Unhinged

Chapter 12

25th August 2007

Sharanya was up early. Her mind was in chaos since the night Naveen talked to her about Shashank and Riva. Every night since then Naveen had asked her what she had decided. But who was she to decide what would happen with Riva and Shashank?

Sharanya was confused. Every night they would do the same thing.. They would gather around for meeting and talk to someone's dead loved one. Sharanya still hadn't dared to talk to her mother.

She had full faith in Naveen. She believed whatever he said but what he was saying about Shashank was weird.

Naveen believed that Sharanya was in love with Shashank but Shashank is misguided by Riva. He believed that Sharanya and Shashank are born to be together. And every night he would repeat all these things to Sharanya.

Sharanya, who believed on everything that Naveen said, was on verge to believe this too.

Shashank on the other hand was busy with Riva. Since he talked to his brother he was changed. He was happy and stopped drinking every night. Riva was happy that Shashank somehow looked positive. She didn't know the reason but she was elated that he stopped drinking.

After almost a month of going to the meetings Sharanya and Shashank's routine was set. Every night they would sneak out and attend the meeting, they would feel good, happy and content. They had changed for good and it reflected in their eyes.

All the friends, like usual, were sitting in boys' flat.

"Shashank.. Nashe karte ho kya tum kisi galat cheez ke?" Rachit asked as he saw Shashank laughing.

"Kyu? Shashank ko haste hue dekha nahi jata tumse?" Riva retorted.

"Riva kabhi toh accha socha karo mere bareme.. Main kya karu tumhara" Rachit said helplessly.

"Kya aisa ho sakta hai ki hum nashe karte hai aur hame pata nahi chalta?" Sharanya asked.

"Tum toh nashe me lagti ho aaj kal" Nidhi said "Aankhe dekho apni.."

"Haw" Riva exclaimed "Tum log secretly kuch nasha karte ho kya? Itna badal gaye ho dono bhi"

Shashank's smile turned into frown. Sharanya felt knot in her stomach.

"Sharanya? Aur nashe?" Ninad said "Ek baar ka Shashank ka toh maan bhi loo main"

Shashank narrowed his eyes and looked at Ninad "Main toh nashedi hoo na.. Paida hi haath me gaanja leke hua hoo"

Everyone laughed. Shashank rolled his eyes.

Rachit was somehow looking serious. Riva had noticed that he seemed lost from last few days. He wouldn't talk as much. Wouldn't fight with Riva as he used to do.

Riva remembered how Shashank used to be when sitting in group, lost and serious.. That's how Rachit was now! She saw him excusing himself and going into balcony.

Sharanya, Shashank and Nidhi were playing rock, paper scissors for no apparent reason. Ninad was trying to distract them. Riva stood up and went behind Rachit.

Rachit saw her coming. For a change, Riva was in Indian attire today. She was wearing a plain white coloured churidar which was fitting right to her curves. White Dupatta was around her neck. She had absolutely zero makeup on her face but her eyes were adorned were kohl and her lips had a simple lip gloss on them. Tiny jhumkas in her ears were completing her look. And a little black bindi was cherry on top! For a second Rachit thought like an angel was walking toward him.

"Shashank ki aadat lagai tumne?" Riva said as she came there and saw him smoking cigarette.

"Shashank ke pehle se aata hai mujhe.. Meri bas aadat nahi hai smoke karne ki.. Occasionally ho jata hai" Rachit said "Jaise tumhara hota hai" He offered her the cigarette but she refused.