Dorm Norm - 11. Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Daniel needed to leave the campus before Sam woke up. He had promised Michael that he would help find a good place for Michael to take his date and Daniel was determined to help out. Another purpose to this was surely to keep his mind off the issue between Sam and him. Daniel needed to go out and clear his mind so that he could think properly. There must be a way out of the arrangement, Sam couldn’t be serious. But all that would have to wait for later.

Michael was already waiting at the campus gate when Daniel called him so together they set out in hope of finding the perfect spot for Michael’s date.

Daniel could see that Michael was not ready to settle for anything less than ‘perfect’. Michael had tiny ribbons sticking out of multiple pages on a book containing information about the best places in the city. Michael had even searched the internet and noted down the best items available at each place.

Heading into the first café Daniel noticed that it had floral wallpaper and the staff was dressed in brown and blue clothes. The people in the café seemed to be enjoying themselves if the happy voices of patrons filling the air were anything to go by.

“So what do you think? Good place? Bad place?” Michael questioned nervously scratching his chin.

“The ambience is nice. Let us try out some of the food,” Daniel answered.

Daniel ordered a slice of rainbow cake while Michael asked for a lemon tart. The food however failed to impress them as much as the ambience. The rainbow cake was dry and the tart was missing the signature tangy flavor. With the food being a letdown the first café was struck off the long list that Michael had compiled. One down, plenty more to go!

****

Sam turned in bed as thoughts of the previous evening came back to mind. He hadn’t intended to threaten Daniel but he surely didn’t have any other choice. He was obsessed with that boy and Daniel was threatening to leave! He couldn’t have allowed that! He had obviously come beyond caring about right and wrong. Even though he had said all those things Sam had no intention of carrying through his threat. It was just a one off thing, something that he had said in a moment of panic and he wouldn’t let it come between Daniel and himself.

Sam climbed down from the bunk bed and glanced in the direction of Daniel’s study table hoping to see him there. It surprised him a little to not see Daniel at his study table at 10am on a Saturday since he had known Daniel to routinely spend Saturday mornings studying. Sam strolled over to his own study table and sifted through the papers on his desk trying to find a note from Daniel. Daniel always left a note at Sam’s desk when he went out. Surely it was there somewhere.

Finding no note despite a frantic search, Sam finally whipped put his cell phone and dialed Daniel’s number. The phone rang and the ringtone gave away with no one picking up. The next time he dialed the number, the call was promptly dropped. Sam’s lips pressed into a hard line as the line went blank.

‘There are no books on Daniel’s desks. He always has something on his desk. Unless…he changed rooms! Shit!’ Sam ran his hand through his hair frantically.

***

“You find something wrong with every place we try,” Daniel accused.

“I am just looking for the best place,” Michael reasoned.

“Sure,” Daniel rolled his eyes as they settled down in the bistro.

They had already visited the first 5 places in Michael’s list. Having been out in the sun for the past 3 hours, Daniel was relieved to enter the air conditioned bistro. It was a small little place but the atmosphere was really homely. The walls were decorated with paintings in fancy frames. The menu was filled with names of delicious desserts and snacks. This bistro held promise for the duo.

“The reviews say that the rainbow cake here is really good. Let us try one of that and a swiss roll for now,” Michael suggested.

“Sounds good but do they have a sample platter? You have my tummy pretty stuffed already,” Daniel smiled.

Daniel felt the phone in his pocket vibrate again. Sam had called thrice already but Daniel had no clue about what to say to Sam. Just thinking about the previous night and how Sam had looked and the manner in which he had spoken intimidated Daniel. He had witnessed a side of Sam that he had never known to have existed. Sam had used his mother’s job to make him stay. Going by the way Sam spoke it seemed quite plausible for him to actually do something if Daniel tried to escape. After all Sam’s step mother owned the company where Daniel’s mother worked.

A beautiful girl in a pale green floral dress stepped into the bistro as Michael examined the menu and the prices specified. The girl went and settled down on the sofa in the far end of the room. From his place Michael had a clear view of that side of the bistro.

The door opened again and this time the person who entered caught Michael’s attention. The young man waved at the young girl and they hugged right in front of Michael’s eyes. Michael had never seen the girl before but he knew this young man. This was the man who had been ruling Michael’s thoughts for the past two months. Here he was, hugging a girl.

His hand curled into a tight fist as he watched the girl kiss Mark on the cheek. Mark looked happier than he usually was. He seemed almost at peace. Who was this girl who was capable of getting such a gentle expression on Mark’s face?

“Are you okay?” Daniel enquired, seeing the irritated look on Michael’s usually calm face.

“I don’t like this place. Let’s go,” Michael answered after a moment.

“But we already placed our orders. I will just ask them to get it all packed. Are you sure you are fine?”

“Yes. I will wait outside,” Michael said as his frown deepened.

The girl was running her hand through Mark’s hair. Mark was always very particular about his hair and didn’t like anyone touching it but now that this girl was messing up his hairstyle there was no resistance from the fellow. Mark just sat back and grinned.

It was true that there was nothing more than friendship between Mark and him but seeing him with this girl was hurting Michael. He couldn’t get his eyes off Mark’s happy expression, his smile was almost blinding. But the fact that someone other than him was responsible for making Mark this happy filled him with the dark feeling of jealousy.

Michael placed some notes on the table and excused himself. Cool wind blew on his face as he walked out into the street.

Not even the fresh air could help ease the tight feeling in his chest. Michael had been used to letting things go all his life but Mark was someone too precious. No matter what, he wasn’t going to let Mark go! He would never force Mark to like him or ask him to return his feelings but seeing Mark with that girl was doing things to him—dark emotions were swelling up in his heart and he had no way of putting a stop to them.

Daniel knew something was wrong as they walked back to the campus. Michael’s expression was a good enough deterrent for any questions. Although Daniel was worried, he realized that it would be best to let Michael be till he wanted to talk himself. Pushing him would possibly add to his annoyance. Michael gave Daniel a weak smile before retreating into his room.

Daniel unlocked the door and stepped in to see that the lights were off. He breathed a sigh of relief as he turned on the lights. He wouldn’t have to face Sam right away.

“Back already?” a low whisper and a soft breath behind Daniel’s neck gave him the chills.

Turning his head back slowly he saw Sam’s impressive figure looming over him. Daniel wasn’t short but Sam was obviously taller than him. Sam’s face was unusually dark despite the light which provided a clear view of the deep frown that marred his sharp features.

“I brought you some swiss roll,” Daniel tried.

“From your little date?” Sam said placing his hands on the wall effectively trapping Daniel’s head.

“Date?” Daniel gulped.

Sam extended his arm and locked the door before turning back to Daniel.

“I called you up a few times. I was worried,” Sam mouthed icily.

“Actually…”

“Actually you were enjoying your date so much that you didn’t feel the need to pick up your phone.”

Sam took the bag from Daniel’s hand and placed it on his desk. His eyes didn’t leave Daniel’s face as he walked to Daniel’s bed and sat down on the mattress.

“Open your shoes and come sit,” Sam stated.

“No, I am fine here,” Daniel said as he pulled off his sneakers.

“I said come and sit here,” Sam said sternly, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

As he crossed the short distance between the door and his bed, Daniel tried to guess what would happen to him in a few moments. Guessing was the only option since the expression on Sam’s face was giving nothing away.

Daniel settled on the bed right next to Sam with his back turned. He felt strong arms curling around his slender chest and a sudden shift of weight onto his back as Sam rested his head on Daniel’s shoulder. The calm and cool breaths that fell on Daniel’s shoulder surprisingly felt soothing to him despite the source.

“Actually I…” Daniel began. The silence was making him uncomfortable.

“Shhh…” Sam cooed into his ear as he placed soft kisses on Daniel’s neck, “Will you go on a date with me tomorrow?”

Sam’s voice was moderated and composed. There was no tinge of the threatening attitude he had showed the day before. What was happening? Would it be possible to sort out the mess that they were obviously in at that moment? Even if it were otherwise, did Daniel even have a choice here?

“I think we could go out tomorrow…” Daniel uttered. A pulse ran down his spine as he felt Sam smile against his neck. Somehow Daniel didn’t feel threatened anymore.

“Great! Let us have some swiss roll then!” Sam announced as he jumped off the bed and fetched the package from the desk.

What was Samuel thinking? Would tomorrow hold the answer to the question? Daniel sure hoped so as he bit into the swiss roll that Sam held up for him.