T W O

Next day
11:00 AM

I knocked hardly on the door, feeling too impatient. Stupid Rags. I think she's still sleeping. Well, I can't blame her though can I? It's Sunday and normally I wake up at 3PM on Sundays.

I really have to put a reminder for finding my keys. I lost mine somewhat a month ago. It was surely in the house of course. Buried under some mess. But I never find the need to search for it as Rags and I are always together like a package deal.

After a few minutes of war with the door (in the middle of which I settled on the doorstep), it opened and Rags stood in front of me. Contradictory to what I thought, she was completely dressed and ready to go somewhere.

"What has got your panties in a twist?" She asked raising her eyebrows.

"Just shut up." I muttered and entered the house jerking her off my way. We have been living in here for an year now. I used to stay in a hostel at first. Even though I knew her from my very first day, it was only last year we started get along. It was like a sudden realisation in our heads, that we are meant to be best friends. It was destiny. As we both were sick of staying in the hostel, we rented this house which is our safe haven.

Also the messiest haven, I should add.

Clothes were piled up everywhere I looked. The couch was almost invisible being piled up with clothes. I have to clean it someday.

My stomach grumbled making me realise how hungry I was. I made my way into our small kitchen to make myself a glorious breakfast.

It had took me a great deal of time to get here. I have vomited some five times on the way back home because of hangover. And there was this terrible head ache. But of course, it was nothing compared to pain that I felt in my heart.

And above all I had this big mistake hanging over my head.

"So I guess things didn't end well." Rags said entering the kitchen. I simply groaned in response and proceeded on making a cup of hot chocolate.

"It was great." I said plastering a fake smile.

"You know," Ragini said pouring some hot chocolate for herself. "I hate it when you do that."

"Do what?" I asked sipping from my own.

"Act like I don't understand what's going on in that head of yours." She answered seriously. I sighed and kept the cup of hot chocolate on the counter. I am not going to lie to her.

"He broke up with me."

The words itself were so bitter and my voice broke while saying it. I closed my eyes and let a few drops of tears escape. The events of last night were playing in front of my eyes. His each word still echoing in my ears.

It was the sound of glass breaking that brought me out of the trance. Rags was staring at me with disbelief in her eyes. I nodded at her and confirmed what she just heard is true. Before I could stop, more tears were forced out of my eyes and I had a complete breakdown.

"It's all right. It's going to be fine." Rags hugged me. I cried in her arms like a child. All the emotions from last night really came mounted up. I cursed him and cried more and more, letting it all out. Rags rocked me back and forth to calm me down.

"Let it all out Swara. Let him out. He doesn't deserve you. You are a princess, remember. And he's some lux soap. And don't worry, I am gonna  kill him the moment he shows his face. He hurt my baby. Now I am gonna hurt him."

I chuckled at this. What will I do without this girl?

"That felt good." I said wiping my tears.

"Of course you will. I am great, remember." Rags chuckled.

"Yes you are." I smiled.

"Now get up. Have a shower, put on some clean clothes and run a brush through your hair. We are going out." She ordered letting go of me.

"Going where?"

"To get you a nice breakup haircut," She winked at me. "I am going out for something. Be ready when I get back."

I guess I am not going to reveal everything to her.

She said and left the house hugging me for a last time. I forced myself to my room. Getting inside the bathroom, I looked at the full size mirror in front of me.

I looked like shit!

With puffy eyes and hair looking like a bird's nest I could easily pass for a zombie. Getting out of the dirty dress, I dumped myself in the tub. My mistake from last still remained fresh and no matter how much I tried I couldn't get it out of my head.

After some thirty minutes, I am standing in the living room all ready, waiting for Rags. I bite my nails nervously as if I had nothing else to do. But it was only until the doorbell rang.

"Areey yaar, come in." I called out knowing that it's Ragini and she's just doing it to trouble me. She can be really frustrating at times. I heard the sound of the door opening and the footsteps.

"Hey cupcake!"

Don't think that I am exaggerating. But I really did fall off the chair and landed on my bum.

Ouch! That hurt.

"Are you alright?" I heard him ask. Even though the sentence meant concern, there was no such feeling in it. He had this evil smirk on his face making me frown.

Although my wish was to punch him on the face and break that smirk, I didn't do it. Because currently he had the trump card or if I say simply I don't have the guts. Yes the latter would be the correct one.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked, getting up from the floor.

"Is that how you welcome a person when they come to your come? Especially after last night." He pouted and my face turned crimson red at this.

"How do you even know where I live?" I asked ignoring his statement which I hoped he doesn't notice, but the naughty smile on his face said otherwise.

"You actually used to think, I don't know where you live?" He smirked. Of course he knows where I live. Hasn't it been his life's biggest desire to make my life hell since he is what? Six?

"Of course," I rolled my eyes. "Well, can you please announce the purpose of your visit?"

"You are not asking me to sit down. Aren't you supposed to ask do I want something to drink? Sumi aunty would be so disappointed at what her daughter have grown up into." He shook his head in fake disappointment and I felt like banging my head as he threw my mother into the mix.

"Well, why don't you sit down then? Would you like tea or coffee?" I asked making some space on the couch which was full of clothes, with a fake smile on my face.

"Coffee please." He said with a smile before settling down on the couch.

"I would be back in a minute." I said and escaped into the kitchen. His nerves. He's coming to my house and is insulting me. I banged my fist on the kitchen counter and felt the disappointment as I can't do anything other than that.

Give me a pillow. I am feeling the need to scream.

I put the water on the stove to boil and waited. I thought about all the options I have. 

I only wanted to stay away from him and now I'm here, after sleeping with him. God! This is too much.

After the coffee was ready I considered putting some vim in it multiple times, but the thought that he would be expecting and may ask myself to drink it first, prevented me.

I took the coffee and was about to go back to the living room when I heard a scream. The cup fell off from my hands. I ran to the living room without bothering about it, to a scene worth millions.

Rags was trying to beat him with a cricket bat. And he was trying to reason with her but she was not hearing any of it. But with his strong hands he got hold of the bat. Sadly losing that weapon was not anything to her as she proceeded with her masterpiece weapon.

Her nails.

"Oh no!" I muttered.

It's not like I want to save him or something. But death is far better in comparison of being attacked by Rags' nails. Trust me, I've felt it.

"Rags, stop it." I called out and she froze. She turned towards me in confusion.

"Swara it's him. The him."

"I know Rags. Just leave it for now." I said. An expression of shock fell on her face and she came towards me.

"Swara, can't you see? It's him. It's bloody Sanskar Maheshwari. The one who is always prey of the colourful part of your dictionary. Here. In our house." She said shaking me.

"Rags-"

"And how can you be so calm. Did you hit your head somewhe-"

"Ragini stop. I know. I invited him in alright." I said trying to calm her down.

She stared back and forth between me and him, knitting her eyebrows. I looked at him who was clearly enjoying the scene. He smirked catching my eyes, and I begged him through my eyes to not say anything.

"Can you stop making goofy faces at each other. What's going on here?" Rags asked.

"Nothing." We both said at the same time. Him smirking and I with a fake smile.

"It's really nice to meet you, even though you were harassing me over there." He gave his signature smile which is considered to be the reason for many girls' death. But what he didn't know Rags is never ever going to fall for it.

"Alright." She sighed. But I did notice the small hint of blush creeping upon her face.

No way.

"So can you please leave now, we are going somewhere." I told him while stealing glances on Rags who was in la la land. I hope he won't open his mouth.

"I am already leaving." He grinned. "And I am going to drive you to college tomorrow. Be ready."

"What? No way. I am not coming with you."

"That's the least you can do after everything that happened" He smirked. And he went on wink at me when Rags was not looking, making me roll me eyes.

"Okay." I said making Rags' jaw hit the floor. Okay, I can understand. It came out of the blue.

Swara, start making up some fake story. You are going to be in serious trouble as soon as he leave.

"Bye cupcake." He waved at me and proceeded towards the door, giving a small nod in Rags' direction.

"Oh I almost forgot," He stopped. "You forgot this."

He came back and took something out from his coat pocket and hold it out towards me, smiling sheepishly. Oh Rags please don't faint.

It was my bra.

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