Is it Love?

Alice was lying on her bed, scrolling through her Instagram account. Her photos were very few, mostly with her family and friends but has many likes than expected. Alice was not the least popular girl in the college, but her introvert nature and selective friendship policy has always kept her away from the radar of roaming romantics, who basically goes to college to make girlfriends and then leave them after getting bored with them. Even though Alice highly dislikes Trisha for her random flings with strangers, both Elena and Alice becomes quite jealous too. Alice never got the chance to fully understand the concept of attraction and love due her strict father who kept her away from the opposite gender as much as possible.

Alice did her primary education in a convent school where there were only girls. Elena and Trisha also studied there with her and that was where their friendship blossomed. Elena and Alice were the obedient and quiet, but Trisha was a rebellious girl who would frequently run away to the boy hostel and would spend most of her daytime there with her boyfriend, Ryder. Ryder was a poor orphan whose parents left him in the church, calling him an unnecessary trouble. Father Mario raised him as his son and the church was his home. Ryder grew up listening to holy words and good lessons which made him an honest lover. Trisha always liked him dearly and respected his love, but her slippery nature never let her be a one man girl. She would go on dates with other boys, mostly who were quite older than her, which resulted in her becoming a mother at a young age. When Ryder got to know about the situation, he badly beat up the man and killed him. Trisha's parents were wealthy and aborted the child, calling it a mistake of youth. Trisha had to leave the school and did her remaining education at home. Ryder eventually got released from the prison and Trisha's parents financed his studies and let him live in their house.

Alice was busy on her phone when her doorbell ringed. Alice quickly went downstairs and opened the door. A young boy was standing there with a cake box in his hands. His bright blue eyes and ginger hair was shining in the bright sunlight. He said with a big smile, "Hello. My name is Kevin Combbs. I have just shifted here a few hours ago and I have brought this cake as a sign of friendship." Alice asked, "Do I know you?" Kevin replied, "I work at the college canteen and have seen you many times there. Anyway, can I come in?" Alice said, "Actually, my parents aren't home. I don't think it will look good for you to come inside now." Kevin said, "Okay. But, here take this cake. It is still hot and creamy." Alice took the cake and said, "Don't mind my absurdity. The people here are quite complicated and likes to spread rumors." Kevin smiled, "I can understand. Bye." Kevin went away and closed the door of his house. Alice looked at his direction and sighed. Alice was about to enter her house, when a convertible stopped in front of her house and Trisha came out of it. She waved an old man goodbye who was driving the car. Alice looked at Trisha and asked, "Why have you come here?" Trisha replied, "To take my clothes and bags. Mommy is expecting me on Thursday and I cannot be late." Alice said, "I gave your bags and clothes to Ryder." Trisha asked angrily, "Why?" Alice smiled, "Because my mother doesn't like washing your clothes." Trisha asked, "What did Ryder asked?" Alice replied, "He didn't asked anything." Trisha said, "Okay." She hugged Alice and asked, "So, who was that guy? Giving you cake and all." Alice said, "Don't interfere in my personal life. He is a good boy." Trisha said, "Elena called yesterday and told all about what happened yesterday in the college." Alice said, "It doesn't matter to you anyway. You don't love Ryder enough to care about him."

Trisha said, "That's not true. I love Ryder more than any girl can." Alice asked, "Oh, really? Why do you cheat on him, then?" Trisha replied, "You know the reason." Alice sighed, "That's an age old mistake and Ryder was not at fault anyway. He is an emotional man and what he did was impulsive but agreeable." Trisha said angrily, "He fucking killed a man. He has brought shame to me." Alice said, "He did it because of you." Trisha said, "You won't understand because you never loved anyone." She went inside the garage and took Alice's car. Alice said, "Don't take my car." Trisha replied, "Take it back from the college." Before, Alice could say anything, Trisha speeded away. Alice mumbled, "But, how will I go to college, then?" Alice sighed and looked at Kevin's house and smiled. She went inside the house and cut the cake and took a bite from it. She mumbled, "Kevin. Interesting." She smiled and went upstairs.

Trisha stopped her car near Ryder's house and started pressing the bell repeatedly. Ryder came out from the house and hugged her. Trisha kissed him and said, "Come home. Mom is waiting for you." Ryder said, "I need some alone time now. Tell your mother that I'm okay and she need not to worry for me." Trisha looked at his face and said, "Elena told me about your fight with Rocky. Why do you care about his flithy words?" Ryder smiled, "Because I care about you." Trisha smiled, "I have told mom that I will be an hour late, so I can spend some time with you." She started rubbing his lips gently. Ryder said, "I would have obviously liked it, but I have to do some chores and you are tired too." Trisha said, "Okay. Give me your clothes." Ryder said, "I have gave them to your mom." Trisha said irritated, "All the irritating people have hacked my life." She stormed away and Ryder looked at her and sighed. Trisha stopped her car in front of her house and quickly ran inside. She opened her cupboard and looked for her clothes, but they were not there." She rushed to her mother's room and asked, "Where are my clothes?"

Her mother, Nancy said, "You are wearing them." Trisha said, "Not these. The ones my boyfriend gave to you." Nancy said, "I have gave them to the laundry man for washing." Trisha gulped down her anger and asked politely, "How are you, mother?" Nancy smiled, "Fine. What about you?" Trisha went away and shut the door behind her. Nancy looked at her and sighed, "Only God knows for how many days her tantrums will continue?" Trisha locked the door and called Elena, but she didn't answered the call as usual. Trisha angrily threw her mobile on the bed and then closed her eyes and lied on the floor and soon fell asleep due to exhaustion....