BIG-J

24

On my way to school the next morning, I decided to spend some time with Shreya, my friend, duh! However, things turned unexpectedly when I spotted James and his crew sitting with her. Despite my initial urge to leave, Shreya noticed me, and even James did. Shreya waved me over, calling, "Hey Anushka, come over!" As I reluctantly approached, I felt James' eyes on me. Smiling, I went closer, only to find the table crowded. Thankful for an excuse, I said, "Oh, it's crowded, you know what, I'll go." But Shreya held my hand, winked, and confidently positioned herself on James' lap.

I was taken aback, assuming they were just friends. Without realizing it, I blurted out, "Huh, are you guys dating?" James quickly shook his head, but Shreya laughed, "No, but soon, maybe. Haha." She winked at me, playing with James' hair, while he sighed, remaining silent, allowing her to sit on his lap.

Feeling a mix of annoyance and jealousy, I couldn't help but wonder about my feelings for James. We had spent some alone time together, but did it mean anything to him?

James's POV:

She sat there, radiating beauty, avoiding me. Was it our kiss? Did I mess up? Anushka, with her short black hair and captivating gaze, made me feel things I never experienced before. Shreya was undoubtedly gorgeous, but Anushka was different; she made me different. When Shreya sat on my lap, I expected a reaction from Anushka, but her silence left me questioning whether our kiss meant anything.

After the break, Anushka left with my friends, and I was alone with Shreya, as we shared the same class. Shreya, with her hazel eyes, smiled and asked, "Hey, what are you thinking about?" Glancing at her from Anushka's perspective, I smiled and replied, "Nothing." She stood up, held my hand, and said, "Follow me." I followed her to the rooftop, where Anushka and I had spent time together.

With a smirk, Shreya asked, "So, do you want to go out sometime soon?" Sighing, I replied, "See, you're great, but I'm just not into you like that, Shreya." Her expression shifted from a smirk to a saddened one. Confused, she asked, "Why? What's wrong? I thought everything was fine." Sighing again, I smiled, trying not to hurt her feelings, "I was just kidding." Her face revealed relief, and she hugged me tightly. It felt wrong, but I couldn't bring myself to say or do anything about it. I reluctantly hugged her back.

Shreya's sudden departure had left me standing there, bewildered by the unexpected peck on my lips. Before I could react or comprehend the situation, she giggled and made her swift exit. As she disappeared, I sighed, still trying to process the whirlwind of confusion that surrounded me. "What the heck was that?" I thought to myself, feeling a mix of surprise and uncertainty.

With the upcoming match, the impending date, and Anushka's presence in the equation, my mind was a jumble of conflicting emotions. The suddenness of Shreya's actions threw me off balance, making me question my own decisions.

Sighing deeply once more, I decided it was best to leave school early. The corridors were buzzing with activity, but my thoughts were in disarray. As I navigated through the familiar halls, I couldn't shake off the lingering sensation of Shreya's unexpected kiss.

The day had taken an unexpected turn, and leaving early seemed like the only way to find some clarity. Little did I know that the events of the day were just a prelude to what awaited me later. The match, the date, and the unpredictable nature of relationships—everything was on the line, and I needed a moment to collect my thoughts before diving into the impending storm.

Anushka's POV:

Watching James briskly leave the school premises stirred a sense of urgency within me. The mixed feelings and emotions I harboured were reaching a breaking point, and I felt compelled to address them. But as I took a step in his direction, Shreya abruptly ran towards me, enveloping me in a tight hug. Her excitement was palpable as she exclaimed, "Anushka, I've got a date tonight with James!"

Instead of sharing in her joy, shock washed over me. "What?" I blurted out, frustrated that it had to be James of all people. I was irritated, and annoyed, but I couldn't let my true emotions surface. Shreya, after all, had been a good friend, making numerous sacrifices for me. So, with a heavy sigh and a forced smile, I managed to reply, "Well, that's great. I gotta go."

Her confused look lingered, but it was my only way of escaping the overwhelming flood of emotions. I knew where I had to be – with James. I had to tell him how I felt before his date with Shreya. Call me selfish, but when it comes to matters of the heart, I believe being selfish is sometimes the only option. So, I ran. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, determined to reach James before it was too late.

I made my way to the bus stand, anticipating that James would be waiting for the bus. Spotting him, I was just a few seconds late as the bus pulled in, and he boarded. Without a second thought, I chased after the bus for two whole minutes, desperately shouting his name in the hopes that he would hear me. But my efforts were in vain.

In the end, I tripped and scraped my leg, blood trickling down, and tears welling up in my eyes. I had missed my chance, my opportunity to express my feelings. Why was I always like this?