A World Without Fire

A. You know what's hard?

What am I even doing? This is the 23rd time, How many more times will I have to go through this feeling?

"Vishwash, stop crying! You're not a kid, such annoying friend you are." I said, placing a hand on my head.

"Divya! My love, If I don't cry, what else should I do? We've been friends for years, but you don't even look at me that way. What's wrong with me? I look good, I'm rich too!"

I rubbed my temples, trying to stay calm. Just then, I noticed a message on my phone. Frustrated, I stepped out of the car and kicked it before taking a deep breath.

I got back in the car and handed him my handkerchief and He wiped his nose with it.

"If you can't handle it, it's better we're not friends anymore," I said. 

"But you're so amazing! You listen to everything I say, you take care of me. How will I live without you?"

Now I couldn't even breathe properly. Anger flared up again, but I controlled it and said, "Shut up, you idiot! Let's go get a drink. Want to try a cigarette?"

"You know I don't do those things. I'm a gentleman, I can not breathe without you." he said, wiping his nose.

"Ugh!" I groaned, barely holding back my frustration. "Go die, then."

I was about to step out of the car when I noticed a girl and sat back down.

"Vishwash, follow that scooty! That girl ran off with my purse yesterday."

"Who? Forget it! I'll buy you a new one," he said, still crying.

I took a deep breath. 

"I wish I had a heart! You're such a good person, but honestly, there's nothing between us. Now just drop me home. I'm going back home tomorrow anyway, college is over."

"Take me with you!"

"My mom would kill me if I showed up with a guy and called him a 'friend.' She doesn't get the concept. Her brain's stuck in old movies."

Vishwash wiped his tears. "I'll dress as a girl then! I can't live without you."

"Ugh! (Took Pause for a second) do you know? I was planning to shock my family anyway, but honestly, I haven't found anyone to tell the truth to."

"What truth?" (he stopped cry.)

"This Diwali, I'll be moving to Mumbai for good. I'll leave Kolkata and find a job there."

"Don't worry about anything. I'll always be with you, whether you say yes or no. I'm a chill guy."

"Chill guy? You've cried 99 times this year, and I've rejected 23 times. And still, you're here. What a headache you are," I said, holding my head.

"You said we could still be friends," he said.

I glared at him and muttered under my breath, "Better to have no friends than one like you."

Vishwash started the car. I put on my earphones and played some music, craving a moment of peace.

You know what's hard? Rejecting a good person. It feels awful when you can't return the same love they have for you, and you have no reason to say no, but you still don't feel anything for them.

When we reached my house, as I was about to get out, he jumped out to open the door for me.

"My princess," he said with a flourish.

I felt irritated. Vishwash was too good, and it annoyed me because It's too much. Someone once told me, "Rejection is better than fake promises."