Chapter 2 ~ Reckless boy

"What type of boy do you want to be, Serra?" Sahil asked sauntering down the alley of clothes store.

"You look familiar" I said suddenly.

"I look different" he stated staring at me a little apprehensively.

I nodded squinting my eyes, "have we met before?" I blurted.

There's a thing called aura the feeling around the person, it is the atmosphere that they carry around themselves. I felt like I knew this aura this feeling which I felt around Sahil right now. It's familiar it's a bit terrifying and I don't know but I would have known if I did a thorough study about it. This feeling...

I shoved it right back where it came from, snatching whatever clothes Sahil held, he himself looked puzzled and confused.

Sometimes I asked myself why am I so boring?

Like who the hell start daydreaming about aura?

I stormed into the changing room then glanced at the clothes that I carried in absent-mindedly.

Red Checked shirt and blue jeans?

I stared at it longer.

what am I doing? Seriously why am I doing this? My eyes travelled to the front floor length mirror. When the buzz of doing something new faded out I was back to myself.

I stared at myself in most boring color clothes one could have ever choose. Grey jumper with black leggings. My messy ponytail. My not so extraordinary looks with so extraordinary dark circles below my eyes.

My life was planned out to study till I get admission in the best collage then there also study it wasn't like I hated studying. I enjoyed it, I enjoyed it without any expectations, without making it only goal oriented. Goals make people greedy they make us weak they just take out the interest part out of the work, once you achieve or fail to achieve them.

I had to wake up early tomorrow and here I was having career counseling with myself in the changing room holding boys clothes in some far away store from my hostel, sneaking out late at night with a reckless suicidal boy.

Well at least boring part didn't fit well with my life now.

"So I am coming in" Sahil announced getting in.

I whirled around raising the clothes to my still in clothes body

"You can't get in here"I whispered in disbelief at his audacity to think he could come in just like that.

"I know" he rubbed his neck sheepishly, "but see, you are still in your clothes" he waved his hand to my body stating the obvious.

I folded my arms with red shirt slithering down the floor at one side. If I wore it, it would have swallowed me leaving only my neck or also probably some portion of my calves

"What if I wasn't?" I asked back trying to make him feel embarrassed and at a mistake for entering without any permission.

"Then I would have closed my eyes"he answered smoothly, also mumbling along the line,"I won't blame myself completely when the door was left open"

Hearing it clearly, I narrowed my eyes at him this guy was a shameless flirt. Which didn't suit with the first impression, the meek and weak one.

I let it go, before I rendered myself with a headache thinking about his behaviour.

"I am having second thoughts" I admitted dropping the boys extra - extra large clothes.

He eyed it then me with an eyebrow raised at my indecisive self.

"This is ridiculous" I told waving my hand, "I will look ridiculous anyway, it was a spur of the moment decision. I wasn't thinking at that time. I am too old for this kinda thing" I said losing any will and interest I had of doing something I thought would be exciting but it was disappointedly ridiculous and just felt like I was acting stupid.

I expected him to leave or look exasperated and annoyed at my fussy to the point of being real tiring self. Rather, he tilted his head contemplating with a flash of interest and challenge in those eyes.

"Okay let's drop it it won't be reckless if you have to think so much before doing it" He shook his head and walked out not before picking the clothes I dropped. I was going to follow him out with a frown and a little dull disappointment in my chest.

But before I could step out he threw a dress and said," get into this it might suit you better than that" he referred to the one I wore.

I frowned what was he upto? I inspected the clothes.

Colorful and so not like my type

I picked the multicolored top cringing-

"Don't take time otherwise I will get in-

"Where you got that confident to think I am going to wear this? "I asked genuinely curious.

"Won't open the door until you wear those"

What?

"What kinda behaviour is this Sahil?" God.. was he some lunatic I was being friends with a lunatic? How unpredictable and unlikeable he was becoming the more I got to know him.

"The reckless one" he answered with a smirk in his voice

"I am not liking it at all! open the door I don't want to be friends with you anymore!" I shouted pulling the door handle shaking it.

"You seem to be bursting with energy now and here I thought you were very boring and dull, I am a little disappointed" he said from the other side in serious tone

"What are you speaking! I am ..." I blew out a breath it felt like ages when I was this riled up and angry,"you..." I gritted my teeth trying to gather my unresponsive self after I knew I can keep my voice even.
I said,"I have changed now open" I lied as convincingly.

"Yeah of course" he said with a mocking voice.

And it was cracking my nonchalant behaviour,"I have..".

"You haven't" he said.

"How do you know? Is there like a hole here" I eyed the door and then around the walls, "the camera?" I knew it! that's why I didn't trust changing rooms.

"That's badmouthing about a place there's no camera there's no hole it's just my instincts that's all"he said proudly.

"You have instincts for knowing if a girl has changed her clothes?" I asked in shock, what did I land myself into? This boy was a pervert!

"You know other's are waiting out here to use the room don't take it for yourself for hours, you're wasting our time in playing introduction games"

I glared at the door, "I am wasting time?"

"Good now you're seeing the things clearly" he said chirply.

"I was..." I gritted my teeth, nose flaring "asking" oh forget it. I changed immediately cursing and swearing at him all along.

I didn't even bother to glance at myself in the mirror.

"I have changed" I said aloud and clear keeping the edge off from my voice.

"No you haven't " he said.

"Oh yeah I haven't! let's waste our time and be punished by the head for roaming and sneaking around at night" I said with a fake sweetness.

"Yeah now I say you have changed! okay you can come out" he unlocked the door.

I stomped out then glanced at him he was standing near a lady who was in work uniform.

"It does look different on her doesn't it?" He asked that lady with a thinking face.

"You" I pointed my finger at him, you are so dead I was going to say but instead I said , "are happy now? I am changing back and we are leaving" and never meeting again.
I thought, this boy hardly needs my help.

He reached to me quickly then clasped my hand out of blue whispering, "I want to ask something" before I could decline or yank my hand out from his hold he said, "have you ever" he looked pretty nervous and worried so I didn't interrupt,"like, left the store without paying?" He completed.

I stared at him considering what he meant like really meant .

My eyes widened I shook my head, not only in reply to his question but also as in not to do what he was thinking about.

The lady was standing right there! "No" I said more sternly for Sahil. "I won't" I added

"Great" he chimed with a big grin then pulled me to one side looping his arm into mine. As if he stopped hearing after I said no.

"We are walking out ..act normal" he alerted

I glanced at him freaking out,he was joking he wasn't serious! I asked for myself"what -- what are you saying?"

"Yes exactly like this" he appreciated.

I looked back tensely while also trying to push him away and leave but we already reached the exit door and he started running I tripped but he got me steady then tugged me rendering me with no choice but to follow him. Behind us people shouting and commotion was made.

"Don't look back!" He alerted then we rushed to the escalator stepping down with swift steps.

The guards also joined the chase

I don't run I can't run I stumbled on my steps he didn't wait continued yanking I hurried to gather myself he pushed past people making the way for us. I wanted to laugh at the stupidity it was bubbling in my throat. Adrenaline and sense kicked in my body to throw him to the people it was him not me I don't steal things!

" I am not a thief!" I yelled my thoughts out bumping to the cart and the person at the other end of it tripped rolling down with his cart tumbling with things out

Shit.

"We are calling police!" One of the employees shouted. I stopped dead in my track. No, no I am too young to get into a police case. I gulped I was cold with fear, my heart almost out of my mouth jumping so badly.

Sahil appeared very into run didn't even look a little bothered by the word 'police'. He continued dragging me swiftly, I was too out of still struggling to understand and do what I want, my legs ran without any heed given by the sensible part of my mind to stop and apologize and get this over with an actually pointless chase.

I don't even want this outfit! For God's sake!

Sahil lifted our joined hands up over a kid's head just a little far and we were out. Good thing the people were fewer here they just saw us as two kids running with people after them. I mean they were shocked confused but before their minds could figure out and catch us the... The thieves! well not technically because I didn't want what I was stealing anyway we had already passed them by.

I couldn't breath I waved my hand frantically near my nose panicked I think I would die from this much panicking and overthinking of the outcome of this stupidity. Also subsiding my nonsensical laughter rising up and shoving it down was another thing.

"Shit I forgot you have shock induced asthma" he hissed pulling to the lane ending with a wall at a turn. I collided with him his arm around my waist instantly getting me back on two feet. I shoved him away looking up to catch my breath. I will die I am gonna die I will die from running.

"Where's your pump! Don't you carry it with you?" He literally scolded me.

"It's inhaler not pump!" I chuckled then stop it with a straight face.
"I lied Einstein"I breath out, annoyed. Sahil looked cool as a cucumber his breath just a little uneven if not his hair waving back as he ran one couldn't say he was running and also so fast making it for me harder and harder to catch up with him.

"Oh you were lying! What else were you lying about? who else were you lying to? " He asked jokingly but I failed to find any humor in those questions. I might have stumbled but this time with shock and fear if he didn't held me with a strong grip.

He extended his arm out immediately as a taxi passed by when we got on road and just by luck.

He got in it and not before nudging me in.

"Oh no no no..." I hyperventilated glancing at the window at the blue lighting of X zone store, the furious faces of the people as the taxi moved ahead. I suddenly remembered my bag my clothes my mobile that was inside in the changing room also my id card!

"everything is just alright Serra we going straight to hostel" Sahil assured me very cooly expecting me to what give him a round of applause ?

"My bag! It's in there we will be caught! Actually not we but... me!" I was almost shouting hysterically.

I had never done something like that

His eyes widened too then he shrugged his shoulders off with a pretend or he really didn't care about the repercussions of his foolishness.

"Calm down I am going to get- oh uncle stop the car at one side not that left ...right side yeah yes here stop it" the driver pulled the break suddenly making me bumped my head to the front seat.

"I will bring it Serra I will bring it right back trust me"Sahil told confidently and a bit excited getting out before I could even respond or stop him.

I gaped at him watching his retreating figure through the open window almost falling out of it in shock. I got back before I could, I leaned against the seat. "He is unbelievable" I said breathing hard.

•
•

Meeting this boy was only a coincidence, pitying and trying to help him was a mistake that I made because he was actually spoiled and reckless. I snatched my bag checked my belongings were in there then I faced in front with no words seething in my own anger.

seriously

I wanted cry and also hit myself for ordering a problem to my already problematic life.

"It wasn't how I expected it to go.." Sahil mumbled.

Oh really? He got some nerves to say that.
I didn't say anything giving him silent treatment while I had killed him brutally 45 times in my head.

"But at least now I can say we are friends" he told expecting me to laugh and agree

Because hey we are friends now!

I pursed my lips and continued the ignoring even though it was getting difficult to keep myself quiet and not yell and give him long lecture till his ears start bleeding.

"I mean, it was unexpected but we enjoyed" he said chuckling glancing at me.

My lips wobbled aching so much to keep them shut

"I got you a gift a new outfit on the establishment of our friendship between us" he went on, his voice having tinge of teasing in it.

My eyes twitched and I gave up at last, "gift? I payed a lot for something I don't even like! what kinda gift is this!"

"The kind you will always remember" he said looking straight in my eyes

I frowned looking away drawing my eyes to the window noticing we were near the hostel buildings I said,"let's call this off you're very different to what I thought you as and I don't think I really want to talk to you again or go out- " I stopped when I noticed he was in handcuffs. "Why are you in handcuffs?" I asked, my curiosity getting better of me

He looked down with a small flushed smile.
"Long story"he said, "will explain to you tomorrow or right now if you have time?"

I looked away with a smile, that was it for me to crack. I laughed the laugh which I was controlling for the long time to not to do. His craziness was influencing me!

He joined me in scratching his head but bumped his nose with a handcuff in the process increasing my laughter
I moved forward,"you have the keys?"

"I don't think so" he replied.

I shot him really?

"What? I will explain it to you if you hear the story"

"Save it for another time" I told pulling out a bobby pin from my pony.
He held his hands out getting what I was going to do.

I rotated the pin inserting it in the lock hoping it works out like it did when I used the trick to open the locks when I lost the keys. I was really careless with things.

The key clicked unlocking the handcuffs.

"You are free" I said then realised I had to get out and be back to my room before the guard noticed something suspicious. Already the driver was getting wary of us.

"I have to get going" I said.

I climbed out and throw the door on his face with my free hand.

"See you later Serra!" Sahil called.

Wait wasn't I going to end this saying not to cross each other's paths from now on? I opened my mouth but the car already left.

At least, I was sure now he wasn't suicidal he was just reckless and mindless by nature.

Or it was a cover to hide what was inside, like mine.