3. Same Old, Same Old..?

Kriya

I woke up that day early for two reasons. One, I was eager to open the present my mother was going to gift me. She always gave the best gifts. And two, the new school term was beginning. I was finally going to be in high school! Quickly getting ready, I made my way downstairs to the kitchen.

Joseph though had me sit on the chair in the dining room before I could reach the kitchen. “Oh no dear, today, you eat with your family.”

I was hesitant but nodded and took a seat. Joseph went in the kitchen to fetch me a plate and Sharon entered just then. Seeing me, she scowled, “What are you doing in my seat?”

I quickly scrabbled to the next seat. Sharon smirked and sat in the then vacant seat. In reality, it was not her seat. I knew that. I didn’t know why she did that, though. She was older to me by two years. So, I just didn’t argue, as always. Whatever makes her happy, right?

Our mother, Aliya smiled upon seeing me and walked up to me to give me a hug. “Happy birthday darling.”

I grinned, “Thank you, mum.” I looked at her with eagerness in my eyes.

Seeing that, Aliya chuckled. “Bit more patience Kriya. You’ll get your gift today itself.”

Sharon interrupted purposefully. “Swayam! Why don’t you come sit next to me?”

I tried my best to not look hurt. I was sure it was her trick to have me move from next to her. Swayam looked confused with this behavior. He didn’t know Sharon yet, but she seemed to know him. I, getting the hint, got up and moved to the opposite side.

Swayam took my place, but I noticed that he paid least attention to Sharon, much to her despise.

When Gautam, our father, walked in the dining room, he took his seat at the head of the table before looking at me. “Happy birthday Kriya.”

“Thank you father.” The response was barely a whisper, but it could be heard by everyone since a pin-drop silence had followed ever since he had entered. Yes, he was quite scary. I know he loved me. Still, one never knew when he was in a good mood.

“Today’s your first day into high school?” I nodded, not looking up at his face. “Good, behave and don’t let me hear any complaints. Sharon, look after your sister.”

“But…”

Sharon was making her way into objection when Gautam cut her short, “You’re the elder one.”

Sharon obliged, “Yes father.” But the glare she gave me made it clear to me that I was to steer clear from Sharon’s way. Ugh, Sharon the Diva. Sometimes, I really wished I could read thoughts. Especially hers. Atleast I’d find out why she was always mean towards me. I don’t even remember doing anything to her! And yet, she’s always been like that when it came to me.

“Swayam! How are you liking it here so far?” Gautam turned his attention towards him. Swayam smiled. I blanked out the conversation as I played around with the food in my plate. I had lost my appetite. I felt silly for thinking today would be any different.

××××××××××××

"What's happening?" Shane asked as everyone made way for us to walk to the front of the circle.

"My aunt's been hosting this for years and as she's a committee member, she starts off the prayer." I whispered back to him. A finger brushed my waist and instantly, I looked back to see Roy right behind me. It left me stunned as he had caught up so fast. He wasn't looking at me, making me think it must have been an accident.

Smriti grabbed my attention as she talked to me, "Why don't you start off today?" and my eyes widened.

"Are you kidding me? No ways!" I scanned the huge crowd. I was an okay singer but in front of all these people? On a mike? I'd rather not!

"Come on, you don't have a choice." She fixed the mike-piece on my ear like a blue-tooth and handed me the plate. Having no choice, I started, glad that seconds later, everyone joined in.

I felt someone trace their fingers along my strings again, making me stiffen. I was now sure that he was doing it deliberately.

I turned to look at him and he was scratching the back of his neck looking in front. No smirk on his face. Rolling my eyes at him, I turned back around since I had to continue singing. Did he really think I wouldn’t catch on to what he was doing?

As soon as I had looked away, he snaked his hand around my waist instead of just tracing it like before. "Let go!" I warned him covering the mike piece, looking around scared someone might see.

"Tell me, why do you hate me?" He demanded an answer.

I shot him a look of 'now-is-not-the-time-nor-the-place-to-mess-with-me', but it left no effect on him. I pinched his hand harsh, making him wince back in pain. Well, if a look didn’t do its work, the pinch surely passed on a clear message.

The next hour passed by covered in crowd and me always having to meet one person or another who seemed to be connected to me in some form or know Smriti. I wanted to spend time with my friends, but that seemed impossible. I finally took a break and escaped over to my friends.

"Jeez, you know the freaking whole town!" Hannah taunted.

I put my index finger and second on my temple, pretending it was a gun shooting myself. They laughed and then I pulled them in to teach them dandiya. They enjoyed it much more than garba. Suddenly, Swayam pulled me over, out of the crowd. I was stunned seeing him here.

"What are you doing here?!" I asked him as he was pulling me out.

"I knew I had to keep an eye on you.” He sounded disappointed.

"What do you mean?"

I stood in front of him and he took out his handkerchief. "Are you forgetting your leg is injured? You had a freaking hair-line fracture and you're dancing around like nothing's happened!" He scolded me in hushed voice.

"I'm fine!" I told him, ignoring the pain.

He looked at me like you-know-better-than-to-lie-to-me. "Now sit." I obliged to his command. Sitting on the bleacher, he tied it around my ankle setting my foot lightly down. They acted like pads as he laid them back on the floor. It wasn't an external injury but an internal one. Yes, I’m aware that those are worse than external.

He ordered me when I was about to stand back up. "You're not going to dance anymore. Just be quiet and sit down."  As much as I wanted to go back, I knew he was right. If I didn't give it a rest right now, I would suffer for worse later. Out of nowhere, all the pain I had forgotten the whole night rushed and pinged back at me.

"I'll leave now but you're heading back home after half hour; your friends too." I nodded at his instructions. "I have to stay out tonight so I'll see you in the morning."

"What do you mean stay out? Where are you going?"

He cupped my cheek. "I'll be fine. Worry about your-self." He placed the car keys in my hand. "It's parked outside. Ride it home. Be safe."

I sighed out of frustration. He always did this to me. He never told me anything. I knew it was to protect me and so I wouldn't worry, but not knowing where he was would leave me more worried.

"Take care." I replied as he was just few feet away, already walking away. No matter how frustrated I get at him, my worry for him always got its way.

All my friends joined me just after he left. "Hey, you just disappeared!" Caroline asked.

"What happened to your feet?" Shane seemed concerned.

"Just scratched myself. Must have been a thorn." I lied, looking at the grass. "You guys should go back." I said, knowing they were getting the hang of it and were enjoying themselves. "I think I'll sit out the rest of the night."

"Oh please, we'll give you company." Hannah said and sat down next to me. Caroline occupied my other side and Shane behind me. I looked at Roy who was walking up the step to sit next to Shane and saw a glint of real concern. I just gave back a blank stare, surprised for the second time seeing this side of him.

Hannah commented, "You know, this is like the closest thing you've brought us to in your personal life."

"Yea, Kriya. It's like we're your best friends, ignore the boys, but we still don't know much about you."

I put on a smile, hurting a bit saying with what I said next, for it was anything but the truth. "There's nothing much to know." If they knew, I was sure they would never want to talk to me again – all the things I kept a secret from them.

Yeah, everyone says that you shouldn’t be afraid to be yourself in front of your friends, yadi-yadi-ya. Bunch of crap. Blame me for not being perfect. I am a girl with bunch of flaws and I was scared of a lot of things. People can judge me for that, but I find it easy to hide than face the fears.

~-}.{-~

Author's Note: Hey hey!! Okay, so an apology is in order for not uploading for a

month?  So here goes. SORRY!! I didn't mean to just disappear. BUT, hopefully what'll make up for it is when I say I spent the time writing ahead? 

Fast updates. Yayy, right?!

PS: I just want to say that as,I am aware that I am providing POV from different characters. Usually it sticks with the main character's POV, second person, or third person. You might have expected that I stick with only Kriya's POVand as much as I want my readers to try and predict what is going on in the heads of other characters by only giving Kriya's POV, sometimes I just have to let you take a peep into other's head. Kriya can't be there in every scene, right? The other 3 characters are just as important as Kriya and I believe in treating every character equally. So, if me switching from ones POV to anothers isn't settling well with you, I am extremely sorry! This story is just complicated like that.. 

 This chapter is dedicated to MishaGupta for being the first one to fan when I started my works here. Thanks Mimi for all your love and support! (Everyone, I have a list of all of you who've either commented, voted, faned, or added my work to their reading list. You'll get a dedication for sure, promise!) Keep up the good work. You guys encourage me!

Can you guys inbox me, here on wattpad, a really great pic of Rey (KAS) ? It should look hot and you know, complete bad boy types.. Whoever sends me the best one can get the next chapter dedicated to them :D (Yes, I know I am bribing. And you know I love you) :*

PLEASE vote, comment and fan!! I will upload another chapter by tonight for sure.

Love,

-Araina.