Chapter 7 ~ catch a cold

My arms flailed helplessly, my foot slipped and I saw everything in a slow motion, Sahil's face contorted from regret to nonchalant one as he faced Soumya who smiled walking towards his way, unaware of me.

Just like, he wanted.

I closed my eyes waiting for the result of my stupidity, my back hit sinking in the cold water of the pool.

One second, I was all flaming, hot with indignation and unexpected overwhelming desire and another, I was drenched, cold and drowning...

I felt water rushing up through my nostrils, choking me filling my throat. I know swimming and the pool wasn't also that deep the water would barely reach my neck.

But here, I was unresponsive couldn't do anything but panic. Flashback of when Aarav jumped in the river played in the back of my mind.

It was like I jumped too, following him or it was like I was imagining myself how had he felt?

Did he also feel the clogging in his throat?

Felt his lungs heavy as lead?

The unbearable burning in the chest?

Hands moving desperately to catch oxygen provide it to the body which appeared it was tearing apart?

The slow calmness out of a sudden?

Dizziness replacing the struggle?

Lightness taking over my body and you found yourself chasing it among the black spots.

Black spots, so many black spots until I couldn't see anything but blackness and then the sharp intake of breath which contracted my lungs painfully and greedily. I gasped felt myself pulled up quite roughly, could faintly hear someone cursing.

I felt my body laid or actually dropped on the wet tiles like some butchered meat. Whoever it was they didn't know at all how to treat a patient. They were being absolutely disrespectful!

"Come on, Mrs. Newton open your eyes!" Someone, someone who was just very arrogant tapped my cheeks impatiently.

That impatient arrogant jerk

I half opened my one eye with a great struggle, my entire body ached and protested against it.

Dhruv was hovering over me, he looked real pissed off and worried?

And his large hands were on my chest, compressing!

I yelped which came out a gurgling sound. I coughed out the water I tried to push Dhruv away or turn away but my arms felt so heavy and delayed to any movement that I spurted the water out in Dhruv's face.

"Gee, thanks" He said, wiping his face.

I was going to reply but it got lost in coughing fit Dhruv tried to make me sit up.

I didn't notice as he was doing so he was suddenly pushed aside by Sahil and I fell back hitting my head on losing support.

Ouch,

I coughed in pain turning over then warm gentle hands assist me in getting up, it was Sahil who had knelt down immediately and then he was rubbing my back when he too was pulled aside and I fell back on my back AGAIN! my head hit. I groaned are they going to kill me by repeatedly hitting my head?

Dhruv and Sahil were having disagreement or whatever at one side while I coughed, I feared I was gonna coughed my lungs out or probably some kidney and liver too.

"Here," It was Soumya who held me up patting my back, "take a deep breath and calm down, it will subside" she advised.

I followed what she said then after a moment or two, I felt myself slowly coming back my eyes getting clear and I could breath again without the feeling of that heaviness in my chest.

"I thought you were joking, Sahil said you slipped your foot off and were acting as if you were drowning" Soumya told, doubtfully.

Of course Sahil said that.

Dhruv smirked back . I didn't realise I said it aloud.

Sahil flushed, he said, "in my defense, I didn't think you will drown in there, you gotta agree it ain't that deep even"

Dhruv shot him are you a fool look?, "in my defense, we didn't expect Sridevi to drown in her own bathtub, you gotta agree it ain't that deep even" he said, mimicking Sahil's tone.

I stifled a chuckle then looked at my state I was nowhere in right state to sit there and chuckle with my lungs half full with water because the boy whom I gave my first kiss and also the second kiss, just pushed me in the pool where I almost drowned just because his girlfriend walked on us.

Exactly, no time to chuckle in my messed up life.

"I am alive, alright " I announced throatly, trying to get up but felt disoriented, definitely got a concussion now after hitting my head.

Dhruv came forward pushing past Sahil he held my arms, "easy there, I just saved your life don't waste it like that"

I tried to pull out of his grasp, "I can manage you don't need to-" I stumbled in a process to get away from him, I immediately saved myself from hitting my head thrice by grasping his black shirt.

"Oh, I see you can" he mocked eyeing where I was clutching him.

"Dhruv!"
Sahil called out in a alert voice.

"What!?" Dhruv asked back in pretence confusion.

I ignored both of them, slowly trudged my way out, Soumya at once came forth, "you can hold my hand" she offered kindly, after glancing at Dhruv and Sahil.

It appeared they were fighting over me at who is allowed to torment me the most?

I hated both of them.

I looked at Soumya suspiciously, she wore her usual extra large and long coat this time it was peach color tho, the one that covers her entire figure leaving her slender legs in black leggings. If she hadn't walked on, I wouldn't be in this state. I shivered clutching the towel that she laid on my shoulders, I was in short red crop top after someone had removed my sweatshirt.

I hope it wasn't Dhruv.

I took her hand begrudgingly, I had to get to my room without tripping or witnessing whatever those two were having over there.

"You crossed all limits today" Sahil accused.

"Only today?" Dhruv mocked.

I rolled my eyes then walked along with Soumya waiting for her to spill it out what her real intentions were to get me alone.

"See," Soumya said. I mentally prepared myself for the reply. I am not interested in her boyfriend and she can have him by all means. The kiss flashed contradicting me. I shook it away. That never happened. Yes, it never happened.

"I saw what happened" Soumya said, apologetically

My neck whipped in shock"you..sa-aw?" I asked, freaking out.

She won't label me as a cheater?

Homewrecker?

She reached me with her hand, I shut my eyes waited for the slap.

But it didn't come she took my hand and squeezed in reassurance.

I was baffled.

"I saw him pushing you into the pool"She completed.

I sighed, guiltily.

Wait what am I guilty about??

Can I ever escape that feeling?

"He has always been a bully, him and these boys, they like doing this thing choosing one target and then playing with them till they get bored and then find another. I have watched this before-" she paused as her face twisted in pain and remorse. Her fitbit beeped again, she closed her eyes clutching her chest for a moment then opened them with an ardent resolve. "Serra, I will help you out in getting away from them, you will not be bullied and hurt like others. Just stay strong. " She said nodding at me.

I nodded, stunned.

She left giving me a last unsure glance but I stayed at the door in confusion, trying to figure out what just happened?

•
•

I didn't know why I came here, but the moment I decided on to venture out in my old town my footsteps lead me here . I badly wanted to have some time with myself, I got out of the apartment in the evening making sure none of the boys were following me. They weren't there at the apartment, so I left a note behind so they don't jump to the very first conclusion, that I ran away.

I made myself in the flower shop Spring Day. I expected it to be closed like it was since more than a year, I was astonished when I found it open emitting the same refreshing and eye catching sight.

The bell tinkled indicating the arrival of me. Like before, the old lady who might be now in her late 60s was there at the shelves watering the flowers.

I stepped in inhaling the nostalgia, nothing changed I looked at the beautiful roses red, blue, yellow, pink...all the colours one could never imagine and hadn't seen roses in, they were there arranged in a chronological sequences, then at the right aisle of fairly big flower shop was the cards racks then in front was chocolate racks that's where I was mostly found, my spot.

I pulled my eyes away that were filled with unshed tears now.

Grandmother was looking at me adjusting her glasses, "Serra..?" she asked as recognition flashed in her kind eyes. They crinkled in a wistful smile, "you have grown into a fine lady, Serra"

I mirrored the smile but my lips quivered in a mid of bursting into tears.

She engulfed me in a warm hug ending my turmoil. I cried. I just couldn't keep them in. I cried my heart out. I can't believe I came back here finally after two years, I managed myself to enter this place where I first met Aarav.

My best friend.

My only friend

"Calm down, honey, he is in a better place now, at peace" she consoled me while her voice cracked like she was telling that to herself too.

•
•

It was raining when I left the shop. I went there only to sit and chat with grandma keeping every negative and sad topic out.

I had questions that I couldn't ask before but I put them on pending until some other visit.

Today, I just wanted to reminisce only the good things.

I put my hands over a small puppy who was getting drenched in this heavy rain pour.

I would have taken it to my home but I didn't have a home right now. "That's makes two of us"I said to it lowly, I then picked it with one hand kneeling while another kept the bouquet of Lavender tulips intact. My default and all time choice. Grandma gave me these for visiting her after such a long time. It was for me, it was for Aarav, it was for us.

I was drenched too for the second time as I placed the puppy underneath the shelter of some closed shop. I hope the owner don't just kick it away when they found it there in between.

"I was wondering who it was getting herself drenched while sheltering the animal when she could herself stand underneath it too. Serra there's space for three people but look at you purposely trying to catch a cold!

I turned to see Sahil putting forth his umbrella over me with a mixed of concerned and angry look.

Startled, I looked back at him, he bent and brushed the water droplets of my nose his thumb trailed down to my moist lips. He stared back at me as his thumb lingered there.

I faced away immediately from his touch then got up after checking the puppy was okay. I strode getting away and ignoring Sahil who of course followed me with the umbrella extended my way.

"What were you doing there?" He asked clearing his throat. And continued speaking when he knew he won't be getting any reply from me. "I was passing by and then I found you there getting wet ahh wait Serra you are soaked ...oh come on, stop walking so fast I can't catch up with you"

Liar, he was literally right beside me. I stepped out from his umbrella then walked quickly.

"You are so stubborn like you love making me worry about you...wait! stop! I said stop Serra!" he ordered.

Who did he think of himself as to order me around?

"what are these flowers for? are those for me?" He asked now dangerously coming close from behind.

I stopped alarmed when he mentioned the flowers did he see me getting in the shop?

I turned looking at him suspiciously and tensed. He grinned suddenly like he wasn't just cornering me, "like I said they are for me!"

I don't think he saw me he won't be this nonchalant then. But I was never sure where Sahil was concerned

I shook my head and proceeded on. "They are not for you" I said strictly, clutching them against me .

"Then for whom?" He at once blocked my path with the umbrella over us like a shield from the outside world. He sounded serious this time, I fidgeted nervously then glared at him, pushing him aside of course he didn't budge rather caught my arm.

He won't allow me silent treatment also, now.

"For someone who didn't push me in the pool"I yelled drawing my arm out angrily.

He flushed, he rubbed his neck, "I swear I didn't think you will drown, I just wanted to-

"What did you think!" I cut him off couldn't realise my voice sounded so terse.

"But you can't say that you dislike me now" he said with an unapologetic face.

I shot him a disgusted look, " for God's sake you have a girlfriend Sahil!"

"She doesn't mean anything to me" he stated without hesitation.

I scoffed, "I remember you saying the same for me too"

"It's complicated, I don't even love her" he mumbled.

I walked off he was a player, cheater and everything that my mother warned me about boys like those type.

But of course,

He didn't leave me alone rather tailed me with umbrella over me while he got wet uncaring.why was that fact bothering me more? I can't understand.

"Just tell me they aren't for Dhruv?" he asked in a less confident voice now.
I wanted to lie saying they are for Dhruv to make it more whatever he was feeling right now.

But,

Dhruv appeared suddenly, like I didn't even see him at all leaning against the front adjacent wall with hood covering his face. He joined us removing the hood, his skin was so fair it contrasted differently with his wavy dark inky hair and obsidian narrowed eyes. Even the black hoop in his right ear was stood out with that face so sharp.

"I get that I saved your life but please keep those colorful shit away from me Ms. Newton," Dhruv said eyeing my flowers distastefully.

"God saved my life and I thank him for that" I clarified looking away, pretty boys are so arrogant.

"You don't have to go to that extend, I ain't a God Serra" Dhruv chuckled.

I gave him a fake smile, " sorry to disappoint you biker, but these flowers aren't for you too"

"Then they are definitely for me" Faisal said casually coming out from a comic store."I heard you almost drown today, I am so sorry I missed that moment but rest assured next time I won't miss it for the whole world"

"How nice of you?" I said, sarcastically. "Now please I gotta get back before I definitely catch cold" I stepped away and Sahil tried to put the umbrella again. I seriously questioned its need cause I was drenched to my undies.

I escaped it anyway and he covered Dhruv instead, Dhruv scoffed, "how lame of you to think I will share an umbrella with you!" He said getting away at once from Sahil.

Faisal sighed looking at his red jacket
"this jacket is branded, getting it wet would be like getting Dhruv a ballerina dress. Sahil dear, be a sweetheart and hold the umbrella for me"

Dhruv shot him a murderous look.

Sahil narrowed his eyes at Faisal,"fucking get lost dude" he closed the umbrella looking at me with a pout.

"Dhruv you should take some classes from Sahil for how to act like a sissy?" Faisal suggested.

Dhruv rolled his eyes, "and I thought he was taking them from you"

"Damnit, you forgot who I am"!?" Sahil shouted at them pointing the umbrella like some sword.

"That's very entertaining but I am leaving" I said with a straight face.

No doubt, they were best friends.

I shook my head, how can they appear dangerous one moment and another so harmless? It was beyond my thinking.

I walked ahead with the three of them behind me.

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