PRESENT- LOVE GAMES

Callie sat underneath the big old maple tree, feeling a slight breeze ruffling her hair playfully, cajoling her to join in the Autumn fun. But she had to turn down the invitation; she had homework.

Creative Writing. It was the only module in her major that she had absolutely no clue as to its ‘compulsory’ status. She was going to be a journalist. She was going to write reports, take pictures. She was not going to compose poems.

Or maybe we’re being trained in the many ways to tell the truth, such that it does not even seem true at all.

Let’s see. Violets are blue, Roses are red. Boyfriends are loving, what happened to you?

A few couples were scattered all over the green, hilly field just behind the Faculty of Mass Communications, where Journalism was being offered. It was the place where students of UB could seek solace and quiet from their hectic schedules. There was an unwritten rule that was followed very stringently whenever anyone visited the field:

Everyone had to be as quiet as he or she could be.

It was no difficult feat. The field had the magic that enchanted students to calm down and just relax.

"Hello darling!" A sexy, husky voice whispered in her ears. A split second later, a kiss landed on her cheeks, making her blush and feel uneasy.

"Not here…" She chided the handsome brown-haired guy who took his place beside her and passed her the slice of Black Forest that she had asked him to buy on a whim. She opened the clear plastic box and attacked the chocolaty sponge, loving the way the cake melted in her mouth.

Like how I melt when he showers so much love on me. No complicated relationships in his eyes, no angst, no sadness.

No burdens. None at all.

"Aww…there’s no one around Cal, I’ve checked. No one remotely familiar." Randall Ophir nuzzled his girlfriend’s neck as she squirmed away, giggling because it was ticklish.

Yes. Randall Ophir. Not Frank Hardy who Callie really wished was there instead. However, lately, Frank had only gone out with her in group dates. He hardly called her or had intimate conversations with her. When he did, he would never fail to thank her for being so wonderful and supportive.

And I’m so sick of it.

Callie was tired of always playing second fiddle in Frank’s life. She had tried, really tried but each time, she broke down when she had to pull her boyfriend up from the murky waters that was his brother’s dark life now. She felt Frank had to help Joe, she had no qualms about that. It was only that her hands were tired because of the way he was doing it, sinking deeper and deeper into the depths. One day, she would not be able to reach him and he would drown and she could not bear to watch that almost inevitable progress.

I’m so selfish. But I can’t stop him…I really can’t…I’m only Callie Shaw…not Superwoman, even if he wants to be Superman.

And I’m not really second fiddle. I come after Joe, his sister, his thesis and his papers. That’s fifth fiddle.

Frank was so gratified her for allowing him to cling on to her. What he did not know was that she was the one holding on to him, afraid he would drift away with Joe instead of delivering his brother.

The grip was slippery, far too slippery.

And Randall strolled with an easy gait into her life- arrogant, confident and having the most flattering crush on her. He showered her with attention, making her feel like the centre of his world. He spent all his free time on her, so much time that she wondered if he was actually attending college. He was the self-assured rich man’s son that every girl would love to date and she was his secret girlfriend.

Well, not that secret anymore since he’s becoming more and more blatant with his affections by the day.

"Hmm…this is nice…" She shifted slightly away from him, hoping he would get the hint. They could be intimate in public when he drove her to parts of Bayport that Frank did not frequent.

But not in UB where eyes were watching; where walls had ears and students with mouths that would surely talk.

"The cake or me?" He pouted, his light green eyes pretended to be hurt.

Callie wrinkled her nose at him as guilt devoured her. She did not know who she was two-timing, her new, attentive boyfriend who pampered her like a princess, or Frank, whom her heart would silently ache for at night, missing that closeness they had even when he was around.

"The cake…" she took another bite and then lowered her eyes. "I haven’t told him. I don’t know how. Can you give me more time?"

And now his eyes flashed with disappointment. For the first two months that they were together, he was cool with being the guy who had to be hidden. Now, he wanted his rightful place.

No. No one can take Frank’s place. I love you Randall. But a part of me will always pine for Frank.

"How much more time? I’m so close to just going up to him and…" He sighed and pressed his index finger and thumb together, showing the gesture to her. "So close, Cal!"

Callie’s eyes widened in alarm because she was reminded of Vanessa’s death. Only she knew she would never commit a stupid thing like suicide. She also knew Frank was smart and rational enough but still, the fear remained.

"I’ll tell him…please Randall…I promise." Callie tugged his sleeves and watched the frustration ebb away on the handsome, squarish face. He sighed and kissed her lightly on the lips. She let him, risking the danger of being discovered to assure him of her final decision.

I’m so sorry Frank. Please, forgive me. I cannot be the one grabbing you when you wander too far. I hope you find someone else, someone else more deserving of your love than me.

***

Craig waited for Maggie outside the campus auditorium. Now that the band was sacked by Storm’s manager- all thanks to Joe- he had all the time in the world to try to date Maggie.

She plays beautifully. I happen to chance upon her…so different from that irresponsible brother of hers…

He happened to pass by the auditorium one lonely night when his nightmares plagued him and he found it difficult to go back to sleep. The auditorium was near to his hostel block though it was still isolated from the rest of the campus. Tucked away in one corner, it seemed proud to be in solitude; haughty because it knew it was beautiful.

The auditorium’s doors were strangely never closed, unless there was a rehearsal or an actual performance. Craig had no idea how the practice came about but he knew that no one would utilize it in the wee hours of the morning. Seeking some solace and hating to be outdoors, he stepped into the most majestic building on campus.

UB’s auditorium, the auditorium, was actually the pride of Bayport, not just the University. The architecture was inspired by the Roman Coliseum. The inside was luxurious and extravagant, with velvet red seats, a revolving stage and those carefully crafted pillars- angels came alive with the intricate carvings. Much attention was placed on the acoustics of the circular chamber. UB’s most influential and affluent Alumni members had rallied for this building to be erected and Craig was glad that it was finished before he got accepted into the University.

Because this place takes my breath away. Here, I saw the most beautiful princess in the world.

She was playing the violin, dressed in a long white dress with her curly blond tresses that sashayed down to her waist. He was moved by her music- he did not know the classical piece but he was moved by it. It soothed his troubled mind and his eyes were happy with the innocence he found in her.

And thus he sat in one corner, listening as her music won his soul over. When she finished, he clapped. In that huge empty chamber, his soft claps were deafening.

He had thought she would be surprised and run away. Instead, she grinned impishly at him and did a curtsey. He laughed. She walked towards him and they chatted for a while. However, she did not give him her number. He never saw her again in those wee hours of the morning. But he could never forget her.

Magdalene Frances Hardy. She told him her full name, loving the feel of the pretty syllables rolling from her tongue.

Sister of Joseph Elijah Hardy, such a weird fellow, stranger than himself.

And if I never peeked at his driver’s license, I’d never know his middle name.

And of course, having the Nanny watching over her, she was near impossible to get close to. The very last time he saw her, she was left behind, just like the band when Joe suddenly bolted from Storm. She had been in shock, together with some other girl.

When he heard from Wayne that she was the girl who would be doing the solo in Symphony Night, a presentation of classical pieces by the celebrated Bayport Orchestra, he decided to try his luck. Knowing that the orchestra was having a dress rehearsal that afternoon, he waited outside the auditorium since eleven. It was already three pm.

The heavy oak doors yawned opened, revealing a stream of musicians noisily flowing out of the entrance. Craig strained his eyes and pushed through the crowd to try to look for her. He could not find her and was a little daunted. His feet were aching from standing and kneeling then kneeling and standing while waiting for rehearsal to end.

He was so discouraged.

"Hey! Whatcha doing here?" He heard the chirpy voice calling out and his heart skipped many beats.

Easy there Craig…be cool…

"Oh…just loitering around…my hostel block is just right over there…" He gestured to an old looking building somewhere to the East of the auditorium.

"How’s your band? How’s my brother?" She took his arm and led him away from the auditorium to the car park. It was a funny question to ask, a family should know its members better than the friends would, especially when the supposed friend was really not even a friend.

But it did not matter. He was pleasantly surprised by her unassuming nature and her childlike manner. She seemed to be an effusive grabber. And her lack of inhibition at showing affection was very refreshing. Her touch was so innocent, just like her.

"We got fired. Your brother caused us a gig and we got fired." He replied, dryly and saw her face shadowed over. No, he should not have said that. She would dislike him for speaking ill of Joe.

"Why am I not surprised. Hey, you want to catch a movie? I’m so bored…sick of practicing." She lingered near a car, and he assumed that it was hers. He shrugged and she threw him a wide smile, a very happy smile.

"But we’ve to take the bus. Unless you’ve got a car…"she hinted. He was still a little stunned that she would ask him out, just like that.

So the car’s not hers…she makes it seem like the whole world belongs to her…in a good way…

"I’ve got a bike. It’s just over there…I’ll drive you to your room so you can put away your violin…"

"I can’t balance myself on the bike with my violin…" She wrinkled her nose, deep in thoughts. "Why don’t you walk me to my room, we’ll put it away and I’ll fix us something in the common kitchen?"

Cloud nine…she’s fixing me something. Is she always like that? So warm and friendly?

How she makes my heart melt in utter adoration. I need this sunshine. I’m sick of competing with Joe to see who could feel the most blue. My troubles are over, all in the past. When my father fell down flat on his face- his heart attack delivered me, I am free.

Now, I want this sunshine!

He shrugged again, still acting the cool guy. "Anything. I’m very free anyway."

"Oh, drop the pretense…I know you came to see me." She let go of his arm and walked a few steps backwards, facing him. Abruptly she stopped, clasped her hands, and thus, her violin behind her back. Her brown eyes sparkled with the unearthing of a secret.

"I know you like me." She whispered excitedly.

In complete, utter adoration.