"If you observe the backgrounds of half of our classroom, you'll find their dads engaged in political environments. Dean Diana's son is Pari's boyfriend."
"What?!" Sweety didn't know that. "Dean has a son?"
"Yup. He's studying medical. Pari has a chosen group of girls to do her work. You were the latest one."
"W-What does that mean?"
"When you entered her room did you feel something amiss? The room gave out some sounds?"
Sweety recollected her time in their room. "I don't about sound but I felt being watched. Especially with the windows kept open and curtains uncovered."
"Her room is video cammed."
Sweety squinted her eyebrows. "Be more clear, please."
"Her room is always watched by her boyfriend. And the open windows must be for a signal clarity."
"Eww.."
"I know. She would never let anyone enter her room. That's why Simran carries her clothes in bathrooms unlike us who use bathrobes after shower."
If there were cameras in her room which Pari willingly adhered to then she must be showing her nakedness outrightly.
"God, these despos go to any extent for desires." Sweety felt as if she was exposed now since she entered her room.
"But I entered her room and she must have recorded me holding the phone. She could use it against me!" Damn.
"Chill. At least you didn't call anyone. Right?"
"I didn't call. Just made an excuse and left." Sweety was lucky to have listened her instincts.
"Then nothing will happen to you. It would seem they were manipulating you to keep your mouth shut. Also, Pari being Joe's girlfriend would favour your case."
Sweety sighed in relief for now.
"I'm not entering anyone's room now onwards."
"Why do you need a call?" Kirell asked the main reason.
"My sister is transferred in a hostel and I was not even informed. I mean, Papa hinted on that but I didn't know he was actually going to do it this soon!" She further said, "Even this holiday he didn't say anything and now... She could be alone. I am unable to do anything."
"That's why you wanted to speak with her?"
Sweety positively nodded.
"I'll try and arrange something for you."
"Thanks." Sweety smiled.
She went to her own bed to prepare for the night. Having lied on her back staring the ceiling she was thinking about Tessa.
"Oh yes! Why don't you ask Mr. Wilson? Surely he won't mind you do one call." Kirell offered. If only she could see the indifferent face of Sweety she wouldn't have gone ahead. "He won't say you no. He likes you too, doesn't he? Why not just try?"
Sweety's roommate was expectantly waiting for her answer.
"We'll see."
"That's it? You have nothing more to say? I thought there was nothing between you both." Kirell made an expression which was ready to change if she said otherwise.
"He is the only reason why I don't want to take help."
Blocks away Rob was hearing since the very start. If he had not planted doubt in Sweety's head, she would have gone through the phone call. And now she is telling she didn't want his help. Fine! Whatever! He discarded the earphones on study table.
"I do everything for her and all she does is insult me." In a bad mood he willed himself to sleep even though his ears were itching to know what she said next.
"I wanted to do a phone call. I know it. Simran and Pari know it and now you." Sweety was explaining with her legs folded and facing her roommate's bed. "Yet, he comes to me and gives these clues to use his help! Am I that readable to know I want help?"
Kirell opened her mouth then closed it.
"Say it!" Sweety insisted.
"I don't know what to say."
"You were about to say something just now!"
"I was going to say the same thing."
Sweety narrowed her eyes at her roomie. That curly head was surely cooking something which Sweety didn't know.
"Goodnight." Kirell escaped to sleep, effectively hiding her face behind the study table.
In the morning around 11 am Sweety has reached the Admin's office.
"Good morning Mam," she greeted a woman seated behind the table. The woman was dressed so classy which was apart from other women's attire; it was an intimidating one.
"What do you want?" She gave a blink looking up then returned to her monitor.
"I wanted to call my family. It's an emergency." She hoped it did the work.
"This is Admin's office not a phone booth."
Sweety remembered Rob said the Admin's office. But here the lady was adamant on not letting her use the three sets of telephones lined one after another.
"If.. If I want to speak urgently with my family what should I do?" She threw the question on the lady.
"Wait for calls from them. Go to your class, I have work to do."
Eyeing the rude woman, Sweety dejectedly exited the office.
"I don't understand. He said to come here. Is there another Admin's office?" She asked to herself wondering what to do next.
Go and talk to him directly.
No. I don't want any favours from him!
But speaking to Tessa is more important than my wants.
By a twist of fate, Sweety could not find Rob. Not in classroom or teachers cabin, nor in basketball court. Not even in hidden corners of library! The only place left was his room. She tapped her foot continuously while thinking what to do about that.
Sweety hadn't passed a set of corridor when the backpack she carried went out of control. Almost landing on her behind, she was toppled up by her waist until panicked eyes met the man's holding her.
"Why do we always end up in this position?" Sweety questioned in an irate tone though her heart felt warm and fast.
"Maybe because we like it this way." He answered meeting her eyes. When those eyes went down to her lips, Sweety shifted under his hold.
"I don't." She calmed her heart down but the feels from her body were still there.
Separating themselves, Sweety initiated, "You said you'll help me with phone call."
Rob pretended to recall, "I don't remember saying that."
"You didn't say it directly," she mentioned.
"Oh? So you have learnt to read between the lines?" Rob naughtily played with her.
Sweety merely stared at the man. "Phone." Her hand confidently outstretched for directing him to hand it already!
He passed his device with a smile, as unnerving as it seemed she didn't want to waste more of her time.
"Ramona, hi. It's me!"
Ramona was the closest guardian for Tessa since she taught in the same school where Tessa was currently shifted to.
"Sweety? Is that you? Where from are you calling?"
"A... friend's parent allowed me to call." Rob raised his brows in applaudable surprise. Blushing at his outrightness she turned her face from the standing distraction.
"Um, I needed a favour from you."
"Yeah, What is it?"
"Let me speak with Tessa for a minute." Sweety pleaded her cousin sister to listen to her request.
"This isn't the right time..."
"Just call her from her class as an emergency," Sweety suggested.
Upon countless pushes, Ramona agreed for the side job.
Rob made the tingsy Sweety sit on a chair who appreciated the gesture while waiting for Tessa on call.
"Hello?" A rasped voice flooded her ears.
"Tess. How are you?"
Rob intended to let them have some privacy. When he closed the door on his way out, he found Sweety's friend Meer lurking near the admin quarters.
Planning on ignoring him, Rob took few steps away from the classroom Sweety was in. Enough to keep an eye so that she wont be disturbed.
"Mr. Wilson! I didn't know you were here too."
Rob turned slightly to his direction as if he had better things to do than waste time with this boy.
"What're you doing here? Don't you have a class?" He pocketed his hands, checking his watch in between like he was waiting for someone or something.
Meer answered, "I was looking for my friend."
"Oh."
Neither took opportunity to further their conversation until Sweety erupted from the door behind their back. The men turned together to view her.
She had a serene face on observation. Rob worried what had transpired between them. He would have listened through the earphones but the presence of Meer beside him was a hurdle.
"There you are! I had been waiting for you- Are you okay?" Meer asked concerned.
Rob silently glared at the boy who arrived between them taking the credit of being a 'concerned' friend.
Sweety gave a small nod. "I'll see you back in classroom." She said, indicating Meer to leave.
He did and Rob waited for the girl to volunteer.
"Thank you." Sweety walked close to him with her folded hands in front. She peeped the phone out for him to take.
From the way she treaded away unconsciously, Rob suspected it wasn't good news. He decided following her pace in a small distance until she suddenly stopped walking and turned to him.
"Do you have anything for me to be wasted?"