Here All Along

chapter - 17

By the time Win turned twenty, he and Luke were already the hottest couple of Chirang university (his words not mine). And I had gone on a couple dates with Gorya. We were not even a normal couple. We just hung out together, made out when we felt lonely and talked when needed to. I liked her as a person. She probably liked me too. I never told her about Win and she never talked about her ex. We were just two broken hearts trying to find comfort in the shared silence of our pain.

Win did not know the nature of my relationship with Gorya (for obvious reasons). However, the fact that we were dating was not a secret from him and he took quite a pleasure in bugging me for all the details. I couldn't decide which was worse - him talking about Luke or him teasing me about Gorya. He would often suggest we go on double dates but I was yet to fully prepare myself for meeting Luke and I definitely needed a lot more time to let Win and Gorya meet. But after six months of his relationship, he decided it was high time we met.

"Why don't we go on a double date?" He proposed for the millionth time and yet, with utmost patience and excitement as if voicing the idea for the first time.

"Gorya is not free this weekend" I lied like always.

He stared at me to the point that I was extremely self conscious.

"I know what this is about" he said in a serious tone, "you don't want your girlfriend to meet me. You're embarrassed of me."

"What?"

"Don't you dare deny it" he said.

I shook my head incredulously. It always amazed me how his guesses were always so massively wrong, stupid and entirely nonsensical.

"Why would I be embarrassed of you?" I sighed.

"You tell me" he snapped curtly, his lips in an indignant but adorable pout. There was no heat in his voice, just an authority. I loved that he knew he had all the rights over me.

"Let's go on a double date" I said, ruffling his hair and the frown on his face was immediately replaced by a grin.

"Really?" asked he, his eyes shining like a child's.

I laughed before saying yes.

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"What do you think of going on a double date?" I asked Gorya who was trimming the flowers in her shop.

"Double date?" Her eyes beamed, "that sounds fun."

I shook my head. Sometimes, I'd wonder if she was a female version of Win, the same spirit, energy and cuteness.

I told her that I had a friend called Win who wanted me to meet his boyfriend and suggested the idea of double date. She asked if it was the same friend who I used to buy flowers for. I nodded and she didn't ask no more for which I was grateful.

The day finally came when we planned to meet at a mall. I and Gorya reached there fifteen minutes before the decided time and just loitered around the mall, she talking and me trying to prepare myself for whatever disaster was to happen in the next few minutes. Win called, saying they arrived and we walked back to the burger joint.

Win was sitting with a tall, handsome looking boy and waved the moment he saw me. I didn't know why but I held Gorya's hand before getting close to where they sat. Win and Gorya hugged like two long lost siblings (which made sense because they were so similar in nature) while I just shook hands with Luke. May be it was my stupid jealousy, but I already didn't like the vibes he radiated, especially with his smug smile on.

"Finally I meet you Bright" said he, sitting in the chair, "I was told to be on my best behaviour today because your opinion about me will decide the future of our relationship, right babe?"