"Issy, I don't want to pressurize you to share me whatever it is that is troubling you, but I'm always a call away if you ever wish to share it someday. You know,its not the end of the world if you ended up pregnant. People who love you and care for you would still be there by your side no matter what. Do remember that,k?", Zeke, ever so kindly told me as he walked me back to my dorms.
I had to fight back my tears on hearing him say that. What was wrong with me, just a few kind words from a friend and I was gonna turn myself into a puddle. I nodded my head and kept on walking ahead in silence.
He came to an abrupt halt and came up in front of me and simply gave me a hug, and that was all I needed to finally let go of all my pent up tears and just sob into his arms. I didn't care if I looked like a mess because I was one. I didn't care about my pride because I realized I had already lost it when I agreed to date Roy as his secret girlfriend,or more like his kept woman.
Zeke didn't need to know the exact situation I was in, but he knew what I needed and I couldn't be more thankful than I was to him.
After sobbing in his embrace far longer than I had intended, I wiggled myself out and looked at his tear stained shirt and winced. "I seem to be becoming an expert at ruining your clothes and getting far too comfortable at embarrassing myself in front of you",I sniffed and offered,"please,let me wash them for you Zeke. I can't keep on ruining your shirts and not even bother to wash them."
"Sure,I'd give it to you, but you can't expect me to walk all the way to my dorm shirtless",he joked. "I have just the perfect solution for that",I said and invited him over to my room. "Here, try this on whether it fits you or not", I gave him the white Polo shirt I had bought for Roy months ago but had not gotten a chance to give.
He raised his eyebrows with a questioning look, and I gave him a brief smile, encouraging him to try it on.
"I bougt it for Roy a couple of months back, but somehow,could never gift it to him and maybe that was for the best as this looks better on you", I tried to joke, despite the pain in my heart knowing that Roy would never have appreciated my gesture anyways.
They say,'even clothes wait for the right owner to pick them and wear them' and it seemed like this shirt was meant just for Zeke,as it fit him perfectly. I took his ruined shirt and flung it into my laundry bag.
"I'll give it back after I've washed it and made it as good as new",I joked. "And I won't accept anything less than that",he added and gave that wide grin which brought out his dimples.
"You're a good guy Zeke,don't let anyone say otherwise",I told him and he smiled. "I'm not all that good Issy, I have my own flaws, but I do try and want to protect the ones I love and care",he said, in a way which made me feel pleased somehow that I was one of the people who he cared about.
"And I need to thank you for the shirt. I'm glad that it didn't end up with Roy", he looked at me with mixed emotions and I couldn't make it out whether he was referring about the shirt or me. "Get a grip on yourself Issy. Why would he be referring about you now", I brushed my thought off and gave him a sincere smile.
"Issy", Gabby and Aurora barged in," Let's head out for lunch,let's ea..", Gabby's words trailed away when she saw Zeke, seated in my room, and looked at me questioningly.
Before I could say anything, he turned to them,"Hi,I'm Zeke, Issy's friend, and you must be Gabby and Aurora. I've heard Issy mention about her two best friends in more than one occassions and I'm more than glad to make your acquaintance", he introduced himself.
"Issy, thank you for the shirt. I'll take my leave now. Please don't hesitate to ring me up anytime,k?",he said to me and turned and gave a nod to the girls," Ladies,it was nice meeting you but I'll take my leave".
Gabby mumbled,"Likewise Zeke, it was a pleasure meeting you. We surely hope to see you soon" and looked at me to mouth the words "You and Zeke?" .
I only shook my head helplessly and mouthed the word ,"No",to my best friend, who might already be planning her bridesmaids dress if I didn't make the situation clear between Zeke and I . She gave me the ,' I don't believe you' look and smiled unabashedly at Zeke,who was now turning to leave.
After Zeke left, Aurora,the sensible one among the two, came to my side,"Were you crying Issy? What happened?",and on seeing that,the playful Gabby quickly came to my side and looked at me with equally concerned look.
I did not deserve these two and I knew I had to tell them the truth, which honestly, I wasn't ready yet, but would I ever be?