Chapter 26 (1/2)

”Hurray to you for having a cool girlfriend like that,” said Ray while hanging out in Gibbs' room that Sat.u.r.day morning. KJ had yet to return from the hotel and it seemed like Troll went there too.

”Someone sounds upset,” Gibbs responded.

Ray shrugged. ”Happy if you're happy.”

”Being happy is fine, but I've deleted those pictures. I'm dead once KJ finds out,” Gibbs voiced his worry. It was normal for Gibbs to share his problem with Ray. The understanding of an artist was different than other people.

”Knowing KJ, he definitely has a backup,” Ray tried rea.s.suring. He then lit a cigarette.

Gibbs stared at Ray. ”You're oddly calm for someone who was haunted in the auditorium.”

Ray puffed out smoke. ”I fainted. What calmness are you talking about…”

”I meant… the thing just happened. You're still not spooked?”

”Dunno. My brain is filled with preparation for my production,” Ray replied indifferently.

”You're always like that. Committed,” said Gibbs.

Ray smiled cynically.

Yes, Gibbs. I really committed. My heart is loyal. Loyal to one. And Ray continued gazing at Gibbs' profile.

Deepa was gone for a significant amount of time. Around a month. But she came back to CGTSS, even though the semester had almost ended. She should have just stayed home until the end-year break. But, well - maybe she wanted to prove that she was still spirited. Or perhaps because she was involved with Ray's year-end production and thought that if her name was called during the curtain call, she could gain a bit of popularity for her final year in CGTSS.

When she came back, she really seemed more confident compared to before. It's even to the point of being weirdly cheerful, giving KJ the chills and making Troll curious. Ray was calm as usual, while Gibbs was slightly anxious but tried focusing his relations.h.i.+p with Fara to distract his attention.

”Something wrong?” the question came from Fara that evening when they were walking beside a lake.

”I'm okay. Why did you ask?”

”I don't know. You seem a little restless.”

d.a.m.n it, this is all KJ's fault, thought Gibbs.

Before going out, the gang had a meeting discussing Deepa. Every voodoo, dark magic and other stories came out. Whether he wanted it or not, worry was displayed on his face.

”Is this about Deepa?” asked Fara again.

Why is she so good in reading my mind?

”Is she… okay?” Gibbs finally asked.

”Surprisingly okay…”

”Don't you think it's weird?”

Fara thought for a bit. ”But… she really is weird.”

”Well, I definitely won't object to that. But, it can't be that she's… not even a bit traumatised?”

”It's been a month. Her psychologist must've done a good job.”

”Did she went to one?” Gibbs was afraid if she told the psychologist of what happened - psychologists had many ways to make us open our mouth.

”No, I'm just a.s.suming,” said Fara. ”You're really worried, eh?”

”I'm not that heartless. I still think about other people.”

Fara hugged his waist. ”Dear, don't be too worried. If the time comes for you to do what you must do, you should do what you should.”

”And what does that mean?”

”Well, clearly you have a little guilt going on. So after this, just be civil towards her. Once the guilt recedes, everything would be fine.”

She sounded so confident. If only Gibbs could be as confident as her.

There's only a week left until the students would return back to their home for the year-end break. On the last night, just as past years, Ray's production would entertain all. Ray was really busy during the last week, making it hard for him to hang out with the others.

”There's one more year for us here. Then out to the real world.” That night, Troll was a bit sentimental when hanging out with the others.

”s.h.i.+t! Just a year?” exclaimed KJ.

”What's wrong, KJ? Even if you want to be forever young, you can't really be planning to stay your whole life at school?” teased Gibbs.

”School life is the best moment, guys. Trust me. When you enroll into uni, everyone would be busy doing their own things. Once you started working, you'll have many things to think about. Finding money, buying a house, marriage…”