"I passed." Ray said with a smile on his face that night.
"Yess! I knew you can do it." Althea jumped from her seat and let a small squeal carefully as she didn't wanna be heard by her family but couldn't hold back her excitement either. She sat back on her chair and supported her chin with both hands once Ray beckoned her with a smile.
"Thanks for believing in me." Ray patted Althea's head lovingly like he always did. He still wore a white shirt that was wrapped in a black suit he used for the interview. His usually tidy appearance now had a touch of formality and exude a more manly charm.
"Hihi, see. Told you you'll pass with flying colors." Althea spoke full of pride as if she was the one who passed the tests, "So, does it mean you get the scholarship?"
"Not yet." Ray answered and Althea halted her excitement.
"Not yet? How can it be?"
"Yes. I passed the tests to be qualified for the scholarship, but it was still from the selection committee. I still need to wait for confirmation from the university in that country. If the University also approves of my admission then I can start my study." Ray explained.
Althea thought that she had researched enough about this scholarship, but it turns out there's more she didn't know.
"Is there a possibility of rejection?" she asked.
"It's small, but yes there is. They have their own considerations, I believe." Ray shrugged, "But it will not be in my power anymore, so no use to think of it." He took off his suit, leaving only the white shirt which faintly shows his well-built body.
"Hmm hmm," Althea hummed, secretly enjoying his different appearance, "Well let's wait." she continued half-dazedly.
Ray watched Althea's eyes and followed her possible line of sight before a thought crossed his mind.
"If you stare too much, I'll feel shy." Ray said as he covered his upper chest with his hand. The words might sound embarrassing but his expression which barely change from his normally flat face caused a strange mismatch between them.
"Pfft, like you have any shame in the first place." Althea waved her hand dismissively as she laughed seeing the strange gesture.
Ray smiled and waited until the girl's laugh subsided before speaking, "That's one good news, but I have bad news as well."
"?"
"I told you that I registered for some university admission in my country, right? I got a rejection from one of them."
"Ahh, I see." Althea took in the information as she tried to remember why he might've failed. It crossed her that Ray and she were having a big fight a few days before the exam. His condition was already bad physically, but with their fight, it ruined him further.
"I'm sorry." Realizing it was partly her fault, Althea apologized.
"It's okay, dear. At least we progressed to stabilize our relationship afterward. So nothing was for naught." Ray smiled reassuringly.
"How was your exam?" Ray changed the topic after seeing Althea's still guilty face.
"Umm... They were okay, I think. Other than chemistry and physics, which were... average." Althea sulked, "I seem to never do well in them even if I gave thrice more effort on them compared to other subjects."
"You didn't like them in the first place."
"Not really... I guess? I don't know, I never thought of whether I like it or not. I just gotta do well." Althea answered doubtfully.
"Then think from now on, sweetheart." Ray shook his head, expecting the answer, "For now it's okay since it's already done. But do think of what you wanna learn and what do you want to have a career in in the future." He told Althea patiently, "After all, in case you get the scholarship, I want you to learn wholeheartedly and succeed in the field."
Althea who had been silently listening then leaned her head closer to her camera. Understanding the gesture, Ray pat her head until Althea distanced herself.
"I understand. I'll try to think about it."
"Good." Ray stood up from his sofa and walked somewhere in his house. Althea could only see his video moves as he unbuttoned the first two buttons of his shirt.
Before long, Althea could hear a popping sound of the fridge being opened.
"What are you searching for?"
"Something cold," Ray replied as one of his hand shuffled around some cans of soda and coffee. He purposely brought the camera closer so that Althea could only see his face and not whatever was inside the fridge. His hand stopped on a can of coffee labeled as "Original".
"No coffee, okay?" Althea interjected. Ray looked at her speechlessly for a moment before sighing and shift his choice to a can of soda.
"Soda isn't good for your body either," Althea mumbled softly but didn't say anything further. She knew that Ray normally eats relatively healthy foods. He would consume coffee, soda, or other junk food stuff when he's either stressed, too busy or wanting to relax.
Thinking to this point, Althea decided to make sure to appreciate this man fully instead. Right, she will make sure to shower him with praises later on. But for now, it should start with this phrase;
"Good work today, sweetheart."