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Hey everyone!

I enjoyed a lot writng this chapter.

Hope u will enjoy reading it too.

long chapter :)

comments please and throw hearts everywhere!

take care :)

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It was 6:30 pm in the evening on Friday and still the girls were on the boutique, shopping for their ball dresses. Dharshi found herself a red dress, hanging down till her knees, while Sriya found a blue dress. Hirdh was confused about choosing the dresses, because all were very grand, and she never likes to wear grand dresses. She offered to wear her casual dress but Dharshi and Sriya didn't approve of it. Hirdh was practically dragged into boutique by them. After choosing their own dresses, they started selecting for Hirdh. Hirdh was uncomfortable with the cuttings in the dresses and how they would look upon her. She never believed that she was beautiful. She didn't even recognize the salesman, checking her out the whole time. She was that innocent but still as sweet as honey. Sriya noted this and dragged both of them to other section, not finding any perfect dress for Hirdh.

Hirdh spotted a dress which was almost hidden from others. Dharshi took it and found it was the most beautiful dress in the whole boutique. It would finely fit on Hirdh. When Hirdh got the dress, she was asked to give a trial by Sriya. When she came out of the trial room, Dharshi and Sriya awed at her. She blushed to the core and said, "shut up!"

Yes! She was as gorgeous as one can be! 

The girls giggled at Hirdh, making her to blush even more. The dress looked even more beautiful on her. They found that, they couldnot hold a candle to Hirdh's beauty. Instead of envying her, Dharshi and Sriya hugged her. Meanwhile, they found Jose and Stephen, selecting their own suits. Jose found a black suite while Stephen, a grey suite. They reached their rooms and Sriya & Stephen left to their homes. They saw all others' dresses and were eagerly waiting for tomorrow.

Saturday came. Nick made up his hair and went up to Alric's room. Alric was still in his casuals. Something happened. Nick thought.

Nick, "Hey Alric! Aren't you coming? Why are you not ready yet?" Alric, " I donno Nick. Im afraid."

Nick, " Alric, it's just a first date. Also, you both are definitely attracted to each other. Then what's up man?"

Alric, "yeah! But still, I'm nervous Nick"

Nick, " Everything will be alright Alric. Don't worry. Hirdh is a good girl. She will be a perfect match for you. Give it a go Alric. This is the right time. Common man!", he exclaimed.

Alric, " huh! Ok"

Nick waited. Alric came out of his room, in his brownish black suite. Nick saw the confidence building up in his friend's face and felt happy for him. It always took a few minutes for Alric to build up his confidence level. And Nick was very good in soothing him. They hired a taxi and reached the Fanatic club.

The club was already crowded with girls and boys of their age group. There were many girls and Nick was trying to select a pretty girl among them. Alric beamed at him, knowing what he was doing at that time. Nick had few girl friends, but no one longed more than a few months. That's because, Nick couldn't spend much time with his girlfriends, making them to lose interest in him. But still, Nick never bothered. He always gets what he wanted. Nick was not just handsome but definitely looked like an ad model. The black suite suited him well, perfectly fitting him. A group of 4 girls came near them. Nick beamed at them. The girls giggled & made a small conversation with Nick. Nick also noticed that the girls were trying to start a conversation with Alric, but he politely answered them with one or two words and nodded his head. Nick saw Alric's eyes scanning for Hirdh. Nick got a text message from Jose, " We are on the way Nick". Quickly, Nick replied him, " And we are already here, J. "

One of the girls, named Claire had the guts, " Alric, can you dance with me?"

Alric, " huh! It's a blessing to dance with you. But I'm not blessed enough. I'm sorry!"

Claire's face dropped. She was definitely attracted to him, but alas! Alric had his eyes only to Hirdh.

The front door opened. Alric heard the creak and turned his eyes. He found Jose, followed by Sriya, Dharshi and Stephen. Then, Hirdh came, with those innocent puppy like eyes.

'Oh my God! Hirdh was beyond gorgeous', Alric's mouth dropped. Hirdh noticed that and smiled a little. Nick nudged him. Alric was out of his world and he was seeing only Hirdh and everything went blank. She was wearing a blue frock, heading to her toes from the shoulder, with multiple layers. He found her golden hair left free, till her mid back and a small clutcher with white and blue stones on her hair. There were few hair curls hanging on left side of her face, a necklace with white stones hugging her neck tight. 'Definitely a cute doll!', Alric was gaping at her.

Nick called Jose. All 5 came near them. They spoke with Nick and when Dharshi turned towards Alric, she saw Alric holding a tight steady gaze on Hirdh and Hirdh was staring at him too. When Dharshi cleared her throat, Hirdh said a small shy hi to both of them, which was directed to Alric. Alric never saw a shy Hirdh. He marveled at her shyness and greeted her back.

Hirdh started noting his features. He was perfect everywhere and his fine torso was fit and tightly hidden by his brownish black suite, with a light blue shirt and a black shiny tie. He was on the top of the world. His hair was combed neat and he definitely had a professional look, which Hirdh loved. His cute eyes were noting her from head to toe, just like her scanning and she blushed a little.

Her friends were chatting with Nick. Meanwhile, Nick and Stephen went to bring them some drinks. Alric and Hirdh politely avoided them. They were never good boozers. Others had a little. Nick found Dharshi, very attractive. Nick asked for a dance and Dharshi readily accepted it. They left to the dance floor and started dancing. Sriya, Jose and Stephen left to the dance floor too, leaving Hirdh and Alric alone. Sriya winked up at Hirdh and Hirdh gave her a thumbs-up.

Hirdh, " stop staring at me Alric!"

Alric smirked at her. Hirdh giggled.

Alric, " So..."

Hirdh, " so?"

Alric, " so... me... u..."

Hirdh laughed and she knew him well. Idiot she thought. Never had the courage to ask her out.

Hirdh, " stop blabbering Alric. Come, let's dance!" and she dragged him to the dance floor.

Alric was awestruck by her sudden confidence and became enthusiastic.

Alric's left hand held Hirdh's right hand tightly yet softly. Hirdh had put her left hand on his left broad shoulder, while Alric's right hand was on Hirdh's small hip, almost hugging her.

The intimacy brought a tingling sensation in their bodies. They both stared into each other's eyes. Alric's eyes were hot and Hirdh's were dark blue, out of desire. Hirdh wore a smile on her lips, making Alric grin. The song started and they started dancing slowly. Hirdh forgot her whole world and thought Alric as her king. She studied his features meticulously. He was perfect, more than just perfect. She was up to his shoulder level. He was 20cms taller than her, making them a perfect couple. Alric had a perfect nose, with full pink lips and firm square framed chin, giving him an air of arrogance, but still innocent puppy like face. At the same time, Alric noticed her spotless skin, her long eyelashes, blue colored matching her dress, her cute nose and her full small supple lips.

Hirdh, " what Alric?", she asked shyly

Alric, " you are beautiful, Hirdh!"Hirdh was funny and bold till that time. Suddenly, she became flustered. He wondered how one can undergo the exact opposite emotions, in just a few seconds time.

Hirdh, " oh thank you Alric! And you say this almost every time, we meet!" she blushed a little.

Alric, " because you are beautiful Hirdh!" he expected her to blush more, but instead he found her staring right into him.

Alric smiled, " why are you staring at me?"

Hirdh, " Noth... Nothing... I... You... you are handsome Al! And I never noticed that you are this perfectly handsome."

Alric, "Al?", enquired with curiosity and raised his eyebrows. .

Hirdh, " short name for Alric." She said smoothly.

Alric's breathing became unusal and hot and he started taking short breaths. Though Hirdh knew that, that she was the reason affecting him, she planned to play a little with him.

Hirdh, " why is your breath hot Alric? Not feeling well?", she pretended as if she was clueless!

Alric, " um... no... I‟m..." he stammered, making Hirdh giggle.

Alric, " awesome"

Hirdh, " what?"

Alric, " the giggling sound of yours!"

Hirdh, " haha!!" and she giggled again. Alric saw pink color rising on her cheeks. But suddenly, the color was gone. And Alric started searching her eyes again. She became bold again, and started moving her left hand, from his shoulder to his neck and moved closer to him, making him loose his breath. Alric slowly moved his fingers over her fingers and found that, her palm was baby soft. He admired at her beauty. Mean while, the song changed from slow song to a rap. She stopped dancing and was looking at him, as if pleading to get down from the dance floor.

l Alric, " shall we sit for some time Hirdh?" they have already danced for anhour.

Hirdh, " yeah sure" and she started scanning for her friends. Nick was dancing with Dharshi, for the rap. Dharshi was always good at anything she does. And this was the first time, Hirdh saw someone dancing equally good withDharshi. She felt happy for her. Sriya, Stephen and Jose were sipping coca cola at a table far away from theirs.

Alric pulled the chair for Hirdh to sit, 'perfect gentleman' she thought and sat beside her. They were at the farthest table from the dance floor. They were neither excluded from the club nor included. There was a faint light coming from a nearby light to their table. Alric ordered 2 glass of cold water. Hirdh noticed that their nearby table was occupied by a love pair, probably 2 years younger than them and surprisingly, they were snogging. Hirdh was relieved when Alric was looking into menu and she was not caught up at that moment for checking out his full lips and felt a strong desire to kiss him.

Their cold water came and she had a sip of it. Only then she found that, how tired she was and it was heavenly to drink the cold water. She was too hot and the water was going through her food pipe, almost in the gaseous state. She smiled at the things like how her body felt, which she have never experienced before. Alric found her checking him out, but didn't react, because he was immersed in his own thoughts of having her nearby. When she was observing the nearby table, he felt a shudder looking at the love pair, just like Hirdh did. But after seeing Hirdh, his shudder slowly turned into a strong desire, just like Hirdh's. But as usual, he was afraid to make the first step. Hirdh caught him staring at her and she guessed that, Alric felt the same as she felt. Sipping the cold water, Alric's lips glittered in the faint light. She started dreaming of kissing him and she didn't notice Alric pushing his chair towards her. Their knees were almost touching and they felt a thrill, go through them.

Hirdh decided to make the first move as usual and came close to him. She placed her baby soft hands over his. He smiled and enclosed hers by his hand and slowly traced smooth circles, over her hand. She smiled back at him. There was a silence prevailing between them and he came closer to her again. Their faces were a few inches away and Hirdh could feel his hot breath over her bare shoulder. She thought, 'this is it. This is the time. Just kiss him Hirdh. '

She moved slowly near his face. She placed her full soft lips at the right side of his chin, just below his lips and kissed him slowly and sensually. He gasped and his eyes started sparkling. He got the hint of kissing her on her lips and stared at her lips, parting his own. She parted her lips and came near him.

Claire, " hey Alric! I was searching for you throughout the club and you are here, sitting far away from the dance floor!"

Hirdh was disappointed and she felt bad of missing the chance of kissing him. She found Claire staring at her with such hatred. Hirdh felt it embarrassing. Soon, she cleared her throat and excused herself and had a sip of cold water.

Alric found Claire annoying, " what the hell you want um...?"

Claire, " Claire". She found that Alric didnt even remember her name.

Alric, "Claire" he barked at her.

No one ever refused her. All the boys of her circle, had an hawking eye on her. But she rejected them all. They used to beg her for dating. But this made her angry. When she saw Alric sitting with a random girl made her furious. How dare he refuse her and chat with some one? And then she approached them.

Claire, "um... Alric... I thought you would like some cold drinks! So I brought you these.."

Alric saw the bottles, she kept on his table. He found all the alcoholic beverages. He sighed. While, Hirdh giggled softly, making him smile. Claire thought she impressed him and threw a dirty look towards Hirdh. And Alric didnt fail to notice that.

Alric, " No thanks, Claire! I am not a boozer!"

Claire, " oh wow! Great! Its very rare to find such a good person like you Alric!"

Alric, " Oh! Thank you."

Claire, " your suite is awesome Alric!" and she started flirting.

Alric always had girls, surrounding him. So he knew whether the sayings are compliments or just flirts.

Alric searched for Nick and all of a sudden, Nick came out of blue towards them, with Jose.

Nick was always his savior.

Nick, " wow! My favourite alcoholic beverage! Thanks for bringing them Claire!" Nick was having an eye on Alric, while Jose on Hirdh, so that they had some good time, together. When Jose saw Claire, approaching their table, Jose alerted Nick and they marched towards their table. Nick knew how much Alric longed to have some good time with Hirdh and Jose knew how much Hirdh had a crush on him. So, they both came to save them from Claire.

Claire jerked and turned to see Nick standing behind her. She was annoyed to see him. She was thriving to speak with Alric and now, she has to manage Nick and another boy, who looked pretty good but not as good as Alric. And a bitch, who sat near Alric.

She sighed and, " hey Nick! Oh you are welcome!" she turned to Alric again. Mean while, Nick saw how annoyed Alric was and called Claire,

"hey Claire! Common let dance" and he dragged her to dance floor. Claire was struggling to get out of him but his hold was very strong. Dharshi saw Nick, dragging a girl away from Alric and Hirdh. When she was about to call Nick, for the reason, Jose was beside her and told her the whole story.

Sriya and Dharshi understood the girls fling for Alric and all three decided to keep Claire away from Alric and Hirdh.

Dharshi sensed a scrunitzing stare of Claire, towards Hirdh, who was giggling for something Alric told her. Dharshi sensed that something evil is with Claire and that they should be aware of her. She just nodded to Jose and left to find Stephen.

Alric was still trying to get back the moment he had with Hirdh and came near her. He thought, she will make the first move as usual, so that he could be on the safer side. But he found Hirdh staying still. He saw her smiling softly. He took her hands. And brought them, near his lips saying,

"sorry for the interruption Hirdh!" and kissed her fingers.

Hirdh laughed, " haha! What interruption Alric?" and removed her hand from him.

Alric thought, he made a wrong move and looked up at her eyes. Only then, he came to know that she was playing with him. He laughed and acted as if he was searching for some one.

Hirdh said, " Are you searching for that girl? " usually, she loved teasing Jose. But now, teasing Alric was better.

Alric, " um... yeah! she was a way beautiful... and I forgot to get her number."

Hirdh was disappointed, " well! Don't worry Alric! I will get her number and give you soon. Probably, Nick would have got her number by this time." She moved and took her hand bag. She was still disappointed that he wanted the girl's's number and not hers. She tried to get up but was caught up by Alric, " hey where are you going?"

Hirdh, " um.... Forgot to get some materials for my assignment, which is due by day after tomorrow. So, I'm going to library now. So see you Alric. Nice meeting you! Take care!"

Alric was shocked by her actions, leaving him alone all of a sudden. But he couldn't find whether Hirdh was playing with him or she was really serious. But he was no more afraid in making his moves and woke up along with her,

"oh I see! Well you have your mind around your studies always! That's good. And I will drop u Hirdh!"

Hirdh, " oh its so kind of you Alric! But no, thanks. I have to go to my friend's home, before I go to library! So, bye!"

And she turned to leave.

Alric had no other options but just let her go.

"Ok! Bye take care Hirdh! See you on Monday!"

"yeah ok! See you!"

Hirdh went straight up to Sriya and Stephen, sitting on a table. They searched for Alric, but couldn't find him. Hirdh was in mood out. They guessed, it has to do something with Claire. Jose was approaching them, while Nick and Dharshi were on the dance floor, still dancing and that girl, was nowhere to be seen.

Sriya, " whats up Hirdh? Why are you alone? Where is Alric?"

Stephen was waiting for her reply. But all she said was, "nothing! Um... I have to go for library! "

"what?? Library!" Jose asked her.

"I have to get some materials for my assignment, due on coming Monday. So I have to go to library! Can u drop me there Jose?"

"are you kidding Hirdh? It's 9pm. Which library would be open at this time?" Stephen asked.

Jose sensed something wrong with Hirdh, " ok Hirdh!" he saw Sriya and then Stephen. They understood that something was up and went to get Dharshi. Dharshi was confused hearing this and Nick said, "Claire".

They all guessed the reason for her mood out and Nick went to see Alric, while Dharshi came up with Sriya. Meanwhile, Hirdh had already left the place with Jose.

Sriya, Stephen and Dharshi had some more fun time at club, while Nick left them to accompany Alric. Alric told him everything.

"I was just teasing her man!"

He was disappointed too. Nick, " common Alric! Don't worry! Everything will become fine soon!"

Alric nodded and saw Hirdh, going into washroom and that Jose was waiting outside to pick her. He sighed and left the club.

Hirdh was startled to see Claire there. Hirdh moved away while Claire came straight towards her, " hey bitch! See what you are! Have you ever noticed your ugly face in your mirror? "

Hirdh tried to be polite and started walking towards the exit. But her way was blocked by few girls and Claire came in laughing viciously,

" are you trying to elude? You are such a waste and you want a boy like Alric huh? You are no match to him!", Claire yelled at her with such arrogance.

The girls said, " yeah you are such a waste! Waste! Waste! Waste!" together and they laughed at her.

Hirdh thought, she could be anywhere in the world but not here. She longed for the earth to just swallow her right at that place but still, she was standing there, hearing all their ill treated words. She couldn't find any words to confront that girl and her eyes were becoming watery, once she heard that she was no match for him.

" He is mine. And if I see you again, flirting with him, you are dead. Mind it.", Claire said and left the room.

Hirdh was about to cry, but controlled herself. She came out of the washroom and was relieved to see Jose waiting for her.

Jose, " you ok Hirdh? I saw that Claire walking out of washroom along with her friends!"

Hirdh managed, "oh that girl is called Claire! Um.. nothing Jose.." he didnt believe her. Soon she added, " just head ache! Take me to hostel Jose!"

Jose knew Claire has to do something but brushed away his thoughts, so that he could deal with them later. Right now, he has to take care of Hirdh.

Jose hired a taxi and they reached their hostel around 9:45pm. Jose bought dinner and they ate them. Hirdh was silent throughout the ride and this was not her usual self. Hirdh got a call but she had cut it. It might be from Nick, thought Jose. He thought of asking her, about this later and let it go for now. They had their dinner and went to their respective rooms, bidding their good nights.

Dharshi came to the room, late by around 1am. Dharshi found tear strained face of Hirdh and felt bad for her. Sriya and Stephen went to their homes.