Chapter 21 (2/2)
The air became still.
”Aii, I just entered and it became quiet? It's obvious you're badmouthing me,” Gibbs said while casually sitting next to Ray.
”Where were you from? Didn't see your face for a day,” said Kj. Serious. It's rare for him to sound that serious.
”Town. There's lots of things to do. I went to the post office, the bank,” Gibbs answered. Confident. Confidence is important.
”You didn't bring us along?” it was now Troll who asked.
”You'll just get bored,” Gibbs replied. Still confident.
Troll looked at KJ. KJ looked at Troll. Each didn't know how to begin the topic.
Suddenly, Ray got up from the bed. Smoke was blown out for the umpteenth time, before extinguis.h.i.+ng it in an empty Pringles container. Ray sat on Gibbs' left. His right elbow was put on Gibbs' left shoulder. Then, his left hand grabbed Gibbs' left wrist. He raised it a bit, smiling… and asked calmly.
”This… whose symbol of love is this, Gibbs?”
Gibbs was shocked. So were KJ and Troll. This b.a.s.t.a.r.d Ray is a smooth criminal.
Gibbs was still dumbfounded while Ray was lighting a new cigarette. Ray threw a glance to KJ and Troll which meant… 'I've started it. What are you waiting for? Continue!'
”Even if you're dating, don't make the love symbol so obvious, can you? That Deepa girl busted you, you know?” said Troll.
”Deepa?”
Troll told him his meeting with Deepa. Gibbs listen anxiously but didn't make a sound.
”Haih… Gibbs, Gibbs,” sighed KJ. ”You're really something else. Deepa even offered to handle everyone, just so she could get you.”
Gibbs was silent. He wasn't even proud of that comment. He felt guilty.
”What… did you talk about with Deepa?” Gibbs asked Troll.
”She tried infuriating me, you know? She kept saying you're backstabbing us, so why are we backing you up - rejecting a free meal just because you don't like her,” explained Troll.
Gibbs was silent.
”The moral of the story is simple,” said KJ while lighting a cigarette from Ray. He purposely took his time, inhaling the smoke deeply.
Gibbs' heart beat wildly, waiting for KJ's next words. I'm doomed… they'll definitely uphold the Musketeer Code, Gibbs thought. But her was determined. No matter what, he would not jeopardize his relations.h.i.+p with Fara, even when he's unwilling to sacrifice his friends.h.i.+p with these three people.
After puffing out a few clouds of smoke, KJ finally resumed his sentence… ”The moral is, Gibran Mohd. Zahim… next time you're dating someone, tell us first. It'd be easier for us to defend you when there's a psycho chick like that.”
Gibbs raised his face, a bit shocked. He stared at KJ's face that's grinning as usual. There's not a trace of anger in it.
He then looked at Troll. Troll too was smiling, while shrugging. ”One more thing. If we know that you're dating someone… it'd be easier to make fun of you!”
Troll and KJ high-fived each other. Ray smiled and shook his head, but a flat smile - not an artist's smile that he usually gave.
”You're… not mad?” asked Gibbs.
”How long have you been lovesick because of her? It's too obvious. We know the difference la, playing around and the real thing, bro,” replied KJ.
”Then, if even this h.o.r.n.y KJ understands, then what more I and Ray, right?” added Troll.
”You demon of a giant! You're saying I'm shallow?!” responded KJ with a shout, but Troll wasn't even the least bit disturbed.
Maybe it's obvious that Gibbs' was showing a touched face, that Ray followed along with a slight teasing… ”Don't cry.”
”Idiot! I'm not crying!”
”We know we're the best,” KJ joined in the basket, lifting himself up.
”So all this time you went missing, you're upping the game with Miss SL?” asked Troll.
”What upping the game? I've already gotten it,” Gibbs didn't let go of this chance to brag, his smile getting wider. The gang had already known, making him feel relieved.
”That's good. The important thing is that we're getting the perks too. Understand?” threatened KJ.
”Yer, you're getting it. The guard company isn't changing, right? That and much more. Enjoy your senior year, my friends!” said Gibbs.
So cheerful… Haih, a person in love as they say it, sighed Ray.
”What should we do with Deepa?” KJ suddenly asked.
”What else? Just let her be,” replied Gibbs. He's too lazy to think about that psycho.
”You just told us to enjoy senior year. Think properly… you're now a couple with the roommate of a psycho girl who loves you half-to-death. She even bothered you a few times. You think, will our lives be peaceful?” KJ tried explaining lengthily.
”Certainly,” Troll acknowledged.
”I have to admit - that kid is of a weird species,” Ray too sounded.
”Then? What?” Gibbs asked.
KJ was silent. It's dangerous when KJ was silent. It's a sign that his brain was spinning fast.
”I'm thinking… defamation,” said KJ.
”Hah! She's not even famous!” Troll chipped.
”What's on your mind?” asked Gibbs.
”She opened an offer to Troll, right?”KJ began.
”Want me to school her? Sure!” replied Troll.
”No, not that…” said KJ
And he let out what was playing in his head.
Here’s a chapter. I’ll be posting 2 more today. It seemed like a good stopping point.
Hope you enjoyed the read.
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