Planetes
4. c. We Wish You Merry Christmas

It wasn't usual for Clarissa to send Elliot a message that morning. It's been about 3 months since Clarissa said she would go to Ireland and stay there long enough for some research.

Thinking about what he would send, Clarissa finally typed a sentence like this.

[Text to: Elliott]

> Do you have time today?

> Know what day it is today?

On the other hand, Elliot woke up and rubbed his eyes when he heard the sound of a cell phone.

"Wow, Clarissa." he sighed when he saw who sent the message. He immediately sent a message to the girl.

[Text : Clarissa ]

> Of course there are.

> Where might I forget. You're having a birthday today, right?

> Want to celebrate Christmas?

Clarissa gave a sigh of relief. It turned out that the man remembered, his heart so pleased a little.

[Text: Elliott]

> Can.

> Want to meet in London?

> Or whatever.

How could Elliot have forgotten? He can't forget it, can he?

[Text : Clarissa ]

> Then, I will be ready to fly to London.

> What do you want me to bring?

> Just say. 😊

Clarissa chuckled as she read the message. It was time to get ready for London.

[Text: Elliott]

> Hmmm

> Just bring me my birthday present.

> I just need a minute anyway.

Yak, paused. As it is said, Elliot is confused. What is he going to prepare?

[Text : Clarissa ]

> Alright if so 😊

> Lho, are you in a hurry? 😮

> Want to meet in front of Big Ben? 😊

Across the street, Clarissa was busy preparing some words she would say to Elliot.

[Text: Elliott]

> Think of it that way.

> I have another job, in London later.

> Argh, the point is let's meet first!

Elliot laughed reading a reply from Clarissa. He immediately replied to her.

[Text : Clarissa ]

> Oui, oui, I'll be there soon.

> I wait in Big Ben if so.

> Oh, take it easy about your gift.

> I have prepared.

After replying to the message, Elliot immediately headed to the bathroom and cleaned himself up. She was so messy after waking up and getting dressed.

The arrangement of her blue hair was as neat as possible and snatched the package of gifts she had prepared for Clarissa.

He put it in his bag and flicked his fingers. Then a portal was formed that connected his current place with the place he wanted.

"Well, I'm coming." he stepped in and immediately arrived in front of Big Ben.

"Wow!" decak amazed sliding from the gap of the ledge. "Lost wait for Clarissa."

Because Elliot doesn't want to keep other people waiting, so let him wait. He also did not mind to wait.

Placed the bag near his feet and Elliot rolled his chest over the smartphone screen. It's been a while since he met Clarissa.

In her place, Clarissa snorted softly while reading a message from Elliot. At least now we have made a deal.

And Clarissa certainly booked airfare online from far away. After checking his order, he just left. Do not pack first because some personal items are still in the lodging in London there.

Arriving at the airport, Clarissa immediately headed for her main departure plane to London.

Profit from Ireland to the UK has not been so long, in just 1 hour 5 minutes it has arrived. But seeing Elliot seems like more than that time.

In about 2 hours, Clarissa reached her appointment with Elliot in Big Ben. Because it is now Christmas, the hustle and bustle of London is felt once.

Fortunately, Elliot's hair is so striking, that it is not difficult to recognize.

"Wait a long time, El?" ask Clarissa while approaching the bentala.

Elliot just put his phone back in his pocket. He heard a familiar voice in his ears.

"I just arrived, really" he replied with a carefree smile.

"Oh, yes. Happy birthday to you!" he gave me the big box he took out of his bag. "May you like it, yeah! Relax, it's got to be you like."

Although suspicious for some time, but Clarissa seems not to want to bother about it.

And when he got the gift, happiness stifled his chest.

The feeling that he had never met again, is now back. Without feeling her smile spread on her face.

"Thank you Elliot, you can always make me smile."

Elliot himself did not mind Clarissa's smile. He knew that this girl sometimes wears a mask.

But it feels like this smile.... Original. Inevitably Elliot was a bit clumsy to make.

"Want to go for a walk or eat first?"

Given the cake, maybe they can buy some mini-market food and eat with the cake.

"Eat first, huh? I'm hungry, hehe." scoffed sinlessly because Elliot hadn't had time to eat before.

"Eating up, we're just going for a walk." Elliot said as if he were traveling. "Not what, is it?"

Clarissa shook her head softly, "It's okay."

Basically, he was the first one to bring food. So, while walking later certainly not a problem.

"Thank God," Elliot was worried that he would trouble Clarissa.

Elliot takes his bag and agrees to Clarissa's invitation. When will he spend Christmas Eve with someone outside his family?

Clarissa walked side-by-side with Elliot awkwardly. Although traveling where he often passed by seemed strange.

"Come, I'm gonna buy a sandwich first."

Clarissa pulls Elliot to the nearest mini market. Buy some sandwiches maybe.

"Or maybe we'll just go to the teahouse?"

"Sure," he follows Clarissa who pulls her hand to the minimarket. "Ah, tea shop is not bad either."

His shoulder was too straight-minded. Suppose Elliot was given candy by a stranger, he would take it without a second thought.

I think I know the habits (bad if you can say) of Elliot. But Clarissa did not want to comment further, she did not want to ruin the moment.

Elliot is rare (or maybe never?) realize that bad habits sometimes make others upset. Or maybe I'm confused as to why it could happen.

Finally Clarissa with Elliot, go first to the minimarket to buy some Sandwiches. And immediately go to the teahouse to eat the food they have right now.

Elliot instead looks so happy to be taken by Clarissa to the minimarket and buy some sandwiches and invited to the teahouse.

Fortunately tea is common in the UK, so there are many teahouses there. Clarissa immediately ordered tea for them and to warm herself up.

After their tea order arrived, Clarissa opened the conversation for them.

"You ... surely know that I'm asking you to talk about something?"

"Hm?" while eating his sandwich, Elliot listens to Clarissa. "Ah, I already know that if you bring me here there must be something, right? So, I can know about what?"

His smile was wide. Looks like Elliot faced something without a burden. Although in reality it is not so. Whatever it is, he's prepared.

When it reached this stage, his tongue was a machete. Just a moment ago, Clarissa knew what she wanted to say.

"So .. that ..."

Take a deep breath.

1 ... 2 ... 3 ...

Silence struck.

NO, IT CAN'T BE LIKE THIS!

Suddenly Clarissa broke her desk. He looked straight at Elliot.

"ELLIOT, I WANT YOU TO BE MY LOVER!"

How do you propose? Masa bodo, ah.Hati want to go into the nearest hole only. Embarrassed.

Wait for. Wait for. Even though his brain was fluid, he was still able to process what Clarissa said.

"Huh?" his cheeks flushed perfectly and Elliot felt his brain was unable to think fast. "Awhile, Clarissa. Calm down."

Shocked because it hit the table so. It is also difficult to think fast. Breathe in, exhale.

Elliot, think. He can't just hang that question in the air.

"Clarissa, I.." she opened her voice. "...when I first met you, I felt that I was interested in you. However, I'm worried this feeling is clapping one hand."

He looked gently at the girl in front of him and said.

"Clarissa Arthur Mycenae, I accept your statement and want to be your lover."

Clarissa fell down with her eyes wide open, no, she did not care at all about her surroundings who were now staring at the two people with a sigh.

Okay, this is indeed his fault for making a fuss.

But really, Clarissa doesn't know how to express love. Heck, just falling in love feels like he's getting into a fairy tale.

And in fact it is, Clarissa only follows the way to express love contained in the book (whether the book) and then practice it to Elliot.

"Eh? Really?"

Only that came out after Clarissa kept silent digesting Elliot's reply.

"Certainly, Clarissa, of course" a gentle smile remained imprinted on the endless ring of the bentala.

"I accept your feelings and am willing to be your lover" Elliot reaffirmed his sentence a while ago.

Remain calm even though his heart rate was racing three times faster. Fortunately, this time it was very quiet.

"I didn't think I'd get a Christmas Eve gift like this."

This time his heart was racing. But rather than being embarrassed, Clarissa was completely clueless with her current attitude.

Though he first expressed his feelings, but now even confused. I don't know, but it feels like he's just scared.

Afraid that the happiness he felt this time only turned into a nightmare. Just like when his family betrayed him first.

"I'm .. who should thank you. For accepting my feelings."

Although his tongue is a bit faint, it is also spoken. If ... This is a dream on Christmas Eve, he is willing not to wake up. Unknowingly, there was water flowing from his eyes.

"Gr ..."

Clarissa realized she was crying, "Christmas Gift and most beautiful birthday ..."

Clarissa said the rest while wiping away her tears, her body also trembling slightly. "Next .. please help."

His smile returned to his face.