Chapter 12 ~ Bad influence

"Serra.." Sahil tried again to get my attention. But I made sure to keep my eyes fixed at Dhruv who was already there positioned on his bike. I made a move towards him purposely pretending I didn't see and hear Sahil, for that I know it was too late and dumb when he was stood right in front of me.

Sahil grabbed my arm stopping me and my attempt at avoiding him"you're ignoring me, Serra I am talking to you so will you stop looking at him?" he asked sounding somewhere between amused and annoyed.

I sighed, looks like Dhruv wasn't going to help me out with this, he made sure to stay away like he had been told to, my eyes averted to Sahil I knew the moment I will look at him I will forget about all the warnings and scolding I gave to myself, every encounter brings nothing but trouble and pain with him.

He was in a blue hoodie with a brown beanie looking refreshed, warm and alluring how can he be like that after keeping me restless and my mind preoccupied at night?

I wonder, does he even care a little about me?

I shook my head, no I shouldn't wonder anything about him.

I pushed him away briskly when I felt his hand around my arm holding me like I was his property, "Sahil, stop acting like you didn't hurt me yesterday! you literally broke my nose like see I had to visit a doctor" I stated the obvious.

His eyes turned down when they landed on my nose gazing at his shoes,
"I am sorry, I didn't know that" he said embarrassed.

I went on to make him realise what he caused,
"you are responsible for it when you least caring about me ran for your-" I felt a heavy lump in my throat, "for your girlfriend" I completed swallowing it, he was a bad person and now he was making me one too. I hated that. I shoved him again, he stumbled back listlessly.

He looked up studying my face taking in whatever was crossing over there, he appeared dejected momentarily then he smiled cruelly, "so this is about jealousy? you are jealous of her and now you are trying to make me too by hanging out with him" he spit 'him' with despise.

I gaped in disbelief at his accusation and how somehow it was right, "are you absolutely crazy? Oh why am I asking you that! You definitely are crazy get away! stop blocking me!"

I stepped away to move to Dhruv and leave immediately with him. Dhruv was back to shutting the world by putting his ear phones on and looking nonchalant.

"Where are you going? I am not done with you?"Sahil cut my path tailing closely beside me

I glared at him sideways, "excuse me? Not done with me? I am going to Dhruv because I am absolutely done with you! I need to be away from you and your foul schemes!"

His piqued up at foul schemes, he grinned, that dark and malicious grin, "I don't think they are foul Serra" he bent his head down to my ear I almost stumbled if he hadn't raised his arm halting me in place.

He nuzzled closer his lips teasing my outer ear while his cold breath fanned my heated neck, "you don't have to lie, it will remain between us" he promised, nibbling my ear. My breath hitched, I looked at him feeling blood rushing furiously in my body. I was baffled, statuted, he kissed on my hot cheek quickly then grasped my hand tugging me as he sauntered ahead proudly.

I moved in haze.

What happened? I stopped dead in my track how can my body be so gullible? It literally dances on his commands, I got a hold on myself when we were passing by Dhruv who watched with narrowed eyes at our interlocked hands. Immediately, I pulled my hand back from Sahil's guiltily.

Dhruv's face contorted to hurt and anger which he quickly masked with a bored look"oh so you're going with him" he glanced at Sahil who draped his arm around my shoulder with a smug expression.

I shrugged it off, so annoyed at his frivolous behaviour.

Dhruv's jaw clenched he spoke with a clipped tone, "good luck with that one Serra, he only ever does is ruin lives like Soumya you would yet be another sad and miserable girl who thinks he loves her," with that he sped away without even waiting for my reply and my shouting.

"Biker!!" I yelled, too late for him to hear me now.

I tried again at the almost deserted road, "Biker!!"

"Dhruv.." I said in a low voice, how can he leave me alone like that? Why did he appear so disappointed and hurt? I felt, I was kinda responsible for it and I can't help but feel hurt too, because of that.

"You don't like him more than me you know," Sahil stated, reaching me hesitantly.

I gritted my teeth,
"Leave me alone! SAHIL JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" I shouted at him hysterically with so much loathing, bile rose in my mouth making me sick. Why can't he just leave me alone! Can't he just stop ... Stop ruining my life, ruining me like this.

I cried stomping my foot frustrated wanted to hit him, throw him just ugh I never felt such anger and hate towards anyone before.

I pushed him hard on his shoulder,"what do you want Sahil? Just tell me today!"

He stepped back at my push, coolly with hands in his sweatpants pockets. I shoved him again breathing hard and frustrated at him not looking least serious, "tell me! I am sick of your games. What's your deal? Sahil! Just tell me today!"

He stepped back again but didn't pary my jabbing and hits and also didn't say anything just watched me with his head tilted and eyes dancing with mirth. He was finding it funny!

"Tell me Sahil..." I gritted my teeth, vexed out of mind.

A car was speeding down the road towards where we stood. I shoved him again on its path, he only laughed at my antics, "you gonna kill me, Serra?" He joked but I could feel him sounding wistful.

I focused on the car, headlights, the body zooming in, it wasn't that faraway, wheels turning in the back of my mind with an irrational plan. I faced back at him my heart thumping loudly against my chest cold sweat droplets sliding down my temples , I shoved him on his shoulder firmly, he stepped back with a frown when he was out of car's range.

I glanced back numbed when the coming car looked dangerously close

"Tell me Sahil" I said my voice cracking.

Sahil's head snapped too in that direction at the car then to where I stood, this time his body appeared tensed and alert, "move away Serra"he ordered.

I shoved him again more hardly, he stumbled back with widened eyes.

"Tell me Sahil tell me everything" I said surprisingly calm when the car honked in warning but that much speed won't be controlled that easily and pulling breaks would prove no help when it was this close, the car swerved like I guessed I stepped back in its changed direction but was instantly pulled in front rather than hiting the chunk of metal I collided into a hard chest with uncontrollable heart beating and drumming under my ear. I let out a shaky breath, my eyes closed as I chanted shoot shoot!! what was I thinking? I really was going to purposely get myself run over by a speeding car. When did I become so reckless?

Sahil's arms were tightly wrapped around my shaking body pulling desperately and protectively into him. His breathing ragged like he was short of breath, "are you crazy?" He asked in a croaked voice. My arms laid by my sides lifelessly, I lifted them with a groan and pushed him away he didn't let me, strictly not allowing me to get away from him, he firmly held my head under his chin, "damnit! Serra what was that when did you become suicidal!"

"After meeting you" I told accusingly. He was a bad influence. I angled my head when I made sure he saw my face threatening him, "tell me everything"

He stared down at me holding me close for the first time he appeared real ruffled and shaken"okay," he gulped, "I will tell you everything" he gave up, messing his hair

I found myself smirking, finally getting something out of him.

He noticed, looking dead serious he pinched my bandaged nose. I grimaced, "ouch.."

"Don't you do that again, Serena" he threatened back, kissing on my bandaged covered nose.

•
•

"Okay where do we start from? Let's start with telling you that I like you" Sahil told causally making me shock, I choked on water I was having from the glass.

He laughed back at my reaction offering a napkin, I took it wiping my mouth embarrassed. The moment he agreed I dragged him to the closest diner I could find, before he changes his mind or pulled another trick out of his sleeve.

"What's so shocking about it Serra? You think I go around kissing girls whom I don't like?" He asked back, perplexed.

"You are a player and a cheater so I am sorry for acting so surprised" I told, unfiltered.

He withdrew his eyes down at the table drawing circles on it, "the former is my past and the latter is complicate but" his head instantly snapped up to me,"I am sure about one thing that you do like me!" He grinned even trying to look shy

I narrowed my eyes at him holding my face to hide my cheeks that turn way too easily red, "I hate you immensely"

He snickered, "you don't kiss someone you hate"

I chewed my lower lip, contemplating ..
I mean, no he has gotta point, "sometimes, I tend to act careless" I muttered not meeting his eyes.

"Same," he chimed.

I looked at him suspiciously, he shrugged grinning.

"We are off the topic, tell me everything Sahil" I reminded him pointedly.

He was going to say something but was interrupted by the waiter.

"I would like to have whatever she would like to have"Sahil told shyly pointing at me.

The lady waiter swooned at his acts.

Of course.

I rolled my eyes looking at the waiter, "Salad please, for both of us"

Sahil's smile broke.

"Now, everything" I dropped my elbows on the table between us, hissing once the waiter left frowning.

"Okay, okay you ask me what do you want to know?" He said.

I pondered then focused at him he raised his eyebrow, "what is Soumya to you?"

He chuckled,"seriously? That's your first question"

I glared at him.

"It is the toughest one to explain, I will give you that" he pointed his finger at me appreciating.

I gestured for him to go on and stop fooling around.

"So umm..." he stopped speaking, doing a show of thinking inclining his head up

"Sahil..." I warned him.

"Hold on, Serra lemme think how to explain in a way that you get your every answer through it, okay" he rubbed his hands"come here"

I stared at him suspiciously, "why?"

He exhaled out, "seriously Serra you are so damn frustrating just come here already"

I glared at him,"I don't trust you! Can you blame me for that?"

He leaned back sulking, "you really love kicking at me in this state, don't you?"

I twisted my fingers, agitated. I leaned towards him over the table, "what's it?"

"More" he said folding his arms getting comfortable settling back against the chair purposely.

I huffed and looked around the diner with meager people then hesitantly drew more towards him then stopped when my face was near him.

"What?" I said, waiting for him to tell some dark secret or something he was afraid of people hearing him

He looked into my eyes then quickly drop a kiss on my lips,

I shifted back flustered, instantly clasping my mouth glaring at him then threw the napkin holder in his way.

"Moral support you know... alright" he caught it grinning toothily."okay now about Soumya, well..."
He said then all the playfulness falling off his face when he spoke calmly and seriously.
"I knew her from a long time, she's been obsessed with me since we were like 12. How I met her? You must be wondering about the most unfortunate day of my life?"

"Not really.." I muttered making a face.

"Don't you look so excited I am telling you! We met at her birthday party my father knew her father through business relationship and you won't believe they had this plan of merging the business by yeah. .. getting their children married"

My eyes widened, I gulped down the water quickly.

He continued, "but my mother was against that idea" he paused at 'mother' vicarious emotions flickered on his face. I felt sorry for his loss because it appeared like he was really struggling with that my hand was reaching for his. He grinned a forced one, when he noticed, "I should use her excuse often seeing how you turn soft on me"

I pulled my hand back, disgusted, "despicable" I hissed.

"You know me so well Serra, Anyway, I was also against that mediaeval idea. I wasn't in a hurry to get married or talking about my marriage, so arrange one was far from it. I don't hate Soumya but just that her short lifetime and me being told to act like her savior and take care of her was, very annoying . She has been ill and a nuisance since an early age and I didn't want to do anything with her when she took it in a different way and considered I like her or something so I let my friends deal with this problem. I don't know what Dhruv and Faisal had discussed on it but often, it was Faisal who took her to informery and just you know take care of that, she doesn't go around fainting and forgetting her medicines and all that shit it wasn't my concern anyway until you happened " he told looking at me turning grave serious now.

"Me?" I asked back. How did I get into this rich kids problem?

"Yep you, Serra I never liked your goody two shoes crush. I was minding my own business I was doing my own thing but he had to poke his nose in the wrong place. I was happy not knowing his existence. I was well living in ignorance why did he have to destroy everything? Snatch away the only true thing I had in my fake superficial world? he shattered it all my beliefs and hopes.." Sahil clasped the glass tightly his eyes hard and face marked with barely contained rage. The glass cracked he dropped it then rolled his shoulders back composing his demeanor to be calm like storm "and then I wanted to get it equal and I wanted to hurt him in the similar manner. I found this diary of his where he wrote those sickly oh so sweet letters for 'someone' " he eyed me.
"How pure and innocent? Right, your ideal type?" He said spitefully, for the first time looking at me with equal hatred.

I was too stunned to say anything the moment he mentioned about Aarav talking, all ill about him. How did he come in between all this?

"I loved it when I read that filthy thing in front of the class, loved his trash embarrassed face. I loved it when I burned all his music notebooks, when I threw his stationary in the pond, I so loved when I punched that paper prince to pulp-

I threw the glass of water at him couldn't hold myself from,"you are a monster!" I shouted with tears of anger and pain in my eyes.

He didn't react any way, remained in the same relaxed position leaning back against the chair and kept sharp fox eyes fixed at me water dripping down through his thick lashes.

I got up shaking with anger I don't want to see his face ever. Never, I just can't bear it after knowing what he made Aarav go through and how beyond help he was.

I swirled to leave but was swiftly yanked back down to my chair. I flipped my head in shock he was there right in front hovering and caging me, I forgot how quick he was.

"You will not leave Serra before I finish, you wanted to know everything isn't it?" He asked, taunting. He inclined his head down to meet mine when I looked away burning with anger and something else"you will know everything" he promised darkly over my parted lips.

Anywayyyy

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