Pranshi called me after the first paper of our board exams. When I saw her name appear on my mobile screen, I was puzzled. After thinking for a while, I received her call.

“Hello, what’s up?” she asked.

“Hmm… good,” I replied.

“How was your paper?” she asked.

“Yes, it was good,” I said.

“Hmm… you are a talented student. But mine was not good. I do not know what I will do in the next paper.” She spoke.

“Study and perform better,” I said.

Suddenly, I realized it was not her voice.

“Who are you? I think it’s not Pranshi.” I asked.

“Hehe, I am her elder sister. I have called you to request you something. Please help her whenever you get a chance in the hall. She is not as good at studies as you are.” her elder sister said.

“Okay, could you please give her the phone?” I asked.

She came over the phone after being told to by her sister.

“Hello!” she said.

“If you have any problem, you can ask me in the exam hall. No need to involve your sister in it.” I hung up the call.

I WAS CONFUSED YET HAPPY

The next day she called me again and asked about my preparations. I was not able to understand what had happened to her. On exam day, she needed the answers, but she was having an internal conflict about whether to approach me or not. But somehow, she decided and called me softly – “Chirag !!”.

I was happy inside when I heard my name from her after a long time. But that did not diminish my curiosity to know about her previous confusing behavior. In the meantime, the final bell rang, and we submitted our answer sheets… And my paper went well. It was a mixed feeling with two things happening at the same time – exam went well and Pranshi has started talking… After leaving the exam hall, I asked her, “So, what’s up?”.

“Nothing.” She said.

“Why are you doing this? You said that you did not love me, right!” I asked.

“I was furious at that moment, so I said this. My elder sister came to know about our relationship, and she was glad that I have chosen you.” She said.

“Really! What did she say?” I asked.

“She said that you are a nice guy, and we can stay in a relationship,” Pranshi replied.

Meanwhile, her elder sister came to take her back home. I was about to leave for home, and suddenly Pranshi called me from behind.

I turned back and saw her sister looking at me. They waved their hands at me and beckoned me to go near them.

That was the very first time when I met her sister. Her sister said, “Please help her in exams. She is not as good as you in studies.”

“Yeah! I will try. Don’t worry.” I replied. Then we went back home.

Gradually my anger for her reduced as the days passed. I was still confused about whether she wanted to be with me.

So, in each paper, I tried to pass her the answers as much as possible and this went for a while and I was still confused what will be the outcome, and continuously I was thinking whether it is right or wrong, but I was subtly enjoying these.

HER DUPLICITY GOT REVEALED

Finally, our exam was finished. She called me in the evening, and we talked for a while – may be around ten minutes. I was happy and relaxed. I didn’t realize – that I was going through all these during one of the most crucial phases of my career. There was no more study pressure on me. I was planning to take a break and visit some of my relatives.

Suddenly, my friend, who had informed me about Pranshi’s valentine’s day guy, called me. He said, “I am coming to your home with him.”

“With whom?” I asked.

“Pranshi’s ex-boyfriend,” he replied.

“Okay! You can come”, I said.

It was around 7 pm, both came to my home. I knew that guy before, – his name was Rakesh and I stared at him with annoyance. But it was ok to meet him, and I was looking at my friend what he was up to?

Rakesh started – “Hey! I am not your enemy. The same girl betrayed us both. She is playing with both of us.” He said.

“What? She has been calling me from the very first day of our exam.” I said.

“She is doing the same with me as well.” He said and took his cell phone out of his pocket.

“Look! Whose number is this?” He said and scrolled his call log in front of me.

“Oh, man! What is this? It’s too much now.” I said furiously.

I immediately called Pranshi, but she did not receive the call. Then I called her sister. She received the ring and asked what had happened.

I told her everything briefly, and she was shocked to hear such things about Pranshi. She promised to resolve everything and hung up the call.

DESPERATION TOOK ME FOR A RIDE

I was in great despair. My friends came to know about this. They had arranged a party since our exam was over. They requested me to join… so, I joined them in the hope to get some respite. They had also brought some beer with them. I saw the drinks and beer bottle for the first time. Some of my so-called close friends convinced me to try them. At first, I was hesitant. Then someone in the group said, “This will take your worries away, and you will feel lighter.”

I said, “Okay, I will try.” I had no idea about its taste. After taking one sip, I learned that it was horrible.

“How are you guys drinking this shit? It’s so bad.” I asked.

“It’s not about the taste, bro. It’s about the hangover after drinking the whole bottle.” He replied.

I drank the whole bottle with incredible difficulty in the hope that it will wash away my dilemmas. I didn’t know what was going to happen. But my mood got changed. I became silent and started observing everything around me. We ate a lot of food that my friends brought over… we had fun, jokes, leg pulling, and loud music – all was well set for a post-exam celebration. It was a good time spent, but the words of Rakesh were still disturbing me. After some time, Pranshi called me.

APOLOGIES SEEMED TRUE TO ME

She was very sorry for her behavior. She apologized for betraying me and talking to Rakesh.

Since I was drunk, I couldn’t speak properly. She requested to meet her and sort everything out. So, I told her to meet me the next day morning.

After I hung up the call, my friends asked me about my conversation with Pranshi. I told them everything. One of them said, “These girls are difficult to understand. They say one thing and do something else. My girlfriend also did that so, I broke up with her.”

All of them were drunk and they started giving me many suggestions. Someone said, “Leave this girl. She will again cheat on you.” Another guy said, “No, don’t do that. You love her so much.” I said nothing but listened to their suggestions and advice.

I was looking for my first hangover, and it stayed for a very short time. Our party got over and we slept together. I had set my alarm so that I wouldn’t be late to meet her.

The next day I woke up early in the morning even before my alarm rang. I went to the meeting place. She came alone and stood in front of me. I looked into her eyes, and I saw her gloomy eyes.

Then I asked her, “Do you still want this relationship?” She said something promising.

Stay tuned to know what she said…