"Oh, she was touching my lips with hers." He replied, taking another bite. Which immediately choke Alex. Thank God the sip was already down his throat. Otherwise he would have to clean the carpet too.
Why did you do that?" Alex asked with widened eyes. "You cheated on her."
"I didn't," Mike rebuked. "We were in public alright, and we didn't even go to that stage."
"Oh my God, Mike. Shut up. But why did you kiss her then." He asked with curiosity.
"Well, she asked me an easy way to burn some fat off her face pretty fast as her face isn't chiselled enough. So, I joked that kissing burns calories and fat on the cheeks. It was only a joke okay." Mike said scratching the back of his head and looking around awkwardly.
"Then," Alex asked, taking more bites of his leftover noodles. Man, it tastes bland, but his interesting story was bringing the spice in it.
"Then she smirked and said she wanted to try that method and why did not I help her." Mike said, taking a big sip of his drink.
"And you did?" Alex asked in disbelief,
"Of course, my boss has said that a good gym instructor will help his clients in every exercise they will ask for. Otherwise, we will not get our Christmas bonus." He said shrugging his shoulders and finishing his meal.
"Can you sound any more righteous? So now she is your girlfriend. Why?" He asked to take the last bite of his food also.
"What can I say she felt good, Mia already left so I was single also, and just then Lily asked herself to be his boyfriend. Like a good boy, I can't deny and break her heart. It was a good deal all in all" he said putting the plates in the sink. "I cooked so you will clean them."
"Yeah, sure." Alex said walking towards the sink. "Have you ever thought about love Mike?" He asked, washing the pan and plates.
"Whoa, man, I am just twenty-three. It has a long way to go." He said putting his hand on the packet and bringing a not out. "Apartment committee is organising a Christmas program, they have asked for 60$ from each apartment. Here this is the notice." He said, giving the note to him when he wiped his hands with a towel.
"Another bill, man I am tired of these bills can't I get a cheque now. I already have to pay for a lot of expenditures. I even applied to work for these holidays even when Anna is coming. I wanted to give her a new dress. It's been a while since I have brought any new clothes for her." He said running a head on his hairs and kicking the nearby chair.
"Says the man who is wearing an almost faded shirt which is looking white instead of blue," Mike said pointing at his clothes.
To which he just shook his head and sat on the chair letting his head fall with a bang.
"Then why don't you try to earn through other methods," Mike said taking the other chair
"Like," he asked in a disappointing tone. He was more disappointed that he won't be able to give his sister new clothes rather than for himself.
Mike looked at his friend, once a bubbly and smiling boy had turned into a sad and gloomy man. His dark circles were the proof of his sleepless nights so as his tired body.
"Why don't you try for a paying guest? " he said, picking up the cushion which fell from his kick.
"You are forgetting I live in one bhk. I don't have a spare room." He said, raising his head in confusion.
"Well, you can tell them you are looking for a roommate. Sharing a room with a boy is not going to affect you. Since you hardly be at home.
And if they deny you can sleep here on the sofa. Where you already sleep by the way. When was the last time you went to sleep in the room? " he asked, flicking his forehead.
"Hmmm, your idea is good. But what about Anna?" He asked, furrowing his brows.
"Oh please, she comes only twice a month for only Sunday. That means just two days a month. She can adjust here in the hall. but if you are uncomfortable with it. She can have a sleepover at Amanda, her friend living next door. It won't be a big deal. She is also welcome at my home. I am also like her big brother." Mike replied standing up. "Think over it. Okay, it's late I am going man, good night."
"Hmm, good night Mike." Alex said standing up and closing the door.
"Well looks like a good idea." Alex mumbled laying back on the sofa and falling asleep within seconds.
Next day a phone call woke him up, without opening his eyes. He moved his hands to find the phone and picked up. "Hello," he said, still in deep sleep.
"Good morning brother Alex. Are you still sleeping?"
"Hey Anna, good morning, yeah just waking up. What time is it?" He said taking a yawn and shuffling on the sofa.
"Oh, it's already 8. I thought you have a shift at 8:30."
"What" he instantly sat on the sofa and lol at the alarm clock on the side table. He forgot to put it on. He hit it on his head and a thump sounded.
"It's ok you still have time. Go get ready. I will call you later." She was about to call when he shouted.
"No, don't do that, I will put the phone on speaker. You hardly call me these days." He said waking up and rinsing his face on the sink and starting shower.
"Oh, I called you to tell you. I won't come home before Christmas. We have winter exams before break and..." She stuttered "and I miss you"
He wore clothes in a hurry and replied "you need fees after exams, right?" He knows this hesitation very well.
But it's not like she was asking money to waste. She hadn't asked for a single thing girls use from the past 5 years.
She took a deep sigh and replied yes in a barely audible voice. She felt she was too burdensome on her brother.