Ch.3 – Paths Crossed
“Don’t worry she will wake up in a while Riya.” Anya said to her friend who sat near Mahi caressing her hair. They had been pacing inside the nurse’s room for 20 minutes now.
“Don’t you think he was going towards the gym as well?” Riya asked curiously.
“Huh?”
“Siddharth. When we were coming here we passed him.” Anya remembered what Riya was saying. When Mahi fainted Sumedh had gently pushed her to them and went inside the gym. The 2 girls dragged their friend around the corner when Sid came into view. He, as always, had a poker face on and shallow eyes looking straight through them.
Anya looked up at him and it seemed like their eyes met, but yet they didn’t. He walked ahead blindly passing them. He was carrying a duffel bag and a cricket bat.
Scene Shift: Gym
Sumedh restlessly marched around, waiting for the hour to end so he could finally meet his coach who was currently outside on the track. Just then the door opened and there he was.
The one responsible for all his miseries.
Sid came in halfway before the person’s facial features struck his mind. A whole year. A whole year had passed since they crossed each other’s path.
Siddharth shut his eyes, trying to keep in the hot water that was trying to escape his eyelids. Sumedh on the other hand softened his stance, hoping to approach him. He took a step forward and before he knew, Sid jumped, pushing him on the polished gym floor. He held him down with his knee, “Where is she?”
“Who?” Sumedh asked acting clueless.
“Where is she!” Siddharth slapped him and went to reach for the bat in the bag on his back. Sumedh elbowed him off before he could take it out. Now Sid was laying on the ground.
“Don’t think I am not gonna give it back this time.” Sumedh said putting his foot on Sid’s chest as he was reminded of the way Sid did to him a year back. He finally let him go and walked away but a sharp object pierced his hand.
He turned around, landing a swift punch on Sid’s face. Siddharth retaliated as well, jabbing him in the face, “Where is my Aliya!?” He screamed.
Sumedh chuckled, wiping the wet corner of his mouth. He was bleeding. “You lost the right to call her yours a long time back. We have nothing to do with you anymore, so stay away from both of us!” Saying so, he left the gym leaving behind Sid who fell on his knees and broke down fianlly. “I am sorry Aliya. I am very sorry! Please come back. Please…” He said crying alone in the humongous room.
Scene Shift: College Entrance
“Hey you, where do you think you’re going? Don’t you know the rituals? Freshers have to gather 10 flowers from the botany center and offer it to our music teacher. Only then will you be accepted in our crew and this school.” The girl said as she strutted near the gates, her hair bouncing on the satin black jumpsuit covering her shoulders. “Now go quickly before others pluck out the flowers.” She nudged the girl to move.
“Fiza!” She turned back and watched her brother walk over.
“No lecture please.”
“You are going to have us killed someday. Ms.Vidya is searching for you.” Fiza bit her tongue hearing the news and gathered her minions to shift to another place.
“Where are you going?” Faisal asked
“Of course I can’t stay here with a wanted poster going around. I will be in the coffee shop across the street.”
“On the first day back?”
“Not like we are doing anything anyway.” She said hugging him and running off with her friends. Faisal shook his head and walked away as well.
Scene Shift: Corridors
2 Hours Later-
“I think we should go to the nurse’s office now.” Riya said catching up to Anya who just came out of her introductory biology class. “She would be up by now.”
“You go ahead. I have to talk to Mr.Chopra before he leaves, then I will come.”
“Okay come soon.” Riya went up the stairs while Anya continued walking down the hallway.
“Excuse me!” She turned around to find Sumedh calling her.
“How is your friend now?”
“She’s fine.”
“Sorry I didn’t mean to…”
“It’s not your fault. She’s not good at handling noises so that happens sometimes.”
“Okay. Do you know…” Sumedh realized she was impatiently looking at the side clock. Maybe she needs to get somewhere he thought.
“You were saying something?”
“Oh no, nothing. I have to go now. Hope your friend is fine.” He left leaving her confused. Shrugging her shoulders she went on her way, unaware that someone’s eyes were on them.
“Aliya wait!” Sid saw a girl call behind the one Sumedh was talking to. But it was too late. She already disappeared. Mahi started walking in her direction when Sid came in front of her. She jumped back a little, avoiding a clash. “What the…”
“What did you just call her?” Sid asked holding her by the elbow. Mahi couldn’t speak because of his out of the blue appearance. “What did you say!” He said loudly scaring her. She instantly covered her ears and thankfully Riya came to her rescue.
“Woahh back off!”
“Say what did you call her just now.” Sid completely ignored Riya.
“Just back off, don’t you understand.” Riya shoved his shoulder slightly, getting him away from her friend. Sid gave up on them and ran down the hallway the girl had disappeared in.
EL FIN!
Another chapter update lol….I am hoping this story picks up the readers pace once I get all the characters introduced. Its going slow right now…but once all the characters are in, it will get better. Thanks to all those who vote and comment….LOVE YOU GUYS!
-Ruch <3