Paths To Forever

Almost Dying

I blink and look up, and there he is-this serious-looking guy towering over me, eyes cold, face completely unreadable and... definitely too attractive for someone who nearly just ran over a girl.
His gaze is serious, but there's something about it that makes me feel like I'm suddenly in a slow-motion romance movie. I bet if I stared long enough, the dramatic music would start playing in the background.
This guy has the face.
The kind of face that makes you rethink every decision you've ever made, like maybe you should have gone to a different school just to meet him.
He's got that 'I'll-solve-world-peace-but-first-lemme-
lecture-you look going on. He's definitely the type of guy who could make "taking a walk" sound like a TED talk.

"Can't you see this is clearly the only vehicle area?" The dude says with all the casual indifference of someone who's never had to run across campus like their life depends on it. What is this day, even?

I'm face-to-face with a guy who is so ridiculously good-looking it should be illegal.
But no, no! I remind myself-no one, no one, is more handsome than my fictional boyfriend Aaron. Internal Haiza is watching.

I clear my throat. Focus, Haiza. Focus.. There are more important matters at hand, like the fact that this guy just destroyed my laptop.

"You should be more careful!" I snap, standing tall despite the fact that I'm barely holding myself together. "This is a campus route, not your personal racetrack! And by the way"-I gesture dramatically at my now-broken laptop-"you just ruined my laptop, which had my drafts, certificates, memes and other really important documents on it."

I stand there, hands on my hips like some kind of superhero, waiting for him to either apologize or offer me his firstborn as compensation.
I cross my arms like I'm some sort of judge, jury, and executioner of this crime scene.

The guy narrows his eyes at me. Oh please, his death glare is supposed to intimidate me?
Honey, I deal with death glares every day-from my professor.
I narrow my eyes right back, channeling all my inner fury. He's acting like he didn't just come this close to crushing me and my precious laptop.
Instead, he just looks at me, eyes narrowed. It's like he's evaluating whether I'm actually worth the effort of responding.
As if that's normal behavior! What is this, a day in the life of a villain?

"I'm aware of what I almost did," he says, his voice flat but serious. "But you're also aware that you almost got run over, right?"

Excuse me, did he just remind me that I nearly got hit by his bike? I mean, I know I almost died, but I don't need him to rub it in.

I cross my arms and raise an eyebrow. "Yeah, I know. But I'm not the one who was flying through a campus like I'm in the Tour de France. I'm just trying to live my life, and now you are wrecking my technology."

He stares at me for a moment, deadpan. "So... you're saying your laptop's more important than your own life?"

Okay, now he's being cheeky. "I mean, in this economy? Yes," I say with a shrug. "I've got a paper due, and no one's going to grade me if I'm dead."

He actually smirks. Smirks. On a serious guy like him.

"Right. Got it," he says, giving me a look that's way too amused for someone who just almost ran over a student.

I take a deep breath, my patience thinning. I need to get to class, and honestly, he's not helping.
"Look," I say, rolling my eyes so hard I might pull something, "I've got a class to get to, so I'm just gonna take my shattered laptop and go. But you should really consider taking a driving test...or, you know, becoming a pedestrian."

He narrows his eyes at me like he's considering my suggestion, then just casually shrugs. "Sure, I'll think about it."

I grab my broken laptop and pull out the chip with all my important data like it's my last will and testament, just in case I need to use it as evidence later in my "Near-Death, My Laptop Died, and I Survived" lawsuit.
I toss him one final look, filled with the kind of judgment only a person who's had too much coffee can muster, then turn and sprint off.
His eyes are still on me, watching, amused. But I don't care. I'm late, and my priorities are very clear.

I reach the classroom door, open it, and am met with the cold, piercing gaze of Ms. Page.
She doesn't even need to say anything to give me a stroke. Her eyes are enough.

I plop into my seat, doing my best not to hyperventilate.
Haye Allah Ji
(Oh God, please), I pray silently. "Just let me survive this day without any further emotional trauma."

The whole class stares at me like I've just arrived from another planet. I can feel the tension in the air.
Ms. Page looks like she's preparing to sentence me to an extra assignment.

If I survive this day, I swear I'll retire from school and live out my days as a professional napper.
At least my laptop will get some rest.

Chapter Aesthetic:

(Haiza running)

(Azlan on his bike)

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
OH MY GODD!! Finally Azlan and Haiza met....I cant wait to begin their story and I am sure you guys too are eager🙌🏻..
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