Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Isabella's pov;

Tracy looked at me like she's seeing me for the first time when I took my seat beside her.

I let out a sigh and turned to her and waved my hand on her face and asked, "Why are you staring at me like that? Is something on my face?"

"Didn't you look in the mirror before coming to the college?"

"I woke up late so I didn't have time for that. Why? While I was walking to class, some stared at my face like you're doing now. Did I become popular in one night?"

"I know why they stared at you."

"Why?"

She took her phone out and shoved it on my face with a front camera.

"Look for yourself."

My lips!!

I dropped on my desk to cover my face. Now I know why Mr Martinez looked at me like that while I was leaving for college and the reason people stared at me. How many people saw me like this?

Tracy tapped on my shoulder and said, "What are you mumbling down there?"

"Nothing." Said while lying on the desk.

"Get up."

"No! I don't want others to see me like this."

Tracy made me sit and I closed my mouth using my hands.

"How long are you going to keep your hands like that?"

"As long as I can."

Jose placed a mask in front of me and said, "You can wear this."

I took the mask and put it on quickly. I thanked Jose for giving me a mask.

Tracy asked, "So what's the story behind your lips? Is it the same bug which bit you last time?"

"Don't start with me again."

I stood from the seat and tried to leave the classroom.

Jose asked, "Where are you going?"

"To buy something for my lips." And walked out of the class.

I came to the infirmary room and saw the doctor.

"Do you have a cold?"

I shook my head and showed my lips and said, "Do you have anything to make my lips go back to how it was?"

She smiled and gave me an ointment saying, "Apply this over your lips."

"How long will it take to go away?"

"Less than 12 hours."

"Thank you."

I walked out of the infirmary and headed to the restroom.

I removed my mask and applied the ointment on my lips which the doctor gave me and put on my mask again covering my nose and mouth. It looked weird to see my face so I removed the hairband and let my hair down on my shoulders. It looks better now.

I felt hungry so I went to the cafeteria without thinking about the mask. After coming to the cafeteria, How am I going to eat food while wearing the mask? So I only got smoothies for my hunger.

I drank the smoothie while I was walking in the corridor.

Someone ran towards me, hit me in the shoulder and made me fall down and ran away. Another guy ran after him.

My smoothie fell on the floor. Maybe it's my unlucky day.

I started walking to my class. Suddenly, I felt a cold on my cheeks. When I turned to look, it's chocolate smoothie. Harry was holding it in his hand and gave it to me.

"Did you see?"

He nodded and gave it to me.

I received it from him and said, "Thank you."

"You have something in here."

He touched my neck and pushed my collar a bit.

"What is it?"

He took his hand back and said, "Nothing. Why are you wearing a mask? Do you have a cold?" He touched my forehead and continued, "It's normal. Then why are you wearing a mask?"

"Dust allergy. Last night, Mr Martinez said you're the one who dropped me in front of the house. Thank you for taking me home."

"You don't remember?"

"I do but in bits and pieces."

He gave a nod and asked, "Are you free after class?"

"Today?"

"Yes."

"Yup! I'm free. Why?"

"Let's go and have a meal together. I've been asking you for a long time. Why aren't you coming with me? Do you hate me?"

Even though I don't want to go with him, he took me home so I should thank him in return.

"Okay. Let's go and eat. But it's my treat. Is it okay for you?"

He gave a nod and buttoned up my collar and left.

In my class,

"Guess who asked me out."

Tracy said without a hesitation, "Jeremy!"

"Nope. He's not."

"Then, who's it? Another guy?"

"Harry."

"Harry?"

I gave a nod to her.

She asked me, "Wasn't it weird to go out with him?"

"He took me to the house so I have to thank him in return."

"Whatever but be careful around him."

"Where's Jose?"

"He was called by the music club."

"Ohh…"

After the classes got over, I informed Mateo that I'll take the bus before he came to the college.

I waited for Harry at the entrance and saw the unexpected person.

"Bella!"

"Jeremy!"

"Why are you standing here? Are you waiting for your friends?"

"Yeah. How did the concert go?"

"Good. I had fun."

"Great. Do you go to every concert of that band?"

"Not every but most of it. Do you have a cold?"

I shook my head.

"Then why are you wearing the mask?"

"Allergy."

While I was talking with Jeremy, I looked around for Harry to appear. He's the one who asked me out and he's late.

"Will you come if I invite you next time?"

"If I have time, I will."

"Looks like you're a busy person."

"I think so."

Harry walked to us so I bid goodbye to Jeremy, "I'll take my leave. See ya." And walked to Harry.

"Sorry for coming late. Shall we go?"

I walked along with him out of the college campus and headed to a nearby diner.

We sat at a table and I looked at the menu.

Harry said, "We could have gone to a bigger diner than this. This place looks like a rat hole."

"I can't afford bigger restaurants. If you don't like it, we can leave."

"Actually, I'm fine with this restaurant too."

"Good."

"Do you still have your allergy around here?"

I took my phone and checked my face and looked at my lips. It's back to normal. I let out a relief sigh and removed the mask and stuck it into my bag.

We ordered food and waited for it.

"How long are you planning to stay at Alexander's house?"

"I don't get it."

"Don't you feel uncomfortable staying there? Don't you want to live on your own?"

"I never thought about that."

"Then you should. Give a thought about it. What if he suddenly gets mad at you and asks you to move out? Where will you go? You have to have a place on your own, right?"

Actually, he was right about one thing. I have to own a place for myself. I can't depend on Mr Martinez for all my life.

"I'll think about it."

"If you want any help, don't hesitate to ask me. I'll help you find a place to stay."

I nodded.

The food arrived.

While eating he asked me, "What are you planning to do after finishing business administration?"

"I'm going to open a restaurant business." Said with a bright smile.

He rolled his eyes and said, "Who gave you this stupid idea? Can't you see how many diners, cafes and restaurants are on every corner of the street? There's no place for you. It will be a total waste if you're going to open a restaurant. Start up some business and grow in it. Put your business knowledge into action and gain profit."

I'm down with his discouragement.

"I thought we came to eat, why are you giving me lectures?"

"If it's good, there's nothing wrong with taking it."

"Right. But opening a restaurant is my dream. I don't want anyone to comment about my dream. Even if I fail, it's fine for me. Because it's my dream."

"If you're sure about that, go on. No one's stopping you. It was just some suggestions from my side." And made a fake smile.

After we finished with the food, we parted in our own ways.

Because of him, I lost my appetite and didn't eat properly. Moreover, I paid for the food which I didn't even eat.

I got a call from Mr Martinez. It's rare to get a call from him.

I answered, "Yes?"

"Where are you?"

"On the way to the bus terminal."

"Should I send Mateo?"

"I can take the bus."

"Okay."

I ended the call.

In the house,

I placed my bag on the table and dropped on the couch.

"Go to your room and take a nap."

"I'm too lazy to go to my room."

"Want me to carry you?"

"It's fine. I'll lie down here for sometime."

"Okay. But have lunch before that." And continued talking with Big brother.

I walked to the dining room and saw the food already served on the duniya table. I sat and started eating it.

While I was eating the food on my plate, I asked Big Brother, "What do you think about my restaurant business, Big brother?"

"What about it?"

"Is it okay to open a restaurant business in the state where there are more diners, cafes and restaurants?"

"Why do you have this doubt after all this time?"

"Just popped up in my mind."

He walked over and took the seat beside me and said, "Opening a restaurant business is your dream, right?"

"Yes."

"Is it still your dream or has it changed?"

"I want to open the restaurant."

"Then don't doubt your dream. Listen to me, If you want to run a business, do it. Don't look at others and get nervous and quit. Actually, the challenging part is after you open the restaurant."

"Don't scare her." Mr Martinez said to Big brother.

I finished with my food and walked to Mr Martinez and sat next to him.

"What happened?"

"I went out to eat with Harry. He said a lot of things which messed up my mind. One of them was about opening the restaurant business. He said that there's no space for me since it's occupied by everyone and asked me to come up with another plan to earn more money. But I don't want to think about anything other than a restaurant. Even though you're the one who suggested it to me, it became my dream somehow. Wherever I go, I think about my restaurant and think about the foods I'm planning to serve in my restaurant."

He caressed my head and said, "Don't allow him to mess up your mind again."

I nodded and leaned on to him.

"Is there something you want to tell me?"

"I don't know how you'll take it."

"What is it?"

"He asked me how long I'm going to stay in your house."

"What did you reply?"

"I didn't give an answer but he was right about that. I have to own a place for myself. I can't keep on depending upon you. What do you want me to do?"

"About that, I can't tell the answer. If I do, it'll be selfish so think about that on your own."

"On my own? I'm stupid and dumb. I don't think I can think right."

"You're not stupid and dumb. You scored 70% in your test. Do you think a person who's stupid and dumb can score like that?"

I shook my head.

"Then, you're not stupid and dumb."

Big brother sat beside us and asked, "Do you still remember that I'm still here?"

Mr Martinez asked him, "What do you want?"

Big brother tapped on my shoulder and said, "Bella, this is your place. Mr Martinez and I are here for you. If you want to move, then stay at our home, yuyang's there for you. This is our family. Why do you want to leave us?"

Rose gave a glass of water and said, "We'll miss you if you leave, Bella. Am I not your sister?"

The cook placed a chocolate smoothie in front of me and said, "If you leave, then who will I make chocolate smoothies for?"

I burst into laughter.

Mateo placed the car keys on the table and said, "I liked driving for you. I don't think i can drive for anyone after you leave."

I took the keys and gave it to him and said, "Who said I'm leaving? Stop being a drama queen." And punched him on his shoulder.

Chuck came in to say something, before he opened his mouth, I said, "I can understand what you're going to say."

Chuck gave me a bouquet of flowers and said, "The purple flowers are your favourite. If you leave, these flowers will be upset and wilt quickly even before we pluck them. Don't make them feel sad."

"Thank you Chuck."

Mr Martinez said, "You earned lots of love from people around you. Think before you act."

I nodded and looked around. Mr Martinez, Big brother, Rose, Chuck, Mateo… Why do I have to go somewhere if my family is here? I made up my mind that I'm not going anywhere.