From T to A in 16 Days

23-11-17

It had been nearly two weeks since what could be called a date with Tisha, about two weeks into my first relationship. On Tisha's request we had decided to keep it a secret. Although she hadn't given a proper reason, I had obliged. But alas, the façade could only last a day or two. It wasn't surprising that it was Soumya who guessed it right in the first attempt as she was the one who hinted at the idea that evening. The secret smiles and winks certainly did not go unseen. But I was surprised that in  just a few months, she had come to know as much about Tisha as I and Gaurish knew about each other, who had been friends for years. 

Anyway, today I was selected for preparations regarding the farewell. And guess what, I spent around a whole day with a girl behind locked doors. Sounds scandalous right, but it wasn't anything. The girl, Anoushka Attri, was one of my best friends, till we lost contact due to shuffling and change in sections. We reconnected, working half the time and chatting/gossiping/sharing memories, whatever you may call it the remaining half. All the topics were thoroughly talked about. From teachers, old and new, to seemingly 'cool and popular' students, from all the pranks and PJs to opinions about present and past couples. Politics was visited briefly, but due to lack of information of actual deeds, their consequences and abundance of accusations for scams and scandals, we both concluded that nearly all politicians had several skeletons in their closets, several truths buried in their graves.  

I would have asked about her crushes and boyfriends, if I were willing to share about Tisha, which for some unknown reason, I wasn't. And I didn't want to lie to Anoushka, so I refrained myself and concentrated on doing some discussion about organizing the party (which we were actually supposed to do), but Anoushka had other plans. 

"So Hrithvik, tell me about Tisha." 
"Who?" I asked, looking towards her from my notes, not at all showing my shock (I knew how to do it as we were keeping the 'I and Tisha aren't dating façade'). 
"Tisha who? Maybe the one who is currently your girlfriend, or do you not even remember the name. You know, just asked her out as a dare." 

Her words somewhat brought back Tisha's memories from our 'date' "Ah so you could boast to your good for nothing friends about how you got a girl wrapped around your fingers, and share the things that I confide in you with them." So hesitantly (again, the emotion was hidden from her), I described Tisha to her, trying my best to not sound as a lovesick teenager i.e. censuring our story so far. In the end, Anoushka replied with an hmm. 

"Anoushka, how did you come to know about us .... I mean .... we tried keeping it a secret, then how?" curiosity got the better of me. 
"You are my best friend Hrithvik. Even if we don't sit together, talk much or aren't in the same section, it doesn't mean that I am foreign to the events in your life. I ain't letting go of you so easily and quickly mister." With this, she gathered the notes made so far in a smooth motion, and walked to the doors. She said she was leaving to show the incharge our work, leaving me tongue-tied and unable to process her words. 

Her words meant much more than what it looked or maybe I was thinking too much. Whatever it was, I was distracted for most of the time after the incident. 

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_* 

At the institute Gaurish commented, "Hrithvik, where are you lost? Thinking about Anoushka?" he suggested in a teasing way while I checked my phone. 
"Huh," I looked up from my phone to see Tisha giving me a she-better-not-be-someone-you-liked look. 
"She was one of my best friends." I told Tisha, "and no, I am not thinking about her." I replied to Gaurish. 
"Of course, you are not thinking about her. You two were together for like the whole day, may I add alone (quoting it) and you are so not thinking about her." 
"Are you jealous?" I asked Tisha, completely ignoring my idiot friend. All I got was an I-don't-need-to-get-jealous-of-random-girls look. 
"Because if you are, no need to be. I am certainly never leaving you; I mean dumping you for her." I whisper promised as I held her hand. The teacher came at that moment, and before we settled, I caught a smile of security on her face.