Chapter 3 - The Forced Kiss.

                                    

                                          


                          
 2005.

                          

"Too bad. He's still single!" murmured a girl.

Everyday you watch a dog get lost in a sea. I mean not literally. Yes, there are those who are wanderers. People tend to travel from one place to another in search of something that they never had or it's the only thing that they ever wanted. Look around you, what do you see? No not that side, the other side. Thoughts lost in empty spaces. Dreams too.

Some people can be so blind and STUPID, but wouldn't accept it. While others go with the flow, nothing bad can happen, right? Wrong.

"But he's so so cute," murmured another girl.

It was the last day of high school, before the lousy-hot-sweaty-boring summer. Boys and girls were moving in and out of their classes.

"My name is Divya Laghari, I'm a girl from class B. We have never talked before, yes, never before." A girl said in full confidence.

It was the school's corridor, standing just outside of class C was a boy, with a note book in hand trying to solve a math problem.

The other girls have stopped murmuring and shifted their gaze on Divya. She was not one of their friends, a new girl who had joined this year. "Hello!"

Mr. Khurana, the teacher had given few problems the previous day and was expecting the solutions after the lunch break, today.

"Not your type, sis," said one of the girls, who had commented "so so cute" and giggled slowly. Paper balls were changing classes. Decent grades did not matter for this day. The kids at the bottom of the food chain, the kids at the top, the nerds, the cuties, everyone wanted to have fun. You do not get this kind of chances every time.

"That looks tough," said Divya, in a calm voice. "I mean the math problem." She got a reaction with a look, a puzzled look.

Holding the book on his one leg, leaning by the wall, the boy turned his head up. A girl with a pierced nose, and a thin golden ring in it stood in front of him. She had a sweet smile, a smile perfect enough to mesmerize a heart. Hair tied in two plots, with a line passing through the middle of the head. Two blue colors ribbons on each side. A blue uniform with a white belt. White shoes with white socks. He looked her from top to bottom, and back to the eyes. Black marbles for the eyes. "Might be," he said.

"What's your name?" Divya said, looking happy now. The other girls had their eyes fixed at her with a look of jealousy and curiosity.

"Mansingh Patel," said the boy. A paper ball hit him on the shoulder and fell on the ground. He turned to see its source, but no visible culprit. He turned towards the girl in front of him.

"Maan, I'm Divya Laghari," Divya said, and put her hand forward for a hand shake.

"I don't do friends." Maan said, with a sad smile on his face.

"That's okay. Today is my last day at school." said Divya, matching his sad smile. Another paper ball, this time it was the new girls head. But she did not bother to turn.

"We know, we know," said one of the girls. A group of 3 girls, a bad company they say but this seemed fun. Only one of them had put on a color brush to her cheeks. It made her look like a barbie doll.

"I know," said Maan. He saw that the girl put down her hand, and put it in her dress pocket.

"You prefer to be in the shadows rather than the spotlight," she touched one side of her hair knot, moving slowly to the ribbon in a twisting way.

The last day of school, it's a memorable day and a day to be mischievous. You go with any kind of childish thing you can pull. Which of course, does not land anyone in a big trouble. Drawing teachers faces on the black board, writing class mates names and pairing them, hiding bags under benches.

"No use, sis," said one of the girls, blocking a paper ball. The remaining two girls praised her for her quick reflexes.

"I can be around your house today, you know. If you don't friend me." Said Divya with a grin. "I don't take no for an answer."

"You look cute for sure, but sorry," Maan said, and turned his attention towards his book. A book resting on one of his legs with one hand, a pencil in the other.

The ribbons were shaking from left to right as she turned her head. Her both hands on either side restless. Taking a step towards him, keeping a hand on his chest, she pushed him to the wall. They were face to face, she could feel his breathe on her face. The book and pencil fell on each side with a sound. The gang of girls who were giggling had stopped in astonishment. She lifted herself a bit on her shoes and pressed her lips on his. Her left hand's palm was holding his right arm. Her right hand clutching his shirt pocket. Her reflection in his eyes. And she let go of him.

"Divya Laghari," she said. "Remember my name." She moved forward and kissed him again for a second and moved back. "This is a boring school, you are a boring guy. Today is my last day, I am not coming back to this school anymore."

She picked up the book and pencil and placed them in his hand. She picked up her bag from her class and moved out.