Salt and Pepper- The Quirky love story

PART-1

She was beautiful, not by the Miss India standards but she was above all girls of the village. She had a bright flawless skin, not the milk-like supple skin like the girls of the village, her’s was dark, but it was the softest I would ever come across. She had bright doe-like eyes that would shine whenever I got her piping hot jalebis. She was a ball of glee and jolliness. She did look like a ball, yes she was chubby. But she was cute, not by daily soap standards, but cute enough to break the wall of my impenetrable heart. Yes, she is my best friend, Khushi. Or rather was.

And then there is me, the average village guy, average hair, less-than-average face structure, ever-present stubble on my face. Yes, I was the average-est guy of the town. Hi, I am Kush. And here is how Khushi became my best friend to something I can never define.

I vividly remember that day when it was my first day at the new school in class 12^th because I just transferred that year. I was late, well the only person who was late. I stood there observing the lush greenery around. When I saw a girl, my girl, walking towards me. She extended her hand and said ‘Hi’, with a dazzling smile on her face. The brown color of her skin accentuated her smile. I shook hands with her, and something inside me felt complete. Brushing away these mushy thoughts on the first day, I walked with her to the classroom. She talked continuously, her magical sweet voice creating havoc on my senses. And that was my Khushi.

With time I drew closer to her. I found myself crying to her, laughing with her, sharing secrets, playing, exchanging comforts with her. These activities were never done by me, and especially not with someone else. But with her, it seemed just at place. For the wonderful person she was, it was a shocking revelation to me that she had no friends except me. I asked her the reason one day and this is what happened.

‘Hi, Kush. India won yesterday. I won the bet, when are you getting me the jalebis?’ she said.

‘Why doesn’t anyone talk to you?’ I said.

‘You know we have a school leave tomorrow. Thank God, I’ll get finally get some rest.’

‘Don’t ignore my question. Why don’t you have friends?’

‘I do have friends…’

‘Yeah, books and stray dogs don’t come under the category of friends.’

‘I have you. I don’t need anyone else.’ She said holding my palm between hers for warmth. It felt good, but I had serious matters at hand.

‘You are a great person Khushi. You must have more friends. Why don’t you have any other friends except me? You don’t deserve me. And moreover you are hiding something from me I know.’

‘Kush, what has gone into your head? Why are you behaving so weird today?’ she said taking back her hands creating distance between us.

‘Stop.Lying.And.Tell.Me.What.Is.Wrong?’

‘Okay. LISTEN TO ME KUSH. I don’t have friends because they find me ugly. I don’t have milk like fair skin. I don’t have the quintessential hourglass body. I am a nerd. And nobody ever thinks of talking to me because apparently me being dark is a curse. You were the first friend I had. And ever will. I AM A CURSE, BECAUSE EVERYONE THINKS SO. DO YOU GET THAT? I AM UGLY. Happy after knowing this? Now go or the curse will get to you too. Go!’ She said, as her legs gave away and she sank on the ground with her face in her palms and body jerking as she broke out into tears.

After a few minutes she looked up at me with her eyes full of grief from her reopened wound and mine in astonishment at the gory revelation I just came to know. That very instant I knew. Her tears were the only weakness I’ll ever have.