Chapter 29: Birthdays.

*

"I'm bad at love,

But

You can't

blame me for trying."

-Halsey: Bad at Love-

*

| I N D A H|

"RUN INDAH RUN!" That was all I could hear from the stands as I ran around the track as if my life depended on it. Well, it kind of did. I let out air slow and steady via my mouth and breathed in via my nose at the same speed. I have this. With a final jolt, I ran faster and soon, I was done.

The crowd roared and went wild but all I saw was blurry figures running around. I was losing focus. I immediately set down to where I was and took deep breaths. I got this. Soon my girls surrounded me and I looked up to see their smiling faces. Well except Ayaka.

"Congratulations! You did it!"

I grinned at them before taking the water bottle from them and drinking water. I need water.

"The basketball game is starting" said Daw, looking at her watch.

"You guys go, I will join after a shower" I told them and they nodded before walking away towards the court. I heaved a deep sigh and got up, taking the bottle of water with me. The changing rooms were on the other end of the tracks. Ugh. I have to walk.

Before I could even take a step, I see Kirun kneeling infront of me with his back facing me.

"Get on" he winked and I grinned at him. I climbed onto his back and he stood up, holding my legs at its place around his hips. I tightened my arms around his shoulders.

"I am sweaty" I told him and he chuckled.

"Congratulations on the win."

"Thank You. Don't you have a basketball game?"

"Ours is the second match"

"Changing room" I told him and he turned towards it. I simply grinned as he placed me back to my feet infront of the changing room.

"I'll see you at the match" he told me and I nodded. I leapt up and kissed his cheeks before winking at him and walking inside the changing room.

I washed up quickly and skipped the showering part since I would be getting dirty anyway with the games and all. Changing into a comfortable tees and shorts, I tied my hair in a bun with a headband. I then took my things and walked out of the changing room.

***

The sun was up and shining on my skin and I hope it was tanning me instead of burning me. I sincerely hope.

"I NEED FOOD" I looked up from where I was seated to see Ahren whining. I rolled my eyes at him.

The track meet was organized for four days, the first being the races and basketball games. The second being Volleyball, Weights and I think soccer (I am not exactly sure of the games that I am not part of actually). The third day are the finals of all games. And the last day is the Fresher's Day. This is for the new recruits in IUST. Anyway, Since the girls were only taking part in basketball and I was in the tracks, we knew we would be done on Day one. The cheer team would be cheering though so I have to spare a little time for our Volleyball and fresher's night. But other than that, I am all free.

"Let us go get something to eat" said Carwayn, getting up from the grass and dusting his jeans. I have no idea why he was dressed like that but I didn't even want to question. He was seated beside Ayaka, who he apparently pulled up with him. I smirked at them.

"Can I go too?" asked Daw, standing up and Aqua stood up too.

"I am coming"

"Why are you coming?" Daw questioned him and he raised an eyebrow at her.

"Why not?"

I rolled my eyes and leaned back onto Asteria. We were all seated on the grass underneath the trees surrounding the grounds of the Northern Campus. I was leaning onto Asteria who was leaning on the tree trunk. Daw was seated infront of us with Aqua beside her. Ayaka and Carwayn were infront of us while Kwan, Ahren and Kirun were on the other side. Kanak was beside me. But now the said people have gotten up leaving the rest of us seated calmly.

"Ah great. You guys go and do not forget to get me coffee. The coffee here sucks" said Ria and I laughed. The four walked away and I turned back to my phone. I plugged in my headphones and Sweet but Psycho by Ava Max filled my ears. Ah sweet. I closed my eyes and relaxed onto Asteria's shoulder.

"I am so sorry" I muttered to her and grinned before letting sleep over take me.

***

Lunch was nice even if I was woken up from my precious sleep. I had gone back to sleep after a few walks around the grounds late in the afternoon. By the time I woke up again, it was almost midnight. The girls were asleep and I had no idea how I ended up on my bed, but I did.

I rolled around lazily in the soft bed before realizing that I am still reeking of dried sweat and ugly perfume. It was raining again, the soft music of it ringing through the room. I got up and walked to the bathroom and took a long needed bath. Ah relaxing.

After bath, I changed into comfy cotton shorts and tees before walking towards the kitchen to fetch food. I was seriously hungry. I can't believe I slept so much. But then again, I haven't been sleeping much lately.

The girls were scattered around the living room, in various sleeping positions. I looked around and realized Ayaka was missing. Maybe she is awake somewhere in the room? I looked around until I reached the kitchen but I didn't find her. I took a few granola bars and tapped on my phone, calling Ayaka. After a few rings, the phone was diverted. Huh. Unlike her. I messaged her and immediately she replied. So she is safe.

I sighed in relief, not bothering to ask her where she was. I respect her privacy and if she wishes to tell us, she would. And if she doesn't, well that's fine with me.

I walked past the living room towards the bedroom. The balcony door was open, letting the cold night air in. The rain was still drizzling out, not much but still. I plugged my phone on the charger and walked out to the balcony.

The rain reminded me of countless things. Home, family, my bed. Especially my bed back home. Usually I would cuddle up under the blanket and read books or watch drama's when it rained. Because I was usually on break during this season. I miss those I guess.

I stepped onto the cold and wet tiled floor, barefoot. The rain drops were slow and steady over my head and I looked up to the sky, smiling. I love rain.

"Happy Birthday"

I jumped, my head over my racing heart. I glared at him and he smirked at me.

"Don't scare a girl like that" I told him and he chuckled lowly, stepping into my balcony from the pipes. What the hell was he doing there?!

"Why-"

"Happiest Birthday, Cactus" he whispered, suddenly really near. I looked up to his hazel eyes.

"Thank you" He handed me a bouquet and a small box wrapped neatly.

"You did this?" I asked him and he shrugged, rubbing his neck nervously. I smiled down at my gifts. It was perfect. Rain drops were on the flowers and the gift box reminding me of it's presence. I looked back up to Kirun to see him smiling fondly at me. I like this side of him. I leaned up and kissed his cheeks. His cheeks turned pink.

I placed the flowers on the table nearby and began to open the gift. It had two bracelets, with charms. I picked the first one. It was colorful, with different gemstone beads. My hands traced the lettered ones. Fern. I smiled up to K.

"I love this" There was a butterfly at the end too. It was so beautiful. I placed it back and picked up the second one. It was also a bracelet. This one was matte black with three emerald stone beads at the top. Today's date was engraved to it. I looked up to him with raised eyebrows. He smiled at me before leaning down to my ears.

"Will you go out with me?"

I took a surprise step back and he held me by the waist.

"I know we fight, I know we get annoyed with each other, I know you hate my guts and I also know you might not feel the-" I kissed him.

This was perfect.

| Snippet. |

Kirun was a mess. Indah's birthday was A DAY away and he hadn't exactly planned everything out. In his head, it all sounded so easy but at this moment, it didn't. There was exactly 8 hours to her birthday now, long gone was a day.

He paced the wooden floor, muttering incoherent words to himself. The boys ignored him. He managed to pace into the bedroom where his gift was safely placed. No one knew of the gift. The boys had given him he idea of proposing to her on her birthday which was in a few hours. Kirun had already gotten her gift but the new plan gave him an idea of a perfect proposal.

Indah was a simple girl who found joys in little things. So this would have to work for her.

He managed to pull a few strings to get his gemstone bracelets with the dates engraved. He then got her fresh bouquet of flowers and Ayaka had helped in picked them according to Indah's preferences.

By the time the clock ticked to 11:40pm, Kirun had practiced his lines a hundred times. He took a deep breath and released it. The boys grinned at him.

"Good luck. Now go"

"Tell me again why I can't take the front door?"

"This is more romantic. Go!" Ahren pushed him out of the balcony and watched Kirun struggle to get past the railings.

Kirun sighed deeply, staring at the distance between the two balconies. It was almost two meters. But he has done worse so this should be okay, right?

"So wrong" he muttered to himself as he stood in the middle of the two balconies, his right hand gripping firmly to the piping above and his left, trying to reach for the other balcony railings. His gift and bouquet were firmly attached around his neck, courtesy of again, Ahren. He was the one who came up with this bizarre idea of climbing balconies.

Kirun made it to the other side safely, just when the clock ticked towards 12am. He stood there, staring at the beautiful girl infront of him.

And suddenly, he felt at loss of words.

Everything he had memories went out the window and he felt the air being knocked out of him. He panicked. He desperately wanted to turn back but he also knew, it was now or never.

So with another rush of determination, he walked towards her.

"Happiest Birthday, Cactus" he whispered in her delicate ears.

He gave her the gifts and watched her expressions change one after the other, upon seeing her gifts. She was indeed really excited. Her excitement gave him encouragement and he stood up straight, gathering up his energy.

"Will you go out with me?" He asked and watched her take a surprise step back. Immediately, he held her by her waist. It was an iconic moment, really. She was leaning towards the back and his hand was securely around her waist, preventing her from falling in the drizzling rain. Right out of a Korean drama this was.

When he got no reply from a stunned Indah, he spoke.

"I know we fight, I know we get annoyed with each other, I know you hate my guts and I also know you might not feel the-" She kissed him.

The kiss was sweet and gentle that lasted over a few seconds before she pulled away, smiling shyly at him.

"Yes"

He grinned down at her before pulling her into a bear hug.

"I really like you" he whispered in her hair and she inhaled his scent.

"I do too"

"Indah?"

"Hmmm?"

"It is beginning to rain a little harder"

Indah let out a small laugh before letting the boy go and pulling him by his hand.

"Next time, use the door"

*****

In my defense, I got a new laptop and the word document was not allowing me to edit this. I am so so sorry for the late update. :) 

And: This is the second last chapter. Maybe the third, depends on my mood. haha. But point is, this book is coming to an end. 

I love your comments guys. Thank you for the encouragements. :) 

| R - C - V |

-aalihha-