“Fighting with your feelings is the most difficult battle ever.  —CA Atish Bhalekar

A few weeks later...

“Tara, dear. Are you ready?” Dora called out from behind the door.

“Yes, mom. I’m almost done,” Tara replied.

“Okay, dear. Philip will soon arrive.”

“I will soon be there.” 

“Great! See you soon.” Dora’s steps fade away.

Tara stared at herself in the mirror.  She picked up her grey brush and brushed her big cornrows.

Wandering across her room, she collected her sparkling white sneakers and sat on the edge of the bed to put them on.

Her mind drifted to Philip, who had become a fixture in her life, regardless of her harsh rejections.

A memory of two days ago flashed through her mind.

“Why don’t you understand I don’t want to spend time with you,” Tara yelled at Philip from behind her laptop.

“Because I don’t believe you. I don't know what it is, but you are running from something.

Tara rolled her eyes. “I am not running from anything. You are simply being stubborn.”

Philip chortled and remarked, “You are the one being stubborn. There is nothing wrong if I want to have a cup of coffee with you. I have been requesting you for the last five days, but you keep turning me down.”

“That’s because I am busy,” Tara huffed.

“You are not supposed to be busy during break time, Tara.” Philip sighed. “You are avoiding me.”

Tara shook her head and opened her mouth to speak. However, the ringing of a phone stopped her.

“Hello, Dennis,” Philip said as he picked up the call. He nodded his head as he listened to the person on the other side."Alright, I’ll be there," he said and cut the call.

He stood up from the chair in front of Tara’s table. Tara looked up at him with wary eyes as he arranged his blazer with a light smile on his face.

He stood up to his full 6ft height. Tara squirmed as he looked deep into her eyes and said with a cheeky grin, “I have to go. But remember, maybe not today, but one day, you will stop running away and spend time with me.” With that, he tipped his head and strolled out with a pump to his steps.

She groaned and rubbed her forehead. She wondered when he would give up.

The screeching of a car brought her out of her reverie. She sighed and picked up her hobo bag and stepped out the door. 

Wandering down the hallway, she picked up the hushed voices of her mother and Philip. Over the past few weeks, Dora and Philip bonded nicely, and that made it harder to keep her distance from him. 

She noticed that her mother was keen on inviting Philip over much to her chagrin. Her excuse was that he should have some refreshments for dropping her home almost daily.

Stepping into the sitting room, Philip’s laughter welcomed her as he stuffed his hands in his tapered jeans’ pockets while chatting with Dora.

“Aha, look who is here.” Dora proclaimed. “Isn’t she looking beautiful, Philip?” She smiled and winked at him.

Philip faced Tara and said, “You are looking lovely, Tara.” He grinned.

A tinge of red appeared on Tara’s cheek as she muttered, “Thank you. You look nice as well.” 

His grey T-shirt billowed as the ceiling fan rolled overhead.

Dora clapped her hands with a huge smile on her face. “I guess you guys should head out so that you can beat the traffic.”

She faced Tara. "And it would be great to talk to the children before the game starts.” 

“Oh, yes, I agree. It would be nice to meet the children and give them some words of encouragement,” Philip asserted. He turned to Tara and asked, “Are you ready to go?”

“Yes, I am,” she said and proceeded to the door.

“Have fun on your date,” Dora whispered as Tara passed by her. 

Tara groaned and muttered under her breath, “It is not a date, Mom. It is a national sports event organized for children. And we are going there to give support to the orphanage children who are taking part.” Tara’s back was as she spoke.

Dora rolled her eyes but mirth shimmered in them.  “I don’t care what it is. Please, just have fun.” She patted Tara’s arm.

Tara relaxed a little and produced a slight smile. “Alright, Mom, I will try to have fun.” 

She ambled out the door to meet Philip, who had slipped out of the house to give the women some privacy.

              ★★★★★★★★

A few hours later...

The chattering sound of the excited crowd engulfed Tara and Philip as they stepped down the steps of the stadium. Standing by the sidelines, they watched as merry children raced to their parents and guardians to show off their medals and trophies. 

“I am so glad our children did well in their various categories.” Mrs. Tessy piqued as she walked up to them.

“Yes! We are so glad about that,” Tara and Philip responded together.

The five children that took part ran up to them, waving their medals and smiling widely.

“I got a gold medal!” exclaimed the girl that took part in the eleven to thirteen years old category of the track race.

“And I got a silver one!” yelled the boy who took part in the swimming category for eight to ten years old.

The adults chuckled and embraced the children as they showcased their various medals that glistened in the sun. 

“I am so proud of you.” Tara embraced the winner of the track race.

“Thank you for coaching me. I simply followed your steps of always taking first.” The girl beamed at her.

Tara smiled as her school days of representing her school in various track events flashed through her mind. She always came first and only came second twice. 

She shook her head to clear her thoughts. Turning to the side, she turned into Philip’s ongoing conversation.

“... I am glad you followed the tip I told you about.” Philip conversed with the boy, who came second in the high jump category.

After rounds of congratulations and conversations. Mrs. Tessy spoke up. “I think we should leave now. It would soon be time for lunch.”

Tara, Philip, and the three other people with them nodded in agreement. They all headed toward their respective vehicles after saying a quick goodbye. 

“I’m sure you must be hungry by now. Should we get something to eat?” Philip asked as they headed towards his car.

Tara shook her head. “No, I am fine."

However, as fate would have it, Tara’s tummy rumbled.

Tara placed her hand on her stomach as a tinge of red spread across her cheeks.

Philip chuckled and said, “I guess we know where we are heading.”

“No! You don’t need to worry. I will eat when I get home.”

Philip ignored her as he opened the car door for her. “Please, get in, Tara.”

Tara stared at him for a moment before she sighed in defeat and slipped into the car. She toyed with the straps of her bag as she waited for him to get in. Her body lurched forward as the engine roared to life and Philip veered off onto the highway.

She pressed herself into the door as she tried to make herself as invisible as possible. The woody scent of Philip’s cologne wafted through the car. To her, it was a soothing balm to her nerves, but also a reminder that she was losing the fight against her emotions. Her heart roiled as she struggled between accepting her newfound emotions or denying them.

The screeching of the car brought her out of her thoughts. She looked at the red brick building and gazed at the maroon banner that read Mr. Briggs’ restaurant and fast food. The opening of the door alerted her. Philipp held the door as he waited for her to alight. She thanked him as she stepped out.

Climbing up the steps, they headed towards the glass door.

They greeted the security officer at the door and stepped into the warm building. The tantalizing aromas of different dishes tickled their noses.

As they proceeded towards a table, a painful, familiar voice stopped them. “What a delightful surprise this is!” Martinez’s ominous figure blocked their path.

Tara stiffened and clenched her fists. Her eyes flickered to the female figure, whose hand curled around his arm. Tara mentally shook her head in dismay at the high slit on the side of the red body-com dress she wore.

“Ah, man. I could say the same.” Philip chortled and stuffed his hands into his pockets.

Martinez eyed Tara and sneered, “A man of your caliber shouldn’t be prancing about with a nobody. “

“Pardon,?!” Philip raised a brow. “I don’t see a nobody here. What are you talking about?” Philip’s frown deepened.

“Of course, you can’t. They are quite deceiving.” His eyes flickered to Tara.
“However, it isn’t surprising. I have known you  for taking care of the underdogs.”

Tara glared daggers at Martinez and balled her fists. 

Philip sighed from beside her. “I don’t know what you are talking about. I also know that we both think differently. Nothing I say or do will change your misconceptions.” 

He took a step closer to Tara and placed his hand on her back. “So, please excuse us. We have to go.” He gave a tight-lipped smile and guided Tara around Martinez, who had an unreadable look on his face. 

As they walked away, Philip asked, “Are you okay? I don’t know what’s wrong with Martinez. He seemed different from his usual self. Although he is usually snarky but there was a slight difference." A thoughtful look filled his eyes.

Tara looked up into his eyes as she pondered on the question. After a few seconds of silence, she replied, “I will be fine.” She looked away and then turned back to him. “But please, take me home.”

Philip’s smile fell, but he nodded. He turned around and headed towards the exit of the restaurant. 

“We will be back,” he declared. “And it would be a date.” He sent her a cheeky grin.

Tara’s eyes bulged open, and she shook her head vigorously. “No, it would not.”

“Yes, it shall.” His eyes twinkled. 

“No! It would not,” she repeated and increased her pace. 

Philip’s rich laughter followed her as she marched out. It irked her how determined he could be.

As they drove away, silence engulfed the car.

“Did something happen between you and Martinez?” Philip’s brows furrowed as he broke the silence.

Tara’s heart raced as she faced him with wide eyes. “What do you mean?” 

Philip’s eyes flickered to her and back to the road. “Don’t get me wrong, but you two seem to have an issue with each other.” He frowned as he faced ahead. 

Tara swallowed as she struggled to form her words. She fiddled with her fingers as she debated between telling the truth and lying. 

As she opened her mouth to speak, however, the car came to a halt in front of her gate. 

Philip turned off the engine and fully faced her. “You never answered my question.",

She averted her eyes and squirmed in her seat. “I don’t know what to say,” she muttered.

Philip nodded as he rubbed his neck. “Fine. I won’t force you to tell me anything. But know that if you ever need to talk, I am here.” He sent her a soft smile. 

Tara sent him a slight smile. “Thank you so much, Philip, for everything.” Their eyes connected as they both got lost in each other's eyes.

Philip’s chuckle brought her out of her reverie. “You are welcome. However, don’t thank me so much.”

Tara blinked in surprise. “Why?”

“This is just the beginning of our relationship, and I don’t plan to stop doing things for you.” He grinned at her. 

Tara’s cheeks turned pink as she hung her bag on her shoulder and opened the door. “Thank you. Have a nice day,” she said and stepped out of the car.

“Thank you, too, for your time. It was nice spending the day with you.” His eyes shone with honest appreciation.

“You are welcome,” she mumbled and darted her eyes down. 

“And remember, you owe me a date.” He smirked and zoomed off without allowing her to reply.

Tara’s mouth hung open as she stared at the car that faded into the distance. 

As she passed through the gate, a realization dawned on her. 

She was fast losing the battle to Philip.

                    ★★★★★★★★

Aloha people 😁

I see our Philip is being determined 😂

Let’s pat him on the back as a star ⭐

Anyway, moving on...

Our Question of the chapter is: What is the weather like where you are? 

Well, over here, the rains are upon us. And I love it so much 😁

However, we still have a bout of scorching sun. XD 

Anyway, thank you for reading!

Don’t forget to vote, comment and share. 

Until next time. Enjoy the weather. 😁