.
.
.
Their observations about me were absolutely correct. I avoided interaction and kept to
myself. Tonia, my therapist had encouraged me to
start over in a new environment. But I had no idea it wasn't going to be as
safe as I hoped. I remembered Sylvia and how I
found her lying on the floor looking bruised and battered. When she mentioned
something about guys, I just knew it was as I had suspected.
It scared me to know that if I wasn't careful either, history could repeat itself. As I closed my eyes, my mind was filled with images from the past.
***
Two years ago….
When Ryan and I walked a distance, I realized I was drawing nearer to my street. We’d spent the entire walk, talking and getting to know a bit more about each other.
I couldn't believe that such a guy attended the same school with me yet I’d never
spoken to him before. Our school was populated with a lot of students though so I guess it was normal.
“I bet you’re a smart cookie. Straight A’s student huh.”
He teased. I was slightly embarrassed because it was actually true. There
was no way to deny it so I just played it down a bit.
“Trust me when I say school isn't easy at times.” I
turned to look at him and nearly tripped on a rock as we
passed by a
Store.
“Watch your step.” He said, grabbing my arm in a swift motion.
His grip was very strong and when he let go, I found myself rubbing my arm which hurt.
“Did I hurt you?” He asked, coming closer to look at my arm.
“It’s fine, nothing serious.” I brushed it off.
But later when I got home, I found that that part of my arm was slightly red and throbbed in pain. I lay a cold,
damp cloth on it to relieve the pain and fell asleep with it. When I woke up
the next morning, it had begun to bruise.
I was slipping in and out of consciousness, fighting a battle with sleep. I was tired physically but my mind was still active.
The sound of Stacy’s voice cleared sleep from my eyes.
“Are you sure about this?” She murmured and I
realized she was on the phone.
“John, this is dangerous.” “I know but I’m scared for you.”
“Okay, just be careful. This guy is crazy.”
“I will. Good night.”
I heard her sigh and roll over on her bed. After a few minutes, I fell asleep too.
The next day, campus was buzzing with news
I heard it from Lisa who still insisted that I need to interact with other people more.
The news was that a few students who had skipped out on most of the semester were back on campus.
Lisa told me that she heard they were quite notorious and popular for throwing wild parties, the highly unsupervised kind.
They were seniors who were in 3rd year and upward.
“So, you’re telling me that they skipped out of school just like that?” I asked bewildered. Lisa nodded.
“Yes, just like that.” She repeated.
“I can’t explain it but sometimes it’s like the school authorities fear them.”
She animatedly waved her spoon in the air when suddenly she stopped and stared at something over my shoulder.
“I’ll catch up with you later, okay? I need to talk to someone.” She finished her meal within seconds and left me there, staring at the place she’d been seated just moments ago. A minute later, a voice spoke behind me. “Is this seat taken?” I looked up as the guy
now stood where I could see him. He was of
average height and fair in complexion. I sighed beneath my breath. When I get my hands on Lisa, I’ll-
“Hello there?” He said as he took a step closer.
“Yes?” I responded.
“May I sit here? “I nodded and turned my attention back to my food. I was halfway through with my meal so if I was lucky, I would be out of there in a few minutes. We spent the following moments in silence before he finally spoke.
“What’s your name?”
“Monica.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Yousof.”I nodded again.
“You don’t talk much, do you?” He smiled, starting to seem a bit uncomfortable.
I pitied him, really. He had no idea what he had gotten himself into. I shook my head for ‘No’. “Okay then.”
We didn't exchange another word until I was through with my meal. I got up and slung my bag over one shoulder, not bothering to glance at him once.
I arrived in the hostel about an hour before
Lisa showed up and I was fully prepared to confront her. She walked in and once she saw me, she grinned expectantly.
“So, how did it go Moni?” She dropped her
bag on her bed and pulled off her shoes. “Don’t you think Yousof is nice? ”You really didn't have to do that Lisa.” I crossed my arms across my chest.
“He’s a nice guy.” She shrugged. “It doesn't mean I’m interested in getting to know him.”
“Okay, you need to calm down.” She said. “I’m not saying go and marry him, just wanna help get a friend''.
“I do have friends.”
“Where are they?” She raised an eyebrow.
“That doesn't matter.” I snapped.
The door opened and Stacy stepped in, closely followed by Alison.
“Whoa,” Stacy said. “What’s going on here?”
“Lisa’s trying to set me up.”
“With a guy, is that so bad?” She looked thoroughly confused.
“I’m not interested.”
“Okay, you guys need to calm down and explain.” Alison said.
.
.
.
....