CHAPTER 8

“Good Evening. How are you Ace?” I ignored another text. I sighed.

Liz had dragged me out like a stray cat by neck. Apparently I was cooped in my dorm for so long that she was worried I was eaten by ants.

She was always in my room doing God knows what and knew very well that I was not eaten by anything.

I might be gay but I knew when to shut up as the woman talked.

So here I was. Proving I was not dead.

“Dave, you know that I love you, right?”

My Best friend alarms were ringing.

“What did you do?”

“What do you mean? Do you not trust me?”

“Not one bit. Now spill.”

She mumbled something.

“What?”

“We are going to Tim’s party.”

I closed my eyes.

“We talked about this, remember?”

“Of course Liz, I remember. And I told you I would think about it.”

“Good, now you have all 45 minutes to make up your mind. Continue your thinking.”

I stopped talking. What was the point anyways?

We could the music blasting inside.

“Alright. Do I look good enough to get laid?”

I looked at her and nodded. I liked my bits were they were. Thank you very much.

“Are you getting drunk?” If she was, I was sitting this one out.

She nodded. She went through her schedule in her mind. “I have a 11.30. I think I would be fine. What about you?”

“Dean cleared my schedule. I am to attend the conference of Dr. Nag. So 5pm to 9pm.”

“Lucky bitch. He is that ISRO guy right?”

“Yup.” I wiggled my eyebrows.

She pushed me to the door. “Keep your phone close.”

Last verses of ‘No Limit’ by Usher was playing.

Liz was right. I could already feel my spirits lifting. We bumped into familiar faces and gave hugs and slaps.

As soon as ‘Bang Bang’ started Liz went wild. It was her jam. She dragged me to the dance floor. The girl could dance, so could I. I felt myself go.

I was taking a breather when somebody pushed a beer bottle in my hands. “Looks like you need it.”

“Thanks.” The guy was tall and lean. A pretty face too.

“No, thank you for accepting my invitation.”

Liz replied for me. “Hi Tim. He had no idea it was your party. I ambushed him. So, you owe me.”

She walked away talking my beer bottle with her.

“I am sorry about that. I just wanted to talk to you.” He leaned close to talk over the music.

The way his hands touched my shoulders told me that he wanted something alright but not talk.

“Wanna go for a walk? Music is loud.” I nodded. I could hear another text message.

“So, Dave.”

“Tim.” I leaned on the rails.

He chuckled. “You are going to make me sweat, aren’t you? I like that.”

“You dance pretty well.”

I nodded. “Thank you. Liz is a good partner.”

There was an uncomfortable silence. When I was with Robbie, we could talk for hours without knowing.

I shook my head.

I felt fingers brushing the hair fell on my eyes away.

“Look, Dave. I am not one to beat around the bush. I like you. For some time to be honest. I...” He cleared his throat. “Would you please go out with me?”

I looked inside the party hall. Where was Liz? I had no idea to deal with this sort of stuff. I was ready for Robbie. I thought he would ask me to be his boyfriend. I sighed.

“Are you committed? Elizabeth said you were single.” Tim looked nervous.

I took me a moment to realize Elizabeth was Liz.

Was I single? Did loving someone who was married and happy with someone else, count?

Did enjoying sex with said person and yearning for more, count?

Did drowning in pain and betrayal every day because I could not forget how much I wanted that man in life, count?

I read another text. “Had dinner?”

I sighed.

“I have never gone on a date before.” I finally decided to say.

Liar.

Art gallery, gardens, parks, swings, swimming pool.

Scenes after scenes flashed on my eyes.

Were those dates?

I did not know. Maybe they were not. Robbie and I found ourselves in those situations.

He never asked. I never agreed.

It just happened. One after one.

Tim was surprised.

“Will you let me?” He was clearly nervous.

“Thinking of you.” Read another message. I could not go on like this.

I nodded. “Yes.” I forced a smile.

I wish I could ever be as happy as Tim looked.

I was bored out of my mind.

I looked around the party scene. Yes. Another party.

It had been four weeks and three days. And Tim and I were okay.

That was what I felt. Okay.

We held hands, we talked with uncomfortable silences in between, we ate greasy dinners and texted every day.

Except these party scenes.

Tim was a party animal. He hosted around six parties in four weeks excluding the one we met. I turned him down every single time to be a co-host.

This was one of the reason why I refused to move from dorms. I needed my study time.

Today morning I told mama about us.

I wanted to be excited. I was too when I called.

But as conversation started, I did not feel as happy as I hoped I would be.

Someone was interested in me. I told mom that much. She on the other hand demanded details and I told her it was fun.

I sent her couple of photos of our dates and she called him cute. She did not talk or ask about him further. But someone else did. He must have talked to mom.

Who is interested in you?

Did he ask you to be his boyfriend?

What did you say?

It would not kill you to send me a reply, Ace!

Then calls kept on coming. 16 missed calls and 54 messages later I switched off my phone and accepted Tim’s invitation.

So here I was.

There was a time when Robbie and I slept after marathon of texts. We would talk and talk when together and text when we retired to our beds. Now, I ignored him. That was the right thing to do. After all, he was in honeymoon phase. Mom told me. I changed subject and she forgot to bring up the topic again.

“Hi I am Jason. Tim’s friend. Business major.” A handsome guy introduced himself. He looked like a gym rat.

“Hello, I am Dave.” He nodded as if he figured out himself.

“Not your scene, huh?” He smiled.

“It is. Just not in mood. I have early classes tomorrow.” I wanted to sleep. What time could I leave? Tim disappeared after kissing me at the door. The beer he had given me was still in my hands. I was tired.

Jason was keeping me company, but he was waiting for an opening to ask me something. I could tell. When the conversation drifted to classes and projects he saw the opportunity.

“I heard you had a programme developed. Are you willing to sell it?”

“I am.” It was not strictly a secret. Some of the alumni members were interested. My professor might have boasted about the project.

“How much are they willing?”

“Around 75. With these markets and emerging software companies, it is a good catch.”

Jason smirked.

“Give it to me.”

“Sure. I do not care about the buyer. How much?”

“I do not have any money. I am a broke college student.”

I snorted. “You want it for free?”

“Gods, no. I can make you 150 but give 25 to me. Think about it. I have some dope connections.”

“Why? Why are you doing this?” The alumni guys were doing it for college and exposure. What did he gain?

“I thought it was obvious!”

“What? The goodness of your heart?”

“If we stick around to know each other, you would know, there is nothing good in my heart. It is about money. I make 25 K. For something I did not lose my sleep, pretty good huh?”

I did not expect him to be this blunt. But made sense. Why else would he do it?

“Fine, you have 3 weeks. Then I am supposed to give my professor a final answer. My attorney will call you.”

“You have an attorney? Damn bro.”

“Yes, I have.”

“That makes this so much easier. Give me a month though. Some dates need to match.”

My eyebrows rose. Most people were intimidated when they knew I had back up plans and lawyers.

“Fine then. 15th of next month.”

He nodded and gulped down his drink.

At least I felt excitement pass through me. Something to look forward to.