm sure there are a lot of people here every day as I can see how lovely the sea and atmosphere are even at night, so it must be even nicer during the day. The sand is white, and the cottages are surrounded by coconut trees.
While strolling, pictures from earlier in a while flashed across my thoughts.
"Ivan," I said, and I saw him gaze at me, but I didn't reciprocate. "About the issue," I added.
"What's the matter, El?" he asked.
"Don't try to fix the issue; you said it was OK with you, didn't it?" I questioned, looking at him. I averted my gaze from him as he nodded. "As long as we don't get any complaint, I'm fine with it." I take a big breath before continuing. "I'm fine with the situation, but it doesn't imply I like you; I hope you didn't get the wrong impression."
I heard him sigh as he didn't immediately reply to what I said. "I can't deny that I'm happy, and you accepted everything and weren't upset with me; I can't deny that I like you, and I'm aware that we don't feel mutually, but can you give me a chance to prove that I'm worth it for you?"
I came to a halt, and he soon followed. I look at him with trepidation. It's the first time he's stated he likes me personally, and even though I'm quite sure I'm the person he's referring to in his Facebook post, it doesn't stop me from being startled. But now isn't the time to be surprised; I need to explain everything to him. All of a sudden, I thought he simply thought of me as a friend.
"What if I hurt you, Ivan?" I sighed. "I can't promise that I'll like you the way you liked me. I don't want you to try, Ivan, because I can't risk our relationship. If it doesn't work, aren't you going to avoid me?"
I didn't care about him at first, but when he helped me, I felt and recognized he was kind, and I began to open my heart to be his friend.
He put his hand on my shoulder and shook his head. "Let's just try," he said, smiling. "We'll never know if we don't try. If it doesn't work, it's okay; we'll still consider each other friends."
I took a big gulp. I don't want to hurt him, but I do want to find a way to forget my feeling for Jas. We'll never know if we don't try, as Ivan points out.
I couldn't think of anything to say, so I asked him. "So, what exactly are you looking for me to say?"
He laughed softly as he took his hand off my shoulder. He said, "Say yes to my question, did you get it?" I nodded. "Elanor Geover Trivor, can I prove to you that I am worth it? Do you agree that we get to know each other? Would you allow me be your moon; will you allow me to follow you and be willing to offer light in the dark you are taking?" he asked, biting his lower lip.
I swallowed hard as I listened to his poetic remarks. I wanted to chuckle at what he said, but I restrained myself so he wouldn't think his query was a joke. I nodded in response to him.
He emphasized the final word, "I want you to say yes." "I want to hear it straight from your mouth," he continued, smiling.
I began to walk after rolling my eyes at him. He was chasing me and forcing me. He laughed as he continued, "El, you should say yes!" I tried to ignore him, but he persisted.
I shouted, "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" and turned to face him. "Do you think you're happy?"
He grinned at me and laughed as if he'd won the lottery. "Very satisfied," he remarked.
"You're insane," I muttered before turning away from him and resuming my walk. I accelerated my pace to the point where Ivan couldn't keep up with me. He's being naughty and laughing at something I don't understand.
"Hey, El!" he yelled. I didn't turn to face Ivan as he yelled, "Don't leave me!" I'm ashamed by what I just said, and he's cracking up.
When we got to the paved road, he took off running and caught up to me. "Are you mad with me, El?" He said. "I'm sorry," he apologized, pouting.
I simply ignored him and continued walking. He continuously asked whether I was upset, and I simply ignored him until he blocked my way. As he approached, I smirked and backed away until my back was leaning against the car, preventing me from leaving in front of him.
I glance at him and inquire as to why he is blocking me with my expression. He simply smiled and tilted his head to the side.
I exclaimed, "Get out of my way," and tried to past him, but he held my shoulder.
"Where are you going?" he asked, his smile never leaving his lips. To wake him awake, I want to hit him in the face. Is he already crazy?
"Get out of my way, I'm heading home!"
He said that his mother was already on the lookout for him, but he nevertheless put on this show. He's weird; his moods shift so quickly, and I really want to retract what I said previously.
"You're resting against my car, so where else are you going?" he said, a smile on his face.
I swallowed hard and diverted my gaze from his. "I'll only ride with other people. I'm not going with you as there's a jeep or a tricycle here."
He smiled and grabbed my wrist. I was taken aback as he dragged me in his way. I wondered what he would do to me, but all he did was open the passenger door.
He gazed at my face as he opened it. "Can you tell me what you're thinking?" I didn"t answer him. "Come in," he said, a smile on his face.
I swallowed and am at a loss for words. I'm ashamed and I can't tread on my foot. He grabbed my wrist once again and forced me into his car. He walked to the other door of the driver's seat and entered as soon as I got in.
I felt him gaze at me as he started the car engine. I didn't say anything and didn't glance at his seat, but after a minute, I couldn't bear it anymore, and he continued to stare at me.
"Are you still on the lookout for something? Why haven't you driven a car yet? Have you forgotten that your parents are patiently awaiting your arrival?" I reminded him. I looked at him and was startled for the second time as his face was so near to mine. "W-what are you doing?" I stuttered, but he moved closer, and I bit my bottom lip as I knew what he was about to do.
After fastening my seatbelt, he asked, "What are you thinking?" He laughed as he held the car's steering wheel.
"Nothing," I answered, still ashamed, "don't talk to me and just focus on driving."
He merely responded, "OK."
We didn't speak again, and he simply played music. I noticed the current time on his iPad screen and realized that it appeared like we were staying on the beach for too little time, but the fact is that we had already been there for almost two hours. Even if he didn't drive fast, the ride home was likewise simple.
I smiled at him as we approached the opposite side of my apartment. Even if his naughty actions and behavior annoyed me earlier, I can't deny that I had a good time at the beach. He was really generous when he loaned me his telescope.
I said, "Thank you for the trip," and he smiled back.
"El, you don't have to be grateful." He answered with a little scratch on his neck and said, "I should be the one to thank you."
"To be fair," I suggested, "accept my gratitude and I will accept your thankfulness." He nodded. He left the car and opened the door for me.
I gave him another look when I exited. "Go home, your mother is going to chastise you."
"Don't worry, mom won't be mad," he assured me.
"All right, get in your car," I replied, and he nodded before walking up to the driver's door and waving at me. I also make a hand motion to him. "Bye," I replied, as he got into his car. When he drove, I also entered the apartment.
I gasped as I turned on the light in my apartment. It's also exhausting to be alone, but I have no choice than to accept that I'm truly alone.
I relaxed for an hour by watching anime on television, then taking a half bath and getting dressed. I took my pre-calculus book and notebook and decided to do some further studying because I had never experienced drowsiness yet.
Even though it's 11:30 p.m., I'm still reviewing since I didn't feel sleepy until after midnight, but I had to stop solving the problem when I heard a knock on the door I had no guests expected, but just one immediately comes to mind, and when I opened the door for him, I smiled because my instincts were accurate.