18 Colliding With Rival

Patrick takes a seat. My head is level with his as we stare at each other from opposite side of the kitchen.

"Can you at least lock your door? You never do that", Elora says as she passes me a glass of coffee.

"This is first time you came. I never-",

"Charlie told me", she grins at me.

"Or maybe you read my mind", I grin back at her.

Patrick clears his throat and silently interrupts, "You have a nice house".

I clench my teeth. "Thanks Patrick". I'm not in a mood for talking with him. And I know he's being so nice just because Elora is here.

What an actor!

I'm so proud of you, my rival!

Elora takes a seat beside me. She looks at me and smiles, then stretches her arms out behind her head. She combs through the strands of her hair with her fingers, and I can smell the floral scent of her shampoo when she flips her hair back over her shoulders. My phone lights up on the table in front of us. I look down at the incoming text message from Charlie.

'Is that blockhead in your house right now?'

I immediately flip the phone over, hoping she didn't read it. 

'Who's the blockhead, huh?' she asks.

She read it. 

Things I must to do:

1. Kick Charlie's ass tonight.

2. Repeat number one.

"I'm sorry," I say. "Charlie... you see he thinks he's funny. Also likes to make my life hell. Don't mind him".

"Guys how about we watch a movie?" Patrick suggests us while sitting in front of her. 

Elora shakes her head in excitement. 

Okay, blockhead, you got two points. I text Charlie to come over to my house so that he can keep Patrick engage in some other things. 

I sit next to Elora and Patrick sits beside her, keeping a distance of 20 cm. Elora wanted to watch a comedy movie. Though I don't pretty  much like that genre but still I'll watch as she likes it. The introduction part is still going on, and someone rings the doorbell. Of course, its Charlie. 

"We got company?" Elora asks as she stands to open the door but oh well my door is always open.

"Yo amigos", Charlie says, leaning up against the doorframe with his arms folded across his chest and a hard look in his eyes. I stand and give him a hug. Kick is still pending though.

"Oh nice! This is the second time we three are meeting up together again", Elora laughs excitedly.

"Well there's another one here. I realized that I don't like even", I mutter to myself.

She turns her face towards me. "You said something, Edmund?" 

I nod my head no. 

"I don't know but today you seem taller than before", she says while placing her hands over my shoulder.

"Maybe. Now we'll look more cute together", I wink.

She looks away and blushes. 

Points: Plus one.

"Before watching movies can we eat something? I bought chicken fries and rice. I'm so hungry!", Charlie groans.

"Oh sure! Me too", Elora laughs.

I'm hungry too. I help Elora with the plates and serving. Elora sits beside me while Charlie sits beside Patrick. Nothing seems more funny right now than staring at Patrick's face.

We take our seats back. Charlie sits beside Patrick. I decided to change this couch as its long enough to fit four people together. Charlie bought us some drinks too. I wrap my arm around Elora's waist, and she rest her head on my shoulder. 

There's a telegram scene where the guy named Borat receives a telegram from his village. Then he tells the postman to read it.

The telegram says- Borat your wife is dead.

A long pause.

Borat — High-Five !!!

Elora starts laughing. Watching her laugh, make me laugh.  I look at her for a while. She looks cute even more while laughing. How lucky I am! What I am doing right now is watching her instead of the movie. I guess comedy movies aren't that much bad as I thought. Comedy movies are nice as long as I can see her laughing and enjoying the moment, and as long as I can stay beside her, holding her hands. All of a sudden the atmosphere is cold again. The silence isn't so bad. I look at my hand and feel contented cause the spaces between my fingers are right where hers fit perfectly.  I love her not for who she is, but who I am when I'm by her side. I love being with her. Just looking at her makes me happy. I never felt like this before. 

My thoughts get interrupted by Patrick's phone's ringtone. He picks up the call and the next moment there is a seriousness in his voice. I wonder what happened? He slides his phone in his jacket and hold Elora's hand. 

Oh wait wait! Why this guy has to come in between us. 

Elora stands up, and he whispers something in her ear, in a low voice enough for her to listen. I could notice the seriousness in her face too. 

I take a step towards her. "What happened?"

"It's uncle's birthday. We gotta do arrangements and I forgot", she sighs.

"Woo-hoo! that's great! We can visit your uncle's house and celebrate together", Charlie says, putting the soda can on the table. 

She gives a pity look. "My uncle really doesn't like uninvited guest. I'm sorry, Charlie".

I still remember. The last time I went to her house, her uncle left for town cause he had some work. But now I guess he left for me. 

I stand in front of her and hug her. Patrick is standing behind her.  "Nice move. You won", I whisper to him. He smirks at me. 

I open the door for her. I watch her walk beside Patrick down the hallway together, and get into the car as I wave her goodbye through the window. After she disappears, I receive a text from her.

- 'Don't forget to lock your door after Charlie leaves'.

That makes me laugh. 

Oh how it makes me feel special to have someone like her to care for me.