CHRISTY AND I

I am not sure how to react exactly to her comment. She said, “Ooh, look at her distributing sweets for her brother’s wedding. Maybe she will treat us for hers soon too” and then fake laughed with the rest of them. Christy is not exactly my nemesis, neither she is my friend. We enjoy each other's company until we can no longer tolerate each other. Everyone in between is a noise. 

 

“Oh, Christy! See who's talking. The one who couldn't convince her parents to attend a ‘friend’s’ family function,” I stress the word friend and draw quotation in the air with my fingers. “You know my sister-in-law is exactly like that. She couldn't convince her parents against this marriage.” I realise it's wrong to bring Aliza into our feud but now I find no other way out. “At this rate, you could turn into someone’s daughter-in-law soon too. Watch out,” I smirk, and her face turns ashen. That's exactly what I intend to see on that face.

 

The rest of them boo and her face turns red. Unlike other days, she doesn't fight me. She walks away with her sweet in hand. This is strange because Christy isn't the type that would let go. She is a fighter, a combat. She is not someone who would skip an opportunity to put me down. But now she has moved away, and it makes me wonder what is coming next. Has she accepted defeat early or is there something waiting for me behind this silence? 

 

The blackboard is too far from where I am, I almost can't see anything except a few strokes of white against the dark background. I resort to Nivi who is sitting next to me. I copy from her notebook whatever she is copying from the board. And in between gaps, I turn to look towards Christy. She looks grumpy half the time, and I feel guilty. I develop this intense urge to switch seats next to her to apologise for being mean. But I know she wouldn't be convinced.

 

As I turn back to look at her again, I notice her gaze towards me momentarily fixed on me. But averts as soon as I make contact with them. Was she really looking at me or am I imagining? I try to make her look at me again, but I seem to be failing. She looks unperturbed and sincere in listening to our teacher, unlike when she usually holds grudges. So, she might not be holding one against me, after all. 

 

“Hey, do you want to take note of this? I am moving on to the next page,” Nivi whispers and I force my attention towards her. I see I have missed a good number of lines, and I might as well be stopping her from moving forward. “Sorry, I was not paying attention.” I apologise and she nods understandingly.

“I can see what's wrong. You miss her, isn't it?” She asks as she keeps jotting down point after point without even looking at me.

“No, no. Not at all. I am just sorry that I hurt her,” I admit. “And a bit worried about how she might get back at me.”

Nivi scoffs but manages to keep writing all along. “But I don't see anything of that sort. If anything, you both miss the bond you used to share. It's written on your faces,” she says, and I fear if that's the truth. I look at her intently as she holds the page in the air for me to copy while she starts writing on the next one. 

I take one last look at Christy and resume writing but with less intent than before. “Thanks,” I whisper to Nivi, and she opens her mouth to tell me something. But a glimpse of something rock solid takes over before hitting me in the head. 

“Sara! Nivi!” The voice screams. “Both of you, here.” We look around frantically and notice that the whole class is glaring at us. 

“Tell me what I was saying a few minutes ago,” she yells, her feral eyes fixed on us. We both stand up clumsily. I wipe the traces of chalk from my face and nod my head implying no. Nivi does the same when it's her turn. 

“Out! Both of you, now!” my teacher screams at the top of her voice and we both hang our heads in shame. Before walking out, I give one final glance at Christy, and she seems all smirky as if it's a win that she should celebrate. I don't think I can ever forget that look on her face. We are even now. 

This is a part of Blogchatter A2Z 2025 

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