Chapter 10 ~ Comfort on enemy's shoulder

I sat at the berth clasping my hands together, to the opposite berth sat Dhruv while Faisal still stayed at the door and Sahil was standing adjacent to me, he continued staring down at me or beaming at me or I don't know what was that look about but I tried to ignore and continued now that I had grasped the situation in my hand.

They didn't know, I was Selena and they were mistaking me for someone else.

Someone who had happened to kill Aarav, apparently.

I saw him jump from the bridge. So this killing him thing was mind-boggling. Either I imagined it or there was more to it.

"You gotta explain yourselves first, how did you find me? Why did you.."I glanced at Faisal then Sahil he met my eyes.

I tried to be angry or hate him but seeing him brings back memories of the boy who I met on the terrace, caught him balancing on the railing then offering me Red bull and all that silly and.. just fun innocent things he did.

I looked away the false face stung painfully.

I don't want to believe that it was a facade. It was too soon to see him differently, now that he made his presence so prominent in my life.

"Pretend to be someone else?" I completed my lips turning down.

"I never pretended Serra, I have always been what I am harmless bystander unless provoked" Faisal replied, shrugging.

I never liked him but I also never disliked him.

"No you didn't, you both" I didnt look at Sahil this time, "played with me you showed me you were someone else when you were.."

Dhruv yawned loudly, "this is very boring let's get to productive talk Ms. Newton, don't you wanna know what do we have against you?"

"What proof were you talking about?" I asked clenching my jaw at Dhruv, stifling my impulse to kill him already.

Dhruv extended a folder in my way when I reached to get it he dropped it at his feet, "oops my bad" he said, casually leaning back sprawling, folding his arms at the back of his head.

I gritted my teeth why was he being such an asshole? and I bent to get it from near his feet but Sahil reached it before I could and held it out for me,

"Here" he offered, gently.

I yanked it from his hold giving him no glance showed my anger through the brisk dismal as how much the new piece of information his real identity had disappointed me more than it should have.

I tore open the folder and threw the tore paper at Dhruv's way, I knew it was childish but he was really getting on my nerves.

It was easier to hate him than the other two

"Looks like Ms. Newton has taken a liking for me" Dhruv said.

"She has a name" Sahil said in a clipped voice.

"And she has a mouth too" I snapped at him he didn't have to defend me, he can't get to defend me, he just cannot after everything.... I pursed my lips and took out the photographs that were inside of the folder.

The photographs taken, were of that night at the bridge.

One was of Aarav, my heart ached seeing his photo, seeing him so alive in it and how he was about to jump and I was-

I froze on noticing a blurred figure behind him down on the bridge.

The photo was taken in an angle that made it appear as if I was pushing Aarav off the bridge into the river. I kept my face blank, it was hard when I flipped the third photo which was of me, the whole face in capture looking down at the river paled with fear and self blame.

No wonder they thought I killed him.

"How did you get these?" I whispered, wanting to claw my hand inside it and bring him back if it was possible.

"Forgotten already Ms Newton, rich and powerful family...? or you want some more proofs?" Dhruv mocked.

"What do you want from me?" I asked racking my brain why they were after me? Why they were showing something that was framing me? So many possibilities running in my mind... But none made sense without imagining myself behind bars. They had an evidence not very convincing one but still an evidence. I was scared at how far would I go with this to hide the truth? And was it really worth it?

"We want you to find Selena" Faisal replied at last, moving his hand at me.

I was speechless.

They appeared as if they expected that reaction from me because they were aware of what they were asking of me;

to find someone who couldn't be found, someone whom everyone was hunting for.

But little did they know my befuddlement was about the irony of the situation.

I pulled myself out from the shock and was amazed how I remained seated and managed the next sentence out "you gotta be kidding me" I glanced at Faisal,"we literally were discussing the other day that how she doesn't exist? And just tell me one thing why do you even think I will be able to find her? Do I have some superhuman detective skills that I didn't know about?"

"Because your mother is a lawyer! because you are good at deceiving, because you are involved in the same case, so you as are doomed as we are and I don't think it should be only us to worry about Selena, showing up and exposing all of us anyday" Dhruv explained.

He can't be serious!

I was enraged that he thought so high of me, when I haven't even thought about showing up ever, not even for once,
"She hasn't shown up for these two years so what are the chances that she will do now, you know if I believe in your Selena existing theory"

"But she exists, doesn't she?" It was Sahil who was quiet for so long spoke then, staring straight into my soul.

I matched the intensity staring back viciously,"she doesn't"

"I know her" Sahil said not breaking the eye contact. It was getting difficult to hold on when he spoke with so much conviction and unwavering eyes fixed at me.

"What do you-u mean?" I fumbled over my words looking at them while simultaneously rubbing my arms, feeling cold and exposed.

" two years back on that day, when we beat Aarav up there was a girl and she wasn't from our school she saw us doing so. We think, she's Selena. " Faisal told me with a thinking face as if he was remembering that day, "in front of public eyes we have to make everyone believe she doesn't exist because that will be make it easy when we eliminate her" he said smoothly as if he was discussing about weather.

I sputtered in disbelief,

I mean I didn't take them as choir boys all polite and nice, but killing people like really.."you're gonna kill her? What if it wasn't her it could be any girl who don't even remember about that incident!" Or too scared to care about

"We have to be extra sure, we can't continue living in this fear" Faisal said sounding hollow.

You mean guilt? I wanted to ask but said, "but you can ust kill anyone!?"

"Kettle calling the pot black? Didn't you kill Aarav too?" Dhruv asked a little suspiciously.

I bit my lip shutting them before I shouted I didn't kill him! I never killed him. It was you who did that!
It was you all who made him take such drastic step! I was there to save him when he sent me that text message I knew something was wrong and I knew I would find him there.
But admitting it all would be admitting I knew him from before, I used to talk to him, and he trusted me enough to tell where he goes when he felt low.

Then, It won't take much time for them to guess I was Selena.

I shook my head Sahil stared at me with a small smile as if he couldn't help himself, among us he was least affected and least interested the entire time.

I asked taking in their expressions.
"Did you guys like anyone saw her?"

Dhruv narrowed his eyes at me.

I added quickly,
"I mean through CCTV camera footage of the school I am sure she would be captured in there?"

Faisal answered in regret, "we destroyed it before anybody could get hand of it so we didn't get the chance to see her for ourselves"

I looked back at Dhruv, "what about the copy of it? I heard they also have copy of these things"

Sahil was looking down at his shoes when Dhruv replied, "they were destroyed too but not by us, that makes it more believable that she can be Selena"

I inwardly sighed in relief so none of them saw me but then blurted, "so how do you exactly know about her?"

"I love how you are showing so much interest in it Serra, you already up in the task of finding Selena" Faisal smiled but it appeared forced and tensed.

I needed to stop being so curious and anxious.

"I saw her" Sahil answered drawling, he lifted his head up drew away his attention from his shoes to me.

Everything started clicking back in the back of my mind.

From the very first time I saw him getting bullied right in front of my building, appearing to jump from the terrace cause well he knew I can't help but be drawn to him, he had my attention he was in my mind. He was literally baiting me from the day one to catch me or catch him.

Why didn't he do anything?

Dumbfounded my eyes roamed across his face then got pulled to his own light brown fox eyes shinning with intelligence.

Just like him.

Oh God. I gulped traumatized, not understanding at all what was his game? he was playing mind games with me?
Making me take several guilt trips? Until I give up and take evey blame for everything.

I spoke out the next sentence, "do you remember her?"

He watched me with his head tilting, lips tipping slightly at the corner, "very clearly"

How could he be enjoying this situation?

I watched back frozen like a block of ice. I couldn't even feel when I nodded when my lips opened when I said, "you are forgetting about Aarav's phone it is missing just like him, they have some real proofs that could expose you all don't you all worry about it? What if it's found?"

"Who said his body wasn't found?" Faisal said chuckling, "Like we said before, our families are rich and powerful they covered it and kept it hidden from public's eyes. They made it look like Aarav's body was missing because once it was out he committed suicide or that was what his plan was after we destroyed his dreams then the investigation would drag us in because they would want to know the real cause of it. Serra, don't believe what media shows it's just a set up, a diversion to keep people out from finding the truth."

"And as for his phone, we destroyed it too, I remember it was Sahil who did that, Isn't it?" Dhruv cocked his head to Sahil.

Sahil, his attention didn't move away from me not even for once, I could feel his gaze to my every pore making them conscious, still and filled with dread. I was counting the seconds till I explode and give in to my emotions that were reaching to my mouth.

"You should have gone through it, you might have found Selena then" I prode to know more. Turning my head to him but made sure to keep my eyes above his head.

Right now, I could feel that terrifying aura he was emitting and it was something else that was pulling me in. I clutched my legs before I got up and rush off from there.

"What can we say? We were impulsive, scared you won't get it Serra this all could ruin our future. This case has become such a big thing and everyday we living in a dread in fear of getting caught because we know that not even our families could save us from this mess once it get disclosed we are part of it. It could bring bad reputation to the business to our parents company. Everything will go down because of our one mistake to make the things right" Sahil said, trying to explain his actions subtly.

"Why did you do that to him then? What did you get by hurting him that way?" I asked couldn't control myself.

Dhruv scoffed,
"He deserved every part of it. And you don't get to speak when you killed him-

"I didn't kill him!" I cut him off shouting. I can bear all lies than this. I can bear all the pain than this blame, them making me the cause of something they were responsible for "I happened to be passing by that bridge that night, I happened to saw him jumping from it I ran to get him to save him from doing so but it was too late by then. I didn't push him. There's no reason for you all to throw your guilt in my way" when I was carrying so much already.

"There's so much happening??I don't believe you, you see these photos this proves all that, that it was you the main culprit" Faisal said sounding irritated that I suddenly eat my words

Dhruv leaned in towards me right at my face, he assessed me with his eyes roaming all over my face mercilessly, "you can be as clever as you want to be but let me make this very clear we are real terror no one has ever gotten away with fooling us" he threatened me.

"Enough" Sahil said in a stern voice pushing Dhruv back roughly. Dhruv head whipped to him he brushed Sahil hands off his shoulders and rolled his eyes.

"You will never threaten her!" Sahil said in a strained and furious voice.

I gazed down at my lap my eyes filled with tears. I can't take this anymore.

"Don't act all sage Sahil you are no better than us she confessed she killed him you recorded it, we have the evidence already, everything is set we can be free of this thing, wasn't it your plan?" Dhruv shot back getting up angrily.

I gasped covering my mouth, I stood up my legs shook, "I want to be out, I can only take so much of betrayal for the day" I walked to the door.

Faisal didn't move from it. "You will be out Serra once you agree on something"

I held my head, exhausted, feeling so dizzy and everything was pulling me down it was like I would pass out now or then.
" Faisal if you ever consider me something just even for a moment then get away from the door" I said swaying, I held myself wrapping my arms around my waist.

"You promise you will assist us in finding Selena-"

I cut him off,"Why do you even think I will be able to find her? And you know it doesn't even matter it's been two years I can assure you.... hell I am damn sure you will get away from this highschool bullying!, it's not a big thing. No one really cares about anything! just go to your families they will find a better and more sensible way" it's your own guilt that you want to be free of.

But there's no cure for that.

"Because you are good at hiding, Serra" Faisal again hissed coming closer to me, "besides, do you think Selena is such a coward? She will let us get away from hurting the person she loves so much, physically and mentally. If she really loved him she will avenge for his death. She will not leave us until she pulled us to justice"

I blinked looking at him, confused, ashamed. An arm pulled me back, I blinked in daze resting back against it. I turned my head as Sahil held me close.

Faisal smiled as if putting a mask on, "don't trust him" he mouthed the words before he was rewarded with a rough shove from Sahil

"Move away" Sahil said so coldly that I shivered against him. My head lolled on his shoulder. I might be seriously hurt in there because I shouldn't found comfort on my enemy's shoulder. He had his arm firmly and protectively wrapped around my waist as he help me get out of there.

During the ride to hostel, I rested my head against the glass of the window of the car. My eyes rained and my shoulders shook, silently I let myself drowned in that light and soft downpour of my pain.

Sahil sat beside me he kept enough distance between us but his hand was fixed adamantly placed on the glass of my window. He was wiping the tears off it that were falling down from my eyes.

He wants to save me

He wants to hurt me

He wants to comfort me

He wants to put me in danger

What does he want from me?

I turned my head to him, "stop it Sahil" I said, my voice cracked, broken like me.

"Stop it, Serra" he said back eyeing my tear soaked face in pain.

I immediately turned away from him as more tears God once they were out they never stop falling down soon.

I couldn't say to him to leave me for god's sake. It ached so badly when I realised I didn't really want him to leave. How can I still not hate him after knowing him what he was? What he did?

He betrayed me from the starting but it felt like I betrayed myself. He never promised me anything. He showed me light and dark in himself. Now I don't know what have me drawn towards him?

He shifted slightly towards me until his shoulders brushed against mine I should crawl away from his touch but my head felt heavy between my shoulders I turned and inclined back, with blank eyes and with no word I put my head on his shoulder so that he could feel the weight too of the burden he was causing.

I breath in his scent it seeped in me, like that was where it belonged

"What will happen now? Will you kill me? Should I kill you?" I asked in a shaky breath. My mouth brushed against his ear lightly when he tilted his head to my side to respond.
He stiffened I could see his pulse thumping right against my cheek then swiftly he angled his head down on mine and his cheek giving a feathery touch to my tears stained cheek when he whispered soothingly in my ear, lips pressed against it,"I can only hurt you, you can only hurt me but trust me I won't hurt you willingly"

My heart fluttered in mid of pain and delight.

How can I trust him after all that?

Trusting him would be the biggest mistake I could ever make

But little did I know it would be,

Loving him

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