Rishi

I kept staring at Jai as he described his elaborate scheme against  Ruby, I just stared at him in shock. My goofy friend can really be mean at times. ''Rishi, Sanjana does have feelings for you. The way she thrashed Ruby, well it said it all.''

''How does that help? She refuses to acknowledge the same. Now, even I am not concerned. I have enough attention to please my ego.''

Jai laughed. ''Yes you do. I have been noticing girls ready to drop clothes for you. Some even approached me with attractive schemes of helping me in getting you and in-turn I get some amazing benefits.'' He said and cringed. Jai wasn't the Casanova types, he flirts but decently and keeps his distance. His family has faced the burned of an angry female and he believes women when angry can be the most lethal enemy.

''What about Ruby? Do you think she will take this lying low?''

''No, but I will let Sanjana handle her.'' Jai replied with a smile. I just shook my head in response, but my mind kept going back to Sanjana. Even it what Jai said is true, will she fight for us? Will she stand up against the belief of her family? I seriously doubt that. What I heard from Pooja, She was quick to call out her brother wrong for choosing his own life partner. Sanjana is all good but she fails to understand the good for others. She needs to understand that what might be wrong in her eyes can be right for others.

I shook my head. I will not push her but I will not sulk anymore either. I will have fun the way I want to. ''Ready for party tomorrow?'' Jai asked

I nodded, we wining the sports tournament will add to the celebration of welcoming new batch this year. Usually, different departments have separate welcome parties but this year, we have a combined one. If things were normal, I would have asked Sanajna to be my date, but I don't want to come out desperate.

***

''Fine Mom, I will let Pooja know.'' I smiled staring at screen. Pooja will be so happy knowing that mom was ready to offer her a 3 year contract . When I told mom about Pooja, she decided to help her in a way that it didn't look like a help. Mom feels her pain as she as well suffered the pain of being disowned by her own.

Putting on a t-shirt , I made my way to the canteen near block H. Pooja said she would meet me there. 

''Hi Rishi!'' Pooja greeted me with a hug. I smiled down at her. We have become closets of buddies and share everything with each other. I ordered 2 cold coffees and informed the waiter that Pooja was paying the bill. She just blinked and agreed. We sat there chatting about random things as I got my camera ready for her reaction when I would break the news to her, but I felt being watched. I looked around but found no one. ''Okay, I have a news. Mom, is offering you a three year contract. You can shoot during your breaks and plan with her team based on your course. Once , you graduate, she will renew it based on your interest. She stared at me with her eyes wide and then gave me a knowing smile. ''Thank you Rishi, for making me feel important. '' Those lines said all that she couldn't add. I squeezed her hand, I didn't wanted to counter her. I felt being watched again. I looked around and found my eyes locked with that of Sanjana. She sat at a corner table, hidden behind the crowd . I matched her stare , waiting for her to lower hers but his time she refused. I am not sure what those eyes spoke, but I saw a rebel rising in them. Finally, I decided to look away. Pooja sipped her coffee, trying to hide her big grin behind the cup.

''Shut up!'' And she scoffed her coffee splattering it all over he table and some on me. ''Pooja!''

''Sorry, but she did beat you down in that stare game.'' I narrowed my eyes at her. Got up, moved around and gave Pooja a peck on her cheek before walking away. She stayed frozen at her table and many eyes were glaring at her. Later, I received a bunch of angry text from Pooja warning me about not dragging her between me and Sanjana.

***

The Party was scheduled for Friday night and our classes were cancelled for the day. There was a small reward ceremony before the dance party to award the students who bought glory to the institute. The student committee had planned a masquerade ball, the age old theme which still bought excitement within the young party goers. The excitement of being the oneself without being recognized is always exiting. I kept it sober with a fitting silk shirt in deep maroon and a black trouser. Folding my sleeves up to the elbow, I accessorized my attire with a rolex gifted by Dad. I checked my look , and was ready to sweep the female crowd off the floor. Jai, on the other hand dressed like count Dracula, only if others knew this was will faint at the sight of blood.

''Ready to rock.''  I nodded. We took golf cart to the grand party hall. The place an old British era party hall with a huge lawn, space enough to accommodate the whole university. We submitted our biometrics confirming our attendance and moved in. I picked up a black mask , ''That's Krissh mask.'' The lady behind the table grinned at me. I just shrugged wearing it anyway. We stepped in to a full house. All kept grooving to the slow music and our professors dawned the role of bouncers today. Though, none of the students are crazy enough to be caught but its institutes policy to maintain the decorum. ''What would you like to have, Orange or Pomegranate?'' 

Pooja asked bating her lashes at me. I gave her an appreciative look, she stood out. She had chosen a pencil leather trouser with a sleek slik shirt, a tie loosely handing round her neck. Her pixie hair gelled  in way that gave her a powerful look. ''Why are you pissed?''

''They are serving juices and milkshakes. What are we, babies in a creche?''

''What were you expecting love. Booze? Inside the campus. '' She made a face. A guy approached her and she literally growled at him making me laugh. ''The day you sign the contract, I will take you out for a drink.'' She smiled, ''Deal, can I sign now.'' I just pulled her cheeks but again felt being watched. This time, I couldn't take my eyes away. Sanjana stood out in a black ruffled corset dress. She had pulled her hair up in a messy bun, exposing her beautiful collar bone. She had painted her lips red and her eyes hid behind the seductive sliver mask. She is planning to kill me.

I heard whispering behind my ear and made turn, my eyes locked with Pooja. ''You are part of this!''

''Of what? Her plan to seduce you? Nope, its way evident to all in the campus. Only you are blind to it.'' She then grabbed on Jai, ''Let's have a milkshake. The floor belongs to grown ups.'' Jai  blinked but followed. 

I wouldn't lie, but I was hell nervous. I have never felt like a prey and here, the heart throb of Red wood high was sweating under a girls gaze. A girl approached me and I accepted her invitation of dance, a good distraction. I danced all over the floor with many partners and to people who don't know me, I would appear as a biggest Casanova on the earth. I am not shy of close or hot dance moves and today, I just pushed beyond, may be to instigate Sanajna. I twirled my partner and pulled her back to my front. My eyes looking up, but Sanjana was gone. Not sure I took a breather or suddenly turned curious. I twirled my partner leaving the dance floor when sleek arm went around mine. ''Can I have the honour of a dance.'' 

***

Sanjana,

I Think I am losing my mind. Since I have decided to put some distance between me and Rishi, my heart has been itching for his closeness. Not going to lie, I have stalked him for whole week. I have dug the details on every girl he has taken to a date and hated these girls with all my might.

I have been jealous of my best friend , she enjoys a kind of comfort with Rishi  which I could never think off. The welcome Party for freshers was a grand affair and a kind of 1st for me. Parties at my house are more lunch or dinner gatherings with a traditional touch. I haven't attended such parties all my life. Not to forget , this is my first time wearing such a revealing outfit. Why am I doing this? I have no clue why? But my mind is running an overdrive, I want to do something outrageous to get his attention.

''WOW! Whom are you looking to kill?'' Pooja asked

''Is it too much?'' I asked a little worried. She gave me a small hug, ''No, you look absolutely gorgeous. Let me help you with makeup.'' And she did an art on the canvas of my face. I looked sexy and felt powerful. Admiring the exposed front skin of my body I felt confident. I know this was for him and yet, I reminded myself I was doing for myself

***

In the party hall, my eyes just looked for him. They stalked him and he kept ignoring me. I wanted to burn those girls down who danced with him and in my anger , I had a little too many mocktails, resulting in my bladder calling out an emergency. I stood alone in that washroom staring at my reflection, reminding myself why am I here, and what I want and I decided to take things in my own hands. I did little touch up and stepped out To come face to face with Kunal.

He whistled, ''WOW! You look like a dream.''

''That I am, for you. A distant dream.'' I replied , my chin lifted

''Like all the girls, you as well are running behind him. He will lose you once he is done with you.''

I smiled sweetly at him. ''How is that your concern.''

''I have a soft corner for you.''

''Yeah....Yeah...like you did to many more.''

Kunal sounded frustrated, ''Can't you see , he will never be seriously involved with you.'' I won't deny, but yes, I feared that Rishi will leave me once he is done with me. But coming from Kunal felt like a dagger, I couldn't let him insult him Rishi. 

''Rishi is like a forbidden fruit, even if its poisons me, I would still like to have it.'' I replied a little shocked at my own words. Kunal huffed and walked away. While I patted my back, ''I can be a poet.''

I moved to the dance floor and stayed hidden from his eyes, watching him drinking him. His movements were like fluid made of silk and I I wanted his hands on me. He twirled around his partner, walking away from the floor and I took the chance, halting his movements, I looped my arm around his . ''Can I have the honour of a dance.''

He stared at my hand and then lifted his eyes to lock that with mine. . In a swift movement, he grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the hall into one of the corners, pinning me to a wall he leaned closer to my face , his arm on he wall. ''Don't play this game Sanjana.''

''Did I scare you.''

''I don't want you hurt Sanajna.''

''I want to feel alive Rishi, and I feel it when I am with you.'' Rishi leaned and gave a peck on my cheek. ''You are a good girl, and I haven't still shown you how bad I can be.''

My heart started thudding in excitement and fear. A part warned to run while another pushed to take a risk. So I decided to take  the risk. Taking a step, I whispered over his lips . Show me how bad you can get..'' His eyes changed, his arm went around my waist as I was being pulled upto his chest. ''Fine, don't chicken out.''

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