Is forever for R.E.A.L?

Chapter 10- Was it a facade?

“What the heck!” I exclaimed as I saw Rehan and Esha kissing.
All my hopes for that day smashed into underground. What was all that for if she didn’t like me? What were all those compliments ? Didn’t they count? Why Rehan over me? I know I am ugly but people say looks don’t matter. But yeah, we learn something new everyday. I realized those motivational quotes were all shit. Those were just words woven by the writer but never taken into consideration.
“Hey Larry. Thanks for this.” Esha said as she took the bottle while I was just surprised watching them together.
“What was that?” I asked hoping that she would shake me awake from a bad dream. But this was the reality. So much for being real.
“We kissed. I was going to tell you and Ashish but I thought it would be weird. I am sure we will find someone for you too. Maybe some girl from school. We will help you.” Esha said.
These words were the exact same. I didn’t know if I should laugh at the coincidence or scream my feelings out. I don’t know why but I chose the latter one.
“Why?” I asked.
“What do you mean?” she asked with her dark innocent eyes. I was trying my best not to be drown in them.
“Why did you kiss him?” I asked being more frustrated with each minute.
“Because I like him. Why are you acting strange.” She asked utterly confused while I tried my best not to be melted by her eyes.
“Since when?” I asked or maybe shouted a little louder.
“It’s been a long time. Are you all right?” she asked.
“Was it all a facade then?” I asked
“What are you talking about? I don’t understand anything.” Esha said.
“All the care you showed. The compliments you passed. The hints you left out. Was it all a damn facade?” I screamed now. I was not drunk but I surely was acting like one.
“It was all as friends. And which hints are you talking about?” she asked.
“All those late night calls. The way you stared at me in the classroom. I was the first person you looked upto everytime. Also you said today, the girl dating me would be lucky. What was all that? A joke?”
“I never looked at you like that. We were friends, nothing more! It was Rehan I used to stare at.” Esha said frustrated.
I couldn’t take it. I ran away. At a corner, I saw Ashish. He was crying and Ravi was nowhere near.
“What happened? Where is Ravi? Did everything go well? I asked a series of questions to him.
“No. He was not gay.” He said in between his sobs.
“Ohhh. His loss bro! Don’t worry.” I said trying to console him.
“What happened to you? You seem a bit off too.” He asked.
“I don’t know if you know this but I like Esha.”
“We know this already.”
“We?”
“Rehan and I.”
“Ohh. She kissed someone else.”
“Who?”
“Rehan.” I said solemnly but my insides were bursting with different emotions. Negative emotions.
“What? What the hell!” Ashish exclaimed.
“Yes.” Everything was silent for a while. Until Rehan came there with Esha. My anger filled up again.
“Are you done with your kissing then?” I gave a evil smirk even though I could feel like fainting.
“We were looking for you. We were worried.”
“If you cared for me Rehan, you wouldn’t kiss her. You knew I liked her.”
“I kissed him. He didn’t kiss me.” Esha said as if to comfort me but it made things worse.
“Whatever you both do, I don’t even care. Yours is a good pair though I must say. A heartless bitch and an orphan. Match made in....”
My further words were interrupted as Rehan pushed me to the ground. He punched me several times until Esha pulled him back.
I didn’t say anything and just left. I was sure this was the end of my bond with them. I walked till my home and I went straight to the bed. I knew I said too much but they deserved it maybe. Maybe not. I dozed off to sleep in a while. It’s a pity I didn’t realize the rented shirt was in a very bad state from the fight.