Fond Of This Bond

4. Deal And No Deal

I reread the code. He is 'A28'. 

 'It's hard to believe in a coincidence, but it's even harder to believe in anything else.' John Green's words echoed in my brain.

He ended the call and turned back to face me, keeping his phone back into the pocket. "So, where was I?" 

"You..." I began, sliding the chit under my plate, not willing to get caught with it.

"Oh, yes. Our deal. Wanna seal it?" He answered himself and then smirked.

Will he ever let me finish?

"Not at all," I replied, feeling annoyed and embarrassed at the same time. I noticed a few seats getting vacant by now. 

"As you wish." Saying this, he moved towards a nearby chair that had been abandoned just a few seconds ago. 

I thought he was going to occupy it, so I called out to him, "Take your food as well." But he didn't even look back. He reached the chair, picked it up with his left hand, and carried it back towards my table. 

Okay, now I know what's happening.

He placed the chair right in front of me, pulled his plate to himself, and started eating noiselessly.

I took a sip of my coke, pondering over whether I should start a conversation or mind my own business, but then I reasoned that we have to work together, and this makes him a part of my business. 

"How long had you been watching me play the other day?" I started and took a bite of my taco.

No reply.

He kept on eating his food, not even lifting his head to spare a look at me.

"What are your subjects?" I tried it again.

Nothing.

"Okay, tell me about your interests?"

No reply.

"I never saw you in someone's company. I'm sure they must all run away from you." Provoking always works. I waited and waited and waited.

It should have made him react, but I forgot that he's not normal. How can he keep on ignoring me?

No reply.

I took big bites of my remaining taco and then drank my coke in a single gulp. Recess was almost over. I noticed that he had finished his food as well. Why isn't he leaving?

"Do you believe in coincidences?" I tried one last time, keeping my ego at bay. This time he did respond, but not how I wanted him to.

"Why do you care? Can't you sense it that I don't want to talk." He almost shouted before shooting a glare at me.

That's it.

I placed my palms on the table and stood up with the support, without breaking eye contact, and trying my best to suppress my anger. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and started, "If you don't, then let me make you believe in coincidences." 

I pulled out his blue chit from under the plate, and mine, from my pocket, unfolded them and put them on the table on full display. 

He examined the chits first and then looked back at me as I continued my mini-speech.

"What a coincidence, right? It is so unfortunate as I will have to tolerate a person who keeps on ignoring me, and who has set a limit to the number of words he speaks. What is your word limit, by the way? Wait, don't tell. I'll guess." I paused and acted as if analyzing, "Not more than twenty words per day, right?" I tilted my head a bit and gave him the fakest smile possible as if waiting for him to answer.