She has shut herself in that room of hers. She is not ready to go out and see the people who dont welcome her. Moreover that person has arrived. She hates when he touches her. Its not some sexual advantages he makes but she dreads it. She is sensitive to touch. His touch is horrible because that person himself is. Sometimes you dont welcome a person. You just want to be left alone. And touch is such a huge thing. It is direct connection between two living beings. And she prefers not to build any connection with him.

Having no other thought she picks the book up she had borrowed from library. It was Rajveer' card. She reads few pages and then gets stuck on 10th page. Her mind going back to his nagging. Whole day he had tailed her. Kept on asking to appear. He had given her millions reasons to come along him to some party. But her response was still same. She was not at all interested in a party. In fact she doesn't like it at all.

Not that she is against merry and happiness and enjoying but those parties are fake. She has seen lavanya aunty organizing these parties. Every time she tried to make an appearance she was made to feel unwanted. Somehow people were telling her what they didnt even know. They were questioning her whereabouts. Her presence in such a great mansion. And suddenly she was not even a human for them..a mere charity case who had been living on someone else' money. It hurts when you are mistreated but it breaks you when your basic human rights are taken away. She distanced herself from such gathering for she knows everybody in such lavish parties are either pumped with money or there for money. And money is a great evil....

But for some unknown reasons Rajveer' constant bugging is nosing her subconscious.  His pestering is echoing in her ears. His vague statement- "you'll enjoy it with me" suddenly appears and she is done with it. She stands up and looks at wall clock.

7:50 PM

Its not likely he will be waiting for her or something else. Naina looks at herself in mirror. She is still wrapped up in those clothes she had changed after class. Her body refuses to move towards cupboard amd instead she makes a dash towards door. Soon she is out. For a first time she is out this late. Not that she is afraid of roaming this late she is just unwilling of going out of her comfort zone. That room is her comfort zone. That room is her boundary. That room is her only place because somehow she'd never be able to make another. However this evening she wants to see some other place instead of that room. She didnt feel so good in that house today.

She takes a deep breath. Suddenly questioning her decision..what if Rajveer never shows up..what if it was his another empty promise. He is a great player. He can show up with any of the girl he wants.

Not that she wants him to wait there for her like a true gentleman and act like her knight in shining armor but she wants him to tell her one more time to break her boundaries. To come out of her shell. To make one more place.

She knows she is scared. She knows she has done what she should never. And somehow she ends up going to the venue Rajveer had offered her to bring.

She pays auto fare and moves a bit to look at the lounge Rajveer wanted her to come with him. The forst thing she notices that There is so much noise. People are literally shouting and nobody is hearing. She felt like going back. Their clothing is so flimsy. And there she is. Her attire so simple. She hasn't even put a dress on. She thinks if she should go in or not. Wondering if this party is going to be different from past all parties she has attended. Will people question her again or let her be herself?

She spots people staring at her and then giggling.

Thats it!

She turns to go but collides with someone.

'Sorry.' She makes a hurried apology and attempts to move but feels her stile has stuck somewhere. She looks back and finds it being stuck between someone' fingers.

'Itni jaldi ja rahi ho?'

"I had told you I dont like parties."

"I remember but that doesn't mean you can't be there. Come with me." He tugs on her stole. Naina is bewildered.

Rajveer takes her in. People are staring at them. This makes Naina uncomfortable.

"People are staring, Rajveer.''

"They do this all the time. Stop giving others so much importance. Enjoy your time here."

He brings her to bar. Offers her sitting stool and takes adjoining one for himself.

"I think you dont drink."

She nods.

"But I do. Sorry." She laughs and orders a virgin mojito for her and vodka for himself.

She sees him sipping his vodka with great interest.

"Dont you think its not a very gentleman thing that you're drinking next to me!" She cant stop questioning him.

"When did I say I was a gentleman, Naina?"

"God. You irritate me. I am still questioning my choice. I think I should go back."

"Your choice but believe me you'll enjoy these type of gathering once you get to know what they are for."

It gets her piqued.

"And what they are for?"

"Such Parties are for liberating yourself."

She laughs.

"Funny..i thought such parties were for showing yourself off and mocking the people who were not like you."

"And this happens when you are running high on self confidence. When you're more self absorbed you criticize others easily."

She is silent. Her opinion for Rajveer keeps on changing. She has seen him as a typical douche of college but sometimes he proves to be bit more than that.

"You know why people drink?

They drink because liquor makes you forget your flaws. And such parties are only for forgetting yourself."

She takes a sip of her mocktail. Silently.

"If you still dont feel like we can go out." He offers.

"We'll.
Even if I understand the true meaning of such filmsy gathering I dont think I'd like to be a part of this."

He ends his drink and gets up. Taking her out.

Naina is stunned when she sees him taking his bike out. This is not what she had in mind.

"I...I can go home by myself."

"But I cant. I am afraid of late night ghosts and my dadi. She says I cant drive alone when I am drunk."

"You had only one vodka. You are not even drunk." She says  deadpan.

"But I drank. No way I am going home alone. Tum meri dadi ko nahi janti. She'll throw me out and cut my pocket i makes throwing up expressions making him laugh.

She carefully hops on his bike. Not touching him but holding on back of bike. When he kicks start it she is afraid. Afraid of so many things. Sceptical of everything. She shuts her eyes.

After some time she feels cold breeze hitting her cheeks. Rajveer never offered her helmet but he himself is wearing one. It makes her angry.

"You want me to die? Where is my helmet?" She shouts over his shoulder.

"You never agreed to come with me so I didnt bring spare one."

This makes her more angry. However her anger melts down once she sees her surrounding. Everything running. Lights dazzling and the breeze still cold on her cheeks. She looks at everything with curious eyes. This part of city is full of lights. So many illuminated houses. Seems like everyone is happy and flaunting her happiness. She wonders how can everyone be happy simultaneously.

Soon they are on deserted road. Its empty. only road lights are on. She can see sky. Stars are visible. Suddenly she feels so calm. Why she herself has no idea....

Rajveer parks his bike near a park. It is locked.

"It is locked."

"I can see. Naina.
But we are going to jump inside."

"NO."

"YES."

and he somehow makes her jump that 4 feet wall. When they are inside he takes her with him. They move under dark.

"Why are we moving like thieves?"

"Shush. Agar guard ne dekh liya to dono pitenge.
You want to get beaten at this age?"

She at once shuts her mouth. Soon they are in front of a small lake. Sparkling shadows of stars dancing in it.

Rajveer gestures her to sit. She does so does he. Silence follows but she can damn hear her heart thumping.

Adrenaline rush of breaking rules.

She gazes into oblivion. Wondering how many rules she has broke in past one month! And somehow the guilt recedes instead of increasing....

"Wanna eat something?" He hushes in her ear.

"Is it even possible?"

"When Rajveer is with you everything is possible." This makes her laugh...

He does fulfill his promise and brings her some local pasta. Its not so tasty but somehow the environment makes it great.

Nobody talks very much that night but somehow for Naina she has told herself so many things. Things only she could say and listen. That night under stars Naina dares to stare at sky with open eyes.

Written by mona
A big thanks dear