Strings Attached

~Chapter 16~ (Contd.)

"And next time I see you harassing this girl or any girl for that matter, I wouldn't be so lenient." Feminist bi*ch.

"Both of you can leave now. And go straight to your classes," the woman says, dismissing us with a wave of her hand. And I hear the girl thank her as I turn to go. What a suck-up!

_____

I'm the first one out the door. And I can't help the sigh of relief that escapes me. Thank God that that's been dealt with. I'm thinking of boxing a bit to let out the steam but then I hear my phone beep with a text, so I pull it out of my pocket. It's from Chuck. He wants an update of what happened at the HM's office. I'm in the middle of composing a text when I hear the door open and Hidayah coming out of the room.

Poor girl. She must be second-guessing all her thoughts now. What a victim I made myself out to be! I snicker internally at my success. What can I do? I'm a sadistic ass.

The girl goes off ahead of me and I keep behind her to see where she goes to, now. There are a few others about, probably having a free period but if anyone thinks me creepy, nobody reacts. We pass by the lockers and I expect her to stop there, but she doesn't.

Just then, I see a slick brown bloke pounce excitedly on her and begin walking by her side. He greets her familiarly, and the girl looks at him, stares a bit but doesn't reply. He keeps talking animatedly and smiling like he's found his favorite candy, but it appears like Hidayah isn't listening to a word he's saying.

"I thought I'd lost you, girl. But seeing you here is a pleasant surprise, babe," his voice floats towards me in a nearly empty hallway, and my ears perk up as my brow reaches my hairline in astonishment.

Well, well... well! Looks like our pure and untouched little girl has a beau from back home. This must be interesting. I keep behind them, eager to hear more. If she rebuffs him, I'd relish seeing that too.

"You haven't forgotten me, surely?" he's asking her now, his tone excessively horrified. "C' mon, give me some response, Hidayah. I even left Anandi for you. I wanted to go to London but didn't. You know why? Because Anandi had already chosen to go there!" He talks like he did her a favor by gracing her with his irritating presence.

"Stop putting it all on me, okay?" Hidayah finally exclaims. "You didn't choose to go to London because you didn't want to be around Anandi all the time, having recently broken up with her. And why would she even bother with you anymore? You just try looking like a hot-shot but you're only a coward inside." That's a brave speech from her, I must say. This is the longest time I've heard her speak for.

I hear the bloke give a little chuckle. That wasn't amusing in the least, it was extremely demeaning. And if I'd been in his place, I wouldn't have spared her at all after this.

"C' mon yaar Hidayah, I'm not as bad as that. You got me all wrong, babe." "Don't call me that. Either call me Hidayah or shut up!" she interrupts him rudely, making me grin. I don't like the guy. He seems a nuisance. Trying too hard. And sans any self-respect.

"Oh my!" he ejaculates, looking at her amusedly. "Sorry, I won't do that anymore. Anyway, you know how Anandi is, right? She'd only have caused unnecessary drama for me, so I gave up on London, I swear! Besides, I don't know why, but I've always been attracted to you." Not much of a revelation there, seeing as he's been following her like a lost puppy. But to Hidayah, it's probably just that because she halts in her steps and gives him a look.