Wish You Were Here

The Adults Are Talking

After Nithin promised Naveen that he would clean up all the mess, Naveens room would be untouched, no one would disturb him, and Nithin would bear the brunt of the landlady's anger if she ever got to know. (she was leaving to Tamil Nadu)

Naveen witnessed Nithin bringing in countless bags, some clinking and some very heavy and stocking them in the cupboard under the sink. When asked what they were, (not that Naveen didn't know what it was) all he received was an impish smile and a smug 'well aren't you impatient'

After the cupboard under the sink was filled with alcohol to fuel an entire wedding with VERY drunk uncles, fridge stocked to the brim with ice, cabinets filled with snacks, and two very random strings of fairy lights. Nithin was finally satisfied with how this was turning out.

The past couple of months had been very stressful and he hadn't blown off any steam. I mean a guy falling in love with his sisters ex and then living with said ex while trying to conceal his ever growing warmth for him is enough to drive any guy crazy. Maybe he already descended into madness months ago but eh, least he'll get to party with his friends.

So to say he was excited was an understatement. The mere thought of how awesome it was going to be blew his mind. On one occasion Naveen caught him cackling silently while looking at the alcohol at 4 am. He quietly slipped to his rooms, hid under the covers and prayed to god while chanting the hanuman chalisa.

The day had dawned. The beautiful day he could finally let loose. Projects? Submitted. Jobs? Basically secured. Alcohol? Enough to give them alcohol poisoning.

Around 7 the people started pouring in. Girls, boys, everyone.

Naveen was in the kitchen watching with equal parts unease and awe. Around 20 people showed up. What the hell he didn't even know 20 people. People kept constantly chugging down shots and buzzing in and out of Nithin's room and of course Nithin, the ever loving king of the masses was entertaining them by partaking in a chugging contest. He was apparently winning.

Naveen who was first politely introduced to and awkwardly said hello to soon become a unseen and unheard part of the party. Hey he's all for parties but this was too much for him, he tried awkwardly to move behind this girl and this guy who were making out on the kitchen counter. He was going to sanitise the whole place with dettol tomorrow.

True to Nithin's word Naveens room had a huge 'STAY OUT!!!' sign and just as he was about to reach the oh so sweet escape of his room he felt an arm loop around his shoulder.

"Hey mann, you're Naveen no?" The man slurs
"yes." Answered Naveen, trying to get away from him.
"You know Nithin has quite the reputation. Everyone's friend, smart kid, huge partier. As his room mate we expect nothing less from you."
"What?"

The man laughs and stumbles over to the circle with Naveen, the circle, who was previously surrounding Nithin and the other dude was now cheering on a tall girl and a pale guy. Naveen watched all the while trying to wiggle out of the man's grasp on him but damn, for a drunk man this dude had a really strong grip. He watched as the girl beat the guy in chugging drinks and they start whopping and cheering her name.

Suddenly he felt himself get push forward. He stumbled into the clearing inside the circle while another lanky man saunters in.

"CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!"
"No. Absolutely not. Nuh uh."
"Cmon man don't be such a bore." The lanky guy said as he placed a crate of beer on the table between them.
"No. I'm not doing this, I have class tomorrow."

Naveen says this as his eyes row over the crowd trying to find Nithin to get him out of this mess. His friends, his mess. The voices booing him and telling him to get a move on fade to the background as he searches for Nithin.

His eyes land on this girl with blue highlights giggling and holding Nithin's hand as she pulls him into his bedroom. Loud whoops follow the girl and Nithin as people clear out from the room and the girl winks at the crowd outside and closes the door.

what the fuck.

Naveen felt the world slowly go silent, he knows he shouldn't feel hurt, he shouldn't. He should be laughing at relief at the thought of him being with someone else.

But for some reason, for some annoying reason his heart hurts, his stomach feels like it's 10 kgs heavier, his breath is shaky, he never liked Nithin. He hated his face. Then why does he feel like this right now?

He's shaken out of his reverie by the lanky guy shaking him and shouting at his face. He blindly grabs an opened beer and starts chugging it.
And he didn't stop.

He remembered being pulled out of the circle with people cheering for him and being dropped on the sofa, he felt so fucking drowsy, like his brain had slowed down. He had gotten drunk of course but not this drunk. Was the lights always this bright? Why is everyone's voices so muffled? Everything that was happening had a dim, hazy cast over it.

As he was contemplating his chances on throwing up in public and not be spit on he notices a girl sit down next to him and move very close to him. He slowly turns to look at her. The girl smiles widely at him and holds out her hand,
"Hi I'm Tripti, Tripti Bannerjee"