Hand to Hold

Chapter 8

Friendship is the base to strengthen every blood-related relationship as well as create an extended family. Just the best part of life can also prove to be worst and a fool may drown...

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Walking over to my room, I showered and changed into another pair of casuals, thankful, that I didn’t need to wear a three-piece suit. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I reached for my phone kept on the bedside table.

All the notifications were from the group I shared with Nim and Will, curious, I opened group messages.

Will- Ash, last night was fun man.

Expected, and scrolling down I was not the only one who agreed to it.

Nim- Maybe cause you got so much time to spend with your crush, out of classes.

Will- You weren’t any less.

The intensity between you and Ruby’s friend was quite high.

True, they were quite intense.

Nim- True, we were arguing quite intensely.

Will- No doubt you are sour. That girl, Natalie is quite your type.

That’s it.

She is your crush, isn’t she?

And you are such, cause feelings aren’t mutual.

Sigh.

Poor Nim.

Nim- Ruby and you left together last night.

No doubt you are ecstatic.

Will- You and your dirty mind.

Lara ditched everyone, and she was Ruby’s ride. Ruby have a curfew, I just helped her.

Though, I got her number.

Nim- I know. Nat also blamed me that Lara ditched her.

Between, what will be your next move, lover boy. Now that you have your crush’s no.

Will- She wants to study with me for Accounts exam on Monday. Thus, we exchanged no.

But I don’t know what to do now, it’s the reason I am here.

My hot Nim and cool Ash will help me... right?

Nim- You and flattering.

You can ask her that you casually want to hang out with her on the day exams end.

Many people will do that, it isn’t odd.

I seconded Nim’s idea. Who doesn’t like hanging out with friends when exams are over?

Unfortunately, I was supposed to travel back to North Salovia just the day after exams ended, even if it was only for a weekend. At that point, I hadn’t seen anyone from North Salovia in two months.

Will- But it will be awkward if only two of us will be there.

I know. I will call it a group hangout. That way you two and her friends will be also there.

Awkwardness solved.

Nim- NO!

Will- Ruby will convince your Natalie girl to join.

Nim- Double no!

Will- No cancel no to make it yes.

Nim- NO!

Ash, back me up here.

Where in the world are you?

Seen by Will

I backed up one, chuckling as I imagined another’s face.

Me- So, we will be hanging out at Will’s on third Sept.

And after exams, we can directly join him.

As you two know I can’t exactly hang out outside.

Nim- I asked you to back me up.

Will- Come on Nim, we will watch movies, eat snacks, and play our favourite games.

Me- This isn’t even called bribery in his dictionary.

Will- Right.

Nim, I will also arrange your favourite beer.

Nim replied immediately.

Nim- USING. IT. ISN’T. FAIR.

Sighing, I resorted to my last weapon.

Me- Nim. Please.

Don’t you want to burst your exam stress?

Nim- Okay.

Fine. I will need such a hangout and my beer in any case once exams are over.

I hate the stress they bring.

Will- Says the topper of the Commerce Department.

They went on bickering with each other and I exited the group chat first, for I also needed to call Rick.

Entering the phonebook, I called him and waited for him to pick up the call.

He answered on the seventh or eighth ring, “Hello Ash. How are you?”

“I am fine. Though, I am hearing a certain friend of mine isn’t well and is on the hospital bed.”

He chortled, “Yeah. It is food poisoning. And before you ask, what happened, or what did I eat. It is because I ate my cooking thanks to a challenge from Ben. He indeed won as I ended up in the hospital. And now is quite guilty over the whole thing.”

He was a cooking disaster. So, I didn’t know whom to blame. But giving such a challenge to Rick, it was so Ben.

Will, Nim, and Ben, Rick would love each other whenever they meet with one another.

“Will you be able to give exams from Monday?” Mid-terms were from Monday in all the San Highs, and today, it was already Saturday.

“Yeah. I guess I will be... If not then I will have to miss the first few exams.” He continued, “Right now I don’t want to worry about failing my papers. So, tell me did you receive the gift I sent.”

Smiling I sensed its faint aroma on my hand. He sent me a bottle of expensive cologne, and even though I am so not cologne type. Its smell was addictive. I wore it this morning, and it was becoming a part of my daily accessories, “Yes, I like its scent. It is mild, yet, refreshing.”

He chuckled, “Alice isn’t here. She would have been so flabbergasted that you are wearing something other than her favourite. But I knew you will like it...”

Trailing off he left a breath, “I really wanted to celebrate your milestone birthday with you. All of us here wanted to. But because of mid-terms all of us are stuck here, and you are stuck there. Alex is also busy with his University.”

I smiled empathetically, “I know. I missed you guys as well. Between, I am coming back after exams.”

“Seriously? Oh my, I need to get fit soon then, I have so many things to tell.”

“Can’t wait to be with you guys.”

Ending the conversation I kept the phone down and standing up manoeuvred to study table.

I needed to do last day revisions for Monday though barely completing the grammar section, my eyes began dropping.