T. Heart of stone

I am drinking tea, I have no idea what's happening to these people. Everyone is angry with me, everyone is upset.

I asked, "Why aren't you all having breakfast?" Vishwas sitting my side.

Shraddha said, "I know that you and Vishwas..." (takes a breath). Before she could finish, Kailash interrupted, "I also knew about you and Vishwas... but..."

Vishwas asked, "Me and Divya?"

Kailash replied, "I thought you liked me."

I asked, "Who are you all talking about? Me?" Everyone stared at Kailash, confused.

Vishwas said, "Kailash, I was first in line. This is unfair."

I continued drinking tea, thinking, Are they talking about me? Or Shraddha with someone else?

Shraddha asked, "Then what about last day?"

Kailash said, "I was trying to make her jealous." who? her?

I thought, What's not wrong? These people have gone crazy. And why is Shraddha so quiet?

Shraddha said, "I can understand, but Divya, you can't do this with Vishwas without even asking me?"

Everyone started talking at once. Vishwas said, "I was first in line." Kailash added, "You were jealous. admit it."

I shouted, "Shut up! What are you all talking about? I don't understand anything! Jealousy? Love? Friendship, Fuckship? What's going on? Let me clear it up for everyone, Vishwas came to my bed last night just to sleep. Listen to the whole storyyy! and I kicked him out."

Vishwas confirmed, "Yeah, that's exactly what happened. What did you all think?"

Shraddha and Kailash exchanged glances before Shraddha asked Kailash, "Tea?"

"Order toast as well," Kailash replied.

I asked, "So, everything's back to normal? Wow."

Vishwas asked, "Yeah, normal?"

I glared at him and said, "What are you asking? Were you also in line? Were you getting 'prasad' or something?"

Vishwas laughed, "No, but the truth is, if you had to give someone a chance, it would've been me. But you don't have feelings for anyone."

The tea arrived, and after taking a bite of toast, Kailash said, "What? Divya never has feelings for anyone? Not even for a favorite actor or actress?"

"No!" I replied firmly.

Kailash teased, "You have a heart of stone."

"Yes, think of it that way," I replied.

Shraddha asked, "How does it feel to reject people?"

I countered, "How does it feel for you?"

Shraddha stared at her tea and said, "I wish! If only I had a chance. I once wrote a letter and secretly placed it in a boy's bag in 9th grade, with my name on it. It took so much courage, but he threw it in the dustbin..." She sipped her tea again.

Kailash added, "Actually, my life is similar. No one rejected me, but I never had the courage to confess."

I said, "I'm sorry."

Vishwas interrupted, "I've been get rejected more than both of you, and by the same person! My story is full of sadness too. Say sorry to me, Divya."

I rolled my eyes, "You've started again? I'll divorce you in a day."

Kailash laughed, "He clings to people and never lets them go easily. That's Vishwas." Vishwas seemed proud, but everyone else laughed.

Shraddha asked Kailash, "So it's true? You did it out of jealousy?"

I asked, "Kailash, was the jealousy for me, or are you still hiding the truth?"

Kailash's eyes widened as if caught, "No! I love you." Vishwas quickly added, "I love you first!"

I looked at Shraddha, and she said angrily, "Reject them!" Her tone was scary.

Kailash asked, "Shraddha, do you also want to join us? Shraddha, we can adjust. Wait, do you like me?"

Shraddha formal smiled and looked into my eyes, "It doesn't matter. I do not want be rejected again."

I said, "Kailash, stop joking. I'm going to my room." I stood up and started walking, lost in thought. I bumped into someone, and my room key fell from my hand. I bent down to pick it up, and they said, "Sorry."

"You?" person asked.

"Excuse me?" person replied.

"Do you recognize me?" she asked, wearing a suit, her hair open, and a smile on her face.

"No," I replied, trying hard to remember.

"I'm your school friend, Teena."

"Teena? You're the one who used to give me relationship tips? They called you 'Lady Love Guru' in class. You never had a relationship yourself but gave advice to everyone."

"Yes, that's me. I still do the same, never been in a relationship but still give advice. Relationships are useless."

I sighed in relief, "I feel the same way."

Just then, Shraddha walked in and said, "Divya, give me the keys. I'm moving into your room."

"Why? Didn't things work out with Kailash? Wait... meet her. She is Teena, my classmate and Love Guru."

"Hi, Teena," Shraddha greeted her.

Teena looked at Shraddha and said, "You're famous on Instagram! You make great paintings. Haven't you ever made a portrait of someone?"

Shraddha smiled, "No, I never felt like it. It seems boring."

Teena replied, "I have a gallery, and I need a school memory portrait. Can you help me?"

"Sure, but I don't understand," Shraddha replied.

"I will pay you a BIG amount! But the portrait has to be of someone specific," Teena clarified.

"Then give me your photo of someone from your school," Shraddha said.

Teena stopped her, "Not mine. I want Divya's portrait."

I exclaimed, "No! My face isn't worth hanging on a wall. Stop joking."

Teena smiled, holding my hand, "This is the project of my life. All the paintings are ready except yours. My entire school memory gallery project depends on you. Please say yes. I'll pay you. Until the portrait is finished, you'll quit your job and work for me. Name your price."

"Price?" I asked.

"Look, I can't pay more than 10..."

"Rupees?"

"Lakhs," she replied. I felt like having a heart attack. She was offering to pay me just to sit around.

Teena said, "Finally, I found you. I tried so hard to get your picture and number, but God helped me."

I asked, "Okay, but is Shraddha ready?"

Shraddha said, "Yes!"

Vishwas and Kailash were called in. Vishwas said, "If you want to leave this trip to work on Teena's project, fine. But after the trip..." We are in some random Cafe, I should drag a chair.

Teena grabbed Vishwas's hand, "I didn't want to do this, but I had no choice. I searched so hard for Divya."

Kailash asked, "What is this project? And why is Divya so important?"

I was dragging a chair to sit down while everyone else stood and talked. As I was about to sit, Teena said, "She's my first crush. How can she not be important?" I fell straight to the ground instead of sitting on the chair. Teena rushed to help me.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

Shraddha looked at me, not smiling as if something was eating her up inside.