I like her

A week passed.Sandriya tried her best to stay away from Fredrick.And Jonathan was with her all the time as if he was guarding her.Everytime Jonathan and Fredrick crossed paths,there would be strange tension among the two.Sandriya who was stuck in the middle,would simply smile awkwardly trying to ease the situtation.

"Is there any possibility for them becoming friends?"Sandriya asked Elena and Cathy as her eyes focused on Jonathan who was standing a little away from them.

"I don't think so...They literallay hate each other from the moment they met"Cathy said taking a bite of her lunch.

"Fred is a good guy.If something is wrong,its because of Jonathan.Fred is simply trying to defend himself you see"Elena said pouting.

"Huh?Why are you supporting Fred all of a sudden"Cathy turned to her friend with a questioning eyes.

"May be somebody is in love"Sandriya said in a teasing tone.

"WHAT?!"Cathy exclaimed.

"No.No.Its nothing like that"Elena shuttered a little.Her face was tinted in red.

"Oh really"Cathy and Sandriya asked in unison.

"Stop it.I am leaving"Elena stood up and left.

"Very suspicious"Cathy said turning to Sandriya.

"Totally"Sandriya giggled.

Even if she didn't agree,from the way she was acting the past few days,it was very obvious.

"I have an essay to write dear.So i will be leaving now.See you after class"Cathy said as she turned to leave.

"Okay"Sandriya said in a low tone ,seeing her friend walk away.Ever since they seperated classes,they hadn't spent a lot of time together.Sandriya sulked.

"Hey Sandriya"She quickly turned towards the direction of the voice.It was Fredrick.Seeing Fredrick stand near Sandriya,Jonathan walked to her side,positioning him between the two.He pushed him back a few steps.

"This is close enough.She can hear you from here"Jonathan said staring coldly at him.

"Dude.Don't you think you are over reacting?"Fred asked in a carefree manner.

Jonathan balled his fists.He was acting like someone who had no anger management and that to only when Fredrick was around.

Seeing his balled fist,Sandriya held his hand in hers and pressed it gently.Noticing her actions his anger softened a little and relaxed his hand.Seeing him relax,Sandriya sighed.That was too close.

"What is it that you wanted to tell me?"Sandriya asked turning to Fredrick.

"Yeah right.I was gonna ask if you could help me with the math homework"he asked with pleading eyes.

"No.She can't"Jonathan answered with piercing eyes.

"Dude.I am not asking you.Let her answer"

"Why you?"his anger snapped.He held Fredrick's shirt and cornered him against a tree.

"Jon,Stop it."Sandriya tried pulling him away.But he was too strong for her.

"I have told you already.Go mess around with someone else."he warned.

"Why should I?"Fredrick asked back.

"Its not like she is your girlfriend.So whats wrong in making her mine."Sandriya was stunned to hear that.Jonathan was furious.His grip around his neck tightened.

"I like her.Besides being her friend, what right do you have to stop me?Don't tell me,you love her too"Fredrick managed to get his words out.

Sandriya stood there,without an idea of what to do.May be thats the case.Thats why he didn't want her to be close to him.Maybe he...

Before she could complete her thought process

"No.No I don't"he released his grip.Fredrick fell on the ground coughing a little.

Sandriya was in a mess.Her heart felt as if it was bleeding.Why does he keep giving her hopes and shatter it like this?Hearing him say she was just a friend was getting more and more painful.

"I will come with you"Sandriya said in a low voice.

"What?"Jonathan asked holding her shoulders pressing her against the tree.

"I said I am going to help him with his homework"she repeated.

"What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me?What is wrong with you?Why do you care?Are you my boyfriend?So stop acting like one.I can take care of myself.I don't need you."She said,as tears dropped from her reddened eyes.

"Fine.Go ahead"he said raising his hand.She closed her eyes.A forceful punch landed right next to her head,on the tree trunk on which she was pressed against.It sent chills down her spine.Her heart was pounding.Not because of love,this time it was because of fear.He released her from his grip and started walking away.Sandriya stood there.Her legs were shaking.Just as she was about to fall,Fredrick caught her.

"I am sorry.Its my fault"he apologised hugging her.She didn't push him away.She started crying in his arms.He didn't know what to do except to let her cry her pain out.

After about half an hour,she was finally left with no more tears to cry.Her face was wet and her head was starting to ache.

"Hey Fred.Can you drop me at my home?"She asked with a weak voice.

"Aren't you gonna attend the afternoon classes?"

"No.I don't think I can"she answered.

"Okay.I will go take our bags then"

She simply nodded her head.

After a while,he came back with two bags,one on his shoulder and the other in his hand.

She didn't say word till they reached their house."Thanks"she said getting her bag from him.

He simply smiled warmly at her and turned to leave.

"Fred.Was he in class when you went to take the bags?"

"Who?"

"Jonathan"she said

"No"his voice became stiff.

"Alright"

"Sandriya.You should worry about yourself"

She lowered her head.

"Hmph.Why do I feel that what you feel for him is not just friendship?".Sandriya smiled awkwardly.

"Thats alright.But I don't think he is the one for you"he paused"When I said I wanna make you mine,I was serious"

Sandriya was shocked.When she heard him say that earlier,she thought he wasn't serious.She thought he said that only to get a clarification.But that wasn't the case.She lifted her head to look at him.He had a bright smile on his face.

"I-i"Sandriya was trying to speak but nothing came out

"Thats okay.You can take your time.And also even if you don't feel the same for me,its totally fine."he chuckled"And about that Math homework,we can do it some other day.Now take good rest.See you tomorrow"he said and walked away into the distance.

"Why are you so early?"her mother asked.

"Nothing mom.I simply have a headache"she answered as she went up the stairs.

"Then I'll make you some tea."

"No thanks mom.I just wanna rest"

"Okay.Who was that boy who came to drop you?It can't be Jonathan.He wouldn't have left without talking to me."

But Sandriya pretended she didn't hear anything and went to her room.She changed into her home clothes and laid on her bed.

Why is he acting strange?The person who made her feel happiness,he was the same person who was making her heart tear apart.The scene of how he looked at her earlier came to her vision.She could feel her hands tremble.She closed her eyes and a stream of tears escaped her eyes.She suddenly remembered what Fredrick said.

Atleast he didn't force her.But she knew how it felt to be friends with the person you love.But even so,She can't accept him.She was in love with someone else and her best friend was in love with him.Her head was aching even more now.After a while of turning left and right on her bed,she finally dozed off....