The 3G Life: Two Buildings

Tuesday 10 September 2019

I wake up in the morning with a pigeon in my chest. My younger sister caught it as it came through the window and places it in my chest. I softly hold it close to me and stroke its head. The pigeon starts to get cozy and a sound of vibration comes out of its throat. I gently kiss its beak.

"Give it to me, I want to take a photo," my sister urges.

"First take a photo of mine, then I'll take yours," I reply.

"Okay, give me your phone."

"Take it from the left angle, it'll be better."

"Done. Now please take one of mine."

Saeed gives me a news last night. Aayan never loved me, he does not even like me in the first place. He only came to my home because I insisted so much. I call him several times and irritate him. So, he blocked my phone number and also my texts in messenger and Facebook. He basically does not want to keep any contact with me.

And I do not blame him. I close my laptop last night and go straight to the shower. As I usually take a shower before I go to sleep, no one notices anything. But I cry, I cry for nearly twenty minutes. When I see myself in the mirror, I look wrecked. My eyes are red and my cheeks are swollen.

Yesterday when I come down from Jabbar sir's class, I meet Dalair and Saeed together on the ground floor. I never thought I will see them together and that too so soon. Tamima is on the phone and I ask her to come down from class to meet Dalair. But I guess she does not hear me properly and cuts off the line.

I touch Dalair's elbow and Saeed's arm to greet them both. I am genuinely happy to see both of them together. And they chat away like old friends. My smile is up to my ears and I thank aloud to God for giving me such a blessing today. They both know I am a big believer in fate, so does not say anything.

"Both my friends are here together. Ooooh," I yell.

"Yes, and we're happy to see you happy, Amber," Dalair says.

"See, I told you there's something called fate."

"I think it's more of a coincidence."

"No, it's not. You either arrive early or late."

And so, we start to chat. Saeed is facing a few problems at his physics class and asks Dalair for advice. He wants to change the teacher but does not want to attend Dalair's physics classes either because Zara attends those. And I cannot help but smirk. I think it is good for him.

"Hey Amber, how are you?" greets Zara's father.

"Yeah, uncle, I'm fine, how're you?" I ask.

"I'm fine too. Saeed's your friend then?"

"I know the whole story. Nothing'll happens anymore."

"You're the responsible one. Hope you'll take care of it."

I take leave from him and spring back to Saeed and Dalair. Saeed asks if that is Zara's father and I reply yes. Saeed asks me if he bothers me. I tell him I take care of it and ask him to stop bothering Zara and stalking her. Because her father does not take it so well.

Dalair pats Saeed's shoulder hard and I comment that all my hair will go white while taking care of the mess my friends make. I ask Saeed to join my father's physics class if that is convenient. He says that it feels weird but I say that he will be just fine and my father is the best teacher.

Saeed goes out to go home. I ask if he can drop me on the way. As I go out of the gate, I think of talking to Dalair. I ask Saeed to wait for a few minutes and start walking back. I halt once because I do not see him. I take a few steps more and then he comes to view.

I hesitate going closer to him because he is on the phone talking to someone and he seems pretty worked up. I stand directly in front of him and hesitate to go closer until he keeps the phone down. And then when he finally does, I go closer to him. This time, way closer than a normal friend would.

I ask him if he wants to talk to me. He asks what is left to talk about. I reply that I have millions of topics to talk about. He replies that those are all crazy topics. I give him a look and again tell him that if he wants to talk, I will listen and he can basically talk about anything.

I feel Saeed's hand on my shoulder and turn around. He says that he is not going home but will go for lunch at a nearby restaurant. I hold his hand very intimately and say it is okay, I can go home alone. Then he takes leave and I am again left alone with Dalair. I look at him.

"If you've something to say, I'll go upstairs with you," I suggest.

"What's left there to say, tell me?" he asks.

"Shall I go home or you'll talk?"

"Chemistry ma'am will scold me, maybe you should go."

"Okay, goodbye for today then."

This time I stomp out with confidence and my head held high. My waist swings like a model from a ramp walk. I can feel Dalair's eyes on me but I do not look back. I trip a little but regain my balance and walk out of the gate. I know Dalair laughs at my lost of balance.

I keep thinking about Dalair. Why does he hide his feelings so much? Can he not trust me with them? And there is a slight change in him. He feels more at peace and I see a bit of guilt in his eyes. He seems to be deep in thoughts. I wonder what 3G did to him that brought out the calm side of him.