Speedball

Speedball

In a dimly lit room sat Akshay leaning against the wall and rocking himself. He was talking to himself, his face was full of bruises and his eyeballs were continuously rolling.

Kunal spread out the newspaper and emptied the contents of the packet onto it. Akshay was cooking in the kitchen when he remembered that he had to take the vegetables out of the fridge. On his way to the fridge, he saw Kunal crushing something in the newspaper, so he went and stood beside Kunal and asked, “Is this what I think it is?” “Yes my boy, this is the best marijuana you will get in Texas. Did you know that weed worth 3 billion dollars is illegally transported every year from New Mexico to Texas. Won’t it be a waste of money and weed if people like us don’t buy it?” said Kunal with a grin. “Us? Please don’t include me in this Kunal. I am not going to do drugs", replied Akshay. “Don’t call marijuana a drug, it’s an insult. It’s a medicine.  It gives you superpowers”, said Kunal. “Oh really? Then why is it banned?” asked Akshay. “Some drugs are stimulants, some are depressants, and some are hallucinogens, but marijuana is a mix of everything. It helps manifest your real self but the society doesn’t want to see the real you. The things you see when you are high are the things people don’t want you to see”, said Kunal. “Yeah, I wonder if you can say the same thing when this poison kills you, but I have to say, that’s a really great philosophy”, replied Akshay. “No one in the history of the world has died of taking marijuana, you dumbass. You can’t die of a fucking marijuana overdose.  It’s the equivalent of crushing any leaf and smoking it, plus it makes you hungry like shit dude”, continued Kunal. “I know the food I make tastes like shit but you don’t need weed to bear with it”, replied Akshay. “You think I am doing this to eat? Come on bro, you know I need a better reason”, said Kunal. “Okay, what's the reason?” asked Akshay. “I like it. In fact I love it”, replied Kunal, and went back to crushing the marijuana.

The door opened and in walked Natalie. “What the fuck? Somebody call the ambulance”, she screamed running out of the room. “No! don’t call the police, they will put me in jail”, said Akshay in a faint voice trying to get up and then fell down on the ground.

“Dude, why am I getting so fidgety?” asked Akshay. “I don’t know, but even I am feeling a little different”, replied Kunal. “Whom did you get this stuff from?” asked Akshay. “I got it from Jeff yesterday” replied Kunal. “Shit!” said Akshay. “I always get it from him dude, what the fuck is the matter with you?” asked Kunal. “It’s not that you fool, mom is calling”, replied Akshay. “Tell her I am not here”, said Kunal and ran to the kitchen and stood at the door. Akshay, not knowing what to do, just picked up the call.  “Hi mom! How are you?” asked Akshay. “Why did you take so much time to pick up the phone?” asked his mom. “What mom? If I pick up you ask why I took so much time to pick up the phone and if I don’t pick it up you think I am avoiding you”, replied Akshay. “Okay! Okay! let it be, how are your studies going?” asked his mom. “It’s going fine mom, as usual. How are you and dad?” asked Akshay. “We are fine. How is your brother keeping?” asked his mom. “He is also fine mom”, replied Akshay. “Why doesn’t he pick up my calls then? Is he around?” asked his mom. “No mom he is out with his friends, studying for the big test coming up”, replied Akshay. “Tell me the truth Akshay, is he on drugs?” asked his mom. “Mom! What are you saying? Kunal? And drugs? You know I will tell you if he does something like that, right?” asked Akshay. “Yes. Just take care of yourselves, especially Kunal.  It’s his final year”, said his mom. “Okay mom, you take care, bye”, replied Akshay and cut the call before his mom could ask anything else. Kunal came out of the kitchen and said, “How was it?” “Same as usual ‘how are you’ ‘are you on drugs’ shit”, replied Akshay.

“I just got off the phone with Jeff” said Kunal. “And?” asked Akshay. “Nothing to worry about, it’s just weed mixed with coke”, replied Kunal. “What? Are you serious? Why didn’t he tell you before?” asked Akshay. “Surprise?” said Kunal sheepishly. “And I talked to mom after having cocaine. Shit man! I will definitely rot in hell”, said Akshay snatching the joint from Kunal’s hand.

Akshay got up from the ground after hearing the siren. “Oh my God! The cops are here. What do I do?” he asked himself loudly. “What do I do? They will definitely see the needle mark and know what I did”, he continued, barely able to stand. “But if I cut my arm and flush out all the blood from my body they will have no evidence to put me in jail”, said Akshay with a big smile on his face. He saw his parents sitting on the bed and went near to them, “Should I do it?” he asked. Both of them nodded their heads in unison. Then he went to the lifeless body of Kunal and asked, “Will it pain?” Kunal didn’t reply and lied still.

“Dude, are you coming for the graduation party tonight, at Natalie’s?” asked Kunal. “What will I do over there? I don’t know anybody”, replied Akshay. “You know Natalie. She told me especially to get you because she wants you to meet someone”, said Kunal. “Are you trying to hook me up?” asked Akshay. “And Jeff will also be there and he told me that he is gonna get something that will blow you away. But if you are not coming then I should call him and tell him not to get it”, said Kunal. “Say no more brother, now nobody can stop me from coming”, said Akshay. That night Akshay and Kunal went to Natalie’s house for the party. “This party is so boring man.  Where the fuck is Jeff anyway?” asked Akshay. “He just texted me saying he’s on top. Come let’s go on top, maybe he is in Natalie’s bedroom”, replied Kunal. They entered Natalie’s bedroom and saw Jeff sit on the ground with a joint in his hand. “Don’t tell me I came here only to try a new kind of weed”, said Akshay, throwing his hands up in the air. “Relax dude, the stuff is in my pocket”, replied Jeff. “Take it out man, and the needles”, said Kunal. “Okay, okay, don’t rush me. Here is the needle, the spoon, and the packet. I hope one of you has a lighter and is wearing a belt”, said Jeff. “Yeah, we all have that”, said Akshay and grabbed all the things from Jeff’s hand. Kunal handed Jeff a $100 bill and escorted him to the door. “Have a little bit and enjoy the high and when you feel better come out and rock this fucking party a li'l' bit”, said Jeff. “Yeah, sure buddy.  By the way, what is this stuff?” asked Kunal. “It’s called speedball.  A little bit of crack, a little bit of meth, and lot of heroin gives you a speedball” said Jeff with a grin and looked at Akshay tying the belt on his arm before closing the door behind him.