I GUESS, THAT IS US?

THE BEGINNING OF AN END

"YOU WILL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE. BUT YOU WILL ALWAYS BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR SOMEONE WHO REALLY APPRECIATES YOU."

"Okay, guys, we'll be meeting our super juniors for the first time today," Vaishnavi, the president of our batch, and one of my best friends screams out at us with authority. God knows how we despise that tone. Who ever made her the president in the first place? Oh, that's right, all of us.
Never mind.
"Hey, Taisha, can you get your nose out of your phone for a few minutes? We are in a meeting right now and I need you pay attention to me." Vaishnavi waits for me to keep my phone inside my bag. Did I ever tell you how we hate her annoying bossy tone. Ugh. Yet, she's our best friend and well, we love her.
"Sorry, president," I mutter giving her a look of annoyance. Vaishnavi smirks and continues.
"We all know our jobs... So, I will not list them down again. I think you all are mature enough to recall and take actin accordingly." Vaishnavi pauses and looks around for approval. Everyone nods in agreement.
"I hope they're cute," Sunanya, one of my other best friends nudges me and snickers.
"Oh, no, my friend. I'm going to be a good kid this year. Besides, Isha has all my attention," I slap Sunanya's thigh playfully, while I smile to myself. God, how amazing is Isha?
Oh, by the way, Isha is my girlfriend and my senior. She graduated last year from the same stream - English literature. Oh, god, I miss her so bad. This long distance really is starting to annoy me.

"Ahem," Vaishnavi gives us an annoyed look. Gosh! Why does she have to be so bossy.
"I hope the photographers have got all the equipments?", She looks at Nanya, Chavi and I. "Extra batteries, lenses and stuff?"
"Yeah, check. But you haven't told us our assigned spots, V." I speak up on behalf of the three of us.

"Right", Vaishnavi gives an apologetic nod. "Here's the thing, assholes," we all roll our eyes and snicker. "Nanya, you take the entrance. I want a portrait of every person who crosses the gate." V turns to Chavi, "Chavi, professors and super seniors. And Taisha, you're supposed to engage with the juniors." She winks and everyone in the room laughs.
"Hey! That's not fair! I want Chavi's job!" I complain, feeling very embarrassed. Why do I have to be the laughing stock always?

"Looks like everyone has resolved to make you gay-er," Saga, another best friend, snickers beside me as I sit there gaping at the scheming best friends. How did I even become friends with these monsters?
I just sit on my seat feeling defeated and trapped.
"You just wait, Saga. I'm going to pay you all back in kind when you least expect it." I mutter to her sulking.

Now, what is the deal with everyone making fun of me with juniors? It is actually nothing, you see? The thing is, I'm openly gay. And... I think that plays a significant role in the many females of an 'all girls' college having a liking for me?
Now, I'm not gloating. No way. It is actually ironical because I do not flirt. Nor do I do anything out of my usual behaviour to make them doubt their sexuality. Hail, I don't even realise their attraction for me until one of my best friends points it out. So, yeah. That's my story. I'm just a simple girl, who loves making friends. But at the same time, I'm a huge introvert. As long as one doesn't initiate, I don't talk.
And that is why I'm an entity of their amusement. And that is why these bitches are so enthusiastic about us having this little party. And that is exactly why I'm kind-of dreading it.

"... so that is how it would all start. Okay? Nanya, you have to be on your toes for the first hour and a half. You can relax after that. And Taisha can go fuck herself, right?"
Sunanya slaps me on my thigh to bring me back from my stupid vortex of thoughts.
"I.. yeah! That's right!" I agree, unaware of what V had just asked me.

Everyone turns around and gives me a puzzled stare before they all burst out laughing.
"I mean... I know long distance is hard and all..." Saga laughing as she continues, "but how often do you fuck yourself?"
I give her a puzzled look, then I stare at Vaishnavi. That little bitch. She knew I was zoning out.
V just stands there on the podium laughing off like she just heard the best joke of her life.
Whatever.

"Can we get back to work now? It's almost time." I get up and everyone follows suit as I hear a few giggles.
"You know that they love you and that is why they take your case, right?" Sargun, a very close friend of mine from the other classroom tells me as she gives a warm smile.
"Well," I wrap an arm around her shoulder, "as long as we're married, I don't care what the world says," I wink.
Sargun simply chuckles and shakes her head. "Sure, I'll be your wife, idiot."

"We have half an hour before the fresh batch of toddlers become the source of Taisha's attention", V calls out as we all walk out of the classroom.
"Oh, fuck you," I throw my notepad in her direction. V catches it and gives it back with a flying kiss and a wink. Ugh. I can't deal with these humans right now. I need to get ready.

****

"Alright ladies," V claps her hands to gain our attention. "It is time. Let us not forget this day. This is our last fresher's event, ladies." Everyone quietens down and the atmosphere becomes solemn all of a sudden.
"We are nearing an end." V looks around, as her voice thickens with sadness.
"And we shall go down with pride!" Sunanya screams out with enthusiasm. "Say it with me!"
"Hip-hip?"
"Hurrah!" We all reply with a fervor we'd never felt before. I guess, final year does that to you. You make friends with even those, whom you'd never even seen in college.

Nanya rushes to the entrance of the area as I sit on one of the designated seats for juniors and the newbies. I am so excited to meet them! It's always so nice to see new faces.

Soon, the kids started walking down to us in groups.

****

"So, correct me if I'm wrong, but you were always open about your sexual orientation?" Aita asks me, as she scribbles something on her notepad.
"Not always, Aita. But yes, I was open about it since freshman year of college. And it got me into trouble a couple of times. But well, it's better to be free of shackles and experience some obstacles than be bounded in a golden cage.", I shrug as I shift a little on my seat.

"That is true. Many Indians don't understand that. But we cannot blame them. The society has conditioned us. So, it can be hard to 'break the rules'", she continues, air quoting.

"Yeah, I mean, I know how it's like."

She gestures at me to continue with my story.

****

"Welcome, juniors!" V exclaims with over-enthusiasm.
I welcome the juniors heading my way with a smile and an occasional wave of my hand, as I click pictures of them.

"How long before the program starts, Saga?" I call out to her as I turn to face her.

"We're scheduled to start at 11.30, so, 20 minutes," she replies.

"Anyone caught your attention yet?", Sunanya pokes my shoulder.

I roll my eyes and slap her arm lightly, "yeah, you. Since freshman year." She laughs as she walks with me back to my spot.

I look around to check if I missed any new faces and that's when I see her;
the most beautiful girl I'd ever laid my eyes on... who, I knew would be the death of me.