Teasing, poking, pushing and shoving became a habit. Giggles and smirks a usual. Standing up for each other and helping out in all situations, a practice. Both of us really enjoyed the company.
As things were going fine there came a day.
Teacher's day celebration.
I still remember the day so crystal clear for I gave my first ever live performance. I played a musical piece on stage in front of my teachers and a thousand students. The biggest achievement or recognition that I could possibly get back then.
I was so very elated and full of glee that I was flying high above on the sky. As we made it to class, she pinched. Until that day I never gave back what she did to me. I never went physical with her.
The far that I went was throw in a few words at her for what she did or said. But this day I was so lost in the mood that I pinched back.
She came back again with a pat. "Stop it. Or I will make it up to you."
I hustled up. "No. You won't!"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Cause you'r my friend and you never hit back at me for what I do to you."
she smirked. "But I will now. You will get back exactly what you give to me."
I bossed. "Oh! Really?" her grinning continued "Try me."
A pat on the back followed. And I gave her the same. A pinch on my hand, she did get her own as well. A poke with the pencil, and she was repaid with a knock on her head.
The hustle and tussle continued for a while, as if we were some heavy weight boxers, trading punches to win the world championship. It reached a vantage point, when she shoved me. I in turn pushed her. Only for her to get slipped and hit on the window pane nearby.
Before I could realize the stupidity, she went heads down weeping. And the chorus of fellow brats echoed. "Miss….. Erick pushed Anaisha, Miss!" hissed the entire brats bunch who were sitting next to us in unison.
Now that's something to really worry about. One moment you are appreciated by your teacher for doing a good show and next you're going to be yelled for doing something stupid.
"Shhhh! Quite everyone" pacified the teacher. "Anshu come here" she pointed out to her to come forward.
"Please don't complain to miss. I promise a double candy tomorrow" I pleaded. I literally was on my knees to be precise. But little did she care about all that. Moved to my teacher and the entire narration begun.
"Lawrence is this what you do to your friend?" cried aloud the teacher. "Say sorry to her now."
Say sorry? I literally pleaded to her just moments ago. And she went up to my teacher to make me say sorry? Still, "Sorry" I murmured.
"Loud and clear." the teacher insisted.
"SORRY!" I shrieked.
She was elated that instant. A wink and a smirk on face, as she sat beside me as if she had accomplished the impossible. I was into so much of despair, over the fact she made me a sorry figure in front of my class.
And so it was my turn to weep. Guess we wanted to be even, even in crying. Bell rang instantly and freed me from despair of crying in front of everyone. One by one everyone left until I was left with my then buddies, who came over only to enquire rather than console. They too left. It really felt bad to earn a reputation of being a brute to a girl. That too against someone like her. It kept me lamenting even more.