Midterms were upon us. Time had passed in a flash ever since that day with Sakurako. God I get flustered just thinking about it.
"Hey Daniel!" Randan called out to me, he was with Santhush.
"You two! How's it going?"
"Pretty solid" Santhush answered.
"How're you feeling for the maths exam today?" I asked.
"Shit" How brief, Randan.
"I'll be right"
"Well that's good Santhush"
"Hey, what about me!"
"You're a bum who should've studied more"
"That's no fair! You have Sakurako.."
"Do you want me to help you study then? We still have a few hours.."
"YES!"
"You're enthusiastic, okay"
"Please, I'm desperate. I don't want any more censure notices!"
"Fair, alright come with me right now then, we're going to the library"
"Can I come too?"
"Obviously you can come, Santhush" I answered.
I proceeded to crack the books and study for the first time properly in front of Randan and Santhush. Also to actively teach them as well.
"Alright Randan, let's start with some simple stuff. What's three times three?"
"I'm not that dumb buddy"
"Okay! Seriously though, where are you at"
He just looked at me like a lost dog, so I knew it was basically everything remotely difficult. I began from the start, quickly running through formulas, equations and
rules. Santhush didn't seem to pick up that much, unless he already knew it. Randan was keeping up well, which pleased me.
"You're actually a really good teacher, I thought you said you weren't?"
"I just said Oliver is a better teacher than me"
"I'm not sure though, he's not as good at cram teaching!"
"Of course you'd want that though"
"Well, duh"
"Hey there, boys"
"Hmm?"
"Hey, Daniel~" Sakurako you dirty dog..
"Eek!"
"Are they a thing or what, Randan?"
"I totally think they are, but they keep saying no.."
"Oi! Get back to studying!"
"Yes, Sir!" Randan stood up and saluted like I was his drill sergeant.
"You're teaching them?"
"Yes, maths, Randan is desperately awful as you know"
"Can I help?"
"Of course you can, come on in"
She joined the group, and helped me teach the two. Although she helped more with Santhush, Randan continued to do fine with my quick-fire cramming.
"Ugghhh" Randan groaned. "It's been like 3 hours.." He groaned again.
"Yeah, that's how studying works"
"Oh, it's almost time for the exam!" Sakurako reminded us.
"Shall we get going then?"
"Sure.." Randan was completely depressed at the thought of the maths exam.
"Just pass this time please. After all my efforts"
"I'll try! But it's impossible!" What a moaner mate.
The exam went by in a breeze, simple and easy. I remembered my statements. I will win this time round. I have to beat Sakurako overall. Then I'll be worthy of her love, even if she gives it already. I want to earn the place at her side.
"I'm cooked bro."
"Randan. If you fail that exam I will do unspeakable things to you"
"Please do!"
"Nevermind, I don't think I want to speak to you anymore.."
"Oh c'mon!"
Randan, what a man he is. An exuberant and popular guy. Talkative and funny. But what did he hide behind that masquerade? I think I may be the only one who really knows his true nature. The dichotomy of our friendship is that he doesn't know mine. He has had so many girlfriends, not because he's bad at love, or he's a cheater, or he sucks with commitment or anything. I think it's because he's scared of isolation more than anything else.
A social chameleon who waltzes into social circles and gatherings with his charms and good looks. Charms the socks off girls enamoured by the mask he wears. Pretends to be somebody he never has been. Gets into relationships that would never work because they're easy, and he won't be lonely in them. I don't know how much he's done with these girls, but it wouldn't be outrageous to say that his personal issues cause more problems with others than himself. It's because he doesn't accept the false persona he has created for himself. Everybody else does but him, and me. That's the reason he hangs onto me, an introverted gloomy kid who has wasted away for 3 years in a pit of self-spiralling. But now I'm better, not fully, but nearly there.
And despite this, he remains in the same hole he has always been in, ever since I met him. If he ever sheds that skin and becomes himself, Randan will be, undoubtedly, an incredible individual.