Chapter 12: Chapter 12

Shades of being Stupid

Zara

God, I’m so stupid. I’m totally at fault! Oh, horrid me! What was that stunt I pulled off earlier? Why was I passing out my frustration on Zack? Oh, no this isn’t good. Earlier, I had just been scared of what happen to us if no one found us and we rot here on the island eating fish and fruits. I just couldn’t hold my tongue. Damn my too-quick tongue.

My stomach was grumbling. I hadn’t fed it since the wreck which had been my fault. What the heck was wrong with me? Why did I keep making stupid decisions that end up keeping me in the wrong place?

Now I needed to eat and I couldn’t fish. Isn’t this just great?

“What should I do?”, I mutter to myself. Looking ahead, I sight Zack. He’s so engrossed in what he’s doing. His trousers are rolled to his knee as he drops a shoal of fishes he had just caught. He glances up and I look away pretending to be fine.

“I guess I have to go for fruits then”, I say in a mini-tone scoffing out. After years of training to fight, I should be able to climb tree. Good idea, Zara.

“Now try climbing”, I say walking to a pine tree. It’s a needle like green about 1 to 11 inches long. It didn’t look edible. I think, moving deeper into the forest. My effort is not futile when I sight a vine tree. Lots in fact. There are oxford grapes and the dark purple ones. I hastily step forward and lift my knee to a branch. It seemed soft and I placed my leg on another one which was quite okay. I reached to pluck it but heard a hissing sound. I withdrawed my hand as I looked up. It was a snake with its tongue out, ready to bite me if I made any wrong step.

I looked ahead. Zack wasn’t on the seashores again. What was I going to do? Oh no, so this is the end of the road. No, what was I saying? I had to do something. I calculated. I had two options. Either I dropped to the ground or take a leap of faith and fling the snake. I chose the former. I couldn’t risk a snake biting me.

Almost immediately, I dropped down with a loud thud, crawling forward to miss the dangerous creature.

“Aww” I say. I had landed on my toe which twisted. Jeez, it hurted so much and was so painful. I think I broke my leg.

I try standing up, putting my both hands on the floor but come down as soon as I stand up.

“What the fuck!”, I say cursing out loudly. I began crawling again but this time my hand landed on a sharp object. I yelled my gut out of pain. The forest seemed so serene and calm. It was like I was ruining its privacy. I looked around like a deer caught in headlights.

I couldn’t just admit that I needed help. I was no damsel in distress. I was able to handle this just fine. All I had to do was walk on one foot.

I hear rustling in the bushes. It was like someone or something was coming. God no, please no bush pig. Were there lions on this island, or tigers? Breathing in quick paces, I see Zack. He looked worried and looked down at me.

“What are you doing on the floor?”, he asked. “Oh, what am I doing? I shouldn’t be talking to you”, he adds about to leave.

“You’re right. Just mind your business”, I say attempting to rise up again but effortlessly coming down with a loud thump. My right leg was really giving me out.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Zara?”, he asks. He seemed to have removed his shirt. They were definitely wet from his fishing. I took in his tanned muscular body. If only I could run my hands through his biceps. Wait, what?

“I’m not damsel in distress, Zack. I got this”, I attempt standing up, this time with my left leg and works. I smile at him heroically as I also attempt walking with the foot without putting pressure on the right one.

One step,

two steps,

three steps.

I mistakenly step on the right leg and cry out in pain. I felt miserable…. This was so miserable. I felt so stupid…. This was stupid.

Zack springs forward and forcefully carries me in his hands. Its bridal style and I almost feel my eyes gorge out in surprise.

“What the heck, Zack. Put me down!”, I yell wiggling out of his arms.

“Be still, Zara. You’re making your leg worse”, he whispers. The sound of his voice sends shivers down my spine. It was like I had been fighting this attraction all along.

“I don’t care. Stop being a dummy and put me down”, I say. My heart was beating in fast paces and I didn’t even know if it was out of being angry or nervous. Why did keep having this effect on me?

“You still owe me an apology, my Zara”, he says as he keeps walking. I feel butterflies form from the pit of my stomach.

“No and I’m not yours. Don’t call me yours”, I say defensively. I had already given up struggling because it was no use. Zack was a man of his word and wasn’t going to put me down anytime soon.

“Why are you panicking, Zara?”, he asked. My hands are around his neck and his lips is only a breath from mine as I look down. I didn’t want him to see my eyes. Mum said the eyes never lied, that’s why.

“What do you mean?”, I ask gently with my hair swooning his arms.

“You look afraid. What exactly are you afraid of, Zara? Are you afraid of falling for me?”, he asks and I narrow my eyes as I look at him tentatively.

“Boost your ego”, I retort searching for words to say. Was I afraid of falling for him? Did I ever let myself fall for someone? Yes, I had crushes in the past I never let myself fall too much. Before it got deeper I had close up the emotions.

“No, Zara. That’s not I want to hear. You know you’re wrong, Zara. I want to hear you say the words. Say the words like you mean it”, said bringing me down to the palm woven shelter; he slowly dropped me down as I looked into his eyes. Oh gawd, what exactly was he doing to me? It felt like I was in a trance just by looking at his dark orb eyes.

“I- “, I begin but stop halfway. I was not used to apologizing even when I was at fault.

“I’m- “, I stop midway again as he came closer. Multiple questions scanned right through me. Was he going to kiss me or he was just deceiving me? Was I just his ego boost? Did he like me? Not that I cared, though.

Yet. . . he was my husband and I had to give him an ounce of respect because he had treated me right. While we were arguing, our wedding night. . . I had slapped him just earlier. I had bruised his ego but he didn’t retaliate. I admired that about him. If anything, men loved to feel like the man. He deserved an apology from me, I decided.

“I’m so sorry, Zack”, I said, brushing aside my hardheaded nature as I re-wrapped my hands around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss.

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A/n Just watched a horror film. Who else loves horror and spooky films or stories?? Please comment and leave a review if you loved this chapter.