The 3G Life

September 5 Wednesday 2018

I am so happy. Finally I am not the only girl in class and my companion is no other but my best friend Zara. I think God has given me all His blessings. I actually feel quite lonely because girls need their female friends once in a while and all my dear ones are unavailable.

"I can't believe you are actually here," I cry with happiness.

"Are you actually happy? Now I am your rival," replies Zara.

"What are you talking about? I am not your competition."

"Of course you are. You have got talents if not looks."

"Ouch, that was rude. I have a bit of both."

And we laugh at this. It is not that I am too ugly like Anastasia from Cinderella. I am beautiful in a cute sort of way. And Zara is way too attractive. But again, contrasts complement each other right? And if we are both the same, we will have never been friends.

Zara hugs me for a really long while. I am actually very much thankful for her to come and join Mohammed sir's class. We both sit together and I can tell that Saeed is in for a great surprise today. Or does he already know? Please God, just do not let him know.

"Oh my God. Please tell me I am hallucinating," cries Saeed.

"Yeah, it does seem like an illusion," I reply.

"She is seriously not here, is she?"

"I hugged her. She is physically present."

"Maybe she is just a life size dummy."

Zara starts laughing at this and I join her. I can say that Saeed is all hearts and flowers. He even holds her hand for a while and I just seem like a third person. I even ask Zara if she will excuse me but she just firmly holds my hand and hold me in my seat.

Not after long Aadil enters. Aadil already knows Zara because Saeed continuously talks about her. They say "Hi" and that is it. Aadil again seems quite preoccupied. This is getting on my nerves so I ask him to come downstairs with me. What he says after that was a shock.

"I think I am going to leave Mohammed sir," says Aadil.

"But why? He is a good teacher," I ask.

"He might be. But he has no respect for me."

"I think it works the other way."

"It works in both ways."

Then he tells me everything that happened. Mohammed sir had again insulted him the other day. I will understand what he is going through. I will have probably done the same thing if I was him. But I just cannot let him go away like this.

I try to make him understand but he has already made up his mind. I can say nothing else so we walk back upstairs. On the way I meet some of my other classmates and get some more "Amber with a boy," stare. But now I take that stare as a compliment and give them my proudest smile.

"I really don't think you should go," I say to Aadil.

"I have tried. But I can't tolerate this anymore," I reply.

"Who would make all the fun jokes?"

"Saeed is there. And Zara had also come."

"I can't argue with them the way I can with you."

He just looks at me for a moment and then looks down and smiles. Oh my God! Did I just give away all my feelings for him? I try to make up an explanation but think better of it. If my desperation can keep him back then I am willing to pay for it.

"You guys took a long while," says Zara in a taunting voice.

"Yeah, maybe just paying my goodbyes," I reply.

"What do you mean? Aadil is not going anywhere, is he?"

"Ask him. Apparently his ego is way too important."

"I don't understand. Where is he going?"

I remain silent. I just want to let go of it. Zara has come. What shall I need more? My best friend is all I need. But I know that I am only consoling myself. Aadil is regarding me, but I know he will not change his decision. I do not matter to him.

Mohammed sir comes. All my anger seems to focus on him. He is the reason Aadil is leaving. I do not respond when he asks me questions. I do not look up at him when he asks me to. I even refuse his offer of coffee. I think Mohammed sir gets the hint.

Zara pats my shoulder now and then through the whole class. It just makes me angrier. I do not need anyone's pity. If Aadil can live without me, I can live without him. But deep down I know I cannot. I want him and I want him to want me.

Aadil wants to talk to me after class is over but I completely ignore him and stomp downstairs. Saeed comes after me. He is genuinely concerned. I just stand with him and look down at my feet while he tells me something I cannot remember.

Aadil walks by and our eyes meet only once. The moment he walks out the whole 3G becomes dark to me. I start crying and cannot think of anything else. Zara holds my shoulder but I just push her and run away. How can 3G hurt me so bad?