Friends & Foes

Confrontation

"Are you alone? Can I be your lab partner?"

I was supposed to make request to my batch mates, but instead I kept my own company. I was poor at interaction, more specifically at pleading and confrontation. I decided to work on my own; at least that's what I thought.

"Are you alone? You don't have a partner?" Kumar asked as I kept my head down. "No" I thought he was offering his company, which I secretly did not want.

"You have to work in partners, you know that right? I guess every one grabbed a partner, you should quickly find one." He mumbled.

"I could have been with you, but I am paired with Darshan."

Darshan was one of his friends. Darshan, Darsheel, and Kumar were with me yesterday, we hung out together. I hated that guy.

He bragged about everything he ever bumped into. Unlike his twin brother Darsheel, he was impossible to be with. I had no idea why Kumar liked his company so much.

"What about Darsheel?"

Darsheel was likeable. I could bear him. He was smart like me and bragged about nothing. "He is absent today, cold" Kumar replied.

"Come here, gather around" The lab instructor called. We encircled his table, while he sat on his chair. I was standing last with Kumar and Darshan. The instructor started explaining and I saw Kamal standing outside the lab. He was late again.

He was looking for the lab instructor. I waved my hand and pointed at the instructor, informing Kamal. He sneaked in and joined the folks.

He was whispering to Kumar something, it was hard to hear. He then came to me "I heard you're doing alone, can I join you?"

I wanted to say no but instead I agreed. I felt like I was doing him a favour. Later I started conducting the experiment, while Kamal stood there, looking for someone. I knew it was a bad idea pairing with him. He ditched me and the practical and carried his stool to Richa.

Richa, the hottest girl in the class and probably in the entire first year, had straight brown hairs and milky skin with big brown eyes and big eye lashes. She wore tiny accessories around her wrist and neck. Everyone had a crush on her; even I admired her beauty.

When I saw Kamal moving towards her, I was stunned as no one could speak a word to her, she was so pretty. And the one who could gather the guts to speak to her were turned down. She would simply ignore everyone.

At first, he just sat near her, no words uttered, no interaction made. I kept performing my experiment on the other hand. He then spoke to her, and slowly moved closer to her. I could tell by looking at him, he pretended to be interested in the experiment she was doing and kept asking question about it.

To my surprise, Richa was responding him positively. In moments, they were giggling and whispering. I was not the only one who was shocked; the entire boy's community present had their jaws dropped.

"The fish has been caught my friend" Kumar stated, who was next to me. "I was so close to ask her out, I even send her friend request" Darshan added.

I was frustrated with the fact my partner was busy performing his personal act while I performing the experiment all alone. I needed help so I went there and asked him to help me.

"I'll see you around, I need to help my friend now and thank you for helping me understand." Kamal chatted. "No problem" she giggled.

"Hi, I am Kamal, and sorry for that. I just saw her alone so I couldn't stop. You understand this right?" We moved to our table. "Off course, you do." He kept chatting but I responded only with nods.

"What is your name my friend?" he realized I haven't spoken yet. "Karthik Sharma" I replied as I kept conducting the rest of the experiment. Even though he was standing with me now, he rarely helped. I did all the work while he kept blabbering. I just responded.

While I was about to finish my practical, I looked outside the door. I felt someone was watching me. It was the same guy from yesterday. He kept staring at me. He was alone this time.

We all finished and were heading back to our class but I remained. I waited for him to go. I tried everything to kill the time. I even asked questions to the lab instructor. Unfortunately he stood firm. I understood I was doomed.

I stepped out of the lab, and he was there, ready to meet me. I confronted him. "How are you today? My name is Akarsh." He barked. "We have business from yesterday as you know"

My heart raced and I couldn't breathe fairly. Sweat dropped on my shoe as I looked at them. I closed my eyes and thought of that girl.

"Come on, stand up for yourself" I could hear her voice in my head. I could imagine her face and her eyes, staring at me. Soon, I felt better and I felt a sudden rush. In a way, the thought of her, motivated me.

I decided to respond him with a punch on his face. I strengthen my wrist, raised my eyes and I was about to land a punch on his face. I was sure, I could hit him hard, but instead I missed him. He dodged it away.

"Shit!" I screamed.

He then countered it with his fist. And then there was another, and another, and after that there was another. I was getting beaten up by him. There were less people around and he took me to a corner, from where hardly anyone could see.

I tried countering him but I failed multiple times. I closed my eyes since then, and gave up myself to him.

Bam! I heard someone knock down Akarsh. I opened my eyes to see it was Kamal. "Leave my friend alone" He yelled.

He kicked him like a dog, countlessly. Akarsh then ran away tried to save himself. Kamal walked to me. I reached to him hand and stood up. "Thank you!"

"Why are you here? What are you doing? You left already" I questioned him.

He smiled and said "I left my shoes here, wore the wrong shoes". I smiled with my balloon and crooked face.