*Aslesha*

Sharp light pierces my eyes and I turn my face away. Mai parde band karna bhul kaise gayi?

Oww my head. My head hurts like hell, like somebody is hammering it.

What the fuck, ye sarr dard kyu ho raha hai itna?

I slowly open my eyes, cursing the sun for being so bright. I try to get up, but my headache increases so I just plop down on the bed again.

Mai jeans me kyu so rahi hu? In fact ye toh kal ke hi kapde hai..

My mind goes into flashback and I sit up straight in a jerk getting a shooting pain in my head.

Aaahh...

The match.. yesterday was the match and we won. And then I went to the party.

The party! Oh my god!

There I ate biryani with Viraj which was super tasty and then.. I was drinking with Jay, Sid and Saumya.

Drinking! OH MY GOD!

Then we played truth or dare and I remember asking Neel some really embarrassing questions.

Chaddha does your family sell chaddis? Oh no no no god! NOOO!!

Then.. I was dancing on the counter like a bloody wasted bitch when Viraj found me and stopped me. This is just getting more and more embarassing.

Kyu bhagwan ji, kyu mujhe aapne itni kam akkal di? Ughhh.

Then he took me outside, carrying me over his shoulder. Carrying me over his shoulder. CARRYING ME OVER HIS SHOULDER!!

Bass isse embarrassing aur kuch ho nahi sakta... Right. Fir mai ghar aayi aur chup chap so gayi. Please please, fir ghar aaja Aslesha aur kuch mat kar.

But mai toh Aslesha hu. Bass itni embarrassment me mera mann thodi bharega.

And then I remember how I fucking vomited in front of him. Hadd hi ho gayi yaar.

Bhagwan ji uthaa hi lo ab mujhe toh.

I plop down on my bed again, groaning in pain as something else starts registering in my brain.

'Take part in the dance'

'Iske alawa kuch bolo please'

'But you'd be amazing. Please Aslesha. Apne college ke liye itna bhi nahi karogi?'

'But sab arrangements ho chuke hai. Mai part nahi le sakti'.

'Mai vo sab arrange kar dunga. Tumhe bass Friday ko stage pe jaana hai aur 3 minute dance karna hai'.

'Yes'.

'Yes?'

'Yes'.

"OH MY GOD NOOOO!!!" I scream sitting upright again as I get up from the bed and shuffle on my feet.

"Aslesha? Kya hua beta?" Papa comes rushing inside my room and I widen my eyes.

"Oh my god oh my god papaaaa" I whine jumping up and down.

"Aree Aashu, kya hua bataao toh" he says getting worried.

But then I notice that he is in his office clothes almost ready to leave. I look at the clock and it's almost 10am.

"OH MY GOD PAPAAA! Maine aapka lunch nahi banaya aur na hi kuch breakfast. Mai abhi fatak se kuch banaa deti hu. Oh shit" I say running outside my room to the kitchen.

Gosh this day has started like the worst nightmare come true.

"Ok first of all, sit" Papa says grabbing my shoulders and making me sit on a chair.

I try to get up but he pushes me down again. "Baitho kaha na maine" he says in a stern voice and I sigh and rub my forehead.

"Mai aaj lunch bahar se kar lunga. Kabhi kabhi tumhe bhi khana banane se chutti milni chahiye na. Toh koi baat nahi. Tum bhi aaj canteen se kuch kha lena" he says and I sigh. "Dekho mai samose bhi laaya hu, tumhe bahot pasand hai na. Garam hai jaldi se fresh ho ke kha lo ok" he says and I nod.

"Party kaisi rahi? Bahot der ho gayi aate hue" he says.

"Sorry papa, aage se jaldi aa jaaungi" I say and he scoffs.

"Party hai vo. Jaldi aane ke liye nahi jaate log party me. Jesus, look at me indirectly telling you to come late. Kaisa baap hu mai" he says muttering the last line to himself and shaking his head.

"Best papa ho aap" I say with a small smile and he gives me a smile in return.

"Vo toh hai. But tum aage se jaldi aaogi parties se samjhi?" he says trying to act stern and failing miserably as I chuckle.

"Okay papa" I say grinning.

"Party kaisi rahi. Batayi nahi tum" he asks again.

"I um.. I got.. um.. I.."

"You got drunk. Pata hai. Aage bolo" he says suppressing a smile and I widen my eyes in shock.

"Papa you seriously need to start acting more strictly" I say hiding my face in my hands and he laughs.

"I trust you beta" he says.

"I got drunk.. and I danced" I say leaving the details about my waisa wala dance. His eyes widen with amusement at that.

"I asked Neel Chaddha in front of everyone whether his family sells chaddis " I say and he laughs.

"Ye toh kuch bhi nahi hai. I agreed to take part in the dance competition" I whine and he comes forward pulling my head towards his chest, hugging me.

"Oh finally Aashu. Log pee ke stupid decisions lete hai aur tune apne life ka sabse sahi decision liya. Aur ja parties me. Wah wah mai bahot khush hu" he says his eyes lighting up.

Ab papa ko kaise bataau ke nashe me mai galti se ha bol di. Mujhe sahi me part lena padega kya? Papa itne khush hai, unka dil kaise dukhaau.

"But auditions ka time nikal gaya hai. Mera dost try karega ke vo mera naam list me adjust kare. Toh ab tak kuch sure nahi hai" I say with a weak smile.

"Veer?" He asks and I nod.

"I have a feeling vo kar lega" he says smiling a little as he grabs the keys to his car and takes his bag.

I have the same feeling Papa. Aur issi baat ka darr hai.

"Ok bye Aashu. Please nahaa lo you stink" he says after quickly kissing my hair. I widen my eyes and mutter a quick good bye hurrying inside the washroom.

I brush my teeth and after the shower my head ache finally completely stops.

Haasshh.

I wear a green tank top and white cut-offs leaving my hair open and pack my bag keeping the report which we have to submit today in it.

I eat the samosa and make kadak adrak wali chai after which I leave. I drive my scooty to Pari's house, and give her a miss call when I reach.

"Jaldi kar!" I growl at her and she comes happily bouncing towards me. "Hang over utra nahi kya tera?" she asks chuckling and I roll my eyes.

Pari gets behind me and is humming a song. Koi toh bahot khush hai aaj.

After we reach the college and get down she literally skips beside me on the way to the building.

"Agar Rudra ko hug kar ke tera mood itna achha rahega then you should just stay in his arms for like.. forever" I tease her remembering how she had jumped in his arms after the match. She blushes and hits me on my arm.

I see Viraj in the hallway talking with a group of guys and my heartbeat fastens. He is going to tease me so bad about yesterday night.

Chup chap nikal le Aashi!

I hide my face and quickly walk past him but when Pari sees my weird behaviour, she calls him with a wicked smirk on her face. "Veer!" she waves at him and I internally face palm myself.

Mai bhi faaltu me kyu chhup rahi thi. Pura din toh usse chhup nahi paati kyu ki vo pure din mere baju me rehta hai. Literally!

He looks towards our direction and smiles. He says something to the boys that he is standing with and walks towards us.

"Hello ladies" he says and wraps both his hands around our shoulders, Pari and me being on either side of him.

"Kal ki party awesome thi na. Mujhe toh bahot maza aaya" she says and I grind my teeth together.

"Mujhe bhi" he says looking at me.

"Aye! Haath nikaal haraamkhor" I hear Rudra walking towards us in long strides and Viraj laughs as he leaves me and tightens his hold on Pari wrapping both arms around her as she giggles.

"Kyu? I don't remember her being your girlfriend" he says with a smirk. "Are you his girlfriend Pari?" he asks and she blushes, shaking her head.

Sab ko bass pareshaan karega ye ladka.

Rudra makes a cute innocent face to which we three laugh. Bichara.

"Le bhai teri amaanat. Warna puri zindgi tu mujhse chipak ke kaatega" he says pushing Pari lightly towards him.

"Tujhe baad me batata hu saale ruk" Rudra says grabbing Pari's hand and dragging her inside the classroom.

"Kyu usse pareshaan karte rehte ho?" I say walking towards the locker and he follows me.

"Vo bhi kam nahi hai. Bahot chidhaata hai mujhe kamina" he says angrily.

"Tumhe kya bol ke chidhaata hai vo?" I ask.

Viraj ko kya bol ke chidhaa sakte hai? Dikhne me vo achha hai, khelta achha hai, sab overall achha hi hai. Kahi ye bhi secretly kisi ladki se obsessed toh nahi..

"Kuch nahi" he says looking distracted as I take out my books.

We are quiet for a few moments, the silence between us getting awkward. But I know him. Jyada der shaant nahi rahega. Kal ki baat nikalega hi. Especially competition wali.

"So.." Viraj says looking at me with a smirk.

There we go.

"So?" I say looking anywhere but at him.

He sighs beside me.

"Dance competition ka final kar diya hai maine. Maine tumhara naam add kar diya hai. Solo dance me. Now you just have to get on the stage on Friday and get done with it. Fir final dance hoga next week... Aur tum bilkul khush nahi lag rahi" he says looking at my face with a frown.

"Itne jaldi how did you manage to get my name in the list?" I ask as we walk towards our class.

"I have my sources" he says and smirks.

I stay quiet for a few moments, the silence stretching between us. With the corner of my eye I see him looking at me skeptically.

"Viraj.. vo mai.."

"Nahi" he states sharply.

"Maine kuch kaha bhi nahi" I say frowning.

"I know that look on your face. And mujhe ye sab arrange karne me bahot mehnat lagi hai. You can't back down now warna tumhare baalo se tumhe ghaseet ke stage pe le jaaunga" he says, his voice sharp, folding his hands in front of me.

"But I was drunk. I was not in the right state of mind" I argue.

"I don't care" he simply says.

"Viraj!" I say folding my hands in front of him like he has done.

"I don't care Aslesha" he smirks and I press my lips showing my displeasure.

"I hate you" I say glaring at him.

"But you love my ass" he smirks and walks away leaving me standing there with my mouth wide open as I feel my cheeks going warm.

That bastard.

Monday is spent glaring at him throughout the whole day as he just teases me and makes fun of me reminding me every now and then about how he saved me from embarassing myself on that counter and how I called his ass the hottest ass in the world.

Mujhe achhe se yaad hai I just said it was a good ass. Mera ye bada sa muh chup nahi reh sakta tha kya!

On Tuesday I try avoiding him which is practically impossible with the fact that I'm sitting beside him for the whole day.

"Avoid bhi kar ke dekh lo. Mai fir bhi tumhe ghaseet ke stage pe le jaaunga" he says leaving me irritated and helpless.

On Wednesday the fear starts settling in.

*Viraj*

"Parso there will be no lectures. Selections hone wale hai" Joel says wiping his glasses with his shirt.

"Shabnam ne painting competition me part liya hai na?" Rudra asks and Joel proudly nods.

Just then I see Rudra's eyes lighting up as his eyes land on something or should I say someone behind me.

Without even looking back, I know it's Pari. I turn around just as Pari, Shabnam and Aashi come towards us.

Aashi sits besides me and I eye her. "Gussa karna aur avoid karna toh ho gaya. Aaj kya?" I ask smirking but it fades away when I see her gloomy face. She looks at me for just a second and then looks away removing her books from her bag.

Toh aaj sad rehne ka irada hai. Thik hai.

During the lectures, I think she is just pretending to be sad like the last two days to make me give up. But lunch is when I understand that she is really sad. She looks nervous, anxious.

First of all she doesn't eat her lunch properly just playing around with it in the tiffin. Secondly when I snatch it from her without asking she stays quiet. She says nothing. Nothing! Now that's something serious.

And the third and most important thing I notice is her smile. When everyone else is laughing and having fun, I see how she is trying to laugh, to show everyone that there is no problem. But I see that her smile is fake. That dimple of hers is not visible during those smiles and laughs. I mean it's there but just faintly. Not the deep one which is my favourite.

Kya ho gaya isse. Lectures ke baad baat karni padegi.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

I go to the library around 6.30 after practice. It's almost empty. There are 2 students sitting together in one corner and I go towards the librarian.

"Excuse me ma'am" I say and she looks up from the book she is reading.

"Yes? Wait a minute. Viraj right?" she asks and I nod frowning a little. "The blue eyed cricket star. Congratulations on your win" she says and I smile at her thanking her.

"Is Aslesha here?" I ask. "She is near the English literature aisle arranging the books" she says and I look at her confusingly. Ab ye kaha hai?

She looks at my face and chuckles pointing towards a far away shelf in the corner and I thank her again and walk there.

Yaha toh koi bhi nahi rehta. Bore nahi ho jaati ye ladki?

I see her leaning against the wall with a book in her hand as she reads it completely engrossed.

She is biting the pad of her thumb, a small frown forming on her face which eases after a few moments when she reads further.

I stand there for I don't know how long just looking at her from a corner not wanting to disturb her.

Mai pagal ho gaya hu shayad. Hamesha chup ke usse dekhta rehta hu like some creepy stalker. Time to make my presence known.

Puraane style me hi kar lete hai. Ab aayega maza!

I slowly go towards her. "Booo" I say in a low voice and she drops the book squealing as her eyes widen almost popping out of their sockets.

Hahahahah. I put my knuckles in my mouth to control my loud laughter.

"Kya hua Aslesha?" I hear the librarian call out and she hits me with the book.

"Kuch nahi kuch nahi. Sorry" she replies and glares at me.

"Tum yaha kya kar rahe ho?" she whispers.

"Library me chane bechne aaya hu" I say sarcastically and she rolls her eyes.

"Practice nahi hai tumhari?" she asks.

"Coach ne kaha tum itna achha khelte ho ke ab tumhe practice ki jarurat nahi. Jaao maze karo" I say smirking at her.

"Rehne do" she scoffs.

"Kyu? Kal toh tum bhi bol rahi thi, 'Viraj you were so amazing oh my god I think I'm falling for you'" I say the last part in a high pitched voice imitating her.

Aisa toh vo boli nahi. But bolne me kya jaata hai.

She just purses her lips like she always does when she gets irritated and starts arranging the books.

"Aashi kya hua?" I ask her and she shrugs without looking at me. "Kuch bhi toh nahi" she says.

I take her arm and turn her around so that she faces me.

"Kya hua baba?" I ask again and she looks down at the floor.

"Mujhe darr lag raha hai" she says softly.

"Aur?" I ask.

She looks up with a frown. "Aur kya? Mujhe darr lag raha hai" she says again.

"Darr toh kitni chizo ka lagta hai. Mai hamesha ground pe jaata hu toh mujhe bhi darr lagta hai ke haar na jaaye hum, ke mai bina runs banaye out na ho jaau. But that doesn't keep me away from cricket" I say.

"I'm not trying to stay away from dance. I love dancing. But sab logo ke saamne dance karna.. I'm scared about that. Aur tumhari baat hi alag hai ha. You are the cricket star" she says.

"Have you seen yourself dancing?" I ask her and she scoffs and looks away. I tip her chin up so that she's looking into my eyes.

"No like seriously. Have you seen yourself dancing Aslesha? It's.. its.. kaise bataau tumhe? It's magical. Magical and mesmerizing and I just don't know but it's something I couldn't take my eyes off of. First time hai isliye darr toh lagega hi. But that feeling when people appreciate your talent, when they cheer for you and support you. Bahot achhi feeling hoti hai Aslesha" I tell her.

"Cricket sab ko pasand hai. People are crazy about it. But Kathak? People our age find it boring and" she says and I cut her off.

"If you do it, it won't be boring. Mujhe pata hai. Tumne kisi ke saamne ab tak dance kiya bhi nahi hai. At least give it a try. Give them a chance" I say squeezing her soft little hand which is still in mine.

"Tumhe kuch jyada hi confidence hai mujhme" she chuckles shaking her head.

"Ha hai" I state sincerely as she looks up at me, her big brown eyes assessing me to see whether I'm lying.

"Fine" she sighs. "Tum bahot ziddi ho".

"Vo toh mai hu" I say grinning widely like I've won a lottery.

"Chalo issi baat pe abhi tumhe finally bhajiya khilata hu" I say and her eyes light up. My favourite dimple finally appearing on her left cheek. Oh thank God.

"Lekin aaj nahi kal. Abhi late ho gaya hai. 6 baje chale?" she asks and I nod.

"7 bajj gaye hai almost. Mai bass ma'am ko bye bol deti hu fir nikalte hai" she says with a small smile and I smile back at her.

She looks down at our hands and that's when I realise I'm still holding hers. I let go following her outside.

I can see her mood is brighter than before, my favourite dimple appearing on her left cheek as always. And somehow it makes me happy too that I'm the one who brought it back.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

I'm on a writing spree!! Sab log ko kaise lag rahe hai chapters? Liking where the story is going? If yes, then please like, comment and share or just simply keep reading! Ok bye ily :)