Those Silly Days

Chapter 23

The only sound to be heard was the  pounding of my shoes against the tiles of the corridor. Tears stung my eyes as I ran. My body soon collided with something hard and I lost my balance. My eyes squeezed shut in reflex as I waited for the impact. But instead, I never felt.

My vision was still blurry as I opened my eyes but I, fairly, could guess who was holding me. Those black hair pulled up into quiff, that black leather jacket and strong unique scent of his, I definitely can tell that he's none other than Yash.

"Hey, you alright? " He asks as he sets me back on my feet. I barely nod, looking away not wanting him to see me crying. I try to walk past him but he barricades using his body.

" I have to go. " my voice cracks.

" Have you been crying? "

" None of your business. "I snap.

" J, have you been...? " I snap with ' Stay out of it'

" Hey.. Look at me. " He tips my chin, meeting my eyes with his beautiful hazels. His eyes, as always, seems to read my unsaid words. His eyes read me like I'm a book too easy to read. A sob escapes my lips. The person who I called my best friend didn't even hear me, understanding me comes in whole different level and here is a person who I have known only for months and still he seems to understand those words which I have not spoken. Somewhere deep down I know that he will understand me. I don't know why but I do have this gut feeling that he will.

" Let's get out of here, okay? " He asks and I think, I nodded because soon we are headed out of college.

××××
I silently brood over what had just happened. All my fears are proved true. I am like them. I hate them but still I am like them. I hate myself for it. I hate myself. My past keeps flashing in front of me, haunting every vein and sinew in my body.

Anger, agony, pain, past and memories, all of them, steers the tears as they silently roll onto my cheeks.

"I can't believe that this just happened. We fought. And, they watched. All of them. I thought at least they would support me but they didn't and instead they just watched. "

" They? " He voiced.

"  Yes, Myria, Shreya, Sid and all of them. They were there. Watching. Hearing. At the field. But they never supported. I hate fighting and I fought. We fought. I can't believe that Manav doesn't trust me. And, he thought I was cheating him? That too with Sammy! You know I would not do that. I can't cheat. Not on him. Especially with his best buddy. No, I can't " My voice cracks. Tears haunted me again. I looked over to Yash, who looked at me with sympathy.

I quickly blinked back the tears, realising I was exposing myself. Restoring my composure, I managed to crack a small smile as I said," I'm sorry to burden you with all this. It's okay if you want to leave. " I clearly didn't meant the last part. A company is never bad, I guess.

" It's okay. And, I like to accompany gorgeous people. " He said with a miniature version of his signature smile. I cracked a smile too. The 'Yash' was back.

" By the way, do you know that chocolate can make you feel better? " Saying this, he pulled out a  chocolate. I do agree. Chocolate helps.

" Go ahead. It's my personal experience. " He went on.

Taking the chocolate from his hand, I teased back,"  You know that I don't share chocolate so don't expect me to. "

He laughed heartily before saying," No problem! "

I did munch away most of the chocolate but again I shared because he was making these cute adorable faces that I don't think I can deny. Or anybody else can. Because Yash can be too adorable when he wants to.

××××
" J,  I think you should head back. " I frowned. I was in no mood to meet anyone. Not even Myria.

" It's getting late. " He stated. It is late. We have been sitting at the garden near the college for few hours doing nothing except sitting under a tree and munching on chocolates. I looked away as I twirled a lock of hair, trying to think how to tell Yash that I actually don't want to go near any place where I might face them. Where I have to talk, prove and defend myself to all my friends.

" Yash... I... "

" You don't want to go, do you? You don't want to face them, right? " I nodded, shocked on knowing that he knew how it felt to face someone you knew and prove them that you  aren't guilty of implied accusation.

" But you can't avoid them your whole life. Next morning, you will have to go to college and you will meet them. You can't avoid them. Face them. " he went on.

" I can't. "

" You can " he countered.

" I need time. " I stated.

He sighed but then nodded.

" Let's get something to drink then. I would prefer alcohol if chocolate didn't work. "

" Me too. " I seconded.

" Let's go then. What are we waiting? "

××××
Instead of going to a club or bar, we brought beer from a store and decided to drive around the city, drinking, joking and singing rock songs at top of our voices. I was drunk, not too much but just like tipsy, and I was having fun. And, alcohol was putting my mind off everything. I am a person who puts a moment's happiness in a higher level than a prolonged sadness.

By the way, Yash really is an amazing driver. It seems that he loves the control he has over his car. He said that this is one of his favorites but his baby is another one. He did promise to show me his baby.  Someday. His phone rings again snapping me out of my thoughts. From corner of my eye, I see him rejecting the call.

His phone rings again and he was about to cancel the call when I said, "Just pick it. It's the 4th time. It must be important."

He risked his eyes off the road and looked at me briefly before looking at his cell phone. Exhaling a long breath , he picked the call. And, he spoke only two sentences before disconnecting , "I'm not coming. I have other things to attend."

I realised that I was keeping him away from his plans. I think I can survive a night of awkwardness at my PG.

"Yash... You don't have to cancel your plans for me. You can... You know. I will be fine. "

" It's okay. My plans are unimportant. "

" Yash, you don't have to. You have already done so much. I think I can survive. I have to face them someday. I will be fine. " I sounded like I was trying to convince myself rather than him.

" J, you said you needed time and you need it. My race is not important than you. "

Oh! I didn't realise Yash could be such a good... Wait, did he just say race ?

" Race? What race? You race? That's cool. "I queried. That was when he realised his slip up. He looked at me and quickly looked away, trying to decide how much to reveal to me.

" Yea, I do race. Something I actually enjoy and I had an race today. Just a race. "

" Let's go then. What are we waiting for?" I voiced  his line. If I put my mind somewhere else, I will be fine. So race it is then.

" What? No way "He shrieked.

" Why not? We can go. C'mon "

He shakes his head.

" Please. " I make a cute puppy face. I plead again. All I know that I'll be better if my mind is occupied and right now, racing seems the best way.

" Fine but.. "

" Thank you! " I interrupt, excited.

" We shall have some ground rules that you will have to follow and no arguments on that. Clear? "

" Clear. "