Fiction: I am not your boyfriend

I read the message from my best friend and couldn't believe my eyes. It's beyond human comprehension to understand girls. Not human but man's defying logic. Oh! Women! I tell. One day they will not speak but the next, they will sulk for ignoring their calls. I don't think I can ever understand Shraddha. This girl is driving me nuts. Ok! I was always crazy about her. Love sucks. Never fall in love with your best friend.

It was one summer afternoon when we met in college during our induction. I was plain bored since there were only the two of us  in class and when I heard her name, I was like oooh! Shradha, cool name. Hot chick. Actually, she might be fake, unlike her name. I tore a paper into pieces and threw it on her hair plait . We became friends. She still doesn't know about the prank. I dunno what fun or thrill I was getting by doing that. She was too hot to handle.

She disappeared from classes to resurface in the classroom like some celebrity gracing some event. One day she popped in front of me and asked for notes. After all, who has the gall to refuse a hot chick? I dashed to the small shop to make the xerox. I asked her for coffee. She agreed.

"You don't need to do all that. Going all the way to make the xerox for me. I can do it," Shraddha said.

I pretended to be cool like the dudes who are serenaded by girls. "Come on, I am not your boyfriend," I winked. We laughed together. We became the best of friends. There was no day that could pass without speaking to each other. I took pride walking to college with her and we sat together, often hang out at coffee shops or watching movies together. The guys were jealous of me. After me, she was the trophy girl. I was falling for her. I was suddenly happy and gloom for no reason. You know the feeling, right? Falling in love for your best friend. There is always the risk that she might run away from you. I woke her up in the morning so that we don't run late for lectures.

One day, I called her frantically and she was so upset that I was behaving that way when she couldn't pick up the phone. "Get a life, dude," she fumed. Shraddha would avoid my calls and messages. I went mad and losing sleep. I cannot understand that woman.

One day, she called, "Hi, we need to meet now only. What's wrong with you? Not picking up the phone." We met at the same Barista on FC Road where we would  often hang out together .

Shraddha took a sip of coffee, "It's getting delicate and complicated, dude. I was avoiding your calls because you are falling in love with me and I don't want it to happen. When I am gone, you will be in pain."

I protested. "Shut up, you idiot. I know you too well. Goodbyes are always painful. Love cannot happen between us. It's better we part away but I know we will treasure memories spent together. You are my most important friend. But, we may meet again tomorrow. But, promise me that you will not cry and will start dating someone if you have truly loved me."

I promised to her. We hugged. I was pissed with her for behaving that way. After all, Shraddha doesn't have a heart. The next day, I received a call from Shraddha's number and a female voice asked me to come to the hospital.

She was lying like a dream with an angelic smile on her face. The glitter never faded away. Shraddha was adorned in a red sari, bangles and red lipstick on her like the most beautiful bride on earth. She was gone. A lady in her 50s touched my shoulder, "Beta! I am Shraddha's Mom. She died of cancer and left this letter for you." The lady broke into tears.

"Dear Karan,

When you read this letter, I'd be gone in heaven. You promised to me that you will not cry. Whenever I think of you and me together, my pain disappears and I smile every time. I loved you till my last breath. I made so many plans that we would make beautiful babies. I guess, it was not meant to be. Respect our love. Promise that you will not cry and tear yourself.  Crying means that you have removed me from my life. I will watch over you and distract you when you kiss the next girl you will date. Be a gentleman. Yes, don't tear paper and throw on her hair. Girls don't like it.

Love

Shraddha."

Friday fiction: Love in a steamy cup

"Love is bullshit. This crap happens only in films," I laughed at her as we waded past the crowd in the campus. The super hot chicks played too hard to get. Preeti slapped me on the head, " All of you guys are the same. Seeing someone in short skirt, your brain does the prancing around. What were you saying about love?"

"Bakwaaas," I said.

"May be to you. But, he loves me. Initially, I thought so but the cute things he does for me made me realize that there is a deep connection beyond the fling, fuck or use boyfriend girl friend kinda thing," she seemed to be in love.

I almost rolled on the floor, making faces and laugh at her. She was never angry but always said with composure,"Ok, laugh at me. But, one day you will realize. Now, bye I gotta run to the library. You better go home and study rather than whining time in the company of those girls showing their legs and boobs. Smoking and doing what with them, she scolded me.

Preeti is my raakhi sister who always chid me for losing time.

Three months later

"Preeti," I called her from a distance. I sprinted, pulled her bag and hair. She turned around and spoke in a rather irritating voice, 'What?'. I was out of breath doing an SRK in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. "You know what!" I said. She teased me,"You failed and got a KT."

"Who cares about exams? I am in love," I said rather sheepishly.

"What?" She laughed. It was her turn now to laugh at me. "See! I always told you that love exists. "May I ask, bhaiya, who is she?"

I didn't face her,"Gehna...."

"What the fuck? My best friend."

In the times of Love

Vicky hardly attended college. He was doing his internship with an advertising company at Shivaji Nagar in Pune, Mediarocks. But, he would hang out almost every day outside college to fool around  with friends, boozing and admiring the cool N hot chicks. The only time he was present in college was during the college festival, Xtravaganza. After all, it was the time when many love stories started.
Radhika was Vicky's senior in college and was the object of desire of all the guys. Whenever she walks in the campus and touching her curly hair with her delicate fingers, she would send the guys in a frenzy state of mind. After all, she was super hot and naturally, the topic of conversation.
Radhika and Vicky were oblivious of each other's presence till Xtravaganza happened in August. Three days of college festival and like many, Vicky enrolled in Radhika's team in the logistics department. On the first day of the college fest,Vicky was standing in a blue kurta in the college campus and hiding away from the glares of everyone and was smoking. A sensual feminine voice patted him on the back and offers a handshake:
Hi, I'm Radhika. Logistics team, right?
Vicky was strucked  by her beauty and was wondering whether she is the same Radhika every guy was speaking and dreaming about. He stammered.
Hi, V-i-c-k-y..I mean I am vicky.
Radhika sports a mocking smile.
Yes, Vicky I got your name. You are in my team. By the way, smoking is strictly not allowed in college campus and certainly not during the college fest. It will give a bad image to Fergie college. C'mon dude, we are the best college in Pune. Btw, I also smoke and after all the preparations ,let's have a smoke outside.
Vicky nodded and throws the fag away.
Radhika pats him on the shoulder:
Fuck dude. Follow me. All volunteers are decorating the amphi theatre and we have a very important event in one fucking hour. Let's go jaldi.
Vicky runs after Radhika towards the amphi theatre. There are hordes of volunteers, boys and girls and Vicky is helping Radhika with the decoration, sticking the wall papers, muslin papers, banners and balloons.
During the interval at Indian classical dance show, Radhika asks Vicky
Hey, I never see you in college. You don't attend classes kya?
Vicky smiles and says, I am always in college hanging out with friends and I've heard bout you soo many times.
She smiles, Oh! Yeah! Really How come Mr Vicky? Btw, please reply to my question. Why don't you attend classes?
Well, it's just that I am doing my intern with Mediarocks and towards December you shall see me more often, he quips.
Radhika holds his hand, Please let's go out for a smoke and a cutting chai. They walk together outside the college campus and crosses the busy streets towards the chai ki tapdi.
Radhika asks the tea vendor, daun cutting bhau aur cigarettse, classic mild.
She asks Vicky, you like classic mild, na?
He replies that it's his favourite brand. They sit together on the bench. Radhika shares a thing or two on the weather, Nice weather na and I love dis weather. It's hot but still the gentle damp in the temperature makes the chai so good.
Vicky smiles, A perfect weather to kiss and some romance.
Fuck you, Vicky. She slaps him on his arms, Oh! Guys! They think of only one thing....Now, will you tell me why I am the object of your friends' conversation.
He is amused. Well, obviously girls are not mooning over you. Simple: Coz you are the hottest in college. She smiles sheepishly.
It is the last day of extravaganza and the students of Fergie poses for a group photo.
Radhika quizzed him, So, Mr Vicky? It's great how become friends in just three days. Hope to see more of you, my invisible college junior.
He replies, Babe, my internship will get over soon. They hug each other tightly.
Vicky, are you coming tomorrow for the party?, she asks.
He nodded, Radhe..how can I miss it?
As she ignite the keys of her bike, see then tomorrow at 9 p.m.
The gang of Xtravaganza joins on Saturday at Fire N Ice disco in Camp, MG road. Many love stories started during Xtravagaanza and couples could be seen dancing and sitting in a corner, cozying to each other.
Hi, been searching for you dude, Radhika says as she checks her mobile. Oh! You messaged and I've been searching for you everywhere.
He takes her by her arms, let's go for some vodka shots.
They gulped three vodka shots. Radhika suggested that they hit the dance floor, C'mon Vicky, let's dance. Kajra re is coming.
They dances as their bodies motion towards each other. They lips approaches and Vicky plants a kiss on her lip. She would not let him get away from him as she presses her lips against his. Their tongues swirl into each other's mouth and indulge into a long, passionate kiss oblivious of on-lookers and the blazing music.


Three months later.
Vicky completed his intern and has become more regular in college. He tried the phone number of Radhika but it's left unanswered. Nobody has seen Radhika in college and he tried searching for at the Economics department but to no avail. Fed up of trying to reach out to Radhika, he started dating Sneha, a first year girl from Delhi. In February, somebody told him that Radhika is back to college and that she went for a tour in Germany, showcasing the Marathi play Mee Purush boltoy.
Radhika heard about his affair with Sneha and according to her friends, she is quite upset with him. One day, the passed crossed accidentally and she prodded, After all, you showed that you are just like the others, na. I was your legitimate fuck. Sex was on your mind and that's it, dude.
Vicky is pissed off, Now, will you let me explain? I tried calling you several times.
She replies angrily, I thought there was something going on between us. Can you have waited? And you are dating this slut, she shouted and left.
Several times, they happen to see each other in the college campus and the hang out spot. There was always an awkward silence between them. Not even a formal hi. The truth is that Radhika always think about him and the memorable moments spent together. She dated a few guys but broke up immediately. Her heart was not in the relationships.
Vicky broke up with Sneha and apologized that he is not doing justice to her and it's better that they move on. Often, he would drown his sadness in alcohol.
It was the exams time and after that, Radhika will leave college to pursue her masters in mass communication at Saint Xavier's in Mumbai. Often, they would see each other in the campus and behaving as complete strangers despite standing in a single group or discussing their respective exam papers.
It was the last day of college and the first monsoon showers has just started. Radhika walks up to him, Hi Vicky. So, you have one more year to go and just came to say bye and best of luck in your life. I also want to say that you are a bastard.
She turns and walks away from him in the college campus. Vicky's buddy Aniruddha shouts at him, dude what are you doing? You love her man and she fucking loves you..chutiya run after her and tell her.
Without losing a second, Vicky throws his bag on the floor and heads towards the parking space in college where Radhika is heading. His friends, Aniruddha, Neha, Rohan and Kim follows him. He yells, Radhika, Radhika, Radhika, please listen..I am a bastard, I've been an asshole..
Radhika turns and ponders, now what the hell is fucking wrong with this guy?
He walks in her direction, Perhaps in the start I was unsure of my feeling and that's why I dated Sneha. But, I broke up with her because I love you. When we were not together, I waited for every single in college campus so that I can see your beautiful smile. I love your curly hair. It's the last day in college and I don't want to regret telling how much I love you.
Radhika runs towards him and they hugged each other tightly. She says, I love you too, my bastard. And they kissed. The water lashed heavily at that very moment. Monsoon has started in Pune. Anirddha, Neha, Rohan and Kim shouts..Fuck the world...and clapped their hands thunderously.