Best Friends Forever(#YourStoryIndia)

33

AFREEN

It has been a few days since I spoke to my dad or should I say since he spoke to me. He has not been speaking to me after our fight, though I try to initiate the conversation. He doesn't even drink the water that I give or eat the food I serve. If I say,  it doesn't bother me at all,  then I'm the world's best liar. It hurts so much. I am cornered. I know what he is trying to do. He wants to guilt me into marriage. 

I have big dreams. Why is it so hard to recognize them? He is making me hate myself.  I put all these thoughts in a box and lock it. For what I am about to do, I need to focus. 

I took a deep breath, gathered all the courage that I have and knocked on my parent's room. 

"Come in." Dad said. Okay,  so its now or never. 

As soon as I entered, he had a look of distaste on his face. Ignoring the pain in my chest,  I marched on and stood in front of him. He pretended to not notice me. I stood there patiently, waiting for him to acknowledge me. When he realized I am going nowhere,  he got up to leave the room. I blocked him.

"Dad, please. I need to talk to you." I said. He ignored me and since I was standing in the doorway he sat back on his bed. 

"My farewell is this Saturday. I'll be done with my B.Sc by June." I began, softly.

"Good." He said. 

"I want to apply for Masters." I said and waited for the storm. 

"I knew you would do something like this. You told me you will marry after your B.Sc. What is this new drama?" He asked, angry. 

I got pissed. "I never said I will get married after B.Sc. I don't want to marry at the age of 21. I am too young. I have my dreams. Don't they mean anything to you? I am sure to get merit for masters. It won't cost much." I said, trying to control my anger. 

"What dreams? After marriage you will have to take care of home. I educated you enough for you read and write. What's the point of getting masters when you have to sit at home?" He said.

"But.." I started. He held his hand up indicating me to shut it. 

"Enough. Mera demag kahrab mat karo (Don't spoil my mind). Forget about Masters  and start learning how to cook properly from mom. From today,  you will be making breakfast, everyday." He said and pushed past me and walked out.

Despair washed over me. What am I going to do now?  Farhan is still in his 3rd year. He has to finish one more year of studies. How do I stall now? 

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"I'm so excited about the farewell." Ana squealed. 

"Yeah. I can't wait to dress up. I love wearing saree and parading around." Diya said dreamily. 

"Hey,  let's  get ready at my place and come to college together." Ana said. 

Diya and I agreed. It would be fun to get ready together, doing each other's make up and taking loads of pictures. 

"What's wrong with you?" Diya suddenly asked me.

I sighed and told them everything that happened yesterday and started crying. I even forgot that we were in the middle of the class and everybody could see me, but right now,  I could care less. 

Diya hugged me and was trying to console me. Ana just looked uncomfortable. If I was not upset,  I would have laughed at her expression. Her and her complexes with crying people. 

"Affu what's wrong?" Sam asked. I looked around to see Harsh, Harshad, Meghs, Chavi and Sanjana all staring at me,  with worry. 

"I'm fine. It's nothing." I said, quickly wiping my tears. 

"Are you sure? We have never seen you cry." Harsh said.

I nodded and smiled at them. I started talking to them as normally as I could and they seemed convinced. Though things were a bit strained between Sam and Diya, all of us were friends and wanted to enjoy our last few days together. 

"I don't know what I am going to do?" I said when we were leaving for home. I didn't want to go home. It felt like my personal prison. 

"You still have time. Let your dad cool down a bit and then after exams,  ask again." Ana suggested. 

"Yeah. That's the only thing you can do. Cheer up. Let's go shopping tomorrow." Diya said. 

We all agreed, me a bit reluctant. I was still not comfortable with skipping classes. Though my two best friends were a pro at it. 

As soon as we stepped out of the gates, Ana's face split up into a broad smile, then quickly,  she tried to hide it. I followed the course of her eyes to see Abhi waiting for her.  He walked towards us and smiled , while Ana was glaring at him. 

"Let's go." He said to her. She didn't budge and he sighed frustrated. 

"I'm stealing my girlfriend away. See ya guys." He said to us. We were laughing at the dumbstruck look on Ana's face. 

Before he dragged her away he looked at Diya and said coldly, "My brother is a mess. I thought you should know." 

Diya's face fell and Ana gasped. 

"Why the fuck did you say that!!!??" Ana hissed at him. 

"I'll be waiting by the bike. Don't make me come here and drag you back." He said and walked away. 

"I'm so sorry Diya. He shouldn't have said that." Ana said, almost to tears. 

"It's okay. He was only stating the truth. Don't worry, I'm fine. Don't fight with him about this." Diya said, trying to smile. 

Ana looked at me and I smiled in encouragement and She hugged both of us and marched off in Abhi's direction with determination. Someone was in trouble. 

"You okay?" I asked Diya. 

"I don't know." She replied. 

"Dev is a nice guy, Diya. Maybe you can work things out." I said. 

She just shook her head and smiled at me.