I couldn't help but feel curious about the way things were turning out. Where were the other members of the family? Who rents a part of a bungalow? Agreed, the bungalow's condition does not merit the title… but still, why? Was it for money? If yes, then they could easily find someone who would happily pay a bomb for the location and space. Why did she agree to such a low rent? Just because I am Lexi's favourite teacher? That doesn't sound too convincing. And that girl is another dilemma. Why am I her favourite teacher? I don't think I have ever taught her. Actually, it was absurd the way both mother and daughter kept staring at me. Did they suspect something?
My mind was teeming with questions, but my financial incapability to afford an expensive flat had killed the mushrooming Sherlock Holmes inside me.
It had barely been a couple of years that I joined this school. There were not many people whom I could call friends. Since some of my acquaintances worked at the school, they would not want to indulge me after what had happened. I wouldn't be surprised if they started ignoring me in order to save their own jobs.
However, there was a huge number of girls who I was 'friends' with. Most of those beauties had enjoyed many evenings with me, drinking each other in pleasure. But the more I gulped, the thirstier I got.
Sometimes I wondered how in the world I had ended up making so many girlfriends! Was it my slim fair face with chocolate brown eyes, the sharp nose, and the full lips which could expertly arouse any woman, or my sense of humour, or just the charm that worked its magic?
But all that apart, true friendship and camaraderie would have remained a mystery, if not for Nic. He was the one guy who could cheer me up in a minute, and make every moment better by just being there. He made me feel a little more human. You see, I have a different method of making friends. Quite naturally, the hottest topic of discussion I love to indulge in rarely evoked the same level of interest in people. Some would enjoy the
topic, some would pretend to like it, and some would outright tell me off, but no one could discuss it with as much pleasure as I did. To my luck, Nic was chosen because he was excellent in the same topic, and our frequencies matched to the last bit.
Our discussions were quite exciting. I narrated stories about how I seduced women, how I touched them and drove them wild, initiating a need in them which until then was unknown even to them. Nic loved to hear and imagine those stories. Initially, he was only interested in how I did it. You know, find women who would consent, make them fall for me and like me enough to explore, the works, etc. As time passed and we became closer, I understood that he too was a slave of those needs. Honestly, I am sure everyone has these needs, but perhaps our inner demons were stronger than the angel.
Which reminded me, I had to be in school the next day, and Nic was the only one who could give me any internal information now. I would be treated like an untouchable, the sick perpetrator, I was sure, despite the fact that the allegations against me had not yet been proved. I closed my eyes and hoped for things to turn better the next day.
q
Nic and I were sitting in the school staff cafeteria. It was right next to the students'canteen, but still segregated in a way that students couldn't disturb us, though the staff members could have a glimpse of the students sitting in the canteen.
'Wow… You lucky dog! You have shifted in a house with two women!' Nic let out a wistful sigh while sipping his coffee.
I was trying hard to maintain a serious demeanour, because my happiness could be misunderstood as my callous attitude in the face of such a serious allegation. Though I was sure my chest had increased two sizes; swelled in pride at the task I had accomplished. Nic's eyes showed he had understood the depth of my achievement. After all, true friends – who enjoy the same level of horniness in life, and can find something horny in the most mundane of things – understand the intention behind the other's action.
'I don't know man! I could get lucky, who knows.' I looked at my friend and added with a strange expression, 'But I am more worried than excited.'
'Why are you worried?' Nic asked casually, his mouth full of the big samosa bite he had just taken.
'It's all so weird, don't you think? Suddenly a student offers me help, does all the convincing, and for a mere few thousands, I am living in an entire ground floor of a semi-furnished house in one of Verona's most posh areas!'
'What's weird about it?' I stared at him. How could he miss the point!
'Everything, man! Can't you see?' I shook my head in confusion, placing the tea cup on the table. 'I am sure there's something fishy. Something doesn't add up. The way both of them look at me, that's scary sometimes. The mother and daughter scan me like I am the last man on earth. And the way this girl keeps smiling all the time, I think she is up to something.'
Nic guffawed at my reaction and waved off my worry. He gurgled in pleasure, 'Perhaps both of them are hungry for you.'
'No man. I know when a woman's stare is hungry. With them, there is something strange in the way they look at me. I can understand…' I said thoughtfully, '…Lexi is an immature teenager, so maybe she thinks I am her favourite teacher, and she is smitten or whatever. But why would her mother behave like that?'
'Who is an immature teenager? What was the name you took?' He left his coffee and samosa mid-air.
'Lexi,' I said casually.
'That childish girl from tenth standard?'Nic almost spat that out as an insult.
'How do you know her?'
'I taught her English in eighth standard,'Nic stated. 'Oh! How was she in studies?'
'Pathetic! She wasn't even regular to school, leave aside studying.' 'Ah! Any idea why she was irregular?'
He thought for a while and said, 'Not sure. I think she was unwell. Her class teacher would know better, if you want to know more.'
'That's weird.' I was left even more confused. 'Ella is so… confident, looks efficient and seems like she has a good understanding with her
daughter. How can she allow her daughter to be so messed up? No attendance, failing board exams, not paying attention to studies, and be so reckless as to invite strangers to live in their home...?' My head was spinning with questions.
'Mr Maths teacher! Stop applying your logic to things that don't affect you! Not every problem has a solution,' he put the empty cup on the table and wiped his hands.
'Yeah… you are right,' I nodded grimly and finished off my tea as well.
'I have a bad news.'He said hesitantly and looked at me in the eyes. 'You have been summoned by the School Disciplinary Committee on Saturday. They asked me to convey it to you. I think they have issued a formal letter, but did not have an address they could send it on.' He handed me the summons.
'Bloody pricks! They have already thrown me out of the school premises. Now this… Disciplinary Committee!' I fumed. 'Did someone complain about me?' I looked at Nic, trying to understand who could have backstabbed me like this.
'Not sure… Ananya's parents might have.'