Zee ascends the stairs one by one. He wasn't supposed to stop by at the student councils' mobile office, next to the Auditorium 3, but since Ta was asking him to retrieve a file that Bear left there, he has no choice. Since the class starts at 9 am, he has a lot of time to stop by here and there.
By coincidence, after submitting the assignment, Zee is already leaving the BBA building, stopping by at the stall in front of the campus for breakfast. Thank God Ta texted him on time and he managed to read it. Or else, he has to ask Bear to retrieve the worksheet by himself, which is quite inconvenience for the boy as he lives quite far from the campus.
After climbing the stairs, Zee gasping in shock by a surprise that is waiting for him at the front door of the mobile office.
"What are you doing here?" he asks nonchalantly. Pan turns around, facing Zee hastily. She stutters a bit, not sure what to do. The air is strain and awkwardness fills in between the gap creates by them.
Funny, isn't it? They dare speak up like nothing when they were surrounding by the sea of people, but when it's only them, it's almost muted and too awkward.
Pan stands there in the most awkward pose ever. She isn't sure what to do, or how to start the conversation. It's been too long since they faced each other, one-on-one like this. Meanwhile, Zee, who is probably still in shock, stuns like a statue. Gazing at the woman who once had been in his life.
"Morning..." finally, Zee greets Pan modestly.
"I need to talk to you about this Saturday..."
As expected, Zee gushes internally.
"Come in first. I need to grab something inside," says Zee. He opens the door with his keycard and lets Pan walks in.
"About this weekend's gig.. is it possible if you can excuse Yara and Han. Let me take the responsibility," Pan straight away asking a favor to Zee.
"Won't do. It's final..."
"I don't think they can handle it. Besides, this is the first time we made a mistake. Can you please spare us, only for this time..."
"I believe you guys should learn the lesson together. Be responsible for what you did. Is that hard?" Zee's inquiry makes Pan halts for a moment. She inhales the air that feels somehow intense. And exhales slowly.
"Let me fill in for them. I can do it."
"I have a reason why I'm asking the three of you to do it together..."
"I can do it by myself..."
"Could you please stop thinking about others and put yourself first?" asks Zee. His voice peeks up a bit, making Pan flinches.
Her patience is slowly draining.
"You ask me to be selfish, just like what you did throughout these years?"
Zee stares at Pan, his eyes waver a bit. Those words remind him of that day when everything crumbled down. All those promises and futures were gone in a second.
Pan realizes that she made a mishap. She looks down and takes a deep breath. She came here this morning to find a solution. Not to argue and be personal towards Zee.
But looks like words can't be pulled back.
"I'm sorry if I cross the line. I believe there is nothing we can do, so we'll work hard this Saturday," Pan gives in. She was about to leave the room. But her burning heart is eager to burst out.
So, she turns around for one last time and stare at Zee with her heavy heart. "Talking about responsibility... I believe, you should see yourself in the mirror, Senior Zee.." these are the final words that Pan throws at Zee before she leaves him alone in the room.
Zee closes his eyes and tries to calm himself. He grabs the note tight into his hand.
Feeling like a slap in his face.