Was & Will

Heartbreaks

It was a farewell party. The college had enough room to throw an amazing party for the leaving batch. The terrace of the college building was decorated with black and golden balloons, artificial flowers and velvet curtains. A romantic ambience was created using fairy lights. A net of bright golden fairy lights was spread, making the roof. It looked like stars on a dark background. The dance floor was lit with Disco lights and the music was just perfect to make anybody dance. The food court was arranged in one corner. The menu had delicious rich dishes and drinks (no alcohol). At the drinks counter, a bartender was displaying his skills, mixing fancy and delightful drinks. This year's farewell was no less than any decent party. Everyone was dressed in dazzling western clothes. The theme. They were scattered all over the terrace, chatting, dancing, drinking and having fun with their groups.

Nisha stood alone near the food counter holding an orange juice glass in her hand. She was dressed in a beautiful long blue gown. Her hair was left loose over her shoulders. She looked like a princess. She was also enjoying the party but through a third person's perspective. Slowly swaying with the music, she was searching for someone. Suddenly, a soft voice startled her from behind.

"Oh my god! Who is this beautiful lady?” It was Vatsal, her classmate. Vatsal was a happy-go-lucky guy. He was cheerful. The people's man. He was literally a part of every group. He liked helping people. A kind soul. They were together on the student library managing committee. Both of them loved books. They got along really well. They would talk about varied and weird topics. Fantasy, romance, human behaviour, aliens, the multiverse, magic, spirituality and so on. He was a good friend to Nisha. But, specifically, he was her boyfriend's best friend. Her boyfriend, Ravi.

Ravi was her high school sweetheart. Love at first sight. He was handsome and hot. He was confident. He never shied to publicly flirt with her. He was the one to pursue her. She loved those gestures. The attention of the dude of the school. Most importantly, he made her feel loved. She was so in love with him. She had planned so many things. College, living together, everything.

“Vatsal!” she playfully slapped him on the shoulder. “Thank you so much. You look amazing as well.”

“As always.” He smiled from cheek to cheek.

She looked around again. Where is Ravi?

“Looking for someone?” Vatsal asked.

"Who else, your param mitra, best friend." She said, "Have you seen Ravi?"

"Nup! But I…" suddenly a group of boys pulled him. He hurriedly said, "I think I saw him near the music room."

"Ohk thank...s…" she shouted, but he was already gone. She smiled at the fun fact that this guy gets along with literally everyone.

She walked to the music room. It was on the lower floor. It was quiet. Naturally, everyone was on the terrace enjoying the party. She hesitated for a moment, "Should I check?"

For a moment she thought of just returning upstairs and waiting for him. When she turned she heard someone coughing. They had spent enough time together for her to recognise it was him. She called his name. No response. She started walking towards the music room. The corridor was perfectly lit with the LEDs. Her gown was restricting her movements. So she walked slowly and carefully. She saw the door to the music room was half open. She heard him talk. It was clear that he was inside. Her playful brain planned to scare him. She walked even slower. Making no sound. As she closed the distance, the voices became clearer. She abruptly paused.

They were talking about her. He was with some of his friends. They were drinking, maybe even smoking.

"Dude Nisha is such a bore, so please no more about her." Ravi's voice banged on her eardrum.

"Are you scared that she’ll find you like this?"

"Oh hell! I am not afraid of her. At least not now when the year is ending."

"Hahaha. Dude, why did you even date her?"

"You know it, because that was good for my status to date the topper. Actually good for my graduation." He laughed.

"And what's next?"

"New college, new girl. Statistics say more than 75% of school relationships end after school. Nisha herself told me. I can't handle a weirdo girl like her. Have you heard her talk? I want someone goodlooking, confident, updated, a bit criminal, a hot chick, one you can boast about. Not like her…'' he had crossed the limit.

"So you want an arm candy." Nisha made herself visible, "sorry I am not that". She stood strong at the door, firmly staring at him. He attempted to talk but she didn't allow him. Then she spoke the final word. "Thank God… You realised it sooner. Best of luck for your life." And moved away.

She didn't attend the party further. There was no point in doing so. She went directly back to her house, in her room, on her bed, in the comfort of her blanket, the only place she could call home. “How did I misjudge him?” she kept repeating. Being a reader she was always fascinated with high school romance. With Ravi, she thought she had found her perfect love story. It was all like the novels; a nerdy girl and a bad boy. She thought he loved her. But it was clear now that she was just delusional, ignoring all the signs. It's strange how most girls fall for bad boys. She loved him. She felt like being cheated on. She was hurt. She cried a lot. The future she had planned now rolled down through her eyes. As usual, her pillow soaked it all.

She was so held up in her grief that she didn't even realise his best friend, Vatsal, was not with the group. The one who had told her his whereabouts.

Now here in this unknown era, Nisha was lost in her thoughts, admiring the reflection in the mirror. She never looked so beautiful. No doubt she loved herself but somehow never considered herself to be pretty. She was an intelligent student and she was content with it. But her poor heart longed for this look, that would force people to turn back. To look at her. Admire her looks.

Her boyfriend was an as*hole. Late but she finally realized it. His words were as insignificant as he was in her life, but they still hurt. That moment there in the music room created a void in her mind that was soon filled with the insecurity about her looks. Now looking in the mirror, the new version of her exterior self, she felt good.

While she was admiring her new body, a soldier announced that the mother queen wanted to see her son. Karna moved out.