Chapter 10:- Deceptions

When you choose a thousand lies over one truth

“Naina…” Her name escaped through my mouth as I gasped in fright. An uncanny fear settled through me as I frowned. My mind constantly reprimanded me for being unreasonable but my instincts proved to be stronger this time. She needed me. And nothing else mattered to me anymore.

Leaving the books scattered messily, I scampered outside our classroom. Scanning through the corridor, my eyebrows furrowed. The splitting headache was long gone for my mind was crowded with her thoughts. The last time I saw her had made my heart ache. She looked so vulnerable, so torn apart that I could do nothing but scold my callousness. The school that had been echoing cheers of excitement now grimaced in this eerie silence. Where all the other students flocked around the campus, signing their shirts on the last day of Grade 11 and hugging each other in glee, there was one girl who had chosen to distance herself from happiness. She had smiled a small, unconvincing smile at everyone who approached her today and had made sure to stay away from any color whatsoever. She had chuckled hysterically and I had understood the hidden meaning. How would she have indulged in celebration when her life had awarded her with colorless pain and depression. Swati and Preeti had given up with a dejected sigh; they hadn’t been able to bring a tinge of joy on their best friend’s face. Where each eleventh grader jumped around carelessly, Naina made sure each textbook was kept back in place, each school property kept intact. I had very surreptitiously meandered from her path each time she crossed mine but made sure to keep a watch on her at all times. If not back home, at least I could ensure her safety in school, I had decided.

However, her sadness hadn’t irked me as much as another pair of eyes ogling at her did. From the first time I saw him, I knew he was trouble. Munna and Pandit had repeatedly tried to convince me, but I wasn’t ready to accept their theories. No, I wasn’t jealous. My hands didn’t curl into fists each time I saw his hands purposely brush against hers. I did not grit my teeth at his advances. My heart did not burn in agony whenever she smiled at him, for him. I was just concerned for my best friend.

As soon as I reached the threshold of the place memorable to both me and her, my breath hitched at the sight. Anger surged through my veins as I felt my heart burn in fire. The minimal proximity between her and that brat wasn’t the only thing that made me curse under my breath. He had forcefully been gripping her shoulders, shaking her aggressively, making her shut her eyes in pain.

“Rohit!” My voice resonated from each corner of the library, a shiver running down my back at hearing my own intimidating threat.

Both jolted yet orbs contrasted. While hers spoke of relief and gratitude, his spat vehement anger, laced with an unusual fear. My eyes blazed as I muttered something unintelligible under my breath. Taking quick strides towards them, I blocked his view; standing between Naina and him. She seemed to have gained a slight bit of faith in me, for she encircled both her hands around my arm. Within moments of adrenaline rush, my heart stopped beating at the newfound sensation. Her hands had clung onto me, causing each cell within me to erupt. The hold seemed so perfect, the feeling beyond exhilaration.

“Don’t mess with me, Sameer.” Rohit gritted, his quietened voice suppressing the vicious anger churning inside him.

“Don’t you dare come near Naina.” I warned, pointing my index finger at him.

“And why do you care?” His question left me startled, almost speechless.

“Shouldn’t bother you.” I scoffed back after a moment, pursing my lips.

His tone quickly changed and the devilish smirk had been replaced by helplessness.

“Why are you doing this, Sameer?” His question made me frown.

“I can’t pretend anymore. I can’t hurt Naina anymore.” His so-called ‘confession’ made Naina’s steps falter as her hands retreated, leaving me with a disturbing emptiness.

“What are you talking about, Rohit?” Her trembling voice flashed memories of that one unfateful day.

I gulped to control the rigmarole of emotions and my eyes focused on Naina’s face. Her hands had yet again shared an unfortunate reunion, for her fingers started fidgeting with each other. Her lips had formed a thin, straight line while her brows had arched in worry. I looked back at Rohit, the morbid expression back on my face.

He bent his head in shame, “I’m sorry Naina. I had to risk our friendship because of his threat.”

“What?!” Naina and I shrieked in disbelief as eyes met. The lost faith in me that had slowly been returning had just faced an obstacle of doubt.

“Don’t act so innocent, Sameer.”

“I-I...Naina, I don’t understand--” I stammered hastily, eyes seeking justice.

“Naina, he threatened me to confess my love for you today, on the last day of Grade 11. He jeopardized me into forcing my love on you. Only so that you could start hating me and go back to him.”

“Ha. What a story, Rohit. Naina will never--”

“How could you, Sameer?” Her voice accused disgustingly as she intervened. I stood there dumbfounded.

“You’re actually questioning me, Naina. And trusting him?” My voice raised in disbelief.

“Yes. Because he has actually gained my trust, Sameer Maheshwari. And you have done nothing else but broken it. Not once, but twice now.” Naina loathed. I blinked furiously to keep my vision straight.

“Naina, I--”

“Just stop it, Sameer.”

“Listen to me, Naina--”

“Shut up, Sameer!” Her voice echoed, making me gasp and tremble.

“Why can’t you ever just let me be? Why can’t you stay away from me?” Her wavering tone didn’t support her anger and I knew she was breaking down.

“One chance, Sameer. I got one chance to be happy. And you ruined it all, again!” Tears streamed down her face, making my heart ache.

“I didn’t do anything, Naina. Why would I try to win you back this way?” My choice of words hadn’t stagnated the much needed peace between us.

“So you were trying to win me back?” She cornered.

“I-I--”

“Am I some sort of prize, Sameer? After everything we’ve been through, is this what you decide to do?”

“Naina, you’re getting me wrong--”

“No.” She interrupted for the umpteenth time today, making me irk in helplessness.

“I thought I knew you well, Sameer. I thought your apologies were genuine. I thought you really wanted to...But once again, you cleared all my doubts. Thank you so much!”

With that she stomped off, making me feeble yet again. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a treacherous smirk return. Rohit followed Naina in toe as I saw their retreating figure blur. Had one mistake ruined everything I still hoped for? Had one mistake changed everything we ever had, if we did?

Two horns and her figure appeared, making my heart yelp in happiness; much to my surprise. Her hands clutched the parapet of her balcony and her lips broke into a wide grin. Her face brightened against the night sky and the chirping of birds lessened, just like the chaos on the roads.

She raised her eyebrows at my sudden presence with a gesture of her hands. I pointed at the parapet of her balcony as my eyebrows arched simultaneously. Her smile turned into a frown which further progressed into shock.

“Are you crazy?” She whispered in bewilderment as my lips curved in amusement. I approached her balcony as I noticed her shudder in nervousness. Rummaging the colony dump yard grounds, my face beamed at the wooden object; my savior. Effortlessly carrying the ladder, I placed it right against her balcony; with one end touching the outer side of the parapet. Clutching both sides of the slightly feeble ladder, I took slow steps.

“I guess I am…” I answered her supposed rhetorical question as I climbed one step.

“Or else I wouldn't have expected myself  at your doorstep in the middle of the night.” Swinging myself slightly, I climbed another two steps.

“I wouldn't have expected myself to be stealthily sneaking out of my place at this hour of the night.” I was two steps away from her and my smile widened.

“If I weren't crazy, I wouldn't have become the Romeo to my Juliet.” My last sentence made her fluster as she looked away in embarrassment.

“Won't you call me inside?” I leaned towards her, making her arch back simultaneously.

“Rather ‘outside’.” She chuckled, making me break into fits into laughter. Naina hushed me immediately, pointing at a sleeping Preeti inside.

I composed myself and kept a finger on my lips, eyes wide in alert, making her giggle.

“Weren't you supposed to be asleep by now?” I asked with a smirk on my face.

“Um...actually, I was busy packing, so…” She sheepishly attempted, making my smirk progress to a lingering smile. She bit her lip, making my heart shudder desperately as I closed my eyes to gain control over myself.

“Packing, hmm. Naina, we’re leaving for Mount Abu tomorrow. And as far as I know you, you’re the last person on Earth who’d procrastinate.” I cornered, inching towards her. She retreated in sync, her breathing getting heavier with each passing second.

“Um...Sameer--”

“Just the truth.” I whispered huskily in her ear, making her tremble. My lips curved yet again at seeing the effect I had on her. My hands cried to hold her but my mind restrained, sending red signals at the probable consequences. Although our friendship had grown to a new level of comfortability, yet she still valued her morals above all. Or so I thought.

Her orbs lifted to meet mine as I felt myself drown into the husky brown color that reflected an ocean of emotions.

“How can I when my thoughts start and end at you only.” Her unexpected confession left me astounded. The wider her smile grew, the faster my heart raced.

“Naina…”

“By the way, what brought you here?” She dodged the question I was about to ask by walking away from me. Leaning towards the parapet of her balcony, with her forearms resting on the railing, she inhaled, taking in the sweet smell of everything around her. I turned around to find her hair dancing carelessly in the chilly breeze.

“Do I need a reason to be here?” I asked, with my back leaning against the parapet. I saw her blush crimson as I shuffled my hair cockily.

“Aren’t you afraid, Naina? There’s a boy in your house and yet you seem so relaxed.”

She straightened and shifted her gaze to me, “You can either have fear inside of you or faith. And I have utmost faith in you, Sameer.”

Her words made my heart heavy with guilt. I pursed my lips, inwardly cursing myself.

“And what about all the mistakes I make, Naina. What if--”

“No mistake can be so grave to separate me from you, to cause my faith on you to waver.”

“Why do you trust me so much, Naina?” My voice lowered and I felt ashamed for distorting her.

“Because I…” She left her sentence incomplete and my heart skipped a beat.

“Then why now, Naina? Why has a mistake distanced you from me?” A tear escaped as I scrutinized the whiskey glass in my hand. Without Naina and the unexpected absence of my best friends, I found myself surrounded by the only other support system; alcohol. Nanaji was out of town for a business trip and I found the opportunity to sneak into his room and trespass into the little corner of treasures. I had downed enough whiskey for me to lose balance and control over myself.

“How could you think I would stoop so low, Naina? How could you trust that brat over me?” I grimaced as my mind replayed the chain of events. Gulping another glass of whiskey, my face contorted at its bitter taste. Despite the dizziness, an unsettling trepidation constantly churned at the pit of my stomach. The fear of losing her forever overpowered all other emotions, including my ability to think straight. Slowly balancing myself and knocking off a thing or two, I grabbed my bike keys and head off to the place that reminded of bittersweet incidents.

I knew I had been driving recklessly; honking at every person I saw, swerving the bike in every direction. I noticed a few concerned looks while a few eyed anger at my carelessness. Yet the only person that captivated my mind and soul was her. Her serene face, the radiant smile she so often expressed, the reddening effect I had on her. Nothing else mattered to me anymore. Not her rage. Neither the worry of being caught. I had to see her. I had to heal wounds she kept so solemnly. And that’s when my lips pursed in determination.

Jerking the bike to one side, I heard it screech, alerting a few bedside lamps in her colony. I quickly hid behind the local PCO, waiting for silence to take over the abrupt chaos. With the gleaming moon as the only witness, I slowly tiptoed towards my bike, grabbing everything for support and balance all the while. My trembling fingers dubiously turned it on as I heard the engine revv.

Two honks. And I knew two hearts had skipped a beat.