High School Romance Revisited

Chapter 4 - The Chord

We remained in that position for few seconds when when hit me that a lot of people were staring at us. Can't blame them, afterall most of the guests were our classmates. Though they knew about us but didn't know why we parted. Great now I will be the topic for the rest of the evening.

I pulled myself up from his arms and quickly ran from the hall towards the washroom. I didn't look back to see what was Mahen's reaction on our sudden meeting.

Reaching the washroom I found myself alone. I splashed water allover my face and panted holding the sink. Get a grip Deepa, you are no more a high school girl! And remember you hate him.

My mind screamed but my heart ached.

"How dare he touch her?" I heard Rai screaming as she banged open the washroom door.

"I can't believe he was trying to pull up a stunt in the middle of my party!" Chitra joined.

"Deepa? What's going on?" Rai questioned seeing me bend over the sink. I rubbed the water from my face and tried to calm down, "Nothing. I-I j-just panicked."

"I swear I am going to kill Koushik for inviting him," Chitra was about to leave when I gripped her hand.

"No you won't Chitra."

"What do you mean? I cannot see my best friend in pain and that Mahendra is bad news for you. I am sure he is up to something."

"You don't know that for sure. Listen Chitra, just as I am your friend, he is Koushik's friend. You cannot expect him to not invite his best friend on this special day of his life."

Chitra was adamant so I tried harder, "Please understand Chitra, just as you two respect my decisions and my point of views, Koushik respects Mahen's. But he never took his side when you two went on blabbering all kinds of shit about Mahen. But even once if he tried to say something against me you threatened to break up." I saw Chitra calming down while Rai looked at me as if trying to study my expressions.

It was very hard to hide something from Rai, she had this strange ability to look right through people's soul. Chitra on the other hand got angry fast and cooled down faster.

I held Chitra's palm and said, "Koushik never invited Mahen in any of the parties or celebrations where we were present. That was not for me, it was for you Chitra. He loves you enough to even go against his best friend. But now it's his big day. Atleast he deserves your support now. I know none of us can forgive Mahen but please don't ask Koushik to exclude him from the most important day of his life. Don't blame him for what happened between us."

Chitra looked at me for few seconds and then smiled, "alright if you say so. But don't expect me to behave well with that bastard. He will receive the treatment he deserves."

I hugged Chitra and then we looked at Rai who held a very serious expression. "Rai, what are you thinking?" I asked and all of a sudden she gave those mischievous smiles of her, which meant danger!

As we walked back towards the hall I kept on asking Rai what was she going to do. I was scared cause when Rai thought of giving someone a hard time that person will suffer until he drops down at her feet and apologise.

Chitra also tried to get Rai spit out what she was up to but our conversation was interrupted by a loud applause.

We took our seat beside Koushik at the small round table in the front. I looked up at the stage and finally saw Mahen properly. I was seeing him after ten long years so couldn't help but compare the notorious schoolboy Mahen with this businessman Mahendra Ganguly managing director of Amaida Pvt Ltd dealing in home appliances.