The next day, after class, on the school field
We're all up to our usual no-pera nonsense, joking around and laughing. But Tanid seems a little distracted.
Me: (teasing lightly) Bro, Tanid's actually trembling a bit while checking his watch today šJustin: Haha, do you know where Ohona usually sits? š¤Tanid: Guys, just stop. I'm seriously going to give it a try today.
In one corner of the canteen ā Ohona is sitting alone. A book is open in front of her, but her eyes are gazing out toward the veranda.Tanid slowly walks over and stands beside her. He's a little nervous.
Tanid: (carefully) Hi... Are you Ohona?Ohona looks up from her shoulder, face slightly stern. Her eyes show signs of tiredness.
Ohona: Yeah. (a very short reply, then looks back at her book)
Tanid pauses a bit, but tries again.
Tanid: I'm Tanid... your new classmate. I've noticed you're usually by yourself...
Ohona: (glancing at him, slightly annoyed) Yeah, I am.
Tanid falls silent. After standing there for a few seconds, he walks away with his head down.
Back at the Pera-less Families hangoutSafia: Sooo, did you talk to her...? šTanid: (softly) Yeahā¦ but she doesn't really want to talk.Virgil: (grinning) Brooo, that was a straight-up spoken rejectionāno eye contact needed š¤£Me: (seriously) You know, some people don't open up easily. It takes time.Ayan: Yeah, not everyone's as chill as our Pera-less crew š
That evening, Tanid sits on the rooftop, phone on silent.Birds chirp around, and the faint sounds of traffic drift up from the street. A single question loops in his mindā"Does everyone really want someone beside themā¦ or are some people just better off alone?"
[To be continuedā¦]