2.1

‘What…you missed a penalty kick?’ I said. ‘That is impossible.’

‘Yes Gaurav, I missed a penalty.’ Rahul said now seeming a little distant.

‘Hey come on…it can’t be that bad…it’s just a game.’ I said sensing that he was really feeling bad narrating of the incidence even today. I always knew Rahul had an immense passion for the sport and he was really good at it…but seeing him like this was something I had never imagined.

‘Ya…now everything just seems so immature and stupid but you know how much I love football Gaurav…every second I spent on the field meant so much to me.’ He said and took a sip from his cup. ‘Oh shit…my coffee is also finished…I think I need a refill. What about you?’

‘Rahul…tell me something. Why was your team treating you like that…I mean you were the captain right? And why was the crowd booing you?’ I asked.

‘Some shit happened man…forget it…do you want a refill or not. He said

‘No…come on dude…tell me what happened? What did you do?’ I asked…I was kinda curious to know what had happened which had evoked such a wide spread hatred for him. Rahul had always been a notorious kid who got into trouble all the time for his unconventional etiquettes and habitual lying but everyone still adored him. So I was finding this really hard to digest.

‘It’s a long story man…you will get bored.’ He said.

‘Ya you are right…I will get bored listening to my best friends story…I guess I’ll get bored at your wedding too…so I think I’ll head back home. Wish you a happy married life.’ I said and got up and started walking out. I was getting pissed with the amount of footage he was eating.

‘Arre don’t get angry bro.’ he said. ‘It’s just that it is really a long story.’

‘You know what Rahul…meri ex-girlfriend bhi itna footage nahi khati thi. What a girl man.’ I said trying to provoke him.

‘Footage nahi khati thi phir bhi chod diya…you are such a bastard.’ He said.

‘Ya…what can I do…some traits you just can’t live without.’ I said and both of us laughed. ‘But seriously…are you telling me your story or not?’

‘Okay I will…but I am still telling you it is quite long. And don’t get all judgmental on me.’

‘Ya fine. And anyway how does it matter even if it is long…we still have a lot of time till our fight takes off. Go on tell me everything.’ I said.

‘By the way…you still haven’t told me about your refill on the coffee.’ He said.

‘Forget the coffee man…let’s get some beer.’ I suggested.

‘Dude I am getting married tomorrow…marwaega mereko.’ He said.

‘Bro you are getting married…half of your life is toh over only.’ We both had a hearty laugh. We ordered our beers at the bar and came back to the poolside. ‘Proceed.’ I said.

‘Well to actually know about what happened…I have to go back in time when we were in school…to the time I lied for the very first time.’ He said and started narrating.