Aileen
“What is it? Do you have anything to ask me?” the professor asked, glancing down at me as we walked together,
I adverted my gaze, looking sideways. He seems quite carefree. I don’t think there will be any problem in asking him.
“Well, I heard from DaveI mean my dad that you two are quite old friends who also studied together.”
“Uh…yeah. We are still to this day. Do you want to ask something about him?”
I nodded, looking up. “Can you tell me how he was when he was the same age as me? What was his personality like? Or is he the same as ever?”
He chuckled in response. “You are very curious about him, aren’t you? Asking so many questions at once?”
“What? Uh…I mean….” I can’t help it I become curious whenever things are related to him.
I’m seeing him for a long time but I never got the chance to get to know him like I do now. That’s why I don’t know about his life, childhood, hobbies, and preferences.
But, I don’t want to stay in the dark forever. I want to know him, I want to know everything about him. And I want him to know me as well. This is how we’ll strengthen our relationship.
“I’ll answer your queries,” Principal replied, putting his hands in his pocket. “Dave was quite the bad boy in his teenage phase. He never used to obey the rules, and this made him quite attractive and popular in the eyes of the girls in our class. And I on the other hand used to accompany him in his wrongdoings. And used to get punished together as well.”
Dave was popular among the girls. And a bad boy? Now, that’s something he never told me before.
“He was daring, brave, and sometimes used to get into fights as well because of his sense of justice. Still, he was my idol. I looked up to him. The way he used to face everything dauntlessly, looked quite attractive in my eyes. But he became like that because of the peer pressure from his family.”
Pressure from family?
“But, he said his family never pressured him for anything? Was that a lie then?” I asked.
“Uh, no it’s not a lie, but it’s not the truth either. As the only heir of the Sabertooth pack, he was carrying unwanted responsibilities and expectations from his father. His father always tried to get him to listen to him, using guilt or any sort of tactics. David never liked that. That’s why he always opposed him. Creating more conflicts.”
He’s the man mom had nursed him to health. The one responsible for Mom and Dave’s meeting.
“Even though he always avoided responsibilities, he couldn’t run away from it forever. In the 3rd year of our college year, he fell very ill. The doctors couldn’t cure him, and he needed treatment right away. But even with treatment, he wasn’t getting well. That…. took a mental toll on David who hated his dad. He felt guilty so to make up for him he quit his studies and took on the role of the Alpha, taking control of his work and business. As you know he’s a softie after all. When faced with pressure he’ll usually cave in.”
I could see the sadness in the professor’s eyes when he was telling Dave’s story. The loss of one’s friend looked just like that.
“What happened after that?” I asked.
“After that….. he was not the same anymore. He stopped contacting me, but I kept reaching out to him. The second time I saw him again, it was 1 year later. Dave had become a successful businessman with a booming business. And the people from his pack respected him for his authority. After he quit college, I lost a part of my buddy which I missed the most. His smile. He rarely smiled even though he was making so much money and enjoying the fame. Guess, he wasn’t happy with all that?”
Professor really thought of him as his best friend, worrying so much about him even though they lost contact.
“But, you are on good terms now. How did that happen?”
He heaved a sigh, looking down. “Well, one day I saw him hanging out with a woman older than him. I wanted to approach him but didn’t dare to. He was smiling with her, chatting happily. Two years later forward I heard he got married, and he called me to inform me and also invited me over to his house for dinner. Then I met his wife and she was the same woman I saw back then.”
It was Mom!
“And to my surprise, she had changed him totally. I could see the fraction of the old David still alive in him, but a bit matured. As they say, wisdom comes with age, right? We talked so much that day, relieving our old days. And after exchanging a few drinks I promised not to abandon him again, even if he pushes me away.” I could see the resolution in his eyes when he spoke.
“And that’s how we became good friends like we used to be before. The best duo in town like you see now. It was a long story, wasn’t it?” he smiled lightly.
“I don’t mind listening to it,” I replied. “Thanks for answering my questions. I appreciate it. Can I have your number so I can contact you if I need it?”
“Yeah, sure.”
After exchanging numbers, he looked at me suspiciously.
“What? Something on my face?”
“You…don’t plan to tell Dave all that I said to you right?”
“Uh…. no, but why?”
“Cause if you do he’s going to kill me!” Professor’s face goes pale with his statement. “David doesn’t like people knowing about his personal affairs. It was supposed to be a secret between me and him only. And yet I told you about it without thinking. What am I going to do?”
“You don’t have to do anything,” I assured him. “I won’t slip a word about what you told me today. I was just curious that’s why I asked. No personal reason.”
He heaved a sigh in assurance. “Then, that’s great. I don’t want to destroy our friendship over a minor misunderstanding. You get it right?”
I nodded. “I understand how much you want to keep your friendship intact. I won’t do anything to destroy it. You can stay assured. Just….”
“Just?” his brows raised in confusion.
“Answer my queries when I’ll contact you. That’ll be nice.”
“Sure, I don’t mind it. Anyway, we’ve arrived at your classroom. Get going.”
I waved at him and entered the room.
During the lecture, I saw that Skylar guy again. He was sitting right across me, with a few boys surrounding him. They must be his men. But I don’t care.
I’m only going to focus on myself and no one here.
I learned a lot about Dave from the professor today. I don’t think even Mom knows all this about him.
But…. he said she had managed to change him. How did she do that? Did meeting her really affect him so much?
Then, what about me? Am I making him happy? Or bringing him misery? Does he look happy with me?
I want to ask him so many questions but I don’t want to make him feel overwhelmed.
People and relations are so complicated to understand.
Somehow college came to an end. I was waiting for Dave to come pick me up. But, he was running late.
Is he not done with his work yet? I tried to call him but his phone was engaged. Who is he talking to at this time?
I checked the road while dialing his number again.
“Who are you waiting for Aileen? Do you want me to drop you in my car?” I hear a voice behind me.
I turn around recognizing the voice to see Skylar popping out his head out of his fancy car.
What does he want from me again?
I ignored him looking at my phone.
“How long are you planning to stand there? Come in! I’ll drop you to your home!” he suggested with a meek smile.
“No thanks!” I retorted, hanging up feeling irritated.
“What? Are you declining my sweet offer like this? Are you serious?” Skylar yelled, looking surprised.
“Yes, couldn’t you hear me? Go and pick some other chicks in your car. I have company.”
“Is your family coming to pick you up?” he mused. “Would you like to introduce them to me? I want to meet the Alpha as well.”
“Hey, when are they coming?” he asked, waving at me.
“That’s none of”Suddenly my phone beeped drawing my attention.
I checked the notification to see it was a text from Dave.
“I’m sorry but I have some urgent work so I can’t pick you up from college. Tell Marshall to pick you up. Or you can book a cab. And I might be late to return home as well. Eat dinner go to bed, and tell your mom the same. Bye.”
I didn’t think he would ever ghost me like this. It was unbelievable.
My phone rang next and Marshall’s name appeared on my screen.
I answered the call, walking away from Skylar who kept calling me.
“Yes, I’m walking down the road to my college. Come and pick me up in ten minutes.” I demanded ending the call.
Marshall took time but came and picked me up. After reaching home, I ate dinner by myself as Mom wasn’t at home.
I tried going to bed, but I just couldn’t sleep so I just waited for Dave downstairs on the couch with a book in hand.
I kept checking the clock from time to time, but there was no sign of Dave anywhere.
What are you so busy with you can’t either pick me up from college or come back home fast.
I want to see you. I miss you.