Weed or Marijuana makes you feel silly, relaxed, sleepy, happy, even nervous and scared. Though illegal in Italy, it is readily available. The only rule to follow while having awesome weed is - it cannot be consumed without pals. Everything that had happened in the recent past was too much on my nerves and I definitely needed to be high. I purchased a bundle and called my partner in crime. 'Hey, Nic! How are you buddy?' 'Hey Thomas. I was missing you since morning!' 'Woah! Missing me? Why use these girly words, man? All well?' 'Everything is fine now. Let's meet!' Nic suggested cheerfully, and I readily agreed. Nic had always been the one to agree to my plans. And his having taken initiative pleasantly surprised me. Since Nic had always been around, I had never felt bored. I was so used to him; I never noticed his presence. Little did I know that this day was to teach me an important lesson - Never undermine the presence of a friend who has always been there for you. In a few minutes, I picked Nic from outside the school hostel. We had decided to go to Rovereto for a break. We had been there on many occasions before, and it was our favourite place outside the city. My Bike was heading at a speed of sixty km/h as we entered the highway. The expressway had proved its mettle. You could reach from Verona to Milan in just two hours, and Rovereto was just under an hour away by bike. The view of the valley below, from the expressway, was a picture out of a child's scrapbook. The vehicles down below looked like tiny Lego blocks, and you could spend a lifetime on the roadside with the floating clouds covering the plateaus, the numerous frothy waterfalls – big and small- flowing with temperamental might. There was lush greenery all around, and from experience, we knew monsoon was the best season to be in this place. Though we were a little early, it was still pretty breathtaking. The usually jubilant Nic was silent today. I had assumed from the chirpiness in his voice a while ago that he'd be excited, but now, I couldn't make out if he was okay. On earlier occasions, he used to sing horny cheap songs while we rode along, which only boys drenched in lust could sing. 'What happened, Nic? Are you alright?' I finally asked. 'Yes,'Nic answered. 'Why are you so quiet then?' I tried to look over my shoulder while driving the bike. 'Today is my birthday,' he said slowly. 'Really?' I slowed the bike and hollered, 'Happy birthday, dude!' 'Thanks!' he whispered back. This was not expected on his birthday! There must have been something on his mind, but, as usual, lost in my own life, I ignored his silence. I told you; I was bad at keeping relationships. We continued the drive and reached the Ceraino dam. We had come here first during monsoons and had been mesmerized at the overflowing water. It was a beautiful sight. But when it came to a rendezvous of two notorious friends, they had to discover new places, where no one else could find them. We also had. Behind the dam, there were a few sites, quite unexplored. We had been to those spots before. There was a beautiful view of the lake from one particular spot, which we both loved. We reached that spot after walking for some twenty minutes. I studied the surrounding from my position. Once assured no one was watching us, I extracted the pouch from under my shirt. 'Nic, come on! Show me your expertise in making these joints, man!'I had a smile on my face, as if we were going to make a big achievement in the moments to follow. He nodded, stretching his hand out. I opened the packed weed and he got a glimpse. 'OMG! How did you manage to get that much of it? Are they selling it on discount?'Nic was astonished to see the prosperity of a teacher, who was not even salaried anymore. 'It will go a long way, bro! We will use only a little.' I pulled out a small quantity of the herb while Nic removed the tobacco from the cigarette. I filled the cigarette with our favourite, all set to become one with the heavens above. I lit Nic's joint and then mine. We took a deep drag each, both silent. Once comfortable with the changes it was bringing, a fire began to burn within me. It seemed my loneliness had caught up with me. Not having been able to talk to anyone in so many days, I couldn't bring myself to stop now. I had met Nic also only in school and thought there was much I needed to tell him. So, I started off. And I spoke about everything that came into my head – from my loneliness, to my bankruptcy; from how many girls I had slept with to my liking for Ella. I didn't stop even to breathe when I spoke about how I had started liking Ella, and how my hatred for Lexi was rising consistently. Nic was painstakingly silent. If he wasn't sitting there in front, I wouldn't know of his presence. Usually, Nic could never remain quiet after a few puffs. It was something impossible to picture. Yet, here he sat, quietly and intently looking at me. Either my money was wasted on ineffective weed, or there was something bothering him. When we own our mind, we talk sense; when something else owns it, we talk about useless things. So I started talking about money. I pulled out my purse. 'Hey, here is your one thousand. All accounts settled. Thanks for your help.' I smiled handing him few crisp notes. I still had several of those pink beauties in my wallet. 'Where did you get all that money from? You've already resigned. You could not have got the salary or the full and final settlement from school?' Nic asked curious. I laughed! A fool's laugh, for no reason. 'I am a rich man, bro! I have mom and mom has her obedient son, who always funds my expenses. My emotional brother!' I said with disdain. The weed was doing its job well. 'Someone helps you, and you make fun of them?' Nic looked at me, disapproving. 'What can I say? My brother is an emotional man,' I repeated, least bothered about what he was getting at. 'I also help you,'Nic said moodily. 'man , you are my bro.' I patted my pal on the back, happy to be with him. 'What kind of bro am I?' He was hell bent on busting my high. I could not understand why he had started this stupid conversation. 'Boss, do not spoil my joint! I paid one thousand for that.' 'At least you care for this joint!' he said and looked away. My state of high suddenly vanished. Something was bothering him, giving him a hard time. I did not poke him. Instead, I stared at the lake. There was silence. In the distance, a few couples jumped into the water. People let out shrieks of delight as they danced in water flowing from the dam. Only the two of us were missing out on all the fun. I thought of changing the mood a bit, and finally spoke, 'Bro, don't spoil your mood. It's your birthday today!' The look on his face suddenly changed as he looked up at me with almost bloodshot eyes. 'You are damned right, Thomas! Today is my birthday.' There was sarcastic sneer on his face as he said, '…and for the past hour, we are talking about Lexi, and her mom… and… and how many girls you freaking fucked! Or maybe how you fooled your mother for money…' he kicked a pebble with too much unnecessary force, '…Haven't we been discussing my birthday for the past hour or so?' His outburst stunned me. I threw away the joint. 'Sorry man! I… my emotions don't work…' Nic cut me short, 'Today is my birthday, Thomas. I had been missing my family since morning, and then I thought, I have a friend to celebrate with. When you called, I thought it was for my birthday. But you freaking didn't even know that!' 'Sorry man. You are my best buddy…' 'No, I think I am just your time-pass. You call me only when you get bored.' He was fuming, and I didn't know if anything I said would make things better or worse. So, I kept quiet. Hoping to give him a chance to say all the things which he had been keeping within him for so long. 'Tell me something, Thomas! What are you? You are not a good son, not a good brother, and today, I am certain, you are not even a good friend.'
