CHAPTER FOUR
CHAYA was on her way back from the restroom. Kyrie was already standing outside the coffee shop with her bag of books in his hand, his back facing her. She could not help a smile as she wondered if she should consider their coffee a ‘date.’
Her phone rang even before she could come up to him. Chaya stopped as she fished for her phone from her purse. Tye was calling after a couple of weeks.
She was torn if she should answer the phone. It wasn’t a dilemma to her before. Through the years of their rocky relationship, Chaya never ignored Tye when he wanted to talk to fix things. While she knew their love was true, the world was just against it.
But she was with Kyrie now. And she did not want to keep him waiting. Maybe Tye would understand.
Chaya put her phone in flight mode.
“Thank you for waiting,” she called.
Kyrie turned around at once.
“Is there anything else you need to do?” he asked.
She shook her head.
“I’m good. Thank you.”
“So…” Kyrie scratched his eyebrow. “I just think that it’s still early to part ways with you yet. Will you give me the honor to drive you home?”
“W-what?” Chaya laughed nervously.
How flattering was that? Kyrie calling driving her home an honor? Was this guy even for real?
“You can tell your friends you’re with me just to make sure you’re safe.”
“Am I that pretty?”
Kyrie was stunned only for a moment. Then, he chuckled.
“I never thought I would say it this early, Chaya. I like you.”
Now that was a revelation. She felt a thrill run down her spine when she met his eyes. She wished he did not look sincere so that she could dismiss him easily.
“But it’s only our second meeting,” she reminded.
“It didn’t matter. I feel like I have known you for a long time.”
“Do you always say that to every pretty girl you meet?”
“No. The last time I dated was a long time ago.” He smiled sheepishly. “Did that scare you?”
“Not at all.”
Kyrie drew a breath. He looked relieved.
“Should we get going?” he asked afterward.
Chaya nodded with a smile.
“THIS USED to be owned by Ellie’s parents, but when she decided to move out, they gave it to her for an additional source of income,” Chaya said as she led Kyrie into the apartment building. “She’s an only child. I’m not saying that I’m jealous because her parents planned for her future, but I am jealous.” She smiled at him as she opened the door. “Please come in.”
Kyrie bowed politely.
“Thank you.”
“She’ll be home before dinner, though. I’m sure she’s going to like you.”
That was a lie, of course. Ellie already liked Kyrie, but she would never let him know that she had already told someone about him.
“I’m sure I’m going to like her, too.” He roamed his eyes around the humble living room. “This is a nice place.”
“Thank you. Do you want to see our humble office? It’s the unit next door.”
“It would be an honor.”
“Great.” She took the bag of books from him. “Thank you for this once again. Please have a seat. I’ll be right back.”
CHAYA dropped her stuff on the bed and took her phone out. She turned the flight mode off because she wanted to let Ellie know that she was with Kyrie.
But messages from Tye kept popping up.
WHERE ARE YOU, CHAYA?
WHY ARE YOU IGNORING MY CALLS? ☹
ROXANNE SAID YOU WERE OUT OF TOWN. WHEN ARE YOU COMING HOME? I MISS YOU.
She sighed. Sometimes, she wondered if Tye was taking their breakup for granted because he would still act as if nothing had happened.
I’M BUSY WITH IMPORTANT STUFF. I CAN’T TALK RIGHT NOW.
When she was done sending that response, she opened her chat box with Ellie.
HEY. YOU WON’T BELIEVE IT.
Chaya thought of telling everything to her via chat, but she eventually changed her mind and sent only those two sentences.
“AS YOU can see, there’s nothing much to show,” Chaya said as she pressed the aircon remote.
There was a small couch near the door. A table for receiving visitors and three cubicles. There was a tall shelf of books, a TV screen on the wall, and a restroom.
“But I’m sure there’s a lot of things going on in here,” he said. “I’m rooting for you.”
Chaya put a hand on her chest.
“Thank you.”
Her phone suddenly rang. Tye was calling again.
“Um…” She reluctantly glanced at Kyrie. “I should take this call.”
“I understand. Go ahead.”
“I’ll be right back.”
She went inside the restroom and locked the door. With a sigh, she swiped the answer button.
“I told you I can’t talk right now,” she said.
“Where are you? I’m going to fly to you,” said Tye’s gloomy voice.
“Why would you do that?”
“I want to see you. I want to escape everything.”
Chaya’s heart twinged in pain.
“Tye, listen to me,” she said as she swallowed the imaginary lump in her throat. “You can’t do that. You’re going to drive your mom crazy.”
“We both know her primary concern is not me.”
Chaya fell silent.
“What should I do, Chaya?” he asked afterward. “I don’t want to be her son anymore.”
“Tyler,” she said in a firm tone.
“You hate me now, don’t you?”
“I-I… I don’t. But I just hope you remember that I have my own space, too. We’re not together anymore.”
“But we always get back together, don’t we? Even though you’re tired of me.”
Chaya heaved another sigh.
“I just want you to respect the boundaries. For real this time.”
There was silence on the other line.
“How do I do that? You’re the one who truly cares for me,” Tye said afterward. His voice was low and miserable. “I want you back, Chaya.”
Chaya closed her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I have to go.”
She ended the call.
Chaya straightened her back as she faced the mirror to compose herself. She could not go on like that. She must think about what she wanted for herself, too.