“What’s in a look?”, thought a shy and introvert Apeksha, who had just recovered from her inferiority complex.

“I am not the ugliest girl in the whole world and if so, why did he respond to me?”Similarly, innumerable questions arose in young17 years old  Apeksha’s mind                                               At School :Apeksha- “hello” Rohan- “hi there” Apeksha- “Actually, I have come to your class to give you a chocolate for it’s my birthday today. Rohan-” Wow great!, happy birthday Apeksha… tell me what gift you want from me? “Apeksha – ” No, actually, your big smile shall be a great gift for me “Rohan-” A big smile only? “Apeksha-” Yes” (blushed) Rohan- “Okay”

Both Apeksha and Rohan were elated, and laughed heartily. But little was known to them that, their happiness was constantly envied.                               

 At Home:

Apeksha- “hello Rohan, remember me?” Rohan –  “Sorry, but who’s this?” Apeksha –  “Apeksha, if you remember. The one who came to your class and asked for your WhatsApp number.” Rohan- “ohhh!! Apeksha! I see…. Apeksha-” how are you? “Rohan-” Fine, Apeksha. How are you?” Apeksha- “I am fine too. Ummmm…. Rohan… If you don’t mind, I just wanted to tell you something.”Rohan-” Yup, Apeksha! Tell me, be free.” Apeksha- “Rohan…. Actually…. I…. I……. Rohan-” Tell me Apeksha,have you got a new crush at your new school?? “Apeksha-” No… It’s not that… I wanted to say… Rohan, I like you very much, my heart beats faster whenever I approach you.”

For that day, Apeksha suddenly went offline and the conversation between Apeksha and Rohan, was upto here. The following day, while studying, Apeksha remembered Rohan, throughout. After,  anyhow completing her homework, she hurriedly picked her Papa’s cellphone. Being a student of standard 11, Apeksha did not yet have a cellphone of her own. Apeksha was scrolling through her father’s Facebook profile when suddenly a message, popped up on the screen. To her utter surprise, it was a message from Rohan.

Rohan- “hello Apeksha.” Apeksha- “hi Rohan.”Rohan-” Are you free right now??… Could we have a conversation, if you don’t mind? “Apeksha-” Sure Rohan. My pleasure… Rohan- “Apeksha, yesterday you just told me that your heart beats faster, whenever you approach me.”Apeksha-” Yes Rohan. I…. I told you as a friend only…. Rohan- “Apeksha… May I know, why does it beat faster?? And what exactly do you feel like doing??” Apeksha- “Rohan, I don’t feel like doing anything, exactly.”Rohan-” Apeksha…. Listen. Will you be honest to me?… “Apeksha-” Rohan, I really don’t understand what you are saying.”Rohan- “Listen, Apeksha. Have you ever felt like being intimate with me?” Apeksha- “No…. I swear Rohan, I have never ever felt so…” Rohan- “Relax, Apeksha…. Just tell me one thing. Why are you so afraid?” Apeksha- “I swear,, I swear Rohan. I shall never provoke you to do anything objectionable…”Rohan-” Apeksha, being intimate is not something objectionable… I am just trying to make you frank.””Apeksha, I give you a small challenge. I know that you really have feelings for me. But I shall be sure only if you send me a private picture of yours!!.  Apeksha- “Rohan…. Trust me I really love you… But…. I cannot go to such an extent!! I have my parents… Rohan-” Do not worry, Apeksha…. The matter shall stay within us and only and only us.”Apeksha- “Rohan, are you sure that you won’t make it viral?” Rohan- “No dear. Do not worry at all…just show me.”

It was no doubt that, Apeksha was looking at her life through a rose-tinted glass. It was mid-adolescence and as is mostly the case, unable to control her emotions, unable to think of the consequences, Apeksha did that particular objectionable job.  One week later, when she was at school, suddenly Apeksha heard Shivangi, addressing to her. Shivangi- “Apeksha, what not did I hear about you!!” It seemed as if, a current passed through all over Apeksha’s body. Apeksha- “What…. What do you mean, Shivangi?” Shivangi- “I came to know that, you have sent your obscene pictures to Rohan?”   For a moment, everything was silent…. Apeksha, without answering Shivangi, went to her class. For a moment, it seemed to her that, everything came to an end…. That day in the evening, while she was at home after school, Apeksha could not concentrate the least. At last, she told Shivangi that, she had been provoked by Rohan… To which, Shivangi believed. The next day, suddenly Rohan texted Apeksha asking , what she had told to Shivangi, about him and that, it was rather a lie.Apeksha was surprised even more. She told Rohan whether he had not asked her to send those pictures to which he replied rudely and continuously, denied. Everything was unknown to her parents, and each single day, Apeksha was going through a mental turmoil.

One day, it was the event of exhibition at Apeksha’s school. Each and every group of girls and boys had prepared their own food for the purpose of Food and Nutrition exhibition. It so happened that, Ankara , one of Apeksha’s friend’s food stuff had been spoilt by some group of notorious boys,  which, Apeksha tried her best to defend but was helpless. After everything was over, Ankara  had been speaking abusive words to Apeksha, for she held her responsible and careless. Least was known by others that, Apeksha being quite a good student, was envied by Ankara  and her gang of friends.

                      At tuition

Ankara- “it was all because of you that we couldn’t win the first prize.Everytime your attention is on the boys.”Apeksha-” But, Ankara, what was my fault? I have just completed my tenth standard in a girls’ School. How could have I managed those gang of boys alone?”

 At the tuition, Ankara abused Apeksha and that day, Apeksha’s Mom accompanied her to tuition, because she was aware that her daughter had been facing problems at school. Suddenly, to her utter surprise, Ankara showed the objectionable pictures, Apeksha had sent to Rohan. It was rather embarrassment in front of the other students and the teacher when, Apeksha’s mom slapped her. But, after returning home from the tuition, Apeksha’s parents persuaded her and finally realised, how their daughter has been cheated on.

Eventually, thanks to the Almighty that, Apeksha was soon out of the danger somehow, as the boy had deleted those vulgar pictures from his cellphone. Apeksha, being an introvert, had just recovered from loneliness and depression from her old school mates. It was quite natural for her to see a ray of new hope in someone, who suddenly behaved so frankly with her. She had been expecting nothing more than a bit of friendship, from then on, she began  blaming  her own fate for what had happened with her. Many negative thoughts began emerging from her mind. It was beyond her belief that the girl Ankara and the boy Rohan, could conspire against her… And on being asked by Apeksha, Rohan told that he hadn’t told anyone anything…. It was Apeksha’s misconception. And the girl Ankara on being asked, disagreed  to take the name of the boy, Rohan. But, nothing more had to be told, everything already became very  clear to Apeksha.Well, to conclude,there might be innumerable girls like Apeksha, who had suffered a lot. It’s my personal belief that, they are bound to get a genuine friend, one day or the other…. Above all, a true enemy is better than having a false friend….

(With love to all the adolescents: This short story is not meant to refer to any person or create any type of prejudices.)