Mr. Coincidence

EPISODE 8 - ANXIETY COMING OVER...

One of the girls came towards me and took the drink out of my hand and spilled it on my face. I looked at them with wide eyes and the sandwich dropped from my hand.

Nobody could see us because I always chose the bench which was placed separately in the corner.

They laughed at me and said "I think it's enough for today". All 4 girls went away.

I looked down at myself and my stomach panicked. I ran towards the washroom and closed the door behind me. I stood by the wall and started to get a panic attack. I was shivering and crying so hard that I fell on the floor.

I was trying so hard to get better and stop my anxiety, but it always caught me by my neck. I worked too much on it, cut every single person, stayed alone, but here I'm again.

After a few minutes, the panic stopped. I got up and went outside and washed my face. I tried to wash my shirt but the stain of the cold drink wasn't coming off. I backed away with hundreds of emotions building up in my stomach. My shirt was all wet and almost revealing my undergarment. I couldn't go to class in this condition.

Tears made up in my eyes. I hugged my bag to hide the front of my shirt. I opened the washroom door and went outside. I wanted to hide somewhere. I checked the time and the lecture after the break was already over. I walked through the hall and went to the ground. There I saw a tree. It was short but had so many branches. The branches were covering the floor.

I parted the branches and went inside and it was so cool and comfortable there. I sat there... quietly, eyes closed and feeling the comfort. I took out a novel named Pride and prejudice and started to read it.

After a long time, I heard the noises and checked the time....it was college off. I packed my bag and hugged it and went outside to leave the college. My eyes were swelling and red. I walked towards the bus stop and saw Michael standing there with his bike.

He saw me and came towards me and I walked back but he ran close to me and caught me by my arm.

"Hey....where were you after the break,"he asked.

"I was....ummm....talking to my friend" I said, looking down.

"I know that you don't have any friends and why are you looking down...heyy look at me?" he said. The bus came up.

"I have to go home....see you tomorrow" and said and tried to walk away, but he caught my arm and my bag fell down.

I looked up and him from my bag and he looked up at my face, then at the front of my shirt.

I covered my chest with my arms and he looked away. He removed his button-down shirt and put it on my shoulders. He was left in the black tshirt that he was wearing beneath that shirt.

"Wear it" he ordered. He was looking at the floor. He grabbed my bag from the floor and took my hand and guided me towards his bike.

"Why are you shivering" he asked with so much concern. I said nothing.

He sat on the bike and started the engine and told me to sit behind him.

I looked up and saw that he was not going towards my apartment.

"Hey, that's not the way to my apartment" I said.

"i know"

"Where are we going" I asked.

"Real..stella. I'm talking you out for lunch," he said softly.

"Why..... I want to go home", I protested.

"Yeah I know, but I don't want you to leave you alone...not in that condition" he said, looking straight at the road.

"Why....who are you to think that?" I said rudely.

"Stella, I know that we are not friends..but......we can be and I dont think you are okay. If you still think that I'm no one to take you to lunch, then just think that I'm returning the favor," he said, measuring each word carefully.

"which favor", which I asked. I kinda feel rude.

"The noodles you will give me tomorrow" he said.

" okay" i said.

After 2 minutes, he stopped the bike at a restaurant. He gestured me to go inside.

I hesitated for a minute and entered the restaurant. It was a nice restaurant....all aesthetic.

We selected a corner table and he took out a chair for me. I sat on it and then he sat in front of me.

A young boy came and met him.

"hey dude...long time no see" he said to Michael and they shook hands and bumped their chests together [boys' things].

"I was just kinda busy" Michael said.

The boy looked at me and then at Michael.

"She is my....ummm....."he said and I cut him off by saying "friend".

"Me and Michael are school friends" I said.

"Nice to meet you, miss," he said, with a soft smile.

He was a nice boy, I think. He talks way too softly.

"Tell me what you both want to eat", the boy said.

We gave him orders and he left.

"He is my old friend. It's his return. I visited this place too much," Michael said.

"He was a nice guy and this place is really fantastic," I told him.

"Now tell me what happened" he said, being serious.