"Are you alright dear?"

I had many things to say but couldn't utter a single word. I just stared into her eyes and nodded my head.

Mom smiled and whispered, "You just need to be mature enough to get out of things which are not meant for you."

And she sat on the chair near mine.
I understood... I totally understood what mom wanted to say and they was totally right. But at that very moment I couldn't broaden up my mind. Only I could think of was hatred, cheated and ditched.

But I still didn't understand why was she telling me all these out of the blue...how come she knows about last night. If she knows...how much does she know?? Everything??

The dining table unusually seemed wrong. A glass of orange juice was placed near me. I looked at Punish, my brother, with whom I always exchanged blows for not having milk; but today he seemed serene. Maybe he knew about my inclinations.

I stood up to move to my room when Punish screamed "Avu di! Hurry up or else we'll be late."

Late?? I looked at him confusingly.
"Why are you staring at me like this? Won't you go to college? Hurry up or else we both will be late."

O fish!! College?? "Wait! I'm not going to college today."I announced.
"Why? Is there any problem?" Punish unknowingly pinched my camouflaged pain.

"I don't want to go today. I'll stay at home and complete my pending assignment." I thanked myself for my instant reply.

"But won't you miss the lectures for today?"

"Don't you worry. I'll manage."

"But how? You.."

"Aren' you being late now. Stop the Q/A session and get yourself busy." I really got pissed up by his never-ending interrogation.

Dad stood up and announced, "Avu! As far as I remember you told us that this is your last week before your end semester. I'll be waiting outside within fifteen minutes and I hope that will be enough for you two to get ready."

Before I could refuse it, he exclaimed, "And no more discussions on this topic now." and he disappeared from the scene.

I ran to my room. Spotting my attire, in no time I was ready to go. From the closed door, I could distinctly hear my dad yelling at mom as he was getting late. Mom was shouting at Punish to get his bag packed. I took my purse, a notebook and my phone; kept inside my satchel and went out.

All I could think was how to confront them. He will also be there. Moreover the news might have already spread in the entire college. There were many reasons why I don't want to go to college but I had no choice.

I had to go with no options left. While I seated restlessly on the car with countless things to reflect on, my mind surely would fly into pieces.

Dad called my name and said, "Avu! Sometimes it's hard to handle some situations. You need someone to rely on. And luckily you have got all of us. Your mom and dad will always aid you no matter what. We are there with you...your family will always be with you."

I was confused as well as worried about the things that both mom and dad were continuously convincing me. He again spoke "What? Are you confused? Punish told us everything."

After listening to the very word 'everything', my throat dried up.

He continued "I know that your boyfriend had left you. Whatever might be the reason, remember that we love you. You are our precious daughter. If your so called boyfriend left you for another girl, I must tell you he lost a real gem."

Holy shit!! It was a great relief. I'm sure he didn't know 'everything' (I smirked).

I looked at Punish and whispered to him, "Who told you all these?"
He whispered back "Rohan"
My nerves went frozen. "You called him?" I asked astonishingly.

"Yes! What should I've done? You locked yourself inside your room for hours and didn't respond to us. Mom and dad were worried. I told them I had Rohan's number. They made me call him. When I called, he told us that you two broke up yesterday."

I was confused but didn't enquire further. I knew something was wrong. Something seemed out of place.

Soon the car stopped. Brushing my thoughts away, I calmly went out of the car. I looked back at dad and Punish. Dad smiled and said "Goodbye! See you in the evening."

I smiled back at him. At that time curling up my lips to give just a fake smile was so difficult.

While I was approaching my college gate, my heart beat doubled. I felt something very horrible inside my stomach. It was painful inside me. I could feel the cool air that touched my body as I moved inside.

Going inside my college looked like a vigorous task that day. Chanting the mantra in my mind 'I can do it...Yes! I can do it', I started to move forward. As I kept walking, I could feel the squall inside me... I could also hear the inner me asking "Can I do this? Am I sure about it? Should I hide? How will I confront them?? Will he be ok???

I climbed the stairs with a waddled motion. My legs were shaking...not because of fear or something, but due to the internal pain that I was going through. I remember last night I did hurt myself more than what I planned.

Slowly and steadily I moved inside my class. Peeping inside the room I discovered only the desk and benches. Thank God it was empty!! Not because I came earlier but because that class was over. Now I had to wait for 45 mins for my next class.

I sat down in the empty class on my regular seat. It was exactly what I needed. Silence!! I could hear my own breathing.

Was this for real?? Will this continue forever? Will I be able to get rid of all these?? Will my life get back to normal?? These were some of the questions that made my heart beat pinch in the core and it really sucks.

My phone vibrated distracting my thoughts. It was Ridhi, my childhood buddy. We studied in the same college. She knew everything about me apart from what happened last night and the fact that I was sitting inside the room alone.

I received the call. I breathed. From the other side she was silent too. I waited for a few seconds but Ridhi didn't utter a single word. Immediately something stroked my mind and I disconnected the call. She called again. I disconnected. And it continued for another 4 times.

I was pissed off. I switched off the cell and put it under my satchel. Now the silence in the room was annoying me. Holding my satchel, I ran outside to get some fresh air. Finding no appropriate place to sit I thought of having something to eat as my stomach was making weird sounds.

I went to the canteen but to my surprise found Ridhi. It was no use running from her. I made up my mind to meet her. I took a deep breath and went near her, put my satchel on the table and sat facing her. I was ready for her interrogation. But she was looking downwards. Her eyes lay on the bare table.

"Is it so tasty?"I asked.

"What?" Ridhi choked from my sudden visit.

"The table" I chuckled. I chucked trying to easy up things between us. My mind was already making up ideas for telling her the reason of not picking her call.

"Are you mad Avu? Did you check your phone by any chance? Did you see how many times I tried to call you from the morning? And why the hell you switched off your phone last night?"

Ridhi shouted at the top of her voice. Looking at her I felt how lucky I was to have such a good friend who cares so much.

I smiled and said "Rid! Thank you for always being there with me. One day when everyone will vanish from my world, I know you'll be always there for me to guide me and protect me."

Hearing this, she smiled at me. I guess I hit the bull's eye. I managed to divert her attention.

"Why did you slap Shagun last night?" Ridhi fired a question without giving me much time to prepare myself.
"How...how did you know?" I stammered.

"Com'n Avu! Yesterday your mother called me countless times to ask about your unusual behavior. Even our classmates called me. They were asking me the things that I don't even know. And my best friend didn't tell me about it."

Ridhi was pissed off. I could clearly see the wrath in her eyes. Before she could let her ire out, I tried to manipulate her mind again.

"Ok! So that means you are worried that everyone is turning up to you and asking you questions and you don't have any perfect answer?" I prompted.

"Like seriously Avu? You know this is not what I meant. If you want to talk rubbish then I'm done with you. No need to change the topic. I'll leave now. Bye" She burst out. Her words were loud and harsh.
"Ok fine. Please sit. I need to talk." I hold her hands and pulled towards me.
"I know you are not in a condition to recall Avu but talk to me and vent out your ..." just then Ridhi saw the cuts and swellings on my palm. "O my God Avu! What is this? Was it that bustard?"

She was worried as hell. I didn't say anything. Instead my eyes turned wet.

"You seriously need to stop reacting to meaningless things Avu. Your life is more worth than this shit."

She continued, "Wait! I'll file an FIR and show that asshole his place." she was vexed.

"No Rid! Let me handle this."

"Not only this" Rid continued "we'll file a FIR against him and make sure he pays for his deeds."

"Ok fine! We'll talk about it later on. Now let's move to the class" I suggested her.

"Ok! But you have to tell me everything about yesterday's farewell party. You went home very soon and also didn't even inform me." she prompted.

"Ok! I'll tell you every item." and we both headed to our class.