I don't know how I should feel right now. I saw his two hands form into fists as he bowed his head a little. With the little courage within me, I continued staring at his figure even when fear and nervousness enveloped my mind.
Few seconds passed as my heart kept pacing. His lips twitched into a smile as he picked his spoon to continue eating his ice cream.
"Who told you I am a cultist?", he questioned a smile still on his lips, his eyes peeking at me making me feel stupid for asking such a question.
" I'm sorry I asked such a question. I…", I find words stuck in my throat.
He folds his arms, moving his head closer to my ear as he whispers.
"I am a cultist. The leader of AZA CULT GROUP, one of the notorious cult gangs in this University"
I felt as if a knife pierce through my skin as he moved back, his face now showing a sad feature. I tried to move my lips but they felt glued. He is joking right?", I can feel myself asking my inner mind.
"I'm sorry I never told you. I planned on revealing everything today. I hope you won't leave me because of my identity. I. I need your help, as I keep having a guilty conscience every day. I have hurt some people, and I feel you are the only person I could trust, especially since I have begun to have a liking for you", Phil confessed, a tear slipping off his face as he quickly cleaned it with a handkerchief.
"Hey, you are a big man, don't cry. I am not that kind of person. Whatever your problem is, I would help. I just feel you should end it up, the whole cultist thing. It is dangerous", I summoned the last of me to comfort him, even though I have a bitter taste at the back of my tongue.
The news was shocking and me offering to help. Am I sure about this?", I kept asking myself
" I have quit already, but it is easier said than done. I have to face the consequences. Enough about that. I'm sorry and I hope you listen to my side of the story", he said, sighing a bit.
I did the unexpected as I touched his hands, my warm hands against his cold hands.
"I must confess it was a lot to take in, but I will try my best to help you the little way I can. Everyone makes a mistake, but the worst mistake is not rectifying your wrong deeds. Remember that some things are going to be between you and God. You need to ask for forgiveness from him", I said as he nodded, breathing in.
" I understand. I have done a lot of bad things to people I am regretting now. I hope that one day, the people I have hurt will forgive me and most importantly God", he confessed as he creased his forehead.
I breathed in some air as I looked at the snacks on the table, losing my appetite. I don't know why, but I still believe him. His eyes show it all, the pain he has been hiding and the smile he is trying to make vibrant.
"You have lost your appetite, right? I caused it. Let us get out of here so that I will explain everything to you", Phil's eyes met with mine.
" None of this is your fault. I'm not much of a foodie person", I said as he chuckled.
I raised my head as I saw a figure making an entrance into the restaurant. Our eyes met as she began walking towards me.
"Senior Joy, Good Afternoon", I greeted standing a bit as Phil looked sideways.
" Hey, Michael. You are…", she stops her words as she looks at Phil at her side with a shocked expression, her smile turning into a frown.
"You know the devil. I hope you never meet him again. Michael, goodbye, we will see tomorrow", she stared at Phil for the last time as she went out of the restaurant leaving me speechless.
I looked at Phil who kept creasing his forehead. He should say something.
" You know her?", I asked as he nodded.
"Yes. I did something bad to her. I need your help one way or the other. Please believe me", Phil said as I nodded.
He took my right hand as we both walked out of the restaurant. When I told him, I have not paid, he said his dad's friend owns the place, and everything is free for him.
He entered his car after making sure I entered before driving off. The silence between us kept lingering as the car was dead silent. I could feel my heart beating even when I tried to keep myself calm.
Even when my heart was telling me not to get involved with him, I can't help but remove that thought from my mind.
Everyone has a story to tell. A book should not be judged by its cover. Even though I strongly believe he has done a lot of bad deeds, I still needed to help him rectify them. But the only being worthy of forgiving him is the ALMIGHTY, who I believe is LOVE, SLOW TO ANGER AND ABUNDANT IN LOYAL LOVE.
I squinted my eyes noticing we were back on the school campus and heading to the school garden, the place I always love to go.
Parking in the school park a few meters away from the garden, we both silently walked out until we reached the perfect spot which has long and large branches of leaves as shade, And no one was around where we were.
I sat on the pavement as Phil also did the same. I could feel his smiling face suddenly turning into a cold and sad one. He has a lot of explanations to do especially with the words Senior Joy said to me earlier. Did he break her heart?", I could not help but think.
He stared at the geese on the field before turning to look at me. It was a good thing it was Saturday, as only a few students are in the garden.
" I was adopted at a very young age of 3 months by the Vice-Chancellor and his wife. With me thinking they were my real parents. They are hardly around as they run after one business or the other.
I grew up being a nerdy boy with good characteristics, discipline, and moral standing. This impressed them and when I created a drug meant for headaches during my final year at high school, they were astonished and invited me to be schooling as a Pharmaceutical Student which I agreed with. They are my parents, after all, I thought.
It was easy getting in here. Even without them being around, I was able to fend for myself. I continued studying not until I got to 300 level when I felt something was wrong. As I grew up, I was beginning to feel they were not my real parents. Being a genius, I was able to get a DNA TEST done on them without knowing. The truth came out making me heartbroken",
I closed my eyes tightly trying to grasp his words. He sniffled trying to control the tears in his eyes. He held my hands as I stroked them, lightly comforting him.
"I confronted them and they were not happy. After a lot of fights, which seem new to them since I was a good boy, they decided to reveal the truth to me.
They told me my mother abandoned me immediately at an orphanage home after giving birth to me. They also revealed that my mother has been here some few weeks ago as she is trying to claim me.
For a second, I wished she could be dead. How would she forget her son for 20years? After that day, a lot of things started happening. I was no longer the nerdy and lovely boy I used to be. My spirit has died down, loneliness feeling my void, making me want to look further into my path.
The longing for a relationship with others starts to set in. The feeling that was set to destroy me"