“I saw you there outside the garden.” He clarified.
“Why didn’t you call me?” I was curious.
“I wished to surprise you,” he smiled.
I smiled back. I leaned forward and gently caressed his knee.
“Why didn’t you come to me?” I asked him anxiously.
“You were talking to that moron, what’s his name?, Ranjith right?” Ajmal seemed a bit agitated.
“Oh Ranjit, poor fellow!” I chuckled.
“Well that poor guy is not someone who can be trusted,” Ajmal warned.
“I know he is a bit naggy, but he was nice to me the whole time,” I was surprised.
Although I never had a friendship with Ranjit, he never really approached me for anything most guys did. I had acquaintances if only a few boys among the twenty-seven guys in my class. Ranjit was never one of them, although he seemed a bit shady. He was kind of a gossiper, that’s all know.
“Yeah, maybe he is feeling guilty for his actions,” Ajmal sighed.
“What are you talking about? He seemed nice and friendly,” I had no clue what he talking about.
“Oh dear, you don’t know him. My friend Sandy and he were schoolmates. A crooked shrewd fox, that’s what he told me about your nice guy!” Amjal shrugged.
“As far as I know, he was the one who dragged your name to the college campus, especially after the birthday party at Petals”. He explained.
“This guy got a really good connection with the hostelers even though he doesn’t stay there. He enjoyed spreading gossip, not just about you, but about many.” Ajmal’s voice hardened and a sense of anger and frustration was visible.
Ajmal was reading my mind. He was pretty sure that I had no idea about any of these. The chattering things about me were mostly true and not just rumors. Being reckless at that time, I never really took any of those hurtful words in my heart. I had no clue that Ranjit who seemed rather naïve at least now was shadowing me all the time.
“What a dick!”Ajmal shrieked.
I stood there motionless and in disbelief. I thought I could read people, at least those who approached me intending to fulfill their depravities. Was it a failure from my side? It’s the past I’m dwelling.
“Why do we spoil our time in his name!” Ajmal interrupted my meager thoughts.
Ajaml grabbed my hand from his knee and pulled me towards him. From the couch, I jumped onto the edge of the bed. I was startled by his action. I giggled.
“What’s your plan?” Ajmal asked me gently caressing my shoulder.
Before I could reply, the phone near my bag started to vibrate.
“Oh shit! See, I need to go downstairs,” I forgot about the rest of the world once I met him.
“Baby! Just stay here, we can have the party, just like old times!” He groaned playfully.
“Comon, you monkey! I know you are teasing me!” I giggled looking at his cheerful face.
“Haha, You are staying, right? I mean after the party, the rooms are booked for you guys anyway?” He enquired.
“I haven’t decided. I think I should go home,” I mumbled.
“Well, that’s before we met, right?” Ajmal softened his voice.
He gently pinched my lower lip. He was right. I now have all the reasons to stay back for the night. The event just turned into a joyous celebration. Suddenly someone entered the room in a hurry. It was James, my classmate. A short slim confident boy.
“O hey, Jaison!” he wished me bringing an awkward smile in his dark brown lips.
I was frightened a bit. I tried to wake up from the bed. But Ajmal held my arm and forced me to sit down. He seemed unhinged upon the intruder’s entry.
“Hello James,” I managed to reply.
“I need to use the washroom,” he pointed towards the door, a polite gesture.
“Sure!” I pointed towards the door and nodded.
“Anyway, a few of my friends are here for the night. A small party with old buddies!” Ajmal resumed his conversation without even bothering about James.
James swiftly walked inside the bathroom probably to take a leak. I looked at Ajmal and laughed. My phone vibrated once again.
“Please join us after your party and dinner, it’s room 414, next floor,” Ajmal suggested.
I slowly stood on my feet and took my phone in hand. I asked for his phone. I typed my number onto his phone and dialed. My phone vibrated again.
“I have to go now,” I said in a hurry.
“You will come right?” He requested my confirmation.
“Hmm, let me think of it!” I giggled as I took my bag and placed it inside the wall shelf.
“Are you coming with me downstairs?” I stood close to the exit and asked him.
Ajmal slowly woke up from the bed and followed me.
“I need to get some stuff from my room. You go ahead,” Amjal suggested.
“Ok then, see ya ma lover boy!” I laughed.
Ajmal’s huge hand blasted onto my ass once again as I bumped out of the room.
“If you don’t come by nine, I will come down and pluck you from your gang!” He shouted as I jaywalked in excitement.
I looked back and smirked at him. The lift looked so close.
Entering the lift I was greeted by Nyjo, Ajmal’s buddy. Thankfully we have never been acquainted. He smiled and wished. Inside the lift, I checked my phone. Two missed calls from Ranjit. What is with Ranjit? What is he up to? Till yesterday he was a nobody. And all of a sudden, he began poking my brain from all sides. Anyway, it is past. Whatever he did, spreading things among the folks and staff might have only increased my fame, whether I like it or not. Apologetic or not, I got no grudges with him. I don’t want to push people away from me. I am lonely and miserable. I miss my good old days. My world has been withered into a very small cluster. I don’t know how I let it happen. The thoughts were sober and true.
Almost an hour, I spent inside the lounge. For dinner, I took only salads. The wine, they were strong as hell. Ranjit stated that the red wine is mild and the golden one is boozy. Anyway, I took not just one but two. Things escalated pretty fast. My mind began fluttering. Nelson sitting across me told me that I looked more charming than ever. He is just a flirt. He used to call me and he loved dirty talking. Sidhu alleged I left my other half at home itself. Sharon and Jain joined our tiny group. We seven sat around the table and shared some common thoughts and updated our welfare.
James joined the elite gang. The group of the most handsome guys in my class. They were off-limit, rich, and spoiled. None of them were my friends, just classmates. The girls in that group also didn’t have any kind of connection with me. I was too scared to talk to them. They seemed mean even though they didn’t do anything to me.
The tall square pillars of the hallway were occupied with old love birds pecking their beeks and chirping their concerns. The far end pillar, the one closer to the green room, Anagha with another guy looked like Samson. Their lips disappeared into each other’s hungry mouths. His hands cuddled her huge round ass. From her ass to her huge round boobs his hands toured pretty fast. They were not the only couple who successfully made our classroom into their private space during their college days. They are at least together, not like Vinay whose hand slides beneath Reshma’s churidar top. Reshma who was his buddy Arun’s girlfriend back then. She looked stunning by the way. Sharon and Jain updated all the current partner statuses of those old love birds with the group. Ranjit seems silent. He got something to say to me. I need to ask something to him too.