Half Girlfriend

her hand was wrong, she only mentioned my mother.
‘She’s asleep,’ I said.
I entwined my fingers with hers. She didn’t protest.
I turned my face towards hers. She freed her hand and slid a few
inches away.
‘Hey, you want to do speech rehearsals here? Its a good place to do
it,’ she said. It is unique, the grace with which girls can deflect
situations and topics.
‘Not now, I’m tired,’ I said.
‘Should we go downstairs then?’ Riya said, all innocence.
I looked into her eyes. She understood that look. We had shared it
years ago in college.
I leaned forward, my lips an inch from hers.
‘No, Madhav, no,’ she said and gently placed her hand on my
chest. However, she didn’t push me away Her fingers were directly
over my heart, I leaned back a bit.
‘Why not?’ I said,
‘We agreed to be just friends, No more.’
'Why not?’
‘Don’t ask the same question twice.’
‘I can try twice.’
I leaned over again. This time, she pushed me back.
’Don’t do this. Please,’
Her eyes were wet. I withdrew.
’Can we at lease talk?’ I said, Losers get words from girls; winners
get kisses, ‘We are talking.’
‘Are you worried about your dad?’
‘Among other things,’
‘Which you won’t share with me,’
‘Madhav, you are a nice guy. An amazing guy, okay?’
‘If you say so,’ I said,
‘But,’
‘There’s always a “but"'