Chapter 18: roommate resumes

The next day, we went to school as usual. Lectures went smoothly; the scandal was completely out of our minds. We had tests and assignments due that same day, so we hit the library to finish up. After submitting the soft copies to our lecturer’s email, we headed to the canteen for lunch.

In the school canteen, people kept passing by, smiling, and saying hello.

My other buddies were on campus that day because of the tests and assignments. Coincidentally, they were seated just a table away.

Mike: “Guys, look over there. Isn’t that Nath?”

I was placing an order with Ann when I heard my name. I turned and saw them.

Me: “Hey, bro.” I excused myself from Ann. “What’s up, guys? Been a minute. How have you been?”

Pat: “We’re cool, man. Just got back to school yesterday.”

Dave: “We heard there was a test, so we had to pull up.”

Alex: “And some crazy-ass assignment.”

Mike: “Man, I honestly can’t wait to get this school thing over with.”

Me: “Not that I’m not tired too, but we have to pull through.”

Pat: “You’re right, bro.”

Alex: “We need the degree.”

Dave: “No we need the certificate.”

Me: “Anyway, guys, I’m here with Ann.” I signaled for her to come over. She walked up, smiling.

Me: “Baby, these are my guys.”

Mike: “No need for introductions. I’m Mike.”

Ann: (Laughs) “Yeah, no need to introduce Mike.”

Me: “I’m going to introduce them each anyway. You should talk to them personally they’re your brothers-in-law now. If I’m ever out of town and you need something, you can hit them up. The guy in the white tee right in front of you is Pat.”

Pat: “Hi, Ann. Nice to meet you.”

Ann: “Nice to meet you too.”

Me: “The guy next to him is Dave.”

Dave: “Hey, sis. If you need boys to beat someone up, count me in.”

Ann: (Laughs) “I’ll keep that in mind, Dave.”

Me: “And this is Alex. He’s loaded I mean, they all are but if you need money to throw around, he’s your guy. And he’s not stingy.”

Alex: “Yeah, sis. We’re family now. If you need raw cash, or if you have a fight with my bro and need getaway money, my line is active 24/7.”

Ann: “It’s nice to meet you, Alex. I’m excited to meet all of you.”

Pat: “We’re excited to meet you too. Sorry we didn’t bring any gifts this meeting was impromptu but we’ll definitely make it up to you.”

Mike: “Next time we meet, we’ll get you the best gift, sis.”

Dave: “We saw the trending news on I***a, by the way. Sorry that happened to you.”

Alex: “Thank God it’s resolved. Hope you’re doing okay.”

Ann: “Yeah, we’re fine. Nath figured it out.”

Mike: “Speaking of that, your roommate came back to school yesterday. I saw her, and she said she was looking for you , she has something important to tell you. She heard you moved out of the hostel and asked if I knew where you were. I didn’t want to disclose your location without checking with you first, so I told her to ask you herself.”

Ann: “Well, no problem. Maybe we’ll meet up one of these days.”

Me: “Anyway, guys, our food’s here. Can’t let your sister go hungry.”

Pat: “Yeah, please go ahead. Enjoy. See you later.”

Dave: “We’ve lost our brother to a woman. He doesn’t even like us anymore.”

Alex: “‘Us’? Excuse you? I’m not gay. I don’t want the bastard to like me.”

Mike: “Ann, please take him away. We’re tired of seeing his face. It doesn’t matter if we never see him again.”

We returned to our table, ate, and left the canteen leaving my guys behind. Of course I wouldn’t bring them along when I’m with my honey, sweetie, cutie pie.

We took a long stroll from the canteen down a winding path that led past the staff quarters and eventually to the parking lot. We walked hand in hand, talking and laughing the whole way.

By the time we got home, it was already evening. Ann insisted on showing me her skills, so she told the housekeeper to leave early and took over the chores herself.