Hacking The Relationship Code

Chapter 22: Claustrophobia

"Woah...that sounds interesting. But I am sure he won't mind if you can't cook."

"Yeah but there's nothing wrong in being a little prepared so that I don't make a complete fool of myself. Oh Ginna, I feel like I haven't seen you in ages even though we live together. Let's have a night-in today with some beer and music. What say? I have even stocked our fridge with your favorite......."

Before she could finish, Adrian barged into our apartment and surprised us.

"Oh Adrian!", we squealed at a high pitch. "I didn't know you were coming over."

"I usually come over every day. So I thought it's kind of given right? And I forgot to text you. If you guys have some other plans, I can leave?"

"No...no...ofcourse not, its just you didn't text me today."

"Did you have other plans?"

I tilted to face Mia and exchanged an understanding look with her which said, 'I am sorry. Let's do this sometime later'. I felt bad for cancelling on girl's night but I wasn't going to send Adrian back when he was already here. Thankfully. She understood and nodded back.

"No...I was just going to relax for a bit. It's been a tiring day."

"So what do you want to do? Netflix and chill?"

"We were just going to have dinner. We can do that after dinner."

Adrian joined Mia and I for dinner after which we put on a thriller series and dimmed the lights in the drawing room. I sat between his legs and he scooped he in my arms while Mia just snuggled in her sheets on the couch. We watched the episode in silence while Adrian kept playing with my hair in between. His breath fanned on my neck and suddenly I felt warm. I leaned into him while sipping on my beer and rested my face in the crane of his neck.

When the episode got over, I was ready to call it a night. It had been a tiring day. I kissed Adrian goodnight as he left for his apartment. Mia and I retreated back to our rooms after wishing each other too.

The next day, I sat beside Andy in the class. I asked him if he wanted to study together later. He agreed to meet me in the library after class. I had informed Adrian that I was going to the library with Andy. Andy and I decided to walk by the coffee shop where Leslie worked to have some coffee before diving into assignments. It was a pleasant place. Wasn't really noisy since a lot of students were working on their laptops and it was still 9 in the morning. We agreed to study over here for a change of venue but first, we decided energizing ourselves with a nice hot cup of coffee.

"Where have you been these days? It feels like I don't see you anymore.", he complained.

"Come on Andy, we see each other every day. No need to be so melodramatic."

"I am not being melodramatic. Ever since you've got Adrian, you hardly hang out with us. Hey....I hope you aren't one of those girls who forgets friends now that she's in a relationship." , he fussed.

"How can I ever forget you Andy. It's just that this is new and I wanted to give it time to bloom."

"So how's it going with Adrian? Is he treating you well?"

"I can't complain. It's been...nice, I guess."

"Never thought you would date him and let alone last for over a month. What happened to I never want to date again?"

"Hey, I never said that.", I chastised.

"Yes, you did. Right after your breakup with Nick."

"That was when I hadn't met Adrian and I was still reeling from my breakup. What can I say, he makes me a rebel."

"ohh really, is that so?"

***

We studied industriously for over an hour after which we decided to take a break. A call from Adrian deflected my attention from the notes.

"Hello"

"Hey. Where are you? I can't spot you in the library."

"I am at the coffee shop where Leslie works. We decided to crash in here today."

"Okay...I am joining the two of you."

Off late, I have started noticing that sometimes I could feel suffocated with so much of attention. I mean I loved spending time with Adrian but I needed my own space too. He followed me everywhere and he was there even when I got home from work and also after college. I wasn't getting any me-time and Andy was right, I had hardly hung out with my friends since Adrian's matches had gotten over. Too much of closeness made me feel claustrophobic. I wanted to be able to do some stuff alone and breathe on my own.

Like I didn't want Adrian to intrude on mine and Andy's study session but how was I going to explain that to him without sounding rude and hurting his feelings. It felt like he depended a lot more than he should on me but I liked him way too much to address the issue.

Adrian was a complex person who worked on extremes. If I told him that I he was being intrusive, he might misunderstand it and completely start avoiding me. I understand that it is the first time that he has gotten so close to someone which is why he isn't aware of how much is too much.

He was finally opening up and he didn't get the concept of giving space in a relationship. But at the same time, I was feeling that lately I couldn't be honest about my feelings with him. 'Cause when it came to me, Adrian was extra sensitive. He didn't have a lot of people in his life to bestow his love upon which is why he was showering me with all the love he had stowed away inside him. He was giving me in leaps and bounds but I was having a hard time containing it.

I didn't realize that I had taken off on my own train of thoughts until Andy waved his hand before my eyes.

"So Adrian is joining us?"

"Yes. He's coming."

"Don't you have to leave in sometime?"

"Yeah. I'll directly go to work from here. Adrian can keep you company."

"Sure"

Adrian joined us soon at the table. I dove my nose right into my books again without giving any window for talk. I wasn't in the mood to talk. I packed my shit when it was time for me to leave and said bye Andy and Adrian. Adrian planted a kiss on my cheeks which kind of smelted my agitation and I smiled right back at him. I kissed him back and vacated my seat.

"Bye baby. See you in the evening.", he said.

"I am not sure about the evening. I'll text you. I have to call my parents and sister today. They've been upset that the only updates they get on me are through social media. We are kind of having a family chat today."

"Cool. Text me when you leave from work."

I nodded and left from my spot. When I looked back, I saw Andy and Adrian cracking up at something while waving back at me.

Maybe I was thinking too much into it. Adrian's really a great boyfriend. He's a rare gem and he if chose me then I needed to be worthy of him.

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A very quick update. Hope you guys are having a great time. Thank you for your response.

This chapter is dedicated to dragonsandbobcats

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