=Camouflage=
Suman scooped the laptop on her lap. She was going to drag the cursor to the desired folder when a notification window popped up. She clicked on it. As the window switched to full screen mode, she blinked her eyes several times to make sure whether they were deceiving her or not.
Shravan Malhotra sent you a friend request.
His profile picture displayed his handsome self. But that didn't charm Suman. Well, not anymore!
Even in the picture, his smiling face seemed to mock her. And it reminded her of the masquerade party yet again. The buried pain crept up from the depth of her heart and she felt a shiver travel through her body. In a flash, she grabbed her laptop and threw it on the floor. She didn't care if it broke into pieces nor if it would ever work again. Her heart was broken and it was now out of function. So a mere electronic device was the last thing she was going to worry about.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. She sniffled and wiped away the tears in the most unladylike way. She didn't care if someone entered the scene and found her crying like a little child. She didn't care about anything. She was shattered. No matter how much she tried to stay strong and push those painful memories in a deep dark hollow, her mind would bring them up eventually and then she would cry all over again. She hoped that her life will wake up to a bright day on Shravan's return. But it was the opposite. As always, her hopes were shattered.
Suman made a promise to herself that she would not let anyone harm her self respect and she was ready to fight for it. Come what may!
But still it hurt. Maybe because Shravan was her best friend. That's why it hurt so bad. The closeness between them wasn't letting her move on. She just couldn't accept the fact that Shravan, her Shravan did that to her. When he left for London, she realised what he meant to her. As a teenager, anyone would say that she was a hard headed and stubborn girl who found fun in mocking others. Whose way of life was throwing
tantrums. A bold attitude to show off her superiority. And the biggest part was at times 'using' her best friend who was the school's infamous nerd- Shravan Malhotra. Ok, she admitted that there were times she actually 'used' him- at the point of bullying him. But no one knew that inside was a scared little girl whose heart was beautiful and soft like a flower. Who was scared that she was left all alone. Her parents' death was the biggest shock of her life and since she had a mindset that no one would come forward to defend her in any kind of situation. No one was her own after her parents left. The world seemed cruel to her and so did
God. She was so vulnerable that she put up walls around her to never let the world see the real Suman. She was angry at how ironic her fate was and how God had played a cheap game with her. That was her mindset. She felt like she was put in a battle field and the whole world was against her. Everyday, every moment she counted and wished for her death. She would at times look up at the sky and question if her parents knew how hard it was to live without them. She would tell how she died thousand deaths still death didn't come to consume her. The tough headstrong girl was merely a camouflage and beneath
was a weak girl who was at times frightened of her surroundings and was unsure of her existence. She found it hard to understand if their was actually any place for her in the world. And so she decided to fight for herself. She was afraid of getting crushed. And the only way to escape was 'crushing' others. She knew she would be bullied in school for her being an orphan. So to prevent that, she became a bully herself. She joined the school's 'elites'. They had only one aim and that was to bully the 'non- elites' like hell. She was very much active on that part and soon she became 'famous' in the group. She was out of the fear of getting bullied.
Though she knew her so called 'friends' wouldn't think twice to even bully her if they got any chance. So she never let them have any. Even if they bullied her best friend 'the nerd'. In fact she joined them in full swing. She knew she was wrong. But she assured herself that she was doing all of that for 'self defense'. She had a right to do it. There's no need to feel guilty. That's what she kept saying to herself for the peace of mind.
Suman was brought out of her trance hearing her Nanu's voice
"Suman!"
"Coming Nanu!"
She hurried to the washroom and spilled water on her face; she looked pale. Ignoring it, she wiped her face with the towel hanging beside the sink and then without wasting a second, rushed to the living room.
Shravan was checking some important case files. As he finished the last one; he leaned on the couch and closed his eyes sighing in relief. Just a few seconds passed and his eyes flipped open
Ding Dong!
Who might be here at this time?
Shravan pushed himself up from the couch with a lazy groan. He opened the door and stood still at the doorstep. It took him a few seconds to process what to say. It was even possible that he was dreaming
"Erik?"
"Heyy buddy! Surprise!"
Shravan was really surprised. He wasn't expecting Erik of course. He smiled as his friend pulled him for a bro hug.
"I am actually surprised. What are you doing here?"
"I just felt like seeing you. So I'm here! I wasn't joking when I said I would pay a visit."
"I am so glad that you came. I missed you buddy."
"Me too man..."
Ding Dong!!
"Erik, sit. I'll just come ok?"
Shravan once again opened the
door.
Surprise number two! Suman!
Shravan's eyes flickered while Suman frowned
"What's your problem? Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"
"What are you doing here?"
Shravan asked in a rather uncertain voice.
"I came to meet Ramnath uncle."
"He isn't home."
"But Nanu told me that..."
"He was. He left for office half an hour ago."
"Shit!"
Suman rubbed her forehead out of frustration. Shravan's frown deepened
"Any problem?"
"Nothing that concerns you!"
Suman snapped in a sarcastic tone when another deep male voice grabbed her attention
"Shravan?"
Suman's gaze shifted from Shravan to the young man approaching them. She could tell he was of Shravan's age.
"Erik.."
Shravan was going to say something but stopped midway as he caught Erik staring at Suman and vice versa.
Erik waved his hand and flashed a sweet smile
"Hi, I am Erik. Shravan's friend and colleague."
Suman admitted that any girl would have an instant crush on him. He was so handsome! But not as much as Shravan...
Wait! Where did that come from? Behave Suman! No more Shravan!
Now where she was? Oh Erik! What about him? Of course!
Suman's gaze studied his features. He had blue eyes, his deep brown hair combed neatly. He was in a casual attire- grey jacket, black shirt and jeans. She continued staring at him like a fool even when he approached her and held up his hand towards her for a shake.
Suman was still in her 'hypnotised' state. Erik slightly tilted his head; amused. As if he was obvious that he had an effect on her. That gesture seemed to bring Suman out of her zone. She blushed instead of getting embarrassed when she noticed Erik observing her with a flirty smirk on his beautiful face. She shook his hand; didn't even bother to pull away when he kept his firm grip. Their stance was interrupted when Shravan cleared his throat. Their eye lock broke but hands were still joined. Shravan coughed eyeing their joined hands. Erik understood this time that his friend was trying to grab attention. He smiled
"Won't you introduce me to this beautiful lady buddy?"
Shravan again coughed. "Excuse me?" He wanted to say aloud.
"Of course, she is Suman. A... friend."
"I see."
Erik smiled as he turned towards Suman once again
"I must say that you have a lovely friend."
Suman flashed a shy smile in reply
"I should go. I'm getting late. It was nice to meet you."
"Pleasure's all mine Suman. See you soon."
Erik kept on staring at her until she was out of sight. Shravan slightly touched his arm and signaled him to take a seat and breathed a sigh of relief when his friend finally acknowledged his presence.
Suman thought she saw Shravan's jaw clench and body stiffen when she shook Erik's hand. But why would that happen? Maybe she was
just imagining the whole thing. She didn't know why she sighed but that was the last thing she did before leaving Malhotra house.
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
