2. PASS THR BALL OR THE PARTY

After 4 exhaustive hours of training, the coach finally let us go. "If you ever think you're the best, then you definitely are not" is what he always likes to remind us. I think it's the coach's DNA that never gets a satisfied sigh from how many ever laps done or medals won. I'm getting rhymic. So lemme put it right, After 4 hours of continuous push-ups and pull down remarks, the coach finally left us with very negative speculation of what is gonna happen tomorrow in the All India Badminton Tournament. Badminton was my way to let off all the anger, gloom, and loneliness. So usually after badminton, I'll be in a really high spirit.

There's a park near the badminton pitch where we practice. It's my favorite place away from all the people. I lie down seeing the sky getting a pink glow as if it is blushing. Watching the sky makes me feel contented. Avi lies beside me. "I can't believe our exams are finally over and we're gonna get into the real world very soon Saha and what if whatever we learned and have known is not enough and". I cut off Avi "You already know what we are gonna do right, Avi? Or are you having any second thoughts". Avi shook his head. "No Saha I don't have any second thoughts or whatsoever. Its that we just completed our graduation and the world, it's far wiser than us. Don't you feel afraid even a bit?" "Of course I'm afraid Avi, about what would happen if we fail to do our part." Avi smiles and holds my hand "That's right girl. Let's go get the real deal".

We just lie over there in peace when Mohan calls me on my phone. I groan and pickup "Hey Mohan, just done with practice" "Why aren't you here already Sahasra, I'm missing you," Mohan says. I suppose there's a gang gathered and I hear music blasting. "On my way Moh," I say and cut the call. "What do you say, Avi, let's go to the party?" I ask him getting up. "You go on Saha I need to go home. Ravali is alone and I need to ruin her happiness" Avi says checking his phone. "Damn my phone's been off the whole time? I need to get home Saha. Is it ok with you?" "Yeah yeah I'll be fine. Bye Avi Good night." I say and start my bike.

If there is one question which no God can answer, it is which dress shall I wear. And how can someone so innocent as I answer it. After 30 minutes of rummaging the entire rack, I select a black off-shoulder top and pair it with a dark blue skirt with boots. I curl my hair and put some eye make-up on.

Checking myself in the mirror, I see my mom enter my room. "Hey honey, I see you're going out to a party. You're looking so pretty dear" she kisses me. "Hi Maa. Yea Mohan organized a post-exam party" I say seeing anywhere but at her eyes. "Keerthi, we are getting late. You've gotta hurry up" shouts my dad from the living room. "I know Viraj, I'm coming," my mom says and goes out of my room. It's always like this. My parents don't have time for the one person they earn for.

I fight back the tears and put on a fake smile and come out of the room. "Hi beta, you look so good, don't be late," my dad says and kisses me on my forehead. "We gotta go, we'll be back in 3 months".

"But dad my graduation is next week, don't you wanna be with me, mom?" "We want to darling but we can't, you know how important this trip is for us right" my mom tries to soothe me. "Don't worry kiddo, I've got your grad party covered, we'll be on the live the whole time. But we've gotta go right now. Ok bye take care beta" my dad says and they rush to the garage.

My dad once said that crying shows weakness. But I feel otherwise. A person who can't even cry and show their emotion is weaker. Sure I'm a weaker person. I take my keys and scarf and drive to the party amidst Arijit Singh's Soulful Bollywood playlist.

By the time I reached Mohan's house, the lights were on and the music was blasting off. I didn't want to make an entrance by going through the front door, so I move towards the back door by jumping off a small wall which I always do while getting into Moh's house. But to my surprise, the party was happening at the back door. So I was greeted with many checking outs, woahs, and eye rolls.

I didn't really expect there would be alcohol at the party. Of course, I heard Varun talking about that, I didn't believe it. So here I was in the middle of alcohol full boys and girls. Mohan came to me soon after I entered and didn't leave my hand ever since. To my disgust, I saw Mehak and Tejas together. Gross. Mohan wanted me to dance with him. I know he would never do that in his conscious mind, but alas he was drunk. So I started dancing with him. The drunk Mohan was much joyful than the original one.

"Promise me you'll never leave me Sah, will you?" Mohan was asking using my nickname which he uses only when he is extremely happy or now I know, when drunk. "You'll however not remember anything once the alcohol leaves your body Moh," I say. "Then you can say the truth right Sah, c'mon let it out," Mohan asks pulling me away from the crowd.

I was about to say something when my phone rings in my pocket. Mohan groans seeing that the caller is Avi. I lift the call "Hey Avi I'm at the party, I don't think this is a good time, can I call you back later?" I say cutting the call but I hear the note of urgency in his voice "wait Saha, it is Ravali, she is so depressed and I don't know what to do" Avi says and I hear a sob. I couldn't bear Avi being sad, "I'm on my way Avi, I'll be there in five minutes," I say and cut the call.

I try to move but Mohan holds my hand and pulls me towards him. "Mohan, I need to go to Avi, he really is sad. Leave my hand now" I say and try to pull my hand from his grip. Mohan holds my hand even tighter "You cannot leave me. You get that, you gotta stay only with me." I groan in pain "Its hurting Mohan, leave me alone." Mohan comes close to me and says "Sahasra Bhalia, if you leave me now, to go to that loser, we are over" I hit Mohan hard in the face and say "Listen Mr.Mohan Tilak, if anyone ever says as much as a single word to my friend, they're dead. And as for us, go to hell with your shitting relationship". I say and storm out.