Chapter 3- Take it in, Feel it all and hold it
When three males go to a nightclub, there's of course, drinks involved along with the usual set of talks ranging from politics, career and finally girls.
"So John, are you single or dating?" started Chang.
"Single, Chang," replied John.
"In this case, guys, I don't fit in your group. You know how I hate the girl talk," Ed protested.
"Don't worry, Ed, you're gonna hit the L-word soon. And if not that, then the D-word is surely on your way."
"Not even close," said Ed, "as long as I stand as a shield between that and myself."
"How do you guys manage to stay single for this long?" Chang said with an annoyed tone, "I mean, for someone attractive as you, John and someone so cool as you, Ed, I don't see any reason why you guys can't go out and date someone."
At that instant, music started and it was beautiful acoustic guitar. Ed always favored acoustics on top of all others. He had the evidence of playing it in his school too. He now had the sudden impulse to see the musician. When his eyes reached for that, his jaw dropped. The musician could not be older than sixteen. And the way he was bent over his red guitar Ed felt nostalgic. "Wow" was the word that all he could think of.
The boy caught Ed's gaze and Ed waved at him. He waved him back.
Sometime later, the very boy in question appeared.
"Hey bro, you really have it, you know. Wonderfully played," Ed said with a supportive remark.
The boy shrugged. He appeared shy. He had wonderfully dark hair. His blue eyes immediately shone with gratitude.
"I play here every Saturday. Oh, by the way, I'm George. George Darcy."
"Nice to meet you, George. This is my best friend, Chang," said Ed pointing to Chang before proceeding towards John, "and my brother, John Bennet. I'm Edward. But would you care to call me Ed?"
"Of course not. It will be my pleasure," replied George, modestly.
The other two made friendly gestures at him too.
"So, you a school dropout or something?" asked Ed.
"No, it's just that music is my passion. My family wants me to pursue a career in business but I have neither the brains nor the desire," replied George.
"Impressive," Chang laughed, which the other three followed.
At that moment, a tall blonde appeared behind George.
"George, you break your word every time and like every other time, I come here, I get lost."
"Oops, I'm so sorry, Chy. I really am," said the shy boy and then as if remembering something, he said to the boys he was introduced to, "Guys, meet my almost sister and my surrogate mom, Chyler Lee."
Could it be an instant action of hormones or impulses, Ed could not tell but he sure could notice identical blushes in both John and Chyler's faces. The held their gazes a bit longer than was necessary.
Chang could not help but cough. George smiled. And all Ed could do was watch.
"Nice to meet you, gentlemen," Chyler replied. "So are you acquainted with George?"
"Nice to meet you too, Chyler and no, we are not acquainted with George, but for today," said Ed for John was too dumbstruck to even open his mouth. The reaction, however, could not be such a thing as a surprise. Chyler was blond, had kind green eyes, nice cheekbones that would make any man stop and stare. John, on the other hand, was tall, well built, kind and earned the very distinction of being extremely good looking.
"Both do look perfect for each other," thought Ed, "Oops, Jeremy's genes are working on me right now."
"So, do you guys stay around here somewhere?" Chyler began again after an awkward pause.
"Yes, we do. In fact, my residency begins next week. I'll be working in the Children's hospital," finally John's tongue managed to break free and he replied with a smile, dimple on one cheek.
"So, you're a doctor?" Chyler asked with an extra eagerness, but tried to control it at the same time.
John nodded with a shy glance at her.
Chyler put on an unconscious blush again.
All this time, among the three, Chang's brain worked the fastest. "Wait. Chyler Lee as in Lee Cosmetics!" he exclaimed triumphantly.
"Well, yeah. It's my father's company. I joined there last year," replied Chyler shortly.
"All right, enough of introduction. Let's go have dinner together-all five of us," John proposed.
"Great!" the rest agreed.
"Nice first step towards a commitment," whispered Chang to John as the proceeded outside, like a father advising his son, "You should start taking my lessons by now. Ed, are you listening?"
John shot him a look, as if trying to say- "Could you not be Dad now?" However, he remained totally open-mouthed. Ed smiled at this. All that was left to understand was understood.