[ K A B I R ' S P O V ]"Thanks for the gift." Nisha beamed beside me, but her whole attention was on the bracelet strapped to her wrist. It had cost me a fortune and I had no idea how dad would react to finding I had used too much from my debit card. He had set a limit for both me and Nisha, but I had overdone it this time. I could've gotten her a new dress, but it wasn't worth it. Her closet was filled with them, and she had all the supplies for her paints.And I was running late. So, in the end, along with Mom, I had gone to the jewelry shop. I had to give her something on Bhai Dooj."It must be expensive," She whispered, tensed."It's okay. You loved it. That's what matters.""But dad—""I'll handle it. Excited about England?" Dad informed her yesterday. She had been in shock but then jumped on the couch, screaming she was going to England and teasing me because I couldn't go.Some devil she was. She was getting back on the car thing."A lot." She smirked. "I'm going to miss y
Tugging my hand, she took me to the room, situated behind the stairs and closed her door."Alina!" Her mom shouted."Come in and I'll burn this room as well." And that stopped her mom. She turned around and gave me a look, a hard look. "What are you doing here? Who told you? Are you stupid?""I am?!" I raised my voice. "You burned your room. Have you gone mad? Why did you do that?""I had to!" She screamed back. "You don't understand." Her voice weakened. "You think I'm mad too, don't you? You must be scared of me.""Did you take your medicines?" I asked carefully.However, she had a whole different response to it. "I'm not sick! Will everyone stop asking for pills?!" She clutched her head. "I'm not sick.""Hey, hey." I removed her hands from her head. "Of course, you're not sick."She slipped past me, resided on her bed and covered her face with her hands. Giving a look at her slightly burned hand, I caught it and brushed my thumb across it."You should apply paste." Standing up, I lo
[ K A B I R P O V ]I paced back and forth in the living room, endeavoring to control my anxious thoughts. What was mom talking with her? Was she saying her to stay away from me? Was she scolding her for being reckless like that? No doubt mom wasn't a person to get angry easily, and she handled things with calm rather than anger, but she was still my mom.At some time, she too loses her patience like I was running out of now."We should send her to doctor again," Her mom's voice invaded my ear."Doctor?" I halted to look at a man, probably in his sixties. "Does she have a fever?"So, he didn't know Alina used to see a therapist.Amused, I glanced at her mom, flustered and trying to come with an excuse. "No, dad. For her hand, I meant."I rolled my eyes. They were her grandparents, the one who accused Alina of lying and causing her doubt to see if telling was the right thing she had done. The last time Alina had informed they were ready to talk to her, and after that, I heard no news
"I thought we were going to club on Friday," Deb said."Yes, that reminded me." Kabir turned to face me. "Come this Friday with me.""I've curfew after eight thirty.""Don't worry about that," He explained. "Kriti?" He slid his gaze to her. "You live with your cousin, right?" She nodded. "Would she mind if Alina stays the night?" My eyes widened at his question. Had he already planned all of it? Shouldn't I show some excitement? I had told him I would enter his world, see the nightlife he preferred so much."It would be amazing." Kriti jumped in her seat. "But I'm coming too.""I thought you were." He frowned. "Alina won't come without you." He knew I would be uncomfortable among his friends. And my heart melted on his thoughts, on his nature of thinking about each and every detail about me."What about the hostel?" I asked. "They'll call at home if I'm not here, and—" Fiza wouldn't mind ratting me out to the warden."That is already solved. Misha is ready to pose as your mother and ca
[ K A B I R ' S P O V ]"You!" I hissed at Kriti while walking into the club. "Have you seen her dress?"She grinned. "Doesn't she look hot?"That would be the understatement of the world. I was expecting Alina I was used to seeing, dressed in jeans and top or a simple dress that reached till her knees, but the Alina I was met with had been too different. Too irresistible. Too hot. Too captivating.And damn those heels of her. Who bought her such clothes?What would she think of me I tell her I was barely controlling myself to not touch her, to not kiss her, to not run my fingers over that soft skin of hers? Who give such surprises to their boyfriend?If the front wasn't enough, her back was held by the closely tied strings.My brain warned me to get her dress changed, but then I saw the expression on her face. She was trying to accept something. Maybe she did need a chance to realize she wasn't overcrowded by her past.And she looked happy.I caught her hand, slipping my fingers be
Alina.Shit. I ran inside the club and sighed in relief. She was leaning on the wall with Kriti and Shikha. Inching closer, I stood next to her. Her eyes pulled to mine and she frowned."Where were you?""Restroom," I answered quietly. "I'm sorry about drinks. Wait, let me get it.""No need. Shika got me one." I frowned, noticing the glass in her hands. "It tastes bitter, but I was thirsty, so I drank three." I snatched the glass from her hands and took a sip, and coughed."Didn't you tell her you don't drink alcohol?""I did. Why?""That is vodka, Alina." I skidded my gaze to Shikha, who winked at me."It was her first time here. She should enjoy more. I helped her.""No, you didn't," I hissed, placed the glass on the table. "It's not she hasn't tried it. She hates it."The awareness came to her face, and she tried to apologize but I waved her off. Swirling, I caught Alina's arm, who was staring at the glass perched on the table.Deb and Sagar joined me, whilst I stared at her panicke
My eyes burn at the bottle of the beer placed on the table. I couldn't drink anymore. I couldn't force something she wasn't comfortable with. She trusted me. And what of my love if I couldn't do anything to protect her?She never asked me to leave the drinks. She knew I liked it and handled herself. Since when was she doing this? Torturing herself to be with me and handle the broken pieces of what happened. That's why she wasn't fond of clubs. Drinks, too many drunk people, but she came. For me.How could I end us when she always thought about me? Maybe she never talks about love, but her actions spoke more than enough. And that's what mattered.I ran my hand through her hair, too torn apart to tell her anything.She broke her grip, leaned her head back."I'm sorry. I always cry whenever I'm drunk.""Don't be stupid." I cleaned her tears with my thumb. "I'm your shoulder to cry on."She chuckled lightly, but her eyes spoke the reality."Last time you too cried.""Looks like I'm too cry
Shedding the thoughts, I picked the duffel bag and went inside the bathroom. My dress was neatly folded, and placed on the vanity. He must have done this. Placing the bag on the beside it, I bend down and got the new toothbrush from inside the vanity.Brushing my teeth, endeavoring to remove the smell of alcohol, I checked his bathroom. I had never come into this one, always preferred the one in the living room. Shedding my clothes off, I entered the shower and checked the things placed on my right.When I was done with the shower, I wore my clothes, toweled dry my hair and stepped out of the bathroom. My head felt much better, I felt much better.Wearing his slippers again, I walked out of the room and nervously stepped into the living room. His friends were still there, too occupied within their books. Huh, exams were approaching in two weeks. Shit! I had to go back to the hostel and prepare for the first semester.Sitting next to Kabir, he paused to look up from his book and grinned