“Hey guys look, Jalebi just walked into the room.
Everyone turned to look at the girl who’d walked into the canteen. She was wearing a simple pink selwar kameez, and she had her hair plaited down her back.
“God she’s such a weirdo, who puts that much oil in their hair.”
“And who eats so many jalebis?”
The group of teenagers sniggered. Akash Singh Raizada shook his head.
“You guys, why don’t you just leave her alone.”
“Ak we know you’re trying to get it on with her cousin, but that didn’t mean you have to be so defensive of Jalebi as well. We have nothing against Payal.”
“I know, it’s just rude, just leave her alone.”
The group looked away, you couldn’t argue with Akash. Everyone went back to their own world and forget all about ‘Jalebi.’ Akash got off the table and left the canteen and made his way down to the library to find Payal.
Payal Gupta was busy putting her books back on the shelf when Akash wrapped his arms around her.
“Akash…”
“I can’t believe you’re leaving today.”
“I know, this day has come so soon.”
“Are you sure you can’t stay until graduation? It’s only 5 weeks away now?”
“I want to, you know I do, but Babuji’s boss wants him to start as soon as possible. We can’t stay any longer.”
“Why does this have to happen? Why do you have to leave me just as we get together.”
Payal placed a gentle kiss on Akash’s lips.
“We were going to be parting ways to go to university any way.”
“I know, but… I wanted to take you to prom! Lucknow is so far away, I feel selfish to ask you to come back for prom.”
Payal chuckled and held onto Akash’s hand.
“This isn’t the end of us Akash. If we were meant to be, we’ll find our ways back to each other again soon.”
“Soon won’t be soon enough.”
Akash pulled Payal into him. He was a big boy, strong and he had the power over people. Yet with Payal he felt like a child. He needed her with him. How could he let her go. He felt tears gathering in his eyes as they kissed for the last time.
*****
“Watch it Jalebi!”
“Sorry… I didn’t…”
“No you didn’t see. Jheez when do you ever look where you’re going. Whenever I see you, you’re always picking books up off the floor.”
Jalebi bent down to pick her books up. She looked up to find ‘him’ watching her. He was Arnav, Arnav Singh Raizada. Captain of the football team, captain of the cricket team and all round perfect jock. He was also the cousin of Akash, yet other than their initials, they didn’t have anything in common. If Arnav was an all round jock, Akash was an all round academic. Arnav was captain of every sport team of the school, whereas Akash was student body president. Akash was kind and easy going, whereas Arnav was as subtle as a bulldozer and the most arrogant person you could ever meet.
Jalebi picked up her books and was ready to leave when Arnav called her back.
“Hey, you and Payal are leaving today aren’t you?”
“Yes we are.”
“That sucks. I mean Akash’s really cut about about Payal leaving.”
“She’s not exactly thrilled herself.”
“We’ve never really got on have we?”
“I didn’t even know you knew my name.”
“I… I don’t.”
Arnav couldn’t help feel a little bit uncomfortable at this point. Now that he actually thought about it, he really didn’t know her name. Everyone had called her Jalebi ever since they’d started high school, and it had stuck.
“I’m Khushi.”
“Khushi.”
“Yes Khushi.”
“Well I guess it’s been cool knowing you.”
Khushi couldn’t help but feel a little bit angry. Cool knowing you? What was he saying? He didn’t know a think about her, heck, he didn’t even know her name. But regardless, she didn’t say anything, what was the point. Khushi simply smiled, made sure she had all her things and walked away. Thank god she never had to deal with these jerks ever again…
Tanzeela’s Creative Writing Corner 