Imperfect but mine

Chapter 2

Amaan

A week later, Saturday, 8:30 pm

Mathematics. And football. Yes, you heard it right. Those are the two biggest loves of my life. Algebra, probability, statistics, trigonometry, geometry, calculus - you name it, I love it. The satisfaction I have when I solve a polynomial differential equation is almost unparalleled. Well, it's the same I feel when I dribble the football past defenders, measure the gap between players and score a goal on the football field. 

On the flip side, my passion for the game and my talent with numbers frequently puts me on a public forum. For example, I am the striker of our university football team. Now, any regular 20 year old man with functional body parts would love the cheer and the aura created for players. But, I despise the attention - I don't like people staring at me or my teammates touching me or the fans hugging me; they make me uncomfortable. 

Anyway, watching the English Premier League on TV, while lounging on my couch and solving equations is my favorite Saturday night activity. So, when Asiya flops down next to me and says, "Get dressed. You are coming to Eric's party with Aina and me. You are our designated driver forever"; I am not happy. 

I narrow my eyes at her and say, "I am not going with either of you. You two are pure trouble at those parties."

She scowls at me saying, "Stop stalling and put on some party clothes. And by the way, Aina was right. Your ears do turn red when you talk about her. You really are cute, dear brother. Five minutes, I am waiting in the car." She pinches my cheeks and walks off. I yell into the cushion and turn towards my closet. Why can't I ever say no to this girl?

Saturday, 10:45 pm

Aina and Asiya are currently on the dance floor and together they make quite a pair. They have danced most their alcohol away and I will admit that both of them know how to move. But, men will always be men. In the past hour, I have seen both girls fend off at least seven men each. I can be possessive at times, but I know these girls can handle themselves well. They don't need me to save them, they are empowered enough to protect themselves. But, I think they know that if ever they need me to jump in, I will be there by their side in a second. 

Asiya walks to the counter where I am standing and signals the bartender for water. She looks at the dance floor, points at Martino and says, "He's having fun with his boyfriend." She  ruffles my hair and gulps some water. "O-oh! 3 pm, now!" 

I turn toward the direction Asiya says and freeze for a second. There's Aina dancing with one of my teammates - so close that I am afraid there's no air gap between them. As if sensing our eyes on her, she looks at us and deviously winks at my sister. I am not a jealous kind of guy and I know how Aina thinks. But seeing her like this, makes me feel things. Things I am not proud of. No, I am not a violent person. However if this continues, I will break something - maybe, the glass in my hand or my teammate's neck. 

Asiya leans in and whispers, "You do realize that she's just trying to make you jealous, right?"

I nod and she says, "And?"

"And it's working," I reply with clenched teeth.

"If you don't go out with her, somebody else will. I hope you know that." 

"I accept that but it's still not easy to watch," I admit.

"You know...she wore the skirt for you," Asiya says. 

"What does that mean?"

"Skirts give easier access."

"Access to what?"