I trudged like a zombie as I walk towards the elevator that was to take me home. Currently, my mind is Still on the thoughts of the pictures Dozzy just showed me.
This can't be true.
I tug my hair in frustration as tears streamed down my eyes. I felt like my world has finally come to an end.
How can I explain this to anyone who cares to listen? How can I tell them those pictures were photoshopped without acting as if I'm trying to defend myself?
How can I sincerely tell them the truth without sounding like a liar?
It's just not possible at all.
"Osy!" Dozzy called after me, but I ignored him. It's only but a little time before he decides to join the others in pointing accusing fingers at me.
It really won't be long before he does that.
"Osy, wait." Carrying our office bags, he caught up with me. "Jeez, man, you need to come out of your head. Trust me, all this will be over. You don't have to worry about anyone. Right now, all you have to worry about is how to bring those photos down."
"How? Tell me Doz, how can I forget others when thinking about that? Those pictures weren't only sent to us, it was sent to the entire people in this building!"
I tug my hair in frustration as I thought about the possibility of the pictures getting to the Boss's phone. Others might have kept quiet about it, but the boss isn't one to keep quiet in a situation like this.
He'll be sure to rub everything in my face should he find out about this.
God!
I wanted to howl my frustration to the world, but I kept it in check.
"We'll take it one day at a time, Osy. We need to find a way to take those pictures down, and thereafter, we start tracking the IP of the uploaders. Don't worry, I must bring everything to the limelight, and prove you're not the one in those pictures."
"But those are my faces there, Doz. How can you talk of proving anything when my photos are there for anyone who cares to check on them?"
I know the pictures were photoshopped, but will anyone believe me? Will they believe I'm not the one posing for the pictures?
" Time can only tell, Doz. You need to walk with your chin up and ignore the looks. It won't last for long.
Before the end of the week, they'll be sure to forget it after another scandalous thing makes an appearance.
You don't have to worry about them."
" How? How can you tell those pictures weren't mine? What if I'm the one in those pictures, and you're fighting for me? Aren't you Afraid of fighting a lost cause?" I turn to him in question.
This time, I made sure to lock my eyes with him. This is the only way for me to know whether he's telling the truth or not.
After all, your eyes never lie.
He smirked at my question, "I'm a computer student, in case you've forgotten."
"You're studying the computer?" I raised a brow, "I thought—"
"I changed course when Bin left. I figured it was time to do what I love, and not what I had to. "
" I see." I nod at his words.
"It wasn't really difficult to know those photos were photoshopped. The colour of skin in all of them is different from your skin colour." He took my hand in his, and turned it," on one of those pictures, one of the males they photoshopped your face into has forceful hands, but yours looks soft."
I hastily remove my hand from his," and you dare call my hand soft?" I frown at him.
" I'm sorry if that touched you, but joking apart, your hands seems as soft as Bin's."
" Let's go." I turn to the elevator.
" Bin wouldn't have judged you without knowing the truth of the matter. I know my brother. He's not one to judge a book by its cover.
He'll never judge you."
I hope what he said is true.
Among everyone in the entire world, Bin is the only one whose judgement matters to me.
I can walk through a sharp knife without feeling hurt if Bin is by my side.
*
*
Dozzy helped me prepare dinner before he left. "I'll check on you in the morning. You better take your meal and have enough rest." He instructs like a mother whose child is down with the flu.
"I'll do that," I roll my eyes at him.
It's hilarious having someone I'm far older than instruct me on what I'm to do, and what I'm not to do.
"You better do as I asked. I'll be here to check on you in the morning. I better see these plates empty and devoid of food."
"You don't have to be here in the morning. I can take care of myself just fine." I stand on the cushion I'm sitting on and walked towards the door.
" I don't care what you say, or how you attempt to get yourself out of this, but I'll be here to check on you in the morning. It's not up for some debate."
" Alright, mom, I'll be sure to wait for your coming." I roll my eyes at him.
" Don't take that tone with me, young man!" He darkly frowned at me.
"Sorry, mom," I smile at him.
"You smiled? I made you smile? Oh my gosh, you smiled?" Doz whooped," finally I got him to smile."
He blew a kiss at me before leaving
" Have a safe trip!" I called out to him, ask waved a little.
"I will. You don't have to worry about anything," he called out to me.
" Okay. Call me when you arrive."
" I will."
I lock the door after that and leaned on the door.
Dozzy's presence made me not think about the problem at hand, but with him gone, the thoughts came back with a vengeance.
More like a tornado.