AYU

“So basically it was a brief fling or casual. Ye rishta kya kehlata hai? (What would you name your bond)?” Asked Ashima.

“I don't know, I don't care about labels," I mumbled. Yesterday, I was forced by my friends to tell the embarrassing tale of what used to be my secret affair with Jamie. Okay, that was exaggerating it. I sighed for the third time. How did things end up like this? Telling them about those days was like playing a dirty movie in my mind. I could remember nearly everything and that incident yesterday… No, Ayu, stop thinking about it. 

“Oh, my! Your face tells me you just thought of something... erotic." Teased Lynda.

"Shut up, Lynda! Otherwise, I won't do your hair." I said, combing her hair, and pulled a strand, making her groan.

"Alright, fine."

"You know I'm not surprised about Jamie since guys are like that. But you surprised me. I've known you for a while, Ayu. A few guys asked you out last year, even that Namit. If only he would have asked me out instead! My point is, you never play around with guys for fun. So, what was so special about Jamie?" Ashima asked, getting curious.

Yeah, what was so special about him? I stopped tying up Lynda's hair, lost in thought. "I guess he's an exceptional case. I mean, I knew what I was getting into and tried to keep my distance, but there was something about him I couldn't resist. I hate to admit it, but he was that attractive to me, that jerk. It's just hormones," I admitted. Besides Martha, I never told anyone else about Jamie and me. It felt kind of awkward discussing it now.

"Whoa, that's shocking! You just changed my mental image of you." Ashima chuckled.

"No way! You must think of me as a playgirl or something. I shouldn't have told you all this in the first place." I pouted.

"No, not that way. But, I feel sorry for you two. It must be hard controlling your hormones in front of him. You two even stayed out of touch for a while.”  She said sympathetically.

"That’s exactly why we did that, and look, it's perfectly normal now. I don't feel discomfort or attracted to him like before. We're actually good friends now so it's cool." I reassured them.

"Have you thought about what would have happened if you never left him?" Lynda asked. 

"Hmm... I think there would come a time when we would have eventually worn ourselves out and gotten bored of each other. That would have been worse. I don't regret what I've done because I got to be with Alex in the end." I concluded.

"So, is Alex really the one for you?" Ashima asked, curious.

"I guess so. Here, done." I said, after putting the clips in Lynda's hair. She looked better with the new hairstyle.

"See, you can look cute if you want to." Ashima complimented her.

"Thanks." Lynda blushed slightly and we laughed.

.

Later that evening

"Ayu, your phone is ringing. Shall I tell them to call you later?" Martha said, knocking on my bathroom door. I turned off the water.

"Give me the phone." I ordered as I slid my hand outside the door. It must be Alex. She gave me the phone and I picked up the call without looking at the caller's name.

"How long does it take you to call me, huh? I was waiting for you." I demanded.

"Sorry to disappoint you, Alexandria's girlfriend, it's me." Jamie said, stating the obvious. I let out a frustrated groan. 

"Yes, I'm disappointed. Um, could you wait a moment?" I said. He replied 'yes' and I placed my phone aside. I dried my body with my towel and put on my red night clothes. I picked up the call after reaching my balcony.

"What were you doing anyway?"

"Well, excuse me for the long wait, but I had just finished bathing so obviously, I was wearing my clothes." I blurted out in annoyance, only to realize what I said.

"Shit, I was too late." Jamie said, sounding disheartened.

"Late for what?" 

"Late for sneaking inside your bathroom. Man, what a fantastic view would that be." He said dreamingly.

"Jamie!" I said through my gritted teeth.

"What I am saying is, I would have gotten to see how your hostel's bathroom really is. The design and the shape of the tiles, the smoothness of the floor, things like that." He replied innocently. Was there a double meaning behind that?

"I wish you were here because then I could kill you with every ounce of my anger I'm feeling right now."

"That's what houses are for, sweetheart. To save from wannabe killers like you." He chuckled and my face twitched a bit. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't be angry with this man long enough.

"Seriously, Jamie, do you really have to start flirting with me every time we talk?" I said in a tired voice.

"You know you like it."

"Cocky as ever. Why did you call me anyway? Perhaps you've got nothing better to do." 

"Wow, you're actually right. I'm getting bored as hell over here. Unlike my hometown, I can't spend the night in my friend's house,." He sighed. Living alone in an apartment must be lonesome, especially for a guy like him.

"Oh, I forgot to ask. How did your interrogation go?" Jamie asked, asking about my conversation with the girls this morning. We talked about the same for a while until Martha called me to have dinner. 

"Coming right away." I shouted back at her. “Gotta go. Good night, Jamie.”

"Goodnight and well, sorry to disturb you unnecessarily." Jamie said softly. I was about to say no problem and end the call when Martha suddenly stood beside me and snatched my phone. “Martha!”

“Don't mind me, babes... So, you're Jamie! The infamous Jamie. I finally got a chance to talk to you." Martha said, her tone flirtatious. Getting curious, I connected an earphone to my phone and put one in her ear and another in mine.

"And I got to talk to you, Martha. Hi, there." He replied in a husky voice.

"Hi. I've heard a lot about you. Anyway, I'm gonna be very straight with you. Is that okay?" She asked. 

"Geez, what are you planning, Martha?" I whispered, alarmed but she ignored me.

"Yeah, fine by me. Go on." Jamie said.

"I heard that you're single. I find your voice really sexy and I've seen your photos, plus you're smart. So, if you don't mind, will you try going out with me?" Martha spoke as if reading a passage from a book. I couldn't get her sometimes. She wad always like this; moody and unpredictable.

"No, I won't. Yet." He added. "But, I would be happy to meet you, if you want, and then give my final answer."

"I see. So, you're not easily available." Martha stated.

"No, I'm not. I only date girls I really like. It would be no fun if I went out with every pretty girl I know. I simply rejected you because I don't know you." He explained. 

"What about Sarah?" I blurted out.

"So you're on the line, too. Yes, Sarah asked me out first, and I didn't reject her because I liked her, too. But then, you came and I told her to give me some time because I didn't want to do things half-heartedly. By the way, why are you asking me this? You don't think I was fooling around with her, do you?"

"Uh, no, not at all." I stuttered.

"I'll deal with you later. So, Martha what exactly did you hear about me from your friend?" He inquired, his voice sounding serious. Uh-oh! I think someone is getting annoyed.

"Oh, nothing that worrying I swear." She giggled and I heard him sigh. After that, the three of us talked for a while, with Martha teasing the both of us while also suggesting Jamie to go on a date with her. She wasn't being serious though and even Jamie knew that. In the midst, I missed a call from Alex, but we were having too much fun, so I decided to call him later.

Afterwards.

"I saw your missed calls. Sorry, I was kind of occupied. I did call you before, but your phone was busy. Who were you talking to?" Alex inquired after I called him back.

"Oh, I was talking to Jamie earlier. Martha joined in too, later on." I answered cheerfully.

"I see," He said and there was a short silence.

"And you were occupied with what exactly?" I asked back.

"Nothing serious, just the usual. So, how was your day, ma'am?"

Alex usually did that and I didn't like it. I know he wasn't cheating behind my back but he hardly share his problems with me. He thought it was a waste of time and that it wasn't my business. I didn't inquire further and just talked to him, like always. He didn't seem his usual self, so we didn't talk for long. We had been together for a while now then why couldn't he share his problems with me. Didn't he trust me?

                                                                JAMIE

I had just finished attending my classes when Ayu requested me and Zen to meet her in the canteen. She didn't tell us why, though. When we came, I saw Ashima and Lynda as well. That was no surprise either but it became one when Ayu showed up with her boyfriend. What's more, he approached me first.

"Hey, bro! Long time no see. How is it going?" He asked and we shook hands.

"Just the usual. College and classes." I replied.

We all settled down and talked. Alex told that us he wanted to visit Ayu’s college and get to know her friends he heard so much about. 

"There's one more reason, actually," He said, and faced me. "Sorry for my rude comment last time. Please don't take it seriously, okay?"

"No problem, man. It was my fault too, for making fun like that. I apologize." I put a smile. Still, I wondered what made him visit her college and apologize to me out of the blue. Ayu might have told so. 

"I'm so glad you came here. And you even made up with Jamie!" Ayu said while clinging to his arm, blissfully.

"I did it all for you, dear. Alright, that's settles it, then. What will you guys prefer?" He started looking over the menu. At first, we were reluctant but eventually gave him our requests and he went over to the counter.

"What's up with him? He is being super nice today." Ashima asked Ayu, almost as if it weirded her out. Guess I wasn't the only one.

"I know right! I’m surprised as well. He just called me, saying he's at my college and told me to call my friends. He especially mentioned your name, Jamie. Isn't that great?" She said, facing me. I nodded. Well, I was glad we made up over a minor matter, but there was nothing great about it. She looked so happy, that stupid girl.

We started to eat, taking our time to get along with him.

"So, Jamie, how is your girlfriend doing?" Alex asked, ever-so-politely. Seriously, he was starting to creep me out with his jolly mood.

"Actually, we broke up this summer."

"Ah, what a bummer! She was such a nice girl, too. No worries, better luck next time." He assured.

"Can you tell us something different about Ayu? Something that we don't know yet." Ashima changed the topic and winked at Ayu.

"Interesting question. I just wanna tell you guys that— She's the type of girl every guy craves for." Alex said, suddenly draping his arm around her, pulling her close... very close. My eyes instantly moved over to where exactly he was touching her. It was as if he caught me as his gaze shot straight at me and my eyes widened. "She looks out for me like no one else. I don't mean she's perfect. We do argue a lot sometimes, but I know just how lucky I am to have her by my side, and no-one-else." He finished, emphasizing the last words, and planted a kiss on her cheek, making her blush furiously. I averted my gaze, looking over to the empty spot on my left.

What the hell?

It was as if something sucked the air out of the room, making it difficult for me to breathe. That look he gave me before... Was I imagining things or was that a threat?

"Thank you, baby. Although you didn't have to kiss me in front of everyone," Ayu said in a low voice.

"Come on! Don't complain when he's complimenting you so much." Zen said, and everyone agreed except me.

"What's the matter, dude?" Asked Alex, when he caught my silence. What's your problem?

"Um, actually, my stomach isn't full yet, so I was thinking of having one more burger." I said, forcing a smile.

"Aree, you should have said so! Wait, I'll buy one for you." Alex said blissfully while looking at Ayu for confirmation.

"No need. This one's extra, so I'll buy it myself." I stood up, walking towards the counter.

"Weren't you listening? I said, one burger without cheese!" I barked to the counter man when he didn't listen. He shot me a death glare before jotting down my order. Great! Now even the counter man was pissed at me. I gritted my teeth. Why am I getting so frustrated about?

I returned to my seat and ate my burger. I stole a glance at Alex and Ayu, who were still snuggling up to each other. 

That was when I saw it. That devious smirk face when Alex looked back at me, like he achieved something. He resumed talking to others with that stupid, innocent smile, that scumbag. So, I wasn't imagining things. He really wanted to show that his precious girlfriend was off-limits for me. But what I didn’t understand was why? Yes, I may have teased her a lot, but I never made a deliberate move on Ayu after that agreement. And I know Ayu wouldn't say anything about us because it didn't matter anymore. I closed my fists, feeling even more aggravated than before. If only time passed more quickly. Calm down, Jamie, you can't let something as trivial as this affect you. That asshole thinks he won, when he was the one misunderstanding the whole thing. 

We all walked down towards the train station except Zen and Lynda, who took the bus. Ayu was obviously walking besides that idiot. She took a step back and approached me, much to my surprise.

"Is something the matter? You were very quiet today,” She asked, concerned.

Yes, I think you need to check up on your foolish boyfriend, since he has a lost screw in his head. He thinks that I'm trying to steal you away from him and I bet he came all the way here just to warn me off. I really feel like punching him, but I will not, since he's your boyfriend. God knows what I've done to make him despise me, because clearly, I have no idea. I sighed.

"I received a call from Andrew before. He's got a serious stomach ache and it's been a few days, so, you know... I'm a little worried." I half lied. That stupid boy ate too much food from outside one day and ended up having health problems. Thankfully, he was recovering now.

"Oh, I see. Did he go to see a doctor? Is there someone talking care of him?" Ayu asked.

"Yeah, he did, and remember Mrs. Fynn? She's taking care of him." 

"That's good. I'm sure he'll be fine in no time. Don't think about it too much, okay?" Ayu patted my back. I didn't know why exactly, but when she did that, it made me relieved, even though I was half-lying. You're a kind girl, Ayu.

"Hmm, so your brother is sick. I can suggest a few Ayurvedic medicines. They are very effective. How about I message you later, if that’s okay?" Ashima said, surprising me. 

"That's kind of you, but I think he'll be fine with the doctor's prescription." I replied hesitantly. Okay, now I was starting to feel bad for lying. They say one lie led to another and in this case, they were right.

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Hmm! So what Jamie was exactly feeling? Anyway I'll be updating faster now. What do you think about Alex? 

Do vote and comment, it's much appreciated. Take care everyone.