Games

Although I invited him to join. It felt awkward. I hope they don't mind. We crossed the few steps and then both of us settled down on the cold cemented ground. The arrangement in which we sat was like this: Me, Vihaan, Kabir, Avika, Trisha and Riya and then me again as in a circle.

I wanted to talk to Avika. Both of us had that peculiar expression that wanted to know everything happening. But I composed myself. The group was silent with his addition.

"Well, is someone going to say something." Riya the forever extrovert broke the ice.

"Yeah, why not?" I said encouragingly to her.

"Let's play a game." Riya said. I could swear I saw that her eyes screamed with mischief.

"Like what?" Avika said. Before I could ask.

"Truth and Dare." She announced happily.

Hey! It's such an unfair game. I don't want to play but I want to know more things about everyone here. I am curious, obviously.

"Come on, guys it would help us to strengthen our friendship." She whined when she got multiple incredulous looks.

"Okay. I'm in." Mr President was the first one to say that. Probably he doesn't have anything to hide. I was a bit disappointed in that.

"Me too." I said.

"Okay, I'll play too." Trisha said.

Avika and Kabir looked at each other.

All of us were staring at them. Perhaps they should have their moment somewhere else.

"Avika?" I asked.

"Yeah yeah. I'll play too. So will he." She said. With that, all of us turned to her potential 'he'. He was blushing hard.

I bit my lips to stifle the laughter daring to rise at any moment.

"Does anyone happen to have a bottle or something?" Riya asked.

"Yeah, I do." Trisha said. Bringing out her empty bottle-water.

The game began. We sat tight with anticipation. But suddenly Riya stopped the moving bottle.

"No one would go for truth consecutively. Okay? This totally spoils the game. And the one who lies will be cursed to fail in the next semesters."

Everybody agreed.

"Wait. Don't give out foolish dares." I said. And Riya dismayed.

"Ow, Manya you are spoiling the fun." She lamented.

"No. We have to be civilised. Otherwise, I'm out." I said firmly.

"Okay, okay." She said and then spun the bottle.

It stopped pointing at Kabir opposite to me.

"Truth" he announced.

"How many girlfriends have you had in past?" I asked, eying to Avika.

He looked at Avika nervously and visibly gulped and said "1 in high school."

"Only?" Riya asked. Visibly shocked.

"Yeah." He said.

I texted Avika

'Only 1, don't forget to have all the details from him for potential threats.'

She looked at her phone and then scowled at me.

'Don't worry I'll have a nice talk.' She replied

And smiled at me.

The game continued, some silly some serious questions asked some awful answers were given. And dares they were funny too.

Mr President had to sing a romantic song as a dare. He sang "Samjhawan Ki" from the movie 'Humpty Sharma ki Dulhaniya.' It was so surprising. He sang very well. Good, now I'll have him sing some other time.

Avika texted.

'You don't have to worry about nightmares, he can lull you to sleep.'

I glanced at her with the big glare on my face.

Avika had to dance like a monkey in her favourite song.

The tip of the bottle turned to me.

"Dare." I said.

Trisha was opposite me. Riya said something in her ear.

"Come on, don't delay." I said.

"Ask the director to give you the lead role in the drama." Riya said.

"No."

"No."

Mr President and I said in unison.

"Okay, I'll tell you another but you have to do it." She argued.

"Okay. But a reasonable one." I said.

"Call in Dominos' and order Chinese." She said.

It was easy I guess.

"Okay." I agreed.

Bringing out my phone, putting on the speaker I called in. I was nervous until the voice came out.

"Welcome to the Dominos. Can I take your order please?" The voice said when the call was connected.

I gulped and my palms sweated.

"Hello?" The voice said.

Riya smacked me from behind.

"Hel-- hello." I said.

"Yes, ma'am your order?" He asked.

"Yes, Can I have a plate of Hakka noodles and Veg. Manchurian?" I asked.

And before he could reply I hung up.

"Manya? Why did you do that? I wanted to hear the reply."

"Haha, very funny you just told me to order which I did. To get his reply was never included in my dare." I replied.

The bottle spun and it was pointed to Mr President.

"Truth he said." The back of the bottle pointed to Avika.

She smiled evilly.

"Do you have a crush on someone? If yes who?" She asked.

"No, I don't have a crush on anyone." He answered.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.

"Are you sure, you will fail in the exams if you lie." Riya pipped in.

"Yes. I don't lie until it's absolutely necessary." He said and all of us laughed.

I got a text from Avika.

'No crush is also good.' And an emoji of laughing with tears coming out.

'Go get your chance.' More emojis.

"Whom are you texting to?" He said beside me.

"Avika, she says she needs to have a talk."  I said. The bottle turned to Riya. The opposite side to Kabir.

"Truth" she said.

"What's your most embarrassing moment ever." He asked.

"I was once very excited to go to a party, and was walking backwards while talking to one of my friends on the road, they called out but it was too late. I fell in the puddle of mud. I wasn't hurt much but my dress, hair all was ruined and worst of all my crush was also standing there. This was the worst thing ever happened." She lamented.

Nobody laughed out but all had a silly smile on their face.

The jovial mood was disturbed when some people came forward. They were the drama club members. The group was reduced to 3 of us. Trisha with me and Mr President. Kriti came forward to discuss something with Trisha. Soon they went away too.

"So, what's the plan now?" He asked me.

"No plans. It's already half past 5." I said glancing at the watch.

"Yeah, but the sun has yet to go down." He said sitting with ease beside me.

"Then suggest something." I nudged him.

"Let's continue the game." He said.

"Just two of us?" I asked.

"Yeah. No dares. Just the truth." He said.

"Okay, you begin. Ask away. But you know I'm very boring. There is nothing to know about me." I said. If he was ready to ask. I'm ready to answer.

**********

Vihaan's P.O.V

"Okay, you begin. Ask away. But you know I'm very boring. There is nothing interesting to know about me." Says the girl who is beyond fascinating.

I have been thinking to ask some questions which I didn't think was suitable to ask when she was in my place.

"Most cherished memory." I asked.

"There are many I remember. Can't decide a favourite one." She said.

"You can say all of them." I urged. I wanted her to keep talking. Her voice is the most melodious tune I have ever heard.

"Okay.. The first one would be of my father. There are numerous ways he has protected me. One of them was protection in front of stabbing and teasing questions of relatives. Someone once said when I had fixed a goal chart in the living room as that was the place I used to study. 'Is the goal fulfilled? I know you will get more marks than you have anticipated.' Their voice was thick with sarcasm. And I was already regretting to paste the paper. It was during the time when I have lost my self-confidence. My father defended 'Of course she will rise higher than the marks written there.' Maybe it was worthless on his part. Just an emotion to protect me. But it still meant a lot to me. I don't know that your thought resonates with mine. But this is one of them." She said.

The topic of parents is a little sensitive to me. But hearing her say with that glint in her eyes I didn't feel lonely but basked with warmth surrounding her.

"Next would be my mother. She is the one who once said 'No matter what problem you face, you should tell me. And if you did something wrong then also you should tell me.' That time I said. 'No, you will just jump to conclusions yourself and start scolding me.' I was just joking but she took it seriously and said

'Okay, when that time comes, tell me " Mumma, I have done something wrong, first listen to me as a friend then give your verdict as a mother.' I still remember these little things and maybe that's my special memory." She said.

"So did you do something wrong?" I asked.

"No, I don't think so. Until now I haven't done something of the major scale." She laughed. Her musical sound filled my heart.

"And one of them is of my Favourite Teacher. I had failed in Mathematics in standard ninth for the very first time. My mother was very worried for me as I have always scored good marks. And come on, it was my favourite subject. Then my class teacher told her " Don't worry it would be the last time too." Surprisingly I did well next and until now, I have kept her faith in me intact."

She finished.

I didn't know there would be a person who shares their flaw very openly.

"Your memories are beautiful." I said.

"Your turn. Same question." She said smiling beautifully. Her spectacles became an obstacle in my view to see her glorious dark eyes that contained secrets. Or maybe now stories.