IN LOVE WITH MY BEST FRIEND

9

Oh, how she wished that looks could kill! Because, by now, Punit should have been glared to death by Ankita.

They were on stage performing their duet, and Punit was clearly messing it up. He was offbeat, off tune, and everything else that could possibly ruin a good song.

What the hell is he doing!!!!? She thought desperately. She badly wanted to shut him up. But he kept going faster and faster that the audience were in splits. He finished up much before the song was actually supposed to end and bolted out of there.

For the sake of it, some of them applauded, but most of them were hooting and howling.

Ankita felt humiliated. Never before had she faced something like this! People had only admired her after every performance, but this...! She swore to God that when she caught up with him, she would pound his head into the wall.

***

Much later, when Punit had finally regained his senses after hiding in one of the school buses, he quietly emerged and made his way backstage. He hoped that he would find Anki there and explain his side of the story. He wanted to let her know that he never did anything on purpose. He was scared AF, and his tormentor's face (Sibal) amongst the audience did no good.

The way to the backstage entrance was a long, narrow corridor. There, just outside, he spotted Ankita pacing back and forth. His heart skipped a beat. She was still furious!

Two guys from the band she used to collaborate with, stood around and tried to pacify her.

"It's okay, Anki, it happens, don't fret!"

"What was up with that guy anyway? He kept going out of control like a train!"

"I'm going to kill him, I swear, I will!" That was Ankita.

Punit swallowed. No, now is not the right time. Actually, it's never the right time. We're done! She will never forgive me!

***

Punit felt so depressed. It has been days since he fucked up on stage, and Ankita never came to him to talk about it, nor could he work up the courage to go to her. He was sure that she was still mad at him. After all, he was responsible for the humiliation she had to face.

In this short span of time, Punit came to realize that Ankita was a very strong-headed girl. She did have a very fragile ego and it was this sole factor that made her so aggressive. She would go up to any lengths to protect herself from pain. She never gave in to anyone. Nor did she allow anyone to trample over her or her the ones she cared about.

When Vaidehi bumped into him, he was picking on his lunch in the classroom. "Where the hell have you been?" She stood outside the window and clung onto its bars.

"Around. Why?"

"I don't see you with Anki these days. Is everything fine?"

"Yeah," he lied and pretended to eat.

But she already knew. "Then why are you avoiding her?"

"What? I'm not..." he lied again.

"Stop lying, duffer. I know what's going on. Why don't you just talk to her and sort it out?"

Punit sighed and kept his head down. "It won't work, man. She trusted me. And I messed it up. She'll never forgive me. Moreover, if she wanted to give me a chance, she would have come to me, right? But she didn't."

"Well, she's here now. Talk to her."

"What!!!?" His heart froze at that.

"Here, Anki!" Vaidehi waved.

"Shit! No! Vaidehi! Don't!" Punit slammed his lunch box shut and cowered. If there was another exit, he would have flown out of there.

"Here he is, talk to him," she said coolly.

"Hmm?" Anki paused outside the window munching on a barfi. In fact, she had a small box full of it. Vaidehi helped herself to a piece.

When Anki turned her eyes to Punit, he was desperately trying to hide under the desk.

***