Chapter 13
Breathe Charlie breathe "The dinner didn't turn out how I wanted it to" Charlie said avoiding his father's eyes but in doing so locked eyes with Don
"Charlie we know that. If it had turned out well then you wouldn't have done P vs. NP. Tell us what happened exactly"
I can tell them; they'll understand "Well we babbled the whole night, which is weird for her, usual for me. I should've noticed earlier then I would have seen that she wanted to say something. Could've spared-"
"Charlie" Don interrupted gently
"Sorry. Desert came and I knew that I had to say something soon. Somehow we both said at the same time I need to tell you something, which statistically is highly improbable, but I told her to go first. I told her that my news could wait. In hindsight if I had gone first…" Charlie trailed off wishing that her wouldn't have to repeat, and in doing so relive, those moments but Don wouldn't let him
"Charlie, what did she tell you?"
"She um she- she told me that she has a boyfriend" Charlie said taking in a deep breath and letting it slowly which wasn't slow at all
"Did she say she has a boyfriend or are you assuming that?" Alan asked
"She said she has a date"
"That doesn't mean-" Don started
"Don you should have heard her. She sounded so happy and her face was glowing…she said was excited"
"Well so steal her back" Alan said as if it was the most obvious and simple solution
"Dad!" Don and Charlie both exclaimed
"What! Charlie do you lover her?" Charlie didn't have to answer with words. The look on his face said enough "Then tell her. Maybe she doesn't like this…"
"Orlando" Charlie supplied
"As much as you think. Maybe she likes you but got tired of waiting so she settled for less"
"Yeah" Don added "Maybe she'll break up with him because you FINALLY came to your senses"
"Maybe" said Charlie unconvincingly
"No. No maybes. You took too long to tell her in the first place. Don't make that mistake again"
"I'll tell her tomorrow"
"Tell her tonight" Don insisted
"Her date is tonight, I'll tell her tomorrow"
"Fine. Tell her tomorrow"
"I will" Charlie said wishing that he felt as sure as he sounded
"Thanks again Orlando" Amita said as he rode the elevator with her
"You're very welcome miss Ramanujan" Orlando said as they arrived at her door
Again with the miss…he didn't even congratulate me on getting my PhD so why am expecting him to call me doctor? Oh that's right I THOUGHT he would remember "Well this is me…but you knew that" Amita said getting nervous does he expect to come inside?
"I had a great time Amita" said Orlando giving no indication of leaving
"Me too" Amita replied and then silence followed Ok just say goodnight
"Ok well goodnight" Orlando said after minute or two
"Goodnight" Amita responded. Orlando kissed her softly on the cheek before leaving for the stairs. Amita opened the door letting her fingers brush where Orlando's lips had been only a moment ago
"It's about time" Mary immediately said rising from her spot on the couch
"Hi Mary" Amita greeted dropping her keys on the table by the door
"So…" Mary prompted following Amita into her bedroom
"So what?" Amita asked enjoying the frustration she was causing her roommate
"So what happened on the date?" Mary said with a tone that implied what else would I have been asking about "Did you like it?"
"It was…nice" Amita answered from her closet
"Nice? Why don't I like the sound of that?"
"What? I said it was nice" Amita answered emerging from her closet with her pjs and proceeded to change
"Yeah but you paused looking from the right word, and the tone wasn't right and its not the best word to choose if you truly enjoyed yourself- and don't try to change the word now" Mary added sitting down on the bed
Damn her and her psych classes "Well I mean it was a nice date. No problems. We went to dinner at a cute little restaurant, then we went to a movie and then he took me home" Amita said climbing into bed
"That sounds like a great date, so what's the problem?" Mary asked. She looked over at her friend and read very strong conflicting emotions- joy and sadness (if it is indeed possible)
"It felt good at times but most of the time it just felt wrong"
"Ah" Mary understood now
"What?" Amita asked hurriedly. Anything to understand why I feel this way
"You still like Charlie. You feel guilty for having anything other then a horrible time with Orlando. You have the guilt because you love him"
"I don't know anymore. I used to think I loved him but then when he didn't do anything, I thought maybe he doesn't like me. I'd talk to him but he gets flustered when it comes to things like this. I'm just so…tired' Amita replied falling back into her pillows
"Then sleep. If you want to we can talk more in the morning"
"Thanks Mary"
"Goodnight hun" Mary said as she gave Amita a kiss on the cheek, went to the bedroom door, and turned off the light. Amita was like a sister to her. As Mary got ready for bed she made her mind. Tomorrow she would go see Charlie and find out his feelings before Amita had an emotional breakdown over a guy who may not even like her.
Hoped you guys like this chapter. I may not post for a while because finals week is from the 8th to the 14th but I'll try.