Amber

(5) Hate

"So guys, today we are going to play a game." Our life skills teacher said. I liked her, too much for my own liking. Her pleasing personality and charming eyes could catch anyone off guard. But game? Nah.

Although she had figured out that most of the class wasn't interested in the game, she went on, "Here, each student will stand up and tell which another student they like the most and a short reason why. Hurry up, we have another game to play too."

I, I wasn't interested one bit. I could've just sat in the library absorbing myself in some biology book instead. It's just one hour Amber, I told myself. While I was indulged in my self-talk, I heard my name.

"Miss, in the school I like Amber the most, because I find her very polite and humble." Lina said, who was the first one to stand.

And however cliché may that seem, the first name to be taken and appreciated was mine.

I mouthed a pleasant 'thank-you' in her direction. I had never really talked to Lina personally, she must be gaining points so that I'd help her in her homework. But she was not that bad kinda kid afterall, who knows.

Anyway, the second person in line was Robin, who very predictably, said, "Miss, I think that my girlfriend Sheen is the best person on the planet, because there's no one like her."

A number of people in the room suppressed their laughs, including the teacher herself.

When it was time for Jared, he said, "Miss in this room, there's no one who I find more trustworthy than you. You know the reasons." He smiled to himself and sat.

I heard a number of gasps because most people thought I and Jared were dating and some had even arrived to conclusions that he's in love with the teacher now. Only I and Jared in the room knew that it was Miss Emilin who provided him with counselling sessions when he faced severe anxiety issues.

People judge too quickly, don't they? And at the same time, all of them are afraid.

When it was Joseph's turn, he gracefully said, "I like everyone. They are all very precious to me." It's weird how one second he bullied his classmates, and the other second he could put on the most gracious look ever. This behaviour of his always pissed me off, and I could do nothing but try not to scoff in front of the class.

Mr Joseph, you didn't give a shit about anyone in the class and you said they're precious?

Quite predictably, I took Jared's name on my turn. I know I haven't been blessed with the power to hear an expression, but for that moment I could really hear Jared grinning beside me. Miss Emilin gave me an assuring look, the kind of I was not very used to. Every living being does love assurance and promises.

I wasn't surprised at my name being called by the maximum number of students in the class. Humble and polite. Kind and gentle. Good grades and uhh! Was that all I am? Didn't I deserve someone who could melt my hard shell and make their way to my heart, and kiss all my scars? Did no one try to look beneath the studious Amber, who rarely locks eyes with someone because she's afraid? Miss finally spoke up, tearing apart my thoughts.

"So guys, now comes the other and perhaps harder level of the game." Raising her eyebrows, she continued, "Now, you'll have to choose a person that you strongly dislike and give a valid reason. But no, you're not supposed to say their name."

Wow. Maybe it wasn't that bad afterall. I knew who I had to choose already.

People rose and said bitter things about their enemies. Some of them even accidentally slipped the names out of their mouths too. I'd be lying if I said I was not expecting someone to take my name. Or maybe talked about me. Not one person took my name. In the words of Miss Emilin, you get the feeling if someone's talking about you. It's not body language or any psychological trick. It's a force far greater than any existing one that binds all of us in our relationships - good or bad.

I was wondering who Joseph would talk about. Probably the young lad who just shifted in his locality? Or maybe the guy he was glaring in his car?

Come on, Amber. There was no one he hated more than one girl. You're right.

Upon his turn, he sat there as if lost in thought for a long time. The class watched him in silence. Finally, he rose. There was something at odds with the way he stood this time. His slouched shoulders and bent spine didn't escape my notice. With eyebrows scrunched and fingers anxiously entwined, that wasn't the Joseph I seemed to know. That wasn't the person I despised all the while for his unfunny pranks and mocking comments. That wasn't the epitome of perfection that I had the image of in my mind. That wasn't the shallow person I had made up all in my brain.

Almost in a whisper, he started "Uhm, it's not that she isn't--"

"No gender revealing please, Joseph" Miss warned.

"Oh. Okay. So like... they're good... I mean they're very good and all friendly." He looked down and continued, "But you know... some people they're just too... umm too good to be true, I mean."

A slight smile crept over the teacher's lips.

"Okay Joseph, we don't understand what you say, can you please say it clearly?"

"Miss it's just... Sometimes people are so perfect that it's hard to... believe if they're for real."

Saying this, he neither looked at miss nor at anyone. He just sat down, leaving me in utterly perplexed along with the rest of the class. I blankly stared at the wall, remembering the number of times I had thought bad about him in the past and how greatest of a fool I was, to crave for deeper attention when I lacked depth of vision myself. How shallow I had been to leave his insecurities go unnoticed. Why didn't I see his eyes begging for help, or when his lips trembled with the fear of receiving harsh words. He too, though not an orphan like me, had his own share of problems.
I could feel a lump in my throat, realising I was merely one of the people I used to despise. Minutes before, I was cribbing over why no one tried to get behind my eyeballs and see the world through my eyes. Now I could see why no one could be a witness to my real self.

Because I was just like one of them.

A/N:-
Prats196 you're an angel. Thank you so much for supporting my book.