Chapter 14

Dance is not about putting graceful steps on the floor, it’s all about enjoying yourself…

 We hunted everywhere in the classroom all in vain. We checked under each and every desk  or seat, enquired every single person present in the class but was not fruitful. The classes worked as usual. Joshan tried to come up to me but I gave him such a death glare that he better stood aloof giving me time and space.

I talked to Essme in between classes but had lost my chirpiness. I was actually worried because it was library’s property and the book was also not easily available in the market. I actually did not know how to break this to the librarian. And Alfred was one intimidating strict librarian. Somehow the day was going very sulky.

During lunch break I was not interested in going to the cafeteria but Essme dragged me along. Joshan had ordered my favourite cheese pepporini pasta and fruitella to cheer me up. I did not want to let him down and to freshen up I decided to go to washroom, may be a little bit of facewash would wash off my dull day.

On my way back I could feel some bold foot steps following me. With the kind of day was passing I could make it who it was when I heard ‘ “Hey Jules” someone yelling only to confirm my instincts.

He walked past me and was littering around with every step he took. I ignored him which hurt his stupid ego a bit too much. So he walked past me and picked any random girl. She was short black haired, dark looking girl with very low confidence. Her name was Martha.

“Pick up the litter you ugly duckling” Jules commanded her.

She was so scared that she actually tripped, tears rolling her cheeks.

To this he and his group started laughing and mocking Martha, “Jules the one rules’’

I got so pissed that I picked up all the litter and went up to him. I snatched all the remaining from his hands and threw them in the nearby garbage bin. I hugged Martha and took her along me and went face to face with Jules

“Rule not thy fear

Rule world thy hearts”

He got numb with that and with the arrival of principal from the corridors everybody hushed.

“Is anything troubling you M/s Mathews” principal asked.

“Good morning Mr. Wardor. Everything’s fine. Thanks for asking.” I said gratefully.

 Good grades surely helps keeping up a good rappo with the principal I guess.

“I can see some nasty faces here” Mr. Wardor said which sounded more like a question.

“Oh befriending seniors” I said casually and he left.

“Friends”, Jules offered his right hand.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“You impressed me. Surely deserve to be my friend” he smirked.

“What about ruling therapy?” I asked.

“Whatever” he said as he shook hands with me

“ Pearly Mathews” I agreed to stop further conversations . To this he smirked as if he won some kind of race.

I headed toward the cafeteria to my friends.

“Took you long?”, Deren asked concerned.

“Yeah that Jules blocked my way” I replied.

“That guy needs a lesson.” Joshan got up to show some of his action.

“Its okay bff I handled. He just wanted to befriend me.” I stopped him.

“Are you sure? I don’t sense him good. Be careful.” Joshan said.

“I will” I said. I was still upset about the book.

I finished my food silently. Even others kept mum. I felt I was spoiling for others so I decided to leave.

“I think I won’t stay further. I want to leave” I said.

“Where?” Deren asked.

“Home” I replied coldly.

“Come I’ll drop you”. Joshan offered.

“Nah I drove today. I’ll go on my own” I said.

“I’ll drop you to your car” Joshan requested.

I gave him an angry stare, “I can go on my own”.

He understood and gave me some time alone which was the need of the moment.

As I was leaving from my table, “Little chick, let us be introduced to your friends” Jules said in a polite but commanding tone.

“My name is Pearly. Remember I just told when I befriended you, you Big bad boy.” I pointed at his face.

“Big bad boy. I like that. Okay Pearly can I have the introduction now.” He asked smiling wickedly.

Joshan was heading towards him with anger for Jules and fear of my temper. I motioned him to stay.

“First deserve to be a part of my group and then I’ll decide” I smiled and winked at him. That made him stunned and silent. He was not so used to such bold and fearless feedback.

“Bye guys’ I greeted and left.

 I stopped to couple of bookstores to check the availability of book and headed home when I did not get it. I kept my mobile on silent and went for a nap as sleeping would erase the memories of lost book. I woke up later in mid noon to check the phone. There were couple of missed calls from Essme so I texted her I was fine. I knew she would be busy in her class that she had joined recently.

I cooked my self some coffee when I heard the door bell. It was five in the evening.

“Hey bff” Joshan was standing on the door with a smile on his face with and an add on nervousness.

“Hi! What a surprise” I said.

“Surprise. I texted you” he shook his mobile in front of my face.

“I didn’t get. Sorry my mobile was on silence” I said as I realized that muted the ringer before I went for a nap

“Parents not at home?” he asked.

“Nah”

“When are they returning? I’ll come then.” And was about to turn to leave.

“Why?” I asked surprise. My parents never had a problem with me having my male friends at home.

“You are not letting me in” he said mockingly.

“Oh sorry” I stepped aside so that he could enter. He went directly to the kitchen and started sipping my coffee.

“It’s nice. I’ll have it. You go and change” he commanded.

“Joshan it was mine”. I kept both my hands on my hips.

“You know I cannot resist coffee hand cooked by you. You go change and come” he dragged me to the stairs towards my room.

I threw my hands in the air,”Where are we going?”

“\Read the message”

It said Bff: goin 2 disco. Wll pik u by 6

He very well knows about my love for dancing.  The blues of the day can be easily erased by a booty move.

To have a whelming start I decided to dress up good with a shimmery short skirt and a pink halter top. I left my hair open with a small studded pin on the left.

Joshan was waiting down fiddling with his mobile and a cup of coffee. He stood still staring at me in awe for some time. I wriggled my eyebrows at him questioningly. I hope he doesn’t get overprotective about my exposed legs and orders me to change. The foul mood hat I am in!!!

“Looking pretty bff’ he complimented.

“Thanks” I said shyly.

“Coffee, not good as yours but you’ll feel good. Team up with cookies. We’ll be late. I don’t want you to starve.” He said and called someone about some kind of confirmation.

I alternated with staring between the coffee and Roshan. How di I get so lucky to have such a friend in my life. he is simply surreal.

“Where are we going and where we will catch others?” I asked as I locked the doors of my house. My parents had their own set of keys.

“Only you and me and we are going to Gags and Gals to brighten up. Your parents are informed. Anything else Miss inquisitive?” he said smirking mischievously at me.

I simply smiled and nodded as I seated on the passenger seat of his car. He’s such bless of a friend.

The disco was dark and well crowded with teens of our age. We had a great time dancing and sweating till we could dance no further. He offered to dine at a nearby diner but I was late so I offered him to come to my place

 “I will treat you” I offered

“How?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

  “How about lasagna?” I offered. It was his favourite.

“The specialist is a bit too far. I don’t want to drive you that late” he denied.

“The specialist is right in front of you” I worked on my top pretending to straighten up my collars.

I was quite confident about my culinary skills.

“I don’t want to die a young death” he teased

“Death , not possible but bad stomach evitable” I played along.

“You cook that bad?” he asked worried.

“No I cook fab that you might overdo eating and……” I laughed at my own silly joke.

“I guess that’s fine with me” he gave in.

“You gotcha help but” I knew it will take time. Its always easy to take his help than to watch him talk porns to his girlfriend.

“Sure. You not tired right?” he asked not wanting to stress me. Oh! He so damn cute and adorable. I guess I can acknowledge him with a list of adjectives.

“I slept in the noon” I said easily.

“You always relax when I am in trouble”

“Trouble?” I asked. If he was upset he’d share with me. But why not today? Because you were upset today idiot!

“I disappointed you” he said guiltily.

Oh!  He was talking about the book lost. He feels himself responsible. Ah!!! That was my fault too.

“Never mind. Lets go lasagne is waiting.” I cheered him up. I knew he is fond of my cooking.

 “Is this edible?” he asked as he carefully inspected all the three layers of mouthwatering dish cooked by me.

“As edible as my brains that you keep on wrecking” I said I hit him on his head with the spatula in my hand playfully.

“Oh this is lovely. I think I should take you to discs quite often to get this obligation” he said as he dug into the delectable.

“I may ask for more foodie. I wonder how many hours do you slog in the gym to eat so much and still be so fit” I said I pressed his bulged muscles under his blue tee.

“Join my gym. You’ll know” he said digging the fork in his mouth.

“I already have one. Thanks” I denied

“I would love to have you with me. I would actually stop missing the work out. It’s so boring sometimes” he said expectantly.

“Why do you miss?” I couldn’t help asking.

“Girlfriends” he blushed as he scratched behind his neck.

“They are no good to you”

“Good for physical, not for physique” he said smirking at his casanova skills

“Whatever you perv” I focused on my food. Tjhis boyfriend of mine is sometimes a certified jerk.

We spent a lovely time together that I almost forgot about the book. My parents were back from work before he left after greeting them. They were also glad to have delicious lasagne.

Next day I was fresh as I reached the university with same arena of students walking and talking or simply sitting in clusters. I headed towards the classroom for a second round of book hunt. It felt very obnoxious to inform that librarian about the loss of the book.

I was talking and enquiring about the book but of no use. They did listen and cooperate but I was left with no signs.

I felt some palm approaching from behind and pulling me from my waist as he dropped an envelope from top of my head to my hands….