My heartbeat as I gazed at Raphael, who looked rather calm. For some seconds, the only thought that came to my mind was that he wanted revenge.
"Truth", I finally talked, as everyone's attention was on both of us.
" You are sure a scaredy-cat", Raphael teased, as a smirk grew in the corner of his lips.
"Abeg, you do not need to change his thought", Abigael pinpointed.
" It is okay. I choose Dare", I voiced out, to avoid any cause of quarrel.
The look on everyone's face showed surprise, making me ask myself if I was sure of what I chose.
"Are you sure about this?", Chris whispered and I nodded, gaining control over my calm state.
" I dare you to sing an Indian song or get slapped by everyone here", Raphael spoke, almost making me choke on my spit.
"What?" enveloped the air as everyone was left speechless by the dare.
"Wait? Nice Dare. I hope our host knows an Indian song or he is screwed. You are wicked cousin", Joy commented, making a fake angry expression, as she slapped Raphael's shoulder who snickered.
I cleared my throat ready to go for an Indian song, which I learned from one of the featured songs on zee world titled Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga.
🎶Tum mere ho iss pal mere ho
🎶 Kal Shayad yeh aalam na rahe
🎶Kuch Aisa ho tum na Raho
🎶Kuch Aisa ho hum, hum na rahein
🎶Yeh raaste alag ho jaaye
🎶Chalte Hum Kho jaayein
🎶Main Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga(4X)
I sang the song for over 2 minutes and ended it. Everyone clapped as I felt good. I looked at Raphael who winked at me as I blushed. He almost killed me with tension. But how come he knew I had a thing for Indian songs especially their love songs.
" Wow, I never knew a gentleman like you would listen to Indian music, especially that of zee world featured. Not bad", Abigael said, a smile all over her face.
"I'm surprised too. How and when did you learn the song?" Joy interrogated.
"I learned it while watching one of the Zee World movies. I searched for the lyrics and boom, I mastered it. I must confess their songs are great. I love them", I explained, as they still wore a surprising look.
The whole game continued and I must confess I loved it. It was fun and for a brief moment, I wished it never ends. All good things must come to an end, as we called it a day around 7 pm. After a lot of appreciation and goodbyes, they all began going outside to their various destinations. I left for the kitchen as Christopher saw them off.
Taking some of the plates and washing them, I could not help but flashback to Raphael. He knew of my interest in Indian songs, which made him give me that silly dare. 'probably wants to hear your voice', my subconscious interrupted as I sneered, arranging the washed plates.
Trying to keep my thoughts at bay, I heard some footsteps. Maybe Chris is back, I thought as I put on the solar bulb to brighten the kitchen, putting off the torchlight I was using. I halted, feeling a presence, as I turned abruptly only to see Raphael leaning on the kitchen door.
" Hey", he said smiling, making me feel nervous.
"Hmm, Hi, I stuttered, as I cleaned my hands with a napkin.
He moved towards me, his face exposed to the light, making me complement his dressing style in my heart. A white round neck with a black jacket, black trousers to match. I must confess he looks handsome too.
The sound of the stool Raphael moved made me jolt out of my thought, pulling me to sit on the stool in front of him. He looked intently into my eyes, and as much as I wanted to talk, I felt the words stuck in my throat.
" Do you want to tell me something?", Raphael asked, as he knocked his index finger on the table, making light beats.
"I'm sorry Senior Raphael, I am sorry for blocking you on Whatsapp", I said, bowing my head slightly.
" First of all, don't use the word 'senior'. It makes me feel like an old man", he replied and I nodded, cursing my code of respect inwardly.
"And secondly, you do not need to apologize. I almost wanted to overeat when I saw you today, but…..Anyways, why did you block me? Did I send something bad to you?", he asked, and for some seconds while looking at him, I felt disappointment written on his face.
The images of his messages flashed back to my mind.
'I miss you. I like your voice. Can we meet?' I closed my eyes, opening them almost immediately as I blocked the images, looking for the best way to talk to him.
'I am afraid you will get attracted to me', I felt like screaming those words but I decided to think before speaking. His messages scared the shit out of me.
" Raphael. I",
"Don't worry, I understand, especially when your look display shows a worried expression. I want to say something. Can I? he asked as he stared at me.
My heart raced as I stared at him, nodding gently.
" That time when I first saw you, I felt something in my body. Your voice got me, and that prompted me to send those messages. When you blocked me, I felt angry and disappointed. When I saw your worried expression today, I felt myself calm down", Raphael explained, enunciating each word.
I felt my throat dry as everything began making sense to me. He likes my voice. It was a good decision on my part by allowing Chris to block him, or things might have gone complicated.
"I…", I felt shocked that I could not even mutter a word.
" You don't have to say anything. I feel a little bit relieved now", he started smiling,
"Hey, I gotta go. Your song was good. You should participate in Project Frame", he added and I laughed.
" I don't like being famous but the offer is great. Thank you", I replied as he chuckled lightly, standing to leave.
"Can I get a hug?", he asked which I consented by stretching my hands forward to hug him. My mind wandered around the little confession he made, and I felt stupid for something. I didn't even say anything to comfort him. This is another confession. Oh God, please help me out through the phase of my life, I prayed silently disengaging from the hug.
" Raphael. Thanks for telling me this. I'm sorry I was the cause of what happened, I mean the feelings you developed. I just want to remind you that time changes everything.
You will need discipline in controlling your mind and body as well as perseverance in putting a stop to the fantasy. My voice might keep coming to your head but you are the one that can get over it. It will fade away with time", I counseled, holding his hands gently.
He smiled widely.
"Thanks for the advice. You just made me lighter. Discipline to control my thoughts, and perseverance to stop my imagination. It would take time, but it is worth it", he said as he said goodbye, making me sink into thoughts.
That night I slept as early as possible thinking of Raphael's confession over again. My voice is quite gentle and, feminine which I doubt I can change except if nature takes its course. I hope Raphael stopped thinking about me, and I hope no one ever gets attracted to me.
*********
" I'm so bored", I said, resting my head on the rim of the bed.
"Like seriously? Sleep then", Christopher advised as I frowned which made him snicker.
It was the next day after the party. I only had one class today, while Chris had two making him go out of the hostel in the morning. We could not talk yesterday as we felt exhausted, going to dreamland as fast as possible.

Chris moved to my side sitting in front of me.
" How far with Raphael? He said he forgot something which made him come back. I knew he wanted to tell you something", Chris said, as I let out my breath remembering what happened yesterday. I felt silent wondering out to tell him.
"You look worried. Did he confess to you?"Chris asked, locking his eyes with mine.
" Yes, kinda indirectly. I feel somehow but I do not have any attraction towards him", I explained.
I told him everything that happened yesterday night.
"You did the right thing by advising him. Being stuck in feelings you don't want can be crazy"
"You should be careful though, especially among the male folks. Do you still have that strange sparks when you come in contact with the same sex?", he asked, and for a split second, I forgot the last time I felt something like that.
" There is only one way to find out", Chris said.
Christopher stood up, pulling me closer by my waist. His hand tightly around my waist, making me develop those goosebumps again. A gasp escaped my mouth as I breathed in and out forgetting I had been holding my breath for some seconds now.
Chris's hand left me as he kept staring at me with a guilty face. He leaned closer, not sure of what to do.
"I am okay", I told him, finally balancing my breath.
" You do not need to look guilty, stupid", I said hitting his chest lightly as he laughed. I can't believe I still held my breath. I guess that feeling in me is still lurking around. I have to be careful", I told myself.
He walked towards the wardrobe, unlocking it as he brought out my old diary. He moved to the bed as he opened it.
"Your diary explained that you are attracted to the same sex and there is the probability that the same sexes will be attracted to you, which has been proven. So the same sex can be attracted to you", he said and I nodded in affirmation.
" What if you get played?", he asked as I felt my body react to those words, sending shivers down my body.
"What do you… mean by gett...ing pla..yed", I stuttered trying to calm my tensed face. Played?

This is bad.