Chapter 16

Friendship is like a candle as we move ahead and meet others we rekindle them with the flame of our inner spirit.

 I introduced Jules to rest of my friends. We all went to visit Lacy at the hospital. She was obliged and glad to see us there.

We decided to miss the rest of college and went to Mc donalds for our lunch. Jules was centre of attraction with his unique manipulative and broad personality. We got staring gazes from people around but I knew there was an honest good hearted human beneath his exterior made up face.

The college went fine after that. We would sit together, laugh, talk and have fun. Roger offered me editorship of university’s weekly magazine which I happily agreed and did good justice to the assigned work. I actually enjoyed doing it as I had to read the articles related to my peers and it was work of my interest too. Neverthless the faculties and students now recognised me by my name and work too. So it was quite a privilege for me.

Joshan had his set of girlfriends with nearly a new one every month. This month was special as it was friendship day this month and I was super excited as it was mine and Joshan’s first friendship day after being best friends.

“We will make it special this year” Jules said “as it is the last one for us in the university”

“And how do you plan to do that?” I asked.

“I ain’t good at that but a party is evitable”, Jules said.

“And a party at Jules residence is always rocking”, Brian added. He was one of friends of Jules and theoretically my friend too.

Essme exclaimed, “My first party in Texas, super cool.”

“Deren inform Joshan also about it” I told him.

“Do you want any help from my side?” I asked Jules.

“My sister is an event manager so she’ll take care of it. No worries.” Jules mentioned.

“Cool then” I gave  thumbs up to him.

“But you do feel free to invite as many friends of yours as possible even your friends from highschool” Jules offered.

“Really!!! Then I can invite Stacie and Cairo” I danced and squealed in excitement like a little girl getting her first Barbie doll. Why wouldn’t I be? After long I had chance to meet my friends that too on friendship day and even in most happening party.

Jules simply smiled at my silly kiddish expression. We were spending lot of time in the group as Joshan was all time flirting with his girlfriends and even I and Roger could discuss about the magazine as he, being a year senior to me was a bit too occupied.

 I informed Stacie and Cairo about the friendship event and asked them to keep them free. They were equally thrilled and excited about it. We even planned to go shopping for the party. We girls are real nuts about shopping thing and party and that too by a renowned event organiser was a cherry on the top.

 “So you inviting your girlfriend to the party” I asked Joshan.

“Not really” he negated

“Why? Jules’s fine with any number of invites”. informed.

“That’s not the reason though. My girl’s got another party to attend and I too am invited but I ain’t going.” He said something interrupting his mind.

“There’s more to it” I said like enquiring.

 “You know me quite well.” He said ruffling my hair playfully. “Actually we are not going too well and …..” he paused and continued, “Janet you know her?”

“Yes that black haired dame with sexy slim figure” I tried to picturise.

“Yeah the same brown eyed girl. I am getting hots for her and I think she’d be the New one” he said blushing.

“But you haven’t broken up with Stella as yet?” I asked.

“No not yet but it’ll happen sooner” he stated easily.

He is really getting into this casanova thing bad!!!!!

“Finish the former things before starting new ones. Hurting someone is not a good idea.” I said uninterestingly. It was our time. Mine and Joshan’s and I do not like to discuss about his girlfriends but Joshan is such that he thinks I am a chapel in the church whom he’s supposed to share his deeds to remove the guilts I guess.

We discussed about everything else too, Stacie and Cairo’s acceptance to the party, our would be shopping trip and how Deren was helping Essme with the town and lot more.

I also handed over the lay out of the next project to be submitted in the class.

“How did it come so early?” Joshan asked.

“This is yours. Mine’s different. But it’s a layout you have to make the project on your own.” I told sternly.

“But how did you prepare so early?” he was more curious than happy.

“Remember Roger” I asked.

“I need not remember. We are friends.” he smiled looking at the sheets

“Right he’s a year senior to us and he’s guiding me with upcoming assessments and projects in advance. So I was prepared beforehand for it.” I said admiring his happy blush.

“You are such a sweetheart” Joshan said with his voice full of gratitude and happiness.

I loved to see that tint of joy in his eyes. He would also look forward for ways to please me. Our friendship is way immortal.

 “Hey! Pearly. Right” one girl stopped me on my way to the library

“Do I know you?” I asked confused

“Nah” she denied

I gave her an inquisitive look but her charming face with hazel eyes and golden locks were really attractive that a smile automatically twitched on my lips. She was very tall, a little less than six with broad but pretty figure. I felt like befriending her.

“Can I help you Miss…..” I started.

“I am Kin”, she said but  with a little harshness added with jealousy.

She sure was never Joshan’s girlfriend, neither was she his type. Normally his girlfriend would give me looks like hers but this was strangely different.

“You and Jules are getting quite close.” She abruptly snapped.

“Yeah, initially things were a little stinky  but we are friends now. I like him now”, as I uttered those words there came an added grunt on her face.

“Like him?” she was curt and loud.

“No no not the way you are assuming. Now I got it. You like him” I said I saw her face changing and eyes shimmering with a twinkle when Jules entered the scenario in the campus where both of us were standing.

“You actually love him?” her face blushed into beet red.

‘Please don’t. I mean I don’t love. I mean…” she became conscious and scared now.

“Don’t worry. Its written on your face that you have something for him” I said.

“But he’s so different. He does not even notice me.” Kin added.

‘Then make him notice you.” I patted on her hands.

“It’s not that easy. It scares the hell out of me” she admitted, her eyes glued to Jules.

“This is what he does not like. You want to turn him on. Go fearless. He actually admires fearless people. Go to him. Talk bluntly and who knows may be he may like you.” I advised.

“Do you think this will help” now she was asking like a small baby.

“At least try. Its worth than not trying at all. He’s not that dangerous.” I encouraged her. Wow! I am playing match making now!!!!

“Thanks Pearly” she said as she hugged me and pecked me on my cheeks.

Next moment I saw she was standing in front of Jules face to face and with eye contact. The other moment they were walking towards the cafeteria smiling and talking.

“I want every minute detail.” I murmured in her ears as she walked past me.

I knew today I had earned a friend.

After the classes were over and I was heading towards the parking lot I saw Jules and Kin together and yes smiling and appeared as if they were enjoying each others company.

“Don’t forget to invite her to the party” I shouted to Jules.

“Sure I will” as he raised his pointer and ring finger to me. He looked happy.

Till weekend they were lovey-dovey together and everybody in the university were now aware that the most available brat of the university is now hooked up which Jules took as a compliment. Also he was superexcited for the friendship day bash.

 On Saturday me, Stacie, Cairo and Essme  who blended quite well in the group of our trio which now was group of four joined together to Windsor mall to shop for the party. It was more of a picnic together as we finished picking very quickly as Essme was a brilliant shopper with quick decisions. She could actually analyse what would suit what figure saving a lot of time for trials. Also she had explored a lot of places during her quest of settling down that she precisely knew where to hunt the required stuff. So we finished with shopping of our dresses, accessories and shoes that too in one single day. Awesome for me too. After shopping we went to the bowling alley to try our skills which was in the same mall and had our lunch there.

“Oh no” I gasped as I hid my face, “Stella”

“Stella who” both Stacie and Cairo yelled in panic enough to let their voice reach Stella.

“Joshan’s girlfriend” Essme told

“Hi Pearly, Hi Essme” Stella greeted.

“Hi” we both wished her in unison with whelming looks.

“So shopping for the party?” Stella asked as she gazed through bags on our table.

“Yup.” I said, “What are your plans?”

“I am still planning. Not sure about it but I want to make it special” Stella mouthed.

“Good all the best” I finished as I was not comfortable with her looks. I normally do get venomous glances from Joshan’s girlfriends.

“Have a great time” Essme added.

“You too” she said politely and left.

“You girls cannot be quiet” I shouted at Stacie and Cairo.

“What did we do?” Cairo asked shocked.

“She was Joshan’s GF you see. And you know my reputation with his girlfriends. It’s so awkward.” I said grimly.

“You and your jerk of a bestfriend” Stacie teased.

“He’s at same designation as you three, so I better not hear anything about him” I warned.

“Oh playboy so” Stacie added.

“That I agree. He’s dumb of a playboy” I said to which the four of us laughed heartily as it was some kind of a joke.

There was a group of smart guys seated besides our table and we mocking them within ourselves discussing who among those had the hottest ass and who had most pouted, kissable lips and laughing amongst each other which they felt as if we were impressed by them so they started showing off more with their smirks and bowling games and we replied back with our flirty smiles.

Stacie even waved one of the guys and when he approached her she acted ignorant as if she was calling one of the employee of the alley which made the guy feel embarrassed and walked away and we were left with fits of laughter.

“Enough of toning facial muscles with laughter. Let’s leave now” Essme said.

“Yeah” I said “I also wanna buy some friendship bands before going home.

“We too” Stacie and Cairo added. Essme had already arranged for herself a week ago.

Next day I texted all my friends active on messages, greeted all my face book friends and got equal whelming responses fro them. I was about to go for my morning chore when my mom yelled. I was as it is feeling lazy as today was Sunday. Yeah excited too about the party thing also.

“We have your friend at home” my mom called.

“Coming mom” as I headed downstairs. Strange was the person downstairs because Stacie and Cairo were busy to finish their work and even it were either them or Essme they would have climbed upstairs and to my surprise it was Stella.

“Hi stella”, I greeted her.

“Hi Pearly. Happy friendship day”

“Happy friendship day. Good to being friends with you babe” I said as I hugged her blowing a kiss sideways in the air.

Joshan’s girlfriend here on friendship day. It is quite obvious that she doesn’t like me. None of his girlfriends do. Let me check the pick of her game.

“Sorry to trouble you but I am making a slam book for Joshan for the friendship day. For that I need your help” she opened her mind and I liked the gesture even if it was a show off, she was doing it for Joshan and I appreciate that.

“Sure anytime for Joshan. How can I help you? I asked.

“I need some pictures of Joshan.”she said excitedly “some childhood ones or some with his old time friends. It will be a great add on for my gift to him”.

“Yeah Joshan had once mailed me a link of lot of pictures of his. I think they’ll suffice your need. I’ll mail them to you.” I helped.

“You are really a darling. Thanks” and she handed me her e mail id and said, “one more thing. I lied Joshan that we won’t meet today. I wanted to make it a surprise. So could you please arrange our meeting by 4: oo p.m. My work will be done by then”

“Sure. I guess I can do that” I agreed without a second thought. She was doing so much for Joshan

“So at 4 text me the place I’ll reach there. Thanks once again” and she left. I did offer breakfast to her but she was in a hurry to finish the slam book thing. So she left.

Next moment I called Joshan

“Hey Joshan Happy Friendship Day”

 Hey , same to you”, his voice was very sleepy. He might have had late night yesterday with all his guy friends. Deren was saying something about it.

“Can we meet today? I asked.

“Yeah we are meeting at the party” he said still groggy in his sleep.

“No earlier than that at 4 in the evening” I crossed my finger wanting the answer in yes.

“Is it very important?” he asked. Damn I know its wrong but I had to.

“Kind off” I said. I could hear his yawning.

“Actually I am meeting some one at 4. But its okay you can come “ he said easily.

“Where?” I asked.

“Shining Lake” he said. I thought of taking the directions by text but he needed to sleep now.

“Okay see ya there sleepy head” I mocked.

“Whatever” he said dreamily and hooked up.

I texted the details to Stella and she invited me too there so I agreed after a little persuasion.

SHINING LAKE

I met Stella at the entrance and headed with her to the exact place mentioned by Joshan and was terrified.

Joshan was badly making out with someone. He does it quite casually in front of me. He even narrates the details to me but today…..

Oh f##k I was escorting his girlfriend.

 “You B###t##D”

 “SMMMMMAAAAACK” 

Yes Joshan got a big and harsh slap for his betrayal by Stella and she ran away so quickly that I could not even see her face. Good after what Joshan had done eye contact with her was truly difficult. It was the first time his girlfriend had taken my help and that to for something good. But Joshan is such a jerk. I was not only upset but also anger was boiling inside me.

I was stunned shocked.

“How dare you get her here? You insane” Joshan freaked at me.

Instead of me being wild at him, he was yelling at me.

“Insane. Yes that’s what I am but not a F##C###G Manwhore who dates two females at a time. Do you have least of the idea how hurt she was?” I spat at him.

“Don’t start your sickening lecture I am not interested.” Joshan still louder to attract the audiences. I mean the passer by people were now enjoying the show.

“OH right when you find all the interesting bitches around you. Why wouldn’t I be boring” I shouted venomously.

“F##K Pearly you are going way too much. Just shut your stupid mouth”

“Yes I went way too much and you know what you don’t deserve it. Yes you don’t deserve the effort put in by Stella for the friendship day. For you the relationships are just use and throw.” I bursted at him.

 “Now will you shut your bloody mouth and leave. We are dating here”. She pulled me from my elbows with both her hands and pushed me that I tripped causing a minute bruise on my elbow.

I was hurt not for the wound but for Joshan’s deeds and I ran away from there.

 “OH SHIT”