WHAT REMAINS OF ME

Hinata's POV

I was already halfway through packing my clothes when I came across our wedding photo. I stopped and simply stared at it. I was smiling in the picture. A smile so vibrant that it transcends to my eyes. I was very happy. Zeke's pose, on the other hand, was nothing but serious. 

I ran my fingers through his face. Despite the stoic attitude, he's still the same handsome man I've paid attention to since I first laid my eyes on him. It was nostalgic and I couldn't help the rush of memories that flashed back to my mind...

7 years ago, I was sitting peacefully on a bench under a mahogany tree, reading my favorite book. It was my vacant time, so I deserted my college friends and silently went to my usual spot. I loved this spot so much because it's in the back of the Engineering building, which was already an abandoned one. That means I could read peacefully without anyone to distract me. Or, so I thought. 

'Cause not long after I opened my book, I heard a rustling of leaves above my head. When I looked up, I saw someone falling from the branch, and I screamed. 

It must have startled him because he fell flat on the ground. I winced when I heard him groan. I immediately put the book down and took tentative steps towards him. I could not see his full face from where I stood 'cause his facing the opposite direction. 

"Hey! Are you alright?" I asked. 

"Do I look alright to you?" he responded with a sour tone. He seemed annoyed, but I couldn't tell the reason why. 

"Help me out, will you?" he demanded.

I didn't like that he's annoyingly bossy, but I still helped him out anyway. I slipped my hand gently under his back and offered my other hand to him. He didn't hesitate and gripped it tightly. I braced myself, feet firmly planted on the ground, and slowly pulled him up. Our hands remained locked as he steadied himself, his weight leaning into mine. We stood still for a moment, and when he found his footing, I gradually raised my eyes towards him. At the same moment, he looked down at me, and our eyes locked with each other. He was taller than I. 

His eyes were a deep shade of brown, and they're mesmerizing. He had a prominent jawline, thin lips, a sharp nose, and thick eyebrows that were pulled closer together. 

"Are you done checking me out?" he conceitedly asked. 

I raised my eyebrows and adjusted my eyeglasses. He might be that tall, dark, and handsome kind of guy, but he was so full of himself. 

"Is that what you tell someone who just helped you out? You sure had manners, boy. Besides, what's there to check anyway when your face was so ordinary it won't even leave an imprint in my mind? Tsk!"

I shoved him hard. Then, I went back to my book without casting another glance on his way. I hated it when people were so overconfident in their looks. Yes, it's an asset, but there's more to physical appearance. People should be more caring about their attitude than their physique. What a human waste. 

I was still grumbling in my mind when I heard a sarcastic laugh at the back. My blood boiled so much that I abruptly turned around. I glared at him. 

"You're a sassy kind of nerd. Zeke Anderson Smith is my name, remember that 'cause you'll be seeing me often from now on. Nice meeting you, nerd," he winked, then turned away. 

I bit my lower lip as hard as I could to prevent myself from screaming at his receding figure. The audacity to wink at me and to call me a nerd. What a good-for-nothing jerk!