The Vaticinator

5. My Maladroit Efforts

I usually believe that the virtue of my forbearance defines me greatly. It also displays my perseverance, promising my interest till the zenith point. I take great pride in my persistence. But as I have already mentioned a few times before, my family is not a very great fan of my patient curiosity. It is something that I have never understood. But now I know the reason why.

“You must at least put in some effort, Josh. Waving at him every day is not going to give you answers.”

That is Aakir.

I never thought that it’s possible for me to be irked by him. By Aakir. I mean, seriously, Aakir? Isn’t he like the epitome of pacification at its best? Yet, here he is, persuading me incessantly to get to know my partner at a more personal level. His curiousness to learn about Neal appears more heightened than my interest. Seriously, it seems like Neal is his partner, not mine.

“You mean that it is not going to give YOU any answers.” I say, pointing at him.

He snorts, “I am beginning to doubt that he is your partner.” He mumbles, “I mean, even after a week I can’t bear to be away from Silvia constantly.”

“I meet Neal every day, Aakir.” I say, though I do feel a pang in my chest.

It’s been over a week since I learned of my partner. I have taken every chance to encounter him in the hallways, wave at him, sometimes strike a vague conversation with him. Just like we used to; except it’s more frequent now. It’s peculiar that our constant acquaintanceship is not as sating as I had presumed. Just like Aakir, I yearn to be around my partner. And unlike Aakir, I wish to be only close friends with Neal, nothing more, even though most of my family keeps insinuating otherwise. But nonetheless, my rapport with Neal is not even close to be labeled as friends. Yes, we talk. Yes, we get along. But we don’t talk as I talk to Aakir or anybody else who may be close to me. There is a certain edge of formality in our acquaintanceship. Maybe that is why we are still acquaintances, I reason in my head sarcastically. And though I consider myself patient enough, I am still getting restless, wanting Neal’s aura to be a constant by my side.

I hear Aakir snort next to me, “And I meet my math teacher everyday too.” He retorts.

I rub my face tiredly, sighing all the while. I look around once, just to be certain we are alone in the corridor. “I don’t know how to go about it.” I admit, “I mean, Neal and I have been on talking terms for years now. Wouldn’t it be a little weird if I go and say to him, ‘Hey Neal, want to be my best friend from now on?’” I snort, “That’ll earn me the prickliest pick-up line of the century.” I end in my sarcastic tone.

“You are such a retard.” Aakir mutters, shaking his head, “You can ask him for a coffee or something?”

I glare at him, “We are not gay!” I whisper-yell at him, “Don’t expect me to ask him out!”

Aakir rolls his eyes, “So, two guys sharing conversation over coffee is gay now?” he snorts, “Kids these days.” He mutters.

“Just shut up, Aakir.” I continue to glare at him, “I am not doing it.”

He raises and drops his arms in exasperation, “Then at least manage to hold a conversation with him for more than two minutes at least! Like this, you’re never going to get close to him. He is not going to disclose anything about him if you remain at this level with him.”

There it is. The main reason Aakir so desperately wants me to consort with Neal. He is dying to know about Neal, to guess what results into him possessing such a bizarre aura. Aakir expects me to find something odd about my partner that may explain the oddity about the aura he exudes.