BAIDER (ENGLISH VERSION)

ANMELA’S POV

Alem told different stories. We talked a lot before the professor arrived. The lesson started. The discussion was about genes. The unit of heredity that could be transferred from parents to offspring. It also holds the characters of the individual. That was an interesting topic so I focused.

When the class was over I saw Ardent outside our room. I was thrilled to approach him. As usual, he had a big smile on his lips.

“I’m so happy!” I almost lost my eyes in the smile. I jumped while the excitement crawled all over me. He had no idea why, but the light on his expression could be seen. Thinking of the positives.

“Why are you happy?”

But I suddenly lost my smile when I remembered my mom and dad. Our problem at the province.

What happened to them?

I had no cellphone, that came into my mind.

“Ah! Can I borrow your cell phone?” Suddenly the topic changed.

He immediately handed it to me.

“Hello, Mom?” From the very beginning of the call, my anxiety was creeping up. My chest was drumming in nervousness.

“Everything is fine, Anmela.” I felt that in the other line, I knew mom was smiling.

“Huh?”

“Maybe we should thank the Baiders. He gave the title of the soil to all of us so everyone was willing to serve them even though he said it wasn’t necessary anymore. It wasn’t just that, Anmela. He even sent machines for sewing and other machinery that can be used in pineapples and farms. He fixed our houses to be cement so that we should be safe from the storm in case. He also makes the roads built to avoid the mud when it rains. He sounds like a Mayor, isn’t he? He is a very kind man. You choose the right person for you.”

My jaw dropped at what he said. I could feel how happy my heart was. I could not answer and I did not know what to say.

He is so kind and handsome, all the package of a charming prince. I am so lucky to have him in my life.

I could not believe it. Did he do that? Really? Did he really do that? Was that the meaning of the words ‘you don’t need to cry again’? If that was so, he was an angel who fell down from heaven.

“Are you sure, Mom? Do you mean Laurent Baider? Baider?” I repeat because I could not really believe it. Maybe I heard it incorrectly, even though my heart knew it was true.

“Yes, baby girl?”

I looked back when I heard the baritone voice of Laurent, which was like music to my ear. My eyes widened when I viewed them.

All the women heard Laurent what he said, that was why they screamed in thrill. My lips parted when I saw his sweet smile.

When will I get used to that smile of his? It seemed like the first time all the time. That was not his attitude, and I was proud to say that he showed me another version of himself.

“Laurent!”

“Woah!”

“He is freaking handsome!”

“Date me! Ahhh!”

They shouted like they saw a popular artist, but when Laurent came over and touched my waist, the tone changed and was replaced by a whisper of annoyance.

“‘Mom, go ahead. I’ll just call you again. Always be careful. I love you.” I almost forgot that I was talking to my mom.

“All right, Anm. Be careful, we’ll always miss you.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as she said that. I also miss my family. “You, too, Mom. Drink your medicine in time, okay? I love you.” I hung up the phone afterward.

Laurent kissed my forehead so I looked up on him with an overwhelming smile.

“Give back the phone to him,” he whispered immediately. My smile formed into a teasing one because he was jealous again. He was possessive and it was obvious.

“Thank you, Ardent.” I smiled as my arms stretched, giving back the phone to Ardent. His eyes moved back and forth between Laurent and me. Wrinkled and irritated.

“You’re not telling me anything, Anm,” Ardent said with a soft voice. “Why don’t you tell a story?”

I winced at what he said. I rarely met him so I did not tell him right away. I had plans to say to him, but Laurent showed up and I was talking to my mom, so that was out of my mind.

“Should she need to tell you everything?” I looked away when Laurent answered. In his voice he emphasized.

“Yes! Because she is my friend,” Ardent said with annoyance in his expression.

Oh-uh! Do not tell me they would fight again? This was a disaster again.

“You’re just a friend,” Laurent said with a threat on his face.

His expression was new to me. Back then, he had almost no emotions at all time. But now, he could show that to anyone.

Ardent looked at him sharply, I saw his palm clenched and he was holding the tie of his temper.

“Me?” Laurent pointed to his chest. “I am her boyfriend.” His words were highlighted. He gently pulled me towards him, held my waist.

Ardent looked down at his hand holding my waist. There was a giggling on his jaw and a fire on his eyes.

“Ardent…” I said softly. I could not find any words to say to calm him down. I had no idea what made him so mad like that. It was just that I did not tell him about us in early times. I wondered what was another reason.

My sweat began to produce in the corner of my forehead. I could feel the tension between the two of them. The anger that radiates towards the atmosphere and creates an awkward feeling to all of us.

“Can you please introduce me to them, Baby Girl?” Laurent’s grin was obviously seen. He was teasing Ardent as he looked straight at his eyes.

I scratched my head before speaking. I did not know where to start, but I managed to speak. “Ah-Laurent Baider, he is my boyfriend,” I said shyly to Alem and Ardent. I almost hid my face in embarrassment.

Ardent’s gaze deepened on Laurent.

What’s going on? I don’t understand why they are always at war? There was nothing to be fight of.

“Alem,” Alem stretched her arms, offering her right hand to Laurent.

Laurent just smiled. He did not accept her hand so I gestured on him to take it. He took it when he felt that he had no choice.

Ardent sighed before approaching and also held out his hand to Laurent.

“I’m sorry if we haven’t had a good meeting lately. Ardent by the way,” he said bluntly. The fire on his gaze was gone. He had  a pure expression of making friends with Laurent.

“Laurent Baider,” Laurent held out his hand. It was almost making Ardent wince for no apparent reason.

They stared at each other sharply. Until I noticed how tight they held each other’s hand. They were battling using that shaking hands.

“Laurent?” I grabbed his attention causing them to let go of the hand.

“Guys, let’s go. Let’s go home,” I wanted to thank Alem  when she came and invited us.

Laurent walked over to me and he was now smiling while still looking at Ardent. I did not know, but he seemed to be teasing him. I simply reached for Ardent’s phone which he had not gotten before. I was still nervous because Laurent might have gotten mad when he knew how close we were.

“Bye, see you tomorrow.”

The four of us said goodbye. Surprisingly Laurent also said goodbye to them before we got in his car.

“Where’s your apartment?” He was starting the car and holding the steering wheel.

“Are you going to my place? Really?” That made me jump in a thrill. I thought he did not want a tight place like my apartment.

I was wrong and I was excited to show him the status of my life. I would never be embarrassed of that.