Energy pulsed, so stark and real between them, that Seth was dizzied by it. Anticipation thrummed wildly, as time suspended, their gazes refusing to break contact.
The urge to kiss her, to pull her close to him, seized Seth so viscerally.
But the tension ballooning between them was cut instantly, as Nina cleared her throat. She glanced away, snapping the tether.
“I mean, back then. Now, I can’t stand you, obviously.”
“Obviously.”
The train reached their destination, tearing them both back to reality.
All throughout the day, Seth could not concentrate. How could he? Even if it was the last week of university before the semester break, he couldn’t enjoy himself at all, not when thoughts of Nina and Carlos’ potentially budding romance was on replay in his head.
He tried to focus on his capstone, and revelled in the praises he was showered with after he showed Jae his progress, and his tutor who was wholly impressed.
Butgod….
He couldn't stop thinking about Nina.
During their break, Jae sat them down in one of the student break rooms, his face scrunched in concern.
“Man, you are really out of it,” Jae said, shaking his head.
“I can’t get her out of my head, it’s driving me insane,” Seth moaned, “Am I pathetic?”
“A little bit, but all the best lover boys are,” Jae laughed, clapping his forearm, “God, you’re really into her, aren’t you?”
“You have no idea.”
“Then why don’t you fight for her? So what if she likes this Carlos guy…she liked you once too. Win her over, show her you’re the better choice.”
That’s the thing…washe the better choice? He wanted Nina more than anything, but not more than how much he wanted her to be happy.
Images of his parents’ separation clouded his mind whenever he tried to picture he and Nina together. Would he just repeat the cycle?
Before Seth could relay this to Jae, a couple more of their mutual classmates joined them, excitedly gushing about the company internships. Seth did his best to join along, to put Nina at the back of his head.
That night, when Seth came home, he came home to laughter in the kitchen. Sauntering through the hallway, he was met with his parents, both at the stove, giggling. He slid his bag off of his back, catching the attention of the two.
His Mum met his eyes first, and her lips pulled into a smile.
“Hey sweetie, how was your day?”
“Normal,” Seth informed. He reached for a banana, and bit into it.
“Dinner is going to be ready soon. Your Mum and I are cooking -”
“Tryingto cook -” his Mum interjected.
“We are trying our hand at cooking butter chicken curry but failing helplessly. Stupid instructions on this jar does nothing.”
Seth watched as the two of them burst into laughter once more. An invisible bubble formed around them, the same sort of bubble that he’s seen encasing Jae and Anya.
It was odd. It’s always been odd, whenever Seth catches his parents in this sort of haze. A part of him screams that it is all an act, that deep down, they still resent each other.
When did they decide they were going to love each other again?
How could they love, and lose each other, then fall back together again?
