BEHIND THE MIRROR

Chapter 2

ASHRIT MUKHERJEE

Well, I am Ashrit Mukherjee. Sometimes it's better to get accustomed to one's habits before you get to know, what he will do next.

I am the example of an extreme introvert and since my birth, fortunately or unfortunately, nobody ever tried to change my habit. In all the past years, when I was compiled to be alone, most of the times, I became even more self-centred and devoid of emotions. All that I cared about was my parents and my friend cum family Ambarish. We were together since the crying days in school when I was a kid till the day, I left school, crying in the same way, little Ashrit did... And I cried, not because, I loved my school and teachers... I cried only because I cared and loved my friend, Ambarish.

Once I stepped into my new school, I found out things are going to be tough for me. I don’t know anyone over here and those inquisitive faces of every teen made me feel uncomfortable. I got science in my higher studies as my 10th rank was pretty good, and all I ever wanted was to try to leave my mark in this new school with my academics. Ambarish and I hang out sometimes after school at our old chit-chatting place near HP; and with all the heavy hours of tuitions and school and self-study; I almost forgot who I am, what was my dream, what was I meant to do here !! I forgot that I had a dreadful future; I forgot the several hurdles, I had to face and how I learned to live life, bit by bit from everything I faced; and when my back touched the wall of patience, how I killed…….

Let me come back to the present, talking about, a strange thing that happened today at school. I had never experienced, anything such, before. On my second day, before the 1st period, a girl suddenly enquired me whether anyone was sitting beside me or not. She was of a decent figure, taller than most Bengali girls, had a slight cuts on her hands, which suggests she’s into sports and that somehow drew my interest towards her. Her hair was loose and the dust made it look a little shabby but it was perfectly matching with her soul full of adrenaline. Her eyes were burning with some spark that surprisingly itched my cold heart and her lips… Its better, I stop here, as till date, never have I been told a pervert, but I was aware that me, admiring her beauty would be seen and understood otherwise. And it happened as predicted.

“What’s there to stare at me like that….?” Rest of her words was inaudible to me as I slapped myself in my mind to bring it back to reality. I had never fallen for any girl in my life, but the change of school has surely got something to do with it. And I could sense it.

Eventually, I realized she came and sat beside me. I was marking some important JEE questions from my Irodov Physics book, and tried my best not to look at her. Though now, I was unable to see her physical charm, her name caught me more than the interesting physics problems, I love to solve in my leisure time. What kind of a awesome freak has a name "Aarini Roy" ! It sounds like some Bollywood star trending in the industry. Whatsoever, my mood totally changed when I saw her fidgeting with her bag restlessly. I figured out she didn't want to sit beside me. My mind raised- “what made you sit at the first place?” she could easily go and sit beside her stupid friend with all the hugging and puppy face talks! I don’t like those who show their emotions freely in the public. Showing emotions means revealing your base to your enemy. She might be a free bird but she should remember there are hunters following her moments every time. Anytime any surprise attack, and whoosh! Just like I did to….

My mood was already tackling through bad phase and she was imitating SRK with her some non-sense fan following story! And I said some rough words to her.

“Do you speak such lot, since birth?”

“An antisocial like you don’t deserve to have friends!”

Whoa. I basically didn’t see that coming. I liked the fact that she was taking her side. But she’s still a bit immature. What does she know of having friends? What a real friend is. How do you behave with them…

I was feeling a little low, of how I ruined our first meet. I was on fire when I saw a boy offering her a seat beside him. And as expected, she reluctantly packed her bag and was about to leave when her watch’s pin got stuck in my bag. And as a matter of fact, she again started fidgeting; oh, damn she needs to stay calm....!!!

Meantime, to smoothen things up, I helped her to remove the fix and as I held her hand, I felt something that reminded me of the destruction of Troy, the fight between Kauravas and Pandavas, the fate of Romeo and Juliet.
She had a touch for which one can strive that much of a destruction.

When she sat beside him, I cursed myself, for ruining a probability of a good friendship; I have never felt such heat in my life. I looked at her, once. She looked too. Straight into my eyes. But I dropped my stare, at once, as I didn't ’t want people to know that I was feeling weak. I wasn't someone, who would stop by a wood to dream and forget all his responsibilities. I have duties to fulfil for myself. Some joyful living-at-the-present Aarini Roy cannot crush them. But I can crush, can’t I?

At home, my parents went to sleep early. I was in front of my table, studying. But things were getting worse. The only thought that caressed my mind was her hair full of dust, and her blissful voice. What the hell! I just saw her today...! No it can't be love...! Love cannot give you such terrible butterflies in the stomach, that I was feeling...!! Then what the hell is this...!? We are freaking opposites...
I got frustrated upon myself and went to the kitchen. I took the knife and swung it at my inner thigh. It doesn’t pain nowadays. Several marks have already numbed the area previously. I put some Dettol over it and came back to my room. I was sober for quite a long time but it proved no one wants my good time.

I found out that guy’s name is Avinash. Let see what fate he has...