"Bhot durr aayi ho tum, haarne ke liye toh bilkul nahi."
Mahoor
Wiping the blood from the corner of my mouth, my eyes roamed around keenly at my facial features in the mirror if there was any other harm or any other injury on my face.
A cut on the left eyebrow, a bruise on the right cheekbone and a busted lip.
Great!
Just GREAT!!
I sighed again for the third time in a row. My scholarship was at the risk because of the stunt that was pulled on at the college's compound. I have never gotten into fights since eighth grade but now I was in the first year of university aur yeh haal hai mera!
I removed my spectacles and placed them on the marble slab and turning on the knob of the tap, I splashed some water on my face.
R.I.P moisturizer and sunscreen.
The cold water made my skin feel a little better and it did burn a little at the cheekbone area.
My lip wouldn't have busted out because that imbecile did not know how to hit properly. It was because I got braces on my teeth a week ago and had to bear this wire in my mouth for two years.
In two hours I'm supposed to be on the train to Hyderabad and attend my cousin's wedding. The amount of concerns and sarcastic questions will be thrown on my way would be too hard to bear.
I felt some shifting of someone's feet behind me and I instantly knew it was my best friend Vani, who went out to grab some ointment and tissues from the college's clinic.
"I told you not to give that bitch a single particle of attention then why did you snap?"
I held the wash basin slab and took a breath, "She again involved my dad and I couldn't take it so I swung a punch across her face."
Her name was Vani Singh and we were inseparable since high school. In my good times or at my worst, she stayed.
We have had a ton of ups and downs and we faced it all together. After all, what are best friends for?
Vani's eyes softened. She knew my dad was a very sensitive topic to talk about and nothing in the world could stop me from lunging on them if they would talk shit about my father.
She unscrewed the ointment's tube cap and pinched out a small amount of it on her finger and made me face her. She applied the gel on the cheekbone and for the love of god, it stung like hell.
"I know whatever she said was really unnecessary but she was trying to get on your nerves, Mahi. And look, she succeeded. She's trying her best to get you out of the college and she knows," she moved back as she completed the task and while washing her hands she continued, "that because of your violent behavior you will lose your scholarship."
I crossed my hands on my chest and faced her, "So I should tolerate whatever trash she threw my way? It was really fine till she came at me but the moment she intervened my dad into her stupid tactics, I lost it, bro."
She closed the tab and pulled out her kerchief from the back of her jeans pocket and wiped her hands, "Mahoor, you have a reputation to protect, she doesn't. What if someone was recording and the next moment you would be the highlight of the internet."
"Nobody is the highlight of the internet with eighty thousand followers on Instagram."
She rolled her eyes, "You are a growing influencer and soon you will be coming up in a drama even if it's a second lead role, it is a must cause that you should protect your goodwill. You didn't work so damn hard just to lose it all because of one fight."
I rubbed my temples. She was right that I should be looking out for my prestige but sometimes things get out of your control.
"Look, Mahi. Two and a half years are all you have gotten then that snarky woman will be off your back. Till then try your best to bypass her existence. I will help you, you don't have to worry about that but just survive this year with some good grades. Do I need to remind you that the second semester will be held online? You won't have to see her face for a few months for a while now."
I blew out a puff of air and Vani handed my spectacles back to me. I cannot see. True. I was blind without them. The world was literally a blur of colors for me without my frame. I could only properly see things which were in my one feet distance or else say hello to heaven.
I wore them back and rubbed my hands on my clothes to smooth out the creases.
"I just cannot believe that I used to be best friends with her in school. And not only for a year dude but for damn four years." I shook my head in disbelief, "I told her about everything going on in my house and now she's taking it out in front of the whole fucking world!"
Vani made a clicking sound and engulfed me in a tight hug. It didn't take a second for me to hug her back. I needed warmth and comfort and she was the best when it comes to ease your worries through a dear embrace.
She rubbed my back, "It's okay, Mahi. We make mistakes and we learn from them. You were truly her friend par woh ch*tiya nikli. She doesn't know she lost a gem."
I chuckled at her cuss. We rarely cussed. Even though two more boys lived with us who constantly kept on cursing in every minor situation, I and Vani made sure not to go overboard.
I backed away,"You know I am a gem right?", she nodded, "So treat me right or else I'll throw you from the terrace of a building."
She laughingly punched my back, "Khoti, chal ab."
I winced slightly,"Kutti, insan ke janm mein paida hui hai na dheere maar!"
Vani was shorter than me. She was five feet tall and I was five feet five inches. She had a very petite frame, in short the skeleton of our group. Even if she would lightly slap me on my arm or any other body part, it would still hurt.
"Accha, baba. Agli baar se dheere maarungi."
I glared at her, "Yani ke yeh domestic abuse chalta rahega?"
She smiled wickedly,"hanji."
"Ek laat dungi na udd ke jayegi Saturn pe," I mimicked her expression,"aayi waddi, hanji wali."
She laughed, making me smile too. Even in the biggest chaos of my life, the two most important women of my existence,Vani and my cousin Seyran, were my happiest places. They were my women.
Meri pasandida auratein jinke saath har waqt dil tunak tunak tun karta rehta hai.
Now it was time to go to the principal's ma'am office.
Allah, ji. Madad kar do meri.
"Let's see, what that devil of a woman has stored in for you."
I giggled, "Chalo, lady in red ki maa behen kar ke aate hai."
Vani chortled, throwing her head back. I was never good at jokes; they were always lame but she always laughed genuinely at them.
We moved towards the lavatory door but Vani stopped and turned back, making me frown.
"Agar Robin yaha hota toh woh bolta lady in red ki maa ch.." Before she could complete her whole sentence, I slapped my hand on her mouth.
"Control, Uday, control!!" The woman was still laughing behind the palm of my hand which made me chuckle too.
This was a very mother-trucking serious situation. I was either going to get suspended or lose my scholarship but here we are laughing as if my life isn't dependent on this college's stipend.
I retrieved my hand from her mouth, "Robin se yaad aaya, agar robin aur Ayan ne mujhe yeh haal mein dekha toh bhai, Adhira aur uske kutton ko Shahadat padhne ki taiyari shuru kar deni hogi."
Vani smirked,"Ahha, bas tu dekh phir woh zaleelo ka kya haal hota hai."
My eyebrows raised at her comment,"Ek aur ladai?"
"Kyon ni? Humne sher rakhein hai uske kutte khud hi darr jayenge ek mukka khane ke baad."
I nodded dumbfounded, "Yeh bhi sahi hai."
Robin and Ayan completed our group. We four were each other's family. The guys always had our back and they genuinely adored us.
Robin is an extrovert just like me. He's around five feet nine inches. He was learning about fashion in the same college as we are. His tan skin, broad chest with a lean figure was a sight to hold. He never kept a beard even though he looked completely mesmerizing in it. He was the life of our group. His jokes and extreme caring nature of a mother held us all together.
Basically, he was the momma of our gang.
Ayan is Ayan. I mean that man makes me wanna pull his hair so darn much but he's a nice guy. By nature, he's an ambivert. He is the tallest of all in our gang that is six feet two inches. He was in the martial arts sector of our college due to which he had a great build and maintained it like a pro. He taught us some defensive moves and still teaches us from time to time if we ever needed to use it because you never know what will happen. He aspires to be a martial artist. The guy knows how to use a gun, a knife and also his hands and legs for his advantage, after all he was learning martial arts.
No matter how nice and gentle these men were, I wasn't ready to see their ruthless side getting unleashed as they both were very protective of me, Vani and Seyran.
Vani opened the washroom door and I followed her behind. As expected the corridor was full with the students, some were gawking at me from the top to bottom, some were gossiping about the latest events that took place an hour ago and some were laughing at my appearance.
I got used to it. It wasn't new for that bitch and me to get into fights. We always got into heated arguments due to which the whole University would stop by and enjoy but it was the first time in six months, I lost my calm.
I painfully ignored their judgemental gazes and straightaway went to the principal ma'am's cabin while Vani was at my side.
I behaved like it didn't hurt or I didn't care about it par bhai main sensitive insan hu.
Thoda kuch bol do mera jag soona soona hojata hai.
We halted in front of the principal's office and knocked on it. After hearing a faint come in, we stepped into the room.
Mrs.Chawala, our principal was sitting on the desk while there she stood with her best friend on her side.
The principal averted her gaze and looked at me, "How are you, Mahoor?"
To be honest, I really didn't know how to answer her question because I haven't been fine for eight years. Nonetheless, I shrugged,"Just the way I look."
The principal heaved a sigh, "For how long will you both keep quarreling like dogs in the college premises?"
Before I could say the twat jumped in between, "She started it first, ma'am."
Oh. I was the one who started it first? Like seriously? I did not. The cake face always initiated the fight first. It always began from her and me being me, ended it at last.
"Adhira Kapoor, I didn't ask you, did I? So talk when you are asked to. You got it?"
Adhira Kapoor, a girl with fair skin, black eyes and light brown curly hair would make you feel things and one of them would be hatred too.
At first I was so fond of her name but now? I ain't, bro.
We were together in school. I first met her when I was in fourth grade and we instantly clicked and became besties because at that time I had none. We were always by each other's side. But after my dad died and I had to stay in Hyderabad for months because of some rituals which were pending and I had no choice but to follow my mother's instructions.
When I came back, she was suddenly changed and in school everyone got to know that my Dad verbally and physically abused me and my mum.
It was Adhira who circulated about my personal affairs.
At first I just couldn't believe it, I was shocked. She was someone I loved and trusted enough but I got betrayed by my very own best friend and for what reason?
I asked her multiple times but she didn't answer. Her ultimate reply to my question was, 'you deserved it'
I didn't.
I was left with enormous hurt which is still fresh. I broke my friendship with her. Since then and till now, she taunts me, mocks me. Brings up my past to provoke me.
My luck was so inferior that she even got into the same college as me.
Advantages of being a ameer baap ki aulad.
She looked down and nodded her head meekly, "Yes, ma'am."
"Mahoor, this is the thrice in a week you're here in my cabin. I suppose that a person who has a scholarship shouldn't constantly make appearances at the principal's office, right?"
'Welcome toh thik se kar le buddhi kuch thanda vaigaira pila de, teesri baar aayi hu yeh ek hafte mein.' I so wanted to say this aloud but yeah had to control it or else tata scholarship.
"Ms. Durrani, I expect an answer."
I had no answer to her question. She was right. As days were passing by, my academic record and my reputation in college was dropping by. I was so distracted these days and I didn't know who to blame either my mother, my father or myself.
I looked at the principal ma'am and breathed, "You are right. I should not keep making appearances here but some people don't know when to shut their filthy mouths. So I cannot help it and unfortunately, against my will; I am here, again."
"Watch your mouth or I'll shut it for you." Sahil, Adhira's best friend, roared in anger.
"Repeat that fuckery and regret it later after I am done with castrating your body into pieces."
My head snapped at that manly yet soothing voice. Ayan stood at the principal man's cabin with Robin whose eyes didn't waver from me for a second.
They were taking in my appearance. They both walked in and stood behind me, glaring at Adhira and Sahil together.
"Stop this nonsense! I really cannot handle this situation. Mahoor, you are suspended for two weeks and Adhira, as you were the one who initiated the fight first -"
"Ma'am, I did not-"
"We have CCTV cameras around the whole college and it was you who provoked Mahoor. I have let you go every time whenever you have quarreled with Ms.Durrani but not this time. I am not allowing you to sit for semester two finals. You are terminated for semester two. If you'll be in the mood to come during semester three then write the backlog papers, we will pass you for semester two but this will be allotted in your marksheet."
Horror struck Adhira's face. We all went silent.
This was such an unexpected action from the lady in red that I cannot fathom if I should be happy or sad.
I was getting a suspension for two weeks but this was disastrous for Adhira and I know how it will affect her career if this would be dragged to her marksheet.
We were studying in Mumbai and India's top most popular college, St. Winston Churchill College. A remark from this institution on our report cards could either make our lives or completely eradicate it.
And the latter was going to take place in Adhira's life.
"Moye moye.." Robin snickered along with Vani who hid her face in Ayan's arm, whose lip twitched at the genz comment.
Robin circled his palm around my elbow to take the exit from the cabin.
But I didn't want to.
Adhira was still in shock and Sahil was just standing there with her, rubbing her back.
The principal started to write down something but I had to say it now.
"Maam,"
She didn't raise her head,"Yes?"
The hold of Robin's on my hand got tightened not enough to hurt me but gesturing me to not to say those words which I was about to spill. He tried to pull me as well but I stood there, not budging a bit.
"Mahoor, don't you dare." Ayan whispered in my ear from behind but I didn't listen to him.
I looked to my right and saw Vani pleading with her eyes for me to not utter those words but I just can't listen to them.
I had to listen to myself or else the guilt of not saying it and my conscience would eat me up alive.
"Speak, Ms. Durrani."
I released a breath,"Ma'am, I get that Adhira has made a gruesome mistake but don't punish her like this."
"Tch"
"Yeh din dekhne ke liye isko itna bada kia tha."
"Ho gaya ab inka rona dusro ke liye shuru."
I heard these three voices from my people and it didn't affect me because I would rather listen to their taunts than let my consciousness haunt me forever.
Ma'am removed her glasses, "What punishment?"
"Please don't terminate-"
"SHUT UP, YOU BITCH! This all happened because of you. I got terminated because of you and now you are acting up all like an angel? We all know you are an actor, don't pull your acting classes here."
That hurt. I was genuinely concerned for her career.
Par insaniyat kuch log chah ke bhi deserve nahi karte.
Vani, Robin and Ayan together stepped forward but I showed my palm to them and they immediately stopped at their places.
I turned my head to the principal. She literally didn't give two flying forks and was looking at me only.
"What were you saying again?" She mocked me. In other words, she was telling me, 'You speak for the wrong? You get the medicine of evil.'
"I was saying," I took a deep breath, "Aapne joh kiya sahi kia. Isey ek semester ke liye nahi do semester ke liye terminate kar do and please don't forget to mention that as well on her record."
Ek toh inka acha socho aur bakwas bhi suno?
Ab tu kar moye moye.
Ayan, Robin and Vani, bursted into laughter and before Adhira could come back at me, I exited the office.
"Slay, girllll!!!!"
Vani came and patted my back. Robin ruffled my hair and Ayan just smirked in return.
I did the salute gesture and laughed,"Aye, aye, captain!"
Ayan threw his hand around my neck and we four together started to walk to the college's main gate, to the exit.
We were all quiet. It was always like this. Before we get out of college, we'd always be silent. We would let all the events play in our mind, let everything sink in then we'd chat about everything outside the main gate.
We reached the main gate and Ayan removed his hand from my neck. Before I could even begin, Robin threw himself on me and crushed me in his big arms.
Bhai, saans le lu main?
"Robin, my face hurts." My face literally got crushed to his chest and it literally hurt.
Robin left me by muttering an apology but he still had his arm around my shoulder.
We all four just stood there quietly not knowing what to say or do. None of them ever saw bruises on me. They surely heard my childhood traumatic stories but they never saw me being physically hurt. Whenever a fight with Adhira would occur, Robin and Ayan were always there to make sure that not a single strand of my hair gets pulled out.
Ayan took a deep breath and rubbed his face, "Mahoor, I am sorry."
"I am sorry too." Robin uttered.
I looked at Vani and our brows creased in confusion, "Why are you guys apologizing?" Vani asked, as she kept moving back and forth on her feet. The girl can never stand straight.
Robin and Ayan glanced at each other before Robin spoke,"Humari tujhe zarurat thi and we weren't there. I really think if we both would have been with you," He pointed to the bruises on my face, "this wouldn't have happened."
Aww!
Aren't my boys the sweetest?
Mar jaungi par inki tareef aise muh pe nahi karungi.
I rolled my eyes and pushed his arm away from my neck.
"I handled this situation very well. I wasn't alone, Vani was with me. Even she was the one who pulled Adhira away from me. Don't be sorry, didn't you see? I did some good designing on Adhira as well. Just don't blame yourself. Vaise bhi gaye bhi toh mere kaam se the."
They both went to my abode to bring my luggage as I had decided that I'll go to Dadar station to take the train to Hyderabad from college only.
Ayan opened his mouth again and by his expressions I clearly knew he was about to apologize again but I interrupted him, "How did you guys know that I was in the principal office and about this fiasco?"
Ayan wiped his forehead with his kerchief, "Manav called. He informed me about your fight with Adhira and also about the injuries, so we rushed here as soon as we got to know about it."
Robin nodded,"Bhai, main toh itna darr gaya tha. Tera chehra dekh ke dil dehel gaya alag par woh bhains Adhira ka chehra aur toota haath dekh ke joh mere kaleje mein khoon aaya hai na ki kya batau!"
Ayan rolled his eyes,"Maine kaha tha na Mahoor zyada nuksan karke aayegi? Bharosa hi nahi kar raha tha yeh bsdk!"
"Behench*d muh dekh iska. Yeh Hyderabad le jayegi? Philippines jane tak yeh sab thik ho jayega par ab shadi mein aisa chehra leke ghumegi toh kya bolenge iske hi rishtedar?"
Uff yaa!
Itna bhi bura nahi lag raha tha jab aaine mein dekha tha.
I pressed my finger into my cheekbone and immediately regretted it because it hurt like hell.
I looked at Vani, "Bhot bura laga hai kya? Joh yeh log aisa keh rahe hai."
Vani held my chin, her eyes roamed around my face, "Pehle kam tha abhi badh gayi hai swelling."
Bankchor!
She left my face and I stepped towards Ayan, "Kuch kar, yaar. Kal tak kam hojaye aisa kar varna khala ke saath saath Seyran aur Zorawar bhaiya ne bhi jaan le leni hai meri wahi station pe."
Ayan smirked,"Yeh decoration chehre ka tere dekh ke Seyran hi kahi wohi train se wapis aa ke Adhira ki vaat na laga de."
Oh Lord, she totally would!
"Don't worry though, during some fights I have had the worst bruises on my face and after cleaning the blood, my trainer always applied coconut oil on them especially on the swelling and after sometime, I'd just simply keep a pack of ice on the swelling and it would at least look a little bit better,"
Ayan dug his hand into his trackpant and removed an oil bottle. "You still have that cream on your face. After an hour or two just wash it away and," he proceeded to remove something from his jacket's inner pocket.
Oh. It was an ice gel packet.
He handed the bottle and the ice gel packet to me, "Keep this pack on your face and before you fall asleep, apply the oil on it. If the Lord wills, the swelling will reduce to an extent as if it wasn't there at all."
I smiled in gratitude, "Thank you, broski!"
He was on his way to college from my house and he even got to know about the disaster that took place in the premises.
He was stressed about the situation and still brought the ointments for me.
He cared. They cared.
That's what made my heart filled with content. Even though I don't have my parents with me, I have these people and it's more than enough.
Ayan rolled his eyes and ruffled my hair, "Anytime, anything for you."
Robin cleared his throat, "Influencer sahiba, aapki train ek ghante mein station pe aa jayegi. Chalein? Ponchte ponchte hi aada ghanta hojayega."
"Chalo, bhai. Can't afford to lose the train."
They all nodded and we kept my luggage in the taxi's trunk which was already standing outside the gate booked by one and only, Robin.
We all settled down on the seats and I rested my head on the window. As the engine roared back to life, my gaze went to the University as I won't be back here for six months and I sure as hell won't miss this place.
The car was about to pass, I saw a glimpse of Adhira who was standing near the gates, seething in rage and glaring at me.
I smirked and showed her a middle finger. Before she could say anything, the driver drove past her. I placed my head in Vani's lap as she was sitting between me and Robin, Ayan in the front.
I was exhausted.
I was tired of everything. The main thing was that the chaos of my life just doesn't end here.
On reaching Hyderabad tomorrow morning, will bring immense joy and trauma to me. I wasn't ready to bear the taunts from the rest of my family members but had to.
My maternal side is amiable but at the same time, these people are a pain in the ass.
I just wish my stay of one week passes by quickly and all this wedding thing ends in a blink of an eye.
After a week, I'd be leaving for the Philippines with Seyran for my very first acting role in a series for Netflix!
I sweated, went through torment for straight ten months and finally acquired this position.
Gone are the days of worrying, now only the days of ecstasy will bloom.
Ameen.
*|*|*|*|*|*
Happy New Year!!
Meet Altan on Thursday ;)