By Iman Khalid

Aamir was in a dilemma; he didn't know what to do. The fact that he couldn't even discuss this with his friends worsened his condition; they would surely find him foolish to feel that way. He too didn't find these emotions in good taste, but what was he to do, he felt that way. How could anyone believe in him to be troubled when he got straight A's in all the recent tests and had the best girl in college as his girlfriend.

Sabrina was her name, and man: she was a dream! Aamir's girl, as they say was the 'babe of the college', one who turned heads very frequently, probably because of her sufficiently balanced content of brain and brawn. They had met on their very first day of college and it was love at first bite, really, their initial socialization took place in the college café. Since that day they had always been together, and acted like a perfect couple in front of and behind the scenes. Theirs was much of a perfect relationship…well, too perfect.

But now something had come up in Aamir's mind, it was not an abrupt feeling but it grew on him fast. He didn't know how it happened or why it happened, but it happened. He had got bored of Sabrina. Many questions did arise in his mind now, like; if it was always true love, how can he ever not like her now. Was it another girl? No, he didn't even have his eyes on anyone else. Or maybe it wasn't love at all. He didn't know the answer, but rather only how he felt. The fact had already sunk in beneath him and he was ready to face the consequences but how was he to tell Sabrina.

Common friends weren't the answer, and a direct confrontation would surely end up in disastrous results, at least for him. Of course he was the one at fault, but he couldn't admit that, not in his life. The only choice he had left was a man's easy way out, acting coward. If only he could ignore her for some days, she would probably get the hint. His plan was to ignore her, at least enough to get her away from him. He knew she was not the kind who would run after him, or act sleazy, so this was his best bet.

The next morning everything was normal in college, everyone was there, even Sabrina but Aamir was not to be seen. He had arrived college late and the gone straight to attend his classes, no " hi's " and " wassup's ", no hanging out, and definitely no Sabrina, he didn't even go near her (and his) hang out area, as now that was going to be supposedly a thing of the past now. Aamir was moving ahead, leaving his past behind.

He was pretty pleased; excited to find out how his life was going to be without any obligations or commitments, the bachelor he always wanted to be. He stayed in the library in his free lectures and even had a quick lunch outside for fear of an eye-to-eye clash. The best thing he liked about all this was that now he could feast his eyes on the other girls in the college without having anyone on his back giving him weird looks or pulling his cheeks. He felt truly free, and found out how he had missed out on making other friends because he was too busy with his girl while others never approached him, thinking he was already 'booked'.

Although he was already missing her, Aamir felt that it won't take him long to get used to it. Whatsoever, things were going to be different now, and he had a lot of catching up to do.

As he stepped down the stairs leading to the center courtyard of the college he could make out a similar looking silhouette standing there in the midst. It was Sabrina. Aamir's first impulse was to make a disappearing act, but then he saw that she was not alone, there was someone with her, someone he could not quite place in his mind. As he inquisitively moved closer to them he saw that it was Rahul, the most sought after hunk in college. Although his physicality was well gifted by God, his mentality was pathetic and girls were nothing more than flesh for him. He had been interested in Sabrina for sometime now but had stayed away in his (Aamir's) presence, and now he was right there making time with Sabrina, his girl.

Aamir was raging with anger, he wanted to give that guy a piece of his mind, teach him a lesson, pummel him, and lay him flat. He headed towards Rahul, fists tight. Just then Sabrina turned and saw him. " Hey Aamir ", she called out but Aamir was not looking, he was going after Rahul, who had just turned and was leaving. Suddenly he realized she was calling him and stopped. " What was he talking to you about? ", Aamir fired at her, concern smitten all over his face. "Oh nothing special, just about our English class, that's all", Sabrina replied in her usual bubbly self.
Aamir breathed a sigh of relief, for a moment he had thought that he had felt as if he was about to lose a very precious possession, one, which he loved and wanted more than anything else, Sabrina.

He had decided to end his relation with her forever but couldn't stay away from her for a day, there was something that attracted him to her, something powerful, something divine, something that gave him a feeling of completeness, of wholeness, of…love; there wasn't any other explanation. The need to get out of the relation was only due to the fact that they had been too close to each other lately, overkill as it can be said, but the ties never broke because the hearts had already bonded. The answer was simple enough, only Aamir had to reach it on his own, his thoughts were clear now.

'Where have you been the whole day? Haven't seen you around since morning!" Sabrina asked him, returning him from his world of thoughts. "Oh no where, just been completing some assignments in the library, that's all" replied Aamir.

As they both headed for the café, yet once again, Aamir realized something. Something about love that remained unexplained within words yet explained within experience. Aamir understood love…somewhere deep within himself. For once, he realized the importance, the value of his friendship and that they were both:

" Experience explains unexplained explanations "
- Hussain & Ibrahim

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