I Love U ( Rishbala OS)

There I sat, across the room from RK. I couldn't help but stare. I wanted him so bad. But he was with her. Her, being my best friend, Dipali. It was completely my fault, so I tell myself, no matter how much I would like to blame this all on her, but it didn't feel entirely right to do so. He liked me too, or used to, until Dips swooped in and snatched him up for herself. I could always tell she liked him too. But not as much as I. I've been in love with him since the day we met. I know it's cheesy to say, but those things can be true. We became friends quickly, just friends. That was the problem. Up until the day he declared his love for me during lunch in the cafeteria at our school, Lincoln High, it hasn't been the same between us ever since. I turned him down. I panicked. I didn't know what to do, so instead I ran off in the opposite direction, leaving RK at his knees with a bouquet of flowers-- humiliated. I regret that day more and more I think about it. But that was almost a year ago. Dips and RK have been together for 4 months now. I couldn't believe it myself.

At least RK doesn't completely ignore me. I mean, he acknowledges my presence... most of the time. That's something... right? Right?

I hear Dips giggling, which is only painful and annoying for me. It also snaps me back to reality. A place I don't really want to be. RK and I make eye contact, almost for too long. His eyes look longing, but I'm sure it's really just the look of "being in love".

I observe for another minute, and RK almost looks... annoyed. Not with me, but with Dips. The way she always drapes herself all over him, I can only imagine his pain and annoyance. I would feel the same way if I were in his size 11 Vans. I feel sorry for him. I can surely say that if we were together, --ouch, that's hurts to think about-- but I would give him space. Guys need their space. I know.

RK quickly stands up from his seat, leaving dips sitting there, with a confused expression on her face. I look away, trying not to look obvious. But out of the corner of my eye, I see him approaching. Me. Uh-oh. Or is it an uh-oh? He hasn't approached me in, I don't know how long. I'm not sure what to think, or what to do. But I can't sprint off in the other direction. Not again. I couldn't do that to him.

"Hey Madhu." RK says. His warm smile melt my heart.

"Oh, umm. Hey, RK" My cheeks felt warm, which could only mean I was blushing.

"How are you?" What is he doing? Starting up a conversation with me? Was he trying to piss off dips? Because I know for a fact she cannot stand him talking to me unless she's there with him, and he only gets to be on the sidelines of our conversation, like fake-laughing at dips not-so-funny jokes. Pathetic and selfish, I know. But that's the way she is.

"I'm good," I say. "I guess..."

"Really, madhu how have you been?" Could he tell how much I was suffering all along? And now he's taking this moment, when we're not even alone, to approach me about it?

"Who cares how I feel, what about you? I hurt you and humiliated you. I'm the one to be asking you."

"I care, madhu "Why? I'm a terrible person for what I did, and now I have suffer the consequences."

"You are not a terrible person, don't say that." RK assures me, placing his warm hand on my bare arm. It only sets off unforgotten emotions I've been trying to forget for months. He really isn't helping.

I hesitated. M:"Why are you being so nice to me?"

RK:"Why do I have reason not to be?"

M:"Because of what I did--" He cut me off before I could continue.

RK:"Stop saying that! That was the past. I want you now, madhu. I never stopped wanting you!"

The room fell silent. Everyone stared. rk had said that much to loudly. I could only imagine the expression on dips face now.

Rk's expression wasn't much better. He had just realized what he said and how loud he had said it. Everyone in this room was in shock. Especially me.

Before I could find the words to say, dips was already stomping her way over to us.

Her hands were curled into fists. Her face red with anger. What was about to happen?

Di:"Did you just SAY what I THINK you said?!" She demanded to rk. He looked scared to answer, because his answer wasn't what she wanted it to be, and we could all bet on that.

"I.. umm. Listen, dips She cut him off.

D:"No! You are not doing this to me! Not to ME!" She yells. "Guys do NOT do this to Dips." Now she's talking about herself in a third person. This is never good.

dips I've been meaning to talk to you about--"

"No!! I don't want to hear it! If you want to be with that, then so be it! I. Am. Done."

She means with being humiliated. And what did she just call me? I thought we were best friends. Oh wait, we stopped being best friends when she stole the guy I've had my eyes set on for two years. Not that she would care.

Before she let anyone speak another word, she storms out of the room, her face the color of a red Ferrari.

There was an awkward silence in the room. No one knew what to say next.

"Well," I began, chuckling a little, "That was something."

"She is something..." He laughed.

"So what now?" I asked hesitantly.

"This." He said, as he reached for my arms and pulled me in. Then he tenderly kissed my cherry glossed lips. I felt a tugging in my heart. The good kind of tugging, though. This time, it was good. Very good.

X The End X