CLICHÉ

8. The new pact

'When did it happen?' Abhishek asked Rahul.
'One hour ago. I went to the toilet but it was nowhere to be seen. I know I left it somewhere...'
'Not your toilet paper, chutiye. I meant your freaking breakup.' Abhishek interrupted Rahul. He stayed quiet.

As soon as I saw the mess in Rahul's apartment, I called Abhishek. He brought some snacks on his way. Before he arrived, Rahul kept on wetting the tissues.

I thought not to ask anything until Abhishek arrived. It's been fifteen minutes since Rahul stopped crying so we finally thought to break the silence.
'Today.' Rahul declared after a while.
'We know that' I said 'that's not what Abhi was asking.'

'For the last one month, we had a lot of fights but I didn't think she would end it. She asked me to meet her today. Told me that it's not working anymore.' He grumbled.

'Is it because of...' I hesitated to take the name.
'I don't know if it is because of Riya or not.' He said. 'But I have a strong doubt, she is seeing someone.'

'What?' Abhishek shouted.
'I think. And you saw her behavior these days, right? She was not texting me back, always busy in her class. It irks me. I know, she started liking that ass, Arjun from her class.' He said.

Abhishek and I chose silence. It was hard to argue; we can't take her side it will upset Rahul but if we had said that he was right he might beat the shit out of Arjun.

'You know what, it is a good thing she is out of your life for whatever reason it may be. She made you miserable.' Abhishek said.

'But she made me happy. I loved her.' Rahul's voice having hint of despair.
'But she doesn't deserve it ok.' I said. Rahul stayed shut.
'Did she even cry, when she told you this?'
'No.' he replied.

'Then why are you crying?' Abhishek said. 'It's good that she is out of your life now.'
'But I don't want her out of my life.' He started looking her profile on social media. After a minute, he started sobbing.

'Now what happened?'
'She changed her relationship status to single.' He flashed us the screen. 'It's been five hours to our break up. How can she do that so fast. Did she miss nothing about me or what we had?'

'Listen, it's over now. Your relationship is over you need to understand that.' I said.
'But...'
'No buts!' Abhishek said cutting him.
'You know what, I think I should call her.' Rahul said.
'What? Are you out of your mind?' Abhishek stood up from his chair.

'Maybe I can convince her.' He said and started dialing her number.
'No.' we jumped on him to grab his mobile. He tried to fight back but no use. Abhishek snatched his phone.
'Give me back.' He said.
'Look enough is enough. Ok.' I looked at Rahul.

'Now listen to me.' I said. 'Whatever happened; happened for good. Too good actually. You are free now. She made you miserable, man. Have you seen your attendance, have you seen your marks? Forget about that have you seen your wallet and your condition.' I said to him. He stayed quiet.

'She didn't deserve you. Believe it.' I said.
'But she was different.'
'You have said that sentence for every girl you've been with. She is no different.' I said.
'Deb is right!' Abhishek said. 'It kills me to see you like this, brother.'

'Hey, you know what?' I said looking at him. 'This is an opportunity to move on and get a real life. Get some good time.' I said.
'What do you mean?'
'What's the last time we've been together? Just the three of us?' I said.

They agreed. 'More than 5 months I think.' Abhishek said.
'See!' I said. 'It's been 5 months and we need to stop that ok. After six to seven months, we all will be separated. We are in our last year. Then all of us will head in different paths. All we have is this time. It's not about you or you.' I said pointing towards them.
'It's about all three of us. After this we will have a boring job and a boring life. At that time all you will remember is the crazy things that we did. And all we will have is our memories.'

'Good talk but I hope you are getting to a point with this.' Rahul said.

'Yes I am. All we have is these few months. Instead of regretting and crying why don't we enjoy this time. You are single now. So, we...' I was interrupted.
'Yes, you are right.' Abhishek said. 'We all are single now. And I have an idea.' He said

'Actually, that's not....' I tried to say something but it was too late.
'You know what Rahul if you are single than we are staying single with you.' Abhishek said.

'wait... What!!' I shouted.
'Yes. It's a perfect idea.' Abhishek continued 'That's it. That's the new pact. We will stay single till we graduate. No relationships. Nobody changes their status. Flirting with girls is allowed. Hook ups is on too. But no serious commitments.' he said looking at Rahul.

I will kill this moron.

'You sure about this.' Rahul said. 'You won't involve with anyone.'

What is happening... is Rahul actually buying this crap from Abhishek? This is bad.

'Yes.' Abhishek said. 'What about you?' he looked at me.
I wished I had a knife. I noticed Rahul; He was looking at me with hope.

Don't fall into this. Say no, SAY NO.

'I am in.' I said. wait... what did I just say? I am screwed.

'Ok than I am in too.' Rahul said standing up. He hugged us. 'I love you guys' he said.
'Dude...! that sounded gay.' Abhishek said getting out of the hug.
'What? Are you serious?' He looked at me. I was still recovering from 'what just happened'.

'You are moron's' he said.
'That's much better.'
'Anyway, now can we search my toilet paper. I do really need it.' He said.
'Ok.' Abhishek said 'I will start from the front; you start from the back.'

'That's what she said.' I retorted, both of them burst out laughing. Our laughter abating my feelings somewhat.

'SCREW, NAINA!!' Abhishek yelled, trying to cheer up Rahul.