||CHAPTER 20||
《¤》

It seemed as if Mickey was everywhere my gaze rested. The corridors whenever I roamed, the abandoned stairs; the hidden corner of the canteen.

And it was just me who saw him all those times. It was as if he knew I might need to look for him. As if he knew that I was slowly reaching the stage of devastation.

As if he knew I might want something I told him I'd never want.

It was the free period we rarely ever got, and everyone was busy making something for the soft boards or studying. I sat with the Physics text book, near the window, and that's when I saw him again. He was passing through the corridor near the window. He saw me, but didn't acknowledge me. It was after he crossed my line of sight that I rose up from my place, trying to sneak out of my classroom.

Just as I was stepping out of the corridor, Vansh held my upper arm as he entered the classroom.

"Where are you going?"

"Where were you?" I ask back, looking out for Mickey. He had turned a corner, and I would soon loose track of him if Vansh kept his interrogation going on.

"Washroom, kyu, mujhe dhundhne nikal rahu thi?" He winked.

I had noticed his three minute absence, but hey, I wasn't smitten by him yet.

"Well, I kinda need to go to the washroom too," I said, slowly freeing myself from his hand. "Urgent hai."

"Oh," his eyes widened, "Sure, sorry."

I literally dashed out of the corridor, searching for Mickey. He was walking across the hallways without a care, so I slowed down. I followed him quietly until we reached the staircase.

"You came sooner than I expected, Deewani," he broke our mutual silence without looking back.

"How did you know I was going to-"

"Take the other route to the abandoned entrance. Don't follow me, I will meet you there," he said, as he continued on his way. I took another route from that floor, sighing. My washroom break was going to be long.

And sure enough, Mickey was waiting for me.

"So." He started.

"So?" Was that a drug or a code-word? I was hesitating at this point.

"What do you want?" He proceeded to sit on the stairs.

"You know what I want," I tried not to cringe at my own decision.

"It depends on what you actually want to feel. How you're feeling. Is this your first time?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"You ran after me from your floor. So yeah, pretty obvious."

I didn't get the meaning or the reasoning.

"Somethings are disturbing me at this point of life."

"You need to be specific, darling."

I glared at him. "I am stressing over a few stuff. I'm getting to know things that no one needs to know. And I... I want to scream these obvious things to everyone, because they seem to be blind, but it will ruin everything more," I tried not to scream.

"We don't call that specific, but it will do."

"So... when, where and how?"

He chuckled. "You're very blunt. Don't you know walls have ears?"

Alarmed, I looked around. But Mickey was just messing with me; this entrance was called abandoned for a reason.

"You're coming to the Dang's party tonight, right."

I nodded. The guys' did mention something about the Twelfthies dance group, Dang!, throwing a party tonight to celebrate them winning the Underground Dance off.

"Then you know the when, where and how."

I bit my lip. "The amount?"

"Bring 5k. I'll get you a discount for your first time," He stretched his legs. "Now run along girlie, endure your enigma for a few hours more."

"Arse," I muttered under my breath before I left.

"Where were you?" Concern laced Ishita's voice. She held out a sanitary napkin wrapped in a cloth bag. "Vansh told me that you might be having the girl problem since you were in the washroom for ten minutes, but it was empty when I strolled in!"

I caught Vansh and Arnav scanning me and coughed, "Uh, ehm, yeah- I... I was in the washroom. But I went to the infirmary first, you know."

They believed me instantly, but I needed to polish my lying skills.

"You could have just asked me, Vickey. Woh infirmary ki doctor is so... khadoos," Ishita shrugged.

"You were really busy working on the soft boards, didn't want to disturb you. Anyways, are we still up for the party tonight?"

"Yeah, about that..." Arnav said, glumly, "With the midsems around the corner, I don't think we should go, Vika."

"Abe padhaku," Vansh hit his head. "Stop taking decisions for both of you. Twin hai teri, chhoti behen nahi."

"FYI," Arnav started, and I knew what he was going to say, "Mai apni chhoti behen se one minute, forty five seconds se bada hoon."

"Haan, aur us one minute forty five seconds me tune doctor ki aakhon me world war five dekhli, nahi?" I scowled. Hell, he had beaten me by popping out first. He always had to be the first.

He stuck his tongue out, making Ishita laugh. "Dork. Anyways, forget him. Ham aaj jaa rahe hai. Kyu, tujhe shopping karni hai? I know the best stores?"

Shopping for a party where people dressed up by dressing down? "Nahh, I'm okay."

"You're more enthusiastic for this party than you were for the previous one."

Arnav had barged into my room without knocking, making me hurriedly shove the money into the secret pocket of my dress.

Arnav's eyes widened, and he instantly shut his eyes with his hands. "You can wear your pants, sorry, I won't look."

I rolled my eyes, searching for my ankle boots in my closet.

"Are you done yet?" He asked, trying not to peep.

"Hmm," I huffed out a breath, finally locating the boots my maternal grandmother absolutely hated. She said it was the footwear of the hippies and hooligans. Yeah, she had strong opinions in matters concerning none of her concerns.

"The hell, Vika!" Arnav scrunched his eyebrows. "Why are you not wearing any pants?"

"Because, normally, people don't wear jeans beneath dresses."

"That's an oversized shirt." He folded his hands.

I slipped on my boots, standing up. Grabbing the golden belt I had pulled out of the closet before, I pulled the belt in through the loops of the maroon one-piece that reached a little above my thighs.

"And since when do shirts have belt loops in them?"

"You're not going to wear that, I will tell Daadi."

"Oh, go ahead. And while you're at it, unhe bol dena ki dress ka fitting perfect hai, I don't need to exchange it."

I walked to my dresser vanity table, unable to hide my smirk at his jaw that fell open.

"She got this for you?!"

"Look bro, I normally don't share my clothes, but since you are so besotted with my outfit, you can have it, but not tonight, okay?"

He narrowed his eyes at me in the mirror. "You are lucky ki Dad Singapore gaye hai, warna trust me, I'd have not helped in mending your and Dad's relationship."

I gave him a cheeky grin, "Par tera and Dad ka relation kaun mend karega?"

His scowl remained, as he strode forwards and stood behind me.

"Kya?" I rose eyebrows.

He huffed, before trying to pull the hem of my dress down, and then leaving the room.

I just found the pleasure in annoying my brother.

This party didn't show any liking towards kpop song, no. Instead, the dance floor was the haven for Dang! and the other teenagers dancing to the beats of remixed songs, from Badshah to Pitbull. The farmhouse in which the party was held was massive and impressive. The whole area of the living room of the farmhouse was very happening, and drinks were being served without asking for identity.

And I had been searching for Mickey for half an hour now. Someone passed me a Breezer, but I didn't open it. Soon, I found that familiar grey hoodie going upstairs, and I followed.

Mickey closed the door the second I entered behind him.

"Where the hell were you? I was looking for you for more than fifteen minutes, and trust me, I am not a very patient person," I told him.

"Well, you will be," he whistled. "If only I banged for the other gang."

His eyes rested on my face after doing a takeover of me, but I didn't understand what he said.

"Well?"

He rubbed his thumb on his index finger. "Payeesa," he said in a very tapori accent.

I rolled my eyes, before retrieving the money. He didn't even count before shoving it inside, and fished out something from his pocket.

My jaw locked in anger. "Lipstick? Seriously Mickey? Ye lipstick meri therapy karega? Do I look like a fool to you?!"

"Yes, you do," he reported, before popping open the lid. "You're supposed to be inconspicuous. Unlike in movies, you really don't get good substance in plastic packs. Here."

"Oh," I hesitated before taking it. I gulped, I knew this was wrong, but I was never right, was I? "How am I supposed to... you know, do?"

"You smell it."

I brought the lipstick container in front of my nose to take a sniff, but Mickey stopped me.

"Are you stupid? Chadh jayegi tujhe! Tera bhai aur uska gang neeche hai, and agar unhe pata chala, dreadful things will happen to both, you and me."

I nodded understandingly.

"Okay, now I leave first, and five minutes later you do. Don't engage with me in any form tonight. Talk to me at school if you'd like more," he shook my hands, and left.

I shoved the small lipstick inside my pocket, contemplating my rash decision. But I had already done it, and backing off wasn't an Arvika thing to do.

When I climbed down the stairs, the music was still thrumming down my body, and the energy in the room was contagious. But the way Vansh's eyes were trained on me, was not.

I made my way towards the round couch where the boys rested, swatting away wandering hands on me with a glare.

"I think this is the most lively I have seen Arvika ever," Karan said, fist bumping me.

"What can I say, my happiness rests in your agony. Speaking of, why are you guys so... unlively?"

"Arnav hates Badshah, I'm not a big fan of Pitbull," Ritwik said. "Vansh ko koi apne type ki bandi nahi mil rahi dance ke liye, and Karan paidaishi boring hai."

Vansh still had his eyes on me, and though I was enjoying his rapt attention on me, I couldn't help but feel he had something to say to me. Or drill out of me. So I turned to him.

"Well, mai kisi ke type ki toh nahi hoon, but I want to dance too. So... wanna join me?" I waited for his response before winking, "I don't bite."

I was besotted with the lazy smirk on his face before I heard the taunts and cat calls of his friends. He shrugged, rising to his feet, slowly striding towards me. And when he was close, too close to me, he leaned in, releasing his breath on my neck before whispering in my ears.

"But I do; I bite."

_____

Namoshtaii!

I DO NOT SUPPORT ARVIKA'S DECISION OF TURNING TO DRUGS. MY REQUEST TO YOU WOULD BE THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU SUCCUMB TO THIS DANGEROUS ADDICTION. I VALUE YOUR LIFE, AND SO SHOULD YOU.

So... Vansh bites, huh? What do you interpret by that?

Now that that's out of our way, how are ur lives going? I miss the days when I had summer camps and classes, cus right now, all I have is the stupid coaching class.

Aah well, zindagi utni bhi haseen nahi :D

Btw, #diljannachahega will be up soon! When do you want me post that?

Do comment what you feel about this chapter though.

Anyways, read, vote, comment, promote!

~chaashnee.