"Now it's three in the morning, and I'm trying to change your mind."
(Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High? By Arctic Monkeys)
Shruti dragged me to a mall. We had initially decided on a park, but of course, Shruti is Shruti. She is a storm disguised as a person, unpredictable and full of energy.
"I had wished so much for a day out with you while you were in the health joint. I am sorry, Isha, I couldn't visit you. I was so absorbed in the presentation and classes that I could barely sweep out time to even pee. Otherwise, I would have definitely come to Delhi." Shruti said while hugging my arm and giving me those puppy eyes. She is such a kid at heart. I could see that she was being genuine, although I really wished for her company, but to be honest, her being there would have just made all of it worse, as it was just not about my broken leg – 'the story ran deeper than that'. Also, I was in Delhi at home, she was in Mumbai, juggling through college classes, so it was indeed not possible for her to swing by.
"I was expecting you to come though, But it's ok, it wasn't like I was dying or something, and you know my mom likes to exaggerate". I replied, trying to hide the half-dishonesty in my voice. I poked her forehead with my finger jokingly.
My mom was the one who had insisted that I fly to Delhi; I would have never broken anything if I hadn't set foot in that place again.
"Hey! Look, ice cream !!" Shruti practically jumped, breaking the spell of my thoughts. "Yes! Let's go, I am really craving chocolate and blueberry ice cream topped with choco chips for a decade now." I added with excitement dripping from my eyes, totally forgetting the darkness I was experiencing in my headspace a minute ago. I was insanely in need of an ice cream right now.
"That's the best homecoming for you," Shruti said while looking at the menu. "I think it's more like college coming from home." I corrected, smiling at her silliness.
"Yes! Yes! Ofc Mr. Darcy. I will jot that down for future dialogues".
"Hey! What? I was just correcting you. Anyway, have you decided yet?"
"Wait, I am looking. You can order while I look."
"Ok," I shrugged and went ahead to the counter to order. Later on, she decided to order the same one as me, and this happens every single time. When I say every single time, I mean EVERY. Only once, when I got mint ice cream, she didn't get mint as she is allergic to it, and guess what? She didn't eat any ice cream that day.
We strolled through the mall with cones in hand, drifting past store windows, laughing at outfits we'd never buy. The shopping complex was a blur of glass displays and glowing lights, our reflections following us as we wandered. Ice cream dripped down our hands while we played the part of shoppers who wanted nothing, only each other's company.
We got out of the emporium with round two of ice creams. I glanced at my watch for the first time in 1 hour, and I went utterly frantic.
"Oh no! Shruti, we missed Mr. Abhimanyu's lecture!!" The words tore out of me in raw fear, sharp enough to turn several heads. This is the second time today imma get killed. Without a word, we both sprinted to our class. A cold numbness swallowed my fingers whole. I've never shown up late to any lecture. My dumbass was so drowned in bliss that I forgot I had one more class left. Guess what? It was his class, the devil - Dr. Abhimanyu Kaushal, our creative poetics professor. He joined a few days ago after our previous professor was suspended for unknown reasons. I heard it was due to some student harassment complaints. I don't entirely believe that. He was a great teacher, but right now that wasn't the topic I should be worrying about.
Shruti and I stood in front of our classroom's gate. "You go first," she said, nudging me with her elbow. "What do you mean? We were in this together, so we are going in together." I said firmly, despite the tremor in my voice. It's strange to admit, but I guess I'm the kind of person who needs certain boundaries, whether it's family or friends, even if I'm nervous to say it.
"Isha, wait! I have an idea." She whispered with that little sparkle of mischief I recognized very well.
"I know your idea. I am not bunking this class just cause of our carelessness," I replied in a low but authoritative note. She sighed and nodded her head in a yes. Both she and I knew that as adults, we need to own up to our mistakes and take responsibility. She is very mature, caring, and understanding, but somehow she is quite not the same person around me, maybe it's a hidden part of her personality that blooms when she feels at ease.
We entered together, halting at the half-open doorway, our bodies leaning in as we bent to steal a glance inside. He was looking straight at us, anger smoldered through his perfect face, lips drawn into a hard line, teeth clenched in a silent grind. The danger in him was magnetic, turning his fury into something devastatingly attractive. My chest tightened as I watched his jaw clench, lips pressed in a hard line. He was angry. I should have been afraid — and I was — but the fear tangled with something hotter, something I couldn't control. His anger terrified me, yet the sight of it on his beautiful face made my pulse race in ways I couldn't name.
"Sorry, sir! Isha was feeling sick, so we went to eat ice cream— wait, no, I mean hospital." Shruti lied blatantly. My eyes went wide. We didn't agree on this. I forced an awkward smile and stole a quick glance at her from the periphery of my vision. Sometimes I think I befriended a fox and a crow hybrid in disguise. How can someone be so clever and so dumb at the same time?
"Get out!" He growled. "Is this a joke, Miss Rathi? Are you deliberately trying to check my patience? Do you think you can fool me just cause you broke a leg or just because you were a gold medallist last year? Huh?" He further added angrily, and his rage seemed to be aimed squarely at me. I just stood there with Shruti, my eyes fixated on the ground as I couldn't look him in the eye. I felt a trail of warm fluid flow down my left cheek and drop on the floor below. No…no no no … not in front of the whole class!! Not in front of HIM!
I couldn't control it, I tried to, but I couldn't. The more I tried to hold them back, the faster they came — from a trickle to a torrent, until my face was wet. I shut my eyes hard. Shruti took my hand and squeezed it, not caring about the angry man in front of us. She does this every time I cry; it helps me feel better. Mr. Kaushal's voice softened, a sudden calm that felt too unreal — as though my mind had conjured it.
We were sitting on a bench in the college garden. I was sobbing like a fountain in dire need of plumbing while Shruti was there, steady and kind, comforting me without once exposing how badly I had wanted the weight of responsibility. After all, we were not allowed in the class, and it was beyond humiliating since it was the first time I ever got thrown out of a class like that. A few hours ago, we couldn't stop giggling and munching on the soggy crust of cones, and now I feel like crap.
"Everybody knows he is so extra. We will ask Hannah to help us with the notes, it's ok, Isha, it's not the end of the world, c'mon." She said while patting my back.
"I know," I said through my sniffs and sobs.
"Let's go home. I am starving, and you are most likely gonna ruin your health if you keep on crying like that." Shruti said, concerningly. I nodded, and we both started walking towards the apartment we had rented together just a few blocks away.
I looked up at his office window while wiping my tears and saw him standing there in his tuxedo with his hands in his pockets staring at us, or maybe…just me, like a hawk looking down at its prey with an expressionless face. His handsome features gave nothing away, but the way his brows narrowed told me more than words ever could. He was feeling…. upset?
I shook my head as it was definitely not true. An angel's face couldn't disguise the devil staring back at me. I knew I was already having a rough year with him, and I am pretty sure he is gonna make sure it is, in fact, hell for me.