JANAKI

CHAPTER : 1 Janaki

Janaki's POV :

"Divya, Divya, I'm sorry! I promise it won't happen again!" I pleaded, trying to make amends after our pointless argument. It was my fault, I admit, but come on, friends do mess up sometimes, right?

It all started during her favorite professor's lecture. Divya and I were sitting together, and I got bored, so I decided to have a little fun. When the professor asked a question, I raised my hand. But when he called on me, I pretended I hadn't raised it at all.

I pointed at Divya, saying she was the one who had raised her hand. She, caught off guard, didn't know the answer, and the professor got a bit annoyed, giving her that disappointed look. Divya felt embarrassed, especially since she admires that professor.

And that's why she was now chasing me with her umbrella, her face red with a mix of anger and embarrassment. I didn't realize at the time how much it would hurt her. To me, it was just a harmless joke, but to her, it felt like a betrayal, making her look bad in front of someone she respected.

I didn't mean to upset her, but I clearly did, and now I had to find a way to make things right. Maybe a heartfelt apology and a promise to never mess around in class again would do the trick.

As the bell rang, signaling the start of the next lecture, the sound seemed to cut through the tension between Divya and me. It was a stark reminder that our time to resolve this was running out. We had been arguing over something that seemed trivial now, given how close we were. Divya and I had been practically inseparable besties, and we rarely stayed mad at each other for long. But at that moment, the frustration in her eyes and the guilt gnawing at me made it feel different.

The classroom was abuzz with students gathering their things and making their way to the next session. Divya and I, however, were still in the throes of our argument. She was glaring at me, her umbrella now held defensively as if to shield herself from further emotional harm. I kept apologizing, trying to make her see that it had been a joke gone wrong, not a deliberate attempt to embarrass her.

"Divya, I'm really sorry," I said for what felt like the hundredth time. "I didn't mean to hurt you. I thought it would be funny, but I get it now, it wasn't. Please don't stay mad at me."

Her expression softened slightly, but the hurt in her eyes remained. "You know how much I look up to him," she said quietly. "You made me look stupid in front of him."

"I know, and I'm really sorry. I didn't think it through. Can you forgive me?" I pleaded, my voice filled with genuine remorse.

The tension eased a bit as she sighed and nodded, though her shoulders remained tense. We didn't have time to resolve everything right then because the next lecture was starting, and the classroom was already emptying out.

With a sigh and a reluctant truce in our eyes, we headed to the lecture hall for the final class of the day. As we settled into our seats, the atmosphere between us shifted from hostility to the familiar comfort of friendship. We didn't speak much, but the shared silence was a testament to our bond, stronger than any argument could break.

Throughout the lecture, we exchanged glances and the occasional whispered comment, slowly dissolving the remnants of our spat. By the end of the class, the tension had eased, replaced by the easy camaraderie we always shared.

"That was the last lecture for the day," I said, trying to lighten the mood. "Let's head home and we can talk more. I promise to make it up to you."

Divya gave me a reluctant smile, her grip on the umbrella loosening. "Alright, but you owe me big time," she said, a hint of playfulness returning to her voice.

We left the classroom together, the argument lingering but no longer a barrier between us. We walked in silence for a while, each of us lost in our thoughts. By the time we reached the bus stop, the air had cleared a bit, and we were back to our usual banter. That day had been a lesson in understanding and forgiveness, a reminder that even the closest friendships have their ups and downs. But in the end, what mattered most was that we were there for each other, no matter what.

As we walked home, Divya couldn't stop ranting about her favorite professor. "Did you see how handsome he looked in that white shirt today?" she gushed, her eyes lighting up with admiration. "I swear, he could be a model for formal wear! I mean, the way he carries himself, it's just..."

I nodded, half-listening, but couldn't help but agree inwardly. Men in white shirts had always hit me hard too; there was something about the crisp, clean look that was incredibly appealing. Today had been a whirlwind, from the embarrassment I caused to Divya's animated admiration for her professor. Despite the earlier tension, it was nice to hear her chatter excitedly again.

Divya continued to talk about how the professor's lecture was not just insightful but also how his choice of a white shirt made him look even more distinguished. It was clear that her earlier annoyance was fading, replaced by her usual bubbly enthusiasm.

Eventually, we reached the point where our paths diverged. We re-bid each other goodbye, parting ways with a promise to catch up again the next day. "See you tomorrow!" she called out, waving as she headed toward her street.

"See you!" I waved back, smiling at the day's turn of events.

As I made my way home, I reflected on the rollercoaster of emotions we had gone through. From the unintended embarrassment I caused to the heartfelt apology and the lighthearted end to the day, it had been anything but ordinary. Despite the ups and downs, the day had ended on a good note, reminding me of the resilience of our friendship and the little joys that come from sharing our lives, even the awkward moments.

After coming home, I kicked off my shoes and headed straight to my room. I took a quick shower, letting the warm water wash away the day's stress and lingering frustration from my argument with Divya. Feeling refreshed, I slipped into some comfortable clothes and settled at my study desk, ready to tackle my homework. The next couple of hours were a blur of textbooks, notes, and the soft rustling of paper as I completed my assignments, trying to stay focused on the task at hand.

Once my studies were done, I headed to the kitchen to help my mother with the evening chores. Despite my efforts, cooking had always been a bit of a nemesis for me. I had tried my hand at it a few times, but each attempt ended up being a disaster - burnt dishes, undercooked pasta, you name it. Eventually, I had to accept that cooking wasn't my strong suit. Today, I stuck to the simpler tasks like chopping vegetables and setting the table, tasks that didn't require the elusive culinary skills I lacked.

After we finished preparing dinner, my family gathered around the table. We enjoyed a hearty meal, filled with light-hearted conversation and laughter. My mom's cooking was as delicious as always, a reminder of how much I still had to learn. Despite my cooking failures, I appreciated the warmth and comfort of a home-cooked meal.

With dinner over, I had some free time before bed. I retreated to the living room and indulged in one of my favorite pastimes - watching K-dramas. The vibrant characters and engrossing storylines provided a much-needed escape, and I found myself lost in their world. The dramas were a perfect way to unwind, their intricate plots and emotional twists offering a break from reality.

As the night wore on, I realized that I had an important lecture to attend the next day. With that in mind, I decided to head to bed early. I slipped under the covers, the day's events playing back in my mind. The argument with Divya seemed like a distant memory now, a minor blip in an otherwise productive day. I closed my eyes, letting the gentle pull of sleep take over, knowing that I needed to be well-rested and ready for the challenges of tomorrow.