Page 67 of When The Night Falls

‘There’s no time for it.’

‘You sound just like Sandra now.’

‘Damn. I guess it’s a curse haunting every med student.’

‘Well, on the bright side, by not sleeping around, you won’t tempt anyone to chase the unattainable the way Sandra did.’

‘That’s exactly why I’m avoiding it. I’d hate it if I ended up hurting someone.’

When I heard them start to clean the table, I dashed to my bedroom door and closed it before either of them could walk out and notice. Not much later, someone knocked.

‘Yes?’

William opened the door. Our stares collided, and I wondered if he could tell that I had overheard every word as he confided in Jason. From the piercing power of his gaze, I got the impression that he knew, but since his lips formed a brooding line, I wasn’t certain. If he truly suspected me of having heard him, I would have expected him to present his typical crooked smile, as its cunning shape would have revealed that it had never been unintended.

‘I see you’re nearly done,’ he said and studied my new wardrobe.

I nodded. ‘Only the doors left.’

‘Good job.’

‘Thanks.’

His eyes homed in on my bed then. Without asking, he walked over to it and picked up my textbook on Advanced Contract Law.

‘If it isn’t Contract Law,’ he said, flipping through the pages. ‘I selected this module in my third year as well.’

‘Did you?’

He nodded, but his attention remained fixed on a page. ‘Which modules are you taking, exactly?’

‘Advanced Contract Law, Company Law, Commercial Law and Law of Taxation.’

‘Private law is your forte, I hear.’

‘Of course. That’s why I should fit right in at Day & Night.’

He looked up then, and the smile he offered was small but sincere. ‘You certainly will.’ He shut the book and dropped it on my bed. ‘Well, give me a bell if you ever need any help while you’re revising for your exams.’

‘That’s very kind of you.’

He shrugged. ‘I’d be delighted to help you out in whatever way I can.’

His statement evoked the memory of when he had insisted that he would never get in the way of my education should I opt to give him a chance. He seemed to be recalling the same memory, as his gaze lingered on mine for a moment.

‘Anyway, just thought I’d say goodbye. I’m heading off. Good luck assembling the rest of your’ – he glanced at the box containing my desk – ‘furniture.’

I gave him a smile even though I wasn’t comfortable knowing where he was headed.

‘Thanks for your help,’ I said. ‘I’ll have you to thank if my wardrobe doesn’t collapse.’

He chuckled as he went to the door. ‘Let me know if it does.’

‘You know I won’t,’ I said playfully and trailed after him to see him out.

While Jason and I watched him put on his shoes, the younger brother asked, ‘Sunday, then?’

‘Yeah.’

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