Damaged Beyond Repair by Kashmira Kamat (KittyKash) (best short books to read TXT) 📗

Chapter 15

I woke up late in the morning, I had decided to skip through the day but then again, I remembered how Rowan had sacrificed his job to avoid my expulsion. That was enough to get me dressed in fifteen minutes. I pulled on a baby pink woolen t-shirt over blue denims, grabbed for my books, all ready to head down towards the dorm mess, that’s when I heard a soft knock on the door.

I opened it only a crack, and noticed a young guy standing there with a large beige teddy bear in his hands. He smiled warmly at me, “Alana Hayes?”

“That’s me.” I nodded, folding my hands across my chest.

“This is for you, ma’am.” The guy pushed the large bear into my arms along with a white lacy card.

“Who is this from?”                            

“Ma’am, the card.”

Silly me. “Thanks.”

I closed the door behind me and sat the stuffed bear on the empty table, as I settled on the edge of the bed, opening the lacy card that had come along with it. It was written in beautiful loopy cursives, which would probably win the award for handwriting contest in school.

Dear Alana,

   Consider this as my apology gift for what happened yesterday. You deserve so much more than this, and I wish to give you all the happiness you deserve. Thank you for making me a part of yourself. Thank you for giving me another chance. Nothings else matters anymore.

I love you baby.

Yours always,

Rowan.

A smile crossed my lips, bad mood be damned. I hugged the bear tight, wishing it would remain this way forever.

 I had downed almost two large mugs of black coffee, but that didn’t stop my eyes from becoming droopy. I jogged out of the hostel gate. I froze when my eyes locked on the tall figure, watching me with curious eyes.

 Rowan stood leaning against the wall, he waved at me as I made my way towards him. He was dressed in a navy blue tee-shirt and casual dark denims. His smile was lascivious, showcasing those beautiful dimples I noticed once in a blue moon, but his expression quickly changed to worry when his eyes travelled to the band-aid on my palm.

“Hey.”

“Hey” he had the distant look he’d worn yesterday, the ‘I’m-good-for-nothing’ look. “How are you feeling this morning?”

Dammit. He stood so tall, he must be some 6’3 or something and I was 5’3.

Yeah, I know. Pathetic to say the least.

All thanks to my large sized sandals, I managed to reach his shoulders.

“I’m fine.” I assured him, “I received your wonderful gift and the card. I love it. Thank you, Rowan.”

“Thank you baby.” He kissed my temple, and took my hand in his. “for sticking around, for handling the crazy me.”

“You’re not crazy, and we are putting on a show.” I reminded him. All those Gossip club members were boring holes into us and boiling with jealousy. Some even greeted Rowan with a ‘Good Morning Mr. Masters’ which I tell you, is the height of idiocy, like they weren’t aware of the situation.

Fucking Pretenders.

“So what?” his lips grazed my cheek, as he reached to carry my books. “I’m no longer faculty; I’m only the beautiful Alana Hayes boyfriend.”

He winked and I punched him playfully, he was so cute when he became like that.

We walked to the university gates hand in hand like a love sick teenaged couple. Rowan did not seem uncomfortable to receive the stares. To him, I was the only colorful person and everything else didn’t matter. Everyone around him was black and white in color.

Upon reaching the university gates, he handed me back my stuff, “So I’ll see you after class?”

“Can’t wait.” He stood holding onto my hand, reluctant to let go.

Just when I was living my teenage dream, Rio decided to crash it to bits by entering the scene.

“Senorita.” He smiled at me, turning to Rowan, he nodded, “Sir.”

Rowan did the unexpected which had me pinch and punch myself to realize I wasn’t day-dreaming.

“Listen Rio, I’m sorry about yesterday.” Rowan’s hand tightened around mine, “I wasn’t thinking rational. I’m sure you’re aware of our situation. Alana’s important to me.”

Was he freakin’ marking his territory with sugar coatings?

“I understand.” Rio’s eyes travelled towards the band-aid and his smile was replaced with sympathy and I’m sure he was getting the idea about me being a victim of an abusive relationship. This news was heading straight towards the Chez direction. Great! Just what I needed.

I went up on my toes and kissed Rowan until his brain stopped functioning, when I pulled apart I noticed Rowan smiling gleefully at me, with zero traces of jealously. Rio didn’t seem to be in near vicinity, poor guy. I didn’t mean to embarrass him.

“Bye.” I said shyly.

“Bye, baby.” His fingers grazed my cheek.

My heart thumped in my chest, how much I wanted him. I trotted through the gates and into the university building, where Rio was waiting for me with his back to the pillar wall.

“Rio, don’t misunderstand this, but I would really appreciate if you wouldn’t acknowledge me in front of Rowan. It’s a request.”

“no es gran costa, chica.” When he realized I didn’t understand a word he added, “No big deal.”

“Great.” I grinned, “Thanks for understanding.”

We turned to go to our separate classes, everything felt so darn weird with Rowan not around anymore, like a freakin’ cherry on top of my depression cake, though I was glad for the major promotion from student to girlfriend. All those Gossip club members still kept an eye on me, expecting another major controversy.

I walked farther into the hallway, if I knew Chez’s class fell right in my way towards the Sociology class, I would have been sure to take the longer route but my destiny sucked ass and so I bumped right into the unfortunate situation.

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