Chapter 6: Smile

Chapter 6

THERE WAS A HURRY on Ian's walk as he went down the stairs. He had a class of eight thirty but it was eight o'clock and here he was, still at his house. He did not wake up immediately even though he had an alarm last night. It was almost morning because he fell asleep last night or rather this morning. Until now, he still thinks of Aiden. Especially their relationship that has ended.

Pathetic? Maybe. Is it that easy to forget? Even though a week has passed since they broke up, he still can't help but think and go back to the times he and Aiden were together.

Is he to blame? He just loved and was hurt.

He was about to leave the house when he noticed his mother sitting on the sofa in the living room. Her mom reads the newspaper while drinking coffee. It probably just woke up. Ever since her dad died, her mom never seemed to be sleeping. It's good and it's still eating. What's worse is the words that I can spell I often mistype.

When her mother disappeared from the stage of depression, she thought the former Beatriz would return. But she was wrong. Her mother remained cold to her. There are even times when they do not see each other for a day. How he immerses himself in the company his dad left. It seemed there that he turned his grief over the death of his father.

"Mom, I'm coming in," he said to his mom. Even though it ignores him, he is still his mother so he should just say goodbye to it.

And of course, it ignored him. It did not even nod. And what was worst? It didn't even look at him. It seems like no one has heard. But he seems to be a masochist and he is no longer being taken. He knew this was the outcome but he still continued to pay attention to his mother.

Say it, Ian! There's no harm in trying. You know the wind blows differently and your mom suddenly hears you, when she talks to herself. He will say something else to his mother. He thought this was the right time because maybe if he prolonged it they might not be able to reach out anymore. Or maybe he lost his courage.

"Ahm, Ma? We have a contest for the upcoming 50th Foundation Day of SVU. I participated in the singing contest. Maybe you want to go and watch?"

Still, he heard no answer from her. She held back her tears as she stared at her mother's seemingly indifferent figure. How many times has he rejected it but why has he not been brought yet? And why is it that even though he ignores it a few times he still hurts? He must be used to it, right?

"It's okay even if you can't come. I know you're busy. All right, I'll come in," he retrieved and immediately turned around to hide the tears.

Yes, she was tough. She was expecting this. But there is also a limit to everything. He can no longer cope when his mother continues to drive him away and ignore him. Because he is also a man with a heart. Has a heart that knows how to feel and hurt. She feels even more pain because Aiden has no one to comfort her now.

If only I could bring Daddy back. Maybe Mama is not like this now ...

UNTIL Ian got to SVU he was still depressed. He did not even know which emotion was more depressing to him. Is it her breakup with Aiden or is her mom ignoring her. He has not spoken to anyone yet and will be reprimanded with resentment. What he once harbored resentment for Aiden is gone. Arianne and Ash are busy.

She suddenly felt alone.

Just like today. He eats alone in the university cafeteria. That is why he felt the sadness and his loneliness. If only there was someone out there who was kind enough to be with her. If only to listen to her problems. Or just be with her and share the silence with her.

"Life is so unfair!" he sighed softly as he turned the fork over the spaghetti on his plate.

"Yeah. Life is indeed unfair. But it is in our hands to make our lives fair."

Ian violently turned to the source of that voice and the smiling face of Mister Kill-Me-With-Your-Smile appeared on him. It was standing next to the chair in front of him. He was even surprised when he sat down without saying a word and laid down the tray he was carrying on the table. He was really surprised when he saw it now. How come their last meeting was a week ago.

What are you? Mag jowa to have communication with each other every day? he mocked himself.

Again he stared at the man and he did not know what power it had and it seemed as if the tightness of his chest suddenly disappeared. Maybe it's because of its sweet smile. Her prediction is that this is the kind of man who always has a ready and loving smile on every person he sees. Even if that person is a stranger. His smile was like a healing magic.

"Are you okay?" it said to him as silence passed between the two of them.

He just shrugged and turned the spaghetti in front of him again.

"I'm Chuck Del Mundo," he said then held out his right hand.

Without hesitation he grabbed her hand and felt that again. It was as if millions of voltages of electricity flowed through his body. It was good and he restrained himself because otherwise he might have released his hand. "I'm Nikka Bianca Bernabe. Ian for short."

He didn't know if he was just imagining it but it seemed to whisper, "I know."

The smile on the lips of the man in front of him never faded. He even lost sight of the fact that it was holding his hand. If it had not been for the slightest squeezing of his hand, he might have held his hand all day.

What the hell was wrong with her?

"You look okay," it suddenly promised.

He did not know what this man had so he could not drive it away. If it was another man maybe he would have shouted at it to leave him alone. Especially now that he is going through something. But with this guy, she felt so different. It seems that she has known the man for a long time because she is so comfortable here even though in fact it is only their second conversation.

Maybe she needed a companion so badly right now. That's all.

"I'm good and pretending," he did not know what entered him to say that.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"If that is so ..."

He did not hear a continuation of that but he ignored it. He was just surprised when he felt his hand on his arm and pulled him upright. On the other hand is its tray containing the food of the two of them.

"What?" he asked in astonishment.

He just smiled sheepishly while still gently holding her wrist. "Just. Come with me."

He does not know what spirit belongs to him and he only sees his own following it. He did not know what Chuck had in order for him to obey him silently. Maybe it was his smile. Or his aura. Or maybe, it was just because he is Chuck.