Chapter 5 ~ His girlfriend

I saw him, he drowned.

Luckily others didn't read through my words or hear the crack in my voice.

"Like half of the nation thinks" Faisal waved it off uncaring.

Zoya nodded, "exactly I mean they saw him jump in the river on CCTV but it can't be proven unless the body is found"

"Or Selena that brings today's news according to recent investigation a girl is spotted visiting frequently in the flower shop. Aarav's grandmother's flower shop yep she finally allowed them; the investigators to go through the shop's cameras. And there's this news about the girl short height in two braids she must be of Aarav's age 16 by that time and hey! She can be the Selena the mysterious girl," Nadia told with wide eyes looking for appraise from Faisal's side.

I froze

"She can be, just like any of his fangirls visiting the shop to meet him he was there often you know..." Faisal stated then shrugged his shoulders announcing he was over with this conversation since he didn't find it that interesting anymore.

"Oh you are right people are in uproar!" Zoya said in surprise, she was scrolling on her mobile screen searching about it.

"Excuse me" I said tightly, leaving.

Zoya nodded half attentively while, she and Nadia hovered down on the mobile probably reading further the discussion on the news on the famous Selena case which had groups, pages, chatrooms and what not? it had become a public case for others entertainment and time pass discussion whereas someone was suffering each and every day since it happened.

π÷π÷π

I moved out of the restroom wanted to runaway from all this or just find a deserted place to sit alone and think or sleep or turn comatose and then wake up when everything gets alright

But does it ever?

I don't know what to do? I wish I could go back my home and live the life that I have left behind and then I realised it's the very same reason for why I left it.

Besides studying, I came here to find peace and to not wake up and come face to all those signs that pull me back in a guilt trip.

Was it the love for him or guilt or both, that hurt and haunted me in this way?

And it could also be fear ruling above all, tying me to not move forward ever

What can I do??

I could go to the police tell them about what happened the day before when Aarav went missing....commited suicide. But what will I say? That I just left those boys to beat him till he couldn't move what kinda person who love someone does that to them?

How could I not know? What compelled him to do so?

Will the police believe me when I say I don't even know any of the boys, I didn't see any of them?

I did inform one of the teachers that something was happening in the music room something very wrong, that day.

I cringed remembering.

I don't know whether she took me seriously, a scared girl rushing and mumbling incoherently. Even if she listened to my words was she too late?

She couldn't have reached on time that's why none of the guys were
mentioned ever or caught

If I was just a little early I would have saved him I would have hold him tightly. He will never know who was Selena just like everyone and that she does exist but in a different way

What angered me was that why the guys weren't caught or how come no one knew about that incident?

It is just me, the main reason as if it all happened because of me. The case is also known as the Selena case when I had heard that I wanted to laugh at it because I was so done with crying.

Then I saw on the internet how serious it had become. They all were linking everything to me every story was rising with Selena being the main cause the main motive of the case. Soon the dead boy was forgotten they only wanted to know was Selena? Who was this Selena? Where was she?

I had withdrawn away myself from Social media before I go crazy under the pressure and all those fingers pointing at me.

What will they do if they find me?

That fear alone was the most terrifying thing in the world

Found out that I Iied?

I would rather choose to emigrate change my identity or who knew just get transgendered, literally anything than getting exposed like that

My parents my life... I shuddered there won't be anything left after that. The press and society will chew me alive.

The only evidence that could get me expose was Aarav's cellphone.

The medium through which we had our relationship the only prove, the only existence of Selena

And that was also missing just like him.

I was so grateful for that, that I was ashamed of myself.

Who knew such a big price I would have had to pay for loving?

I reached to the cafeteria ..I didn't even notice where I was going so lost in my mind. I peered through the glass doors when I recognised the familiar brown head and he was with Rohit.

Without thinking I got in and marched to where Sahil was.

"Listen newbie take this and keep it there" Rohit ordered pointing at the tray Sahil held and then pointed somewhere ahead at some booth, as if he was his slave.

Rohit was so big I mean his buff body and that was the major part that made him intimidating and yeah also his minions bouncer type standing each of his side. They leered at me.

I wanted to step back in fear but I folded my arms ignoring them or at least tried to, before waving stupidly.

I may act brave but I was far from it. I would consider it as a self harm action because usually I would stay on the sidelines minding my own business away from people's eyes and their attention.

Sahil was going to say something when Rohit gave/shoved/ dumped/threw another tray at Sahil's direction which he caught it swiftly surprising him.

"And keep it there" Rohit told grudgingly pointing at the adjacent booth to the previous one.

"Last time I checked Sahil wasn't your servant" I said announcing my arrival to them because they seemed too engrossed in ordering and obeying.

Rohit looked down at me because well he was way too tall like a wall. And I was short and small.

He frowned like I asked the most complicated question ever "who is Sahil? "He asked.

Sahil hissed,"what are you doing here?"

I glared at him, "saving your ass and you didn't tell him your name?" I hissed too. What type of bullied he was?

"Little girl I don't have time for you go play around somewhere else" Rohit dismissed me then dumped the third tray which Sahil again caught it smoothly.

Rohit glared at him for not getting what he was hoping for.

Little girl!

I put my hands on my hips glaring up at him.

Sahil snickered glancing at me.

Rohit's all focus was on Sahil

Sighing, I took one tray from Sahil who no doubt would have had balanced all three like a juggler but I took it when Rohit dumped the fourth one on him.

We carried the trays to the as per mentioned booth then we slumped down on the cushioned seats of the empty booth.

I exhaled out leaning against it Sahil copied me our shoulders brushed when his back rested beside me, "I thought you came to save my ass?" He asked amusedly

"Too tiring" I replied with a huff.

He chuckled,"for a second I got really scared you gonna do something ridiculous and get into trouble" he admitted solemnly.

I drew away from the soft comfort of the cushion to gave him are you serious look? "So it's me who do ridiculous things and get into trouble?"

"That's totally you ...wait are you trying to turn this around on me?" Sahil asked back pointing his finger at himself in pretend innocence and disbelief.

I bit my lips smiling a little,
"Oh please put that cute dumb boy act for someone who falls for it" I said folding my arms, taking in the surrounding now.

"And what about you at what acts do you fall for?" He asked causally again mimicking me folding his arms.

"Don't flirt with me" I reminded him

"I was being genuinely curious"

He always tried to act playful to get off serious discussion.

His eyes scanned around the cafeteria then landed on someone he sat alert looking alarmed.

I frowned following where he was looking. It was some girl in sapphire coat coming tow-

"Oh no!" Sahil groaned.

'What the!" I squealed when Sahil turned me towards him with his hands on my shoulders with the menu card raised up front shielding our faces.

"Who is she?" I asked sternly, grabbing his hand to put the menu down and before it start giving people the wrong impression. There were people from the institute and I don't want them to talk nonsense about us.

He held my hand caging them from any movements.

"Don't get jealous she's no one" he said hiding behind the menu he leaned his head to get completely covered leaving flimsy distance between our faces.

Why the hell was I hiding? she knew him but I don't even know that girl!

"I am not jealous and I don't think this is how we usually behave on seeing strangers" I said, my face hardened I tried to not focus on his minty breath literally touching my lips I tried to move away but he held me firmly not forcibly more like worriedly by my shoulder.

"What do you mean hiding behind the menu and acting like we are making out? Is this not normal?... Maybe I am different I guess" he said then glanced up over the menu anxiously.

Then he got down quickly shifting more towards me if that was even possible and as a result bumping our foreheads,
"Ow Sahil" I jerked away, annoyed.

He left the grasp on my shoulder immediately, I didn't know I was leaning that much of support on his hold that I fell back on the long booth seat yanking Sahil on me by his hand hoping his balance would work and save us but I guess I got him by surprise. He followed the lead hovering over me.

"Well that escalated real fast" he commented staring down at me with a big smirk.

"Don't get excited it was an accident, now get up" I pushed him off by his shoulders his weight was literally crushing me along with people's stares.

Way to not let people talk nonsense about me

"Make up your mind Serra though I don't mind this pulling me to the corner and having your wicked way but let me tell you I do have a reputation and I fear the society's judgement" he said in a mock embarrassment and disgrace

"If you're done then can you get up please?" I said glaring at him at his well chiselled face those dorky spectacles I removed them they were really a nuisance then drew his hair away lightly with my fingertips from his eyes he sucked in a breath, I looked at his eyes clearly for the first time. They were exact replica of-

My hands fell when he drew away instantly as if he wasn't even there that near me.

I got up gulping, awkwardly handing his spectacles back to him with no words.

Several footsteps walked towards us purposely, I looked up came face to the security and what might be the manager in black mundane coat

"I think we are being kicked out" Sahil said gladly getting up and greeting them then he held his hand out for me. I took it I was too mortified to even utter anything.

Allowing Sahil to pull me through the crowd I watched his confident body moving as if he had done something applaudable and didn't care about the people's disapproval.

I was going to cower and hide behind his back but something about him managed to influence me and to look up and not be look down at for something I didn't do.

He held my hand firmly when I stumbled looking too up that I didn't see where I was walking.

Sahil chuckled at me I elbowed him, "this is because of you!"

"Blaming game again Serra darling?" He asked tilting his head at me when we had walked out of the cafeteria making our way back to the institution.

"Don't flirt with me!"

"And here we go again, you are becoming so predictable" Sahil told strolling moving his long legs and his hands dug in his pants pockets alongside me while I walked on footpath.

"You know that was the second place now where we can't go to" I said tossing a rock on the footpath.

"That's the drawback of hanging out with me popularity follows me everywhere"he said shrugging his shoulders.

"More like defame" I said eyeing him

He grinned responding with a glance,"don't be jealous you are a part of it"

I made a face to him, "kudos to you" I marched ahead getting through the institution gate.

I looked back when I didn't find him by my side.

He stood dead in his track with the same alarmed expression he had in the cafeteria I searched for the source the same girl in an elegant sapphire coat and all that dress up made her look quiet poise and older when she didn't appear more than my age.

"Who is she ?" I asked again joining him.

Sahil blew out, running his hand through his hair his shoulders sagged as if all that light and energy left his body, he answered reluctantly, "my girlfriend"

"Oh" I said my mouth formed an O didn't know how I should feel about this new information. Maybe a little disappointment was acceptable. But of course he would have a girlfriend with that looks and personality it would be suspicious if he didn't have one.

The supposed girlfriend walked to where we were she brushed past me as if I was invisible for her then beamed at Sahil, "missed me huh?" Then before Sahil could answer she kissed him blocking him completely out of my view.

I turned around immediately giving them the privacy even though I shouldn't feel the need to because they were in public.

I rushed to get inside, back to my class fifteen minutes break must be over by now. I glanced down at my curled fists

why this anger, though?

I uncurled them then took a deep breath then got in the class. Guess I can't runaway from my life, much.