The Meal Plan

Chapter 18

Hi folks :)

I am sorry I didn't update when I said I will. I fell sick.

Here is a new chapter. I know it's very short. I didn't want to extend the date for updating. So, I have just posted what I have written so far... I hope you like it though! :)

I want to say a special thanks to yawyaw2024, 2cuteD4v, elise_francesca and meya1448 for voting on all chapters of this book. You guys are my favourite people in the world right now :) xoxo

Please vote and comment :)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As days passed on, purging became a part of my life. At first, it was a form of damage control after a binge. Eventually, it became a habit. In the earlier days, I used my fingers to activate the gag reflex. Later, I switched to an old toothbrush which I hid under my bed safely after usage. I hated throwing up. It was painful, nasty and terrible in every way. But, the relief that spread through my body after a purge episode was glorious. It was a high as addictive as the one from cocaine.

Purge-high only lasted a few minutes. It was soon followed by a burning throat, foul breath and bloated face. I tried to hide it the best as I could. I purged every time I ate something and the only way to not purge was to not eat anything. This soon led to a binge-purge cycle followed by a period of starvation. It was messy. I felt detached from everything around me-my friends, my hobbies, my interests, my life... Everything appeared blurred. I felt that I was in my own world which was far away from everyone. I was lethargic, restless and weary most of the time. I was a zombie floating through a grey world.

The only breath of fresh air in my life was Alex. We kept in touch with each other regularly and became good friends. I learnt a great deal about him during our chats. He was born as the only child of a poor Spanish couple. His mother died during childbirth and his father died in a car crash when he was ten. Alex was adopted by his uncle who lived in US. His uncle was an old man who had no wife and children. He took care of Alex as his own child. Alex’s uncle was a man of meager means but he somehow managed to put Alex through middle school. Alex supported himself through four years of high school by winning scholarships and working part time. His uncle died when he was in senior year. I felt sad for him. It was hard to believe that this guy with devil-may-care attitude had suffered his share of misfortunes before becoming the guy he was now. I wouldn’t have believed him if I hadn’t read those facts on Wikipedia myself.

I was also pleasantly surprised to hear that he wanted to be a surgeon because it was my life’s ambition. He didn’t have enough money to go to medical school. So, he took a year off and was working three jobs a day to earn a capital for the same. One of his jobs was as a stunt double. It was during one of his acts that his agent found him. Soon, with a bit of grooming, he became a top model. His exotic looks and charming personality also helped him a lot.

Whenever we chatted, we either did so via IMing or texts. He spent most of his time travelling around the world for various photo shoots and kept busy, so it was hard to get him on phone. He was not in US since Sofi’s wedding. So, I was surprised to receive a call from him on a Friday midnight.

“Hey, where are you now?” He asked me without an introduction.

“At home. Why?” I replied.

“Well, I’m standing outside your house right now.”

I walked towards my bedroom window and looked outside. I found him standing across the street, waving.

“What the hell?” I breathed.

“Aren’t you going to come outside and give this poor homeless fellow a company?” He threw me a puppy dog look.

“You’re not homeless. Besides, I am not coming outside at this late hour. I also do not open the front door for strangers” I said, trying to sound serious. I couldn’t help smiling.

“If you’re not coming outside, I am climbing up that window” He said and crossed the street. I thought he was kidding until he started climbing the pipeline near my window.

“Stop! Stop! You’ll hurt yourself” I hissed. I tried to keep my voice down since I didn’t want to wake any of my nosy neighbors.

He somehow managed to climb the pipe and helped himself inside through my window.

“Ouch! That looked much easier in movies. I think I broke something” He said, collapsing on the floor.

“Who the hell do you think you are? Edward Cullen!?” I exclaimed.

“I am much better looking than your Edward Cullen!” He said, pointing at his reflection on my mirror.

“In your dreams” I smirked.

“I have Vogue to vouch for me” He said and gave me a big bear hug and added “You, my dear, look divine”

I smiled at him. He looked different in his oversized brown T-shirt and faded jeans. The last time I saw him, he was dressed in formal attire. He looked very sharp and sleek then. In casuals, he looked like the pretty boy next door.

“What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in London tonight?” I asked.

“Yes. My photo shoot got postponed. So, I had a weekend for myself and I decided to come and see you”

“You decided to fly half way around the globe to come and see me?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Yes. Aren’t you filled with happiness? You look like you have a tooth ache” He flashed me his trademark smile.

“I am overjoyed. You are very creepy. You know that, right? Who in their right mind would climb the window of people they have met only once”

“Most people open their doors with a warm, welcoming face” He said so innocently that I smiled. “I have a shoot here on Sunday. I’ll be going back to London on Monday. I probably wouldn’t have been able to see you if I hadn’t climbed this window tonight. I am sorry for intruding like this!” He said. “I am sure your mom wouldn’t approve of men who climb her daughter’s window”

“No, she wouldn’t. But, don’t worry. Feel free to stay as long as you like. Mom wouldn’t be here till afternoon”

“Where is she?” He asked.

“Her friend had a heart attack. She’s at the hospital” I replied.

“Aren’t you scared to stay here alone?”

“I am used to it” I smiled.

“Alright… What would you do if a serial killer or a serial rapist finds his way inside? Someone who’s cold blooded like ice? Someone who’s cruel like Satan? Someone like me?” He whispered, his voice suddenly deadly.