Everything Was Fine Until...

Beginning- Part III

20th May, 1993

She knew that something was going on but couldn't pin point it. Anshuman was acting strangely, since the past few months. His mother also told her that he'd been spending hours talking on the telephone with God knows who? She had an idea whom he was talking to, but didn't want to confirm it. So, she didn't talk to Anshuman about it.

After their first pre-boards of class 12, their school had organized a trip to Manali.

Now, they all were seated in the train and were on their way to Manali. She had seen how Anshuman and Meira had been stealing glances at each other. But she didn't pay them much heed, though it was irking her.

She knew that when Meira first came to their school, Anshuman had taken a liking to her. She also knew that he had developed a crush on her since the first day.

Even thinking about it hurt her. But she composed herself  by saying, it's fine, it's just a simple crush that's it.

They all started playing different types of games. It was better than getting bored in the train. All the other students were having fun. She didn't want to miss out all the fun so she pushed all these thoughts away and focused having fun with her friends.

After reaching Manali they all took a bus to Solang valley. When they all boarded the bus, she tried to sit beside Anshuman. But he had already gone and sat with Meira. She stood there and glared at the two of them.

"Hey Kiara! come here." Her friend shouted. Giving one last glance towards them, she went to the back seat and sat with the rest of her group.

During the whole ride, she couldn't focus on anything. Her eyes remained glued on the couple sitting side by side, talking to each other and laughing. Her own group was laughing about something, but she didn't pay them any attention. She didn't even want to know, what they were laughing about. It was as if she wasn't interested in anything or anyone if it didn't involve Anshuman.

It felt like bees were buzzing around her head. She lost it when she Anshuman starting leaning close to her and she fucking smiled at him. Seeing this scene unfold in front of her eyes, she started gritting her teeth and her knuckles turned white. She just wanted to go over there and pull her away from him by her hair.

She didn't think that Meira would do that to her. Stealing her man! Yes, Anshuman was hers.

"Kiara, are you ok?" A girl who was sitting beside Kiara asked, concerned.

"Huh?" Her wayward thoughts were broken.

"You seemed pretty pissed at something. Are you really fine?" Her friend Minali asked again.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." She smiled at her albeit a forced smile, which looked pretty convincing.

After a while they reached Solang Valley and all the students started putting up their tents at their teacher's instruction. There was a boy named Kartik, who brought a camera with him and started snapping shots at the scenery around him and of his friends. Seeing him, she hurriedly dragged Anshuman with her.

"Where are you taking me?" He asked her.

"Just come, I want to take a picture with you." She said and called out to Kartik, to take a snap of him and her. When he directed the camera lens at them, she clutched his arm and leaned her head on his shoulder and smiled at the camera. A flash came out indicating the picture was taken.