Sittings at the corner of canteen, having tit bits of gossip over soft drink with a well known slut of school. Akash forgot someone was desperately waiting for him. He forgot, his promised Priya to meet her as soon as his punishment gets over.
“Akash, still my friend request is pending, any problem?” asked Amy trying to spark conversation.
“Sorry Amy” he minutely smiled at her for being careless.
“Atleast, You could have replied me once” she said softly.
“I am really sorry I was busy haven’t checked my profile from long time” excused Akash.
“Leave it, tell me how’s you studies going?”
“Think you are my enemy” he fished a tick of gum from his pocket and offered it to her.
“What?” Tia took the piece and popped it into her mouth.
“Who so ever asks me about my studies seems to be my enemy” Akash leaned back in his chair.
“Oh! But you are good at studies. Why so?” a wild grin on her face. said Tia moving books aside which was to be returned to library
“Anything else please” insisted Akash
“What about GF’s?” asked Tia wounding a strand of long, dark hair around and around one finger with mood to flirt mood to flirt “How many?” She asked him sarcastically.
“Apart from parties, I don’t care. I am sure there is one, who’s waiting for me.” Said Akash rolling his eyes
“Oh! By the way, whose waiting let me also know?” asked Amy
“I don’t know”
“You don’t know,” said Amy with slight surprise
“Pairs are made in heaven, “said Akash” I am sure they’re in one somewhere made exclusively for me”
“Good! But how will you come to know she is one?” questioned Tia
“It Clicks! That’s all”
“What if she is near you and you don’t know”
“Near?” Surprised Akash “There is nobody”
“Even I am near you, who know I am the one” Her lips tightened at this.
“You???” surprised Akash
“Yeah! Me Akashhhhhhhhhhhhhh” Said Tia stretching ‘h’ alphabet of Akash
“You are kidding, right.”
“Just kidding” replied Amy
“Even Priya is with me from long time. Does that mean she is the one?” questioned Akash
“Might be…God only knows,” replied Amy
Finding each and every corner of school, atlast she for reached canteen, scanning through out she found Akash and Amy sitting in corner. With angry stomping, she reached towards them.
“Akash you are here!!!” he yelled, rushing into the cateen,pushing the chair in front of him out of the way, ignoring the crack of wood when it hit the floor.
“Hi! Priya?”
“What hi? I told you met me as your punishment gets over. Instead, you are having fun here with Amy, I told you before, and I am so much worried about your punishment. Why didn’t you come?”
Listening to this Amy got slightly angry on her. ‘We are just talking casually’ she thought to herself
“Shit Priya.Sorry, sorry sorry”Regreted Akash
“Akash you always do this same, even you promised me”
“I remember”
“Remember? If you have remembered ‘promise’ then, you would have reached straight to me, instead sitting here had having fun with Tia.”
“Actually…”
“What actually? Priority of best friend is getting down these days I am noticing this thing”
“No it’s nothing like that,” countered Akash “You will always be the same for me”
“Really? That’s why you are here”
Amy was listening and very well understood that Priya was angry because he was sitting with her. Since Priya came, Akash forgot that even Amy was present in the canteen. She felt like she was odd one out. Busy with there own conversation, nobody cared neither Priya nor Akash that even Amy existed in canteen. She felt ignored in the presence of Priya by Akash. ‘I was the one who told her Akash was kneel down and she is ignoring me’ thought Amy getting a bitter feeling for Priya. Getting angry by feeling ignored she decided to leave.
“I have to return these books to canteen you carry on” said Amy Standing up from the chair and picking up the books
“Wait a min Priya,” said Akash “ Are you going Amy?” Akash continued talking to Amy
“Yeah, I Think I must leave you Guys alone”
“No, It’s not like that.” Said Akash trying her to stop
“Sorry Akash I’ll met you some other day I have to return books”
“Amyyou Go, He’ll talk with you afterwards” blurted out Priya
Listening to this Amy face was totally red with anger. She would have given a quick response ‘I will stay with Akash you are the one to tell me’ to priya but she knew they both were best friends. If in case, she uttered even a single word Akash will not tolerate and her Dreams of ‘Akash as Bf’ would be ruined. Somehow, she managed to collect the books quietly. And leaved with even waved both bye.’ You have to pay for this priya’ she tough to herself thinking to taking revenge with her.
“Why you were punished?” Questioned Priya
“Hey would you like to have something?” said offering chair to Priya to sit down and have something to eat.
“Nothing, First tell me what happened,” asked priya Sticking to her same old question “ why you were out” continued Priya
“Actually, I was busy with mobile in Ghosh’s ma’am class” replied Akash
“Ghosh ma’am” Surprised Priya “ That HITLER”
“Yeah, that’s why got punishment” regretted Akash
“But why you mobile in her class are you fool. We are not suppose to bring mobile in class” reason priya
“I know”
"Even if you bring, how dare you to use in her class. Are you insane”
“Actually there was something urgent”
“The fault was yours, you deserve punishment” Said Priya” But what you were doing with mobile in class” priya continued.
Listening to this suddenly something clicked Akash” Hey priya has some one ever fooled you?” Question Akash instead of giving answer of her question
“What?” Priya look worried
“Yeah, tell me did ever someone played with your emotion?” Again questioned Akash
“What are you trying to ask, I didn’t understood anything?” said priya giving bewildered look.
“Come with me to garden, I will explain you” and gripped priya hand and started dragging her towards garden.
“But?” Said priya and watched Akash grasping his hand tight and dragging her from canteen moving aside the sea of people. Priya stared her hand, It felt her like some one has plucked B-Major chord of her heart first time. She remembered Akash always talked her from distance, he never even touched her in so many years. ‘Played with emotion, someone ever cheated you?’ Priya was confused inside with questions. Akash never asked such type of question, she did not understood significance of his question.
She felt Akash’s grip for first time in so many years. He soft hands reminded her of pure white fur of her rabbit. She her very different feeling when Akash grasped her hand, which she had never felt before. She was staring his hand gripped by Akash and busy in her thoughts was being carried away.
“There goes butterfly…” commented Rohit, member of clan made by Bobby in school. As they stood in the side of corridor forming gang, having fun in their own group. Bobby and his evil gang we already famous in school. Since, Bobby got in power of being Head boy. They did everything they liked. There was a cold war between Akash and Bobby. What Akash did bobby never did and vice versa
Akash very well knew that comment was for him and Priya. He was not able to control the anger, there stopped and instructed priya “Wait a minute here, need to teach him lesson”
“What lesson and to whom?” asked Priya innocently, as she had no idea that comment was for them.
“Head boy is flying these days..” replied Akash
Akash turned around and started taking quick steps towards the place where they formed gang. On the other side, Bobby gang watched him approaching towards them and Continued laughing louder.
“Who gave that comment?” enquired Akash, clenching his teeth with anger.
“Look, what is looser asking us?” said bobby to his members and all stated laughing.
“Looser is asking who was that?” said Akash in very polite tone, because he knows shouting will not be appropriate at this moment. However, inside he was like Active volcano that would erupt at any moment.
“Better you find out.,” replied bobby carelessly as if he did not cared about his question.
“Bobby this is too much,” warned Akash “You going to pay for this”
Listening to warnings Bobby was not able to control his anger. Nobody in school uttered even a single word against him, nobody challenged him. For him it was as if somebody hit him.
“Warning me?” Said bobby pushing little bit Akash with both his palms. Trying to provoke him for clash. “C’mon mess with head boy,” he continued
Somehow, Akash managed to maintain his balance and again got into the same angry silent position. He knew if he messed with Bobby. His head boy powers will make his life living hell in school. ”Behave yourself” Again, warned Akash. Moreover, all the members of Bobby gang closed up forming a Ninja warrior group.
“Behave? What can you do?” Again bobby pushed him but with much stronger force the before.
This time Akash was not able to cope with the force of Bobby’s stung palms and trying to maintain his balance. He fell off taking few small steps back. In addition, was straight in the legs of priya.
Priya knew there was something wrong but she did not know that it was because they gave comment to her. She handed me his hand and helped me out, picking up from floor. Until then, everybody was gathered in the corridor to watch the show.
“Akash lets go. No need to talk with Shit minds” said priya holding his hands and dragging him in opposite direction to leave that place. she’d learn not to pay too much attention to them.
“Shut you Boy friends mouth else nobody can save him from me” said Bobby to Priya. Again whole group started laughing on LOSER Again.
As he was being dragged by priya towards garden “Bobby I’ll see you. This time priya saved you” again warned Akash. Finally , they stepped off the corridor.
********************************************
Few children’s from junior section were busy playing there games, finding forlorn place in the corner of garden Priya found bench to give rest to their bums “Sit down Akash” said Priya offering him place to seat.
“Ladies first, please” said Akash sounding everything was normal. He pretended that that nothing happened in the corridor few minutes ago.
Adjusting her short skirt she seated comfortable on bench, placed her both palms on lap and asked nervously “What you were talking that time? Played with emotion, fooled and all that…”.
“Oh… you mean in canteen?” he paused for a moment and came closer to where she was sitting on the bench, still standing in front of her “ Priya you didn’t answer what I asked you”
“Can’t you be more precise?” Priya insisted.
Taking her palm in his hand and rubbing softly her asked in sincere voice, “Priya has someone ever played with you emotions?”
‘What has happened to him- like never before held my hands that time and now asking about my private emotions?’ She thought generating a pang of emotion through her, when she understood what Akash was trying to ask.
She had never seen Akash talking this kind of stuffs. She tried to guess what was within his mind, but she wasn’t able to figure out the signifance of his question.
“Why are you talking like this today, what happened?”
“Has someone ever cheated you?”
“Did I do something wrong unknowingly?” She breathed in deeply, and then let it out, calming her breath. When she felt she could speak, she pulled away from him, looked into his eyes.
Suddenly he replied and stopped. “Not all Priya. Actually…”
“What happened Akash? Why are you behaving like this today? C’mon tell me what happened”
With both hands, he groped his pant pockets and unable to find, he recalled his mobile was in his backpack. Searching through his backpack, he took out N-90 and handed it to priya.
Staring at the mobile with confusion. She asked “Mobile? So this is origin of your worries. But what it has to do with emotions?”
Akash took a seat beside her and took cell phone from her hands. Browsing through his mobile he opened ‘INBOX’ folder from ‘Messages’ and instructed her “Read all the messages you’ll come to know whole story.”
“Messages?” confused priya “Sorry, I can’t read your personnel messages. Its better you tell me what happened”
“C’mon Priya you got to be best friend” appraised Akash “Nothing is personnel between us…”
Whether, its was homework or project. She had never denied her best friend for any thing then how can she den this time? Unwillingly, she started reading text messages.
INBOX MESSAGE READ:
Tanya: Hello Akash. Is this your number? Tanya here…
Tanya: Good. You too save my number. That was nice talking you in Orkut. Are you Online?
Tanya: But I miss you, are you going to be online in evening?
Tanya: Shit you don’t care about your friends.
Tanya: That’s why I am saying you to come online.
Tanya: Not you. Go and take a look in mirror you’ll see chimpanzee. He is my boyfriend any problem?
As she continued reading text messages her interest grew in case .She was surprised to read girl’s message in Akash mobile. She knew about all the girls Akash talked. Good or bad whatever happened, she was first one to know about Akash. ‘He has girlfriend and didn’t told me’ she thought to herself and continued reading messages.
Tanya: Of course Idiot. I consider you as my boy friend. Love you and Miss you. Take care.
“You never told me about your girlfriend Akash. This is not fair. I always told you about each and everything” cursed Priya.
“It’s nothing like that..”
“I can very well understand story by reading messages.”
“Priya, you are getting me wrong”
“Tell me, when she became your girlfriend”
“She is not my girlfriend”
“Not?” she threw tantrum on him. “I’m not blind I can read clearly all ‘Love you-miss you’ here in your inbox.”
“Did I ever lied you?”
“No! But congratulations one more chick is flat over you”
“Huh!!!!” snuffed Akash and took mobile from the hands of Priya. Opening folder of OUTBOX messages he instructed, “Now read the messages of outbox”
“You mean private messages that you have send Tanya?” Asked Priya “No way!” she rejected moving her head continuously.
“C’mon Priya”
“No Akash, please don’t insist me to read you private conversation. Its not good” said Priya continued moving her head. She wanted to read the messages and know precisely what happened, but her moral values didn’t permit her to do so.
“You know? My best friend would have never denied me” said Akash emotionally blackmailing her.
“I am your best friend ok!” said Priya and started reading messages in OUTBOX that Akash send.
OUTBOX messages read:
AKASH: Hi Tanya. What a pleasant surprise. My dad doesn’t even touch this number. Save my Number.
Akash: No, Have some work can’t come online now
Akash: Really sorry have test tomorrow need to study.
Akash: Don’t you have BF? Tell him to come online. If you are getting bored.
Akash: Me? You boyfriend?
Akash: No problem, But I can see myself always in mirror. That means..I am the one?:O
Akash: Love you too, take care Sweetheart
Priya was bubbling inside after reading his mushy talks with Tanya. Inside she was feeling like ‘Kill Tanya’, but she managed to stay calm. Hundred’s of questions were running in her mind about his relation with Tanya.
“Akash! what’s this ‘ Love you too’ ?” she asked in anger” you told me she isn’t you girlfriend then?
“Its nothing like that “ replied Akash trying to ignore the suituation
“Shut up Priya”
“What shut up? I want to know whole thing”
“Now Priya read the messages of my Private folder, ” requested Akash.
“Private Folder?” priya look confused “ but there are only four folders ‘Inbox’,’ Outbox’, ‘Sent’, ‘draft’…private folder?” she continued.
“Thanks to latest technology…” Replied Akash.
“Technology?” Priya wasn’t able to understand what Akash said, she looked more puzzled then before.
Akash started to explain her “Actually latest mobiles can be uploaded with various software’s where we can hide our very private message. I have a secret private folder in which there is collection of all the special messages that belongs to ‘boys’ community. Hope you understand?”
Her eyes grew bigger when she heard this thought “And Akash you are telling me to read all those boys messages”
“yes” he replied politely like it was nothing for him to make her read boys messages.
“ No Akash…” she refused
“Priya…” Akash countered her insisting her to read the messages.
“I am sorry Akash please…” she seemed to fix to her answer.
“There is nothing I hided from you and this is small thing believe me” Akash continued alluring her to read his messages.
“Please Akash nooooooooooo” she answered” I cannot read your messages of secret folder. Why can’t you understand?”
“C’mon Priya you must know everything about me” said Akash getting closer to her on bench keeping his left hand on the shoulder of priya and dragging her towards him to express closeness of there relation.
Touchy Akash made priya fell little comfortable and affable. She felt as if Akash was true ‘should I read message?’ she questioned herself, because still she knew nothing about what actually happened between Tanya and Akash. Were they committed? Maybe this secret folder would reveal whole story.
“But..Akash” she stammered.
“Forget everything and open folder” instructed Akash “ you must know what happened between us”
‘ENTER PASSWORD’ message prompt as she open the secret folder, as per Akash instruction.
"Akash tell me password” asked priya needed to open the folder.
“Password?” said gave a sullen look “You disappointed me”
“ME? How?”
“Asking password, I didn’t expected this from you” told akash.
“But how would I know your password?” She enquired in surprise.
“I thought you were nest friend and nobody knows me better then you.”
“But how would I know password of your secret folder?” countered priya.
“Think of it…Priya” frowned Akash refusing her to tell password.
After thinking for a moment about possible password she blurted out “Is that ‘Tanya’?”
“Tanya?” repeated Akash getting confused by her answer. “Priya…” Akash gave a sad look.
“Better you tell me”
“Type ‘Priya’” instructed Akash.
Priya was astonished listening to password. ‘Generally password are kept of people who we ‘like’ or whom we are obsessed 27*7. That means…’ She felt a stab of excitement within her heart. It felt to her like someone has struck B-Major chord of untouched strings in so many years. Third time in day she felt something unusual about Akash, with this she came to realize how close she was with Akash.
Keeping her feeling aside , one by one she started reading the messages. It was like this:
TANYA: Man you are such a Jerk. Really, nobody compares you LOSER.
AKASh: What happened Tanya? Why are you talking like this today?
TANYA: Tell me one thing… Are you Gay?
AKASH: Gay? What are you talking? Of course I’m not..
TANYA: Then why did you say ‘Love you too’?
AKASH: Because You said you Love me. That’s why love you too..
TANYA: Hello? I don’t Love men. That too looser like you…
AKASH: Love men? Are you Lesbian?
TANYA: S***brick!! what to say you...Dump head still can’t you understand??...
AKASH: What happened. I can’t understand anything...Please tell me..
TANYA: Bhen**** Male here
AKASh: Male? I thought you are fe-male
TANYA: Bhen**** Tanya is my fake profile on Orkut. Understand Retarded?
AKASH: Then who the F*** are you? Why you did this to me?
TANYA: Me???? Bhen**** you only send me friend request. You only asked me for my number.
AKASH: How Can you fool somebody like that?
TANYA: I didn’t fool you. Everybody on earth has right to fool, fool in this world.
AKASH: Go to Hell…
TANYA: You better go... Fool, Fool, Fool…
----------------------------------
Reading messages of secret folder made whole story crystal clear to her, she now understood the reason for his tension. She wasn’t able to refrain herself from laughing out load. She was so caught up in laughing; that she forgot whatever happened was with his best friend.
“Priya Even you?” he asked, as he didn’t expected priya would be laughing at this incident.
Just for a moment she allowed herself the luxury of thinking that Akash had been an idiot; However, she continued to laugh, she had never heard such interesting case ever in her life.
“Priya Stop laughing” again Akash warned.
Listening to this Priya realized that, she was laughing on the case of her best friend, whom she must not laugh.
“Sorry Akash, it was something like..” said looked straight into the eyes. Akash was pretending to be serious. Even he knew he was such a looser. Still priya tried to control her giggle. Smile came on Akash face watching priya control her laughter and both started laughing together. After getting exhausted by laughing priya continued’ Hmmm.. That’s why Akash was worried. Tell me what happened…”
Akash started explaining whole story “I found Tanya in one of my friends profile, as usual habit, gave her friend request and ‘Hi’… Reply came and rest of the things you can understand”
“Ok,How did you got her number?” She enquired.
“I thought she took keen interest in me that’s why asked for her number.”
“WOW… you guys are amazing came to know she’s interest just in few days truly amazing
“ Instead of messaging why didn’t you call her?” Priya suggested her.
“Call?” Akash gave a confused look “ How can I call her?”
“What do you mean ‘how can you call her’? You already had her number. You must have called her once.”
“Even she could call me. She was having my number too. Why didn’t she called me?”
“Stupid, how can she call you She was fake.” reasoned Priya “Its you mistake you must have called her and confirmed”
“Being a boy how can I call her First, after all I have my own Ego and Attitude.”
“Ego? Attitude?” repeated priya in surprise
“It would have been shameless to call her first that’s why I dint called her.” said akash.
“Look you paid for it.”
“Hmmm..You are right. But I know who did this with me, I’ll teach those them a lesson”
“Who are they?” asked priya in surprise.
“They have to pay for their act,” Akash continued refusing her to tell their names.
“Akash you know them?” asked priya again wanting to know more.
“I’ll take revenge with them” promised Akash to priya “they deserve there nemesis”
“Akash you won’t do anything with them” priya countered.
“Why?” Akash stormed when Priya took side to those ugly guys.
“if you take revenge with them, What difference is left between you?” uttered priya like a saint “It’s its forgiveness ,that keeps you up.”
“Whatever” Akash looked least interest in her thought of wisdom
“Akash I Know… You wont take revenge with them.”
“I will..” Akash looked stubborn
“You are my Best Friend Nobody knows you better then me You wont hurt me by taking revenge and doing destructive things like that” she assured him with a grin
“Revenge is Destructive.”
Ding,Ding,Ding,Ding…The tone for next class sounded and took their attention
Recess bell rang forcing students to get back into there class. Akash and priya also started walking briskly towards here respective class
***************************************
The END!!!
