Young Love

The Reveberating Corridor

Sakshi was talking with a tall, slim school boy. Niel had seen him earlier and immediately recognised him as he turned the corner where they were standing. Sakshi had here back to the wall and Vivek was leaning close to her.

Vivek had one of those tough looks which could scare many a nerds and one over whom half of the girls would swoon. Rough, unkept hair fell over his forehead touching the eyebrows. A wicked smile characterised by a small scar on his left cheek, presumably from a fight, and the small dark brown eyes were the charms over which girls would fight. But not Sakshi, Niel knew she was different, but yet she was there, standing by Vivek.

She was clearly happy to see Niel though he was interrupting something. Pushing Vivek away she introduced them both. They shook hands, same way two international bankers would do, with the same cold emotions. The handshake, more than acknowledgment of each other, was a establishment of rivalry, and both of them knew.

"I need to run." Vivek excused himself and left them alone.

"Niel wait," she called, "Please let me explain."

Niel had turned as soon as Vivek left but Sakshi held his elbow and won't let go.

"What is there to explain. You are with him. Period." Niel responded angrily.

There was some sorrow inside Sakshi before, a sorrow born by the fear of losing a good friend, but anger had succeded this sorrow now.

"Why are you doing this to me?"

"What?"

"This," she said, like it was obvious, "Me and Vivek. What is the problem?"

"Don't even get me started on that topic," Niel replied, agitated by the question, "Do you not remember what he did to you? Do you not remember the pain you experienced? Do you, specially, not remember the staircase where you were crying? Answer me this and I'll answer you."

Niel let off his breath. Clearly he had been meaning to let off this steam for a long time. Now that he finally had, it didn't feel any better.

"But he said he was sorry. He was wrong and he accepted his mistake. What else do you want?" Sakshi justified.

"Sorry? Can a single sorry justify this behaviour. I thought I knew you well Sakshi, but all our time together was untrue, just a figment of my imagination." He let out a chuckle as he said those last few words, a chuckle of self-pity and realisation.

Sakshi stood staring at him for a minute or two, taking in the words he had just said, before replying, "So it seems, but it is not me, it is you. You are the one who has changed. I can't find the boy who found me crying on the lonely staircase. What happened to you?"

This was the coldest this happy girl could get and it was all because of Niel. The reason for her happiness had turned into the reason for her sorrow. She got more agitated when Niel didn't reply.

"Tell me Niel, tell me. What is it?" Sakshi held his elbows by both her hands now. Shaking his whole body, demanding an answer. An answer Niel knew too well, but he was afraid. He feared that he would lose his friend.

Sakshi was still shaking him impatiently. Pushing her away, he shuddered backwards.

"Okay god dammit!" he yelled, "its because... because I love you."

The three words, eight letters, echoed through the whole corridor, penetrating the ears of several students.

TRRINNGGG

The break was over and so was something else.