The Seeing me standing still, Tanushree's smile disappeared for a while. She looked at me in surprise. Then she showed me the seat and said,
'Why You are standing! Sit, and talk.'
'Yes... thank you.'
I took the former seat. Tanushree and Mr. Shekhar looked at each other and made some gestures. I failed to understand. A servant served us with tea. Tanushree stood up and leaned towards the T-table. She picked up a cup of tea and handed it to Mr. Shekhar. The second cup was extended to me. I looked at her. She smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear.
She is prettier now than in high school. How does it rule? The beauty of the former increases comparatively after our separation. Is it natural? Or because of heartbreak? Or do she use beauty products to regret it? Am I handsome?
Later it seemed that my heart was not broken and I had no feelings for her. Thinking of these things I felt the touch of something hot on my lips and tongue. I returned from the realm of my thoughts. I realized I had taken a careless sip of the hot tea. I immediately put the cup on the table.
'Are you alright, Dominic?'
I looked up at the feminine voice. Tanushree came towards me. Her voice and expression revealed confusion. As was evident in high school. Or so my mind thought and took.
I moved away and replied,
'I'm fine. Thank you.'
Mr. Shekhar frowned and looked at me. Then he expressed in a serious voice,
'He can bear this much, Tanu. He is male. You don't have to worry so much.'
'Mr. Shekhar is right.'
Then there was a strange silence among the three. Mr. Shekhar is drinking tea loudly. Which was very annoying to me. He looked at me when the colored liquid in the tea cup was finished.
Mr. Shekhar asked me, 'Tell me now, Dominic. You are already known. Do you have any objection to be involved in an agreement to take care of Tanu while continuing your college and studies?'
I did not reply immediately. I took some time. I am still confused. What should I do? I looked at Mr. Shekhar. He looks at my face waiting for my answer. My gaze shifted to Tanushree. She is eagerly looking at my face. If accepted for this job, my future is likely to be bright. I will definitely not be hired as Tanushree's bodyguard for the rest of my life. I heaved a sigh. I looked into Mr. Shekhar's eyes and replied,
'Yes. I have no objection. I agree to be engaged as Tansi's bodyguard.'
'Dominic!' I heard Tanushree's voice and looked at her. She is bored. 'It's Tanushree, not Tansi.'
Tanushree and Mr. Shekhar laughed at the end of the presentation. I also smiled.
Tanushree and I approached the main gate. It's night. A fair of stars in the sky. There is also a crescent moon. Gentle cool breeze. We are walking together. We are both silent. Soon it was time for me to leave. I looked at Tanushree.
'Tanu, for what happened in high school…,' Tanushree interrupted me.
' Thank you, Dominic. To agree to the job. I have full faith in you.'
Tanushree smiled and told me. I was amazed at her usage. Is she not harboring any anger towards me? I could not answer.
' See you tomorrow. Good night.'
'Good night, Tanu.'
I started walking on my way. Is Tanushree still standing in the same place? Is she watching me leave? I don't know. But I want to know. This is happening out of guilt. I regret our past.
"Dominic."
I heard Tanushree's scream and looked back. She ran towards me. I stopped at his steps. Because she came running very close to me. She put her face close to my ear and whispered,
' Welcome to my world, Dominic. You can't even imagine how it ends.'
Tanushree did not wait. Her departure took place. But I was forced to stand like a statue. The same sentence, the same words I uttered. I whispered the same to Tanushree, in the same manner. So is it going to be her revenge?
---
'Hey, Adam.'
I was sitting in the school premises and chatting with my friends. I looked back at Alice's call. Alice, one of my favorites. I like her. I've crush on her. Most boys like her. Because she is beautiful. But she likes Adam.
I looked at Alice and smiled a little. She approached us. She then smiled at Adam. I was jealous.
'There's a new girl on campus,' Alice told us.
Adam asked in response, 'Well, Junior?'
'Yes, Junior.' Alice replied. 'Probably Asian.'
My other friend Liam laughed and said, 'Great! Now you can enjoy a little.'
The others laughed along with him. I laughed too. As long as Alice is around me, I keep quiet and watch her. She ignores it, avoids it. And that's normal. Yet I act shamelessly.
Adam glanced at me in mid-conversation. I realized he was going to do something by me. Something that would delight my entire circle of friends.
Adam chuckled and reminded me, 'Dominic, one of your dares remains incomplete. Do you remember?'
I guessed and asked him, 'Are you going to have a dare with an Asian girl?'
'No doubt so,' said Tom, making a strange noise.
They don't have to say anything in full detail. Because I know all about it. For a moment, my mind refused to do so. But if I lose in this task, they will make fun of me and make comments. Which will hurt my ego. And that would be extremely humiliating for me. So, I have to fulfill this dare at any cost.
TO BE CONTINUE …