The canteen is more crowded today than on any other day. There is a lot of trading going on. Emily ordered two plates of noodles and a cup of tea, then went inside and sat down. Kush, the heartthrob senior at the university, was chatting with his friends at a side table. It would be wrong to say that he was just chatting. Their focus was on the screen of a friend's mobile. They were looking at something on their mobile and smiling awkwardly. Kush saw Emily sitting at the table next to him. He liked the girl and had also tried to talk to her in private many times, but did not get such an opportunity. Seeing Emily sitting alone in the canteen today, he thought he would take advantage of the opportunity. Kush got up and went to Emily.
"How are you, Emily?" Kush asked.
Emily was staring at the floor distractedly and was a little shocked when someone addressed her by name. "I am good, brother. What about you?" she replied.
Kush replied with a salutation, "I'm fine. I thought you were bored sitting alone so I came to give you company."
Emily smiled sweetly. "Where's Jennifer? Can't I see her?"
"Jennifer is getting ready to leave. Why? Do you need her? Tell her to come early by phone?" Kush asked.
Kush was quite happy in his mind. He would be able to talk to Emily separately for some time. Kush said with a little hesitation, "No, no! You guys are a couple. Always be together. So, Emily, I've been wanting to tell you something for a long time. I don't know how to get started."
Emily frowned and said, "Is something serious?"
Kush said solemnly, "It's very serious to me. I don't know how to say it."
"No problem," Emily said.
"No, I like you. I like you differently. This feeling has been growing for a long time, but I never got a chance to express it to you," Kush said.
Emily raised her eyes to her forehead and looked at Kush. She was not at all ready to hear anything like that. Emily was about to say something when she saw Aldwin standing in front of the canteen door. She gestured with her hand and mumbled,
"I have to go to the library a little. An important book has not been issued. I may not get it later."
Kush was surprised and said, "Okay."
Emily got up and walked to the door. She went in front of Aldwin and whispered,
"Come with me."
There are two main gates of the university. The second gate is abandoned and not used. Next to the gate stands a huge almond tree with its head held high. Emily stood under the almond tree. The fire looked at Aldwin. He looked normal to Emily, but his eyes looked browner today. Emily said sharply,
"What are you doing at my university? Aldwin did not answer.
"I'm talking to you! You're bothering me at home, scaring me when you want. But what the hell are you doing at my university?"
Aldwin slowly approached Emily, causing her to retreat on all fours. At one point, Emily's back got stuck with the tree. Aldwin placed his hand on Emily's head, and just then, a large nut fell on Aldwin's hand. Emily looked surprised. Aldwin took the nut in the palm of his hand and showed it to Emily.
"I'm protecting you," Aldwin said. His breathing was getting heavier, and the warmth of his breath spread around him. Emily had felt this warmth before, when they were doing assignments, in the kitchen, and even in the washroom. The warmth wrapped around her like a net, but today maybe someone else wanted to tie him up.
Emily said in a low voice,
"I don't need anyone to protect me. Why would I be in any danger? Also, you're not human. You're not alive."
Aldwin replied, "I am visible."
Emily's phone rang, and with trembling hands, she took it out of her bag. It was Jennifer calling. Emily answered the call, and Jennifer said,
"Where are you?"
"I just around the canteen. Did you go inside and sit down?" Emily asked.
"Yeah, come on. Our second class is in fifteen minutes."
"Ok, I'm coming."
Emily left the phone and turned to Aldwin, but she didn't see anyone. She looked around and asked, "Is anyone looking for me?"
Aldwin stood behind Emily and placed his lower chin on her shoulder. In the suddenness of the incident, Emily hurried back, but when she saw Aldwin, she started walking backward. Suddenly, Aldwin grabbed Emily by the waist and held her close. "You've just gone crazy looking for me. And now that I'm close, why are you moving away from me?" Emily pushed Aldwin to free herself and said, "Who was looking for you? I wasn't looking for anyone. Move from in front of me."
Two squirrels were sitting on a tree and eating nuts. Emily looked at them, sighed, and stepped towards the canteen. She looked back once and saw Aldwin still standing and smiling at her. Emily looked at Aldwin, frowned, and left the place.
Aldwin was sitting on the bank of a river. This was his favorite place when he was alive.
"You went in front of Emily?" Aldwin heard his friend John's voice and looked back.
"Yes."
"Well then. I think you are so fascinated by her beauty that you decided you will never go in front of her."
Aldwin smiled. "Now just wait for your goal to be met." He became silent, then suddenly looked at John. "John, do you know who Emily is?"
"Who? My future sister-in-law?" John giggled.
"Emily, I couldn't say how much I loved her before I was alive."
John's eyes widened when he heard that.
"Wait. What! That girl, she is the same, Emily. The one you loved when you were alive. You saved her even on the day of your accident."
"Yes. I didn't know it before I went to her. This girl is my Emily."
"So, what do you decide? Step aside from your goal?"
"No. Because my whole nation is dependent on me. I can't step aside. But I will protect her and also my nation."
"But when Emily loves you, you have to kill her. Otherwise, you will not be able to gain Moonstone strength and protect our nation.
Aldwin sighed. "I don't know. There is still time for the Full Moon to come and also for Emily's 22nd birthday. I will find some way. But I can't leave Emily alone until then. Many dangers are waiting around for her."
"Ok, dude. No matter what your decision is, I will be with you." John said, and Aldwin smiled and hugged him.