Chapter 10 ~ the fall of the Queen

I walked to where Dikhsha stood she appeared defeated and ashamed under the pressure of people cheering and shouting to see her in torture.

I gently nudged her away, "it wasn't her mistake, it was mine, I stumbled upon shoving her your way and that's why you are like this, I mean like a human strawberry" I told and when I am nervous I speak weird things.

The people chuckled .

Trisha turned her attention to me then sized me up from up to down in search of any weakness and under this blatant inspection and staring of so many people made me less confident and unsure

Yet, I maintained a straight posture, just if we don't count, me pulling the hem of my skirt consciously until I realised and left it. But, Trisha caught that movement, her eyes gleamed dangerously on spotting the sore point.

She folded her arms hotly,"who are you?"

Before I could say anything she cut me off waving.
"okay I don't care. I will call you Naive"

I gritted my teeth

"Naive enough to dare to interrupt me, Naive to think acting like a savior can get you some attention. I admire your guts not everyone has those. So, Naive now that you are saying it is your fault then I guess, you gonna pay for it?" She asked with a sweet voice.

I shuffled hesitantly looking around at the mobiles held up recording and people watching us.

I was really new to this standing up thing, so I didn't know what to say other than being practical and choosing maturity as my first approach in dealing with spoilt narcissistic people, "I am saying sorry and like, you can see it was just an innocent mistake, it happens all around, no one is immune to making mistakes we are humans-

"Oh save it honey," she cut me off rolling her eyes.

I shrugged when some people in the crowd snorted.

At least I was being funny?

Right?

"Take it as your responsibility or you both are gonna have milkshake shower! Right everyone?" She asked back, smirking knowing people will follow whatever she says. The crowd cheered more, though this time they looked actually entertained and curious.

I flushed, at least I was making things interesting.

God, I was such a loser I should leave and runaway, the things that I was better at doing.

My eyes dropped to Diksha who was beaming up at me hopefully.

I sighed, I can't back away otherwise that look will haunt me like the rest of the regrets in my life.

"Okay, leave her alone I'll do anything," I announced with my head held high, determined to face anything. Just a few glasses of milkshake? Ha I have had worse! This would be nothing in comparison to them.

Dhruv cursed from behind, so Mr.Biker didn't leave?

I felt some tension eased off my shoulders.

Faisal put down his mobile appearing a bit serious no..... actually excited now that I was involved.

Trisha smirked triumphantly when she got me say the words she desired"swap our shirts, you see mine is soaked give me yours Naive right now, and this will be over right here"

I froze.

"Okay this is enough" Dhruv interrupted, sounding annoyed.

I scrutinized Trisha , there was some cruel challenge in her eyes challenging my insecurities.

I bit my lip, deep down the uncertainty churned my stomach but I acted unaffected and agreed "I will do that but you have to promise me you won't trouble Diksha again right everyone?" I copied her.

Knowing no one's gonna miss seeing two girls getting shirtless.

The crowd instantly agreed with an uproar of excitement people pushing past others to get a clear of view of the drama or lite strip show.

Trisha's resolve wavered when I challenged her back then she instantly collected herself with a cold smile cause now backing away would make her look weak, I smirked on the inside,

"oh please Dumb Diksha isn't even that special" she tsked trying to sound unbothered.

Diksha shifted back, embarrassed trying to hide herself

I glared at the mean bish, "is that a promise?"

"Whatever, Naive you worry about yourself, you really gonna take off your shirt I mean if I were in your place with that body I will think twice" Trisha shook her head in pity.

"Oh shut up! I willl probably threw another glass of milkshake at you if that's what it takes Serra to get shirtless! " Faisal said gladly raising a glass like doing a toast at Trisha, from the right Dhruv huffed, "don't act impulsively, Ms. Newton"

"You worrying about me Biker? Looks like the tough boy has a soft spot for me?" I mocked trying to act brave when I would be shaking so badly if Dhruv and Faisal didn't stand my left and right. I noticed Dhruv's cheeks turning pink.

Trisha tilted her head noticing them then flicked her hair back smiling seductively, "who are you sleeping with among them? Tell me so I can have the other one they aren't that bad looking" she said eyeing Dhruv for a longer.

Dhruv stared back with a straight face, "so boring" he said.

Faisal smiled charmingly, "we know that we are glamarous but you are very bad looking Toilet Trisha though not judging you or whatever Besides, Serra is sleeping with both of us she can get real possessive especially of me.. can't blame her I can be damn addictive you know" he sighed helplessly, pointing at me like he had no choice.

I sputtered in disbelief while Dhruv too looked uncomfortable for the first time.

Trisha fumed being insulted to such a level, she quickly unbuttoned her shirt and threw it on my table. Cameras flashed while she looked confident in her very tight and tiny blue bra "your turn" she snarled, staring straight in my eyes.

This is ridiculous this is utterly ridiculous, I don't want to take off my shirt for a bunch of strangers over such trifle thing . And yet, here I was feeling like I had to do this for myself to prove that I wasn't insecure of my body. Which was a lie, my usual baggy clothes were no doubt comfortable but I knew better, they were more like my comfort zone, a kinda shell around to block people's judgements and certain standards of society.

I removed the blazer with shaking hands kept it on the table, Faisal put his hands on it whispering, "you don't have to do this Serra, I can take off my shirt that would be a good diversion Toilet Trisha will faint seeing my godly abs, what do you say?"

"No, I will do this" I said smiling because it was impossible when he sounded so serious "don't want to share my limelight" I joked, he grinned back showing me thumbs up then he said loudly, "go on babe it isn't like I haven't seen that before!"

"You don't have to make me sound like a slut!" I mumbled glaring at him.

I opened the first button, Dhruv was looking away he glared at everyone, "put your phones down, everyone!" he ordered leaving no point of argument.

Some did quickly while some who didn't Dhruv snatched off them.

I was grateful for that but more nervous as I opened the second button.

"We don't have all day!" Trisha said rolling her eyes she was annoyed now that she saw I wasn't that fun and naive anymore.

I stared hard, straight in her eyes. People like her feed on others insecurities, they love to poke it play with it enjoy seeing them helplessly fighting against it when actually it is them who are most insecure, insecure and weak enough to find solace in torturing others, to shut their very own pain and vulnerable self.

I undone the third button then the fourth and all the way down. I wasn't aware of the turn of events for today otherwise, I would have also wore something more appealing than the undershirt below my shirt. Anyway the crowd looked a little disappointed I shrugged like sorry people, I held out my shirt to Trisha's way now with full smirk waiting for this moment.

She was fuming glaring daggers at me."how grandma style! you really thought I am gonna wear your shirt!" she snatched mine and was going to do something malicious when Dhruv stepped between us making her stumble and tripped back her minions there to hold her else she would have fallen on her face.

Dhruv casually folded his arms towering over her, "you are done with embarrassing yourself? "

"Like seriously! people gotta admit Serra pulled off the look better than someone who's wearing over tight and undersized garment. I am like someone give this poor girl charity, she can't afford her own size clothes!. Oh wait a second so that was what it is all about?" Faisal spoke, genuinely  surprised.

People laughed loudly at Trisha some even clapped looking really pleased to see the fall of the Queen. Trisha who had turned red now, she opened her mouth helplessly which Faisal eloquently intervened yelling,"Charity for Toilet Trisha! Everyone do help our poor girl in purchasing her size clothes!" I elbowed Faisal chuckling, he was taking it too far.

Dhruv swiftly tossed a two rupee coin at Trisha's feet. Followed by Diksha shyly. Trisha gaped in humiliation. I shook my head feeling a tinge of bad for her.

Like this, the rest of people came forth too laughing and phones were again out.

I watched the scene with folded arms then glanced at the boys. They appeared to be enjoying the scene with small smiles involuntarily taking over their faces.
Were they aware of the fact they have just unknowingly done the opposite of something they weren't used too? They were bullies, yet here, they defended the victim.

Suddenly, I felt a presence behind me snapping me out of my thoughts. I tensed, when I felt a blazer being draped over my shoulders then familiar arms wrapped around my waist pulling me tightly towards them. I closed my eyes when Sahil whispered in my ear from behind, "Finally,  found you.."

•
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"What were you doing there, Serra?" Sahil asked once we reached back to the apartment drinking leisurely from his coffee mug. The moment I saw him there, I mean of course I felt him before I saw him, the dark temptation, the dilemma it only happens when he was around.

Anyway, I instantly pulled him by his arm running and tripping out of the cafeteria he held me back but followed as you know how ever ready he was when it comes to running. I don't know, if he noticed his ex best friends over there. And I don't want to ask him to make him more suspicious than he was now.... actually he wasn't suspicious at all at least that's what he wanted to convey from outwardly, he remained cool casually having a conversation like we didn't just run off to his apartment and all the entire ride from there to here, I didn't say anything. He didn't even ask me anything until now,

"I um...I," even after the whole ride I couldn't come up with any lie. Lying was easy when I didn't know him, didn't know he was the master of trickery.

I searched around the empty house we were alone. I cleared my throat not the first time alone, flashback reminded me making my face heat. "Where are everyone?" I derailed the topic shifting more towards the door. (Door + Serra shippers! Here we go again. I would like to take a moment to give credit to Sidneetxsarcastic  for coming up with this quite potential ship so thank you sm you are fab 💜)

He looked at me lazily over the mug with a smile crawling over his lips knowing very well I was avoiding the topic, "you don't want to tell me why you were suddenly holding a strip show at my school without me?" He made a sad face," fine Serra, one more crack to this broken heart wouldn't make it any different. I won't ask you now you don't need to look so fearful as if I will eat you right instant" he said with a toothy grin.

I felt myself blushing so hard I don't even know why the heck? And how in the world he does that? Making me afraid and so mushy at the same time. I folded my arms protecting myself, the big sleeve of his maroon blazer slid coming in between. I eyed it then my head snapped up to him realising something,"how did you find me?"

He raised his eyebrow incredulously then kept the mug and slowly walked my way. I shifted back immediately creating as much as distance possible between us, I hit against the wall reaching the end.

" You tell me why did you go there? I will tell you how did I find you?" Fair enough?" He offered stopping right in front of me swiftly. He was in grey cardigan with white tee inside, looking so casual yet so attractive.

What attractive!?

I shook my head Enemy Alert! he chuckled noticing it.

I pursed my lips irritated"you know what I don't care!" I said pushing past him and took off his blazer from my shoulders and tossed it on the nearest furniture.

Didn't realise without it, I was shirtless though undershirt there but still it was skimpy. I just didn't get time to wore my shirt back.

"So I am being honoured with the strip show that I missed"

I harried to get it back but he smoothly yanked it off before I could reach it and then he threw it over his shoulder, "you don't need it, Serra" he told strictly then slowly took me in dragging his heated eyes at me. And nodded, appreciating.

I bit my lip hesitantly meeting his eyes, I shied away taken back by the intensity in them,"Um..I need it Sahil I am cold," I said, awkwardly.

"No, you are hot" he stated, once again advancing towards me, this time I remained rooted to the spot too weak to move away,

"I owe you Serra for giving me a remarkable haircut, you remember?" He asked deliberately taking slow steps.

I glanced at his head the buzz cut not even close to making him ugly
," shaving off really didn't help much" I told, disappointedly.

"I know right? But still, I miss my hair the one that could tangle your fingers through it" he said, sounding equally disappointed, reaching down clasping my hand that was fisting the material of the skirt unconsciously. He brought it up to his lips then glanced at me through his lashes,  I stared back transfixed wanted to push him away, yell at him how dare he touched me! Rather, I waited holding my breath for his next move. With him, it was like I was in a rollercoaster ride my stomach flipped as dread engulfed me every time I reached the steep end yet I was thrilled with anticipation... with exhilaration of daring my limits.

He kissed my fingers gently barely touching his lips I felt goosebumps running down to my exposed arms to the fingertips where his lips touched. I quivered asking breathlessly, "what are you doing Sahil?"

He put my hand around his neck which has lost my control, rendered under his spell.
"What do you want me to do Serra?" He asked gently, stepping near gazing down at me with an innocent smile. I watched in trance his lips that were now drawing towards me. I clasped the cuff of his collar weakly-

when the door bell rang throwing cruelly the brick of reality at my face, I slammed back gasping on realising my mistake again, Sahil didn't move an inch his eyes were closed, his breathing ragged falling on my lips traveling in teasing me with the taste of it. He appeared in a moment in some painful moment where his guard was down, I studied his face marred with desolate and agony as if he had lost all hope.

Seeing him like this tugged my chest, I wrapped my arms around him holding his head which fell lifelessly on my shoulder. I held it strongly and comfortably against me. He was literally half crushing me with the weight by entirely lying on me. "You are alright" I soothed, when he shuddered, holding me tightly it hurt.

"Sahil!" Soumya's voice echoed coming from the other room. Sahil tensed, I dropped my arms immediately but stayed in the same position.

Sahil turned around quickly when Soumya entered opening the door. He was so fast and me standing right behind got me hit by his elbow on my nose.

I was knocked out falling down.

Sahil was too preoccupied to check on his girlfriend that he didn't look back.

I got up numbly holding my nose it felt nothing to the pain on the inside and I left from the other door to the guestroom I was staying in.

When I was inside I removed my hand from the nose that was now wet with blood.