It was a month since the Psychology teacher confessed his feelings with Sweety who put that regard aside by focusing on studies.
The subject of Psychology especially. Coming to go through various books written on Psych by different authors brought her to a decision that she was constantly being experimented by the Faker.
Once Sweety found him lone and took the opportunity to ask. "How did you know I speak to an idol when alone? The doors are always shut when I do that."
Rob was reading a newspaper when he answered her without looking, "You forgot the windows."
"My room is on the top floor so it's a faulty chance for you to get that far from climbing windows and not being seen!" She gritted out her theory. The more he took time in replying the more convinced she was about him lying.
"You forget there are no latches for you to lock the doors." Sweety was left dumbfounded with his knowledge. How the hell did he know?
"Every boy and girl students room has no latches to lock. They can only lock the door from outside."
Oh. So the rule also applied for boys hostel.
"So that's how I could have heard."
"Could have?" Sweety repeated the word like it was alien. "You are not sure how you found out?"
"I'm only giving out options. Of course I won't tell you the actual way I found that. Or you will know my ways!"
"You are a pervert." She snatched the newspaper he positioned in a way to cover his face. "What are you reading so interestingly? I am speaking of an important matter."
"I was checking if my photo appeared in it."
Sweety gave him a look which was so cute he wanted to take a picture. But as he readied the shot she glared at him.
"Click"
"Something is better."
"Why? You thought your psychic teachings turned you into a celebrity.."
"Nah. I was checking if you revealed the authorities of a suspicious migrant living without certificate." The real reason was he was looking for technology companies Tyler had contacts with. There was no saying what that guy would do to get back at him. He took back the device which was so tiny Rob had to work it very cautiously. Else his handling could damage the thing. It's been a month and yet there not a single complaint about the missing stone.
"Going off to lunch this early?" It was fifteen minutes until Lunch hour.
"Maybe. Anywhere but away from you."
Rob shifted in the couch he was seated on, "Am I that threatening?"
The girl was fed up with his impounding questions. "I won't answer you because you take me as an experiment to use and throw as you like."
"Hey," he held her arm bringing her close. Sweety steadily looked straight avoiding his gaze. "I'm not going to throw you. Why do you think I stayed here and not escaped already?"
Sweety felt herself melting under his touch. Tell what not but he had an amazing ability to convince women.
Sweety brought her other hand on his which was holding her right arm, slowly she rubbed his wrist making his hold loose. Freeing her arm she said quietly, "I am just not convinced."
"I didn't tell you to stay back rather it's the opposite."
Sweety was moving out and Rob was struck with the reality that she was a tough chick to crack. He needed to move faster before running out of ideas.
Sweety waved Ria with a smile who was going home for the weekend.
"You're not going home? It's second Saturday and you always go home." Jasmine relayed her observation while flipping through a magazine.
"I decided to spend this month's special Saturday with you guys."
Jasmine scoffed knowingly, "Say it directly you don't like staying home."
Sweety took the adjacent seat on the sofa facing the switches off television. "I don't have a home here. My home is in Mumbai. And if you want to hear direct then- it's a family problem I think you would like to stay away from."
"You sure there is no other reason? It could contain a certain teacher..."
Sweety laughed at that.
"What are you laughing at? I didn't crack a joke." Jasmine was trying focusing on the magazine but her laughter was not helping.
"I suppose there can't be a single talk between us without his mention."
"So? Now you'll laugh."
Sweety chortled a small one again, earning her a daring look from her peer. "I'm done feeling bad now it only sounds stupid. That's why I'm laughing."
Jasmine didn't like her words not getting to Sweety's nerves like it used to. Other than fuming about it she had no other alternative. In haste, Jasmine switched on the TV which was playing Maid in Manhattan.
"What're you doing? We are not allowed to watch TV without her permission!" Sweety reminded the blockhead but the girl lived up to the name.
"I don't fear that old spinster."
Sweety rolled her eyes, "Turn it off- Give me the remote!" She tried snatching it from Jasmine but the latter saw it coming and dragged it away. Soon the sofas and couches were filled with excited girls of their class including curious seniors.
"Warden Mam allowed you to watch TV?" Sweety didn't dare acknowledge the question. As for Jasmine, she was giving all her attention to the television.
"Maybe she turned it on for us. Come, join us." A peer from Sweety's class invited the seniors. Sweety came up with alternatives to escape this situation.
"No one leaves their places. Warden Mam's instructions!" Jasmine smugly announced for Sweety who had planned on excusing herself.
"I want to go to bathroom." Sweety got up from her seat to do that.
"In that case go and take Warden's permission." Sweety turned back to the vicious girl who she thought she could handle. Jasmine shrugged, "Isn't that correct girls? We don't want to hear scolding because of your mistake."
"You're right."
"Yeah, just go and tell her."
Prompted replies one after other made Sweety to expose the liar. "Warden Mam gave no permission. Jasmine turned on the TV on her own accord."
"What?!"
"That's a lie!" Jasmine sounded offended.
"Oh yeah? Come on then, let's ask her." Jasmine opened her mouth to contradict but Sweety beat her to that, "Shut up. You and your lies will get us in a position we won't be able to come out from." She then turned to others, "Do you want an invitation to return to your rooms?"
Everyone was stumped sighting a different side of Sweety which actually made them listen to.
With a last glare at Jasmine, Sweety marched to her room closing the door in the process. Seeing that, Kirell and her friends left the hall as well who were well perched near the television.
"That sucker," muttered Jasmine.
"Can't believe you could have gotten us punished!" One of them spat at her.
"You all are suckers!" Jasmine yelled at them.
"Warden Mam is coming upstairs!" Someone took the remote from Jasmine and turned off the device. In time, they acted normal when Warden roamed her eyes around. After she left inside her room did the girls relax.
"If not for Sweety, we would have been in trouble."
"What is wrong with you all? You are my friends or Sweety's?"
Flora who was closest to her whispered some sense, "Have you forgotten we possess mobile phones illegally with us? And you want to get on the bad side of Warden?"
Being reminded of that, Jasmine's anger simmered down with nothing too hopeful as a result.
"If she had caught us watching TV without her permission, she might have become angry and it could lead to checking."
"Yeah, I got it!" Jasmine told them to keep it shut before disappearing in her room.
Sweety resumed her tasks as she did. In silence and small smiles to passersby. But since that evening she found friendly talks coming her way. And her evening smiles continued till night.
Yet her happiness was short lived when phone call arrived from family.
"Sweety, there is a news. Tessa is being sent to hostel."