Chapter 6: Getting away

Jovanni was awakened by his phone alarm that was set at four in the morning every weekend. The ringtone was just low since he didn't want to disturb his board mates. He reached out his phone, but he didn't touch the familiar bed. He suddenly opened his eyes as he slowly remembered the happenings last night.

Jovanni was hoping that it was just a nightmare, but when the unfamiliar room and unfamiliar bed were displayed in his eyes, he was immediately slapped by the reality. There was also Kirt and him sleeping together under a single blanket, both naked. Jovanni's head, ached, as well as his heart and body. He sobered up, so his mind was clearer. The humiliation he felt was tripled. He wanted to yell and hit someone, but then he also realized that he is just a lowly young man. However aggrieved and humiliated he was, no one will come to his rescue. He needed to pull himself together. He has nothing to depend on and can only rely on his own. His dignity has long been shattered by his family. Kirt smashing the shattered pieces into powder is painful, but this person is someone he cannot offend, so all he can do is stand and move on. Forget about revenge. He just wanted to get away from this room and stay away from this man!

As Jovanni sat up in bed, his waist and bottom ached, but he slowly stood up. He should get away before Kirt wakes up. He picked up his suit and slowly went to the bathroom.

The cold water from the shower that poured at his head sobered him completely. He stood still for few minutes feeling the cold water in his head, wanting to wash away all the painful feelings he is suffering. When he felt a bit better, he reached out for some soap. Looking at his reflection in the mirror, he saw kiss marks on his chest. It's a good thing there was nothing at his neck, that crazy man has still some conscience left. There are few cracks at his lips but aren't too obvious.

After around ten minutes, Jovanni went out of the bathroom. He was already dressed. After picking up his phone and backpack, he slowly went out. He was relieved after finally getting out of the hotel. It was still dark outside. He bought a cup of coffee and walked at the seaside for a while, breathing the cool sea breeze. The fresh air slowly refreshed his mind. He is someone who suffered enough pain from childhood, so his pain tolerance, be it physical or emotional, is high. His recovery is pretty fast too, so he is confident that he will overcome this unpleasant experience soon.

It was already five in the morning when Jovanni got back. He slowly walked from the hotel to the boarding house so that, he will not disturb his board mates early. Though he was feeling uncomfortable in his lower body, it was still bearable.

Jovanni slowly knocked at the door, it was Leandro who opened it.

"Jovanni, you didn't come back last night!?"

Jovanni looked at Leandro's worried face. For a moment, he wanted to cry out his grievances, but he immediately dismissed the thought.

"I'm sorry. We had some wine, so my classmates suggested that it's better to spend the night at the hotel since everyone at our table was drunk. We rented a room." Jovanni lied.

"Whoah! BU's engineering freshmen are fierce. Alcohol is strictly forbidden in our school." Gio who was awakened by their conversation interjected.

"It wasn't much." Jovanni replied as he sat on the chair. His face twitched as his bottom hit the hard chair.

"Are you okay?" Leandro asked seeing his distorted face.

"I'm okay..." Jovanni replied and faked a smile. "King went home?" He asked as he saw King's vacant bed.

"Yes. His brother picked him up yesterday." Leandro replied.

"Mmm." Jovanni nodded as he wiped his drawing table.

"Hey, what are you doing? You are not planning to draw this early?!" Gio asked.

"I am." Jovanni smiled. "I had my breakfast and drunk a cup of strong coffee. I feel energized so I want to do these sideline jobs." He lied again. He actually wanted to immerse himself in drawing so that he won't have time to think unpleasant thoughts.

"Okay. I want to sleep more." Gio replied while turning to the other side. Leandro lay back to his bed too.

Jovanni spent his Sunday drawing, stopping only at mealtime. It was almost midnight when the last drawing was done. He stretched out and climbed to his bed. He was exhausted. It was what he wanted so that he can sleep immediately. And it was effective. He fell asleep as his head hit his bed.

Monday morning, Jovanni woke up at five. He was still feeling dispirited, but he needed to move forward. He went to school at seven, hoping that he won't bump Kirt again. Though he had paid the debt that he never owes, he wasn't emotionally ready to meet him again. Fortunately, his day ended smoothly. His classmates didn't ask him about what happened at the party. They even kept their distance from him. Jovanni understood that they were probably scared to offend Kirt, but he cares less about these petty matters. For as long he can study peacefully, his classmates' indifference does not matter.

The whole week ended without bumping Kirt. Jovanni was thankful. He spent his weekend doing sideline jobs.

Another Monday morning, Jovanni went to school with lesser worry. Kirt probably regretted what he did after sobering up, so Jovanni was feeling at ease. When he was on his way to the engineering building, his step was halted. Kirt was leaning at the wall near the entrance, looking at him with obvious impatience. Jovanni turned around and ran. There was no way he will talk to Kirt. The unreasonable debt has been paid, so there's no need for them to meet.

"Stop!" Kirt yelled that turned some of the students' heads, but Jovanni made up his mind. He ran to the education building without looking back.

Jovanni mixed in a crowd of female students. He heard a commotion behind him, but he didn't look back.

His escape was successful. He was panting when he reached the university auditorium. He decided to skip his first class. Kirt might check every classroom, so it's better to do his working student tasks in the morning so that he can go home early.

At nine in the morning, Jovanni peeked at the engineering department making sure Kirt is gone.

"Jovanni? What are you doing?" Carlo asked from behind.

"Carlo, have you seen Kirt this morning?" 

"Yes, he was checking every class this morning." Carlo replied.

"Is he gone?"

"Yes. Wait, is he looking for you?"

"I think so."

"Why would he?"

"You knew I offended him, right?"

"That was a week ago. This man is really terrible." Carlo exclaimed.

"He is, so please warn me if you see him around. I will give you my mobile number, please inform me if you see him."

"Okay. I will."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. I will go ahead first. Take care of yourself. Kirt is quite spoiled and unruly. Stay away from him." Carlo reminded.

"I will. Thank you Carlo."

Jovanni successfully hid from Kirt for the past few days. He kept changing the time he is coming in and going out of the campus. It was Friday afternoon. He had just finished his tasks. He was returning the cleaning tools he used in the utility room and was washing his hands when someone opened and then slammed the door. Jovanni turned back and saw Kirt's enraged face. He instantly panicked. Within this small room, he has nowhere to hide. He turned his head back to the faucet and kept washing his hands.

"Do you think you can hide from me forever in this tiny campus!"

Kirt's enraged voice echoed in the small utility room.