Love Lanterns
CHAPTER 21

"My answer.."

1 HOUR EARLIER

"Since this morning I didn't meet with Ben. Is she okay? Dea said Ben left.. But why didn't I see him at all? What's.. Ben stay away from me? It can't be.. Butwhy?.. What can't-don't.. ? Wait a minute why am I thinking about Ben?" Arra struggled with himself.

The sweet girl was sitting pensively in her classroom. All his friends went home. But Arra was still pensive to think of Ben who was not at all visible from morning.

"Hey!!" someone kicked down the table in front of Arra. Who else's short red hair if not Seila.

"Does a genius have to do sitting daydreaming before going home?" seila asked with a mocking expression.

"Cameil? What are you doing here?!"

"I asked you why you asked me back!"

"It's got nothing to do with you. What are you doing in my class?" arra's eyes looked at Seila's astonishment.

"Oh.. There aren't. Just wanted to see my former classmates first. Is it still je-ni-us like du-lu?" seila replied while insulting.

"I don't think I'm a genius or anything. It's better than arguing with you that I go home" Arra took the bag and left. Seila still stood in her way.

"Of course you should go home soon otherwise you will be late to meet your beloved.. Hahahaa" Seila laughed as if she was going to ask for a fight.

"Whatchu mean? Dearest lover? I never felt like I had a lover? Has your brain been having problems with Seila?" reply Arra with eyes looking sharp.

"Don't feel like you have a word? Yes it's true but.. I guess today too you'll get it soon" Seila replied with her sharp eyes anyway.

"Huh? What he meant.. Is Ben? But.. I would never talk about something like this to her how could she guess such a thing? Did he stitch me up? It's not true I should be more vigilant with her." Arra thought.

"I don't understand what you're talking about Seila.. But I still have a lot of business. Your conversation with me is not important, I have to go now!" Arra stepped foot towards the classroom door but Seila was still talking.

"Haha.. Are you avoiding, A-rra? You'll be a loser later.. Just look! Soon you'll feel down and the world will hate you!" Arra took his foot out again.

Seila's words indeed made Arra even more wondering, but he tried to ignore them.

Along the way Arra was constantly annoyed by Seila's arrogant behavior. He thought living in America could make himself much better than before. But he did not expect with his popularity to make so many people hate him. Envy and envy do not escape from humans.

"Dry!" the voice of someone who pulled Arra and took him to hide in the library.

Arra's mouth was silenced by the person who pulled her forcibly using her hand. Arra is unable to move freely, even difficult to breathe.

Because of her curiosity in the person who pulled her, Arra stepped on the foot of the person and released himself from the person. When Arra sees who he is, he is shocked because he is Ben.

"Ben?! What the hell are you doing? Why bring me.." Arra said, Arra's mouth was closed by Ben's hand.

"Shhh.. Please shut up for a moment.. I'll explain if they're gone" Ben said, hiding and looking out the window.

"They? Who?" whisky Arra.

"Sister Ben!! Where're you? We still want to talk and take pictures with you! Come on, brother!.." shouted a group of girls who were busy looking for Ben's whereabouts.

Almost 10 minutes they were there, because they were tired and finally the girls left. Ben let out a sigh of relief as the group of girls did not chase after him anymore.

"Puft... Hahahaaa so you're panting so much for being chased by a bunch of 1st graders?" Arra said while laughing and patting Ben's shoulder.

"What's your reaction? I thought you'd be surprised or angry when you heard I was popular with women." Ben replied with a look of annoyance.

"Well.. Getting angry? Why?" asked Arra in surprise.

"Yes of course you'd be jealous if I liked a lot of women" Ben's confidence increased when he said that.

"Ehhhh??? Of jealousy? On what basis am I jealous of those who like you?" groused Arra.

Seeing Arra's slightly timid behavior makes Ben even more like it. Ben only replied to her with an amused laugh without saying anything more.

"Ben.."

"I promise you that I will answer your question after a week has passed. And now it was time for me to keep my promise to answer it." Arra's eyes kept staring down as he said it.

"Listen well Arra.. I'm not forcing you to answer my question. I appreciate it if you don't answer my silly questions. Let's just say it's my joke... I feel bad if my words become a burden to you Ra.." said Ben while holding Arra's hands tightly.

"No Ben.. I have set my heart to answer. Whatever my answer is.. You're gonna take it, aren't you?" Arra looked seriously at Ben's eyes.

"of course.. So, what's your answer?" beb asked gently and a smile accompanied him.

Arra took a deep breath and began to answer

"My answer.. I won't answer 'no' nor will 'yes'.. I admit I do have a crush on you, Ben. But I'm not too sure to trust my heart. So I guess.. I like you, but I don't love you yet"

Hearing Arra ben's reply felt a little satisfied. He tells her that Arra doesn't love her yet. Because love does not come and must not be forced.

"I understand.. I won't force you to love me Ra. Your love for me will be accepted and I will put it in my heart. I'll wait for you to declare that you love me. Even if you don't love me later at least you've put a liking on me. That's more than enough.." Ben's hand gently stroked Arra's head while smiling.

"Ben... You're.. Not angry or disappointed with my answer?." said Arra with his head down

"Arra, I've never been disappointed with your answer. I will always appreciate whatever your answer is. I don't like to force someone let alone a woman I love"

"He's... Not disappointed in me? He is different from the others. Although it sucks he can still be mature at a time like this" Arra's mind.

After a long conversation with Ben, Arra invited Ben to come home soon. It's getting dark and their pickup car may have waited too long outside.

They stepped out of the library and stopped because the library guard was standing in front of them.

"You people! What are you doing in the library when there are no guards? Are you trying to borrow a book without my knowledge?" said a young, white woman carrying a wooden stick that she used to bully naughty students.

"Pardon us Miss Cika, we just.. Just look at the book and take nothing inside." said Arra stammeringly.

"really? If you're caught lying then you'll get severe punishment tomorrow! It's home!" said loud Bu Cika.

"Good ma'am" Arra and Ben bowed respectfully then immediately stepped away from the library.

Along the way to the gate they laughed while running because of the events they experienced today.

"Look at me I'll definitely get to the gate first!" arra said with a laugh and ran ahead of Ben.

"You sure? All right let's see who gets there first"

Ben is not less enthusiastic with Arra, he immediately followed Arra in front of him. They ran along with a smile of sweet laughter.

Arra's heart was relieved and pleased that Ben's reply had so calmed his mind. Ben appreciates whatever decision Arra makes without any disappointment. It made Arra feel calm and comfortable near her.

"Yes, I got there first" Ben said, laughing at Arra gasping for breath.

"Huf.. You're.. Kan's.. The male.. Of course you can.. Win against me.." Arra replied with a breath of breath.

"Haha.. But you're still great Ra"

"Eh, Great? I'm great what?"

"Of course it's great to win my heart" said Ben.

"W-what???" blush Arra's face flushed red because of Ben's crush. He didn't think Ben liked to embarrass Arra so much.

"Haha don't think too much about it. "Ben's warm hands gently rubbed Arra's head.

"Oh yes, your driver is waiting for you to go home Ra. You better get to him and go home"

"Ah okay.. Thanks for your entertainment Ben, see you tomorrow" Arra ran and waved to Ben.

Ben returns his longing while smiling at Arra.