IN LOVE WITH MY BEST FRIEND

8

Post her solo performance, Ankita hurried down the corridors in search of Punit. She was kind of worried and hoped that he was okay. Two, their duet was up right after the fancy dress competition. She wondered if he was in the state to do it. She hoped he was. But knowing him, she highly doubted that.

She was about to whip past the empty classroom around the corner on the top-most floor and take the flight of stairs to the grounds when she saw him huddled inside.

"Punit?" She walked in through the door.

He looked up from the terrible state that he was in. He was a mess. The kohl around his eyes were smudged from crying, his face was pale and sweaty and his hair was all roughed up. Sniffling, he ran a finger under his nose and looked away.

"What?" She shrugged, completely shocked at his state.

"I suck," he blurted in a clogged voice.

"You don't. And you know that."

"No, I do. I suck. Big time."

"You don't. Now shut up."

"I do."

"Shut up, or I'll beat the daylights out of you, Punit."

He shut up instantly.

"Now listen. You were going to do something so brilliant. So unique. Do you know that? Then why the fuck did you run away?"

"I don't know. I couldn't do it."

"Why?"

"Told you, I suck."

She gnashed her teeth as her patience tipped over. "For one last time, Punit, stop saying that."

"It won't change anything. I still suck." He huddled on the bench, drew his knees to his chest and wrapped his arms around.

Slap!

Punit gasped and goggled at her. "What the---!!!? Why'd you slap me!!!?" he whined and groped his face.

"Keep talking shit and I'll mop the floor with your face," she growled through gritted teeth.

"Wha---!!!!"

"Now shut up!!! Shush!!!!" she snarled and took a moment to compose herself. "For how long will you keep running, man? For how long will you hide?"

"Forever," he blurted and instantly regretted it.

"Really!!!? Then keep hiding! You and I are done." Her temper flared to dangerous levels that her face turned red.

"What?" Panic hit him hard. He really didn't want to lose her friendship. It was something he treasured; it was something he'd really wanted.

"You heard me!!!" She whipped around ready to leave.

Punit shot to his feet and pulled her back. "No-no-no-no-wait! Wait!"

"What!!!?" She shot back.

"Don't go. I'm sorry. Please."

She glared into his pleading eyes. Her head was on fire.

"Sorry," he repeated.

She sighed and puffed out the anger. When she spoke again, her voice was much softer. "Stop... freaking out, man! I understand you're afraid. I am too, I always am. Trust me. But running away doesn't solve anything."

"I'm trying, but, when I think of them laughing at me..." his voice trailed away.

"And don't you want to shut them up?"

"I do..."

"Then stand up and fight back. Don't you dare back down. Not without a good fight. And give them something they'll never forget. Shut them up forever."

***