[2]Lab Partner
1070 Words
At the canteen
Everybody had crowded, not because their heads had processed the fact a fight was sure but because a minute or fewer latecomers got nothing but beans and porridge; both that went for the dogs every day.
The crowd keenly watched as Fahim and Harith and Jake made their way in, sitting right at the front like they always did. Nobody met their glance, because the fright was always there. The forgotten memories of their ragging weren't ones meant to be kept forever. Charis scratched, as every girl and boy fought over tables, while some rushed to get a first position in the line.
Most probably the dumb nerds did it, for everyone else knew the bosses would get in the way. Fahim had taken out a cig, puffing it out loud while the other two ran eyes over their phone. Undoubtedly, their attitude was frightening and unappealing but one had to agree when it comes to their appearances. The three consumed eyes for their massive looks; a factor which didn't get lost in the eyes of women
"Why is the social media brimming so well today? Is somebody dead? Somebody raped?"
Harith smacked Jake's head.
"You better keep your lips shut!"
"And why the f**k would I do that?"
He sneered.
"Or else your cutlet is mine"
"You bet!"
Fahim hit the table.
"Would you please...?", he barked, grabbing attention from all four sides of those adjacent tables. Jake spat upon the table and stared hard at those on the four tables. Juniors, ladies, and even teachers had gathered around, none even tending to keep a good face. They spoke under their breath after Harith and Jake mimicked their stare.
"It's ten minutes late already! Can we please eat..?"
Fahim nodded.
"REALLY?"
The clatter of plates from all the other tables, as they finished their lunch made Jake burp
"You guys can....I'm sitting here"
The other two who had got up in excitement, sighed
"Fathead! Now, there will only be porridge left? Is that enough, loser?!"
The former nodded, sitting with both his legs reaching for the chair.
"I said, I won't eat unless...."
"That stupid girl comes?! Have you gone mad?", screamed Jake who ran before the canteen lady walked off.
Harith followed him, after shaking his head pathetically.
However, Fahim remained, waiting.
His mind still revolving around their absence.
"This day was a buff!"
The fond guy whose stomach now grumbled was now cracking cool smiles at the ladies exit, while grumbling. Harith shook his head again like always and reached for his ringing phone.
"Oh s**t!"
Fahim looked up.
"What?"
He squeezed his forehead.
"Its Gran's wed anniversary tonight. I gotta go guys....Mom is anyway gonna thrash my head!'
Saying so, before both of them could stop him, he disappeared through the exiting crowd, with the 'Sorry for pushing' and 'Get outta my way!"s. Jake sighed and grazed Fahim's shoulder.
"Guess then, you could at least be a good boy and buy me a hamburger"
Fahim bit his lower lip and flicked his forehead.
"Shut up and walk"
Saying so, they both slowly made their way to the pavement, across their school. They however didn't need the 'Get outta my way's, for the way will always be there, crowded by no one. The ladies made sure of that.
The next morning opened for another boring schedule of now-so-important classes and breaks. However, the absence of Harith made them two feel more or less incomplete. Not Jake or Fahim, who could be seen sipping a Frootie on the corridor side, but the other two girls, from senior A batch who had a lovely wholesome crush on him for about two months.
"Why Shreya and Missy? Miss your little cuckoo?', teased Jake, after he ordered for a sandwich.
The two stamped furiously and walked off before the entire campus heard of it.
And they ran straight into her.
"Umm...Famisha..! Hey!"
"Hey!"
The two girls stopped midway through their run and remained deep in conversation.
And that one 'Hey!', made Fahim looked up from his drink.
He trudged forward, to the corridor, passing loser jerks who were drooling before some girls, nerds asking questions to some ignorant professors, and girls crying over lost boyfriends. They all stood still, for a moment as he walked across, straight for his target. Now dressed in a green salwar kameez, with a gold necklace and that bushy nose, and hair undressed, she stood beautifully, in front of them.
The only difference being her smile; which now lit up.
Her eyes went from the girls to him, in a flash.
But now they ignited in another emotion.
Fear.
Fahim stood still.
"I will see you later,, I guess..", marked the other two girls, scurrying off like frightened rats.
She nodded, sinking her head down.
Somehow, Fahim felt a bit bad.
But he didn't let down his guard.
He knew all eyes were on him.
"Promises are meant to be kept. When it comes or goes, I keep track of them, so you better pay compensation"
Her eyes wavered. Even with keeping that head down, the big punk noticed.
"Compensation!", he stressed.
She nodded, like a frightened cat.
Fahim felt his lips slip.
"Be my partner"
Her head rose in shock. And so did Fahim's. What his lips had uttered made even his body shiver up a bit. Somewhere inside, he regretted it while that strange pump of dopamine made it all sound easy. Girls and boys watching excreted tension. What was worse, was the shock in her eyes as she gawked, in absolute fear and agony.
"What?"
"L-a-b partner,"
Nice save, Jake imitated from behind. But Fahim muttered him to go to hell. She, on the other hand, now was nodding softly.
"...Okay"
Fahim sneered in victory.
"You better keep it, or else, I will have to say..."
He bends in, to meet her short height and reached a breath away from her ears.
"....the punishment gets severe for you....and better for me"
Saying so, he grazed her shoulder, and made straight for Jake, and sprinted down the stairs, taking a U-turn. A purposeful mistake, to get Jake's disgusted glance.
However, he wanted some alone time.
Running down, his eyes still mended over her.
Her smile melting into fear.
That tinge of pain that broke his heart, that moment, made him shrivel up.
To just feel that, made him gag.
No! she?......
- Writer
