Chapter 45: Chapter 45 - Lovestruck
I really don't know why, but every time I listen to the FM radio of my cellphone, every DJ in every station plays a love song. Even punk rock and emo music sounds like a love song! Coincidence? Nah, I don't think so. I feel like, all those love songs are being played for me! And for Nikita! It's like, all the stars have conspired and are now perfectly aligned for my first love! Oh I knew it's destiny!
And I'm going to fulfill it tonight!
======================================================
(7:00 P.M.)
Whenever it's possible, I always go to the waiting shed, or to other locations and watch Nikita play her music on the sidelines. I'm her very silent, avid fan.
Sometimes, I put a few bills in her guitar case. It's a small amount, I know. But I do that to support her. I've learned, much to my surprise, that she came from a family with financial difficulties like me.
That's the reason why she keeps on singing in the streets - To earn extra money, even if it's just spare change, to help her family. And maybe, if she's lucky enough, she would be discovered by a recording agent. Her whole life can change for the better then.
Now, I can feel somehow, that we have something in common.
And tonight, as always, she's playing her acoustic guitar on her usual spot.
"I'll wait for her to finish. Then I'll approach her." I thought to myself. I've been dreaming for this moment for a long time. My timing should be perfect.
So, I listened to her songs and waited. Some of it I've never heard before. But it's still beautiful nonetheless.
And with every song she sang, my love for her grows even more.
(Author's note: This songs are all real and you can search it on Youtube, You can listen to them so you'll know what kind of songs Nikita plays. And oh, by the way, the majority of the songs are sung by men so, just imagine it in female version.)
(When I dream about you - Gracenote)
(The day you said goodnight - Hale)
(Broken Sonnet - Hale)
(If - Rivermaya)
(Balisong - Rivermaya)
(With a smile - Eraserheads)
(Fruitcake - Eraserheads)
(Will you ever learn? - Typecast)
(Just remember I love you - Firefall)
(Dreams - Fleetwood Mac)
(Dreams - Cranberries)
(Here without you - 3 Doors Down)
(Faraway - Nickelback)
(Brighter than sunshine - Aqualung)
(All my life - America)
(Old songs - David Pomeranz)
(If you walk away - David Pomeranz)
(Insensitive - Jann Arden)
(My immortal - Evanescence)
(How to save a life - The Fray)
(Over my head - The Fray)
(Look after you - The Fray)
(All at once - The Fray)
(You and me - Lifehouse)
(Sway - Bic Rungga)
(Head over feet - Alanis Morissette)
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An hour later...
After giving thanks to her listeners, Nikita picked up all the coins and bills in the case, placed her guitar inside, and started to go on her way.
Okay...
This is it...
This is my chance!
Considering my looks, I know I have no chance but...
I REALLY REALLY WANT HER!!!
"H-hey! Wait!"
She stopped and turned around.
"?"
SEEING HER UP CLOSE MAKES MY HEART BEAT FASTER!!!
"H-Hi! Uhmm... I listened to your song covers! And they're really good! I really love it!"
(Teslan's thoughts: I'M A FREAKING NERVE-WRECK RIGHT NOW! WHY AM I PERSPIRING SO MUCH?!! DID I SAY THE RIGHT WORDS?!)
"Thanks!" She said with a smile.
(Teslan's thoughts: OH I WOULD MELT!!! HOLD IT TOGETHER, TESLAN! DON'T YOU DARE MESS THIS ONE UP!!!)
"I-I'm Teslan, by the way."
I reached out my hand.
"My name's Nikita. Nice to meet you."
We shake hands.
I've always wanted to hold her hand.
I can feel the roughness of her palm and fingers.
This is the hand of someone who works so hard, everyday. Just commendable...
I hope I can help her.
I hope I can make her life much more comfortable.
"Ah... uhmm... This may be too sudden, but I really want to ask you something... I really want to know you more... Uhmm... Can we be... Friends...?
(Teslan's thoughts: How I wish to be more "~Smooth~"! You know what I'm sayin? I wish I've said some clever lines but I got nothing!)
Silence...
"Anyone who listens to my singing is a friend of mine, Teslan. And besides, I kinda know you. We work at the same place, right? I wonder why you're so quiet. You always keep to yourself. You could have approached me or the other guys on lunch breaks you know."
(Teslan's thoughts: She noticed me...? Really...? She noticed someone like me...?)
"Uhmm... I-I'm new here in this place, and I'm really shy. I'm sorry..."
"No, that's okay. I understand."
She let go of my hand.
"Thank you very much for always listening and supporting me on the sidelines, Teslan. I truly appreciate it."
"Ha...? How did you know...?"
"You're still wearing the restaurant uniform, Melo. You kinda stand out from the crowd."
Silence...
"Oh..."
(Teslan's thoughts: Crud... SHE KNEW ALL ALONG?!! THAT'S SO EMBARASSING!!! SO MUCH FOR BEING HER SECRET FAN! I hope I'm not too obvious about my feelings for her! Or am I wearing my heart out of my sleeve?! Does she already know that I like her?!)
"Uhmm... I really want to stay and talk some more, but I need to go home now. I'm very sorry. See you again tomorrow?"
"Yeah... Sure!"
"Take care on your way back home."
She turned, waved her hand, and walked away...
No...
No...
No...
I don't want this to end...
NOT LIKE THIS!
"W-wait!"
Nikita turned her head.
Silence...
"Yes, Teslan...?"
I quickly ran towards her.
"Can I... Can I accompany you back to your home...? You know, just for safety."
Silence...
"Yeah. Sure. Why not?"
======================================================
We didn't talk to much inside the bus. I can't think of any subject or topic to say. Or maybe, I'm tired from work and she from singing.
Or maybe, I just can't speak at all because I'm sitting beside the one I love and I'm freaking out inside.
Odd, but I'm still content with that. Even if we're both silent, just the mere fact that I'm sitting right beside here, being so close to her, is happiness to me. One of my dreams is being fulfilled and I'm living it, I'm experiencing it right now. And it's just so nice. So epic. She didn't flatly reject me straight away and I consider that as kindness. Man... Everything that's happening right now is just perfect. The cool, air-conditioned bus. The comfortable seats. The old love songs being played on the radio. And the unusual traffic due to a road repair project (Which will force us to stay together in the bus for another hour.).
PERFECT!!! JUST PERFECT!!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
I want to scream and shout and jump for joy! Before, I hate the traffic! I feel so miserable whenever I'm stuck in traffic even if it's just for an hour! But now, I'm so thankful for the traffic! Traffic is amazing!
Man... I'm so happy right now...
I wish this happy, one-sided (For now. Just for now. She'll fall for me too someday), romantic moment will never end...
I really want to talk to her, to know more things about her but, I used up all my courage and strength already. I'm totally drained! But it's okay. I'm on cloud nine right now. Being with her is enough for me. We can do talk next time.
I just hope the silence between us is not too awkward for her.
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(After an hour of commuting...)
I see...
So this is where she lives...
It's a very small, very simple, old white apartment, just like ours when we're living in the city.
We really have so much in common.
"Thank you for keeping me company, Teslan."
"Oh, it's nothing... I'm sorry I didn't talk to you a lot, I guess I'm pretty boring, huh...?"
"No, it's okay. At least I've rested my throat from singing."
Silence...
"I'll see you-"
"I-I want to help you, Nikita!"
Silence...
"?"
"I want to help you achieve your dream!"
She has that cute, confused look on her face again.
"What do you mean...?"
"That's why you're always singing on the waiting shed every night, right? Your dream is to become a singer, right?"
She nodded her head.
"Yes. I want to become a famous singer, Teslan. That's my dream."
Silence...
"Have you video recorded your song covers and uploaded it to Wetube or Photobook?"
"No. I haven't. I can't do it because I don't have a video camera and I can't afford the fees on a recording studio. I do have a Facebook account but, I don't have enough time to do those things."
"I can do it for you!"
"Huh...?"
"Yes! I can do it for you! I'll be your cameraman! I'll be your social media manager! I'll put all your song covers on Wetube and Photobook! If we're lucky enough, you'll be discovered and become a recording artist!"
She smiled, her face beaming with joy.
(Teslan's thoughts: MAN SHE'S SO ADORABLE!!!)
"You'll really do that for me...?"
"Yes! I'm your friend! I'll help you out!"
I offered my hand!
"Let's start tomorrow evening?"
She firmly held my hand and shook it vigorously.
"Yes! I'll do my very best! Let's do it! Thank you so much, Teslan!"
I really outdid myself tonight!
And thus, at last, our wonderful friendship finally begun!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone