Sheila's POV:
"Write a short note about PN junction diode and Zenor diode and how to differentiate them by their special characters?" Professor Satz Bakshi gave us an assignment and told us to complete it within a period. Based on this score, he is going to give us internal marks.
I took the pencil and pen from my bag and started to draw a PN junction diode. It was so simple.
First I drew two parallel lines and connected them with a resistor and a battery and started to write my own theory of PN junction diode.
After those two horrible hours of writing, I finished my assignments and walked out of the classroom, there I saw Karl was leaning on the wall, hearing songs through his headset.
I stood in front of him and waved my hands. "What is my senior doing here in the first year department?" I asked him teasingly.
I know he has come to see me. But I wanted the answer from him.
"I came to see my junior. I wonder how her classes were?" he asked giving me a boyish smile.
"Hugh! It's horrible. My fingers feel like a stick, I couldn't even feel them." I complained.
He chuckled and took a card from his pockets. "Here, have it. Don't come with silly excuses. I'm personally inviting you." he said handing me a card.
I took a good look at the card and raised my eyebrows at him questioningly.
"Birthday invitation? Whose birthday?"
"It's mine. The great legend has born on today," He said while raising his collar playfully.
"Oh, God! Karl! Why haven't you told me before?" I asked disbelievingly.
"Many more happy returns of the day!!!" I embraced him in a warm hug.
"So we both are born in the same month, aren't we?" I asked excitedly.
"Yeah! Absolutely!!" He grinned.
"The smile behind your reason is you are coming, right?"
"Of course I will. Once again many more happy returns of the day." I patted his arms.
"What about your possessive boyfriend? Does he allow you to come?"
"Karl, it's up to my own decision, he won't restrict. He will understand." I told him, somehow I have a feeling that he won't allow.
"Okay then. See you later." He said and walked away.
I called Tammy and asked him about Karl's favorite because I want to present the most memorable gift to him that would make him remember me and our friendship.
After the class ended, I asked Harry to take me into the mall. He drove me to the mall and he helped me to select a shirt but he doesn't know who I am going to give, neither had he asked.
All he knew was I am going to attend my friend's birthday. He didn't ask further and helped me to select a baby blue color shirt.
Once we reached our home, I took a good 15 minutes bath and changed into a nice peach-colored dress which ended just below my knees. The hand was printed in a floral design adding more beauty to the dress and I'm comfortable with this.
I wore a matching necklace and ear rings. I slipped into my 3-inch golden color heels because I have no matching shoes for this dress. I grabbed my clutch and shoved my necessary stuff and mobile inside.
"You look beautiful," Harry whispered when I reached the living room.
"If you want I will drop you," He said brushing his lips to my shoulder blade. I slightly shivered from his touch and he gave me a teasing smile knowing he has won.
"No need Harry. I booked a cab, I will be back soon. Okay?" I asked and he nodded his head.
I pecked his lips and ran towards the gateway once the cab has arrived. I felt guilty for not telling him the truth but he left me no choice.
But what would happen if I told him the truth? Definitely, an earthquake would have explored.
---
"You are beautiful." Karl engulfed me in his arms. "This dress suits you well." he said leaving me to blush by his comments.
"You are more handsome today," I said and handed him my birthday gift. Like a curious child, he looked at the box and was about to open the gift but I slapped his hands and said, "Later!"
"I don't think I have that much patience," he said and we both walked into the hall where the party is going to start.
"Hey, Sheila! You look nice." Lilly said and gave me a hug.
"You too." I hugged her back.
"Excuse me, girls!" Karl excused himself and walked towards someone who was just entered the hall.
"By the way, where is Tammy? How did he allow you to wander alone these bunches of teenagers?" I asked that made her blush like a potato.
"I am here," he said and wrapped his hand around her waist.
"Hmm, I see..." I teased him.
"Come on! Let's go! it's time to cut the cake." Karl said and we all walked towards the table.
We sang happy birthday to Karl and he cut the cake. To my surprise, he fed me the first slice of cake and everyone cheered up.
After the cake cutting, the song played and everyone started to dance with their partners, I assumed so.
"Want to dance?" Karl asked standing in front of me stretching his left hand.
"How could I tell no to the handsome man ever," I said and took his hands. He walked me towards the stage and we both started to dance for the song from the Tamil movie "Kadhal Kondaen."
"Nenjodu Kalanthidu Uravale...
Kayangal maranthidu anbe...."
[Translation: Come to my heart. Let’s forget the wound, my love]
What a lovely song but in the movie the hero has not destined to live with the heroine that was kinda sad because she gave her heart to another person and consider the hero as her best friend.
We moved at the rhythm of the song slowly. He held my waist while I rested my hand on his chest.
"Thanks for coming here and made my day wonderful," he said and I smiled at him.
I could see he has changed completely. He is not the old Karl who used to bully me.
We ate our dinner and I texted Harry to pick me up from here. I texted the address to him and patiently waited for his arrival.
'It's better to tell him a truth' my inner mind said and I agreed with her.
I texted him the truth that I was at Karl's birthday party and waited to receive an angry message, instead, he called the second I hit the send button probably has read the message, and I attended the call hesitantly.
"Are you out of your mind?" He yelled through the phone.
"Harry, I will explain. Please calm down" I said and hung the phone not wanting to hear his sweet word.
"Why are you nervous?" Karl asked once he saw me standing here alone.
"Hmmp... Uh.. Harry is coming over here to pick me up and I don't know what his reaction will be." I said honestly.
He gave me a small smile. "Well... I would have reacted the same if you were my girlfriend."
"Unfortunately she is mine." Harry came and pulled me closer to him by grabbing my shoulder.
"Don't ever dare to come near her! I'm warning you, Karl Parker!" He raised his voice dangerously.
"Oh, God! Harry! For God's sake, it's his birthday. At least don't fight with him." I said and dragged him to his car.
I gave Karl a last glance and climbed into the car. He drove the car but suddenly stopped when we reached halfway to our home.
"What wrong with you, Sheila? Why you are not listening to me a bit?. Do you know how I am worried about you? You hurt my feelings." He yelled.
"Harry, calm down. It's not the right place to argue. We can talk later." I tried to calm him but who I'm kidding, he won't calm down until he says so.
"No buddy!! I want the answer right now. Can't you see he is trying his best to snatch you away from me?"
"Harry! How much time I need to remember you that he has a girlfriend outside and he is thinking of me as his good friend. That's it." I said frustratingly.
"He and his girlfriend! My ass!! He is playing you around Sheila. Don't be a blind ass." He gritted his teeth.
"Harry enough!! I am not a child. I know what is right and wrong. Please drive the car otherwise I will find a cab." I threatened unable to find any solution to shut his mouth.
He clenched his jaw and pulled out the ignition. The car took off. No one uttered any words and the remaining drive was killing.
When I entered my room, I slipped out of my dress and changed into my pajamas. I sat on my bed and facepalmed.
After a while, I felt someone opening my door. "I am sorry, I did not mean to yell at you but I am not comfortable when you are around with him." He looked calm like the ocean.
"He is a threat to me. I know I used harsh words but I am afraid of losing you." His voice held sincerity.
"Harry, come here!" I patted the seat next to me. He came and sat down beside me then laid his head on my lap.
"I promise you, nothing will happen. Just have some faith." I raked his hair through my fingers.
"I want you to be safe." He whispered and wrapped both hands around my waist. We both stayed for a long time until I drifted off into sleep.
*