A different view

Chapter 14

I'd never known it to take so long to reach Forth's dorm. I took two steps at a time on the staircase to reach his door and was panting by the time I got there. What greeted me was a shock as the door opened. Forth was bleeding at his temple and there was a cut in the lips, not to mention the bruises.

"What the hell happened?" I asked

"Beam? What are you doing here?"

"Preeth asked me to return your book," I said slamming it into his chest. "Who did this to you?"

"It was supposed to be a friendly fight," he said with a hand rubbing his neck. "It's not as bad as it looks"

"Friendly fight? Who are you friends with? Goliath?" I started rummaging around the cupboard at the entrance to find the first aid box. We hadn't used it in over a year. Fights were a thing of the past, or at least I thought they were. I headed towards the hall and the whole room was a mess. There were books and beer bottles everywhere. "Were you also having a friendly orgy?" I asked.

He looked a little embarrassed. "Sit," I said pointing to the foot of the bed on the floor which seemed to be the only clean place left. He obeyed quietly. "Now start talking"

"Well, I wanted to blow off some steam so I went to the boxing ring near the pub."

"You could have tried running"

"It was raining"

"Ever heard of a cold shower?" I said trying to take care of his bruised face

"Didn't help"

"Why didn't you call me?"

"I didn't want to bother you coming to my room while you are... you know"

"What's with all the drinking?"

"I couldn't sleep"

"Since when?" Silence. "Since when?" I repeated

"Two days" he said finally. There were more than 12 bottles and an unopened cate from what I could see. My heart winced. He was going through the same series of emotions as me but I didn't notice it. I was so caught up in keeping my feelings in check that I ignored his.

"It also helped keep me warm. My world seems a lot colder without you in it" he said with downcast eyes.

"Is it the beer talking?" I asked focusing on his lips now. Once done, I leaned my head in against his.

"Beam... Marry me" he said. Stupid idiot. Here I was trying to get out of guilt for treating him this way and he was doing that sweet guy routine all over again without even knowing it. It was the same tone as when he came to check on me after our first time. This tone, which was laced with such warmth, scared the living daylights out of me then and now, it turns out after all this time, he is my living daylight.

"Fine, but only after graduation" I replied. I inched forward to kiss him but he blocked It with his hand. "10 more days" he said.

"Preeth called it off" I said

"Why? We were doing so well" he said sarcastically

"She said she wants to figure out this whole relationship thing by herself"

"Hm..."

"What is it?" I asked. He was never a Hm... person. Hm... meant he had another opinion.

"That book you returned. It isn't even mine" he said.

I turned around to see the book he put on the floor and leaned my back into him.

"She's always a step ahead of us"

"If we ever find the guy who hurt her, I'm going to break his hands" I heard Forth say

"Get in line. Kit would have probably dismembered him before we even got there. He's turning into bit of a CSI trying to find that second guy and he's sure that's the main culprit"

There was a knock on the door. I didn't want to get up. Forth had his hands around my waist now and silly as it seemed I just wanted to fall asleep like that. Forth didn't budge either as if reading my thoughts.

"Forth?" Park called from outside the door, knocking again. "Lam wanted me to check in on you"

"Come on in" Forth said.

"Well well," Park said coming in and looking at us. "Trying to sneak one in against the rules?"

"No... we've come to a truce" I said

"Thank god for that" Park sighed taking a seat at the dining table. I gave him a quizzical look.

"Really? You want me to spell it out? You look like you are in withdrawal since this began and Forth is trying desperately to find an addiction to keep away from you! Just look around you. You even flipped on the juniors." Park said with a seriousness that I'd never seen. "Guess you won't be joining us for dinner then Forth? I'll let Lam know" Park continued.

"We'll join," I said. We needed things to get back to normal super quick. Park's words made me uncomfortable. " You sure Babe?" Forth asked me and even though it was unintentional, his breath on my ear lobe sent waves of excitement to my stomach. "You look like you could do with sleeping early"

"I'm sure" I said with a gulp trying to control myself as Park still looked at us. "You go take a shower while I clean up the place. Then we can drop by mine and I'll change"

"Ok, we'll meet you at the regular ramen place in 2 hours" Park said heading out. Forth's grip on me tightened. "Will you... stay here tonight?" he asked me almost hesitantly. "I would have stayed even if you hadn't asked," I said leaning my head back on his shoulder. He let me stay as long as I wanted until I got up to start cleaning the room. It was a complete mess, so unlike him. When we went back to my room, I didn't take long to pack my books and clothes but the boys were already there. I had texted Pha and Kit as well to come along.

We sat next to each other and I put my hand on his thigh just like I used to 4 days ago. The sense of calm came rushing back instantly.

"Good to have you back Beam" Pha said slyly. Only he could tell the internal turmoil I was going through but he never once stopped or discouraged me. Kit was torn between trying to give Preeth a win and my mood swings and Pha patiently dealt with that every day amongst other things. How grey the world would be without friends like these.

Back in Forth's room, we were in bed as soon as we changed. We held each other and when Forth kissed me, I could feel his lips tremble. "What's wrong?" I asked. "Does it still hurt?"

"No... it's silly" he smiled.

"Try me"

"You know when you're waiting for some delicious cooking for so long but you only smell the aroma and you're really hungry?"

"Yeah"

"And when you take that first bite, your mouth cramps in excitement? That's what happened..."

"I'm a meal to you?" I asked childishly

"Beam... you're my sustenance. I would never be able to function properly without you" he said looking straight into my eyes... Damn the bruises, I can't stop myself anymore. I'd never given up a fight, but for Forth, I'd give up my all...