CHAPTER 14

I felt different. I was different.

I studied, went out with Liz, discussed ideas with Jason, called mom everyday but I was not the same. None noticed but I knew.

Here I was brisk walking to the library after class hours. Seemingly normal but it was not.

My heart. There was something wrong with it.

I slowed down walking as I saw Tim peeking inside the library. What was he doing here?

I told him several times, it was over. We were not that serious anyway. I thought I made clear again yesterday night when he called me right before... whatever.

“What are you doing here, Tim?” This was my department library. He had no business here. Hell, he had no business inside this academic block.

“Well, we could not sit and discuss about what happened between us.”

“What is there to discuss? We were not doing well, so we broke up.”

Which was actually the truth. I was too hung up on Robbie. He was too hung up on parties.

I tried to get inside the library but he pulled me to side.

“It was not cheating. I did not fuck him. We were just grinding to each other. You were not putting out. You cannot blame me. That guy was in a relationship too.”

Headache.

“Tim, there is nothing you could do. I am not interested anymore. Now, I have to study. Just leave.”

“This is exactly the problem. You are always studying.”

“Of course I am always studying. I am in college. What do you expect me to do?”

I rubbed my eyes.

“Please do not cry. I won’t do it anymore.”

I was not crying. God, I just wanted to go to library and finish up my assignments.

“I can show you how much you mean to me.” I watched in horror as his lips opened and he tried to kiss me.

I kicked him where it hurts and punched his chest before he could. He fell on the floor groaning.

“Which part of I am not interested, do you not understand? I meant it, Tim. Stay away from me.”

So much for studying. I was getting out of here. I started running leaving Tim in his misery and crashed onto Liz.

“Sorry, I am late. Let us go.” We were to combine study after finishing up our assignments.

“Jesus, Dave. You are shaking. Are you okay?”

I nodded. “Yo...Youu shu..shuu.. should st..study.” Why was I stuttering? I was not scared. I was not cold.

“The fuck I do. Let us go to your room. What happened to you?”

She was rubbing her hands on my chest. It felt nice. I could breathe again.

She laid me on my bed and hugged me from behind.

I turned around and tucked my head inside her cleavage.

“Dave, you are worrying me. What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“Cut the bullshit. You are squeezing your head in my boobs. And you are gay. Tell me!”

I told her.

“That son of a bitch did what! I am gonna pickle his wiener.”

I started laughing just like that. Come on, it was funny.

“Please stay. I do not want to be alone, right now.”

She nodded.

Jason came around a couple of hours later and Liz left. I got a good nap and the incident with Tim was just uncomfortable, nothing more.

At that moment even though I was not scared, I wanted to see Robbie. I wanted to run to his arms and tell him how Tim was annoying me. I wanted him to kiss my lips and tell me that...

Told you, there was something wrong with my heart.

Jason was sitting opposite to me making some graphs and occasionally talking to himself.

He sold that programme we talked about. I was surprised. From the way he gulped down the whiskey after, I thought he was too. When I said, I had many programmes that were not that good, he insisted that everything is sellable if I knew how to present.

Let us just say, Jason now was my unofficial business attaché.

I was almost done with my programming when Liz came back.

“Oh, you are still here.” Liz was talking to Jason.

“Problem?”

“Yup, your ugly face.”

“Haha”

Jason and Liz did not get along well. I rolled my eyes. “Guys!”

“Here is your dinner.” She placed a package on my table. “I talked to Tim.”

Poor guy.

“What did you do?” I checked her knuckles. She was way too protective of me. I thought this was one of the reasons why she put Jason at a distance. He had not gained her trust yet and she was sharing me with him.

“Nothing. I talked, he listened.”

“After or before punching him?”

“I did not punch him. He was icing his dick. I felt bad. So when I said I wanted to talk, he listened.”

“That is my bro.” Jason looked proud.

“Who? Me or Tim?”

“You, Dave, Of course. I tagged along with Tim for connections. That guy throws party every day.”

“Like how you tag along with me for programmes?” I teased.

“Yup, just like that.” I pouted. So mean.

I looked at Liz who was already getting comfortable in my shirt and shorts.

What was with girls and boy shirts!

“I had no idea that Tim was that stupid. He really believes he did nothing wrong. I wanted to kill him but that guy already looked so pathetic.” Liz was confused.

“Leave it, Liz. I told you I was not that into that relationship anyway,”

“I know; I was just saying. How could he think it was okay to play like that? That too with a committed guy. That makes it even worse. Did you know, Robin broke up with his girlfriend? Robin and she were going strong and he had to...”

I ran to bathroom.

She said Robin, Ace. Robin. She was not talking about me.

Panic.

Jesus. Please. I tried to breath.

Robin was the guy with Tim. She was talking about that. I started pacing. I could not breath.

“Shit.”

Strong arms lifted me. “Liz, get a glass of water.”

I heard Liz’s panicked okay.

I was fine. I just could not breath.

I was lying with Liz again. She was comfy.

“I have an idea why I am always single. People think we are a couple.” I smiled. I was once again lying on her chest. She was wearing my clothes. Yup, people who did not know us would think we had sex.

“You are single because you do not trust people. The one you trust; you treat him like a lost puppy.” Jason was staring right at me. I gulped. It was almost like he could see my mind. So calculating and inquisitive.

“Take rest, Dave. All the programming is corrupting your brain.” He knew it had nothing to do with it. He walked to the door. “Dave, I am not a nice person. I do not care about many things people normally care about. But, if you want to talk, I am available. Good night.”

“What was that about?” Liz asked. I shrugged.

“You know that what happened with Tim is not your fault right?” She was rubbing my head. felt nice.

“You are an amazing guy, Dave. Whatever happened with Tim, it was not your fault.”

Would you still think that I was amazing if you knew that I seduced and lured a married man into my bed, Liz? Would you still think I was amazing if you knew that I kissed his lips and swallowed his groans because I did not want us get caught?

Yes, Liz, I willingly spread myself for a married man.

And if I could do it again I would.