I was at the guy's place, and this time I made sure to inform him of my visit. We couldn't meet in person; it's been nearly 10 days. I was busy with studies, the company matters, and the guy with his studies. We were texting; let me rephrase it: Rowan made sure of everything about me. Nowadays, his questions were increasing, which included his concerns. God knows why, and there were lots of "take care" at the end of the messages. I just don't get it. Does being in a friendship mean lots of taking care? I don't hope so; I don't belong in the category of taking care, at least through words.
From the time I met him, he has been giving me a headache one way or another. I am experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions in this divine friendship. Whatever I am experiencing with him is both good and bad and shocking. Seriously, a touch could cause you a bloody shock. I just love my distance from him; unfortunately, we are not on the same page. I guess friendship doesn't work with distance. I want to understand and enjoy this whole concept, but it gets complicated in some way.
I was compelled to take this huge step. The exhausting fight with my dad pushed me to give in, or else I would have been happy with my lonely life. Period. My calculated steps turned into a random one at the party, and before I knew it, I was in front of Rowan. Giving my cell number was another mystery; on this one, I can convince myself that if we hadn't exchanged numbers, nothing would have started between us. But what about other things? Physical contact is the norm between friends, and I couldn't just do that so easily with him. Recently, his smile and my compromising behavior on a few things. I just don't get it, and I don't know how to get to the bottom of this complicated situation.
The same servant who always greeted me was in front of me with a broad smile. "Rowan has informed me to take you to his bedroom as it will take another few minutes for his arrival. He is still in football practice." I nodded at her, and there was a notification on my cell by Rowan informing me of the same. Is it or is it not too personal to enter someone's bedroom? With permission, it's ok, I guess, and it's ok when there is a tag called "friendship." I slowly nodded my head once again, and she took the clue. "This way." She started walking up the stairs, and I followed her.
Once again, my eyes roamed around the floor and were greeted with many doors. At least six doors I could make out, and also an elevator. I wasn't curious about the mansion, the structure, or its build, but as we approached the door, I was slightly curious about what could greet me inside Rowan's room.
The servant excused herself once I was inside, mentioning that someone would bring the snack, and before I politely refused, she soon added that it was an instruction from the guy. Reluctantly, I gave a small smile; she took the hint and shut the door.
I was near the door, observing everything and comparing it to my room. It was spacious, with two large windows covered with white curtains, walls coated with white, and a king-size bed, and there were two more doors. One leads to the balcony and the other to the bathroom, I guess. There were books everywhere, a laptop, two to three chairs, lots of wardrobes, and a dressing table. There was a wooden shelf attached to the wall filled with books, comics, music, and a few game CDs. I chuckled when I saw his collection of comics and manga.
My room is clean, too tidy, plain, and a little bit bigger than his. I wanted the walls and curtains in black, like everything in my life, but my dad's glare made me change into blue and grey. I don't know why people have a problem with black colour, but the color ease my soul. My favourite color was black by default, but recently I started debating between black and blue. Books, laptops, a mini library, wardrobes, and a dressing table. Most of the things were the same, but his room looked like a room, meaning you love to crawl to your bed at the end of the day with a smile. That was never my case; my room is cold and distant like me, and I hate it as I spend most of my day locked up in my room. It resembles me, and I hate myself.
I grabbed a book from the shelf to pass the time. My legs were moving toward the reading table, but I stopped and strode toward the bed. I don't like to occupy someone's bed without permission, and also cleanliness matters, but this bed looks like it's freshly made, and I needed a comfy place for the time being to lie.
I grabbed two to three pillows, and by placing them behind me, I made a comfortable place on the bed for the time. It was a mystery and suspense book. I thought I would be hooked till the guy returned, but as I turned a page, a yawn escaped. After a few pages, I felt drowsy; my eyelids were doing everything to stay open, but it turned exhausting, and before I knew it, I was asleep. A 'strange' word escaped from me before I drifted.
As the car was parked, I ran toward my room, fully prepared to apologize to Dante for making him wait. The football practice dragged on, and I lost track of time. I never thought he would wait for me for two hours when my caretaker, Johana, called me, reminding me of my guest waiting for me. Trust me, I literally ran, but my driver didn't cross the speed limit.
As I burst open my bedroom door, I thought I would be greeted by a little angry Dante, but instead, I was greeted by a sleepy one. I knew Dante was different from the first day I met him; "handle with care" was the motto I engraved somewhere when we exchanged numbers. I can grasp things without him opening his mouth; I can read his expression like an open book, and also what he is going through without him sharing any. I just know, and I don't know how.
He is different, too mature for his age, beyond brilliant, and there are a few dark rumours about the family and a few other things Davis had poured me. As far as I could guess, dignified, always too tired, stressed like he is carrying the world, rigid, I don't know why, but I like to think because of studies, and again it's unlikely. He is always in the irritation mode; one wrong move, and you can witness a storm any second. He was on the verge of snapping at the restaurant at Tristan, and thank God, he held back. Our opposite features are balancing things between us. He is just a kid, and he has already pent up so many emotions.
I sighed when I saw Dante's sleeping posture; his head was crooked to the right a little, and a book was on his chest. In the same sitting position, he managed to sleep. I really don't know, but when he wakes up, his neck will give him a hard time. I slowly approached the bed and moved him to the sleeping position, praying in the process that he wouldn't wake up. When I was done, I observed his face in the close-up; he looked relaxed but guarded, and the knitted forehead was the witness. I chuckled at that; my hands were on his forehead, massaging, and a deep breath left from his mouth. Once again, I wanted to chuckle, but I held back.
I didn't take a shower after the practice; I turned toward Dante, who was still sleeping peacefully, and I rushed to the bathroom. Once I was done, my eyes immediately fell on the sleeping figure, who was in the same position. I was feeling hungry; by closing the door slowly, I went to the kitchen. As I entered, Johana smiled at me, and my plates were filled with my favourite. She amazes me always, never stopping me from having anything, even after my parents' orders. There's nothing wrong with enjoying junky food; it may increase a few kilos of weight, but darn it. I can't compromise with the flavours.
Once I was done, by thanking her, I took a few selected food items to Dante. I bet that when he wakes up, he will feel hungry. I slowly opened the door, and Dante was sleeping. By placing the food on the near table, I approached my study table.
I was engrossed in solving a math problem, and Dante moved a little. I left the table and was in front of him. He blinked a few times, stretched his hands, and sat up slowly. Slowly, his eyes roamed. I was smiling, and our eyes met. He was perplexed at first and was in shock. His eyes went large, and there was also an unbelievable look on his face. Maybe because he slept in an unknown place. "Hi." Slowly, I spoke, not knowing how to react to the way he was acting. He was still in shock, and I wanted to point out that it was just a sleep; there was no need to panic. It's just a piece of cake; I do it all the time at Davis's house and at my cousin's place.
"I slept." He was staring at the wall with a bewildered look. I chuckled and responded. "Yes, for a few hours, you slept like a rock." "For hours?" I was confused. Does he have any engagement that he forgot? I cleared my throat and replied. "Yes, you slept for hours. Did you miss something important? I should have woken you up, right? Sorry, was it an important thing?" He was lost in thought; I guess he missed something important. He was mumbling something, and I tried to hear the words, but it wasn't horrible enough.
"I have been sleep-deprived since childhood." Now, I was shocked when I heard the news. He is still a child, which means from too young age. "As I aged, it got worse; no medication is working on me. "I don't know whether to be happy because this is the first time he is speaking in sentences without getting exhausted or irritated, or to be sad at the revelation. He stood abruptly from the bed. "Thank you." There was so much sincerity in his voice that it felt like I had done a huge favor or something for him, but in reality, it was not the case. "Bye." He was gone; the door was already closed. I eyed the food that was lying on the table, which I totally forgot to offer. Nope, he didn't give me the bloody chance. He just ran; I don't know why.
Should I call the doctor and inform him? This thought has been running in my mind since the time I left Rowan's house. I waited outside the gate for the driver to pick me up and still tried to digest the fact that I slept for hours in peace. It's not like I haven't slept at random places without my consciousness, but not for hours without disturbance. After a few minutes of sleep, I would always become more exhausted, and tiredness would overwhelm me, but this time it was different. I am feeling fresh, not frustrated or showing any sign of tiredness. My sleepless life took a bloody toll and pushed me into deep slumber. That must be the reason. What possible reason is there other than this? Probably I will discuss it with the doctor when I visit him.
I was banned for the time being from attending any business meeting as my exams were approaching. My dad knows I will ace it, but he just had to do something when he finally got to know with whom I am hanging out. I was flooded with free time, and I hate it because of obvious reasons. It's been 15 days, and I am still having the same sleepless nights. Only for a day, I slept on his bed, and a miracle happened. I am not that lucky to expect the same thing to repeat when I know it would never happen. So obviously, I turned toward Rowan, who was more than happy to hang out with me. He is the kind of guy who goes with the flow type, definitely my type.
Beyond chubbiness, there is something about him. There is something that I am not able to point a finger at. I started to watch Rowan from a different lens, and I didn't know I carried one. There is some pull toward him. I watched him so many times without awareness and was caught by Davis, who was beyond annoyed. I tried to be cautious most of the time, but sometimes I couldn't help it when my eyes fell on Rowan. Irrespective of everything, I strongly believe there is only friendship between us and nothing else.
We both are studying at the same university; Rowan's face lit up when I informed him where I studied, as if I were a regular student, and I was nonchalant. I informed him that I may come one of these days to present my seminar. Rowan pleaded to watch his football test match along with Tristan. Who just couldn't keep his eyes to himself, other than roaming wherever he wants.
As my driver parked the car, I got out, and the heads snapped toward the car. Why did I loathe coming here? These stares, crowds, mummers, shouts, and whatnot. I made my way to the class where they held the seminar.
It took an hour; I was done by giving a hard time to the professor who just wanted to argue for being a damn professor, and I couldn't care less when my point was valid. I passed the hallway, and every single head made sure to take a glimpse of me. As I walked, I searched for Rowan or his friends, who were nowhere to be found. I walked straight to the ground, which was crowded, and I never thought a practice match would gain this much attention. I stood near the ground where I could get a picture of everyone, including Rowan, who was the goalkeeper. I forgot to ask him what his role was, and if I consider his weight, this is the best, but still, lots of moving is required.
As I stood, staring, Rowan spotted me, and with a broad smile, he waved at me. Rowan's eyes roamed around the stadium and fell on one person, and his excitement doubled. My eyes traveled where he was staring; there stood a beautiful girl with her friends, smiling at something broadly. I watched her, who wasn't giving a damn about Rowan, whose eyes were glued to the girl, and the girl was aware. She was a princess type, and her beauty just added to the title. I studied her from head to toe. I stood opposite her. She is slim and of medium height; that mini skirt is doing many things to everyone; she has bright, shining eyes and has applied a lot of things on that one; and she has slim, beautiful lips and she applied dark red lipstick. Hair was medium, curled, wearing pointed heels. God, how do they walk on that one? She was gorgeous; no wonder Rowan's eyes were not leaving her sight. Something passed in me when I watched Rowan doing everything from afar to get her attention. His never-ending smile reached his eyes and shone. There was a twinkle in his eyes while he was watching her, and I don't know, something didn't feel right to me.
Soon, the game started, which got the girl's attention, who started cheering at everyone. It's just 20 minutes. Rowan was pathetic at everything; he missed the ball twice. His body is jiggling in every move; I watched the girl who was watching another handsome guy on the team and whistled to get his reaction, and he blushed in return. I saw Rowan, whose face fell at the whole scenario.