Sanjana

It had been a terrible one week since my last show down with Rishi. I had dodged his calls and invites but I was running out of excuses. Last Friday, I made my mind up to face him head on. 

I still remember the wide smile he gave when he spotted me entering one of the restaurant inside the campus. I looked around to make sure no one noticed and when my eyes met his again, they were hard and accusing. I felt nervous. He had taken a corner table right, inhaling  deep I took the chair and waved for coffee.

''Why bother ordering Sanjana when you and I both know you don't want be seen with me.'' He said accusingly. I sat there in a moment of shock but then realized he knew why I was here, it was time to end it

 ''I don't want us to meet anymore. I said looking straight into Rishi's eyes. He stood there, leaning against the wall, watching me, but didn't say a word. After a moment, he straighten and took steps to me. ''Why?''

''because you are a wrong choice.'' He smirked . ''Fine! Farewell Sanjana Khanna'' And he walked away, not giving me a single glance. I watched his retreating back waiting for him to give me a parting glance or come back and fight me, but he didn't. ''What can I get you?'' The server asked. I ordered a chilled soft drink, I needed that feeling parched down till my soul.

***

Second year of college turned out to be crazy. The syllabus doubled and so did the projects. I had made good friends with many seniors and that helped a lot in sailing through. I was happy with my academic progress but something was a miss. Shaking my head a turned around to ask Pooja something but she wasn't there. ''Did you see her?'' I asked my classmate

''She just stepped out.'' I nodded and decided to follow. We had our next class in 10 mins and I didn't want her missing the same. ''What are you doing here? We have our class in next 10 mins, do you want to get rusticated?'' I asked. Pooja gave me a dreamy look. ''I am so happy.''

''I can see that , but why ; I am waiting to hear that from you.''

Pooja squealed a bit shocking me. She is quite withdrawn and this display of excitement is not so her. ''I got a small contract with Blush.'' She squealed again and I lost my smile. Rishi's mother owned that brand. I was happy for my friend but mad at Rishi, he is now targeting people around me to get back at me.

''This might affect your studies.''

''No, it won't. On the contrary, I will now be able to pay by tuition without depending on anyone.'' That came out with an emotion I couldn't understand. I opened my mouth but just then our professor made his presence know, he glared and we all scurried off.

***

My mind was still not at ease, Pooja had tried convincing me on Rishi and I had put my foot down. I had expected her to push but she just didn't, I was jealous that her friendship continued him and I just disappeared for all. I hate to admit that I missed him, but hard decisions had to be made. I pouted to self making my way to my room. Pooja  was in campus but out of apartment and I was left to battle my thoughts

I don't know when but sleep took over me and I reached a place unknown to me but all looked beautiful.  The natural scenery made me happy, it filled my heart with light. I smiled and waved at few known faces around gently chit chatting with them and then someone called out for me. It was Pooja, she was dressed beautifully and looked ethereal. She walked to me and gave me a big hug. ''If I am this happy today, its all because of you.''

I stood there confused at her words. ''How?''

She blushed turned around and pointed in a direction. I smiled in the direction she pointed and I immediately lost it. It was Rishi, dressed  like a dream and walking like a King. All eyes were on him. My heart started beating mad and a strange panic struck me. He cam and stood next to Pooja, wrapping his arm around her. He ignored me, Rishi ignored me. He smiled tenderly at Pooja, ''let's go.''

Pooja nodded, ''Thanks again Sanjana, had you not let him go, I would have never found him.'' She said hugging me close. And then, they walked away. I felt jealous, mad and angry. How could they, they were my friends. I had expected least of Rishi but Pooja was like a sister, how could she do that me. She was aware that my feelings had started changing. I felt a sob escape my lips. I tried hard to control but my heart was way too pained to just sober up.

I walked back, tears following my eyes and then missed a step. I was free falling in a deep ditch screaming for help when suddenly a sharp pain hit my back. ''Ouch!'' I looked around and found myself on the floor. It was a dream, a horrid dream. Wait, where was Pooja? I quickly checked her room but she wasn't in yet. Moving to the balcony I decided to let my thoughts fly but it seemed world was against me. There, at the entrance, Pooja stood with Rishi smiling about something. ''You ended it, you have no right.'' My mind chided but they felt wrong, infact anyone with Rishi felt wrong. They hified, and gave each-other a hug. I could feel my heart cracking and mind burning with crazy thoughts. he waved walking away and I quickly locked my door.

''Sanjana, lets go for dinner.'' Pooja called out but I was mad. Did she expect cook waiting for us past midnight

''I am not hungry.''

''I am, give me company. You know the dinner will close by 9:30 PM and its 9:00 already.'' Her words shocked me. I checked the time, yes, it was 9 but why did it feel like past midnight. I thought they had been together for hours. Rishi is messing with my brain. Its better I stay away from him.

''Are you coming?''

''Yes!'' I said, thankful they didn't spent night together. ''Idiot'' My brain chided again

***

Rishi

''because you are a wrong choice.'' Those words kept ringing my ears for a week. I hated them and I hated Sanjana more. Whatever was between us, had always been on her terms. She called me wrong for her. Fine, If I am wrong, I will stay away but I won't change a bit.

I am not sure what world she lives in, if being popular makes me bad , then I am bad. I have been laying low for past year to make her comfortable around me, trust me but she treated me like a carpet. People can be different, but just someone is different from others, they can't be listed as bad. I added more speed to the treadmill running hard. ''ARe you nuts?'' Coach screamed

''I don't want any off you hurt before the match. Understood?'' We confirmed. We had college league coming up and my team was expected to wash off others. I shook my head, she needed to leave my head. 

Jai patted my back. ''It hurts, I know. But its her loss.'' After a moment, he added. ''But there are few who are happy.'' I stared at him. ''Ruby and Kunal. They will try and do all to dominate you. Kunal will try and use this against you in the game.'' I just shook my head. ''I have heard that I am bad boy, let me go bad this time.'' we shared a sinister smile and then got scolded by the coach.

''Pooja, what are you doing here.'' I found her waiting outside the gym, she looked a little nervous. ''Rishi, your mom the other day asked my views on modelling for her. Was she serious?''

I stared at her, she was worried and needed assurance. I smiled ''Yes.''

''Can I do that now? I mean, I don't need money but this could be the first step to financial freedom.'' Something was at a miss, she looked so worried. I guided her towards the play ground and we took our seats. ''What's wrong?''

''I am an unwanted child. My parents divorced right after my birth and none wanted me after they had new families. My maternal grandmother bought me up, but with age, I am an unlucky burden to her. My parents full fill the financial obligation but I am not allowed to be their daughter. They threatened to sabotage my education if I ever tried to ask anything other than what I am getting. I want to be free. Hence , this request.''

I don't know what I felt in that moment, but for Pooja, my friendship turned into respect. It has been an year, yet she never displayed her pain. ''Rishi!''

I smiled. ''Consider it done, but before that, you need a little training.''

''I can't afford.''

''I won't charge you.'' She blinked and then smiled. Getting work for her wasn't a big deal, if mom saw something, then Pooja must be good. During my growing up years, I had observed and learned certain things about show biz and I decided to help this young girl.

''Pooja, this stays between you and me. I don't want your room mate to think I m trying to reach her via you.''

''Rishi, don't be angry. I have seen how her family is. They are good people but nothing comes before the words of her grand father. His rules are are the law.''

''And that makes me a Bad Boy.''

Pooja smiled. ''Aren't you one! Rishi, don't change for anyone. The world needs bad boy like you.'' And I laughed. She joined in as well.

''A little birdie informed that The Rishi Mehra got dumped.'' Kunal and his minions laughed. ''And in a week, we will kick his ass.'' I wanted to break their face bu Jai held me. ''Rishi, not today, we will do it , in a week on the felid.'' I just nodded walking off. ''BAD BOY'' That's what she thinks I am, and now all will see what it means.

***

I avoided Sanjana like a plague, we crossed paths in but I decided to ignore as we she meant nothing. I could never forget the way her eyes looked around, she was ashamed to be seen with me. I punched the wall hard, ''One thing I promise, it will be me who you will end up with. I am a bad boy Sanjana, and you will love this bad boy with all in you.''

With match around the corner, coach had turned into an ogre. he has been making us train harder than before. Kunal had increased his verbal attacks and I decided to stay low, I was going to answer him but on the field. I will be smashing his face and wiping that smile of his face.

***

After finishing the drill, I stepped out of the gym to find Sanjana staring at me as if I stole her kidney. I ignored walking past her. ''Rishi, don't play with Pooja.''

I wanted to snap but that would give my emotions away. Taking a step, I stood closer to her, she didn't move but blinked nervously. ''You have no right to direct my life. Pooja and I are adult, we can decide what's good and bad for us.''

''I know what you are doing. You are trying to hurt me through Pooja.''

I laughed. ''You aren't that important honey, get over yourself. And, you mean nothing to me.  There is jus one Rishi, and around me there are many Sanjana.'' Pained flashed in her eyes as she looked around nervous.

''Go home Sanjana, I don't want to be seen with you.'' She now looked way to uncomfortable, she fidget in her place. ''Pooja is a good girl, pls don't hurt her.''

''Miss Khanna, I advice you to stay away from me.'' She quickly walked away as students started gathering around us. I smiled, game on.

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