Chapter 6

An ounce of cheerfulness is worth a pound of sadness to be served….

I tried to keep a cheerful face trying to be positive and appreciating the day ahead.

It was a bright sunny day and mild wind was blowing, I felt extra fresh, may be because I slept with a non stopping happy smile on my face reminicising the eventful day which had earned me the boy whom I crushed for, who always seemed to be on the stars and out of my reach as my best friend. A strange kind of confidence embarked in me, probably a new sensation of being the most popular boy's bestfriend or something else, I couldn't decipher. I longed to see the same brown eyed friend of mine but there was no sign of him at his regular parking place.  

'He'd be making out with his so called New 'Shim' I told myself not feeling good about it. 

But it was a fact that I had to accept that my friend, my new found and accepted best friend whom I can trust blind faithedly enough to share my stupid, obnoxious past is a flirtatious playboy and I can do nothing about it. Neither should I as this is what friendship is all about. We should accept the pros and cons unconditionally. It is like he is doing nothing legally or morally wrong. I hope he does not break too many hearts though.  

Once I entered the college building Stacie and Cairo rushed towards me in panic. There was something weird or bad coming but the expression on their faces was kind of different so I asked them to speak. They never lied to me unless it was some kind of surprise. 

"Chemistry tutorials preponded!!!!!!!" they shouted in unison inviting Joshan and Deren's quick attention towards us. 

I now located that they were hiding behind the staircase of the abducted department of the building which was under construction talking with two sluttily dressed girls. They were amicably from other department as I hadn't even noticed their presence in the school.

Boy! Oh Boy! My best friend is indeed popular...... 

"It is today on 2nd period and they have also added diagrams. What do we do?" Cairo said looking at Deren and Joshan  alternatively. 

Joshan reacted with a horrid face, "Oh shit! The chemical properties chapter is untouched. I am gone." And he shifted his worried face to me, "Now what do I do". 

"Relax! Chill! I think I have a way out", I comforted him. He looked so adorable shifting places in tension. I wonder how a jock like him can be equally bothered about studies. 

I explained him a half an hour long procedure of taking schools letter head from reception' drafting a request letter followed by his initials and registration number and forward it to the concerned faculty to excuse him for the test due to some fake but acceptable reasons and work will be done. If he was lucky he'd get a day or two for preparations. 

He was more than glad and also took Deren along with him to follow same procedure. 

We decided to sit in the canteen for some time as we had a free period before the test as the faculty was busy with some work. We continued our girly chatting and gossiping and even mocking at random guys. 

After quite a lot of time both Joshan and Deren arrived with sad faces. They were drained with the procedures followed. 

"Pearly" Joshan asked with his cute puppy dog face "Will you please accompany us to the faculty."  

"Sure" I said and stood picking my back pack as I was about to follow them. 

A sudden grin appeared on the faces of Stacie and Cairo as they yelled "PAYBACK". 

We were stunned only to realize later that it was a prank to payback for scaring us with skeleton masks episode. We trio wildcats are a bitch at payback. I was not included though in the plan as they feared of my Bestfriend loyalties but honestly I thoroughly enjoyed their zapped faces. They now learnt DON'T MESS WITH US> 

The test was scheduled as usual and we headed towards the classes. Deren was a little more upset but Joshan took the prank quite sportingly. 

We then made an agreement to be decent friends and to prank on anybody but not in the group and crossed our hearts to the promise. 

The entire day was fun and tiring as we had all the classes after that.  

I went to Deren's as usual after classes to help Joshan with chemistry. 

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I and Joshan were getting close to each other 

The first thing he would do after reaching school is to hunt for me. Stacie and Ciaro would often complain about my lack of availability to them. Rather they would make happy faces whenever Joshan's girlfriend came in the visibility area so that they could have me for themselves. I am such fortunate to have friends like Stacie and Ciaro. 

Joshan would often force me to reach school before time to upload his updates with me about his girlfriends. How far they went in their intimacy, their kiss, her silly attitude and so on. 

Sometimes I would feel he is more feminine than me. The gossip thing but he is actually very hot, sexy and manly that any girl would drool over. He would often repeatedly ask "You are not getting bored. I feel so comfortable with you. I have so much to share. And heaven's bless you are just too good a listener". 

I actually enjoy his piece of conversation. Our friendship was not normal. It was natural. We were meant to be BEST FRIENDS by Divine. His girlfriend did get jealous in the beginning but gradually realized the depth of our relationship. She too was carrying her relationship for benefits mere physical benefits. I did not appreciate the thing though but my friend was happy so was I. 

Stacie and Cairo were initially uncomfortable with our relationship but gradually they understood and also felt that Joshan looked and appeared differently with me. He no longer was a playboy in front of me only. Otherwise he was a certified flirt of the school with every second girl waiting to enter into his pants. He actually was proud of his Casanova personality. 

The tutorials went excellent with Joshan being top scorer and me to follow next 'student outsmarting his teacher' 

It was actually fun studying with him, his one liner jokes always kept us fresh and entertained while studying and we'd study for long hours without getting bored. 

Joshan and his group of friends and our wild cats now merged into one and ours was the biggest , strongest and the hottest group of our school now. Joshan would disappear sometimes to spend time with his girlfriend but sooner or later he joined us back. He probably was also sick of his playboy deeds. But to maintain reputation this was important. 

We were rocking our teen age playing pranks, doing adventures like rock climbing, bike stunts even we did street dancing once. Vow!!!! I always was a dancing freak but doing it on the streets of Texas was simply awesome. 

I was so captivated with the whole thing. Never had I dreamt of doing that in my life. It was only with the secured company of Joshan that I was able to do it and the made up looks so that we wouldn't get recognised with flashy clothes, coloured hair, weaved hats and even the guys dressed like hippies including Joshan who looked equally handsome in his red tight pants and multicoloured tee. He also wore a printed hand glove that looked like he'd worn a tattoo on his hand. So were Mike, Deren and others all dressed up funky for the event. Stacie and Ciaro were reluctant initially in their hot skirts and multi colored jackets but once the music started they all went with the flow of the music and had fun of their life time. We really enjoyed the crowd that had gathered all around us. Few tapping with the beats of the music, others clapping and few cribbing at our teen age pranks. 

We ignored all that and had fun of lifetime till we were disturbed the siren of of the police van that made us jump into Deren's jeep and sped off. 

My life, my teens it felt like a fictional story with my friends. It was like driving a Ferrarri 340 Mexico coupe- a sports car in its full speed on the highest possible gears playing with the speed rushing through the tracks of the roads carelessly. Fearlessly without any destination but yes it is lot more fun, lots of thrill and excitement, like I was living in a joy ride. 

And the times when Joshan and would sneak away alone with me, my heart would race like my car of life was on a race track and the steering wheel was in his control and I with my belief and trust I enjoyed every bit of his company. It was like he would pass a giggle and I would listen to it like a rhythm and the notes would soothe my ears. 

He always balanced between his friends and girlfriends. 

Today was last day of school as the tournament was about to begin next week. We were deciding on our plans for the holidays. Shopping, swimming and so on. Joshan was silent all the while. He was not available during the holidays as he had been invited by his GF [girlfriend ] for a holiday to a farmhouse which was far away and he had to spend most of the days there with her as she had already committed her cousins regarding the same. 

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Shopping is so much fun specially when Stacie and Cairo are around. The garment store of the mall was nothing less than a ramp as we tried every single worth a wear garment and ramp walked with the other two of us whistling and cheering taking pictures. The best part was the lingerie department where we forced Cairo to put on a spiderman printed masculine boxers and catwalk for us against which I promised to introduce to one of Joshan's friends. It was such a fun. We went to the food court later and returned back home completely exhausted. 

Oh crap I did not see my mobile all the while as I noticed 5 missed calls and 10 text messages from Joshan 

TEXT 

Joshan 

# Hey the place is awesome 

# where r u 

#her cousins r hot 

#hell they r all gettin over me 

#where r u 

#call me 

#why r u not taking my call 

# missin u 

# wish u wer here 

# damm call me wen u r free 

Dexter and all other cousins also sent their messages with Dexter being flirtatious as usual asking me to be his girlfriend so that he doesn't have to wait till the night when I text him back and my friends and cousins sending simple forwarded messages. 

Just as I was about to call Joshan my phone gave up and I had to put it for charging. 

Next morning as I woke up I switched on my mobile after brushing and tying my bed messy hair. I was about to call Stacie and Cairo to confirm for the swimming today. 

We had planned to go to a nearby club for a swim followed by Chinese later. 

Before I could dial Stacie my mobile buzzed. With excited Joshan at the other end, he asked me to come to the verandah. 

I was shocked to see smiling Joshan waiting downstairs. He was waiting in his cameo with Deren and Stacie. Cairo had her aunt at home for awhile so she couldn't make it. 

Before I could demand his explanation about his early arrival, he asked me to change over for a long drive and he had already sneaked the permission from my mother for the same. We carried coke cans and some tortilla chips and cheese crackers with us. We drove with full swing as the roads were empty due to early morning and as we moved outskirts of the city, it was lush green with cool breeze and the music was on full bash. 

Deren parked the car in one of the farmhouse. It was amazing with fresh green grass carpet which had the boundaries of yellow daffodils. There was a small lake in the middle with swans adding to the grace. 

We sat on the greens chatting and playing kindergarten aged games like hopscotch, dodge ball and had loads of fun. We switched on the music of the car deck in full volume and danced till we dropped. 

Later Joshan and me left to pick burgers and smoothies for the group. 

"Shoot Joshan", I told him as I tied the seat belt of the car. 

"Why and what?", he shot me a glare. 

"I know you have a lot to speak. Speak now". I said. 

"I thought you don't want to talk to me. Ignoring my calls and texts?" He pouted angrily looking even more hot and adorable. 

God I hope it's legal to drool over your best friend... 

"Yopes after so many calls and messages I am sure you want a lot of my ears." I blurted guiltily keeping a strong mask on that he doesn't shout at me for not receiving his calls. Though I need to clarify about the battery giving up thing but for now I know if he doesn't speak up what happened there at the weekend picnic he'd burst with his stock of gossips... 

"I do not want to bore you", he said a bit angrily. 

"Joshan" I warned. "Our friendship is much better than what you think. I know you are disappointed that I did not reply to your texts and calls but stupid battery of my mobile." i took a deep breath and pressed his hand that rested on the gear handle and politely urged him "Start from the beginning." 

"So Day 1 We reached farmhouse. It was beautiful. I texted you that". He said not hiding his eagerness to share the tiniest of details with me. 

"hmmm' I kept on giving affirmation as I worked on my hair that were swaying in the wind like a free willy. 

"Then we were alone and we made out you see." he blushed a little and scratched his air behind his neck displaying his naughty smile which I just loved to see. I was listening to him with interest. Not to forget that I was screaming in my head to spare me with the details of his intimacy. But nice he was enjoying so much I played with him.  

"Stop blushing and continue", I said. 

"Then after couple of hours her friends and cousins arrived. She introduced me to all of them". He giggled. 

"What is hilarious in that?" I asked. 

"They were all so scantily cladded that I enjoyed" he said with a sheepish grin. 

"Perv". I hit him on his shoulders feeling the strong muscled body beneath. 

"Not me all her friends were. The boys were all drooling over girls and girls were completely into me with all their cheap traits. I sometimes get really bugged at them, bloody whores." He said giving a hilarious disgust. 

"Language Joshan". I warned.  

"Listen first. The girls were extremely shameless. They did not have any conscience that I am their sister's boyfriend." He clarified  

"Morals huh", I laughed. 

"You need some ethics right. Then at the pool all were in two pieces ready to shed even them for me. We did drink and eat. The beacon rolls were great. I love them." He licked his tongue still remembering the taste. Such foodoholic these guys can be.... 

"You are a foodie jerk". I remarked 

"Then in the evening. I went to bed early. I thought of calling friends to update about them.  But you know how jerk sometimes your friends are when they do not reply your messages” he said smirking.

I gave a coughing warning to him.

“The room was big with a huge window in front of the door. One side of wall was striped with multicolors. The rest of walls were yellow. There were pretty Italian showpieces all adding to the elite." He explained the interior of whole thing as if hiding his embarrassment in his words. 

"Come to the point Joshan." I knew there was something else coming. 

"The lights were off. Suddenly the door opened flashing light from behind. I could only see a female sexy figure standing on the door. I thought it was Mincy. She came to the bed and lied down besides me. She called in a squeaky seductive voice, 

JOOOOOSSSSSSSHHHHAAAAANNN