Chapter 30: Chapter 30

Yesterday was hell. I made a big mistake coming to Rocky's college but what choice I had. I thought he would stay away minding his business instead I have been manhandled by his jealous girlfriend and now Rocky is dictating my life. Earlier I was under control of his father, now he is not a chance. I will make friends and go on dates again to hell with him and his father. I'm not their fucking puppet.

The next day I put on makeup carefully to make sure nothing was smudged, not like my usual way of smothering everything without an ounce of care. I want to be beautiful and be loved by everyone. Hell I would ruin my chances with father and son.

I walked with my newfound determination outside Rocky was waiting with his car but I moved away from it and opened Uber on my broken phone. Yes I downloaded and studied the basics last night. I'm done riding with him. He didn't make any moves but simply sat on his car. This gave me relief he wouldn't be making any scenes. The Uber arrived and I got inside and pulled away from the place. I closed my eyes and tried to catch up on my sleep. I paid for the cab and got outside Rocky's car too pulled at our side. He got out as well.

" It's a waste that your sports car is not able to beat an old taxi " I said sarcastically as it was evident he was following me. " Babe you are a walking disaster with your luck you may end up with a serial killer for a driver", he answered but his charm was broken by something like remorse. I shook my head at him unable to understand his motive by then we were joined by Leila. What a welcome! I want to roll my eyes. But find myself with an invitation from none other than Leila. "Want to join for a coffee with me in the canteen"? She asked, flipping her hair. Which was like a warning sign for me what she was upto I mused.

Our conversation was cut short by Rocky himself who pulled Leila to a corner and they began talking in low voices. I didn't want to waste my time so I went to college. I was greeted by Rita in her usual chirpy voice which made me smile. I also saw Ben who wisely turned his face away from me. Good for him I thought.

Rita and I went to the canteen as usual. This seemed too normal and waited for our hot server. I knew that this was wrong but the temptation was far strong for me to ignore. I remember every night I went to bed praying for my crush to get over but in the morning I always find myself in the same spot as before. It was sad and depressing but I never chose to give up in my mind I knew Raja was mine. It was only the matter of time for him to give in.

I peeked at him from my phone but he was looking at Rita and asking what she wanted this made me irritated. She said that she would like a coffee. She is a caffeine addict but I never understood the point of drinking more than one cup a day. I would rather have juice or plain water. Then he slowly turned his head to me and asked, " What would you like to have Madam ". I rolled my eyes at him. Why so formal with me I thought. In the hindsight I could see that he was only trying to protect me. I could see every eye in the room looking towards us. After Ben's rattling this was bound to happen.

" One juice and sandwich please ", I also tried to be formal. This was for better I considered I wanted to focus on my studies and Raja I guess wanted to do his job. We are well off without each other. No point in growing something which was destined to die. I refocused my attention towards Rita who was showering praises on Aryan who was Rocky's friend. She apparently went to see their match on the weekend . I , on the other hand, couldn't imagine a boring way to spend my time. I was never sporty, my interests were limited to riding and daydreaming mostly about Raja, a childhood habit which I couldn't stop.

After paying the bill we left there but I couldn't help but look back only to see Raja looking at me with a tiny smile playing on his lips. My answering smile was more radiant. I looked beside me to see Rita engaged in whatsapp. I'm content just seeing him made me positive I vividly remembered waking up early just to see him. I was a kid then Raja made my days brighter even then.

My classes went smoothly and I was very happy even going back to home didn't dampen my mood. "Do you have any plans after college? ", I casually asked her. Her big eyes seemed to get bigger, " Why? I'm free except I have to babysit my cousin's children at 8", she moaned. I chuckled at her dilemma. I wish I could have a part time job worrying about money. Instead I was born into money but still all my issues were unsolved.

" I thought we could hangout at my place today. I know you're busy but I would really like to spend some time with you". She nodded her head enthusiastically and I suppressed my smile. She was slightly eccentric but I liked her child like innocence.

"I know your place. I will meet you there at 7", she said breathlessly. I smiled at her. The classes went nicely. I went outside to book a ride to my place. But my app suddenly stopped working. I decided to board the bus again but I didn't want myself to get myself into any trouble with him. He was pretty serious about waiting for him plus call me privileged but boarding a bus full of people wasn't appealing to me.

I waited for Rocky's red car but he didn't come. All the students have left the campus I was on the verge of crying my bus also might have left. I wasn't sure about walking alone to the bus station anyway. I tried calling him but he was unreachable again. I was getting a little worried as minutes passed by. Suddenly I saw someone beside me. I breathed a sigh of relief to see Raja. He was wearing a casual shirt now that I think I have never seen him in a t-shirt or any other casual wear. He certainly preferred collared shirts. I remembered the coat he had given me last time. It soothes me to sleep every night. Even when I was angry at him I held onto that coat like my life depended on him.

"I'm going to the bus station. Do you want to join me or continue waiting "? He asked me carefully because he didn't want to leave me alone. "What if I said no", I asked him. "Then I have no choice but to wait till you leave here and miss my night shift", he mockingly shuddered. I smiled at his thoughtfulness again he cared for me or he might have done this for anybody. But I like to believe the latter because I wanted it to be true. I know each time I'm spending with him I'm in danger of falling more and more for him. But destiny was playing a heavy game of will they or won't they it was tiring.

We walked together in the moonlight like a pair of lovers, what a joke I thought. But this was a dream for me. He was the first and only guy I ever wanted to make love to. I still yearn for his kisses but he wasn't interested even now. He looked away from me each time I failed to catch his eye but the moment wasn't going to happen not with his stubbornness. I better learn to enjoy being single because Noone wants me I thought disheartened.

I was walking again when I saw my phone ringing continuously. I ignored it obviously. What was he thinking? Raja saw Rocky's calls. I didn't know what he thought but I saw his lips tightening for a second. Is that jealousy I felt for a second his carefully put mask was slipping.

I boarded the bus with him. We sat on the same seat. I don't know why we did that; majority seats were empty but it felt right to sit with him. He looked outside again but not like avoiding me but in a content manner. The rain has started to fall. I couldn't help but smile at the drops falling sometime on our body but I didn't mind. I looked at his face and he also turned his face towards me and smiled. "We are going to get wet ", he said.

"I don't mind ", I said breathlessly. " So let's make a run", as soon as our stop reached we ran like children carefree and happy. I was back to my childhood again except he was there with me as the same. We ran holding hands and I suddenly realized that I should stop him. He shouldn't have seen me. I was an idiot by then when we reached the gate and it was too late.

We were greeted by Rocky's red car. He got out of the car and with his eyes resembled twin flames. I slowly pulled my hands away from Raja who had become still beside me. " Where the fuck were you"? Rocky roared. That's when he noticed Raja beside him. I immediately pushed him back.

"Listen Rocky, don't act dramatic ok. I waited for you till 7 but I couldn't find you. I tried calling you but couldn't reach you. So like a sane person I left but Raja came with me and made sure I reached home safely'', I said breathlessly. "Sane people would have checked the football ground. I was practicing so I won't be able to pick up calls. But you can't do that can you. You will leave with the first guy you know be it Ben or him", he spit out those words.

"Raja, thanks and please go, you are not in this mess. And mind you if you ever talk to me like that I will slap you. Get it?" I seethed. Then I turned to see Raja. I just wanted to see him one last time before he goes. I'm sure he missed his job because of me but he won't be insulted.

"Are you sure ?", he asked. I nodded and smiled at his concern. I wasn't used to it. I could feel Rocky's eyes boring on the back of my head. I stubbornly refused to look at him and watched Raja going back. Rain was still falling over us like a reminder for us to go home. I turned and went towards the house.

"He is not as perfect as you think", he said like a warning. I knew where this was going. "Say whatever you want, I'm not going to listen to a single word ", I said forcefully. " Then you better hear this carefully if you're going to make any contact or even see him, that will be the end of your campus life", he said.

I knew something like this would happen. I was walking on a narrow thread that was bound to happen. I always thought I had lost my friend but to tell the truth this is the day I lost him, today and forever perhaps. I continued walked while the rain soothed my tears it couldn't stop it. I reached my room threw away my wet clothes and put on Raja's coat and laid down on the bed waiting for tomorrow.