Mine, To Begin With!

11. Friends..

           Phana parked his car and took out the cardboard boxes from the back seat of his car. He placed the two boxes on the ground and locked his car door. He placed one box on top of the other and lifted them both together.  

           The boxes were a little heavy and the box on top blocked his vision. He had been asked by his seniors to collect the props they would be using on the competition day. Phana leaned slightly to his left and started walking towards the practice hall. He took his steps carefully as he dint want to bump into anyone on the way. He peeked over the boxes from time to time to make sure he was walking the right way. 

         " 'I need help', simple ask to, right?", Forth's voice made Phana stop and turn around. 

         Forth took the box which was on the top, "You cannot carry the whole world on your shoulders. Sometimes, It's okay to get help from others", Forth said with a soft smile.

         "Thanks", Phana mumbled with a blush and continued walking towards the practice hall. 

         Forth followed Phana and placed the box at the far end of the hall. Phana informed the seniors that he had brought everything they had asked for and walked to the secluded corner of the practice hall. He pulled a chair in front of the pedestal fan and slumped down on it. He unbuttoned his top two buttons and closed his eyes feeling tired. 

         "Pha...", a sweet voice disturbed Phana's rest. 

         He opened his eyes and found Pring, star of the medical faculty, sitting near him. 

         "I brought you juice. I know you must be tired from driving back and forth to get the props", Pring smiled sweetly. 

         Phana nodded politely, "I am fine, Pring. No, thank you", he pushed the juice bottle away. 

         "You are sweating like hell. Have this drink and you will feel refreshed", Pring leaned forward and tried to wipe off Phana's face with her kerchief. 

         Phana leaned back and stopped her hand from touching him. 

         "I am really fine Pring. Thanks for your concern", Phana said giving a strained smile. 

         "Oh Pha...don't be shy", Pring chuckled and proceeded to wipe off the sweat from Phana's face again. 

         Phana gave up trying after sometime and received the juice bottle from Pring along with the handkerchief. He wiped off his face and nodded to Pring again. 

         "Thanks. I will wash this and return it to you", he said showing the kerchief. 

         "That's fine Pha. I will take care of it", Pring took the kerchief from Phana's hand and left him. 

         Phana looked away in irritation to find Forth giving him an amused grin. Phana rolled his eyes and showed his middle finger to Forth. Forth chuckled and walked towards him.

         "Still not getting used to this attention?", Forth asked with a teasing smile. 

         "How come they never approach you?", Phana asked exasperated. 

         "They are scared of me.. I guess", Forth said with a shrug, "you seem approachable while I look intimidating". 

         "Should I scare them too?", Phana asked confused. 

         Forth laughed at Phana's question, "You need not scare anyone. Just show them you are uninterested. Or even better, show them that you are indifferent".