Love heroin

20.The birthday party

"I am so glad that you are here" Meena said.
"So Parvathy, why did you choose our collage?" Aswani asked. We were sitting in the canteen and Meena just introduced Parvathy to others and seeing her grabbing so much attention makes me super annoyed.
"Because my boyfriend is here so....." Parvathy said.
"That's so cute" Alisha said.
"Ya they are such a cute couple like they have been dating each other for so long and I have never seen them fighting, can you believe that?" Meena asked.
"Oh! Wow you must be really understanding" Sreedevi said.
"I love him so much" Parvathy said with a shy smile.
OMG how can someone lie like that? I thought.
"Guys I want a glass of lemonade, I will just get t and come" Meena said as she stood up and walked away.
"Hey guys its Meena's b day tomorrow, what's the plan?" Aswani asked.
"Let's go to her home at 12 and surprise her, what say?" Sruthy asked.
"What about her parent's what will they think?" Divya asked concerned.
"Her parents have gone to Chennai to attend a relatives wedding and she stayed back because of collage so she is all alone at home" Aswani said.
"Great then let's go" Sreedevi said.
"OK done" Divya said.
"And Divya don't wear your black and white salwar suit again tonight" Aswani warned.
"What no, what else will I wear?" Divya asked.
"Wear anything that is not black and white" Aswani said.
"But I just love that colour combination" Divya said.
"That doesn't mean you can wear it all the time" Sruthy said.
"Hey Parvathy you will also be there right?" Sreedevi asked.
"Of course I and Aadhi will come if you don't mind" Parvathy said.
"Oh OK come" Sruthy said.
Do these guys even remember that I am sitting here? I asked myself but I should have asked them.
"Hey guys, what is the hot discussion going on?" Meena who came back with her lemonade asked.
"Nothing just some gossips" Divya said and covered up.
"Oh! Really" Meena said.
"Yep" I said.
"Hey, Lali...Shh...Lali" Divya whispered coming close to my ear.
"What?" I whispered back.
"You look worried is it because of Parvathy?" Divya asked.
"Of course this girl.....Oh god I wish I could kick her out of here" I said in the lowest voice possible.
"Relax Lali don't worry we will sort this out" Divya whispered back.
"Hey I think I just saw Sid outside" Alisha said.
I froze as I heard his name. I looked at the entrance I was desperately searching for him just to get a simple glace of him but I failed to see him.
"He might have come to get a glance of our Meena before the next class begin" Alisha said all except Meena and me burst out laughing.
"Oh shut up idiots" Meena who was fixing her makeup said.
"Meena it's not good to keep him waiting like that" Sreedevi said.
At that time I felt like hitting Sreedevi. Why did she have to say that anyway? I was already feeling bad that Sid came to meet Meena and now this. Come on idiot they are a couple let them have fun like what is your problem? My mind asked. My problem is that I love him. My stupid heart said. Guys why do you two have to fight all the time? I asked my heart and mind.
"I will just come" Meena said as she stood up and left.
I was so annoyed and I couldn't take this any longer.
"Guys I am going to the library" I said and stood up. I thought if I got to the library and read five point someone by CB and realise the there are much bigger problems in collage life than love failure I will feel better.
"OK, then see you tonight" Divya said.
"OK" I said.
"Wait a minute are you coming with us" Aswani asked surprised.
"Of course I am" I said.
"Are you sure?" Aswani asked.
"Why can't I come?" I asked.
"Well because......." She was saying but Divya stopped her.
"She is just fooling around Lali you go let's meet tonight" Divya said.
Even though I knew Divya was just lying to make me feel better I nodded and left. When I stepped out I saw Meena who was standing there confused.
"What Happened?" I asked her.
"They said that they saw Sid but I can't find him anywhere here" Meena said.
"Oh! Really maybe he has gone away" I said.
"But I thought he came to meet me" Meena said and made a sad face.
"He will come back Meena don't worry"
I said and walked away that was when someone pulled my hand. I was shocked. It was Sid.
"Sid! What are you doing?" I asked.
"Yar I am so, so sorry about Parvathy" Sid said.
"It's OK it's not your fault" I said in a low voice.
"I know Aadhi and Parvathy have a really bad image about you" Sid said.
"Ya they think I am characterless flirt" I said.
Then Sid something unexpected he cupped my face with his hands. I was shocked.
"I know you are not all that" Sid said.
I looked at him unable to say a word.
"OK, listen I need your help" Sid said.
"Help, with what?" I asked.
"I have to buy a ring for Meena and I need your help you know that I am really bad in choosing something" Sid said.
"So how can I help you?" I asked.
"Come with me for shopping after class" Sid said.
"But Sid I....."
"Don't say no, Lali you are the only one who will help me please Lali please" Sid pleaded.
"OK fine" I said.
"Thank you so much Lali" Sid said.
"OK but buying a ring is not a piece of cake, how will you know which ring will fit her hands?" I asked.
"No" Sid said.
"OK, I will handle that, lets meet after class" I said and rushed from there.
*
"I can't understand a thing, all this is because I was a science student earlier" Meena said we were sitting in the class.
"Don't worry Meena you will get used to it" I said.
"I hope so" Meena said.
"Hey that is a nice ring, can I see that?" I asked pointing at Meena's ring.
"Oh sure" Meena said and gave me the ring. I slipped the ring to my ring finger. It is a little big for me. I did all this to help Sid purchase a ring. I gave the ring back to Meena and said.
"Thank you"
"It's OK; hey what did the Sir just say?" Meena asked.
"Definition of economics" I said.
"That was a definition? Really" Meena asked.
"Yep" I said.
Meena looked confused as she made some notes. God what is happening Meena who wanna study this subject really bad is getting confused and who understands the class-Me who have zero interest in studying all this. Life is strange.
*
"Ya stop that the shop" Sid said.
I parked the bike and both of us walked inside the shop.
"Show me those" I said to the shopkeeper. I was pointing at a set of rings.
"Isn't that too simple?" Sid asked.
"Trust me Meena love simple stuff" I said.
"OK fine" Sid said as he looked for the perfect ring. I looked here and there I was just checking out the whole shop. That was when I felt someone hold my hand. I looked back and found out it was Sid he smiled as he slipped a ring on my ring finger.
"How is this one?" Sid asked.
I looked at the beautiful ring on my ring finger which fits my finger perfectly.
"It's.....beautiful" I said.
"Then this is it" Sid said.
"But it fits my finger perfectly; can you show me the next size of this one?" I asked the shopkeeper.
"Ya let me search" The shopkeeper said as he turned to search.
"That was strange" I said.
"What was strange?" Sid asked.
"No nothing" I said.
"What? Tell me" Sid said.
"Actually I have never found a ring which fits my ring finger perfectly" I said.
"Is that true?" Sid asked.
"Yes either the ring will be loose or too tight" I said.
"Oh!" Sid said.
"Actually I am so imperfect that nothing perfect has ever happened in my life"
I said and smiled. Sid kept on looking at me without blinking. I had to look away or I will loss control over my emotions so I looked away and I saw a handbag shop outside.
"I will just come"
I said and stepped outside. Have I told you that I am so damn crazy about bags and stuffs I really like purchasing bags and purses instead of jewellery and dresses. And I am really choosy about the bags and purses I use. I went to the shop and just bought a small handbag for myself.
"Hey Lali" I heard Sid's voice.
"Yes" I said and turned around.
"Are you done?" Sid asked.
"Ya let's go" I said.
We went back home.
*
"SUPRISE....." All of us screamed when Meena opened the door.
"OMG guys.....this is amazing" Meena said and covered her mouth with her hand.
"That's a funny spectacle" Aswani said as she looked at Meena's glasses, she used to wear contact lenses to collage.
"Come in guys" Meena said.
We entered her beautiful apartment.
"Oh shit! Is that a dog" I said as I saw a pug approaching us I stepped back frightened. Did I mention that dogs scare the hell out of me?
"Don't worry Lali fluffy is friendly" Meena said.
"Fluffy or muffin keep that thing away from me I don't like pet's" I said.
"OK, OK I will tie him up" Meena said as she went inside and tied the dog.
"Hey guys, where is my cake?" Meena asked in a childish tone.
Everyone looked at Parvathy who had agreed to get the cake.
"Aadhi, I told you to get it" Parvathy said.
"The cake is in the car" Aadhi said.
"I didn't see any cake in the car" Sreedevi said.
"Me either" Sruthy said.
"It is there I thought we will cut the cake after sometime so I thought I will bring it later when it's 12:00 Am" Aadhi said.
"Whatever let's play truth or dare till then" Alisha suggested.
"Hmm.....I got something for you" I said and handed over a gift to Meena.
"Oh my god what is this?" Meena asked.
"It's a scarf" I said.
"Even all of us together bought a gift for you, it's a photo frame" Divya said and handed her over a box.
"Thank you so much guys" Divya said.
"Come on now let's play" Alishka said.
"OK" all of us said and sat in a circle. Meena spins the bottle. We played the game for some time and it was never my chance I thanked god because I couldn't answer any questions about boyfriend or love which were always common question in our game. But you know I am not even one bit close to being lucky ever this time the bottles end pointed me as it stopped spinning. The other end of the bottle pointed at Parvathy.
"Truth or dare" Parvathy asked.
"Truth" I said even though I didn't want to tell the truth I didn't wanted to take up a dare that is embarrassing and as it was Parvathy she will never leave a chance to insult me.
"OK tell me who were you with today evening after class?" Parvathy asked.
Oh shit! I didn't see that coming. This cannot be a coincidence she must know everything. Shit, shit, shit I am screwed. My mind said. She might not know anything maybe this is her prank to know where I go every day after class. My heart argued. Guys stop fighting we have bigger problems here. I said.
"What kind of a question is that?" Divya asked.
"Ya she must be mugging away all evening or reading any stupid love story" Aswani said and laughed. For the first time in my life I was grateful to Aswani for teasing me.
"Tell me Lali I am waiting" Parvathy said with a wicked smile.
"And remember you should tell the truth and only the truth" Aadhi said. I looked at Meena I realised that this was not a game anymore even if I lie Parvathy was going to make me tell the truth.
"I....I....." I struggled to speak. That was I heard the door bell ring. I looked at the clock it was 12:00 Am.
"Oh shit I hope it's not my stupid neighbour again" Meena said as she went to open the door. Meena opened the door. Out there Sid was standing wearing a blue and white suit. He had a cake and some balloons and a bottle of vine in his hands.
"Hi, hold this" Sid said and handed Meena over the balloons. All this while Meena was staring at him shocked. He came forward and gave a peak on her lips. OK that just hurt it bloody hurt to see him kiss her even though that was not an actual kiss. I love him god dam it why can't he do these things when I am not around. Today I am feeling really bad that I don't have a good luck.
"Happy birthday baby" Sid said.
"Sid what are you doing here?" Meena asked shocked.
"I came to celebrate your birthday" Sid said.
"Oho that's so romantic" Alishka said.
Sid went and opened the vine bottle. He didn't even smiled at me, SMILED I don't think he didn't even notice that I was here. It's his girlfriends birthday what were you expecting-that he will propose you instead. My mind asked.
"Hmm.....Sid I will do that" Meena said.
"Hey you are the birthday girl" Sreedevi said.
"And anyway he looks good while doing these stuff, it suits him" Aswani said.
That was insulting even though she didn't say that in such a way.
"I will do that" I said and went and took the bottle from Sid's hands.
"The glasses are in the shelf" Meena said.
I took the glasses from the shelf and poured vine for everyone.
"I will get the candles"
Aswani said and everyone got engaged in arranging the cake and candles.
"Hey....."
I looked back and saw Sid standing behind me. I smiled weakly.
"What happened? Why do you look so upset?" Sid asked.
"Nothing I am fine" I said and looked away.
"Oh! Really" Sid said and tugged some random hair fallen on my face behind my ear.
"Sid.....Come here" Meena called.
"Coming" Sid said and helped me take the vine glasses. We gave everyone the vine glasses.
"OK let's cut the cake" Parvathy said.
"OK" Meena said.
She sat down and blown the candles and cut the cake. All of us clapped and wished her.
Sid sat on his knees and he fed her cake. Meena took a bite and cried with joy.

"I thought you would not come" Meena said.
She stood up and turned to leave but Sid held her hand and slipped the ring on her ring finger. Meena looked at him shocked.
"I love you" Sid said.

"Cheers to that" Parvathy said and all of us clicked our glasses.
Someone turned on the music and we danced and had a lot of fun.
*
Control your emotions, Lali you should understand that he is her boyfriend and not yours Meena is your friend you can't cheat her like this. I said to myself and looked at the mirror one last time and smiled. I wanted to keep this fake smile on my face for some more time. I took a deep breath and stepped out of the washroom. But my smile vanished as soon as I saw Parvathy standing outside the washroom. I avoided her and tried to walk away but she pushed me to the nearest wall.
"Aw....." I screamed due to pain.
"What the hell is going on between you and Sid?" Parvathy asked.
"It's non-of your business" I said. From where the hell did I get lot of confidence to talk like that to Parvathy? I think when it comes to Sid I don't care about anything.
"Look Lali he is my friend you cannot trap him OK" Aadhi who just came there said.
"I am not trapping anyone OK" I said.
"Then what were you doing with him this evening?" Aadhi asked.
"Aadhi what the......What are you doing?" Sid who just came there asked.
"Sid...." I called out.
"Parvathy let her go" Sid said.
Parvathy stepped back. I walked away from there.
"Lali wait" Sid said.
I stopped.
"Please drop me home" Sid said.
"OK come" I said.
"Meena I think I should leave" Sid said.
"OK bye" Meena said and kissed Sid's cheeks.
"I am leaving too" I said.
"OK bye, Lali" Meena said.
Both of us stepped out and we started driving back home.
"Lali I am so sorry about that Parvathy she is kind of mad" Sid said.
"It's OK, it's not your fault anyway" I said.
"Hmm" Sid said as his hands snaked around my waist. I was so shocked that I thought I was going to lose control over the bike.
"Sid what are you doing?" I asked.
He placed his head on my shoulder.
"I am feeling sleepy Lali, I am not used to staying awake for such a long time I used to sleep very early" Sid said.
"Oh......" I said.
I was enjoying each and every movement of this closeness with Sid, even though I realise that this days are not going to last long he will never be mine. But I didn't care I just wanted to enjoy each and every second I spend with him. I looked through the rare view mirror. I saw Sid's face he was looking really nice with his eyes closed. He was looking really cute. After some time we reached Sid's home.
"Sid wake up" I said.
I watched him as he slowly opened his eyes.
"Are we there already?" Sid asked.
"Yes" I said.
Sid climbed down from the bike.
"OK then good night" I said.
"Good night" Sid said and he turned to leave.
"Oh wait" Sid said as he checked his pocket and pulled out a small box. He opened a box and took a ring from inside it. He pulled my hand and slipped the ring on my ring finger and to my surprise the ring perfectly fitted my ring finger. I took a few seconds to realise the fact that it was the same ring I saw on the shop.
"Sid this.....?" I asked confused.
"Now never say that you are imperfect" Sid said.
"Sid I......" I was saying but he put a finger on my lips.
"No more discussion go back home" Sid said.
I smiled and drove back home.