Chapter 56

'Who are you in my life, Baki Canglor?' I asked myself.
I can't explain why I'm feeling tense with her. I feel like we know each other or that we have a link in my life because she can do something that I don't feel in others, just like I felt before. All of her acts and gestures to me are always calm, and I can't bear to look her in the eyes because I feel she knows everything about me. Every time she smiles, I get the impression that she's challenging me to something I'm not sure about. I can't really explain why I feel that way about her.
"Are you all right, El?" Ivan said as he placed his hand on my shoulder.
I gave him a direct glance and a smile. I respond with a nod, "Don't worry, I'm OK."
"That's great," he said, smiling, as he took his hand out of my shoulder. "Perhaps you were taken aback by Baki's actions and treatment of you." He continued, "Actually, she appears at ease with you because she only chatted to you like that aside from the four of us."
I simply nodded and forced a smile at him. "I'm heading to the cafeteria," I responded, "Just follow me there," and he nodded.
I walked down the corridor to the cafeteria after exiting the technical drawing room. I took a deep breath and hoped that Ivan wouldn't notice my aversion to discussing Baki. I couldn't really respond to what he said, so I left.
Quite a few students were in my close surroundings because they had already gathered at the field and only had to wait a few minutes for the competition to begin. I"m sure the soccer field was full of spectators because a lot of people were outside earlier.
When I got in the cafeteria, I had already met quite a few students. There are supporters of the opposing team, as well as school mates who have come to cheer on the CU soccer team. Some of the students wearing maroon smiled at me, as if they recognized me through my relationship with Ivan. I have no option but to smile back, despite my embarrassment, cause I don't want people to think I'm a snob.
Many people acknowledge me as they smile at me even when I am alone. When I go to the mall by myself, someone recognizes me, so I smile at them even if they are unfamiliar with me. When I'm not with Ivan but they notice me, I'm both thrilled and sad because I feel like they accept me as Ivan's girl. I'm glad because they've accepted that I'm the one they want, but I'm sad because they've accepted me a lot for Ivan, but I still can't get to like him.
I bought Yakult and chips as I approached the counter. I searched for a seat and picked one near the door so Ivan could see me right away. I sat down and pulled my phone from the purse I was carrying before looking at the message board.
I'm not sure why I'm anticipating his message. I pushed myself not to think about him when I awoke earlier, and it was only now that I remembered what occurred last night.
I don't know how I'm going to approach him. I don't know how I'll speak with him. I'm sure he was perplexed by how I treated him last night and wondered why I was acting so strangely. I can't tell him the true reason, therefore I'm hesitant to contact or apologize to him first, for fear that he'll ask as to why I was so weird with him last night.
While staring at the message wall, I was surprised because suddenly a notification popped up. I had thought it was from the person I had been waiting to contact, but when I opened it and found it wasn't, I was caught off guard.
Aly sent me a text message asking about my whereabouts.
To Aly:
I'm in the cafeteria. I'm waiting for Ivan and we're going to the soccer field together. See you. Do you want to eat something?
She immediately reply after a second.
From El:
I'll just wait for you here. Buy me Dutch Mill and Pretzils. <333
I said "ok" to her and then looked up to see a man standing in front of my table as I placed my phone on the table. He is the team captain I refer to when we see them in the corridor, as I recall his face. As Ivan and I walked to the technical drawing room, I noticed him in the front of the group. I don't know why he's standing across from me. Is he willing to share my table with me? That question sprang to my thoughts while he was holding a battle of water and a slice of vanilla flavor cake.
I waited for him to speak, but he just kept looking at me so I asked him.
"Yes, how can I help you?" I asked.
I was flabbergasted as he chuckle. He has a dimple in his cheekbones that adds to his attractiveness. I can't dispute that he was appealing, and he was also rather tall. His body is ideal, and he is the sort of man who will be a campus heart throb.
"Is anyone seated here yet?" he asked, indicating to the chair in front of my place.
In response, I gently shook my head. I checked to see if there was no table available, and I questioned why he came here when there were still tables and chairs available.
I look at him when he asks me, "Can I sit here?"
I paused for a moment before nodding. It's perplexing, yet I see no problem with his sitting here. I agreed as we weren't going to chat and we weren't going to do anything nasty.
I kept my head bent while he sat on the chair in front of me. I didn't drink or eat anything I bought and instead sat about waiting for Ivan to come. I'm not sure why, but I'm not at ease in my seat because I have the impression that someone is gazing at me; I have the feeling that the man in front of me is staring at me. I got the bravery to look at him after a few minutes as he doesn't speak and I can't hear him eat.
I was right in thinking he was glancing at me, and I couldn't help but grimace when I saw him smile. We first saw him when he was quite serious, but now he is smiling, and despite his attractiveness, you can sense his nervousness as a result of his smile.
I swallowed hard as I gazed down at his face, his hand resting on the table, his fingers intertwined. His thumbs were brushing against one other, and I had a weird feeling about it.
I rose up and took the things I had purchased for Aly and myself. He continued to stare at me as I stood up, and as I turned away, he grabbed my wrist.
I glare at him, and several of the students in the cafeteria stare at us. I tried not to scream at him as I said, "Let me go."
What exactly is his problem? Is he familiar with me and does he act as though we're close?
"Can you tell me why you're leaving?" He refused to let me leave, saying, "I simply want to know you." I couldn't get my hand out of his grip as he was holding me so tightly.
I said calmly, "Just find someone else because I'm not interested in you." I won't shout as long as he hasn't physically hurt me, as I know there will be trouble.
After hearing my remark, he smirked. I didn't wait for him to say anything before turning my back on him after he let me go. I exited the cafeteria, and I was even more startled when he grabbed my shoulder and brought me to the cafeteria's side. I couldn't do anything but yell at him because he was tough. There are no students outside the cafeteria, and I'm certain that I won't be heard inside because the place is soundproof.
He pressed me against the wall while staring at me with lust in his eyes. He put his hand on the part of my neck and ear and remarked, "I saw you earlier and you immediately attracted my attention."
I get shivers just thinking about what he did. I took his hand away from him right away, which made him smile even wider. I gathered strength and prevented myself from crying because of what was going on. I swallowed hard before deciding to kick his private parts with my knee. When I did that, he bolted in front of me, his body contorted from the pain he had experienced.
I'm dumbfounded - I can see how he's suffering as a result of what I've done. I'm not sure whether he'll be able to play later, but I don't have to feel guilty as he began it; he was to fault, and what I did was the only thing that was good for him.
He shouted, gripping his private area, "You motherfucker! If I can't play later, I'll track you down and compensate you for what have you done to me!"
I gulped again and didn't respond to him. I run away, leaving him yelling and threatening we will return to punish me, but I didn't give a damn. I know he can't do anything to me because he's from another province. He's misguided if he believes I'm weak and will restrain his lust.
I was a courageous teenager living. I grew up never losing to anyone, and whomever ran into me and threatened to hurt me would be unable to do so because I would fight as long as I was physically capable. I'm frightened, but I have to remember to fight because I won't let my identity be destroyed.
As I hurried away from him, I became increasingly aware that my life was in risk. I don't know what would have occurred if I hadn't had the bravery I had. I understood that, in the end, you just have yourself to look forward to. You must learn to defend yourself because you may not always have someone to defend you. There are moments when we are constantly with someone and when we need need help, yet we find ourselves alone, thus we must always be prepared for everything that may occur. Courage and self-confidence are the most important lessons we must acquire because they will save us when we face life's challenges.
When I heard a call, I put my thoughts aside and ran. I was far from the cafeteria, and when I saw who had called, I immediately remembered that I would wait him there and we would go to the field together.
He was running as well, and when he arrived at my location, we were both out of breath. I don't know where he began running, but his look indicated that he had come a long distance.
He stuttered and questioned, "W-why are you running?"
Before responding to him, I gulped and took a long breath. "I was under the impression you were on the field. I thought the game was about to begin when I heard the MC. I ran to see you and cheer you," I pretended.
I push myself to smile at him in the hopes of persuading him to believe what I'm saying. I didn't want him to know the truth as I knew it would cause another problems. I knew he wouldn't let the man who abused me go unpunished; I knew he wouldn't let it go unreported.
I'm completely alright. There was no need to exacerbate the situation because I was able to defend myself, it's better that I'm the only one who knows because if I report more, the situation will just become worse. This isn't to indicate that nothing has happened to me; it's because I don't want to sympathize with others.
"How did you get to that conclusion, El? Didn't I tell you I was going to the cafeteria? " he asked, and I responded with a nod. "I felt anxious and wondered where you went," he whispered, without looking at me.
"What's making you nervous?" I questioned.
Before answering, he takes a glance around. "Do you have a good sense of hearing?"
"I'm curious as to why you were nervous," I said again.
"Because when I went to the cafeteria and didn't see you, I asked the students there if they seen you, and they stated you had a man with you as you came out," he said after taking a long breath.
I took a deep breath before asking him, chuckling. "Who is with me?"
"The other team's captain. Isn't that not the case? "
With a shake of my head and a laugh, I expressed my dissatisfaction with the situation. "What makes you think I'd be with him? I have no idea who he is."
He gave a little nod before wrapping his arms around my shoulder. "Let's not discuss it; instead, let's go to the soccer field because the game is about to begin."