At 3 pm, I got done with my classes and caught up with Zeke to go to the library to discuss our project. As we headed to the library, I saw a glimpse of Roy, with some red head, who seemed vaguely familiar. I tried recalling where I had seen her,but I just couldn't seem to recall so I left it at that.
Zeke and I reached the library and started cross checking each other's portion of the project and tried rehearsing our presentation. He was tall, lean and looked quite handsome in his tees and denims. What attracted my attention was his eyes. He had the most beautiful gray eyes I had ever seen. I had never noticed it and somehow, I was drawn to it when he was trying to explain to me why he thought I needed to incorporate more slides into my part of the presentation.
I was caught staring at him, and he coughed out softly to bring my attention back to focus on our project. I was embarassed and started blushing furiously,"Umm, I didn't mean t-to stare Zeke", I blurted out and added quickly,"S-sorry..I just thought you have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen".He seemed quite amused at my actions and replied,"Thanks Issy,I never knew that I had the 'most beautiful' eyes",air quoting the 'most beautiful' part. "Now,shall we get back to our project now?",he said,ever the serious geek like he was. "Mm,okay",I gave a quick reply and looked everywhere but his eyes to focus on our presentation.
Around 6pm,we were done with our practice,and were the last ones to leave the library. The librarian almost shooed us away and we thanked him for allowing us to stay a few extra time beyond library hours, as we made our way out.
"Wow, that went well. I just hope I don't screw up at the time of our actual presentation",I quipped to ease the silence between us. He seemed to be considering something and was jolted back by my words. "You won't. You're smart and better than you give yourself credit", he smiled at me and added,"Do you mind grabbing a quick snack at the cafe outside?I'm hungry and you might be as well". "Yeah,sure, but only if I pay for it",I smiled back. "Hey,not fair. I was the one to suggest it and its only right if I pay for it",he feigned displeasure.I laughed at his childish antics and replied,"I beat you to saying it out loud,so I pay".
"How about I take you out for dinner sometime after our presentation?",he asked me. I thought it was no big deal, other than two project partners hanging out for a celebration on our successful collaboration so I agreed to him. I thought I saw a glint of excitement in his eyes, but brushed it off,cause Zeke wasn't that type of guy to want to be excited about going on a dinner with me.
We reached the cafe and placed our orders. I was amazed at how hungry I was when I saw the food and my stomach,just in time,gave a loud growl.
"Umm,turns out,I was indeed hungry",I joked to hide my embarrassment. Zeke only laughed and passed me the chicken nuggets and the barbecued sausage rolls. "Try this tempura prawns as well,its to die for with the dip. I actually like it here with the lemon myrtle salt dip",he said,passing me the prawns. I tried it and the taste of it was mind blowing.
"I never knew you were a foodie as well Zeke",I told him between the bites. It was really yum. It was a wonder I never came to this cafe before now. Roy and I hardly went to eat out, it was always rush to the motels for his quick fix. I wondered,not for the first time, if Roy just said things I wanted to hear to get what he wanted from me,free sex. But I brushed the thought off thinking he could get that from anyone,but just the thought of it brought back the hurt.
Zeke noticed my melancholic expression and said,"Food connects people and no matter who you are, you still would need to eat food. So,I like food".
He paused and looked at my blank expression,I mean,I knew Zeke was a nerd,a geek but I didn't know what he was trying to mean by saying those things so I just gave him a smile. "Thank you for the smile,else I didn't know what rubbish I would spout more to coax out that pretty smile of yours",he said and returned my smile with a huge grin, which brought out his dimples.
Once we were done with the snacks, we asked the waiter to pack the left overs.
It surprised me that he shared my views on wastage of food and after paying,we left for our dorms.
He was gentleman enough to drop me to my dorms and insisted I keep the packed food to which I obliged, thinking it would be good enough for post dinner snacks later.
He left for his own dorm and only then did I recalled where I had seen the red head.It was Alyssa.