When I'm With You

Chapter 10

After 7 Days...

January 25,

I woke up to the sound of a pressure cooker. Slowly I opened my eyes and looked at the alarm clock on the table, at  6:34 a.m.

Chris got up at four-thirty like every day and started doing all the housework.

After the bath I went to the kitchen to help him. Everything is ready!

I opened the casserole and saw that it was his favorite dish. He said it's name, but I could not say it correctly.

My teacher was right. Nala Pachakam Uththamam !

Chris will cook very well. We made a variety of food in a week. Some as a success, some as a complete flop !

His drama class started yesterday.

I poured the coffee into the cup and asked, "Did you forget what I said?"

Every day before going to bed at night I would tell him to wake me up early in the morning. But he never got me up at four-thirty.

Putting food on the plate, he said, "Why do you get up so early? I will do everything."

"Why do you do it alone?"

"Why? There's not a lot of work here."

"Chris, you've been up early in the morning working since the first day. I wanna help you too."

Chris smiled and silently tilted his head at me. He knelt on the slab and said, "I will come to the door to wake you up in the morning as you said."
He let out a small sigh and said, "But when I see your little face inside the blanket ..."
He nodded, unable to say the whole thing.

I slowly sipped a cup of coffee. I understood what he was saying. I struggled and suppressed a smile.

"Say a reason every day and shut my mouth" I said.

I went to the living room. Chris looked up.
He would tell me one reason every day.

"I'm listening to music on my headset while at work, so I forgot."
"A lot of time I did the push-ups. So .... forgot."
"Actually I did not look at the time, forgot"

Like this he had many reasons. The word 'forgotten' is common to all.
But he never forgets anything. The words I say will immediately stick to his mind. Damn... I don't like it.....

After breakfast, the house was locked and we went downstairs.

"When can the class be over?" He asked.

"3:45" I said putting the house key in the bag.

"So, I'll have to wait."

" haaawh?" I asked skeptically.

"My class ends at 3:00"

Chris speaks very seriously. Something is wrong.

"You go after your class, I'll come by myself"

"No no. Even if I come here, I have to be alone. We can come together after your class."

"What are you doing alone for so long?" I was worried.
"I ... Waiting... for you," he said, running down the last step.

There is a long way to go to college. Yesterday I went to college with Chris. We have to cross Samion Street and the small town market. I know the way to college.

Chris is not talking to me properly, he was very happy yesterday. I do not know what happened to him today.

"Why are you walking silently?"

"Nothing" he said without looking at my face.

He looked at the cars going by on the road. "That car looks good. Red with black stripes ...! If you buy an oru car like this, you will definitely like it."

I know he's trying to distract my mind. For what? That's all I need to know now.
He spoke non-stop without giving me a chance to say anything. Got a little gap and I said directly,

"Please stop this fucking talk." I was rude. Chris looked at my face without change of expression.

"What?" Inquired as if nothing had happened.

"What happened to you? I'm been paying attention since I left home. You speak very seriously. You do not look me in the face."

Like him, I asked non-stop questions.
He listened to everything without saying anything against it. That silence annoyed me. Chris stared down.

"Say something?" asked sternly.

Says nothing.

Still staring down.

The silence irritated my ears.

"Say something" I asked again.

"  I DON'T KNOW  "  he shouted, cutting off my anger.

I was shocked. Chris looked up at me. Seeing his red eyes, I covered my mouth with my palm.

"I do not know," he said as if in a state of helplessness. His words were full of sadness.

He shook his head in a worried manner.

I gently crossed my fingers with his fingers. I looked into his red eyes with my tears-filled eyes.

"What happened?" Asked gently. My voice stammered.

He held my fingers tightly. He can't look into my eyes.

"I do not think I can. I do not think I can go to the world I want. My dream seems to be fading into a dream. That is a big world, and only those with money and fame can go."

"I can not win the competition. The film industry is not good for me. I can not set it."

"You Cann't Quit," I said, taking his face in my hands.

"I have to"
His words broke my heart.

"Why do you feel that way now?"

"I have no money."

"You have the talent"

Moving back from my arms,
" You don't understand Rishma."

I grabbed his shoulder and turned his face towards me, "This is just the beginning. There's still a lot of time."

"Then we can end from the beginning."
My hand slowly slipped from his body without me even knowing it.

What the hell is he saying?

Rishma ... Quickly think of something. If not, he will pack all his luggage today. Think Think Think ...... Think Something ......

When he leaves, you will be alone. Console him somehow. Give him the courage to do that.
Rishma you has no time to think .... say something before he changes his mind in the next second.

For all the other days you say every foolish things without a need. Why are you silent today? SAY SOMETHING ......

My mind shout at me more than I shouted at Chris.
In its force I said aloud, "You go back."

Ohhh ohhhh ohhhhh ...... what the hell .....
Did you say go instead of tell him not to go?
Rishma .... you lost him !