" Khushhal. Khushhal Goenka. "
His left wrist had a black bracelet and a simple ring on his middle finger. His shirt pressed smooth to his torso and grey trousers at bottom. There was no doubt of his posh upbringing, by looking at his attire and the matte porche he rode. His behaviour and tact of conversation amazed Ama. His voice was soft and words appropriate with necessary pause, patience and calm.

" Did you had any difficulties in school? ", Khushhal asked.

" I got my maths paper of this terminal exam. And I failed it. My parents know about my dynamics with the subject but, the problem is my teacher. He likes to roast his students on their academics infront of whole class. " Again, her eyes became gloomy, and seeing her in that state disheartened him more.

" Hey! Ama, ", his voice with at most care, he continued. " If you don't mind. I can assist you in maths. "

Surprised she looked at him, " You can do that?!! Won't you be bust with your school homework. I mean you don't seem like a young adult. "

Feeling the warmth spreading over her face she looked down.

" I am sixteen and no, am being homeschooled. So, I have plenty of time for you. What say? Shall we do that? "

His lips stretched across his face showcasing his, 'Oh! So brilliant teeth'.

" O-okay. "

Their was wild funny motions swirling in Ama's gut. She had two thoughts at the same time, one to stare forever in Khushhal's eyes and second to run for hills and let out everything that she had no defining word for.

Her brain was too inexperienced to know about her pubertal changes.

" This is here, I leave you. "

Glancing out of the window, she found herself outside the gate of Diwan mansion.

" Thanks. If it weren't for you to help me. I don't know, I would have been walking till here. "

Her smile was genuine, and he felt his heart racing while he gazed at her shallow dimpled smile.

" If it would not have been me, I would not have let anyone. "

His words were low, but had lots of meanings.

" Sorry? "

" Nothing. Share me your cell number so we can discuss later on. "

" Sure. "

...

" Neil! Don't you think it's bit late. I am tired. "

It was 9:30 p.m. of night and Neil had came to pick Panchi out of blue for a night out, at club. It was all sort of run-in-date he had planed without any preparation, just to make Panchi forget about every stress regarding upcoming drama. For him this engagement wasn't a charade to walk on. He genuinely liked Panchi. And he was going to show her that, for sure.

" No it isn't. And you don't need to get ready. " Panchi was moving upstairs as soon as Neil had offered for night out. " Its just we are going to club for relaxing ourself out of all chaos. We don't need to look presentable. You look beautiful as you are right now. " His brown eyes, held the gaze of admiration and her heart swelled up in gratitude.

Well, he had confessed about his true feelings the other night. I hope I can reciprocate it in good way.

" That is so sweet of you Neil. Thanks, for this arrangement, other wise I would have still been in the my room, going over the chain of events we have plotted for the play. " Descending the stairs, she faced him. " Let's go. "

...

The club was fully packed with men and women dancing, with alcohol in their veins. It was stuffy with high music and bass, vibrating on the walls of club with dim lights.

" This way. " Holding her hand in his, he made way for them towards a sofas in a corner.

They weren't empty but, some people were resting and enjoying their drinks.

" So, tell me about your day? How was it? " Panchi asked, as they made themselves comfortable.

Neil was happy and that happiness was quite evitable on his face. But, her question gained her emotionless expression.

" It's better to not talk about me. " He looked away, anywhere at Panchi.

" That's not reasonable Neil. We will soon get married, and your problems will be mine too. " Her sentence took him off guard.

He looked at her, and found out her to be more genuine that ever.

" My mother won't tell us anything about Alina. She has been kept somewhere away, hidden far in these forests, where no light can pass through. I am too much worried about her, she is scared of dark places. ", he raked his palm in his hair and gave out a frustrated sigh.

" I am sure you will find out something. And now, we all are one, Neil. You can ask others too for any kind of help. ", reaching his palm, she connected her with his. " I think we can do something about it. After this drama competition, we will have a holidays for diwali. Maybe then, we can go for camping near Neer garh waterfalls...... "

This lightened up Neil's mood, and they continued to talk for half an hour. Their drinks were served, and after having couple of rounds and more enjoying each other's company they decided to call it a night.

They stood up to leave, and as Neil was leading, he got bumped into hard shoulder.

" See where you are going, mutt!!! ", if it would have been something else said, he would have easily let it slip away. But, the last derogatory word the person used made his anger shoot high. It was like a trigger word, that he often found more insulting to his family's kind.

His eyes blazed, and he caught the person by his collor of jacket.

Panchi was shocked by the sudden change in Neil's behaviour and anger.

The veins in Neil's neck were tensed and his teeth were stuck against each other.

Connecting his eyes to the person he was holding by the collar, Neil came face to face with a boy having fair skin and dark curls of tresses falling over his forehead. Boy wasn't a scrawny, but Neil towered over him. He was lean underneath his black attire.

Panchi had no clue what piped up Neil's anger but found the boy's behaviour more unsettled. He had a sickening smile stretched over his lips, as if he enjoyed in pissing off people whoever he could. His body language was quite subtle to radiate out a maniacal aura. His hands jammed into his pockets, seemed to be not giving a f#ck about what happens next.

" We have many more. Shall I bring it on?! ", saying so Neil looked around to check if he had grabbed any additional attention except for Panchi.

" And seems like even if I draw a stake over your heart, no will give a fuck about you. That I am sure off. "

That was harsh. His face said it all, as his expression of nuisance were switched off by the hurt one. It was like someone had switched off lights, out of nowhere.

" Better keep it low, kid. No one needs to know about you or us. There are more if you think only we exist in the greens and skins. " Neil released the young boy's collar and patted him on the shoulder, " See you around buddy. Take care. " He looked over Panchi, and gestured her to come along towards exit door.

" Sorry. ", the low syllable didn't go unnoticed by his human ears, and he nodded in parting gesture to the boy.

When they reached the parking area, they were both quite. And Panchi felt hard to keep it same.

" What was all that, Neil? " She wanted to know, and it was evident on her face.

" He called me mutt. As my scent was similar to my family's. There is no doubt Dehradun is becoming a hub of supernatural creatures Panchi. " His car roared in life, and they exited the parking lot.

" Was he- was he like Abhay? " Her eyebrows was pushed together, and she oozed the aura of fear and anxiousness.

" From what he said to me and how he recollected my words, he was surely one. But had no aura similar to Abhay's. His skin wasn't so pale, and cold. He just wanted to get himself into a fight. Their was a certain kind of facade he was wearing to look aggressive. And he knew, I wasn't a werewolf in actuality. " Neil took a deep breathe in. The boy back in the club had surely made Neil concerned, which surprised him more. He never had felt the longing ache in his heart. Maybe it was the look of defeat on the boy's face or his eyes spoke words that did all the work, at last.

" You mean to say he did this intentionally. " Panchi found herself more into to the matter than before.

" He has some issues which he can't open up to anyone. Like me and Jeh, maybe he too has someone behind his back. I hope he finds someone to take it all out. "

...

Taking several drinks and not able to wash his mind, Khushhal kept the glass on the counter.

Same as always alcohol didn't affect his body. He wanted to shout out loudly and let everything out. But he never did so, thinking would it be enough to make him feel light. The burden and the words he was carrying on his mind played tricks with his life.

Shaking his head he walked out of club and ran straight into woods. He knew where he would feel calm.

###

Hello!!!
This one is short. But tell me more about what you feel about it.
Till then,
Adios.