Mif

THE DATE

I knew it was not going to be from Shaafz but something terrified me. I misdrew my lockscreen pattern twice before opening it. It was not from Shaafz.

It was a notification from facebook messenger.

Abby Manik: 'Happy Diwali..!'

Who the hell is this girl texting me at 2:30 in the night? Some usual fake account, I thought. I've had enough of this fake account thing in facebook. My neighbor was having six facebook accounts of girls. His hobby was flirting with other guys. I knew it because he was having rainbow display picture in his own account. I'd also heard enough stories of men falling in love with women online, were latter being tricked.

Some men are really desperate. Some are indifferent. Some wait. And the rest are like me.

I closed my phone and yanked back to my bed. Then the countdown continued as I slept.

The journey took longer than usual. The feeling of approaching my hometown lowered me well. I was already missing Miya. And she might be with Sid, forgetting me asusual. One way or other, ignorance is bliss. Its as if, you don't have to care about whatever crime you've committed. The world already forgot it and no one gives a shit. What that maims is when someone with whom we wanted to create memories forgets us like a doddle. We'll be remembered by no one, but stay as back room boys, not just forever but more. We'll meet oblivion as soon as we die. Though oblivion is absolute death and it is for sure, inevitable, all that matters is not the number of days you've lived but the number of days you'll be remembered after you've died. Our acts decide that.

My act was waiting to be remembered.

'Hey! Late wish. But, thanks.'

I'd sent her a response as soon as I got home, despite my suspicion. Mostly because, I didn't want to rock his boat. Nevertheless, I knew the pain of being ignored.

I would deal with my neighbor or whoever this Abby Manik was, later.

I opened FL Studio in my pc, a set of software packages used to compose music, and started composing music.

Rest of the day I spent in composing, watching Inception some tenth time, writing observation and moping. I had no one to talk to- either on phone or in person. I had spent some time in reading whatsapp statuses and laughed at how funny and stupid statuses some people had. Sleeping was easier that night with the fault in our stars beside my pillow, AC down to eighteen degrees and the excitement of meeting Shaafz tomorrow, sitting next to her, hearing her breath, snort, had kicked me up that it reached a fever pitch. I reminded myself to stay mad at her, though I knew I would melt down at her touch. I should stay as far away from her as possible. It didn't matter whether I was the Mercury or the Pluto, I'd still be rounding the sun.

Holding a grudge against her was easier than I had assumed. She sat near me, 'Hey Fred!'

'Hey!'

Then we both never talked until the morning session was over. I tried hard not to look at her. So I didn't notice much except she wore a violet kameez that she'd bought last month for her sister's wedding, her matching lip gloss and earrings. The ambience created by her perfume distracted me so much. Not to mention, she looked like a princess.

To my surprise, Sameera sat on the other side of me. Two elegant princesses with a puny guy in the middle! World makes wonder. Beneficially, I had a little crush on Sameera, too. But nothing counted when I was with Shaafz. I may ask her out.

'Hey Sam!'

'Hey Fred! What's up?'

Two things I liked about talking to Sameera. One, she was not high like other chicks in CEG and easy to start a conversation with. Two, whenever I started a conversation with her I could see Shaafz getting into a what-the-fuck-that-really-matters? state, which reflects her envy. It also had a question that she was envy because she likes me or she knew that Sameera likes me. I'd prefer the former one, careful not to burn out my own tail.

'Just wanted to say that..', I turned to look at the professor. He was too busy in explaining how the methane gas reacts with alcohol, '..are you free..maybe, this weekend?'

I'd bet a thousand dollars that, though I didn't notice, I had felt Shaafz turn towards me as if I had put a whammy on her. She turned away before she thought I could realize that she glared.

'What is the matter?' Sam asked.

'I just thought I could hang out with you. Maybe, we shall go to a movie' I said.

Shaafz frowned. God, she's really eavesdropping. No doubt, she likes me.

'You mean as a date?', I liked her being straightforward. Easy, reducing the length of the conversation.

'Yes. If that doesn't matter' I said.

Shaafz grimaced. She suddenly started taking notes pretending to avoid our conversation.

'Oh. Sorry, Fred. You know I'm already dating someone.' She tucked her hair behind her ears, pretending to be listening to the professor. 'But, what about the movie as a friend?' She tickled.

'That sounds great' I said, still scrutinizing Shaafz's expressions.

'Which movie?'

I had to pick a latest romantic comedy.

'How about absolutely anything?' The rotten tomatoes had rated it well. Plus, its a sci-fi. I love sci-fi.

'That's great' she jolted.

'Alright. I'll pick you up on the Friday evening after classes.'

The rest of the class I was thinking about how Shaafz was going to sulk. I knew she was not comfortable. She likes me. But what was the matter? Had she given me any hope? She was dating Sr Rohan. Why would I care? I can't keep waiting for her. I'm not her backup plan. Maybe, I should just stop thinking about her.

I was terribly hungry when Prof. Kiren left after mooching ten minutes of the lunch break. I grimaced.

Shaafz was looking at me and I was careful not to start a conversation. As I hurried to the canteen, she stopped me.

'Hey, where are you going?'

'To have lunch, I guess' I lowered.

How can you ignore someone for so many days and talk to him just like you've been in the midst of a conversation. 'Have you brought your lunch?', she asked.

I shook my head. 'My mom overslept'

'Shall we go to the Maggi Station?' she asked.

I had to consider it.

'No, I guess I'm Okay with the canteen.' I scowled a bit. Just in case, she might know that I was still angry.

She grabbed my hand.

I froze.

'Don't be mad. I've brought you lunch. Guess what?' she excited pulling up her one eyebrow, appealingly.

It took some time to stop admiring her beauty and realizing what she was about to bring up. She opened her duffel bag and picked up her lunch box.

'Finally' I said, the smell of her briyani piercing my head.

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P.S. For those who don't know what's Briyani, its a special dish in India. I really have no idea how it is made, but it tastes spicy and often acquainted with Chicken. Don't ask me what's chicken :P

P.P.S. I hope you loved the chapters. Feel free to comment. Updating the next chapters soon.

Question time: So far, I've talked about three girls, Shaafz, Miya and Sameera. Can you guess who's Mif? Or do you think Mif is yet to come in the next chapters?

See ya'll soon.. bye :)