CHAPTER-9

Jacob my knight

Our chemistry practical last half a day and its lunch break now. I was so damn hungry as I have eaten nothing since last night neither dinner nor breakfast. Taking a deep breath I moved my heels towards the cafeteria. I stood in the doorway looking at the big hall with lots of tables and people sitting on their chair around it. Surveying my eyes to find food counter and saw people who were laughing and gossiping while others were just eating quietly. Each sight was giving me a new view. Woah! Those were throwing food on each other.

Just go in quickly, grab something to eat and you will be out like a whirlwind carrying food.

I scampered towards the counter. Before I could buy something someone tapped my shoulder by turning my head, I saw Jeal smiling at me.

Why she has to be here?

“Hey! Come to have lunch?”

Of course, why would anyone come to the cafeteria?  I thought to say but didn’t do and instead said. “Yes.”

“C’mon then join us. I made some new friends.” She insisted while pulling me by my arm.

“Wait. Hold on a second.” I forced my heels on the ground to steady myself.

“Please don’t say no they all are new to me. I want your company.” She said with please.

I sighed with a look saying: ‘Don’t make that please face.’

“Fine.” I agreed.

I took a tray with a plate of spaghetti in it and sat along with 2 girls and a guy whose hand was crossed with one of the girl’s hand. Jeal introduced me to everyone. I didn’t bother to pay any attention to her introduction instead started eating spaghetti to leave as soon as I finish. I gave everyone a look with a quick ‘hi’. My eyes moved from their faces to the crossed hands.

A girl spoke noticing my action. “He is Rob my boyfriend.” And gesture her free hand towards him.

He faked a move of removing a hat from his head an invisible hat I must add. And gave me a look with quirked eyebrows.

Should I act like bowing to him?

“Ok.” Was a simple reply from me and again I was back to my spaghetti until another girl spoke.

“What’s with Mr. Blake and you?”

My spaghetti almost jumped out of my mouth. Almost as I swallowed it before it could jump.

Her words appalled me. Trying to grasp my thoughts as my mind started to intellect things.

Why is she asking such a thing? What did she saw?

Jeal spoke instead of me. “What do mean Bretha?” Confused about her question. 

So she is Bretha.

I stayed quiet thinking: there is nothing between us except he works with me in my office sharing the same cabin.

“I want to know too.” Another girl, girlfriend of Rob spoke now. “You slept in his cabin.”

“I slept while doing my math work.” I corrected her sentence not liking the way how she presented it.

“So you did sleep in his cabin,” Rob said while bending a little forward to face me.

What’s the big deal? I was tired, that’s it.

“What happens then?” Bretha asked all excited.

“Is there something to happen?” I suspired.

“Ooh! Levy, he is-“Rob’s girlfriend was saying something but was interrupted by a familiar voice that came from behind me.

Jacob my knight in white shining armor. White because he was wearing a white T-shirt but not shining. I laughed internally at my thought. But he did save me from this stupid conversation and I wanted to hug him for this.

“Jake.” I stood on my feet. The tray in my hand with left spaghetti in it. “I am so sorry I didn’t meet you in the break just as I promised.”

“Promised? When?” Jacob asked with confusion.

Idiot.

“I apologize already,” I said while putting the tray away on the used side and added. “Now let’s go.” Whilst pulling him out of the cafeteria by his arm.

I said a quick bye to Jeal and we were out. Taking a deep breath I explained confused Jacob about the situation.

“To free myself from them I pretended.” But his confusion soon changed to worry.

“Levy,” He said in a soft voice. Meeting my eyes with his worrying one.

“What? Wait. Did you come to meet Jeal?” I asked not knowing his confusion and worry.

“No Levy. I was searching for you.” He said in the same soft voice and step forward.

“My Knight was searching me.”

“Levy.” He walked closer and kept his palm on my forehead brushing my hair aside and supplied. “Are you alright? Do you have a fever?”

I know why he reacted this way. I never say such things as ‘my knight’.

“I am fine Jake. I was just kidding.” I said while moving his hand.

“No. Since few days your missing homework, coming late to college, wasn’t home at evening, and now was in the cafeteria.” He said while counting things on his fingers.

“I am fine Jake. You don’t have to worry.” I said acting all normal.

“No. You’re not and I am worried.” He said frowning at me.

“Why you’re searching for me,” I asked completely changing the topic.

“Mother told she will be free today. So do you want to come to practice?” He said running his fingers through his hair which mean he is still worried.

His mother teaches me a piano. Only when she is free. I love playing the piano how black and white keys form a colorful melody. Sometimes life feels like a piano where black keys are the bad moment and white are good. When played together create a melody. Likewise, these moments keep our life running.

“Sure. Why not?” I smiled at him to release his worry a little.

No, I can’t. I am grounded, how I can forget about that. And today I have to be at 5 in the office.

“I cannot Jacob,” I said slowly.

I know this increased his worry. I know him since I was a kid. I know when he worries and when not.

He didn’t respond instead leaned on the side wall resting his shoulder on it and sighed.

“Hey-hey! I am just grounded you know since that race.” I waved the matter in the air. “So nothing to worry about it.” I smiled, patting his cheek.

In response, he pushed me against the wall while putting his hand beside my head.

Without our realization break ends and we’re alone standing in the corridor.

He whispered near my ear. “I am trusting you. If I find anything suspicious, I will break my army into your house and search till I get a little evidence as I can.”

Pushing him away I straighten myself in an attention position with my hand giving him a salute I spoke. “Yes, commando. Just as you wish commando.” After a couple of seconds, we burst into laughter.

We use to play soldier and commando when we were kids and he always used to take the superior role. I never mind that though. We walked to our next class. I glanced at Jacob, he was normal. Walking with his hands shoved in his Jeans pockets. The class was already started and Loren was teaching. As we stepped in he shouted. “Out.” we obeyed his command and were standing out of the class laughing. We’re laughing a lot today.

“Shall we go somewhere?” Jacob asked.

“Where somewhere?” I asked.

“Let’s race till the main gate.” He said all excited.

“Try not to lose.”

We started counting down from 3 to 1. Jacob took the lead then slowed down a little to catch my speed and I passed him giving a devilish grin. But he won and caught me when I reach the gate breathing heavily.

“Take a breath. Don’t fall here.” His words coming out along with heavy breathes.

I put my hands on my knees for support and was breathing heavily. Walked beside the wall of the gate I leaned back on it with my hands resting on my waist. “We raced after a long time.”

“Yes, old lady.” He teased me as I was breathing hard.

“I am not old you are good at sports unlike me.” I snapped which made him laugh. We slowly walked to our next class on time where Loren gave us a cold look which we ignored.

College ended after two classes. While I was leaving saw a kid standing near the gate. I recognized him as soon as I saw him. It seems that he was looking for someone. I tapped on his shoulder which made him turned towards me. “You really do study here,” Luke said.

As if I was lying.

“What brought you here?” I asked.

“I just wanted to thank you properly for saving me yesterday.” He said standing straight.

“Oh! You don’t have to.” In spite of my words, he bowed a little with thank you.

“Hold on. Stand straight. You really don’t need to.”

Wow! So mannered.

He straightened him while I smile and spoke. “If you need any book to read, ask me anytime.”

“I will.” He smiles back at me. With that, I left him after a quick wave.