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CHAPTER 15: A Flirt
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The Secret Island CHAPTER 16: The Best Friend
A university in USA. 10 years ago.“Martin. You are hiding here reading alone again. There is a party at a sorority nearby. You should join.” A young man with dark brown hair asked. Martin had to look up from the textbook he was reading. The book was among the five textbooks he needed to finish this term.“I don’t want to go. It will be too loud, too many people, and too many boring generic conversations.” He was uninterested, and his expression showed disdain for this type of college party. He was uninterested in the culture of this leading institution. These smart and rich trust fund kids partied like there was no tomorrow, and a scholarship student such as himself always felt he did not belong. And so, he didn’t attempt to fit in. He was always by himself, reading.But his best friend never gives up. He invited him to all the parties that he got invited to. We have been friends since the first day we met. He didn’t know what made the two of them get along so well. Joe was one of th
The Secret Island CHAPTER 17: Day Six
“Martin, I can’t really walk. Can you help me out?” Celine called him. Martin rushed to her side, let her rest her hand on his shoulder, and placed his hand on her waist. He helped her to stand up and walked to a sofa. This started to feel like a morning ritual to them both. She smiled at him and thanked him. He was not used to spending this much time with a girl or anyone other than work context. But she needed his help. And she had been nicer day by day, smiling to him so often that he couldn’t remember if anyone had smiled at him this often. And as her wound was healing, she needed him for support. He tried to understand her. Every time he experienced behaviors he couldn’t explain to others, he translated the unexplained behaviors as from a different culture or due to a generation gap. And this time was no different. He was surprised that he appreciated her presence and warmth. He had been worried about her. She ran into some problems all the time, at least while
The Secret Island CHAPTER 18: The Confession
“Hey, Martin, hello! Are you stressed again? Stop it, don’t think about anything that could be a trigger!” Celine gave him encouragement. He wasn’t in a mood to fully enjoy the moment because of the doubt about her motives for befriending him. After he pointed out the truth about her healed foot, she walked around normally. “When did you know it’s completely healed?” He asked her while we were sightseeing. She walked close to him and hugged his arm. He started to get used to being close to her. “Well, you caught me. I wrapped more gauze on this morning, and I think I couldn’t feel much pain anymore.” She smiled broadly after the confession. “Why did you lie to me saying it hurts?” He probed. He wanted to give her a chance to explain because everything might not be as he suspected. “It is difficult to say.” He halted his steps as soon as he heard that. He didn’t know what games she was playing, but he was not a willing pawn.
The Secret Island CHAPTER 19: Day Seven
Martin heard loud noises from the kitchen after he went back from jogging. He hurried to the scene, hoping it was not some sort of robbery all over again. What he found was a timid Celine cleaning up splashes from the floors and tabletop. “What are you doing?” She was surprised to find him there. She acted like a child being caught and ceased all motions. “Hmm…omelet. But it was harder than I thought.” He looked around and saw eggshells behind her. He sighed and helped her clean up. “You could have waited for me to come back and make breakfast.” “No, I just wanted to make you breakfast….” “I thought you couldn’t cook.” “Yes, that is true, but I want to try to make some for you. You said you would teach me, no? Then teach me.” She smiled at him gleefully. Yesterday, after the bar, after he agreed to give her a chance, she asked him out for dinner. The girl was still tipsy and laughed and smiled all evening. She nev
The Secret Island CHAPTER 20: A Date
Martin was always proud of himself for being a master of all situations. But today was not the day. “Martin, hold my hand! You can’t just let me hold your hand, and you are reacting or doing anything.” “Hmm, yes, sure.” He tightened his grip. Her hand was in his, soft and delicate, and he didn’t know if he had done anything wrong. This was just handholding. He was not in kindergarten. There was no need to be this innocent about something so small. His behaviors were strange to even himself. He wasn’t this clumsy if it was someone else. Although he hadn’t gone on any date for a while, once he was on one, he was sure not this awkward. He was quite angry with himself for not being in control. He didn’t need to spend much brain power to contemplate for any reason for long—it was clear that she was the first that declared her intention and feeling so deliberately. Her stance on our relationship was so deliberate that he felt guilty. He felt guil
The Secret Island CHAPTER 21: A Kiss
They were holding hands during the walk home. Martin took a casual stroll and even asked Celine to appreciate the view a bit more. He had never been this observant of nature for its beauty before. But the moon was full, the sky full of stars, and all of the heavens reflected in the ocean surface. He wanted her to see all of it. Not much was said during this stroll home. No words were necessary, he felt her warm body beside him, and that was enough. Once they reached home and Martin closed the door, he couldn’t help himself but ask, “So you are rushing to bed so early?” For some reason, the thought of her being feisty and retorting with her quip during dinner was still on his mind. He didn’t want to be the man who was lost in a conversation, especially with her. It might be his pride, it might be his ego, but he didn’t want to be a timid man on a date. “Yes? You know this is usually the time I go to bed. It’s late.” She seemed confused about his chan
The Secret Island CHAPTER 22: The Therapist
At a clinic for psychological therapy. Five months ago. “Good morning, Martin. Nice to meet you. I have read your file. So, since this is the first session and our first-time doing therapy together, I need to inform you that there is nothing to worry about. I want you to tell me more about what you are feeling, just like you are talking to a friend or writing a diary. Everything you said here is completely confidential.” A female counselor sitting at an upholstered chair in front of him began the conversation. This was not new to him, coming to see a therapist. In fact, she was the first person he talked to in a while.She looked relaxed and slightly moved her glasses as she waited for his reply. Martin didn’t look at her. He was busy reading the many diplomas behind the counselor. She was a professional therapist, alright. He didn’t doubt her expertise. But he doubted his own sanity. He never knew anyone that sought out helps from therapists, at least to his knowledge. Maybe
The Secret Island CHAPTER 23: Good Morning
After last night's date, Martin woke up feeling refreshed, like he hadn’t felt in a long time. Last night was the first night Martin didn’t have a nightmare. He remembered he even had a good dream; what a strange blessing.For many months, even if there was nothing under his control, but at least for now, for just this short moment, Martin didn't care about anything else. How could he think of anything else when her soft kiss on his lips still occupies his every thought?While humming and tying his shoes before heading out for a morning run, the door to Celine’s bedroom opened, and he was surprised to see a sleepy Celine woke up unusually early. Normally, it would be at least another two hours until she wakes up.“Martin…” Her eyes opened wide. She must have been flabbergasted by meeting his eyes the instant she opened the door.“Good morning. You woke up early today. Are you interested in going for a run with me?” He gave her a broad smile, but she only looked at her hands.
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