retorted Laila, her voice rising up, drawing some stares from the nearest groups, even those who were watching the teasing pair finally get into it.
“Wow, you really are making a big deal out of this! I was just trying to help ease up your shame, you know? You could be thankful for that. You’re some piece of work, you know that? And you have the nerve to cause a scene?” he replied, his voice still steady.
“Just leave me alone, okay?” she said, mellowing down. “Forget what you saw, forget we talked. I’ll be leaving. I suggest you do the same.”
“I can’t believe your guts, lady! You’re not going to see this my way, aren’t you? Oh well, have it your way. Remember, the next time you speak to me, you better be polite, and you better be thankful. I’ve had it with you, I was just trying to make you feel better and you go all kamikaze on me? As for ‘leaving you the fuck alone’, I just did that. You came!”
“Shut u—” Laila tried to interrupt but stopped upon realizing that she was at a disadvantage. Still, Laila was not to be taken down easily.
“Shhhh, shhhhh, shhhhh, shhhh!” he stopped her mid-sentence. “What did I just tell you about being polite and shit? That started the moment I said it. Do it one more time and everybody will know.”
Laila panicked at that declaration. Then quick thinking gave her a little hope.
“What you’re gonna tell everyone here was that I was pleasuring myself? Every single person here pleasured themselves at one point tonight. Good luck with that.”
The man smiled and shook his head.
“You really think I’m dumb don’t you? You think I’ll tell all these drunk people here who’ll probably be passed out and forget everything tomorrow?” He shook his head once more and started backing away. “Three words – Night Vision App. Now remember that part about being polite the next time you talk to me. Okay?”
With that final declaration, he turned his back, whistled to himself, and walked out the front gate that demarcated the grounds of the Alpha Kappa Omega frat house.
Laila’s mind swam. Night vision app?
And then it hit her. Of course!
Like a cat sensing big trouble, Laila’s bodily hairs stood up – she was afraid and angry at the same time!
She ran after the man.
Chapter Eight
ONCE SHE GOT OUT of the gate, she looked left and right.
To her right was a familiar figure. She headed that way.
“Hey! Hey!” she called to him loudly, then remembering the part where she needed to be polite, Laila toned down her voice and called out again. “Wait up. Please!”
The man turned around when he heard the word ‘please’. He stopped and waited for her. Once she caught up, he started walking again.
“Knew you would come. And polite too! You learn fast.” He grinned.
“What did you mean about...”
“Don’t worry about that yet. Walk with me. Coffee or cocoa?” he asked.
“Cocoa. I guess,” she replied, still not trusting him.
“Good, I know just the place! Name’s Eric by the way,” said he, facing her, grinning.
“Laila,” she answered awkwardly.
“That your real name? Laila?”
She nodded.
“Sure?”
“Y-Yes.”
“If you say so,” Eric said, whistling to himself.
Laila walked beside him to the diner, her head full of thoughts. She didn’t speak a word until they got to their destination. Eric just whistled, hands in his pocket – as if he hadn’t just had a bad exchange with Laila.
****
They walked together towards the twenty-four hour diner. Laila fell behind a little bit on purpose. She was not sure whether to trust him or not. She decided to keep her guard up and be observant to be safe.
She noticed that even at 5”8’, he easily towered over her. He must have drunk at least six or seven bottles earlier, but his sure gait did not betray anything. If any, he gave the impression that should not be messed with.
There was something reassuring in that.
“Hey, Laila, you’re lagging behind,” he