Another Human in My Space

Almost 2 years ago, Craig called me on my mobile and introduced himself as a friend of Michael. His rustic, yet humble voice was actually sweet and I was eager to see this guy in person. For some unknown (and unexplainable) reason, I restrained myself from taking him into my world of fantasies.

He wanted me to help him figure out whether to join my department or another in the institute where I study. With Michael away and inaccessible due to some reasons, he got in touch with me during the admission process. While I tried my best to give him the honest picture, I hoped he would choose my department. Just as I wished, he joined my department and I became his senior. However, this happened a few months after our first telephone conversation. Meanwhile, he started attending classes at the other department where he got himself admitted. During this period, I got to know that Craig was not really a friend of Michael. They had known each other only through a 'friend of a friend' and they had not seen or talked to each other before.

It was also during this period that I got an opportunity to see him in person. He had come to my campus to meet a professor. Michael and I were together when he arrived and we went to meet him. For me, it was a surprise seeing a short and slightly built guy. I expected the guy with such a soft and melodious voice to be a bit lean and slightly taller (more like Michael). Seeing Michael and me walking towards him, his eyes clearly betrayed that he mistook Michael to be me. Later, I found out that he had expected a formally dressed, lean and tall guy. A description that Michael fits into very well and I am just the opposite.

After the first meeting we did not get a chance to talk to each other for some time. That was until he decided to quit his classes in that department and join mine. I must admit, I was happy for his decision. I wanted him to be around. Although he has all that would make him attractive, I did not find him "interesting". Neither did I try too hard to understand the obvious contradiction.

In spite of studying in the same campus, our schedules made sure that I got very few opportunities to spend time with him. I was not complaining either. However, the moments we did spend together during his first year laid foundation for a stronger bond.

A year later, we found ourselves free most of the time. This coupled to his straining relationships with some of his other friends made it easy for us to frequently go for short walks across the campus. The discussions during these leisure walks centered around science. Within a short while, the topics of the conversations began drifting away from science and into people and life.

At the beginning, I found myself listening more and talking less. It took me a couple of months to share my opinions on various issues without any hesitation. The moments I spent talking to him grew longer and longer. Strength of the bond holding us together grew stronger proportionally. By this time, I could very easily identify him as a good friend. For anybody to reach this space in my personal hierarchy was quite tough.

Then, it became clear to me why I did not find him "hot"... I had been spontaneously guarding the brotherly love and friendship I share with him and protecting it from lust.

Craig is probably the only one in the (real) world who knows me so well.