Chapter 2 God-given Debt

The air, increasingly impregnated with the essence of autumn, witnessed leaves delicately altering their hues, tinging a corner of the schoolyard with soft yellows. At the same time, gentle gusts of wind whispered through the rustling foliage. The gradual chill permeated through layers of thick clothing, sinking subtly into the skin, causing soft lips to dry and burn, a seasonal affliction most disliked by the girls.

After a week of Citizen Education for new students, they were sorted into classes corresponding to their registered majors. Bella opted for General Literature, while David chose Electrical Engineering, thus needing more opportunities to meet. Studying under the same institutional roof and sharing the same breath of academic air was a serendipitous crossing of paths.

Each time Bella passed by Lecture Hall A4, a vague yet somehow poignant memory of someone lingered, like a friend yet not entirely, for have they ever indeed conversed? A relationship, obscure and undefined, yet immovable from the recesses of her thoughts. Amongst people, sometimes these inexplicably indescribable relationships.

The initial two weeks of the academic year drifted by, marking the first year the university implemented a credit-based education system, allowing students of various majors to register for general subjects together. Bella now also had Linda Stewart - a close classmate to converse and confide with. Jovial, vibrant, and playful, Linda often babbled about this and that, lengthy yet seldom to the point. Thus, their conversations often drew out into unending strands of words.

The course on General Law, technically commencing the previous week, had been postponed due to Professor Brown's commitments; thus, the first session was held this week. Professor Brown, though having stepped into her forties, still emanated a youthful vibe. She greeted the class with a warm, maternal smile before striding to her desk. As she set her bag down, she turned to face the students, "Now that you're in university, do you feel any different from high school?"

A handsome male student, his face reflecting a born comedian's mischief, intentionally raised his voice for the whole class to hear. "University is study at will, ma'am." His stories always managed to induce wholehearted laughter from everyone. Linda was undoubtedly one of his "die-hard fans."

Another student from the back of the class wanted to voice his opinion. "The best part about university is living away from home and having the liberty to hang out freely. There is no need to ask parents for money daily. Receiving a lump sum allowance monthly and budgeting – gain or loss, is all on me."

The entire class erupted once more into a heartier about of laughter. The debate in the room surged, turning the academic space into a jubilant mirth. A charming young lady, her lips make-up with a lively coral pink, stood gracefully to question the teacher.

"Professor Brown, does this mean we won't be subjected to daily homework checks anymore?"

A male student beside her gently nudged her arm, whispering cheekily, "Exactly. We've secured our independence, our freedom at last."

The room was awash with laughter, whispers, and spirited discussions. Ever watchful of the unfolding debate, Professor Brown gently admonished the first-year students, "You might study at will, but ensure you live wisely, too."

The class gradually settled down, adhering to the teacher's commanding presence. She then engaged in every instructor's ritual upon welcoming a new style.

"Let's start with roll call," she announced, opening the list and commencing the naming of each student from top to bottom.

"Jony Edison."

A tall young man, possessing a complexion as fair as any maiden's, firmly declared his presence. The entire class turned, eyes veiled with curiosity toward the handsome scholar. Whispers and appreciative sighs flowed among the female students.

"Tina Alice."

A bespectacled girl arose, a beaming smile playing across her lips. Each name called evoked playful chaos as students sought to identify their named classmate, reminiscent of childhood hide-and-seek games.

"Linda Stewart."

The gentle girl, a friend of Bella, sprang to her feet promptly. Unlike other girls, Linda boasted a smooth, honey-toned skin and a pair of pure, innocent eyes seldom encountered. Each smile made her eyes twinkle, captivating numerous young hearts.

"David Smith ."

A young man from the back of the room, dressed in jeans and a shirt, coolly set his book aside and stood up, permitting the class a moment of acquaintance. Bella turned to glimpse his icy stare, handsome face, and somewhat disinterested demeanor focused on her, unfazed by the surrounding gazes. He remained as beautiful and aloof as their first encounter, but the blue uniform endowed him with an extra dash of charm.

This was the boy from the previous Civic Education course at the start of the term. It appeared, however, that he bore no recognition of Bella's presence in this class.

After the roll call, Professor Brown perused the list again, halting at one particular name.

"Bella Andrea, you will be the class president from today onwards. For every lesson, it will be your responsibility to take attendance. Anyone absent for a session loses a point for participation, with a maximum allowance of three absences. At the last session, hand the list back to me."

Bella was taken aback, while Linda was thrilled – her best friend was now class president, which promised some conveniences.

As Bella accepted the class list, the room again bubbled into a tumult as students eagerly exchanged phone numbers and made acquaintances with their new president.

As for Bella, now and then, her gaze would gently wander toward the desk at the back of the room. With its unyielding fleet, time whisked away moments ever so swiftly; the instants where he disappeared from her view were inexorably nearing. A faint melancholy traversed through her heart momentarily. Nonetheless, this class had granted Bella another rendezvous with David for at least four months. ...

Per usual, Bella awoke early, partook in breakfast at home, and caught the bus to school. The sky was a vivid and profound blue, akin to the eyes of a naïve girl tentatively stepping into the world, much like a heart untouched by romance. The scenery so astutely harmonized with one's inner self.

As the bus halted, Bella descended, passing through the welcoming, wide-open school gates. She treads across the vast yard, directing her steps toward the lecture hall. Barely reaching corridor A3, Bella encountered David. He, striding ahead, unexpectedly ceased, leading to an unsuspecting Bella colliding into his back.

David turned, adopting a feigned stern reproach, his icy eyes seemingly harboring a miniature, concealed joy. The bustling corridor with its teeming passersby went unnoticed by David as he awaited a valid justification from the girl before him.

"You don't pay attention at all when walking. Do you enjoy bumping into me that much?"

Bella, irate yet undeniably charming with her creamy, smooth skin lighting up her vibrant face, effortlessly winning over sympathies, retorted, "I didn't do it on purpose. It's because you stopped so abruptly."

David attentively gazed into Bella's countenance, a blend of irritation and embarrassment, feeling a concealed delight inside but maintaining a calm exterior. "The person walking behind should maintain a safe distance from the one in front, shouldn't they?" "Huh???" Despite Bella's resistance, David's smile persisted, teasingly so. "Out of respect for you being the class president, I'll let you off the hook by handing over your phone number here."

David snatched the phone from Bella's hand, swiftly dialing his number. Though Bella tried to reclaim it, it was too late – he stepped away, a smug smile curling on his lips, indifferent to the bubbling anger in her eyes. She was adorable when infuriated, akin to a tiny kitten whose plush fur was deliberately dampened by someone thrusting it out into the rain, causing it to sulk to harbor a petty grudge.

Two lesson periods finally elapsed, leaving Linda languishing and stretching his shoulders. With only a ten-minute break, She invited Bella to the canteen for a drink. Having never visited it since their enrollment, they were both intrigued; Bella enthusiastically agreed, her curiosity matching his.

As she exited the classroom, Bella halted abruptly, struck by an unexpected object. "Oh dear." A crumpled paper ball had been tossed at her head. Though she turned to identify the culprit, they were nowhere to be found. But in a distant corner, David gazed at Bella with a smile that barely concealed its mischief. Telling her friend to go ahead, that she'd forgotten something and would meet her at the canteen, Bella stayed behind.

David approached, exuding an amiable demeanor, albeit primarily to tease. "Where are you off to? Escaping your debts?" Bella retorted, her voice a blend of theatricality and a girl's gentle coyness. "What debt? Who owes you?"

"Ordinarily, when people encounter each other in this life, it's because they owed each other something in the past. It's the same with us." David said.

The explanation bore a semblance of irrationality, yet never had Ddavid indulged anyone with such winding words. To him, girls always spelled trouble. Thus, the less interaction, the better - unless necessity dictated otherwise. "But didn't you take my number already?"

"You bumped into me twice."

"Three times, and it could be deemed fate." A memory from that day at the beach subtly intruded David's thoughts. He paused a mysterious, gentle smile perched upon his lips, pondering momentarily before slowly continuing.

"Could you do me a favor?" Laughter burst forth from Bella as she reeled from the unexpected news. It was scarcely believable that someone as prideful and aloof as David could lower his voice to ask for assistance. "You need my help too?" David's smile grew even more visible on his handsome face.

His eyes, closely observing every nuance of Bella's movements, deposited many hopes into this exchange. Though the girl standing before him was not an intimate acquaintance, she was the first person he desired to converse with. "On the days I'm absent, could you mark "YES" for me ?"

"This is a tough ask," Bella said.

Bella responded nonchalantly, her indecision visible in her slightly closed eyelids. Throughout the lesson periods, Bella found it impossible to concentrate. The Professor's words merely traveled from one ear to the other, dissipating into nothingness, while David's words, gaze, and gestures vividly lingered, deep and clear in her mind.

After class, Bella hastily stepped to the station to catch the bus under the overbearing noontime sun, crammed with people, stifling and noisy. Every stop to pick up a new passenger constrains the available space further. Upon returning home, with her hair in a mess and her cute hairpin no longer in its perfect place, a simple lunch of rice, braised fish, and boiled vegetables awaited. Yet, it was enough to warm a girl's heart far from home. Each person who journeys afar carries within them a dream and the determination to mold that dream into reality.