Chapter VII

LATELY

(All-girls School's Festival)

Today's school event; everyone is allowed to visit the school just for today's event only. This is the only day of the year; that outsiders are allowed to visit and stroll around the school. And this is also the time the students in Lotus All-Girls School shows to the public their talents and skills.

Today, Lady Julia brought her two sons to join the event. They are sitting together with other students and people inside the roofed ceremonial ground.

A short program is on progression; it is all about today's event. Then, the program hosts called-in the Year Two students to perform a musical presentation.

Olivia walks to the center of the stage together with the other students, they vow to the audience and place their musical instrument and sits down on a mat.

The audience applause and ready to listen to their musical presentation. The hosts introduce the piece they are going to perform.

Olivia and Sebastian exchanging glances and smiles to each other.

The Year Two student's performance started.

Fast, happy strumming rhythm resonates the whole roofed-ceremony ground.

I focus at Olivia, how she gracefully strums the instrument. Nice; all is flowing so well.

At Olivia's part; she only sees Sebastian; that he is the only one sitting alone in front while listening to her music.

Lady Julia, just observing the two (Sebastian and Olivia); because the two of them smiling, and focus to each other.

The program ended.

XXXX

(Painting Contest)

After the program; my mother is so unfair. He let Paul go to the culinary event of the school while me is obliged to accompany her to every contest she is to judge.

I just keep on following her and introducing myself to all her friends and colleagues; whenever we meet them. But I am enjoying also, I can look into some of the painting entries in the contest and mother ask me what I feel and thought about the paintings. Then accidentally I bump into a color palette display and my silky dark-green robe got messy with mix color. (I know, I'm clumsy.)

(Dress-up Contest)

After the painting contest; we went here at the dress-up contest. They dress in fancy and elegant best clothes; and put on makeups and their hair are styled with different hair ornaments. All I can say is; the girls here are most beautiful because of how they appear and dress-up.

"Lady Julia, my apologies but we can't allow your son to get inside the dress-up room. I hope you understand" the teacher in dress-making sounding apologetic to them.

What? But I want to see those girls inside the room. That is what I want to say; I want to react.

Lady Julia nods. "I understand." She then faces her son. "My son."

"I want to see those girls' in their beautiful dresses." I said in low voice that only my mother can hear me.

Lady Julia think for a moment; then decided. "We need to follow the rules. You go to your brother and stay with him until I'm done here." She instructed him.

"Uhm... Okay. But can I stroll around and enjoy the event?" I want to enjoy the event today.

"No, it is better if you're with your older brother, okay?" she doesn't want her son to roam around and by chance meet Olivia.

"Sigh… Okay." I just agree.

XXXX

(Open space of the school ground)

There are lots of activities and student booths around the school ground.

While I'm on my way to the culinary building, I sometimes stop to check different activities and booths.

(Year Two Booth)

Then I pass a booth and the sign reads: Year Two Student's Booth. Right away; it rings a bell to me. Maybe Olivia is here.

It is a big stand-tent and when I get inside, the whole place is very spacious; tables and chairs, decorations and drapes all over the place. There are number of visitors also, mostly are buying some stuff made by the students.

I went further inside; and check on the displays. There are plenty of handmade accessories.

"Hi, welcome to our booth, do you have something you like?" a smiling student greets.

"Ah no, I'm just looking around." I smile to her.

The student gets shy and smile back. "If you find something that interest you, let me know."

I look at her face. Why so shy? I did not even flatter you yet. "What if it's…" I stop what I was supposed to say to her. "Bye." Right then I stride to the calligraphy section; and stop at the table.

Olivia raises her head and to see Sebastian is there, he is standing in front of the table where she is sitting

"Hi…" I greet her.

"Hi." She greets back and smile. "Please sit down."

"Thank you." I sit down at the opposite side of the table.

Few seconds they are still looking at each other's eyes.

Olivia unconsciously; she slightly bites her lips. "You're here?"

"Oh yes, about that." I think for a moment. Yeah, why I'm here? "Uhm." Then I read the Calligraphy name-sign. "I want to ask for a calligraphy service?" I hope I'm right this is a calligraphy service booth.

"I will gladly of your service. Give me a moment; I will prepare the needed things." Olivia opens the table drawer and she take out some paper, ink and a pen. But then; the brush pen roll to the side of the table and it fell down to the ground. She then bends down and grab the pen.

Right away, I reach my arm to her side of the table, and I cover the edge of the table with my hand; where she bended near at. And exactly as Olivia gets back to sit; her head bump at the back of my hand.

"I'm sorry." She then sits back properly. "Thank you." She rubs her head "Soft bumped" and smile to what just Sebastian did.

"It's okay. It's the right thing to do." I smile back to her and place my hands on the table.

"I'm ready." Olivia is ready to write anything of what Sebastian will ask her to write.

I nod. Then, think… and I look at her face then into her eyes…

Seconds passes by.

Olivia just waiting. She respects Sebastian silence in thoughts.

Seconds passes by.

"Soft, warm; is blossoming." I start to express what I want to be written.

Olivia strokes the pen and write on the paper. It will take time for her to write it.

Seconds passes by.

Then I look at her hands and her facial expression while she is so focus in writing. "Slowly, everyday; wishing."

She continues to write the second phrase.

Seconds passes by.

My eyes wander to her neck; up to her lips; then to her big beautiful eyes. "Smiles, glances; been longing."

Olivia smiles while she's writing the third phrase.

Seconds passes by.

"Hopeful but afraid; they have the same feelings." After saying that, the person inside of me feels the fullness and emptiness. Then I look at the side to glance-away my teary eyes and to stop the sudden sadness.

Minutes passes by.

"Done." Olivia is so pleased and confident about her work. "Here it is." She hands it to Sebastian.

"This is so beautifully made." Olivia is a very talented girl. "How much this cost me?" I kind 'a smile to her.

"Well, it's free." She smiles back.

"Why? Your work is worth a gold bar." Did not mean to say such praise just naturally came out and I keep looking at the skillfully written calligraphy.

"It is just equivalent to your poetic words written in it." Olivia is also impressed of how he expressed words.

"Well, this is yours." I give to her the paper. "Just think of it… my words are my gift for you."

"Really? Are you sure?" she is pleased to have it. Actually, she loves to have it.

I nod, then Olivia accepts it. "Thank you, Sebastian." Olivia's is glad.

Looking at her, makes me happy and she gives me this flattery sour sensitivity inside my stomach.

XXXX

Lady Julia is on her way to the culinary building. She will meet up with her sons, and spend the time with them taste testing some new culinary food presentations by the students.

XXXX

(All-Girls School Culinary Building)

Paul stays at the culinary station throughout the time. He saw his mother getting inside the culinary room; he then walks to approach and greet her. "Mother, you're here already."

"Where is your brother?" Lady Julia is looking for Sebastian, she looks around the culinary room.

"Are you done with all your engagement?" Paul did not answer, instead ask another question.

"It is all finish, I judged the contest with regards to fairness, creativity and skills." Lady Julia answer calmly. "By they way, Paul. Where is your younger brother? I told him to go to you? Did he come here?" she looks at Paul, because she can't seem to find Sebastian in the room.

"Ah, yes mother his here." Paul getting a little uncomfortable, he is now looking around the room. "He was helping…" his uncertain; because he really has no idea where is his younger brother right now.

Sebastian then stands beside them. "Who's ready to eat sweet delicacies?" he smiles and both his hand holding a big plate basket covered with leaves and on top are different kinds of sweet delicacies made by the culinary students.

"There you are. He is helping me to collect different sweets." Paul smiles and gets relax that Sebastian is here with them now.

Lady Julia feels guilty because she doubted her son not being around in the culinary building, but she manages to appear happy to them. "I'm glad you listen to me, my son." She sounded gentle.

I nod and smile.

"Let's taste the sweets then." Paul escorts his mother to a decorated table. "Sit here, Mother." He pulls a chair to let his mother sit on it.

"Thank you, son." Lady Julia effortlessly sit on the chair with elegance.

Then her two sons sits after her.

I put the basket plate near in front to our mother. "So, Mother. What sweets you like most? Pick one."

"I always like the sweet's rice cake, so." She then picks the square size rice cake; the bottom is wrapped with leaves.

"I will choose that too." Right then I get one of the same kind and take a bite; the first taste gets me excited; so then, I finish the big part with one mouthful.

"Woi, Sebastian." Paul taps the shoulder of his younger brother.

My mouth is somewhat full; I keep chewing (it is chewy). "Hoi, what?" I ate it all already. "I want more of that."

"Did you carefully judge the taste, texture and appearance of the rice cake? Or you just ate it; like a lightning flash?" Paul sounding comical.

"Just like the lightning that sent me here?" I joke to him, then smirking.

"You're eating is faster than that lightning." Paul smirking as well.

Then both brothers laugh, teasing; gently drubbing each other arms and shoulder; then avoiding each hit.

"Please, both of you." Lady Julia's expression is not please at the moment.

They stop and sit back properly.

"Sorry, Mother.' They both said that at the same time.

"We do not speak about that again." She said calmly but with authority.

"Yes, mother. We will not talk about it again" Paul apologizing furthermore for them.

I only listen and look down to appreciate the table cloth. It is white and gold in color and is embroidered with spherical and vine shapes; the edges of the drape are tasseled in pale yellow. I will not bring that topic again.

XXXX

(Early night: Hastings Property: Inside Sebastian's room.)

I just finish bathing myself, unties and combed my hair freely; then put on my white pajamas. I'm ready to go to bed; but right then, I remember about the calligraphy today. And I want to write what I just expressed; before I forgot the words.

I saunter to the table placed in the middle of my room and sit on the chair to write. I remember Olivia's delicate hand; her slender fingers, how she holds the pen and gracefully strokes each line on the paper. I want to write. I open the table's drawer and take out the ink, pen and paper.

XXXX

(Early night: Lennox Property: Inside Olivia's room.)

Olivia is sitting on the edge of her bed. She is holding the paper with written expressed words from Sebastian; she reads it, many times already. And she will read it again, until she feels sleepy.

Soft, warm; is blossoming.

Slowly, everyday; wishing.

Smiles, glances; been longing.

Hopeful but afraid; they have the same feelings.

"What are you afraid of, Sebastian." she speaks softly.

XXXX

(Same time: Inside Sebastian's room.)

I perfectly ended the last letter with a right stroke. Can't help not to appreciate my hand writing as well. Now they are just like Olivia's Calligraphy.

Few seconds I keep staring the paper; then read it once more.

XXXX

(Same time: Inside Olivia's room.)

I wonder what are you doing right now, Sebastian. Lately, I keep thinking about you; I hope you're doing fine. Olivia, lay down on her bed, she feels sleepy; then she put the paper on the night stand and closes her eyes with a smile on her lips.

XXXX

(Same time: Inside Sebastian's room.)

"Hopeful but afraid; they have the same feelings." I read the last stanza; that's gives me uncertain sadness. Because I know, I know... I roll the paper and put in on the scrolls rack then I walk near the candles.

One by one I turn off each candle lights. I am feeling foreign about the inner person inside of me, she is expressing feelings and wants that I shouldn't do; yet I keep doing it. Sigh, what should I do?

Note: The expressed words are composed by me. ^^