Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Morning I woke up pretty late for college. Rocky must have left. I thought I also had a splitting headache. I popped a pill and was ready to go out. I put on my black dress to reveal my bad mood. I tried Uber and it was working. I thanked all gods for that. When I reached the campus it had already started. I didn't want to burst in the middle of a class so I decided to wait out. That's when I saw Leila looking impeccable as ever. She smirked at me, " Did you party hard last night? ", she asked.

"Get lost I'm not in the mood for your bullshit ", I said gritting my teeth. " Jeez keep your hair on I was just asking ", she said with a fake smile. God I don't want to do this conversation I thought. " I just wanted to know where Rocky's he hasn't come yet ". I made a show of checking my non-existent pocket and said ," He is not here, you better search somewhere else", I scoffed. "Bitch ", she muttered and left. I breathed a sigh the class got over and I was ready to go for my next class but then again I was accosted by his friends they were not mean but apparently a little concerned about their friend. " I don't know why you guys are asking me. I'm not his girlfriend. I don't know where he is. So leave me be ", I said severely.

I wasn't worried about Rocky. He might have gone to a hole for all I care. He was always a drama queen. I called Rita and saw her coming towards me. I need a friend for all the things I have been through. Earlier I indulged her only to pass my time but now she was a real friend to me and I genuinely cared for her.

" Oh thank God you are OK. I waited for you for a long time in your house ", she said. " I'm sorry I forgot you were there. Otherwise I would have phoned you", I said. I didn't want to tell the details of my whereabouts. So I changed the subject and asked," You know my Uber app is not working properly can you look at it"? She took my phone from me and said ," I think your phone is broken a little, that's why. Can't you change it"? I sighed even though I'm rich I don't have that kind of money with me. I only get an allowance which is not much.

" It's ok to ignore it. I don't want a new phone. I will manage", I said. She looked at me with confusion evident in her eyes. "Where were you last night "? she asked. I looked away for a second and answered, " With someone I like ". She sighed and said in a serious tone, " Rocky was very worried last night". " He doesn't have to be ", I said back. " Rocky didn't come to college today ", she said again.

I was very angry this time and said, " I don't know where he is if that's what you are asking. I have to go, I'm not hungry anymore ", I said, eager to escape her. "OK" she said doubtfully. I moved away from her to the washroom , which was the only place I could be alone. I decided to stay a few minutes in so class would start and every one is busy. I didn't want to go home so I went back to class. I asked my professor's permission. He was a cool guy and he admitted it to me anyway.

I didn't concentrate much on class and my mind constantly diverted to Raja. I have missed the opportunity to see him unfortunately. I was hungry too so I didn't want to talk to Rita again. So I went alone. The canteen wasn't packed as usual because it was a Friday and people wanted to go home early. But Raja wasn't there. He went home early. I think what else was there for me to do? I thought I went home and booked Uber and it worked a miracle for sure.

I came back and changed and decided to study. I wanted to browse but I can't borrow Rocky's laptops anymore so it's not an option anymore. I get some allowance for sure but I have to buy clothes and pay for taxi fare. They will give me more if I ask but my pride doesn't allow me. Having to take an allowance is itself a big blow for my self respect already.

I heard a loud thud and Rocky's incoherent voice muttering. I immediately got on alert so the missing lamb is here I thought. Suddenly he crashed into my room, unfortunately he wasn't hurt. He muttered, " Shit shit ". I rolled my eyes. I wasn't surprised to see him heavily drunk. I already guessed from the noises he was making. "Get out of my room Rock. Are you so drunk that you can't recognize your room ", I berated him and immediately felt better.

" No. I know my room. Want talk ", he said. "I'm not in the mood of talking. Get out", I said. I know I sound cruel but he deserves one less. Maybe he wanted to talk about his dead mother. How things change I didn't want to spend a single second with him now. "Off you go", I admonished him. "Don't be bitch ", he said with closed eyes. The nerve of the guy. I kicked him hard. " You called me a bitch " , I shouted. "Your kick sobered me," He moaned, holding his hands over his head.

"Get out before getting more kicks from me ", I bellowed him. " I have a confession to make. I did a bad thing to my friend " , he said slowly. "Is that friend me"? I asked without a preamble. "Yes", he said. His voice is very slow.

"I'm not going to forgive you no matter what you have done so stop wasting our time ", I said seriously. "You have to listen to me stay away from Raja. I'm dead serious ", he said.

He has sobered up now the threat is very evident. "Fuck you Rocky. Get the hell out of my room. Stay away from my personal life", I said with bitterness. "It's not your life anymore it joins our name. So be careful or I will talk to my dad. "I'm not interested in Raja and never will. I'm not going to waste my life after men ``, I lied but the last part was somewhat true.

"I want to tell you one more thing but this is not the right place or time I guess. Tomorrow we will go to college together no more Uber rides'', he said seriously. I simply nodded my head. I couldn't bring myself to say the words. He left then with a goodbye. I closed my door and sighed.

My morning was doomed I know but I wouldn't give up on my life not yet. Though depressing thoughts have started to comb it's way through me I haven't succumbed. I put on Leila's dress because it was the only good thing in my wardrobe. I had a mission to succeed at least no matter how hard it becomes I will persevere.

I climbed besides Rocky's car and we were speeding towards college. I wished I could ever run from my problems like that without looking back. When we reached my college every one was there. I was immediately greeted by Leila and her fake smile. "Hi it's good that you too have come early as well. I was getting bored as fuck. Let's go and have some coffee ", she said, not bothering to look at me.

Wow despair much I thought her eyes never left Rocky the whole time. " I don't think so Leila we broke up. It will be good that we stay away for some time", he said. I didn't want to be in this conversation. What am I doing here. "I think you should be going to classes", he said eyeing me. I got it and I wanted to roll my eyes. He wanted me far from the cafeteria. Well we can't always have what we thought right? I thought.

I moved away from the duo and called Rita. She said she is on the way. So I decided to hangout somewhere away from Rocky. I knew he wanted to trust me so badly since he can't always follow me around. I want to laugh at his dilemma. Maybe he wanted his future stepmother 's virtue intact. Whatever his wacky reason I'm not interested.

I was just going through my regular reading when I heard a voice. "You reading is a sight to watch brat. Remember you throw away my book once ", a familiar voice said. "It's called growing up you know some people do that", a smile crept on my face. "I'm late for my shift ", he waved me goodbye and walked away. I sighed subtly looking for Rocky or his friends but no one was there. Am I afraid of him ? No. But I was afraid of what he could do to me.

I was soon greeted by a smiling Rita. Her enthusiasm was highly contagious or it was the effect of someone specific. I hugged her and she was surprised too. We went for our classes hand in hand. My day went exceptionally well. College was over now and it was my time to meet Rocky. I called him again but he didn't pick up. So I went to look for him and he wasn't there. I asked around and his friends didn't have a clue.

I walked around and I saw Rocky and Raja talking; it was obviously about me. I decided to listen a bit. "I want you to stay away from her. Don't talk to her. Don't look at her. Ok". "I work in this college so it's hardly possible ", his eyebrows raised, very comical to me but Rocky was seething. "I don't care how you do it. You want to keep this job you listen to me". Raja's face didn't betray emotions but I saw his tightened mouth. He is using all his self control to appear aloof. I knew it because in my years of observing him one thing I have learned is that he doesn't let his emotions take control.

I could pick up slight twitching of his palms as if he wanted to hit him. He nodded his head. I felt his helplessness. It was the same thing I felt. He then left. I immediately wanted to go to Raja but I knew I couldn't sabotage his job. I have already done that to him and we both suffered. I should stay away from him. I went back to his football ground like I haven't heard anything. The anger I felt for him before was nothing compared to what I feel for him now. Yet here I'm sitting in the same car with him people are now mistaking us for lovers but love is the last thing I feel for him. I wanted to get home fast. Anything to escape this hell is enough.

"You ok", Rocky is asking about my mood. I looked outside and said," I'm fine, just a headache ", I managed to answer but he wasn't going to leave it at that. "You want to see a doctor "? he asked. "Nope, I'm good", I said. He nodded and we sped away. I was confused about why I'm feeling different vibes from him. I saw him lowering the window for me because he hates to do that. According to him the air from outside pollutes his car. What game was he playing?

We soon got out. I went to my room directly and changed. I sent a few messages to Rita asking if we could hangout but she was busy babysitting. I decided to pass my time by reading and doing class work. I was in the middle of doing them when there was a knock. I looked only to find my enemy standing with a smile. What I wanted to do was slam my door in his face but I didn't have that luxury so instead I politely asked him to come in.

"I was planning to take you out but never mind, we can do that again. Did you take anything for the pain?" I nodded my head awkwardly and he smiled at me. I wanted to throw up but I stood my ground. "Take care ", he said with a kiss on my forehead and left. I was surprised to my core. What the fuck had just happened?