Chapter VI
BEAUTIFUL RAINY DAY
(Lotus All-Girls School morning. Olivia walking along the school pathway)
My name is Olivia; from the house Lennox and I am a year two student.
(Pathway inside the school)
"Good morning, Miss Olivia" a group of lower year students' vows and greets her in chorus. They are blushing to see her.
"Good morning." She smiles and vow to them as well.
Her smile causes giggles to the girls. "Have a nice day, Miss Olivia." Then they walk ahead and they are giggling and exchanging of crush talks about the beautiful Olivia.
Olivia just smile and shake her head. "Youngsters."
XXXX
(Inside Year 2 classroom)
"The student who got the highest score of our previous first grand examination; is Olivia." The literature female teacher announces to the class. Then the literature teacher read a tablet of recognition "This is an award to Olivia from the House Lennox, in recognition of your outstanding class performance."
Everyone inside the classroom congratulate and applauses to her.
Olivia vows to her classmates to show her gratitude then walk to the front to accept her award.
"You are one of the most promising students in our school. I'm so proud of you, Olivia." the literature teacher praises her again. Then hand to her the wood tablet with inscriptions.
"Thank you, teacher" She accepts the award then smile to everyone. This is not the first time; that I get awards like this. So I know what to do in moments like this; I smile and show to everyone that I am grateful of their recognition to me.
XXXX
(Lotus All-girls School: Music room)
"Miss, did you see those girls earlier at the pathway? They were giggling and blushing towards you." Personal maid, she is sitting beside her Miss Olivia. They are waiting for her personal music tutor to arrive.
Olivia tilt her head to remember it. "Really?"
The personal maid gets excited to tell more to her Miss. "Yes, Miss. They are admiring you a lot. I heard them sometimes at the pathway when I am waiting while you're having class."
Olivia smiles about what her maid just tells her now. "Nah, they are just youngsters. They like to admire; especially to a person who is talented and kind."
"Talented and kind? Miss, did you mean the young master we met at the drinking house?" the personal maid giggles.
Olivia thought well of what just her personal maid said; then she looks sideway. "So you got a crush on him?"
"No no no, Miss." Personal maid refuse right away.
Olivia gets amuse of her maid reaction. "We just met him; but he is a very interesting guy." She smiles upon saying that.
Then the door of the room opens; it is Lady Julia.
"Good afternoon, Lady Julia" Olivia stand-up then vow.
"Good afternoon, Olivia." Lady Julia get inside the room and sits down in front. She is Olivia's personal tutor. "You may sit now."
Olivia sits down.
"Congratulations, I heard your top 1 again in our school year 2 overall exam." Lady Julia smiles to her.
Olivia feeling shy. "Yes, thank you, Lady Julia. It is because of your teaching and guidance I succeeded every examination."
"It is because you are a natural born intelligent child, Olivia. You deserved every award and recognition that is given to you." Lady Julia.
"Thank you so much, Lady Julia." Olivia sounding grateful.
Lady Julia opens the book that she brought. "Today's subject is calligraphy, right?" she asks that question while turning pages of the book.
"Yes, Lady Julia." Olivia's calligraphy book is already in front of her.
"Last time, we finished a piece of painting with a theme of Bridges, right?" Lady Julia
"Yes, I painted the bridge outside our school." Olivia.
"Open you book on page 95. We will discuss about calligraphy in painting." Lady Julia
Olivia follows Lady Julia's Instruction.
"So today, I want you to learn about calligraphy on your painting. I want you to write a short description, or a short poem, or maybe a glimpse of a short story about your painting. It would be more interesting if you can put a little riddle into it." Lady Julia starts her personal tutorial teaching to Olivia.
Olivia nods.
(One hour passes-by.)
"Very good, Olivia. Outstanding result; if I mistook it, I will think that this is a work of a master painter and calligrapher." Lady Julia praising and looking at Olivia's Bridge Painting.
"Thank you, Lady Julia." Olivia feeling very pleased to hear Lady Julia's praises to her.
"Tomorrow, I will send your painting to your father. So he will know your progress." Lady Julia get back to her table and she starts to keep her things. "So this week tutorial lesson is a success. We will meet next week again, same time."
Olivia saunters near the table. "Lady Julia, I met your son."
"Oh, you meet Paul?" she said that without looking at Olivia; she keeps clearing her table.
"No, it is your youngest son that I met." Olivia.
Lady Julia stop clearing her table when she hears that. "I see, my dearest Sebastian."
"Yes, Lady Julia. I just want to say to you my appreciation because he played very well the music that I composed." Olivia getting shy saying that.
Lady Julia gets surprise to learn that. "Sebastian is such a talented young man. His just like you, Olivia. Natural born with talent and intelligence. I hope his not disobedient while his with you."
"Actually, his very kind to me, Lady Julia. And I just really want to praise him, and to tell you that you got a beautiful son." Olivia
Lady Julia feels wary hearing that from Olivia, but she manages to smile to her. Inside her mind, Olivia's innocence about her feelings and appreciation towards her son is the reason why.
XXXX
(Outside the Lotus All-girls School)
Olivia and her personal maid is standing at the waiting shed made of woods and bamboos.
"Miss Olivia, it's okay; I will just visit my father tomorrow." Personal maid, she just received a message from home; that her father is severely ill due to infectious wound.
"Here, take this money with you. Go to the doctor's house and buy some medicines." Olivia give her money pouch to her maid.
"But Miss…" personal maid is reluctant to accept.
"Your father deserves a second chance in life." She holds her maid's hand and give the money pouch.
The personal maid accepts it in tears. "Thank you so much, Miss."
"Don't cry. Go now and visit your father. You can stay there as long as you needed. I will be fine for a couple of days." Olivia is sympathetic to her maid.
The personal maid wipes her tears. "Thank you so much, Miss." Then she takes her leave.
(Few minutes passes-by.)
Droplets of rain begins to pour down.
"Drizzle while the sun shines brightly." Olivia look around the surroundings; rain drops pouring gently and the brick-grounds slowly damp with water.
People along the street are walking with umbrellas.
I told my maid that I will be fine in a couple of days, but here I am stranded in the rain. She just watches around and did not mind the people walking along the street.
A person appears from a distant with an umbrella and keeps walking towards the school waiting shed.
Olivia look up ahead and notices someone is heading to where she is standing; so she watches the person but she can't see who is that person because the umbrella is covering the frontal.
The white robe clothing of the person is deflected by the sun rays and it forms different colors.
Olivia keeps looking at the person who stop in front of the waiting shed and is now a meter away from where she is standing. She gets confuse. Who is this person? Why stops here.
The person pushes the umbrella up to his head to see in front. Both of them not smiling to each other but instead they eye to eye contact for few seconds.
Olivia pleasantly smile to the person in front with an umbrella.
Sebastian smiles back. "I heard you need an umbrella." he moves his hand to wiggle the umbrella which is made of small-thin bamboo culm stick and waterproof cloth; with a bird crane design and the color is pink and dark-gray.
Olivia look at him. "Yes, but you'll get wet if you give that to me."
"Mm… good point. But we can share." Sebastian's expression is charming. "Come, join me." He steps closer to her.
Olivia then steps forward and both of them now is under the umbrella; she controls her blushing.
The height difference between them is now visible; Sebastian is few inches taller than Olivia. "Do you want to go home now? Where is your maid? And the wagon driver?"
"The wagon driver is a bit late." Olivia looking up to see Sebastian's face.
Sebastian same time looking at Olivia's face. They are like that for few seconds. Staring at each other's eyes. "You want to come with me? I'm on my way to the Play House."
"Play House?" she repeats that.
"Yes, we are invited to join the SSE elders of our school." Sebastian smile.
Olivia think for a moment. At that moment even the rain is pouring she can smell a sweet fragrance around them. The scent of his fragrance is flowery sweet just like mine; it is very sweet mixed together and indulging to smell. "Okay then, I'll come with you."
"Great." Sebastian gets excited that Olivia will come with him to the Play House.
"Hurry up guys. The rain will not stop for us." Zack calling Sebastian and Olivia to catch-up with them.
"Friend, make sure Miss Olivia don't get wet by the rain" Jeo reminding Sebastian.
Sebastian and Olivia laughing together while they catch-up to them.
XXXX
(At the Town's Play House)
"There he is, our beloved beautiful guy; Sebastian…" Malcolm starts the sarcasm as soon as he sees Sebastian' group gets inside the Play House main play room.
"Malcolm, we are here to create friends." Chris lectured him right away.
Malcolm just shrugs his shoulder.
The other students in the room are already playing.
"Welcome year one students" Chris stands-up and meet them. "Paul, they are here." He calls out Paul to meet with them as well.
Then Olivia walks inside the room.
"Olivia you're here?" Chris ask her right away.
Sebastian gets surprise that Chris seems like to know Olivia.
"I'm sorry brother, I did not know that you're here." Olivia gets apologetic.
"Don't be sorry, come on." Chris put his hand around her shoulder and talks to her in low voice that makes Olivia comfortable again.
I just watch them.
"Sebastian, my younger sister agreed to come with you?" Chris walks back together with his younger sister. He then let Olivia stand besides Sebastian.
"Yes, head elder." I answer right away.
Chris claps and laugh with astonishment. "Splendid!" he then walks behind Sebastian and massage his shoulders. "You're brave and lucky, my younger sister doesn't simply allow anyone to talk to her; and you brought her here." Chris stop massaging Sebastian's shoulder then stand in front of him.
"Chris." Paul joins them. "Sebastian, go there and sit with your friends; and with Miss Olivia." He instructed him.
"Okay brother." I guide Olivia to walk with us to the table and she follows.
Chris and Paul watch them as they take their sits.
"My apologies." Paul vows to Chris.
Chris then wraps his arm to Paul's shoulder. "What are you talking about? Were here to have fun." He smiles and walk them to their table.
XXXX
Hours passes by and they played few games already. Just few of them participated; those students who knows the game and can play the game.
Chris stand-up. "It looks like a little boring now; the other guests are not participating in the games." He watches at the side where Sebastian's group seated and next to other groups who just sits there and talk. "Anyone can suggest a game that everyone can participate?"
"I know a game" a member of SSE stand-up to talk "Let's play blindfold game."
Chris smile to hear that. "That's a perfect suggestion. So who will be the blind man?" he looks around.
"This guy." Malcolm point at the person beside him. "Here my friend will be the blind man."
"Okay" a member of SSE.
Then Malcolm talks to him, he is somewhat giving him instruction.
"That settle the blind man. Everyone participate, no excuses. Okay? So let's play." Chris getting excited.
(At the table where Sebastian's group seated)
"Let's separate, and go to the corners. The blind man will not to catch us. This is an easy game." Zack telling them what to do.
"Okay, friend" Jeo answer right away.
Olivia just nod.
"Okay" I replied shortly. "Here let me help you stand-up" I stand first then reach my hand to Olivia.
Olivia accept Sebastian hand and she stand-up in front of him.
They are inch closer.
"Let's stay together." I suggest.
Olivia nods and agrees to Sebastian's idea that they stay together.
Their group separated. And the game begins.
"Go straight, keep walking" Malcolm instructing the blind man.
"Wait why are you giving him hints, Malcolm?" Chris gets surprise to his actions.
"I'm sorry Chris, I forgot to tell you and to everyone else that this is a coop-game. The blind man will search and his assistant will give him clues where to go. I mean what's wrong with that right? It will take years before the blind man can catch the other players if there's no help from an assistant." Malcolm smiling
Chris nods "You're right, that's another way of playing this game too, more challenging. Okay, continue."
The blind man walks to the direction.
"A little further to your right" Malcolm smirking to Sebastian.
I ignore him. I can see the situation here; Malcolm's instruction is leading towards us.
"Right right right." Malcolm pointing his hand to the right.
The blind man going further right and almost near to where Sebastian and Olivia standing.
"Come here." I lead Olivia to go to the other side and she follows me.
"Back back, go left they went left." Malcolm is laughing now.
Then some students at the left side scrambles in chaos, the blind man is heading that way. With that, Sebastian and Olivia separates.
"Now they are not together, lets catch the beautiful, Miss. Left then a little forward." Malcolm smiling.
Olivia is alone now she got separated from Sebastian; so she moves to the right side, to avoid the blind man and manage to escape. Then walk further to the right side.
"Go back right, she went right, keep going right!" Malcolm getting impatient.
The blind man goes further right.
Olivia doesn't like that she is the target of the game, she gets corner at the sidewall; so she steps backward.
The blind man keeps going to where Olivia at.
Olivia keeps stepping backward and did not notice the tables behind her. Then she steps one more and gets out of balance.
"Sebastian, friend!" Jeo shouts watching Olivia about to fall on the floor.
"I got you." I scope Olivia's waist with my right arm; then in full turn I tuck her closer to my body but she's heavy than I expected. "Oh no I don't got you." So we fall down on the floor mat. My body slam on the floor and I protect my head and her head. "Are you hurt?"
Olivia raise her head; she is on top of Sebastian. "I'm fine, are you?"
"Yeah, just a little hurt." I lip smile to her.
"Are you okay?" Chris help his sister to stand-up.
"Yes, brother. I'm fine." Olivia straighten her dress after she stands-up.
Zack pull Sebastian to stand-up. "Are you okay?" he is serious.
I nod to him; yet I squeeze my butt it hurts but not that much.
"My sister will not join the games anymore." Chris walk Olivia away from the gathering of students.
I just watch them walking away.
After a few minutes
Olivia decided to go home.
"Head elder, Chris. Allow me to walk Olivia outside the Play House." I ask him properly.
Chris smile. "Of course Sebastian. I trust you; that you will keep her safe. Go on catch up with her."
"Thank you head elder" right away; I rush to the entrance and grab my umbrella.
XXXX
(Entrance of the Play House; it is still drizzling outside.)
Olivia stops near the edge of the stairs going down to the street, the roof still covering that area. She looks up a little to watch the gray sky and foggy surroundings. I don't have an umbrella. She finds herself useless and funny this time.
Then Sebastian stand close beside her with an umbrella.
"I just thought you need an umbrella." I keep looking in front. I'm feeling a bit shy right now, I failed to saved her at the game; we fell.
Olivia glance at Sebastian, she finds him so beautiful under the umbrella. She suppresses her smile, then look in front as well. "You're hurt, I'm sorry."
"I'm not hurt at all." I answer right away then face to her side.
"You keep squeezing your back part while we were inside." She feels responsible.
So she keeps eyeing me the whole time. That thought makes me smile. "Don't be sorry, because I'm really fine. And I just did the right thing."
Then a horse wagon stops at the side of the street.
"I guess that's your ride." I help her go downstairs, the woods are slippery; it is soaked with rain water.
The two of them stand at the front of the wagon and the drizzle keeps pouring.
"The rain is really beautiful." I said that while looking at her face.
Olivia raise her right hand outside the umbrella's cover and catch some rain. "It is beautiful." She watches the water drops into her palm.
I watch her; as she appears so beautiful catching droplets. Why are you so beautiful, Olivia…? The real person inside of me can't stop the feeling.
Few seconds.
I hold her hand, and gently pull it. "You will catch cold if you play with rain." I get an embroidered cloth inside my pocket; and wipe it to dry her hand.
Olivia just letting Sebastian doing it, she keeps looking at him. "Thank you."
"There." Then I keep the cloth again inside my pocket.
"I should take my leave now." She politely smiles to him.
I nod and help her to climb and get inside the wagon.
"I hope to see you again, Sebastian." Olivia
I nod again and gently closes the wagon's door, and stand there under my umbrella watching the wagon drives away.
XXXX
(Next day: Hastings House)
"Achoo!" I keep sneezing and my temperature is high.
"Here, drink this. It is a mixture of ginger and lemon. This will make you feel better" Lady Julia is taking care of her youngest son right now.
"Thank you, Mother" I accepted the cup and sip it slowly. "It's hot."
"That will soothe your throat, my son." Lady Julia slowly picking up some of the clothing around the room. "You're not cleaning your room well."
"I'm sorry mother, I'm busy at school." actually I forgot to clean my stuffs.
"Yesterday at school; did you forgot to bring umbrella?" Lady Julia.
"I did but, I shared it with someone." I lip smile remembering who I shared my umbrella.
Then Lady Julia pick-up a scroll and she knows right away the seal embedded on it. She arranges the things on top of the table and put the scrolls and books at the shelves and racks.
I keep sipping the ginger and lemon drink. Somehow it makes me feel soothe but I still have a fever.
"My son, do you know Olivia? The daughter of the chancellor. She told me last time she attended my tutorial lesson that; you two met already." Lady Julia sits at the chair beside Sebastian's bed.
"Yes, mother, we met at the party." I continue sipping
"My son, here me out. Maybe, avoid meeting up with her." Lady Julia
I stop sipping and look at the side where my mother seated. "Why?"
"Her father is the chancellor and it is best to avoid any interactions to their family. You know what circumstances we are in." Lady Julia.
"Mother, it doesn't make any sense." I am feeling disagreeing this time.
"Please, for the sake of everyone. The chancellor has a reputation and I don't want you to get involved to his family. Please, promise me. You will not meet up with Olivia again." Lady Julia is serious and gently pleading to her son.
I look at my mother; then nod. "I promise."
Lady Julia gets calm and she smile. "That will ease my worries, my son. Thank you"
I just nod, then continue sipping the ginger and lemon drink.