Chapter 2 My Epic (Fake) Breakup Story

I leaned a little closer to the mirror as I put on mascara, when I heard a knock on the door. "Come in,"

I turned my head towards the door only to find my mother walk in. She hesitantly smiled at me but I looked away. Taking a sigh, she walked over and stood near me while admiring me do my thing.

I felt annoyed at her for staring as it was making me anxious but I chose to ignore her. I sighed looking down at the pendant in my hand as I struggled to put it on.

"Let me help you," my mom said walking towards me.

"No, I can help myself." I said abruptly making her face fall. She watched me struggle to put on the pendant for a few seconds before coming forward to help me even though I told her not to. But I did not resist this time as she helped me put on the pendant.

"Let me see--" she said turning me around to have a look at my appearance. "--Wow! You look so gorgeous, as always." she adored me, holding my hands.

To be honest, I actually looked pretty good. For a person who has no experience with makeup, I had done a pretty good job.

The V-neck, forest green colour gown hugged my figure perfectly, showing off my curves. The rose gold pendant around my neck and the rose gold bracelet(that I stole from Harpreet) dangling from my wrist, added glory to my look. The dress had a slit on one side, showing off my recently waxed leg.

"Thanks," I looked everywhere but her face.

She eyed me before keeping her hands on my shoulder. "Honey, I'm sorry. I know that you hate changing places but we don't have any other choice."

"I could stay in a hostel," I mumbled quietly.

She smiled. "You could, but it would make me feel anxious.... But with your aunt, I would know that you are safe." I looked down, biting my lip. "Your dad is always busy with his business tours and I don't want to leave this opportunity."

I took a deep sigh. I was tired of hearing the same thing again and again. I knew that now it's too late for anything to change but I still couldn't fully accept it.

She cupped my cheek. "It's difficult for me too, honey, but life is never going to be easy. We'll have to struggle to get what we want." she held my hand, as if promising something. "Please don't think of me as a bad mom. I love you, more than my life. That is why I'm sending you to my sister. I'm sure she is gonna take care of you just like your own mother. I know that you are sad because you'll have to leave your friends behind, but trust me, you will love it there." she reassured.

As I looked up at my mom's face, I felt a feeling of guilt creep into me. "It's okay, mom. I'm sorry, I'm acting like this but don't worry, I'll take care of myself. I'll be fine. And I would never think of you as a bad mom. You are the best mom in the world for me."

"Oh honey, come here." she wrapped her arms around me.

"Don't worry, sweetheart, Trisha, would be there to help you settle." she said making me roll my eyes so hard that it hurt.

☘ ☘ ☘

My eyes lit up in excitement upon entering the hall. The theme of this year's dance was enchanted forest. The beautiful decoration along with the soothing music made the environment so pleasant and nice. I, Harpreet and Palak squeezed ourselves through the crowd, while taking in our surroundings.

I have heard somewhere that prom is about making memories, and the nerdy girl breaking up with the most popular guy in school and that too on the night of the dance, is sure going to be something no one's going to forget over the years.

'Well, this is going to be a hell of a night.' I thought

"I need to find, Abhi. I have got to talk to him." I told my friends.

"Yeah, you do." Harpreet asseverated. I smiled at her, indicating that I am fine before disappearing into the crowd.

Just as Abhi had told me, I found him chatting with his friends near the photo booth. My eyes traveled to Shagun, chatting with her friends in a corner. She looked so royal in the pink color, one side off shoulder dress. No wonder Abhi is crazy after her.

Taking a deep breath, I took long strides towards him, showing I was vexed. Just as we had expected, everyone I passed by on my way, had their eyes on me and specially, Shagun. Actually, her eyes were always on me ever since I started dating her ex.

"Hey, babe," Abhi smiled as I reached him. "Everything okay?" he kept his hand on my shoulder, concerned.

"No, everything is not okay," I pulled his hand away, making a serious face.

He looked around as if feeling embarrassed by everyone's stares. "Let's talk somewhere else,"

"No. I am not going anywhere." I said sternly and he narrowed his eyes at me. "Why didn't you come pick me up?" I crossed my arms.

His expressions changed. "I...."

"Its okay--" I raised my hand, telling him to stop. "--let me answer that for you. You did not come, because you don't care anymore."

"No, of course not. I do care."

"Oh, please!" I scoffed. "Enough of your lies... You think I haven't noticed you have been acting weird? And I know the reason why." I glanced at Shagun and she rolled her eyes, looking away.

He sighed, looking around at the crowd gathering around us. "You are right. I thought that I could handle long distance, but I can't, okay?... I'm gonna miss you so much. And just the thought that I will not be able to hold you in my arms is breaking my heart." his eyes were moist and for a moment I thought he was actually telling the truth.

'Wow. What is he doing here, he should be in movies.' I thought.

"But you don't care, right? You think only about yourself. You think just you are hurting, I'm not?" It was my cue for another dialogue but I zoned out seeing the moisture in his eyes.

'Is he really just acting? When did he get so good at it?' I thought.

"Is that what you think?" he said trying to help me come back to reality.

I blinked once before taking a hold of myself. "How dare you?... How dare you say that?... Stop acting as if you actually love me! Cause you don't. You have only been using me for your own selfish reasons. I was always just a rebound to you and nothing else... The truth is that you are still in love with that mean girl, Shagun." I said loud enough for everyone to hear, getting a collective gasp out of everyone. People around us started gossiping, already.

He made a face as if my words hurt him. "Yeah, okay, fine! I am! And don't call her that!" he pointed his finger at me before keeping his hand on his waist in exhaustion.

Honestly for a fake break up, this was pretty intense. But who am I to say, the writer and the director of this whole scene is Abhi. So it's on him. And knowing that he's a little over dramatic, you can understand.

"But I still cared for you." he looked up at me.

I scoffed. "You don't get it, right? I don't want your care!" I choked. "This does not work like this. You don't date someone just because you care for them. Love is important.... and I think that there is no love in this relationship." my eyes were literally getting watery.

"What do you mean?" he said as if afraid of what I was going to say next.

"I mean, thank you, Mr. Abhimanyu Sinha, for taking care of me--" I took a deep sigh, looking away before looking back at him. "--but I think... you would be better off without me... Or, you would be better with, Shagun." a tear rolled down my cheek.

Damn , I'm a good actress.

"You can't be serious," he shook his head.

"Guess what, I am. This is what you wanted, right? I'm just making things easier for you. You deserve, Shagun, not me. You love her. And I'm not saying this because I'm hurt, I mean it. You and I, we never made sense. It's better to be just friends." I took a deep sigh. "Good bye," I turned around and walked away, tears flowing down my cheeks.

☘ ☘ ☘

"Water?" Palak passed me the bottle of water, taking a seat beside me on the couch.

"You're okay?" she questioned, patting my back.

"Never been better," I said slowly. It was partly true, because there was no reason to be sad. I was actually relieved that it was finally over. No more death stares from Shagun. No more being the center of attention. No more lying and pretending. I wasn't sad because of the break up, I was just exhausted. I don't get how people fight for real, my energy has drained even after a fake fight.

"It's okay. He didn't deserve you anyways. And remember what I said about your Prince Charming?" Harpreet smiled causing me to look up at her. She was sitting beside me. "Maybe this is for good,"

"I hope," I smiled back at her.

"Am I interrupting something?" Karan appeared in front of us.

"Nope." I smiled.

"Then, can I have a dance with you?" he placed his hand out in front of Palak, waiting patiently for her to grab it.

There was a moment of silence and I felt so bad for Karan. He must be feeling so embarrassed, but who told him to do such thing in the first place. He knows very well that Palak will never.....

My jaw dropped in surprise or shock -- I am not sure -- when Palak placed her hand gently in his hand.

"When did this happen?" I said, shocked.

"It's not a big deal. We're just going to dance. Stop staring." she said but it did not stop me nor Harpreet from giggling in amusement.

Palak stared at us with a flat face as if we were some sort of insane people on run from the mental asylum before walking away with Karan.

"I need to record this unbelievable moment. I'll be back." Harpeet said before going after them. I giggled before shaking my head at her.

'I'm soooo going to miss them.' I thought.

☘ ☘ ☘

"You sure you are fine, right?" Sonal asked as I filled my plate, near the buffet.

"Yes, just go and enjoy."

"Okay," I stared at her figure as she disappeared into the crowd.

As I was about to look away, my eyes caught Abhi dancing with Shagun in the middle of the crowd.

Abhi's one hand was wrapped around Shagun's waist while the other was holding her hand. And Shagun's free hand was on Abhi's shoulder. They both were laughing and chatting about something, maybe about getting back together. I felt so relieved seeing that our plan worked. Abhi seemed happy and really that is what I wanted.

'Shit, I'm gonna miss this dumbhead too.' I thought.

Even though he made me do so many stupid things but still I'll never forget the time I have spent with him.