"Seb!!! That's wrong!!! Take double of the value", Erica scolded for the fourth time," What has happened to you Seb? You were never this distracted while learning!".
"It's nothing. I'm just stressed", Seb sighed.
"Well, why did you take so many responsibilities at once?", Erica folded the book she was holding and hit it on Seb's head once.
"Don't do it', Seb said a little irritated.
Erica seldom sees Seb annoyed, so she found it funny ti disturb her. She did it once again, and Seb angrily snatched the book away from her and threw it away. Erica winced at her behavior,"What's with you?", she exclaimed,"Since when did you turn out to be so violent? Since when do you have such temper?".
"It's nothing", Seb said more annoyed than before,"Carry on, where do I put this value after multiplying?".
Erica was really flustered by Seb. She wasn't ready or willing to face an angry Seb.
"Are you fine?", she asked concerned,"Did something happen?"
"FINE, fine...I said I'm fine!", Seb stressed on her words. It nearly sounded like a shout.
Erica hesitated. She felt rather insulted. Grabbing her bag she stood up,"Call me when you're back to normal", she grumbled. She was little offended too,"I can't teach you when you're like this", and saying thus she approached the door.
Now Erica was pissed.
Seb felt lazy to go and stop her again, but eventually she had to. It was her fault in the first place.She have lost her mind.
She hurried before Erica could turn the door knob. It was very easy to persuade Erica. After a few apologies, polite words and a moment of puppy dog eye stare, she calmed down.
"Sorry Eric", Seb made her sit and spoke seriously,"It's just, the past few days are very hectic for me. Please understand!"
"But I'm not your stress relieving machine", Erica said,"I can only listen your reasons and complaints, not your temper".
"But then, I'll have no one to turn to then", Seb looked up at her.
Erica stared for a while. She tried to put an end to the sentimental topic,"Alright alright! Just don't push yourself too hard. Call me when you wanna go out. I can cheer you up the best...So, wanna learn more? Another chapter left!"
Seb nodded and smiled sadly.
Somehow she couldn't bring herself to tell Erica the truth. Not now!
At 6:15 am morning
"Whoa, you've gotten heavier Ichi!", Seb complimented as she lifted him up,"You're growing well".
Seb and the dogs were at there regular place at regular time. Her eyes didn't search for the person she was expecting, because she was confident that he will turn up. The way they parted yesterday, will bring him back!
Suddenly a familiar head popped out from among the dogs. That was her cue. He's here.
"Hello Rikki," Seb lifted her up,"We were expecting you, right boys?", the dogs wagged their tails and approved it.
A pair of legs came and stood in front of them. They were nearer compared to the other day. Seb noticed but didn't look up. A very familiar voice with a different accent spoke,"You're here again".
He sounded very odd from his regular accent. Politeness doesn't suit him at all. He's more suited to be the sadist type. He was sure Seb was listening, but she didn't reply.
After waiting for a few seconds more he said again,"So...knowing your name is not necessary even though you know mine?". Still no reply!
"I'm getting the silent treatment now?", he said,"You're applying my own ways on me? You're getting right back at me for What I did, fine I understood!", he wasn't apologizing nor threatening.
A few more minutes later, finally Iven started losing his patience,"Come on already! Even I did that, I did say my name to you! How long you're gonna get back at me for it???".
This time it worked and gained Seb's attention.
She looked up and narrowed her eyes,"Walk with me!", she said. It sounded like an order. Iven's eyebrows rose in surprise. Saying thus, Seb got up and started walking. Iven followed.
After a few minutes, Seb said,"My name is...Sybelle. You can call me Seb".
Seb looked forward and Iven was looking at her. After a moment of the reveal, Iven said," Belle sounds better", and he immediately looked front, appearing like a foolish oaf, not knowing why he said that.
"Belle?", Seb looked surprised,"That's a new for me. I've never thought my name can turn out like this too. Everyone calls me Seb, even the teachers. They say it suits my personality".
Iven didn't have anything to reply to that. He was still confused why did he say that and also Seb being so cool with that. But for some reason, he found 'Belle' very appeasing. For him, it suited her more.
A moments of silence followed. It was getting awkward for a while. Then Seb initiated.
"You must be thinking my name is very unladylike", she referred to 'Seb'.
"Unladylike?", Iven found it strange. He found her name very unique and beautiful instead. He referred to 'Sybelle'," I don't think so".
"Whoa!!!", Seb exclaimed amused,"You're the first person to say that to me", and she laughed.
Iven on the other hand was amazed to find Seb talking so freely with him. She wasn't afraid at all, and why would she be? Her one move, and Iven will be thrashed. But he didn't see any threat in her eyes. They were very sincere. She talked what was in her heart.
But then, how can she forget that he had harassed him? That's obviously unforgivable. And here she was, taking a stroll with him in such an isolated area. How could she? Did she already forgive him? What can be the reason for her to mix so frankly with him? Also, Iven was doing the same too!!!
"Why are you being like this with me?", Iven couldn't hold back her curiosity.
Seb looked at him confused.
"Clearly you loathe me for what I did to you", he said looking away,"How can you at such ease???"
Seb sighed quietly. Then she replied,"Honestly, i wanted to hate you as much possible, but it felt meaningless after a while. Matters doesn't stick to me for long. But I thought that incident was going to scar my life for a long time. But the same thing happened. I can't even recall that feel and fear from before".
Her reply was electrifying to Iven. It doesn't matter to her anymore? He brutally molested her!!!
"Don't think much...Iven", Seb read his thoughts,"It's okay for now". her expression turned serious. She didn't want to remember that again.
A chill passed through Iven's spine after hearing his name from her mouth. He cursed himself for his existence. He did so wrong to a person who forgot so easily. May be she didn't, or trying to. But still she seemed so honest.
Iven could have earned a good company. Nobody had talked with him for who he was in years. But there's still time!
Iven tried to get rid of his intention. He can't get carried away in things like these. But every time his eyes went at her calm face, pleasant expression and large shiny sincere eyes, he kept loosing grip on all of his vows and determination.
At that moment Iven knew, that she will change him someday!