"when there were two,
She loved one,
And here comes three,
Friendship comes above love" Rishabh sang in his overly emotional voice as he penned down another lyrical poem in his journal.

Yes, he wrote a journal.

Very unwillingly I smiled at him before going back to my notebook pulling out the envelope then pushing it back inside unknowingly playing a peek-a-boo with it.

There was an uneasiness a reluctance holding me back from tearing it open and reading it at once.

So that I could put the tick and had that feeling of getting it done at last.

After writing my last exam and now the onset of boards, approaching in a week or two I was checking over the syllabus and taking notes for some extra studies. Ha as if I had completely prepared the entire syllabus.

Having an experience from giving class 10th boards I knew this much, two or three questions will be out of syllabus. Out of my course books.

I called Krish also to the library well he was stopped by teachers and they were all giving him some advice on the instruction by his father.

Our exams were okay not excellent all correct and hey I'll top it not that kind. But we cleared all the subjects with above-average marks I hope so.

Between is better being in the middle of the range is good because the more ones are never satisfied the fewer ones never expect more so it's only the middle ones who are content and dandy with what they have.

I didn't want to top? No I just..it was that it wasn't my thing. Yes my mother would be proud if I scored 100 . She will be glad but she never forced me that you have to do this you have to bring it or bribed me into doing it.

She and I aspire for a good and honest life. It wasn't necessary that the route should have 100 scores on its way.

It's okay not to be best to be exceptionally outstanding and that's not me it won't take me anywhere to, it won't be the end of my world If I didn't score above 95%.

Who remembers them by the way.

All are forgotten.

World standards aren't fixed they evolve and are repeated , the cycle goes on, its continuous.

One had to keep up with it just a slip of a foot you will be cruelly cast away in the minds of the society which for some reason cannot be completely broaden.

No matter how hard it is to accept, we all are slaves of the norms, of the society. Working to an algorithm of what's wrong and what's right.

I won't go against it we know how fewer people survive in those battles but I won't even let my life ruled by it.

There's no wrong in living and accepting a simple life. Happiness cannot be stored in a thing or a person it's fluttering comes and goes wherever you be however you be.

And regardlessly in the end nothing matters. No one matters.

Anyway today I'll read the letter it had become such a big thing from the point Abhi gave me that now I felt hesitant to even read it like there's really something more significant, more impactful than simply reading it.

"The surprise of fate
I looked at the close gate
Were when they opened
It was too late" Rishabh again like again spoke.

I closed my eyes gathering my patience.

"What is it Rishabh! If you want to be all melancholic here sighing deep shits then choose another table because I am drowning in it!"

"Well that was deep Kyra" He praised closing his journal.

I pinched the spot between my eyebrows. "It was good but not too striking to reach me" I commented referring to his poems.

Rishabh raised his eyebrow, "I wrote about love also, wanna hear them out"

I shook my head frowning fingering out the envelope again.

"Tell me how are you?" I asked he was losing his weight appeared lean with half-moon shadows under his eyes.

"Or about romance ,
Kiss my cheek dear
I feel the ache I can't bear
When your lips are near
There's this separation I fear" He avoided my question smoothly.

I folded my hands dropping them on the long table of the library. The librarian was shooting us warning glances for our murmurings. As it happened to be most of the students were present here.

I lowered my head saying in a whisper, "you wrote something on getting high?" I asked in his way of talking.

He nodded at me with narrowed eyes not liking poked by me.

"I snort it day
I snort it at night
It isn't okay
But it's alright"

I stared at him with soft look, "Rishabh. I'm there if you need my help but I think it's more your help you require right now"

He looked away clenching his jaw. "It's not easy Kyra"

"I know it's never easy" I whispered with pain in my voice.

"Oh wow, Kyra I was looking for you" Pratiksha surprised voice made me whipped my head.

Librarian hissed Praytiksha mouthed her a sorry taking a seat beside me.

Rishabh snickered.

"Anything funny?" Pratiksha asked glaring at him.

"You mean other than your face"

Pratiksha gritted her teeth, "I mean other than you"

Rishabh smirked, "so you say I'm funny.  Why , thank you mademoiselle"

Prartiksha turned red, "it's not a compliment"

"I never said it was"

Pratiksha's face contorted to enraged one while Rishabh was enjoying like anything

"you are infuriating..."

"Now you're complimenting me?" Rishabh asked acting shocked.

"I hate you" Pratiksha almost shouted.

"You hate that you love me?" Rishabh completed.

"Rishabh.." I trailed while struggling to keep a straight face.

Rishabh rolled his eyes, "well I'm leaving already, before someone threw their heart at me in anger"

Pratiksha muttered punching holes in her book with the pen, "what does he think of himself? Kyra How can you even sit with him? He's so annoying.."

"Yes he's I also used to dislike him at the starting but there's more to every person beneath that apparent layer" I shrugged tapping back the letter between the pages.

"Well, I can tell you it will be a bright day in hell when I'll start liking Rish" she shuddered at the possibility.

"Rish? You guys have nicknames for each other that's cute" I commented playing with fire.

Her hand snapped immediately on defend mode, "I don't like it when he calls me Prats he doesn't like when I use Rish so it's even it's a mutual hating!"

I raised my hands in surrender,"cool down just an innocent guess"

"God I think it's going to be a bright day in hell" Krish uttered coming out of blue slumping down on the seat Rishabh left.

Pratiksha asked bewildered, "what do you mean?"

He didn't even spare her a glance went on describing," they weren't leaving me I thought it will be a bright day in hell when I will be given my freedom from those with spectacles born people (teachers) but I am free. Kyra please tell me my face hasn't started looking like a sour-faced nerd influenced by their company"

I reached his face angling it from side to side in act of checking it. "There are some minute signs of morphing but you are lucky it isn't that obvious you left it on time mate" I patted on his cheek assuring him.

He sagged back tiredly holding my hand down. "I'm so done do you think this has by anyway changed me?"

"No" Pratiksha answered promptly.

Krish looked at her in surprise as if spotting her then he drew his eyes away back on me, "then why do I have to go through that!"

"Not to be proclaimed as nosy but there's an audition for guitarist some wayward boys like you-"

I glared at her Krish grinned taking it as a compliment, "of course I'm wayward Kyra" he squeezed my hand in reassurance.

I made a disapproving look.

Pratiksha further explained, "they are making a boy band you can give it a shot. Famous check, good looking check , maybe could dabble around with guitar?"

I patronized," dabble? He plays the best! would capture his audience to the last note"

Krish looked down flustered fiddling with my fingers.

Pratiksha shrugged carelessly, "then you should go for the audition I guess maybe you'll get a place in"

I shook my head declining but Krish beat me with a reply, "I would like to try that"

My head snapped to him a fear crashing over me not again not another person closed to me leaving me behind in the chase of their dreams.

Krish looked at me, "I don't think I would make it" He laughed uncomfortably.

I pulled  my hand back with a heavy heart Krish sensed my disagreement for it.

"Kyra if you don't want me to I won't go," he said softly.

Now this made me feel a bad person coming between his choice.

I faced up taking out the letter managing a smile, "of course I want to silly, I am worried you would be indulging in it and forget that we have boards on our heads"

I thought this would make him happy but his eyes were glued to the envelope I was holding.

"So what we get drunk
So what we smoke weeds
We're just having fun....

Pratiksha jerked up taking out the phone from her skirt pocket with a sheepish look excused herself. And yes Librarian looked as if she heard a bomb blast she stood up rapidly giving a sheer disappointed look at Pratiksha who left stealthily flashing her middle finger to her.

"Kyra?"Krish's voice made me turn to him.

His expression was grave eyes held fear he asked wistfully, "you read the letter?

I smiled apologetically, "nope we'll do it together I know you read but Abhi wanted to-

"How can you Kyra!" He cut me off sharply.

I was recoiled by his change in behavior I stared at him, clueless.

"You said you read it!" He pointed his finger accusingly his face still stable to shock one .

I was totally disoriented figuring out why he was reacting like this, "I'm reading it now hold your horses"

"Kyra you lied to me!"

"Enough with the accusations don't make it as if I have done some blunder I'm keeping up the promise I gave to Abhi. Will it change anything if I read it now? N-

"Yes," he answered in a mocking tone.

I stared with a look you have lost your mind honey.

"You won't read it now" he declared trying to get the envelope I stamped my other book over it before he could even touch it.

"Like hell I won't, I'll read it and just now"

He leaned back, frustrated messing his hair. "Then I'm leaving" he got up I pulled him down to his seat.

"We'll read it together I know you read it. But the second time it won't hurt you-

"It will kill me" he babbled with a lost expression.

I frowned saying, "okay I'll read it you'll listen"

He shot me a disbelief look, "I won't be any near when you read that" he pointed his finger at it as if it was some poison.

"It's a letter" I corrected irritated now, "and I'm going to read it with you sitting where you are"

"Kyra please" he requested being all jittery.

"Shhh- I hushed him cautiously slipping out the letter shooting him a stern look. I unfolded the creased paper.

Dear Kyra...

Having read two lines I looked at Krish he gazed down making lines and crossing them in my register. His body tensed up, all rigid he wasn't even looking at me.

I carried on with my heart in my mouth the more I read the deeper I went in. When I finished I didn't keep it down my hands still held it I remembered my conversation with my mother.

"Kyra the one you love will always have the power to break your heart and they break also not once but so many times."

"Yes.." I said not actually paying attention my mind was elsewhere Abhi started seeing Myra. I didn't know what I hate more? him dating her or him abandoning me.

"You're listening? don't sulk I'll talk to Abhi if you want"

"No!" My eyes widened

"Why are you upset then?"

"Why Myra! he could choose anyone so many were out there"

"You wish it was someone else?" She asked frowning.

I frowned back, "no... I mean he could start dating when we pass out what's the rush"

"And if he wanted you ?"

I shrunk back, "me? It won't happen ..never but if he did"I considered "I won't say no" I didn't see him any other way than a best friend but my mind was open for the possibility because it was Abhi I trusted him blindly he taught me friendship he can teach me about love. I liked him I could love him also. But if he wanted.

"Kyra!" Krish's voice brought me out of my trance.

I blinked.

"Say something" he nudged meekly.

I bit my lip replying honestly, "I wish I read it before"