THE REAL DEAL

Dazedly sitting in her room, Love looked through the photos on her phone. She paused at the photo of her family and swipe again. Her hand trembled when she saw the selfie of she, Meethi and Cynthia.

They were once friends, unbreakable ones but relationships are so fickle. They could be destroyed by the smallest factor, even jealousy.

-----***-----

"You're just being a coward. Unwilling to face the reality that you can never be as good as Meethi. So if you can't be, you just want to stand with her and enjoy some glory for being by her side. But you know what? Her glory is her glory. It can never be yours. You'll forever be by her side, but you'll never be able to shine on your own."

"Why are you telling me all these Cynthia? We are all friends you know?" Love stared into space as she talked calmly.

Cynthia smirked and continued, "Why am I provoking you? You want to know why? It's because you need to be provoked. You've been a loyal dog for so long and people have began wondering whether you've been employed by her family."

"I haven't been employed. But even so, so what? Haven't we said we'll never listen to rumors and keep our friendship?"

"Hahahaha," Cynthia laughed out loud, "You....are....hilarious. Such naivety. Such innocence. Such love. Such trust. It's difficult to find it in this world. But unfortunately, you're a fool for possessing such virtues. How long with you trail behind her? She snatched your parent's love and trust. She snatch your own love. She snatched your attention and fame. And you're still being a fool?" Cynthia taunted.

She was well aware she had irked Love now seeing her clenched fists and veins bulging out.

"Stop it Cynthia...., stop it," Love's voice trembled through clench teeth, "You know the truth. You know he took a liking to her even when she wanted to have nothing to do with him."

"Fine, it's OK. I want to see how you go back to your house without hearing Meethi even for a split second. She's everywhere. Everyone talks about her. We're even talking about her but who's talking about you Love? Who cares about you? Do you think you're born just to serve Meethi? Maybe so. I'm really disappointed in you. Anyways, I have things to do so I'll get going now. Call me if you've made up your mind."

Love sat on the ground dejectedly. Of course, she wasn't that foolish not to know that Meethi was miles away better than her. But she she had just suppressed it in the deepest part of her heart. She never wanted to remember it.

But Cynthia was so merciless, clawing into her heart and digging it out while she winces in pain and hatred. Everyone loves Meethi but what about her? She's always compared to Meethi but she was also looked upon as the bad egg.

Why? Is what she never wanted to remember. Horrendous memories started storming on her as she struggled to breath.

"Why..........?" she screamed aloud as the heavy rain soaked her. Under the thunderous sounds in the sky, Love screamed like a maniac as her lips curled up evilly and with red fiery eyes, "Meethi, you have started this. So be prepared to end it."

***

Loud blaring of music was heard, Meethi had to close her ears tight thinking she would bleed. Her friends couldn't even hear her no matter how high she screamed. Soon, they came to a less noisy area.

"Hey, why did you guys bring me here?" Meethi questioned annoyed. They had begged her to come here claiming it's a surprise but it's all these.......?

"Sorry, we'll spend some time here. School has been boring. We need to clear our head. Besides, the school authorities are aware of this," Cynthia consoled.

"Okay...."

"Here, take this juice to keep yourself busy. I shall go and bring some more snack while Love will go with you."

Cynthia quickly left and handed money over to someone in a hidden corner, "Thank you. I hope it's all set."

"Yes ma'am, I need money now. Acting to every single person around me isn't going to be easy. I have to also loose my job."

"Don't worry, I'll handle that. I hope we have business again."

"Meethi, sit in this room. We've reserved it to avoid bumping into useless people in a general one," Love smiled at her.

"Wow, thanks a lot. This is truly a surprise."

"Let me get something OK?"

"OK."

Love stepped out with caution and met up with Cynthia where they were supposed to, "Are you going to get her some guys?"

"Yeah,"

"You know we can't do that. Even if we disgrace her, those boys could be traced and punished heavily and we'll be caught and everyone will see her as the biggest victim," Love countered.

"Exactly. I'm glad your brain is working baby. We're just using those guys to scare her. Besides, her will power is so strong that she'll rather die than get raped so......"

"So.......?"

"What happens thereafter is the real deal."