Chapter 4 ~ The Selena Case

Somewhere in the middle of drawing the Epithelial tissue structure, I started doodling unconsciously with light streak of pencil lines then it turned into a full sketching mode.

I drew aimlessly at the back, the blank side of my worksheet. I wasn't an artist but I like drawing out my emotions on paper when I couldn't deal with them from inside.

Inside they are trapped, they run wild and can drive me crazy.

So, I let them flow on paper actually on my worksheet paper here.

I stared at the eyes staring back at me, it felt realistic and chill inducing.

Sharp fox eyes, shining cunningly.

I dropped my pencil, alarmed

what the heck?

why did I draw his eyes?

I snatched the paper off the table and balled it throwing away from me quickly on feeling a weird churn in my stomach.

"Usually they throw flowers at my entry but nevermind the paper balls, I am not complaining" Sahil said sauntering towards me where I sat at the table in the almost empty mess hall.

He casually reached me with the paper ball in one hand, my worksheet uhh I shouldn't have discarded it like I didn't have to submit it today.

While inspecting the paper with a mild interest in his eyes, behind those dorky spectacles; dorky because now that I knew actually kind of knew his personality it didn't suit him well, he glanced at me, "sup? I see you also couldn't sleep well" he said regarding my tired eyes, "excited for the upcoming adventures in our little friendship?"

I scoffed, "so much" didn't even try to look I wasn't lying.

He chuckled, focusing back to the paper.

"Don't" I stopped him, getting up casually then held my hand out like it didn't matter,"give it back to me, it isn't important"

I think I was losing my lying ability.

It was getting worse day by day.

He cast a look at me of smugness on getting me trap by somehow sensing the lie and urgency in my voice. Which was in a way obvious can't blame him so.

However, he really enjoys having a upper hand, I noticed.

"Okay" he said easily handing it back to me but before I could have it back in my hand, safely out of his reach, he drew his hand away"I want to see what's 'not important',"

He grinned devilishly.

"Sahil..." I trailed his name gritting my teeth

"It's personal" I told hissing, it took an ounce of me to admit that but I wasn't in a mood of childish dual with him to get that not important thing back. Because it wasn't important those eyes and that person should have no part in my life.

I shouldn't be drawing his eyes it should be Aarav's eyes

But yeah Aarav's eyes never haunted me those were made to make you fall in love not scare you.

"Oh" Sahil said understanding crossing over his face then he smiled back.

I sighed, I was getting used to his tricks by now.

"Not even a glimpse" I warned him.

"Wow, you're really not helping in lessening my curiosity" he joked with no intention of handing it back to me.

Somehow, he was that kinda person who like having things not because he wants it but because others want it. Just to enjoy playing and irritating them.

"You know what.... Have it! I don't care" I said annoyed now.

"Okay" he shrugged not buying my act even a little, he turned away when I was going to snatch it out from his hand and he stepped back I followed him with a glare and then he started jogging like ever enthusiastic and ready for chasing and running, he ran seeing I wasn't giving up because he wasn't giving up.

He maneuvered swiftly making his way amidst the table and chairs like a pro while my klutz self was bumping and apologizing to chairs.

I chased him out saw his blurring figure getting past the people walking down the hallway I cursed running after him even though I knew it would be a goose chase and that guy was talented in that field.

But I can't allow him to see those eyes and then interrogate me about it. Ok maybe interrogate would be a big word but still he would go and make his own conclusion linking me with him with the person those loathing eyes belong to, I hated his guts. Wanted to eradicate his existence from my life. No matter how it were only his eyes that I remembered.

Carefully, I get down the stairs then looked around for a brown head and red jacket boy among the little crowd. It was almost breakfast time people were getting to the mess in small groups.

I spotted him waving his hand at me with an impatience he tapped his wrist watch when I stared at him blankly.

oh wow I was wasting his time now

I shot him an unamused look this wasn't funny at all. I turned around taking the opposite way he must be thinking I had given up I laughed to myself then I took a U - turn the way that lead me straight to him. I ran angrily this time. Someone who don't run I was running a lot since I met this boy.

Like a true sportsperson he whirled around then did quite an impressive backward run on seeing me, before I could even catch him suddenly.

I felt a little accomplishment when he appeared surprised not expecting me at all.

"Sahil this is ridiculous!" I huffed running, felt sweat lolling from my forehead to my chin, even him doing backward run I couldn't catch him this tells a lot about his speed and even mine ..

He glanced back on time avoiding bumping with the person coming his way he did with such smoothness that it made me go mad with enrage.

How can anyone walk and run so flawlessly?

"Ridiculous is your favourite word?" He asked casually like this was a very normal situation and we were just having a chitchat taking a stroll in a garden.

"Shut up! Give it back to me" I said, my voice reaching its edge.

He was going to say something but when he saw me stopped there rather than tailing him, I folded my arms with a triumphant look. He can run fast but he can't think fast like me.

He narrowed his eyes at me in suspicion then glanced back at the same time got struck with a wall on reaching a dead end.

He faced back at me moving his hand through his hair with a small grin in appraisal, he said, "alright I see, you give up"

My eyes twitched sending him daggers, "give it to me..." I shoot the words out my body literally burned with anger. I held my hand out calmly nevertheless not to strike him.

"Spell it out?" He said unbothered tilting his head.

If he didn't incite me.

"Okay okay don't look so overjoyed now here have it" he complied seeing I was nowhere near having jokes but soon a real fight if he didn't stop it.

I almost sighed in relief but should knew better Sahil tossed the ball high up it passed over my head. My neck whipped at its direction, the paper ball speed launched ahead hitting on a boy's head who was harmlessly walking to his way. I don't think it matters anyway it was just a paper ball not something made of iron or rock that the person would mind it so much. The guy's head snapped back furiousness almost made his face unidentified but I knew him.

It was Rohit.

My face twisted in a wince I take my words back I guess.

It would mind him A LOT.

"I think it's time for us to run again" Sahil suggested sounding a bit nervous hiding behind me.

"Oh really, I can't guess why?" I said sarcastically, taking his wrist rushing upstairs when I wanted to throw him in front of Rohit.

We reached the class corridor, forgetting I was still holding his arm I left it instantly then I narrowed my eyes at him, "you scared of him?" I asked angling my head to him in doubt.

I can't believe he was scared of him something about him suggest Rohit was nothing in front of him.

But then why did he take his beating?

Why did he behave like a weak one?

Who are you Sahil?

"Take a picture it will last longer" he said when I continued staring at him while my mind worked to get the answers.

I pursed my lips as my face turned warm. "Why don't you fight back when Rohit bully you?" I asked his back moving on, followed him to catch up.

God what's with him running always?

"Cause I don't want to" he said, I could notice his body grew tense.

"Why don't you want to?" I didn't give up, reached him. What's the matter with me? Why do I always cross my comfort zone when it concerns him?.

Because, I could hold a bible and confess I have never been this curious in other people's business before

He stopped walking out of a sudden, making me bump into his back I stepped back when he turned so quickly, I feared noticing the change in the air.

I watched as various emotions flickered on his face before I could grasp one and understand it flashed to different one then it paused to a blank one with eyes full of so much remorse and guilt that it would have pushed me to comfort him if I hadn't held myself back in shock.

"I deserve it" he said in a low pained voice casting his eyes down in shame?

The tension in the air was almost suffocating me. He glanced back at me as if expecting a reply or something from me.

But I was lost of words . I can feel the pain but I can't comfort someone for something I am dealing with too.

He sighed taking his spectacles out in a little frustration as if they were a nuisance. Then he rubbed his eyes off. First time I noticed his eyes also had shadows under them.

He put it back and plastered that uncaring and playful mask again, "catch you later Serra"

The way he said my name felt familiar but I ignored it like every sign.

π~π~π

No sooner did the second class end than Zoya shut her books loudly and put her head down on them, "Allah I am so tired!"

I hummed in agreement leaning my back against the chair while stretching my legs under the table they felt frozen and unresponsive after sitting in the same position for the last three hours.

"Fresh news to freshen your mood" Faisal announced excitedly from adjacent to Zoya

What? Zoya motioned lifelessly with her hand, too tired even for a reply.

Nadia turned back getting drawn to the conversation, with a flirty smile,"I love hearing your voice" she said to Faisal who ignored her like extra sauce in Mcd meal.

"Tests are preponed everyone!" He announced earning a collective groan from the class.

Zoya banged her head saying, "kill me please somebody kill me"

Nadia mumbled, "gladly"

Faisal smiled when I shot him a look, "remind me to get you a new dictionary on the way" I said.

"Wow so generous, I even needed a new one" He replied still smiling.

I drew my eyes away maybe he was sadistic enjoy seeing people in pain or he just don't get sarcasm.

"Did you watch the news? "Nadia asked trying to be the part of the conversation basically to be the part of Faisal's conversation.

"No why? Should I?" Faisal said blinking as if noticing her for the first time then shrugged when he couldn't recognise her when it was like everyday Nadia introduced herself to him.

Nadia nodded her head enthusiastically pleased to get his attention finally, "we got some lead in the Selena case"

My fingers halted the drumming on the desk which I was doing mindlessly. Nonetheless, I pretended to act nonchalant and not interested to what she was saying.

Zoya shot up so she was also listening, mirroring my inner reaction she put aside her disdain for Nadia and asked, "you serious? What? how ?when?"

Even Faisal's eyebrows furrowed and he sat properly, "the famous Selena case where the pianist commited suicide and his body is still not found!" He spoke and each and every word hit me like a bullet. I clawed the cover of my book while putting an unbothered front.

"And don't forget about Selena the main lead" Zoya added promptly.

"And also she doesn't exist" Faisal stated like a fact.

"She does!" Both Zoya and Nadia shouted together then looked at each other and flushed, embarrassed to be teaming up with an enemy.

"She does exist, point number one Aarav best friends said Aarav used to mention her name and how he loved her so much, guy talk you can say, "

I fidgeted jerking my leg up, Nadia glanced at me weirdly. I fake yawned as if the conversation was boring me to pores and I will fall asleep anytime.

"Well that's the only talk of her existence" Faisal said. "Besides who knew Aarav lied or he was mentally unfit and have made up an imaginary Selena you know how they say artist are crazy theory"

"Enough!" I said sharply.

They all looked at me I fumbled trying to pick the crumbles of my facade,"change of the topic already please? I am tired of hearing people discussing about them wherever I go, it's been two years. give it a rest" I said rolling my eyes when I was near crying.

"Oh don't act you are not even a little bit interested in knowing what happened? Where the body gone missing?" Faisal said baiting me.

"He drowned " I blurted.