Sick And Dizzy

"Good," he said smiling.

I sipped my coffee peacefully. I noticed something, I didn't feel uncomfortable with him. He would be a good friend. And I smiled at that thought.

"Why are you smiling?" His eyes lit up with amusement.

"Nothing." As I choked on my coffee.

"Are you okay? Do you want water?" He asked concern filling his dark brown eyes. I never paid attention to his eyes, but today it felt especially deep. They were attention-grabbing. Slight freckles of black highlighted the spark of his eyes.

"No, I'm okay" I said as I stopped coughing

"Why do you always want to offer water?" I said giggling.

"I don't know how else to calm a person down. Besides, water can be used in every sticky situation. No harm in giving a glass of water." He said truthfully.

"Nice philosophy Mr.President." it took me a second to realise that I called him Mr.President out here rather inside my head. Okay, no problem just maintain your cool.

He was simply sipping his coffee. I went ahead to have some french-fries but unexpectedly (or maybe not) he reached at the same time and grabbed the same one I was holding. I was pulling it to my side. I thought after realizing about this he would let go but to my dismay, he kept pulling the poor fry. I looked up and saw him smiling evilly at me. I wasn't going to concede defeat so I pulled harder. The poor fry broke in half. And he broke into chuckle shamelessly. Looking at his carefree expression I started to laugh too and popped the half fry into my mouth.

We went to issue two copies of Pride and Prejudice. He explained to me how he would write the script as we sat on his place. I was noting the page numbers and remembering the paragraphs to edit as he spoke. After finishing I recited everything.

"You have a good memory." He complimented.

"Thank you!" I said.

"When will you able to complete this?"

Glancing at the clock I saw it was 7 in the evening. No chance of doing so many till tomorrow, but I think I would be able to.

Ugh, it's so confusing.

"I don't know actually, I could complete till tomorrow if you say so. But then I would lose my sleep." I laughed, embarrassed. "I don't know, you tell me."

"Why don't you contact me after editing?"

I had to give him my number? I should, though. He is nice but....

"Okay, I'll give you mine. Don't worry I won't leak your mobile number out."

He said so casually that I couldn't find whether he was hurt or not.

Of course, it must have hurt but I couldn't give away everything so easily. In my defense, I would say in the past I never gave my number to any boy.

He wrote his number neatly in a piece of paper and kept inside the book.

He said " It's late. You should head back."

"Yeah," I said glancing at the clock. It was 10 minutes past 7.

"Do you want me to walk you to your dorms?, After all its quite late." He said after thinking something

"No, it's fine as it would nothing but trouble to you." I said. Standing up I said "I should get going. I'll contact you after editing. Bye."

"Bye."

I went back quickly and found my room empty. I called Avika

"Where are you?"

"At the door." She entered.

We talked a lot. She had to do some work so I got busy to complete the editing as soon as possible. I was so engrossed that I did the work till 3 am. It's Thursday tomorrow and I have psychology first. Since the professor isn't here yet I can skip it and sleep in. As I progressed I completed my work and slept at 4.

I woke up at 9.45. A bit late. The whole day went on. I have no clue what I studied today. I feel sick. Did I catch a cold? I shouldn't have stayed late. I hate being like this, being sick in this new place. I want to get over today's edit so that I could sleep in a little and rest. Unfortunately, I have actually caught a cold as my throat is aching pretty bad. I was going to pull out my phone to call Mr President but now I can't. I messaged him in the end.

'I have completed the edit, can we meet today?'

A few minutes later I got his reply.

'Manya? I'm in the library.'

I went up to the library. It consumed all of my energy. I entered, signed hastily and went to sit across him. He lifted his head from his laptop and greeted me with a smile that turned into a frown.

"What happened to you? Why are so pale?" He asked.

"I don't feel well." I said in my throaty voice.

"Why did you come then?" He said icily. The surrounding turned cold at once.

"I wanted to give you this and didn't want to disrupt further progress." I said. Soon it would be difficult to utter a word.

Seeing me struggle he softened a little. Rising up he stood in front of me.

"Come to the infirmary." He commanded.

"No." I said. "I don't want to go. I'll sleep a little and it would be alright." I protested.

"You have to otherwise I'll drag you." He said.

"You won't" I laughed dryly.

"I'll carry you then." He warned.

"You won't and I'm very heavy." I said flatly.

"Don't you underestimate my strength and will." He said.

I shook my head vigorously as it pained to speak now. As if to prove his point he leaned in with arms outstretched.

"Okay." I managed to croak out slip past him and walked ahead. I felt dizzy.

He walked close behind me and we entered infirmary together. I sat on the chair while the attending physician asked me some symptoms. I answered everything he asked.

I felt my head spin and Mr.President's protective arms came into sight. The doctor asked

"When did you last eat?"

Fuck! the last I ate was in the morning that too a slice of bread and I didn't eat last night nor in the afternoon as my throat ached.

"I had a little breakfast." I said.

He then prescribed me some medicines. I ate them there and he ushered us off.

Mr.President stormed off angrily. I meekly followed him.

We went to the cafeteria, he made me sit in our usual place and went to order something. When he came back he just stared at me. As I felt better I asked

"What happened?"

He just scoffed at me.

"How late did you work last night?" He said after staring me straight for a few minutes.

I gulped

"4 a.m" my voice small. He behaved like a strict parent.

"Why? Didn't I tell you there is no need to do everything at once?" He said helplessly.

"Did you eat last night?" He asked as if realizing something.

"No..." I couldn't bring myself to lie to him. I spoke the truth every time.

He was very furious. At last, he said.

"Why did you do that?" His voice was much softer than before.

He got up and brought the food over.

I felt much better so I started eating all the food and ignored his angry stares.

"If you are worried it would disturb your work then you can replace me." Although it hurt saying this, if he is angry because of it then he surely can replace me.

"No that's not it." His voice stern.

Ignoring him I ate until he cooled off.

"How much was it?" I asked.

"What?" He asked, clueless.

"The cost of this?" I said.

"Why, now you want to pay me." He got even more annoyed.

I pursed my lips and remembered my bag was left upstairs. As if reading my thoughts he said

"Sit here. I'll bring it down. But you won't pay me. Is it clear?" He said and walked out. Sometimes it feels he is a teacher teaching me. Well, he IS a senior though. But isn't he overreacting?

He returned soon enough. As the files were transferring from my laptop to his, he said hesitantly

"A year ago, I caught a cold. Pretty bad. I live alone but I continued to do my work, assignments etc. It took a toll on my health. There wasn't anyone to care for me as I distanced myself from everyone. It was one of my most distressful times. When I saw you today similar to me, I didn't want you to feel the same as I felt then. You reminded me of that me."

He said quietly. Pain evident in his bright eyes. I don't know but I feel immensely sad to hear that. Indescribable at that. He had suffered too. Although he was a bit domineering he gave me the reasons without me asking. I couldn't help but stretch out my hand to touch his. To make him feel that I can relate, that I understand. He was surprised at first by our sudden contact but then he held my hand. They were icy cold and I was aware that he felt the chilliness too.

"Why are they so cold?" He asked more to himself than to me. Then brought both of his big hands to envelop mine and warm them. The scene felt so caring and surreal that I burst out laughing. What happened next was totally unexpected.

Mr.President Blushed. I saw his ears turning red, but he quickly composed himself and continued his generous act.