invisible string ✓

three

“What?” At that moment, I knew that she looked like a slow learner reciting the periodic table.

“Ishvika, Ishaanvika, Advish, Advishaan, Adish, Ishvik, and Ishika. What's your pick?”

“Ask Ishaan first—” I let my chin touch my table as I whispered, “— Bitch.”

“Oh, sure! I will do that. After all, you're my only best friend, isn't it?”

***

Harsh: Who's Ishaan?

I was greeted by the message as cardigan started playing in my Bluetooth headphones.

Me: Ishaan? Who's he?

Harsh: That's my question. Who the fuck is that guy? I found you talking about him to Aarvi and Deepti.

Harsh: Who is Ishaan?

Me: Male protagonist of You Belong With Me.

Me: The book you bought for me two days ago.

Harsh: Okay, but why were you complaining that you wished you had a boyfriend like him?

I think it's high time to scream, “Because it's worth it and you fuck off from my life for the next few infinities.”

Is it?

Me: He was a good character. That's all.

No, it isn't.

Harsh: But, why do you wish you had a man like him?

Me: So what if I had said that? It doesn't mean that he will appear at this moment and ask me out for a date.

Harsh: Doesn't matter, sweetheart.

Fuck this “sweetheart”! That doesn't make him romantic.

Harsh: This had raised questions towards our relationship. I have a huge doubt whether I am being a good boyfriend to you. Now that you said that you wished you had a boyfriend like him, I feel like you're dissatisfied with me. It feels like you hate me. It feels like you want to end this relationship.

Of course!
Of course!
Of course!

Me: Of course, I'm dissatisfied with this relationship and you when you talk like this.

Harsh: See? You told it.

Yeah, I told it. Good job, Advika.

Me: Did God place your brain inside your skull or your rib cage? Think, man.

Harsh: We wouldn't have fallen in love if we started thinking.

Me: SHUT THE FUCK UP, YOU—

I erased the message and rewrote a much more polite version of it.

Me: I know.

Harsh: No emoji, sweetheart? See, this is what I was saying. I think you lost interest in us since you, just like you said before, are dissatisfied with this relationship.

I wish I could spit fire right from my throat so that I could burn this office clean. I'll sell them my soul if someone explains to him that I am too lazy to search for emojis and use one.

Me: I'm sorry, Harsh. I've got a job to do. Let's talk about this later.

Harsh: It's not as if we get time after office.

That was the last message I read since I switched off my mobile data.

***

“Did he give you this?” Aarvi emphasised the word “this” as if she felt a cringe at the Post-it sticking in her fingers.

“Yeah.” I rolled my eyes and looked back at the words engraved on the Post-it.

Sweetheart,

Sorry for dissatisfying you as a boyfriend.

Harsh…

“I'm sure he's not your boss's son. He's Kokila Ben's son,” she stated, referring to Kokila Ben as the most dramatic character in Indian soap operas.

“That fits it. He might be Ahem Ji's brother.”

Ahem Ji is the male protagonist of a famous Indian soap opera and the son of Kokilaben, known across the country for being India's biggest red flag.

“Okay. Genetic problems. I get it.” She tried to peek into my laptop screen and asked, “Whatcha doin', bitch?”

“Ummm… Research.” I pursed my lips and shifted back to G-mail, opened my laptop.

From: advikab1389@gmail.com
To: isha142@swiftlee.com

Subject: Hi!

I know this won't reach you, yet I'm using this as an online diary.

Let me introduce myself. I'm Advika Bansal, a very regular student from Delhi, India. I'm sure you have little idea about my country. Who could blame your situation? After getting to know about you, my respect for you had reached the end of the universe. I wonder whether I will find men like you in my life.

I got to know everything about you and Maahi. And, I am not sure whether you are alright or not (I guess, you aren't). Yet, I'm damn sure that she doesn't deserve a guy like you. Diamonds are meant to shine outside, not to be buried under the soil. If things are meant to end, it is. And it is all for good. I trust God and destiny, so I believe that God has something extraordinary in store for you.

Maybe, he has me in store for you? Just kidding, don't freak out.

Fine! I don't expect you to introduce yourself like I did, because I know you won't. But still, hi!

Advika B.

***

Could someone help this Little Miss Delulu Girl to get out of the relationship she's uncomfortable of?

I think, her Mr Book Boyfriend can do it for her.