Broken Strings

Weird

JAY POV

"Have you seen this new episode of 'Game of Thrones' yet?" Maanav asked shoving his mobile phone on to my face. I pushed him away and nodded. I never miss an episode of Game of Thrones. Never. It is the only obsession I have apart from studies, of course.

We were walking towards the canteen and Maanav was surfing about the new episode of Game of thrones. The canteen was unusually crowded for this time of the day. Maanav stopped to talk with some of his friends. No one tried to talk to me. They know better than that. I stood behind him, waiting for him to be over. They were talking about the new movie they wanted to go this weekend, and I knew it's gonna take more time than usual. So I went and ordered the new sandwich they introduced today. Everyone here is talking about it and curiosity is an emotion I don't take lightly. By the time I came back to Maanav with two a-name-I-can't-spell sandwiches, most of Maanav's friends left. I handed him the sandwich and started eating. It tasted like.........nothing. It was like eating solid water. I turned towards Maanav to complain to find him crying. I couldn't help myself. I panicked.

"Maanav? What happened? Are you okay?"

"It's...........It's.......It is....sp-spicy. It's so spicy, dude!"

He managed to spell out. I stared at him. I stared at him some more.

"What!?" He said, at last, wiping his tears from his sleeve.

"Why aren't you-" He stopped when realization dawned on him.

"Damn you, Chowdary." He cursed and went about eating his sandwich and cried some more.

And for those of you who don't know. Our tongue has taste receptors that sense different tastes like sweet, bitter and so on. But not spicy. It is recognized by the pain receptors. That's the reason most people feel like they are in pain. So to round off, spiciness is a form of pain. And pain is a thing that I cannot feel. I watched, suppressing my laughter, at the people around me struggling to complete their sandwiches. It was during these times that keeping an emotionless face is difficult and of paramount importance. After a while, one of the fourth year students stood up and announced a competition and everyone gathered around a table. Two players per game and the players should keep eating this newfound spiciness incarnated sandwich. Maanav grabbed my arm and shoved me against the table.

"Let's earn some money!!!" He shouted giving me a meaningful look and everyone cheered. I considered this prospect and it seemed quiet potential for earning money. Bets are placed and the person who would rise from the table would be the loser. I sat down as one of the players. Why not? I need the money anyway and this is not technically cheating. The game started and kept eating slowly, methodically and carefully without leaving out any crumbs. My opponent, one of Maanav's friends was practically bawling. It's funny in a way to watch him cry over a stupid sandwich but as long as it earned me money.

He rose from the table, grabbing a water bottle before he bolted out of the canteen, after his fourth sandwich. And so the pattern began. One after another, people sat at the table, ate, rose from the table and went on about their way of grabbing their water bottles. But slowly the cheering of the crowd quieted, the noise died down altogether as people stared at me munching down my tenth sandwich. I guess it would be weird to watch a blank face eating the spiciest sandwich the canteen could provide.

Just when people started shifting around me awkwardly Maanav cleared his throat loudly.

"I think it's time we head to our classes guys. The bell rang long ago. Come on!! Scatter!!" He shouted and the crowd disappeared. I got up and he swung his arm around my shoulders.

"How are you holding up?"

"I think I am gonna puke," I said holding my stomach. Maanav laughed.

"That was quite a show, man!" He said grinning and I gave a small smile back.

"Yeah. Quite a show." I said and burped out loud. Maanav laughed.

.......................................................................

"What are we watching, again?" I asked Maanav again unable to take my eyes of the laptop.

"Altered carbon." Maanav said in a daze.

We have been binge-watching a series whose name I keep forgetting on Netflix and I am practically covered in a sweat watching it. My face is as blank as a blank canvas obviously, but this series is literally mind-fucking-awesome.

"Maanav its three already. We have college tomorrow." I said not taking my eyes of the screen.

"One more episode, buddy. Last one. I promise." He said and I nodded desperately.

We closed the laptop at 7.30.