Chapter 5

                                         Relax! It’s just a meal

As decided Fluke waited for Davis outside the school gate after the school got over.

“Fluke! I shall go now. Enjoy your meal with senior.” Mike soon left for home alone that day.

After a few minutes, Davis came out. “Hey! Did you wait for long?” He asked.

“No! Just a few minutes.”

“Fluke! I’m happy that you accepted my apology.”

“Hmm!” Fluke nodded. “Shall we go?”

“Yes...but I can’t see my car.” Davis looked left and right at the road.

“Car? Aren’t we eating nearby?” Fluke asked looking surprised.

“No! I’ll take you to my regular place. You’ll love it. Look! My car’s here. Let’s get in.”

A big luxurious car stopped near them and they sat in. At first Fluke was hesitant as it was his first time sitting inside such a luxurious car. He was first shocked at how spacious and classy it looked from inside. He kept squeezing himself in his seat in nervousness.

“Fluke! Are you alright? What happened?” Davis looked at him.

“No...nothing! Do you always travel in this car?” Fluke asked hesitatingly.

“Sometimes. We have five cars so I keep on switching them from time to time. But this one is my favourite. Dad gifted me this one after I won the Champion’s Trophy last year.”

“Oh! That’s so cool!” Fluke suddenly recalled that the person sitting beside him was not any ordinary one. He is the state champion in football and known for his strength and tactics in the field. No wonder Max adorns him.

“Let’s go!” Davis told Fluke.

“Hugh! Where?” With surprise he peeked through the window. Fluke realized that the car had already stopped. “Oh! We reached the place.” It was awkward.

Both went inside a restaurant, again a luxurious one. As they went in, a staff member took them to a table. They sat in the opposite direction. The table cloth was cleaner and softer than the school shirt Fluke was wearing. The waiters were fancily dressed and waited in every corner of the big hall. There was a huge chandelier above them which looked magnificent.

“Gorgeous! It’s so pretty.”Fluke said as he looked at the chandelier.

“I know! Very pretty!” David murmured looking at Fluke.

“----“Fluke suddenly locked his eyes with Davis. It was at this moment that Fluke realized that Davis was gazing at him.

“Umm... Hey!” Davis raised his hand and a staff came running with a book in her hand. She kept the book on the table and stood near them.

 “Fluke! Look at the menu. Order whatever you want.” He pushed the heavy book towards Fluke.

“Wow! It’s heavy. You literally handed me a book which is as heavy and thick as my physics book.” Fluke giggled.

When Fluke looked at Davis, he was already eyeing on him. Fluke hesitatingly opened the first page. There was just a description about the hotel menu. The next few pages were filled with information about its branches and Michelin star chefs. After that the real business starts. One food item with the picture near it and a long brief description about the ingredients and the place from where it was bought was printed. Fluke gave up after reading one page. He can’t finish it.

“What do you wanna eat?” Davis was still adorning Fluke’s confused face reading the menu.

“Umm...why don’t you order for me? You’ll know what’s good here.” Fluke passed the trouble work to him.

“OK! Bring your special crab meat and for desert bring the jumbo ice.” Davis ordered it and the girl went straight away.

“Oh! I forgot about it.” Saying thing, Davis searched something in his pocket and took it out. It was a kind of box. He kept it on the table and pushed it near Fluke. “Open it.” He instructed.

Fluke took it and opened it. It was a watch.

“How’s it?” Davis asked.

“It’s nice and gorgeous.” Fluke replied.

“Do you like it?” Davis asked smiling at him.

“Yah! It’s nice. But why did you buy the same watch? You’re already wearing one.”

“Really! You noticed it.” He giggled. “But that’s not for me. I saw the strap of your watch. The leather has worn out so I bought the same one for you.”

“Hugh! For me? But Why?” Fluke was surprised.

“Relax! It’s just an apology gift. Don’t say no. Please accept it.” He looked at Fluke.

“I’m sorry I can’t accept it.” Fluke closed the box and kept it on the table.

Suddenly Fluke was raged at him. He felt as if Davis was mocking at his situation. He felt as if Davis was trying to show how rich he was. Fluke turned his face away and crossed his arms.

“Fluke!”

“-----“

“Fluke!”

“So now what’s next? I think my shoes have also worn out. Will you buy for me that too?” Fluke was now glaring at him.

“Sorry! I’m really sorry if you are hurt but I meant no harm. I just wanted to be close to you. I wanted to approach towards you and talk. I wanted to be friend with you but I don’t know how. So I...” He lowered his head.

“Senior! Thanks for the watch but there’s no next time.” Fluke’s rage dropped looking at his innocence.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Meanwhile the food was served and they both dig in. Davis too dropped Fluke to his house as it was late.

Next day in the school during lunch break, after they had their lunch in the canteen, Fluke bought an orange juice and went straight to the field. Mike was puzzled as Fluke didn’t say anything when he asked him about the drink.

Fluke went to the football field and looked for David. “Hey Senior!” He screamed when he saw Davis entering the field. Meanwhile he realized that shouting his name made him the epicenter of those flock of his fan girls. Instantly he turned around avoiding the chaos.

“Fluke!” Davis came running with his jersey hanging on his shoulder. “Did you call me?” He was literally panting.

“Yes! It’s for you.” Fluke handed him the juice.

“For me? Thanks. I’ll have it all.” He seemed happy as he grabbed it instantly.

“Thanks for the meal and the watch.” Fluke shyly spoke brushing his fingers clumsily. He could sense a sea of heads facing towards them.

“Believe me it’s nothing. I’d love to help you in case you need. And thanks for this drink. I’m happy.” Davis gazed at him. He felt contented the way Fluke initiated to talk to him. He felt thrilled when Fluke gave him the drink. It made him special. He felt special.

Fluke nodded his head.

“We have a football match tomorrow. I’ll be happy if you come to support our team. Will you come?” He asked Fluke looking directly into his eyes.

“Of course!” Fluke replied instantly. Of course he would go. How can he miss that! He’ll go to watch the match for Max.

“Umm...the practice is about to start. Bye!” Saying this, Davis ran back to the field.

As Fluke saw him shoot through the crowd of his fan girls cheering, his eyes suddenly locked at a figure. It was when Fluke saw Max glaring at him from a distant. He was inside the field and perhaps looking at Fluke for a long time.

Fluke smiled at him. But there was no response. Instead, he turned back and moved to grab the ball. ‘Wasn’t he looking at me? Perhaps it was all in my mind. Perhaps he didn’t see me at all.’ Fluke whispered to himself.