ONESHOTS

Rainy day

It's rainy season and it's raining cats and dogs today. I finished my work quickly and returned home in this heavy rain. I lost my umbrella two days ago. I bought a new one yesterday, but completely forgot about it when I was leaving for work. So, anyways, I am completely wet right now. All my files and other project materials were kept safely in my bag. That's a relief. I entered my living room, turned around and saw the place I walked through, completely wet. I sighed and hurriedly entered the bathroom after keeping my bag on the floor. I took a shower and felt relaxed. I was crazily doing my work today because we friends thought of meeting together at the "Coffee House". I was more than happy because he would be there as well. Oh my gosh! Did I just talk about this here? Ok, let me tell you guys about it. But promise me that you guys won't laugh.

I was in class 11 when I heard about a transfer student. It was almost at the end of the year, but he still changed schools. Crazy, isn't it? I thought the same thing. Then I heard that his father is in the army and he was posted here for the next three years. I continued with my work and didn't pay much attention to him. You guys must know about grouping and so on. So, at the starting of the year, the students already formed their groups. He was completely alone. Three boys use to talk to him and turned into good friends that day. I seriously don't know how boys do this. But, they are amazing. We girls just can't. Exceptions might be there, but in general, nah. So, he made friends with those guys. In the next few days, he became surprisingly popular. I kept doing my work and stayed away from all these things. My parents won't let me be in a relationship anyway. So, I didn't even try it. I went to school, studied, had fun and returned home.

He was the all-rounder type with excellence in most of the things. We had our final exams at the end and got good results. I was sure that I would be the topper, but it wasn't just I, but we. You know it very well. It's him! The new transfer student. Because of this, we were told to take care of things. This brought us closer.

A random day in class 12.

I was sitting quietly and writing notes. Prerna, Gita and Shania left the class without informing me. The teacher entered the class and found the three girls missing. He called me and asked me. I couldn't answer. I stood in front of the class with my head down and mouth shut. While sir was scolding me, he came forward to help me. I gave him a few glances, but he just ignored them. I looked away in exasperation. So, we both got the punishment together. After the classes ended, we stayed a few more minutes in our class as punishment and finished answering the question paper. I turned to leave, but heard someone call my name. I stopped and turned to look at him. "What?"

"Why don't you complain against them?"

"They are my friends. Why cause more trouble?"

"I don't think so."

I was a bit annoyed. "What do you mean?"

"They hate you. You know it, don't you?"

I didn't look good after listening to his words. "Listen, I am grateful to you for standing up for me, but that doesn't mean I am allowing you to talk about my friends."

"Sorry."

That's all I heard. For the next few days, I heard nothing from him. We saw each other sometimes and talked only when necessary. It looked normal, but it wasn't. I felt bad for god knows what reason. I just did my job and didn't think much, or rather didn't want to think much. Anyway, I was returning from the library with two books and suddenly heard my maths teacher call me. I walked to her and she handed me a lot of notebooks. "Distribute it in the class. Okay?" "Yes ma'am." I nodded in flow. I saw her rushing downstairs. An announcement rang through all the speakers in the school and I sighed. "Oh! So, principal sir is calling all the maths and chemistry teachers." I started walking towards my classroom. While walking, I passed through class 10 B, which was empty at the moment. But I just heard someone speaking. My mistake. I started walking again, but heard something that shocked and broke me to my core. My best friend was proposing him. Then he must have said something. But after that, my best friend started talking shit about me. I never knew she hated me this much. Yes, many people hate me. I know this. But she was different. See, I am stupid. I can't even tell who is good and who is bad, who is real and who is fake. I am useless. His words from 'that day' rang in my head and I quickly left the place. I told Mayank to do the job instead and rushed to the washroom. I entered into one of them and locked the door and cried. I was really hurt. But I couldn't cry properly, as people were there and I didn't want anyone to hear me cry. So, I left after some time. I went out to wash my hands, but the girls were talking near it. I wanted to speak, but my voice was so hoarse and low that I gave up the idea. I exited the washroom and walked to the right side. There were two taps for normal usage and three taps for filling drinking water. I started washing my hands and face from the normal ones. Two juniors came and filled water and left. Then, he came and stood beside me and looked at me. I didn't knew it. I was still washing my face while sometimes sniffling and rubbing my eyes. After I was done, I took out my handkerchief from my skirt pocket and wiped my face. Just as I opened my eyes, I saw his face not so far from me. I jolted in fright and backed away and hurt my back. "Be careful!" He looked at me with concern and said, "Are you stupid?" I really wasn't in the mood to talk. "What? You hate me as well? Want to pretend, huh?" He was taken aback. "What do you mean?" "What do I mean? Whatever you were saying to her!" He took a good look at me and sneered. "You heard everything?" I realized what just happened and bite my lower lip in frustration. I turned to leave, but he grabbed my hand and I stopped. I don't know why I didn't even try to leave. I just stood there like an idiot and turned around to look at him. He asked in a gentle voice which he never used. "Angry?" I didn't say anything. He took a step forward and said, "So, did you listen to what I said?" I gulped involuntarily and looked away. He continued, "I told her that I don't think so." I looked up at him and our eyes met. I looked away. He laughed. I suddenly calmed down a little. "Want to know what I said?" Was he mocking me now? I turned to leave, but he said, "I think she is amazing." I stopped, almost broke into a smile, gathered myself and left after two seconds. I knew he was still looking at me. I entered the classroom and suddenly peeked at him. But he caught me in the act and I turned red immediately. He smiled and I walked inside. I sat down and took out my notebook.