As Karan approached the table, he could see Aditi and Kumar deep in conversation. That both of them stopped their conversation as soon as he reached the table did not make him feel any better.
Settling down in his seat, he looked at Aditi and mouthed the words,"what next". He was not really sure what they were supposed to be discussing, especially with Kumar around.
"Aditi, I never realised you and Kumar were friends earlier.", Karan's sarcastic question broke the silence. Kumar looked at Karan and then Aditi and went back to fiddling with his phone.
"Kumar and I met when we were in school. Kumar's grandparents stayed next door and he used to visit them for two months every year. That is how we met each other." Aditi answered as if she had anticipated that question.
"Oh, and I have never heard you mention him in our four years of college." Karan continued being sarcastic.
"Yeah I did not mention it because I and Kumar were not in touch during my graduation days. Little did i foresee you and Kumar ending up as friends and then all three ending up here in this situation", Aditi relpied.
"Kumar knew about you only after we broke up. I was in a very bad state and Kumar was the one who helped me get back to being normal. During that phase, Kumar insisted on wanting to meet you but I resisted him from that." Aditi looked at Kumar who was still fiddling with his phone.
"After about three months after joining his MBA, Kumar and I were discussing his college life and that was when he told me about his friend Karan and how they seemed to be kicking off well. Though I did not give it much thought initially, that name sounded familiar and then I realised. But yet again I resisted from telling Kumar."
"You should have told me then itself Aditi.", Kumar spoke, still looking down at his phone.
He then lifted his head, settled his gaze on Karan and continued, "You should have told me it was the same guy who ditched you. I would have settled scores on your behalf. Instead you chose to hide it from me and it took me another year and half to realise his true colors." Kumar sounded more hurt than angry.
Kumar continued speaking even as Aditi and Karan stared at him. His silence was now being replaced by a steady flow of words. "The first year of MBA was a breeze because of him. He was a great friend and time flew when we were together. We managed to be in the same group for every project and that made our academic projects exciting. Sharing the same interests such as sports and business made sure we spent endless hours discussing and debating."
Karan looked at Kumar as he continued reminiscing their college days. He felt like speaking but let Kumar continue.
"As time passed by, Karan and me even discussed plans to set up our own business. I am sure you remember it", Kumar stared directly at Karan.
Karan just stared in reply to Kumar's question.
"I was very sure our friendship would expand way beyond the two years of academics. Little did I realise that I was dealing with a person who wouldn't mind changing his colors to adapt to the situation."
"I never ever tried to do that Kumar." It was Karan's turn to speak out.
Aditi just stared at both of them, not wanting to interfere or take sides.
"You did Karan and I am not surprised you are denying it now. I wouldn't have expected anything else from you."
"Stop it Kumar. I have had enough of your rant. You should have bothered to ask me or talk to me directly before you made your conclusions."
"What did you want me to talk to you about Karan. About how you managed to mislead me during the entire college elections. All the time I was under the impression that you wanted me to be the head of the Student Council. Even though I was not even remotely interested, I agreed to it because you wanted me to contest."
Aditi knew about the Council election and the aftermath of the election. Kumar had told her the entire story. She recollected how he was furious with Karan because of the election.
"And I wanted you to be the President of the Student council. I never for once wanted to back stab you Kumar. What happened that day was something which I did not plan and did not expect would happen.", Karan said.
"How very interesting Karan. We planned for the whole of two weeks about how we would go about the elections. We were very sure about winning them and then suddenly the night before the election you come to me with a proposal which sounded absurd. You said you wanted to contest for President. You wanted to replace me in the last minute."
"Yes Kumar and that was because the other group said they would support us only if I was contesting. I tried to convince them that there was no difference between you or me becoming the President. But they were adamant and they said they would not support us if you contested. I dont know what made them change their minds in the last moment."
"Imagine how it would have felt Karan. For two weeks, we spoke to everybody and projected me as the candidate for the election. And when the election were just a night away, you wanted to stand in my place. You were sure we would win it and you wanted to snatch it at the last minute."
"It was not about snatching your opportunity Kumar. It was about doing what was right at that moment of time. It was about winning that election and we had no other option but to project myself."
"Yeah and it was also about cheating your own friend. It was about damaging the trust of somebody who trusted you blindly." Kumar shot back. "You could have told me Karan, but instead you decided to not discuss it anymore. You said it was a waste of time discussing it anymore. You made me feel so little that day Karan."
"I tried to pacify and explain the reasons but you were overcome by anger and blamed me for a lot of things. I tried to ignore whatever you spoke. But you crossed the line when you went very personal and accused me of being selfish and using others for my own goals.", Karan gulped down a glass of cold water as he finished speaking.
"You had reasons for everything you did Karan. You had reasons to replace me as the president nominee in the last minute, you had a reason to ditch Aditi for your career sake."
"That is personal and I don't like you commenting on it Kumar." Karan was angered by Kumar commenting on his relationship.
"It is personal to me as well Karan and that is why I commented. I was witness to what Aditi went through because of you. I shared her pain and watched her suffer all because of you." Kumar's voice had a hint of sadness as he recalled those days.
"I and Aditi have already been through all this Kumar and i don't think it is right for you to discuss this in front of Aditi.", Karan replied curtly.
"You have not been doing any better have you Kumar. Your attempts to get back at me through Rajiv seems to be working well, isn't it? ". It was Karan's turn to question. "Rajiv was along with me in my business plan until you came around and corrupted his mind. Why did you have to resort to such cheap tricks Kumar?"
"Oh, looks like somebody is hurt.", Kumar's voice was sarcastic. "How did it feel to be ditched by somebody whom you trusted all along Karan. Did it hurt you?"
"Enough of it guys. Can you stop behaving like kids. For once, can both of you behave like adults and sort your differences out, instead of taking turns to accuse each other.", Aditi was exasperated. "I wanted you guys to move on in life." After Aditi's outburst, there was an eerie silence at the table.
The food was served but none of them had any appetite. The discussions sapped their energy and left the three of them weary.
