The scene opens to Kabir still standing in shock near the lockers. Without saying a word he turned to leave, disappearing in the crowd of students who rushed out of their lectures and began moving to their next class.
Mahi grabbed Anya’s wrist and dragged her through the mass of people while Riya followed behind.
“Where are you going?” Riya asked
“Can you believe it? He’s back.” She kept running in his trail until they were in close sight without him noticing them.
“Mahi calm down. Everyone’s looking at us as if we grew 2 heads.” Anya said, looking at all the eyes turned to them.
“That’s not because of me. You look too pretty to ignore.” Anya realized it was funny but true. Most of the eyes were on her, shocked to see such a change in the nerdy bookworm they knew before.
Everyone seemed to have a friendly and welcoming attitude now which she would love, if she was still in her normal look. She knew very well that the newfound friendliness dripping from every person was fake. And she hated fakes.
The girls hid behind a wall, Mahi occasionally stealing glances at Sumedh who was pacing outside the gym nervously.
“Can you imagine he’s the same guy who almost died that day. He was bleeding non stop and that too because of his own friend!” Mahi said turning to her friends.
*FLASHBACK*
1 Year Ago:
AnMaYa (Anya, Mahi, Riya) were sitting at a table in the college cafeteria eating their lunch peacefully. Anya was reading a book, MATCHED by Ally Condie, on the side. She seemed very intrigued by it. Riya was on her phone doing something while Mahi focused on her food.
Just then they heard screams and a few students running outside the cafeteria’s glass doors. The crowd gathered and then seconds later split in half, making way for something, or rather someone.
The girls stood up terrified. Mahi covered her ears firmly to keep the noise out. Two guys were landing punches on each other’s faces. But one was severely injured, blood oozing out of his nose and mouth. He even had a deep wound on his right bicep.
The other guy, better known as Sid, leader of Elite Crew, seemed to have hell fire burning in his eyes. He was filled with rage. Sumedh was pushed on the floor as Sid kicked him, “I TRUSTED YOU!”
Sumedh coughed out blood as he turned sideways, curled up in a ball trying to get off the ground. Sid pulled him up by the collar, throwing him at a nearby table. Sumedh held onto a chair to stand and murmured, “Si…Sid…listen to…” but he couldn’t complete as another punch landed on his cheeks.
Anya realized they were getting too close to them and it was going to make Mahi’s condition worse. She grabbed her stuff and along with Riya cruised through the large crowd to get to the entrance. Both the girls guided Mahi as she had her eyes closed and hands clasped on her ears.
Anya glanced inside the crowded circle to see Sumedh on his back while Sid sat on top of him, constantly punching his jaw, “I trusted you! I f**king trusted you! Why did you two do this to me? WHY!!” Even though his complains had started in anger, his tone lowered by the end, tears coming down.
Again his jaws tightened and he raised his hand all the way back, ready to deliver his final blow. Anya felt horrible seeing the gory fight but she had no interest in being a part of the popular’s drama either. She was best away from them. As she was about to move away someone pushed her and the book in her hand landed right next to Sumedh’s head.
Sid’s clenched fist stopped midair as he looked at the book, now soaked in his friend’s blood. Sumedh looked at the blurred figure who was hesitating to grab the book she dropped and after a few attempts she finally exited the crowd.
Sid kept reminiscing the long chats he had with Aliya where she would fantasize their future as per the book she was reading, Crossed, the sequel to Matched, a series Sid himself had gifted to her.
He got off of Sumedh and gave one last kick before moving away. Sumedh breathed heavy on the floor and as the crowd dispersed a few people realized he fainted.
AnMaYa were leaving through the cafeteria doors when a girl came from the opposite side, entering the cafe distraught. Her eyes were red and swollen, searching for someone in the crowd.
Anya looked at her and the girl too gave a concerning look to them as her eyes fell on the scared Mahi. Both the girls went on their own path.
*FLASHBACK ENDS*
Mahi was still facing Anya and Riya, “Can you imagine what that devil would do if he say this guy again? This boy would be minced meat in seconds!” Anya and Riya’s facial expressions changed entirely.
“How can he be so stupid to come back here. He has no shame. First he stole his best friend’s girlfriend and even after getting beaten he didn’t learn his lesson. So shameless.” Mahi judged.
“Do you have something to say to me?” Mahi heard a sudden voice behind her, she was turned halfway, and before Riya or Anya could manage her, her body gave way and she fainted on Sumedh, who held her as she leaned on his chest. He stared up at her friends.
They were the ones with Kabir.
EL FIN!
Another chapter updated…And as said this is also small 🙂
Hope you guys are liking this story so far…Please do encourage other readers to check it out as well….Thanks for all your support people…
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-Ruch <3