The school day meandered towards its end, and the sun cast a warm glow across the familiar corridors. Laughter echoed as Natasha, Aditya, Vansh and I walked towards our classroom, engaging in the usual banter. Little did I know that the seemingly lighthearted conversation would unravel layers of insecurities and perceptions.
Natasha, with her mischievous grin, turned to Aditya, breaking the casual rhythm. "Hey, Aditya, what if Divyaanka propose to you?"
"Hell nahh... I'd prefer staying single than dating this 5ft shorty with noodle hairs and these big specs. Hell naah!!! She seems like a real-life cartoon," Aditya retorted, making exaggerated faces.
As the conversation continued, i was not paying attention to what they were talking as I couldn't shake off the hurtful remark. I wondered if Aditya's words were merely a joke or if they revealed a deeper sentiment.I am his bestfriend if he thinks like that maybe others too but my curls and height are not under my control right? I thought as I couldn't help but feel a pang of insecurity.
"Ohh... but don't worry, that day won't come, you idiot," I responded, my tone light but unable to fully ignore the sting.
Natasha chuckled, breaking the momentary tension. "Aditya, you're such a drama queen."
Aditya, still oblivious to the impact of his words, chuckled along. "Yeah, yeah, just imagining a cartoon character proposing to me... I am 100% sure I would laugh so hard if this happens."
Our footsteps echoed in the corridor as we reached the classroom. Natasha, seizing the opportunity to add her flair to the situation, whispered, "Dekhle, Aditya bhi yeh sochta hai tere baare m... mujhe nahi lagta koi ladka milega tujhe... I think you are not worthy of love, babe," she chuckled.
[See...Aditya also thinks this about you...i don't think you will find someone]
"Tu thodi si pagal hai kya, Natasha? Aditya ka opinion baaki sabhi ladko ka nahi hai, or mujhe koi farak nahi padta, ye kuch bhi sochee!! Or haan koi toh hoga he jo mujhe mere man ki wajah se pasand krega... bss baat khtm," I retorted, frustration seeping into my words. How dare she question my worthiness of love?
As I reached my desk, I noticed Aditya engrossed in a conversation with a girl. Vansh sat alone, lost in his thoughts. Trying to distract myself from the turmoil within, I approached Vansh.
"What are you thinking, dude?" I asked, attempting to shift my focus.
"Tujhe bura laga na?" Vansh asked, catching me off-guard.
"Noo... I don't give a fuck to what he said. I know he is like this only," I said, attempting to brush off the concern.
"You sure?" Vansh's gaze held a hint of concern.
"Ofcourse....Kisse baat kar raha hai ye?" I deflected, avoiding any further discussion.
[Who is he talking to?]
"She is from a different section, and dude is flirting with her," Vansh chuckled.
"Uski checklist se match ho Rahi hai ye ladki... haina?" I couldn't help but ask, noting the girl's features.
[She is his type ..right?]
"Ohh Divyaanka... why are you thinking about his checklist... leave that," Vansh advised, sensing my discomfort.
"Meri checklist toh puchi nahi tune," Vansh teased, lightening the mood.
[You didn't asked about my type ]
"Okay... tell me what kind of girl you like," I asked him.
"Wese toh wahi mera bhashan ki inner beauty pasand h but uske alawa, I have a thing for beautiful eyes and dimples and short height," Aditya confessed, unaware of the irony.
[Well as I have said that inner beauty matters but apart from it ]
"That's cute, but who likes girls with short height?" I questioned, inwardly cringing at the answer I anticipated.
"Me, Dumbo," Aditya admitted, looking away
"I am not 'dumbo' " i said hitting him jokingly
"Ohh yes you are " he said chuckling
Then aditya arrived
"Why do you guys always talk and laugh when I am not around?" Aditya questioned, his tone a mix of curiosity and mild annoyance.
"It's our choice, and because you were busy flirting with that girl, of course, you missed our wonderful conversation," I retorted with a playful smirk.
"Ohh, hello! Who said I was flirting... I was just asking her if she could make my project file, and she's not even my type," Aditya declared, defending his actions.
"Isn't she your type? She has long straight hairs, beautiful eyes, and she is tall.Now what?" I asked in disbelief, my incredulity evident in my tone.
"So you have memorized my checklist? Huh!?" Aditya smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"You are unbelievable... we have talked about this just 20 minutes ago!!" I exclaimed, shaking my head in mock exasperation. The air filled with laughter as our banter continued.
Natasha, always ready to add her two cents, chimed in, "Divyaanka, you seriously have his checklist memorized? That's impressive dedication."
I rolled my eyes, dismissing her remark with a playful scoff. "It's hard not to when he talks about it every chance he gets."
Aditya, now leaning against a desk, crossed his arms with a smirk. "Well, my checklist is just a set of preferences, not a binding contract."
Vansh, who had been observing the banter with an amused expression, finally spoke up. "Preferences or not, Aditya, you can't deny that your taste seems to change every time someone new catches your eye."
Aditya feigned innocence. "Oh, come on! I'm just open to possibilities."
Natasha, added fuel to the fire. "Maybe Divyaanka should help you make a more consistent checklist, Aditya."
I raised an eyebrow, playing along. "Oh, absolutely! We can have a checklist revision session every week. What do you say, Aditya?" And He chuckled
The bell rang, signaling the end of the banter-filled session. As we gathered our belongings, laughter lingered in the air, reminding us that amidst the occasional teasing, our friendship was built on a foundation of shared jokes and playful camaraderie.
As Aditya walked out of the classroom, he turned to me with a grin. "Divyaanka, next time you decide to critique my checklist, make sure to bring some popcorn. It's going to be entertaining."
"Sure why not " I said hitting with my notebook
Suddenly we noticed Natasha's father and we all greeted him
"Dad ,you here? She asked clearly surprised
"Ohh today is half-day right? So I thought I should pick you up today !"
He said ohh shit I forgot that today is half day that's why bus didn't came
"Ohh yay!! Okay bye guysss!" She chimmed and left
"Divyaanka let me drop you "Aditya said
"Noo..don't worry i will go by auto"I said
"Vansh ...take my bike I'll take it tomorrow..." He said
"Why?" I raised my eyebrow
"Because I am accompanying a cartoon...chl ab " he said
Third persons pov
Sitting in an auto with her thoughts, Divyaanka pondered the dynamics of their friendship. She questioned whether Aditya's comment was a reflection of his true feelings or just a casual jest. The uncertainty weighed on her, and she couldn't shake the lingering hurt.
Divyaanka decided to address the situation. "Hey, about what you said in lunch break... was it just a joke, or did you mean what you said?"
Aditya, caught off guard by the sincerity in Divyaanka's eyes, realized the impact of his words. "Oh, Divyaanka, I didn't mean to hurt you. It was just a joke, you know how I am with my teasing. I didn't think it would bother you....and it shouldn't hurt you because I know you don't like me and i would never date you ..you are my best friend...you know that right? So just chill that was a joke"
Divyaanka nodded,"I get it, Aditya, but sometimes jokes can hit a little too close to home. Let's keep it lighthearted without crossing those lines, okay?"
Aditya, realizing the unintended consequences of his words, apologized sincerely. "I'm sorry, Divyaanka. I'll be more mindful in the future."
Divyaanka smiled, accepting the apology.
To be continued
Author's note
Hey!!
How are you guyss!!! Please vote and comment your views about the chapter
And about the late update ...I just changed my job so I was busy but I will update regularly from now onwards
And I have decided to set some vote targets 😅🫣
Vote target: 10 votes please!!
Bye bye love you💗