Chapter 2: Stalker

It was dark, but the only thing I could see… was Karin with red swollen eyes, and a face filled with tears. Her clothes were torn and tattered.

NO! ARGH! GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD!

Suddenly, I found myself on my bed, sweating profusely. OH GOD, ITS WAS A DREAM, A NIGHTMARE. I stayed at my position, thinking if I were to really experience seeing that face in real life. She could break down anytime, every time, until the time she… NO. I MUST NOT LET HER GO THROUGH THAT. I clenched my fist involuntarily and punched my pillow.

Just then, something inside me clicked. Why did I feel so angry when I saw that dream? Its just a bloody dream right? I looked at the clock beside me and hell it was so early. My new record- I finally woke up at 5.30am. Sadly, school only starts at 7. Eventually I shut my thoughts and feelings with that assurance that Karin was important in my life and that I could not let her suffer after what she had done for me.

I decided to make breakfast since I had nothing better to do and when I got out of my room, Karin was already on her way to her sanctuary, the kitchen. I ran to catch up with her and said, “Hey, you should get some extra sleep, I’m going to make breakfast today.”

“But, you don’t know where I usually keep the food.”

“Hey, it’s okay Karin. I’ll have to figure it out sooner or later right? Anyway, I want to put my cooking skills to good use.”

“But… ” I put my finger on her lips silencing and said, “No buts Miss Karin, you get some sleep.”

It was a good thing I learnt how to be persuasive and how to nag from her. It came in quite handy. Eventually, she gave in and went back into her room. I took a quick shower and slipped into a black long sleeve and a pair of black jeans before I went down to the kitchen. While going down, I wondered what I should cook for breakfast. Maybe something simple. It’s breakfast anyway. So omelets it shall be. I searched for the eggs and took out butter, cheese, ham and some spices to go along with the dish. After about 15 minutes, I completed my omelets and placed them on the table.

Just then I saw Karin coming down in a shirt with the words “I LOVE YOU” and a pair of jeans.

“Good morning Karin, what’s with the shirt? Got a boyfriend at last?”

Almost immediately she replied, “No! I just felt like wearing it.”

There goes her blush. Never seems to bore me. How cute.

“Okay, no need for that big reaction. Sit down, I’m done with breakfast. Today is omelets.”

“Oh, your specialty.”

“Yup.”

I took out the utensils and some milk out of the fridge. Karin turned on the radio and we sat quietly to eat.

“Wow you make good omelets.” And showed me her trademark smile.

Her smile never ceases to please me. But today’s smile had a bigger impact on me. Wonder what that meant.

“Thanks.” I said smiling at her, seeing her blush was something I would miss if we were separated.

When we finished our meal, I was about to wash the dishes when she snatched the plates and said, “Let me do the dishes.”

“Hey its okay. You get to be princess for today.”

“No its not okay, let me help at least.” DAMN. She turned on persuasive mode.

I had no choice but to listen so I passed her the cups to wash. When we were done, Karin got our lunches and I carried the bags.

Then I remembered she had to go for her cooking club activities so I asked, “You have cooking class today right?”

“Yes, why the random question?”

“Because your private escort will be waiting.” I smiled my best smile, hoping she would accept my invitation.

“Oh, but you don’t have to wait for me. I can make it back myself.”

When she completed her sentence I immediately had a flashback of that dream. I must protect her at all costs.

“NO! I’m waiting!” When I looked at her again, her face seemed shocked by the amount of force in my voice.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“Yeah, just a bad dream.”

She didn’t question further so we went to school together as usual.

When we reached the school we separated saying a single, “Bye.” She went to hang out with her best friend Olette. I didn’t know her that well but I could trust her since Karin does, and so I went to class. The moment I reached my desk, I lied on it. I couldn’t imagine myself more tired than today. I kept thinking about Karin’s safety, and every time I thought about it, I felt that feeling in my chest again. It was a tangy kind of feeling.

While I was in my own world, I heard Jennifer talking to Jayson.

“Hi Jayson have you seen Rick?”

“Yeah he’s over there.”

I heard her walking towards me.

“Hi Rick! Why are you so sleepy today? I thought you were the kind who was always full of energy?”

“I woke up too early.”

“Oh, better not disturb you then. Tata!”

I felt her lips on my cheeks again, and I was hoping Karin didn’t see this. Jayson must be must be thinking on the crooked path again. Soon lessons started and flew by quite fast and soon enough it was break time, the time I usually liked ‘cause I would finally be able to see what Karin made. Definitely, whatever she prepared always tasted good.

I walked over to Karin and asked if she wanted to go to the roof with me to eat. Her face went a little red before accepting my invitation. Just then, I heard Jayson’s voice, “There goes the future Mr. and Mrs. Adams.” I saw Karin blush a little, but I ignored him. Whatever he said came from the trash can. When we reached the roof I found a bench and we sat on it.

“Hmm, what did you cook today?” I opened my lunchbox and found a roasted drumstick.

“Wow. You never cooked this before.”

“I couldn’t think of anything else. What do you think of it?”

I took my first bite of the drumstick and almost immediately I could taste the honey taste. I could tell it was honey roasted, I felt like I was in cloud nine.

“OH GOD. Karin this tastes excellent, it’s simple yet tasty. When you grow up I’m sure you can be a chef. But promise me that I’ll be your food sampler.” She was blushing like crazy the moment she heard my compliments.

“Of course. Thanks for the compliments.”

The bell rang when we were done with lunch and we made our way to our respective classes.

Soon enough, school was over and I took Karin to the cooking room. We met Olette standing there, already waiting for her.”

“Hi Olette, take care of Karin for me. I want her back like she is now.”

“Sure, don’t worry. I wouldn’t dare to touch her without permission.”

“Bye Karin, see you later.”

“Bye Rick. I’ll meet you at the gate later ‘kay?”

“’Kay.”

When I was walking away, I heard Olette commenting, “Aren’t you lucky? He really cares for you. Are you guys in a relationship?”

I could hear Karin’s immediate reply. ”No, he is just like my brother.”

She should be blushing right about now. She is so predictable.

I decided to go to the roof to wait until Karin’s club activities were done. Since it her activities would only be done at 8pm, I thought of taking a nap on one of the benches.

I woke up on the bench at 7.45pm. I still had 15 minutes so I made a quick trip to the washroom. When I reached the school gate it was just exactly 8pm. My timing is perfect, but waking up is a problem though. I waited for Karin but she didn’t come. I felt really worried so I ran to the cooking room. I only saw Olette there cleaning up, but there was no sign of Karin.

I asked in an urgent tone, “Where’s Karin?”

“Oh, she went out early saying she wanted to make you a special dinner.”

“Thanks.” I ran out the school gate and remembered the dream. IT CANT BE REAL. IT CANT BE HAPPENING.

I was passing by the playground when a heard Karin’s scream. I ran over and saw 3 guys from the other school in town. Then, I spotted Karin’s face looking very scared. I felt some anger flaring up in my body but, I also felt fear not for me but for Karin. I ran towards the first guy tackling him in the gut, then I shoved my elbow into the other guy’s side. The last guy tried to punch me but I ducked and kneed him in the face. They all laid on the floor groaning in pain and I shouted at them, “GET OUT OF HERE.”

Immediately, they fled in fear of me. I ran over to Karin kneeling next to her crying figure. I patted her back and said, “It’s alright now don’t worry I will protect you.”

“I was so scared.”

“It’s alright now don’t worry I am here.”

Then she hugged me. I felt my face burn up. I felt her body shivering against my body so I took off my shirt and wrapped it around her, hugging her closer so she won’t feel cold. Then it started to rain. I rushed her home. I got out of her room to let her change out of her wet clothes. When I went to change, my jeans were miraculously not wet except for a few droplets of rain. When she changed I went into her room and tucked her into bed. I sat beside her and held her hand. It was so cold that I had to clamp both of my hands on it to warm it up. I still felt her shivering a little so I stoked her hair and said, “It’s alright now. Just get some sleep.”

“But…”

“We’ll talk tomorrow okay? Just concentrate on sleeping.”

“Ok. But can you please stay here?”

“Sure. I will stay here.”

I sat there holding her hand, stroking her hair and humming a lullaby. I was so relieved that I could protect her today. I had this strange feeling again towards Karin seeing her sleeping figure and I stroked her cheek. I thought to myself she looked so cute and angel-like. I decided to spend the night watching her sleep.

Labels: I LOST HER ONCE