27

That night, before going to the date with Deepa, Gibbs left the talisman that Fara gave him. The reason was unknown. Maybe he wanted to lessen his guilt – like someone who leaves their wedding ring when cheating. Deepa said that she didn’t tell Fara about this date, but it’s not impossible that Fara might’ve found out about it. It’s hard when my girlfriend has an informer from the unseen world.

On Gibbs’ request, Deepa had to wait outside the school area and he would pick her up later. He didn’t want any wild gossip to spread. Starting his bike, Gibbs reassured himself that he’s doing this for Fara, but the heaviness in his heart was still hard to let go of. Haih. Let this night pass by quickly…

At the meeting place, Gibbs saw Deepa readily waiting. Admittedly, tonight she looked… different. Yes, I’m praising her, she looks beautiful. Problem?! She had on a soft cream shirt paired with a marine-blue long skirt. There’s a thin layer of makeup on her face, not excessive – just enough to make her face shine.

“Did you wait long?” asked Gibbs with a gentlemanly smile. He never thought that he would greet Deepa like that. Gibbs’ Casanova personality would naturally come out when he saw a pretty girl. She’s not even that good! Snap out of it, Gibbs!

But he thought that gifting this girl who not only crazy for him but also had been humiliated by his friends one meaningful date wasn’t really a bad idea. Fara was right. His guilt had been haunting him. So, it’s better if he treated tonight as a redemption night.

Deepa returned Gibbs’ smile sweetly.

“Not really. I just arrived here,” she replied while getting on Gibbs’ bike behind him.

Fragrant. What… smell is this? Gibbs wasn’t sure but it was really good-smelling.

Gibbs accelerated his bike towards a restaurant beside a lake which took around 10 minutes to reach. There weren’t many customers that night. CGTSS teachers were busy with the end-year meeting, making the night a night for CGTSS students to go wild.

On arrival, Gibbs took Deepa’s hand and helped her down his bike. During the whole ride earlier, Deepa just put her hands on Gibbs’ shoulders – she didn’t even reach for his waist. Gibbs felt that she deserved a special treatment for not being selfish.

“It’s like a dream,” Deepa broke the silence.

“Have you dreamt like this?” asked Gibbs.

“I have. Lots of time. But you wouldn’t really look at me. Even now, it’s because I asked for it,” Deepa suddenly sounded direct.

Adoi, this is the problem with this weird girl. What a mood killer.

Just as he wanted to say something, his phone started ringing. KJ’s name was displayed there. “Wait for a moment,” Gibbs excused himself and walked a bit further from the table.

“’Sup?” asked Gibbs.

“Weyh, where are you?” a stupid question came from KJ

Gibbs snorted. “Are you really that impatient to mock me?”

“Huh?”

“I’m on a date with Deepa! You know that already!”

“You… where did you go for it?” KJ asked again.

“Where else? Next to the lake.”

KJ was silent on the other end. “Is Deepa there?”

“What’s wrong with you? It can’t be that I’m going dating alone?!” replied Gibbs.

KJ was heard inhaling deeply. Then, he spoke with a tone that Gibbs had never heard from him all the time when they had been roommates…

“Gibbs. Come back now. Now! Just leave her there.”

“What’s wrong? Did something happen? Did Ray got beat up again?”

“Don’t ask! Just come back right now!” roared KJ.

“Then, I should leave Deepa here? You can’t be serious. She’ll make a fuss later.”

KJ was silent again. Then, he said, “Gibbs… leave her there. Just listen to me and come back. Leave her.”

Gibbs gave up and stopped the call. He looked at Deepa’s direction, not sure of what he should do…

At the same time, KJ along with Ray and Troll… too were looking at Deepa’s direction – she who was suspended still in the middle os CGTSS’s auditorium stage…

Lifelessly.