She chose not to choose you. She chose the right way; she chose her way. If choosing her way is a crime; she admits that she is a criminal. If choosing her way is opposed; she is ready to face the opposition. If choosing her way is adhering to her principles; she fears none of that.
Lights gleamed and she woke up with fresh energy and was excited to meet her best friends after a busy year. Her job dampened her day by day and she was so relieved that there was no longer the job schedule that gripped her. She chooses to hurriedly finish her breakfast and waited for the cab to arrive. Adjusting her sunglasses and the pink scarf she comforted herself and followed the GPS to reach Sunny’s place. She remained nostalgic about the good old days and suddenly the car came to a screeching halt. “Maam, Your destination has arrived. You have to pay Rs 120” the Ola driver remarked.
She headed to the fourth floor with exuberance and rang the bell. Gaurav unlatched the door and his happiness knew no bounds. She hugged him and went into the kitchen to tickle Sunny which was their common gesture of meeting. Sunny was struggling through the “Paneer Burji” recipe and frustratingly gave it to Gaurav who was an Engineer cum chef of their group. Her eyes searching for Hina who ditched them at the last moment. Gaurav cheered her up and they three started playing “NFS” on X-box. Music followed games; delicious paneer bhurji followed the music and iced chilled vodka followed bhurji. Conversations saw no ending and their drinks added to their openheartedness. Sunny vent down emotions on his recent breakup, Gaurav on his struggle to manage his own business, and for her it was to face her family dilemmas lull before the storm.
Her head started reeling and she rested her head on the sofa. The drinks had pumped up more blood in her body and she felt so relaxed after a very long time. Gaurav was busy doing dishes in the kitchen while Sunny’s eyes staring at her. He finds solace in her beauty and was attracted to the smile she gave him. He came closer to her and moved his hand on her cheeky lips. Her eyes were closing suddenly and vodka ran faster down her veins. Sunny pushed himself closer to her which she could faintly notice. She gently pushed him away and turned to the other side.
Meanwhile, Gaurav opened the refrigerator and his eyes sparkled seeing some pints of beer remaining of last night. He carried the beer and moved to the dining hall. His eyes got fixated with how Sunny was trying to kiss her and Gaurav also joined him in the flow. He moved to the other side and could see how she was struggling amidst her sluggish body and trying to force herself away from Sunny. Gaurav tried to grab the jeans she wore and slipped his hands through them. She turned restlessly and pushed his hand forcefully. But he saw no ending and tried to plunge deeper and deeper. The disagreeable touch made her more anxious and chills ran down her spine. Sunny tried to grab her lips and roll down his tongue, ignoring the uneasiness her gestures were portraying. She pushed and shoved them innumerable times and her eyes, trying to catch the light and open up to the reality. Her subliminal mind driving her to take action and not be victimized and mistreated.
She drove the fork, lying in front of her, upwards with one powerful thrust and suddenly slipped herself from beneath to move away from them. She pointed the fork towards them and somehow took the grip & balanced herself on the floor. Her head was still reeling, but this time it was not Vodka but the fear & insecurity which were blooming in her. She shrieked with anger “Open the door, right now or else I will call the neighbors”
Sunny started sweating and told her to calm down and wanted one chance to explain everything out. She refused to listen to them and screeched in sheer trepidation. Sunny is fearing if the neighbors hear all this out, his parents would surely make a cremation for him right here in his place. He moved towards the door and entered the passcode to unlock it. She made a dart for the door and impatiently skipped and ran through the staircase. Gaurav flushed with fear didn’t expect the situation to take turns so pathetically.
She hurriedly sat in the rickshaw and started crying profusely. She could never imagine her best friends taking advantage of her being subconscious where she always used to feel so safe and protective. She touched herself and felt so disgusting with each touch she made. Her mind couldn’t let go of the touch they made which had no consent of hers. She closed herself in her room and the mirror continuously reminded her of her bearing. Memories can fade, but not the feelings. But what mattered that she chose to take charge of the situation. She chose to act; she chose to move; she chose to decide. She chose not to choose you.
