Andddd.....the story continues. It's right where I left it. At the Rotaract Club Investiture Ceremony where Carla laughed at his ( Adriano's) plain obliviousness. She is still recounting her one last memory. It's not anything different at all.
***
'Can you stop now?' I had said exasperated by his irritating gestures to distant me from my already questionable concentration. I was already at the brink of losing my concentration and my temper. And he wouldn't have liked that at all if I made a fool out of him in the middle of a ceremony. Well. I didn't really care about it....what would happen to me if did anything to him.
But the satisfying part would be watching him struggle after getting a hard punch or two on the jaw and the stomach. According to my own calculations and observations, those were the most weak points of a guy. The groin was always for the last. And if they still attacked after that....
Well let's just say you need to seem tough even when you're frail so that they don't. Cause you won't last. I'm pretty sure. I had learned that that the hard way. After a good punch or two thrown on me.
My reputation isn't all that fake. But yes, maybe it is might just be revolving around some scary theories which I never might have really discouraged and kept it growing instead, even after so much that has happened.
But what I had needed the most then was some peace from this guy. Either he was the most stupidest guy on this earth or he just didn't value his life. Looking at him, I had doubted whether he'd last even for a minute. Hadn't seemed so willful to survive through it all.
'Stop!' I had hissed at him and had thrown him a nasty death glare. The one which made normal people cower. He had just looked the other way at the wrong moment.
All the while I had only yearned to sit beside Bhash. She was my slightly lesser equivalent but that was alright. Atleast she had her brains about her.
'What?' He asked when he saw my face. 'Don't you want to join in?'
He had started clapping before the actual clapping started. He was really getting on my nerves now. I had scowled at him.
Ben had laughed a small, deep laughter.
Last year someone had told me that Ben had a crush on me. It was possible somehow. I usually spent a lot of time with him. He was always the only one who could beat me in ...well, in just about everything.
My best friend, and worst competitor.
Yes, it was hard luck, but it was the best that I could have asked for. I really wanted him to be around me, with me, all the time.
Together we were the best team, and as opposites, it felt like a bloody war to watch from the audience's side they'd assured me. Ah well.
But it was all because he was my best friend. Not because he was my boyfriend. When id heard all the rumours and he'd confirmed them, I had been gentle for the first time and had taken his hands in my own and had softly said,
'It just won't work out for me, Ben. Don't you want us both to be happy? Let's just get back to being friends. It'll just be the best for us both.'
He had just given me a pained smile and had walked away. It's never been the same Ben and Carla friendship, but we're getting there. We'll get there, I know it.
'Adriano.' I said very calmly, the clapping over some very happy pronouncement his my voice well, but was enough for him to hear.
'Yes?' He said surprised that I actually called him by his name.
'Shut up.' I said, rudely now. 'You're being very very inconsiderate.'
'How's that?'
'By annoying me.'
'Oh'
I made a frustrated sound. And looked at Ben. He looked at me. We sighed together. Save me, I mouthed. He just shrugged. That son of a bitch.
I looked at Andy on the other side of Adriano. He was a typically quiet guy. I was a typically quiet girl. But one who would prove herself beautifully. This guy could stay mum beautifully. And I really loved that about him right now.
'Hey, Andy.' I whispered. Ben stiffened beside me. Surprised that I actually talked to him. But I really needed some peace from this guy.
Andy looked at me through those thick glasses of his. Gave me a naturally questioning look.
'Mind switching places?' I asked.
He shook his head.
'Thanks.' I muttered. Adriano gave me a pained look almost at the same time as Ben. To hell with those two.
I gratefully sat down at my new place and looked at Ben. Then Adriano.
Ben gave me a pained look again. I stuck out my tongue at him. Adriano just smirked.
Suddenly I missed his remarks......
(To be continued...... Sorry this part was a little boring guys....but I really can't sit still if I don't write this story down. Its a real life thing. Please do bear with me.....)
©AkshayaGadre