4|  Life in a Closed Book

A tall stout man with a powerful aura and feared by many, walked into the drop dead silent dining room to join his family for breakfast like any other morning.  

Whilst his deafening footsteps made his way, Neil and Naisha exchanged looks of attention and warning to one another. Once they heard the metal legs of the chair drag against the marble flooring, they returned to nibble on their breakfast. 

Clearing his dry throat, he adjusted his tie before his deep voice edged around in the atmosphere. "Vidya, can you pour me a glass of water."

He straightened the crinkled newspaper in his hands to read the headlines of India. Alongside, his wife poured the water from the jug into a crystal glass, the sound of the liquid evident in the silence present in the room. 

"Having a parent controlling and or overly strict lowers a child's IQ and confidence," A voice spoke out.

Vidya's head reluctantly lifted, her eyes falling on her son after she heard what had left his mouth and all Neil did was stare at his mother plainly, not feeling guilty for a second. She just couldn't believe her son's words. The least he could do was think before he spoke knowing how his father would react upon this!

Naisha sneakily slipped off her chair without making a noise and exited the room. Her morning had just begun and she didn't want to ruin it with another father-son quarrelling show where her brother would just be defeated again and again...

"Page 4." Neil indicated to read the article, his eyes towards his father before getting back to finishing his yogurt bowl. 

Rudhre felt his thin lips form into a smirk behind the newspaper he held as he mockingly called out his son in his mind. 

Seeing this, Vidya's heart skipped a beat. "Neil!" She yelled scared for him. 

Rudhre placed his newspaper down ever so solemnly. 

"Apologies ri--." 

All Rudhre had to do was show his palm in her fore and that was enough for her voice to quiet and disappear, her words being lost within her. 

Reforming himself, he faced his son. "Parents alone are not responsible for the decrease of their IQ level, son. It's their obsession for useless things." he motioned towards the guitar that was placed beside Neil's chair. 

Neil tensed, his fist tightened, and his eyes darkened. He was blowing up and if it wasn't for Vidya, he would have released his rage.

"Neil! That's enough." She demanded furiously. 

His eyes softened on his mother, his fingers loosening from the grip. A final look and he didn't take long before he grabbed his guitar and ran out of the house, slamming the door shut behind him. 

All he ever wanted was his parents to accept him for who he truly was and what he wanted to do. His passion for singing and playing the guitar was something he was ready to dedicate his entire life into. 

He was studying business studies! What else did his father want him to do? Surrender every piece of himself, striping every inch of what made him an individual. 

It's best if he stayed away from people who belittled his ambition. 

Once seated his car, he revved the engine quickly before steering away from his troubles. 

  •••  

"I've decided." Neil announced, lifting himself above from his seat. "I'm moving out." 

"WHAT?!" Renee blurted out loud.

The librarian hushed them both, before throwing her beady little eyes at them and turning away to place the books she held onto the shelf in their selected places. 

Renee yanked Neil down. "Where did you get this idea from?!" She whisper yelled. 

Neil furrowed his eyes at her. "You're the one who told me that I should stay away from people who belittle my ambition, so that's what I will be doing."

Oh yeah... Renee remembered. She did, but that wasn't what she mean't. 

"Your dad will kill you, literally." Is all she could say. 

Neil snorted. "As if I care."

"As if I care." Renee mimicked him. 

Neil felt offended and narrowed his eyes at her as they made their way out of the library and into the corridor. 

"Trust me." She began again. "You'll care when you need food and shelter."

"I have you for that."

Renee mocked a laugh before her attention diverted and she stumbled over something. Neil caught her in the moment of time to prevent her from falling.

"You okay?" He enquired. 

Renee nodded regaining herself, her eyes set on the object she tripped over. She crouched down to pick it up. "A notebook?" 

"Look's more like a journal to me than a notebook."

Renee shrugged. Just as she was about to flip it open it was snatched from her hands. 

"Oye! Don't... it's someone's personal book."

"Duffer." Renee called him before she forcefully took it out of his grip. "How are we supposed to return it to it's owner if we don't know who the journal belongs to?"

The book flew out of her hands instantly. She looked up at the individual before her; his jaw was clenched and his eyes were distant. Without questioning he stormed away with his journal. 

Renee ran after him calling his name. He misunderstood the situation and she had to solve it. 

 All of a sudden, he turned around furiously and within a second he was firing away conclusions. "My journal! You read my personal journal!" He just didn't give her a chance to speak. 

  Student's had gathered around to see the chaos.   

"You filthy rich people never consider the feelings of another human. Just stay away from me!

Renee was left shock. Her hands felt numb. 

Neil saw his trembling friend, and that was enough for him to react in her defence. His hands made it's way to Sameer's chest with pressure and he pushed him aggressively. "How dare you talk to Renee in that way!"

Just as Sameer was going to push him in return, Renee latched onto Neil and swept him away from the scene. 

Sameer didn't care. In fact, he was glad of it, and he hoped it would keep her away from him. Other than that, he had no feelings about her.

•••    

Payal's eyes hovered around the busy corridors. She hadn't seen Renee all day, and it was lunch right now so where was she? They always met at this spot at this time. If Renee couldn't make it or vice versa, they'd contact the other just in time.

As she thought of the many possibilities as to why Renee was late, she was startled when she felt somebody grab her by the wrist and forcing her against the wall. Her eyes remained closed and her expression tight as she tried to wiggle out of the familiar grip. 

"Did I scare you?"

As soon as she heard his voice, Payal let her orbs absorb his appearance. Raj...

"What do you want."

Raj sighed. His grip loosened but his body only secured her further in place making sure she had no where to go. "Have I done something wrong? I mean, apart from the time I first lied to you, Iv'e been true with you for the past couple of weeks."

Payal took a deep breath besides from the fact she was completely flushed. Raising her head high she said "This seriously doesn't suit you. This whole intimidating act."

Raj awkwardly stalled. "Well... if it gives me an answer i'll act how ever I want."

"Just get your hand away from my wrist."

Raj let go. 

"Can you at least tell me why i'm being avoided massively by you?"

Payal didn't reply. She seemed to be staring at something behind him. 

Raj squinted at her curiously before finally tracing her gaze. He heard her curse under her breath and that was for a first. 

He turned back at her, and that's when he solved the equation. "He's the reason why you've been avoiding me..." 

"Look." Payal warned. "Unless you don't like the way your face already looks, please walk away from me."

Raj grinned a smile and Payal's face fell as she read him. He wouldn't. 

"I'm betting I can get your brother to introduce me to you, himself."

He casually skipped away from her towards a broad man, probably a few years older than him who was fully engrossed in organising his locker. 

Realising his locker was two lockers away from him by chance, he was even more gladder than ever. He tried acting busy but still kept an eye on Payal's brother. As he observed he noticed that glares he happened to pass Neil from a far. 

That's it! Raj knew a way to approach him! It wasn't hard after all. 

"Do you know that guy?" Sameer turned his head to the one right behind him as he gave a nod at the guy who pushed him earlier after the outrage with Renee. 

Raj gulped. His knees began shaking. 

His knees began shaking. He couldn't do it. He felt dumbfounded. His mind was blank. How was he supposed to respond? 

Sameer raised an eyebrow at the average heightened guy who stared at him like a scared puppy. 

"Yeah." Raj stood broad chested trying his best to be confident. His voice was deeper the next time he spoke. "He's an ass."

"What's he called?"

"Neil." 

End of chapter 4. 

  °○°●°○° A/N °○°●°○°  

How was the chapter?

For those who are reading the book for a first, it will get interesting. PROMISE. 

Hopefully, this book can get regular updates so that we can catch up to where we first left off from! Still many chapters to go. 

Yours truly, Ammu & Sal