Right. Dad was obsessed with her. He never let her out of his sight...or the house. She was like a caged bird—a beautiful melodious cheery bird. But over time his obsession faded a little. And the result was us living separately. Dad...he loved me deeply. But he simply wanted to control my life like he did to mom. Maybe now I can understand her feelings a bit more clearly.
"No mom, it's all in the past." I hug her repeating, "It's all in the past."
She smiles faintly. "If you say so. My only remaining wish now is to see your achievement honey. Cause every wish that I made with your father is long dead."
But she ultimately avoided my question, didn't she? I wonder which doctor she visited three months ago. Since then she's been... I don't know... I never saw her having any type of serious medicines. Yes she takes her anemic medicines and sometimes she takes aspirin for headaches but that's all. Am I worrying too much? Now that dad finally let her go... It's been 22 years for him and her. Why married life is so complicated?
••••
I wake up by the alarm clock. Today Prof. Jones will take a test and he'll also divide the students into pairs for the assignment. All the professors seemed really happy yesterday now that Damien's back.
After eating breakfast I head to school. I want to be paired with Chris cause he's my only friend in my class. What if he arrives late? I open the door to my classroom panting. My eyes roam over the others. Two people just like yesterday...are not here yet. Chris and Damien. Ugh Chris... you're a literal sloth.
The desk next to me is empty. Only 2 minutes left. I don't wanna sit beside Damien. What if he chooses the seat next to me?
When I pray for the third time for Chris to arrive, Damien's appearance at the door shatters my expectations. He heads straight to me which makes me think he might sit next to me to annoy me but he sits behind me. Even though I wait for Chris he doesn't come. The class starts. Why? If he skips today he won't have a choice but to team up with someone else-probably those who are absent today.
"Waiting for your friend?"
His question surprises me. "What about you? Aren't you sitting with your band members?"
"So you have heard already," he says with a dull expression. "To be honest I was a bit delighted when I saw your face that day and realised you didn't know me at all—unlike others."
What's that..? Does he think I'll admire him too just because he's talented and handsome? Wait what!?
"It doesn't affect me in the least," I say acting indifferent. "Unless you want me to be affected like others?"
Was I a bit harsh? But he laughs it out. "Guess what? Your words amused me."
"My bad then," I retort, "wasn't my intention."
I don't want to please you Damien. I don't want to be like others—fawning over you all the time.
Mr. Jones gives us the question papers. "You all have 45 minutes to finish. And your time starts now." With a serious face he says again, "Those who skipped today's test, 20 points will be deducted from the overall grade."
Damien whispers behind me, "Oh I forgot to tell, Chris fell off his bike while coming."
What? How the heck did he fall off his bike? I stand up and explain the situation to Mr. Jones. After requesting for some minutes he finally says, "Okay, situations like this can happen. I might consider Chris's case. But no excuse from anyone else will be considered."
"Thank you professor." You owe me big time Chris. I focus on the test. But I hear constant sighing from behind. Then he pokes on my back.
"What now?"
"You owe me."
"Huh?"
"I told you about Chris in the nick of time and you were able to save your friend, right?"
I hide my annoyance to ask, "And? What do you have to say?"
"Help me with the test a little. I don't like exams anyway."
"Aren't you the lead guitarist and song writer of your band? You don't know the answers? Didn't you study for once?"
He sticks out his tongue like a kid. "Boring! Studies are boring. I only am devoted to my guitar." Then he requests with folded hands. "You on the other hand spend a lot of time studying the history of music. So I can think of no better person than you."
How does he know I spend a lot of time on music history? Agh this guy! My time's running low. "What about Zeb, Todd and Mika?" I ask looking in their way.
They wave at Damien. "Hey boss, wanna sit with us?"
Mr. Jones yells, "Silence! No talking during exam."
Damien grabs his forehead in frustration. "Those three are idiots."
"Like you?" I smirk and receive a glare from Damien.
"Besides their handwriting is awful."
"So you're saying my handwriting is nice?"
"Ugh! Think whatever you want. Just remember that I helped you!"
"Fine fine." I show him the answers from my sheet stealthily.
When the timing ends Mr. Jones announces, "Collect your answer sheets after third class tomorrow from room 24. I'll be there." He takes a sharp look towards all of us. "And now, it's time to make the pairs for the assignment."
"Twenty points will be for this assignment and you better take it seriously and do your part properly," he says lifting his glasses with his index a little above his nose. "Alright class, choose your partners and get ready. We still have time for the final competition. I hope you'll give it your best."
I really want to go to see Chris. I can skip the next class for today and come again later. I wonder if he's okay. Mr. Jones exits as the class goes back to its usual chaos. Everyone's now busy scurrying to team up with someone. Someone from behind me asks some guy, "Who's gonna pair up with Saint Angel?"
I don't even turn at them. The short answer from the other comes floating, "Precisely no one."
Someone else laughs a little. "Chris's absent today. He's the only one he ever talks to. And everyone else already found someone," another guy agrees with the previous guy.
"Right. He acts all cold and quiet. Who'll tolerate his silent treatment?"
I'm can hear everything you know...
Some girls go against them. "Don't talk like that about Saint. He's the prettiest and most talented guy of our college."
So she's just another one of those—who likes me for looks. I can't believe they're talking about me when I'm still here. Nevermind. This adds more reason to not talk to those I share a mere class with.
I try to peek at Damien and find him talking to Mika. He has his members who got his back. I wonder if only I could have his life. I push past the students to come out of the classroom. I need to see Chris. He's my friend after all.
I reach his place quicker than I thought. I've only been here a couple of times before. He lives alone-he's pretty much independent.
"Chris!" I rush to his side when I see him coming after I rang the doorbell. "How did this happen? Haven't you been with that bike of yours for 4 years now?"
His hand received some bruises and minor cuts while his leg which got possibly sprained is now bandaged. "Let me take you to your room."
I help him get settled in the bed. He hasn't talked yet. "How do you feel?"
He gives me an amused look. "Aw...the cold angel is caring for me and isn't quiet today. How have I got so lucky?"
"By getting yourself into this horrible situation?" I grimace.
"I was only joking. Don't get yourself into things like this just to get lucky enough to see me act different than usual," I scold him.
He bares his teeth grinning like he always do. "Thanks for seeing me. I'm in your care now."
I squint. "You think it's really an amazement huh? A lot of things happened today, Chris. I've done my best to—actually uh..nevermind. You're not in trouble anymore."
He gestures me to fetch him some water. I pour him some. While drinking he asks, "What was with that pause? What happened in school?"
I tell him everything.
"No way! You did that for me?" He scoots closer with wide eyes. "Now everyone's probably choosing their partners and you're here with me..."
"I don't care. And you don't have to feel gratified. I did so cause I wanted to team up with you, Chris." It's not an excuse. He's the only one who doesn't look at me like some prized trophy... While the others...
"How did you know btw? That I came across this small incident?"
His question throws me off my track. I don't think I should tell him about Damien. Then he'll come to know from him that I helped Damien in the test. If words get out I'll definitely hear weird stuffs like—Ooh Saint Angel helped Damien?! Now they're friends? That's so cool!!!
Those girls are so tough to deal with. All girls are tough to handle. One can never guess what's going through their little heads. So unpredictable!
"Saint? What are you pondering over again?"
"Uhh... I think you should take rest for now to recover quickly. I have to go back."
"Hey wait!" He grabs my head when I get up.
"What?"
"I'm in this shape, Saint. If you go back now, someone will surely pick you for the assignment. How will we be partners then?"
Does he think so highly of me? "Hmph... I'm sure that's not gonna happen."
He releases my hand slowly. "On second thought, it'll take probably two weeks for me to recover fully. I will only delay the progress." Then he winks. "How about you just help me get better? That'll be enough for me."
"Chris, I'm not your girlfriend."
"Sheesh... Don't make that face alright? I'm just teasing you."
"Hm... Prof. Jones gave us three topics to choose from. Every pair will have the liberty to choose as they please. I'll give you the details in the evening. I have to leave now."
Once I'm out of his room he calls out to me again. "Seriously though Saint, if anyone wants to pair up with you, just accept it for once. If you really don't want to it for yourself...then do it for me."
His words make me look back at him with sceptical eyes. "What will you get out of this?"
"Nothing really," he grins. "I just want you to have a friend, someone other than me. I know how it's like Saint..."
"Don't decide anything on my behalf please," I protest clenching my fist. "I was never alone. Self companionship is better than a wrong one. A deceitful one."
"I...uh..."
He looks like he wants to apologise but I say, "Nevermind," as I leave his house.
Why did I lose my cool? I don't like this feeling. I've never been too good at arguing—specially not with people I may care. If it's for fun then alright. But some disagreements get heavy and take too much space in one's head.
In the end I don't go back to school and head straight to home.
I find her in the rooftop, on a chair, with her face hidden behind a book. Hearing my footsteps she moves the book to the side. "You're early today. Did something happen?"
I bury my face in her lap. "I just missed you mom."
She chuckles while fondling my head. "I missed you too honey."