The ODD Couple

13. The Boyfriend

"Are you sure you don't want to come with me?"

"Yes. I wouldn't leave this place for anything. And I mean it."

"Well, I didn't know I was included in the ANYTHING."

And just like that, my heart broke into pieces I would never be able to count.
____________________________________________

SASCHA

Derek. Was he really here? Did he just hear? Hear everything that I said?

My heart was beating faster than a panther could run.
For a moment I felt Harry freeze too. In the last 3 days I'd never let him meet anyone whom I'd known. Derek was the last person I wanted Harry to meet. Yet here we are.

"Sascha? Is that really you?"
Maybe he didn't really hear what I said.

"Welcome to Sascha. Derek D'souza is finally here."
I couldn't help but be sarcastic. What he did wasn't easily forgivable.

"Whoa. Who's throwing the blame around? The one who's clearly been having the time of her life with someone else and calling me names."

Shit. So he did hear.
Wait a minute, did he just say what I heard him say?
What.The.Actual.Fuck.

"Derek" I warned, "you're crossing the line too far. Watch your mouth."

"I guess you should be the one preached to!"
He dare shout at my face?

"Shut the fuck up!"

To my surprise that came from Harry. I and Derek couldn't help widen our eyes at his sudden outburst. However, unlike me, Derek quickly composed himself and his face overtook a stony expression.

"The girl you're defending is mine. And I have the exclusive rights to talk to her the way I want!"

"No you don't. Look man, I don't care about your romantic drama. Whatever you think is wrong. Sascha and me are nothing more than friends. And whatever we did, is what friends fucking do. So stop getting all riled up and shit about something so trivial!"

Harry defending me? Maybe himself?

"Can you leave us alone for a while?"

Surprisingly this request came from me straight to Harry. I was careful not to take his name in front of Derek. I think he understood my purposeful diversion and chose to keep his incognito image intact, and quietly walked away. But not before giving Derek a hard glare.

Once alone and without Harry's support, I felt colder than ever. Even in Derek's homely presence. It should've been the other way round right?

"Care to explain what's going on Sasch?"
Oh so now I was the villain?

"Derek, I think you owe me an explanation first."

His expression wavered before replying.
"Fine. We had a bad argument and I walked away needing some space. I think we as adults can handle it that way."

"You walked away, all the way to Thailand? You could've asked for it. You've never done this before. I don't want to seem clingy, but you could've at least told me when you'd be back couldn't you?"

"I came back 2 days ago."

"What?"

"2 days."

I was beyond boiling point.
"So your space-time period extended well into Mumbai?"

"Yes."

That bastard.
I rarely used foul language. But this occasion was special.

"Why didn't you come earlier?"