Falling Like Snow

Chapter 5: Jealousy - Jealousy

Jyeshtha:

I swear the sun wasn't even out when the alarm ran waking me up. Day three of camp, and I was already feeling the strain - the early mornings, the busy schedule with our drills and parades.

I was sure I was going to ace my drill but right on the second day, I had pushed myself too hard during the obstacle course and now I was paying the price.

The throbbing pain in my ankle reminds me of why I am not out there with the others. I have been sidelined, thanks to this stupid injury. As much as I try to push through it, the sharp sting every time I put weight on my foot is impossible to ignore.

So, instead of charging through the obstacle course like everyone else and doing one thing I love about my NCC, I am left to find another way to be useful.

Maybe he is right, maybe I can never be best at anything. 

As I hobbled out of bed, I realised how serious the pain was. I had insisted on atleast training for the drills but I was strictly told to get rest.

But it wasn't as disappointing as it could have been if I hadn't met Yug yesterday. I couldn't even shake the smile creeping across my face. If I couldn't impress him with my strength on the field, I would find another way to get his attention.

I thought back to yesterday when I went to fill my water bottle. It all happened in a snap of seconds! I couldn't believe it at first, it seemed too perfect, too coincidental.

But as fate or should I say 'he' would have it, we were thrown together in this camp, surrounded by so many of us, yet my mind kept circling back to him.

I was aware that Yug knew I would be a part of this camp but I had no idea he too would be a part of it.

Honestly, is he done running away from me and his own feelings for me?

Or if he just wanted to see how pathetically I am doing?

I was offended, he literally came to this camp knowing I had he there and talked to me like he had some sort of claim over me. Break-up with that boyfriend of yours?

Why should I? Why would I break-up with my boyfriend? Who the hell is he to tell me what to do?

Samjhte kya hai apne aap ko? Bade aae hero bnne.

It was a spur-of-the-moment decision, driven by an impulse I didn't quite understand but couldn't resist. The words slipped out before I could have second-guess them - "I have a boyfriend."

What boyfriend Jyeshtha? You don't even have one. Ahh!

The look on his face - surprise mixed with something else, something deeper - was all the confirmation I needed. I liked it, I liked how agitated he was at the idea of me having a boyfriend.

If he thinks he can run away from me once again, news flash Yug I have got another plans.

Well! enough about him, now let's focus on my performance in the camp because I really wanted an higher post in the NCC.

My injury was an inconvenience, but it was also an opportunity. When I saw the announcement for the event hosting auditions, I knew I had found my chance.

The camp was abuzz with excitement, everyone was either preparing for the event or talking about it.

Hosting it meant I had be in his sight the entire time.

Honestly, I loved being in front of a crowd, I loved the attention.

There is something empowering about being the one who adresses everyone, the one everyone is looking at.