It Started In The Gym

CHAPTER - 4: Heart To Heart

"Oooooooooooooooooo, a gym buddyyyy!" Tina coos, her voice dripping with mock excitement as I recount to her yesterday's event.

We're sprawled across my bed, the late afternoon sunlight streaming through the window.

Christina or as I like to call her, Tina is my closest friend and confidante. We first met in college and on the very first day of class, she was this bubbly, chatty girl who had somehow managed to befriend almost everyone. Her energy was infectious—her warm smile, her straight dark hair that always looked perfect, and the way she just seemed to radiate positivity. I just knew I had to be friends with her, and as luck would have it, we've been inseparable ever since. Even now, attending different courses for our master's degrees, we remain as close as ever.

"Stop saying it like that. He's not even a friend yet," I scoff at her.

Her laugh is light and teasing, her dusky skin glowing as dimples appear when she grins. "Ooooooooooooooooooooooo..... not yet," she chimes again, drawing out the last words in a singsong tone. Her eyes sparkle with mischief as she glances at me.

I roll my eyes, unable to suppress a chuckle. "Seriously bro. Tell me I wasn't stupid to approach a stranger like that."

She rolls over onto her side, propping her head up with one hand as she looks at me seriously, though there's still a hint of playfulness in her gaze. "Stupid or not, I am glad you did it. What's the worst that could have happened?"

"Ummm, I could have easily embarrassed myself in front of a complete stranger?"

"Well, isn't he in the same boat?" she says, her voice hinting at the obviousness of the situation.

"Yeah, I guess," I reply, feeling my stomach flutter at the thought of meeting him again.

Tina looks at me from the corner of her eyes, a playful glint shining in them. "Is he cute?" She asks, her voice dripping with mischief.

I sit up abruptly, turning to her in mock outrage. "WHAT? NO! I mean... maybe? I mean, I don't care!"

She continues smirking at me, clearly enjoying how much she's getting under my skin.

"Stop it!" I throw a pillow at her, and she laughs, her straight dark hair tumbling over her shoulders as she jumps out of the bed to dodge it.

"It'll just be a bonus if he is. That's all I'm saying!" she teases, her golden heart always finding a way to lighten the mood.

"NO! Do not get those ideas in my head," I say, laughing despite myself as I chase after her around the room, a mix of frustration and amusement bubbling up inside me.

She dodges my attempts to catch her, hopping onto the bed with a triumphant grin. "Man! You're so easy to tease."

"I hate you," I flop back onto the bed in mock defeat. "This is strictly about helping each other out."

"Sure, sure," she says, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she plops down beside me.

I shake my head, still smiling. "You're impossible, you know that?"

She nudges me with her elbow. "And you love me for it."

"Speaking of love....", I pause, hesitating at where I am about to take the conversation. "How are things with Ralph?"

I watch her from the corner of my eye, as her smile falters and her body tenses.

"Things are as usual. You know how he acts like a drama queen every now and then." I can sense the change in her tone even though she tries to mask it with her cheery voice.