What a sunny day!
Birds flew in the sky as clouds moved at their leisurely pace. An old song played on the radio in a nearby shop and kids ran along with their parents to catch the school bus. A cat was trying to cross the road but couldn't because of the heavy traffic.
Finally, the signal turned red and she was able to cross, and so did the other people who were in a hurry to get to their respective destinations.
I was walking towards my bus stop and enjoying the scenery around me. Today, I left home far earlier than I did, since I didn't sleep at all. I had pulled an all-nighter to complete the notes, though I wasn't able to include all the chapters for Physics.
But I was optimistic that Nikhil would appreciate it and we would start talking again; just like old times. I whistled a melody of one of my favourite songs and smiled happily imagining Nikhil's expression.
I knew he must have had a hard time yesterday, so I didn't want to ask him anything about it since he might get more angry. I would just give him the notes and then explain how Lakshya bhaiyya got to know where we were.
He wasn't following me. He had asked me for my number so that he could track my location since Nikhil left his phone at home. He didn't follow me instantly since he didn't want to alert me. Nice move, bhaiyya. I didn't even suspect him.
Drip!
A water drop fell on my nose. Huh? I looked up and one more drop fell on my face. I wiped it out and looked at the sky in confusion. There were no dark clouds.
I kept walking and after few seconds, realised that the whole sky got engulfed in a dark blanket. Everything around me got tinted a shade of blue and then, it started drizzling.
Was it going to rain today? The weather forecast didn't say anything about it though. I ignored it and continued on my way.
Psshhhhhhh!
Damn it! It started raining heavily and I had to make a run for it. I brought my backpack to my front and shielded it from the onslaught of the heavy rain. If I had known this would happen, I would have brought my umbrella.
I was completely drenched by the time I reached my bus stop. Even though I ran at my top speed, I couldn't outmatch the rain. Looked like, monsoon was here.
I checked my bag and sighed in relief when I saw that the notes were safe. I closed my bag and squeezed myself inbetween two aunties who were cursing the weather. The bus stop was crowded with the passerbys who needed a shelter to protect themselves from the sudden rain.
Fortunately, my bus arrived on time and I got in without much trouble. But I didn't get a vacant seat. The bus was filled to its maximum capacity and I had to stand throughout my journey.
Just as I reached my stop, I got down the bus and ran towards the college. It was still raining, and I almost slipped and fell in the pool of mud which had formed just a few metres away from the gates. Other students were also running and trying to get in as soon as possible.
I managed to get myself in the hallway just in time. I got to my classroom and slumped down in my seat. I was exhausted. There was still time for the first lecture to start, so I went to the washroom to dry myself up after resting for five minutes.
Since I was wearing a T-shirt and jeggings, it didn't take me long to dry myself up. I brushed my hair and put it in a loose braid. If I had left it all open, then it would have become a bird's nest. I went back to the class after tyding myself up.
"Oh my god! What happened to you?" Parth asked and gave me a once over.
Was I looking that bad?
"Was up whole night and got soaked in the morning," I replied and fake glared at Surbhi who was laughing at my state.
"Naughty girl. What were you doing all night to make you look like that?" She wiggled her eyebrows and I pinched her cheeks.
"Nothing that your dirty mind is thinking about."
We all laughed and Parth told us that we might have a surprise test today. If it was a surprise test, then how did he know? Mehta sir should really work on trying to keep it a secret.
Soon, rest of the students also arrived. Ved and Ayush were discussing about something and went directly to their seats after greeting Parth and Surbhi. As always, they ignored me. Well, I wasn't expecting anything from Ved but Ayush could have atleast said a 'Hi'.
Come on, Sandhya. Who are you kidding? As long as he had Ved, he wouldn't need you. Ever.
I sighed but smiled when I saw Nikhil enter the room. He was here. I thought he would take a day off to cool down or something but he didn't. Great.
"Good morning, bro," Parth greeted him.
"Morning," Nikhil replied.
"Hi, Nikhil. All okay?" Surbhi asked.
"Yeah, everything's fine," Nikhil said and glanced at me.
"Hi." I waved my hand shyly and he ignored me.
He didn't reply and went to sit by his friends. Surbhi and Parth asked me what happened and I told them that we had a little fight. They didn't look like they bought it so I changed the topic.
The bell rang and Mehta sir arrived few moments later. I turned my head back to look at Nikhil and he was already staring at me. I gave him a small smile and he rolled his eyes. I glanced beside him and saw that Ved was shooting daggers at me.
I turned my head back to the front and thought about how I should approach him. How was I supposed to give him the notes if he wasn't even willing to talk to me?
Ping!
I checked my phone as Mehta sir was distracted. I almost cursed loudly when I saw the message. I hadn't saved the number but knew it was from Ved.
"I know what happened with Nikhil. I already warned you."
I shut off my phone and didn't look back. Ved must be itching to punch me and if I did something to tick him off more, he might as well do so without holding back. I was doomed.
As Parth said, Mehta sir did hold a surprise test but I couldn't concentrate at all. I kept thinking about Nikhil and how to explain myself. I was relieved when the class got over and Mehta sir announced that it was the last test before our actual exams began.
He even dropped a hint that we might get the questions from all the surprise and mock tests we had given so far. That would be so great since I had thoroughly revised them.
I tried to stop Nikhil when he was exiting but Ved beat me to it. He gave me a warning glare and left. Ayush also shook his head at me and followed them. Surbhi patted my back and told me that he would talk to me eventually. He just needed some time to calm down.
I believed her words and didn't disturb him till lunch. I was so concerned about him that I couldn't eat properly. The way he looked at me made me feel bad. Like, I was the reason behind all that he was going through.
Don't worry, Sandhya. He is just angry at you. Just talk to him and explain your side. He will understand. Afterall, he is your friend.
I assured myself and relaxed. I was overthinking again. I finished my lunch and told Surbhi that I would be bunking the class. She was surprised but didn't bother me about it. She knew what I was thinking. She told me she would cover for me and I hugged her.
I went to the library and sat on my usual seat. I took out some blank papers and began writing. If he didn't want to listen to what I had to say, he could read it. I smiled to myself when I finished writing and put the papers along with the notes.
I got up and made my way towards the basketball court. I searched for Nikhil but couldn't see him anywhere. Wasn't he supposed to be with his team mates? Not only him but Ved was missing too.
I saw the rest of the team members on the court and approached them. They were huddled together and were discussing something in hushed tones. I tapped one of the player's shoulder and asked him about Nikhil.
All of them looked at me like I just spoke in an alien language. They looked at each other and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. I asked them again and they pointed towards the locker room.
"Coach is pissed off," one of them said and I pursed my lips.
He must have gotten to know about Nikhil being banned from playing basketball. He was the vice captain and one of the best players on the team. Of course, Coach must be mad after hearing the news.
I nodded my head and waited outside the boys' locker room. I could hear some shouting and yelling. After ten minutes, the door opened and Coach stormed out. I quickly stepped to the side and said my greeting. He just nodded his head at me absentmindedly and went to his office.
"Why are you here?" I heard Ved.
"I want to talk to Nikhil," I replied.
Nikhil also came outside, with teary eyes and red face. He stopped when he saw me and I looked at him in worry. He didn't say anything and I kicked myself mentally to speak up.
"Nikhil, I want to talk. Please," I told him.
"Didn't you already had enough? Just look at him. Are you here to make fun of him?" Ved shouted.
"No! It's not like that. Please let me explain. Nikhil, please listen to me once," I begged.
"Why should he? Didn't I tell you to keep away from his matter? But you didn't listen and look what happened. He isn't allowed to play anymore because of you!" Ved accused.
"Let him speak! He can talk on his behalf. And stop blaming me. I was just helping him," I yelled back.
"Helping?! You ruined everything," Nikhil retorted.
I looked at Nikhil in shock. How could he say that? Other team members also came after hearing us and now everyone looked at me like I was a criminal.
"Nikhil, can we talk in private?" I asked and he shook his head.
"Leave, Sandhya," Ved said but I ignored him.
It looked like I wouldn't be able to talk to him afterall. So, I took out the notes from my bag and stepped in front of Nikhil. He eyed the papers in my hand and looked back at me.
"These are for you. Remember, you asked me to make notes for you? I have completed them and I have also made some extra for Maths and Physics," I pushed the notes toward him and he took them.
He skimmed through the pages and I saw his expressions soften a bit. I had done all of those in writing since he had told me that printed notes would be troublesome if his Mom found out. I took a step back and waited for his response.
"What are those? Peace offering?" Ved took the papers from Nikhil and looked through them.
"Give those back, Ved. Those are not for you," I said.
"Right. I forgot how desperate you were. You thought that if you would give these notes to him, then he would forget everything and get back with you."
"It's not like that."
"Really? Didn't he tell you yesterday that he doesn't want to talk to you? You called him so many times even after he told you off. I already told you that I would handle everything but you didn't listen. Are you happy now that you fucked up everything?"
"It wasn't all my fault."
"You hurt him!"
"I didn't. He is my friend."
"He is not."
"Shut up!"
"You better leave."
"You bastard!"
"SANDHYA!" Nikhil shouted.
He came and stood beside Ved. He took some notes from Ved and waved them in front of my face.
"You made these for me, right?" he asked and I nodded my head.
"Great," he said and smiled cynically.
Rip!
My eyes widened when Nikhil ripped the notes apart. He shredded them in pieces and I couldn't believe my eyes. I saw all of my hard work getting ruined and I couldn't do anything about it. Was this really happening?
"Want some help?" Ved asked Nikhil and grinned at my reaction.
Nikhil nodded his head and both of them ripped up the rest of the notes. I just stood frozen at my place, unable to process why Nikhil was behaving like that.
"You should have stayed in your limits." Ved threw the torn papers at me.
Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. The bits of papers flew in the air and settled down in front of my feet-just like my confidence. A traitor tear managed to escape my eye and I quickly wiped it off.
"I really regret not listening to you, bro. I should have never become friends with her. She is really a nuisance," Nikhil said and Ved patted his back in response.
"I am glad you finally understood, though she already caused troubled for you. But don't worry, I will talk to Coach and Uncle," Ved told him.
"Thanks, man," Nikhil replied and they both hugged each other.
"As for you, Sandhya. I hope you have learned your lesson," Ved said but I didn't respond.
All of them left, one after another, leaving me alone by myself. The moment everyone was out of sight, I broke down crying. I was so worried about Nikhil that I couldn't focus on anything since morning.
I even stayed awake the whole night for him. Shouldn't he had been more considerate towards me? I picked up the torn papers and threw them in the dustbin. I tried to stop crying but my tears were not obeying me.
Was I that bad for Nikhil to react like that? If he didn't want the notes, he could have simply given them back to me. Why did he had to make a fool out of me in front of others? Moreover, Ved made me look like a desperate girl.
I had no hidden intentions, then why did he think like that? Why did he hate me so much? And now Nikhil also hated me. He was getting into drugs and that's why I wanted to help him get back on track.
I came here to explain myself but all of my efforts got wasted. Everything was for nothing. I failed as a friend.