He was facing against the library entrance when he heard footsteps trailing away from the door. I thought Cathy has left already. He slowly looked towards the door and saw a glimpse of a woman. At least he knows it's a woman wearing a red dress. She was walking away, all he saw was her long wavy hair swaying from her slender body. The wind caught her perfume and brought it straight up his nostrils. He could never forget that soft and feminine yet strong and alluring scent.
Sam?!
He could not be mistaken. It was the same scent he has smelled back when the times were different.
He heard the clink of a tin can touching one of the library tables. If not for the incident the other day with the girl with the pretty face, he would not have known where the sound came from.
“Food and drinks are not allowed inside the library,” he emphasized the words ‘not allowed’ while eyeing the can of coffee drink Sam was holding. “I’m getting sleepy with all these studying, would you rather have me fall asleep here? And besides I’m gonna clean up after myself. Relax.” She didn’t seem to be bothered by the serious tone in his voice. “If you’re feeling sleepy then why don’t you step out and go sleep at a corner of some corridors out there somewhere. You wouldn’t want ants and pests feasting over here, would you?” Though he tried to hide his disgust over her invading the privacy of his sanctuary, he couldn’t help but still sound apathetic towards her. “You’re not very nice!” She feigned a pout and looked at him. Sensing no sign of concern from him, she changed from damsel in distress to evil step mother. “You don’t like me here, do you? Well, I’ve got news for you, Mr. Evil Student Librarian, I’m here to stay. To study or to annoy you, you’ll never know. One thing’s for sure,” she pointed her finger at her face while smirking triumphantly at him. She knows he was rattled. “This right here, not going anywhere!” She took another sip of her coffee drink, put her headset on and returned to her reading.
Their first two encounters have been very foul. He doesn’t like her guts. She seem to be one of those girls who are used to getting their way on everything. She knows the rules and knows how to make them work in her favor. From their arguments, he can deduct that this girl isn’t just like any other normal girls in campus. She manifests an image of authority and a never say die attitude. Needless to say, he is amazed.
True to her words, she became a frequent and unwelcomed visitor to his haven. Some days they would argue even on trivial matters but most days he just leaves her with her reading.
“You know these stuff are all available in the internet, right?” He was intrigued with her persistence and determination in finding the books she needs. “Your efforts in trying to drive me away will not work. You should know that by now.” She quipped without even looking away from her book. Even he was surprised at the realization that for the first time, he was not trying start a fight with her. He was just curious. “No, I just though it will take lesser time and effort if you search in the net. You seem like a girl that has a lot of other social activities,” it was too late to take the remark back. He prepared himself for another bout of their never ending battle of wits.
“I can’t do that. I lose focus. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter. They know my weakness. And yes, I do have a healthy social life.” This day is full of surprises. For the first time since they met, they were able to engage in a non-hostile verbal exchange. Her face lit up. “Hmm. Are you busy tomorrow night?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “You prolly aren’t. Come with us! We’re going to this super stoke bar. Bring a friend. Cathy’s coming too.”
He has worked with Cathy since the start of the schoolyear but she became friends with her in a just a span of three weeks. She does have a sociable nature. “I don’t know. I don’t drink.” He found himself mumbling. “Too bad, I don’t take no for an answer,” she gathered her things and left.
Funny how a simple scent could take you back in time. Just as he was about to follow the lady in red, he heard hurried footsteps coming towards the library. “I left my keys. Why are you still here? The program is about to start.” Cathy ducked her keys at the front desk. “You really shouldn’t leave your keys there. I’m on my way there. Let’s go,” there was a bit of dismay in his voice.
“Is everything alright?” It’s really difficult to hide anything from this girl. “Nah, I just thought I saw her a while ago.” He thought it would be better not to lie.
••.•´•.••TO BE CONTINUED••.•´•.••
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