( ð¨ Long chapter ahead ð¨)
{Warning: Drugs are mentioned in this chapter.}
â~~~~~â
"I am sorry, Sandhya. I really am. I promise I won't do it again."
"Shhh.. it's okay. Stop crying now. Your makeup is getting ruined."
I was sitting in the nurse's office as the doctor bandaged my hand while Jahnvi kept sobbing and apologizing. Man, this girl could cry rivers.
"Hey, you okay now?" Parth asked and sat on one of the chairs.
I nodded my head. He looked at Jahnvi and began consoling her. I was thankful for that. My girl gang was also trying to cheer her up, but no use. No matter what I said, I only made her cry more. I need to work on my speech. I come off as too blunt sometimes.
"Is there any other injury you want me to look at?" the doctor asked and I shook my head. She gave me a small smile and went back to doing her work at her desk.
"Let's leave, shall we? I am hungry," I said.
Surbhi gave me her hand and I gladly took it. Not that I couldn't walk by myself but I knew it was just natural for her to do that. Tanya picked up my bag while Divya and Rashi kept talking continuously.
Parth and Jahnvi followed behind and I could hear some giggles. We reached the cafeteria and took our usual seats. Some heads turned in our direction but we ignored the curious stares.
"You pack a nice punch Sandhya." I heard someone comment.
I raised my hand in the air and showed my bandaged hand. "I sure can."
"You like to showoff, don't you?" Ved commented and gave me a cold look.
"Yes, I do. Got a problem with that?"
"To be honest, your skills are still lacking."
"You want to get in a fight with me right now? I am up for it."
"You are too high on adrenaline there. I would like to beat some sense into you, but I would suggest otherwise for your own sake."
This arrogant nutcase. I shot him a scowl and he flicked me on the forehead.
"You will never outmatch me," he boasted and left to sit on his table. Whatever.
"Next time you try something like that, inform me first," Mayank complained as he entered the cafeteria and sat beside me.
"Okay, dad."
"Care to explain, why you got in a fight?" he asked and I let out a huge breath. I began my story session but skipped few details from it.
Flashback
"Mom, I am leaving," I shouted as I made my way out of the house.
I had to run to the bus stop because I got late. Jahnvi took an whole hour in the washroom. Was she sleeping in there? I tried everything to make her drop her decision to tag along with me today. But every plan failed. Now, she was following me, trying to keep up with my pace.
"Slow down! I am not letting you ditch me!" she shouted.
I increased my speed and I think I heard her spewing some curses at me. I reached the bus stop and took an empty seat. After five minutes, Jahnvi came too and slumped down beside me. I laughed at her condition. She was panting heavily and her hair stuck on her sweaty face.
She took out a handkerchief from her bag and wiped her face. I gave her a cheeky smile and she hit my shoulder. I hit her on the head and that made her stop. My bus arrived after fifteen minutes and I dashed inside it.
Jahnvi quickly followed and I began scolding her for her clothes. She was wearing a cyan crop top-which was too much cropped according to me- with a heart on it and some really 'short' shorts.
To be frank, I got no problem with girls wearing any clothes they wanted. Everyone had their own choices. But, you should wear something you feel comfortable in, instead of just following the trend blindly.
Jahnvi looked beautiful in any clothing, but right now, I knew she wasn't feeling that comfortable in her clothes.
She kept pulling her shirt down and adjusting the hem of her shorts continuously. I noticed some guys were staring at her. I glared at them and they looked away.
I know, I didn't like her but she was my sister in the end. I will kill them if they even laid a single finger on her.
The bus came to a halt and we got down at our stop. I quickly started walking towards the school's entry gates. If I entered before her, the guards would stop her and then, she would have to go back home when she couldn't show them the identity card.
I laughed evilly but Jahnvi was hot on my heels. She laughed at me when there were no guards to check her. Just her luck.
"What are you going to do now that you have come here?" I asked as she observed her surroundings.
"Have fun, what else?"
"I will be in my lectures. What will you do during that time? You don't think I will babysit you, do you?"
"I don't need you to take care of me. Big sis." She air quoted and I rolled my eyes.
"You are jealous that dadi loves me more," I teased.
"No she doesn't. She loves me the most."
"Ya, ya. In your dreams."
"She does!"
I ruffled her hair. I enjoyed teasing her. No matter how much she argued back, I knew I was Dadi's favourite. She would have to deal with it.
"Why is she here?" Surbhi frowned at Jahnvi and my cousin returned the look.
"I am not happy to see you too," Jahnvi retorted.
"Don't tell me she is going to our college," Surbhi said and I assured her that was not the case. We would have to transfer to other school if that happened. Just like me, Surbhi wasn't a big fan of her. During the summer holidays of our 12th grade, Jahnvi had come to stay with us.
Surbhi was having a sleepover at my place and met her for the first time. As much friendly Surbhi was, she also couldn't tolerate Jahnvi's tantrums.
"Who is this beautiful girl? I haven't seen you here before," Nikhil commented as he joined us.
"She is no-one. Why are your eyes red?" I asked.
He ignored me and I noticed he was looking at Jahnvi. I elbowed him in the stomach and he winced.
"That's my sister, Nikhil. No flirting with her," I warned him.
"That's Nikhil? You are handsome," Jahnvi commented and Nikhil gave me a smug look. I was not liking this at all. They shook their hands and began chatting like old friends. Nikhil was trying everything to impress her. I controlled myself from hitting both of them.
"Wassup everyone?" Parth came along.
"Hi Parth!" Surbhi and I greeted him. Surbhi was pestering me about why I brought her along with me. Parth asked me about my cousin and as if on cue, she turned around. When her eyes landed on Parth, she gave him a huge smile. Her eyes glimmered and I quickly got in action.
"He is my friend too. Moreover, he has a girlfriend. So don't even think about it," I warned her and she threw a glare at me. She huffed and turned back to whatever Nikhil was telling her.
We reached our classroom and I grabbed Jahnvi's arm. She tried to yank her hand away but I kept my grip. I told others to go inside while I had some little talk with my little sister.
"I am going for my lecture. I can't keep you with me all the time so you can roam around as much as you want. But, no fooling around. You hear me?"
She just nodded absentmindedly, her eyes trained somewhere else. I turned around to see what she was staring at so intensely. I cursed under my breath. Jahnvi's eyes twinkled and she gave me an evil smirk.
"Woohoo! Who's this beauty?" Ved commented and stood beside me.
Jahnvi blushed and Ved smirked at her. I just said no flirting! Why doesn't anyone listen to me? I took a step away from him and he glanced at me.
"She is my cousin, Ved. Don't even think about hitting on her."
"Why not?!" Jahnvi shouted.
I facepalmed myself. I couldn't believe it. Why can't she just keep her mouth shut and not embarrass me? She looked at me accusingly and I knew that look.
"Your cousin?" Ved checked her in surprise and then looked at me.
"You must be lying. There's no way you are related to this gorgeous girl here," he said and Jahnvi blushed more.
"Take this as a warning! Do something stupid and I am not letting you get away. Remember, she is my sister," I pointed my index finger at him and he swatted my hand away.
"You are no fun, Sandhya," Jahnvi accused and I told her to move her butt if she didn't want a lecture right now.
She stomped her feet angrily at me but gave a honey sweet smile to Ved. I gave her a last warning look and she flinched a bit. Heh! See? I did had some power over her. She waved at Ved and took off in the opposite direction. I didn't know what she was planning to do now that I wouldn't be able to keep an eye on her. I just wished she wouldn't get in any serious trouble.
"That was fun." Ved chuckled.
I ignored him and got in the classroom. He followed behind and pulled my braid. I hit him on the back as he moved past me. Big mistake. I hurt my own hand. He laughed at my reaction and went back to his seat.
I couldn't believe I would have to deal with two of the most annoying people in my life at the same time today. Somehow, I managed to go through two more lectures without any problems. Time to head to the library.
As I walked down the deserted corridor, I wondered what Jahnvi must be doing. Hmmm? She was a grown up girl now. I should stop worrying about her. She must be fooling around somewhere. I had messaged my girlfriends to look after her and had sent them her photo.
I was lucky to have such great friends I could rely on. Surbhi was the most enthusiastic one. She told me she will beat Jahnvi's ass if she got in a mess. The imagery was hilarious.
I bumped into someone's back as I entered the library. Argh! My nose! Did I hit a wall or what? I looked up to notice it was Nikhil. My eyes automatically landed on his hands which were holding a small brown packet and some cigarettes.
"Why do you have those?" I asked.
He scratched his neck with his other hand and I looked behind him when I noticed a movement behind the farthest bookshelf. Someone was there.
I started walking towards it but Nikhil grabbed my arm. I narrowed my eyes at him. Something was going on definitely. He tried to stop me but I reached behind the bookshelf at the far back and my eyes widened in horror. What the fuck?!
"What the hell, Nikhil?" I shouted.
He clasped his hand on my mouth and looked around him. Karthik asked him what I was doing here. He had a bottle of alcohol in one hand while his other hand held a half-burnt cigarette.
I removed Nikhil's hand from my mouth and narrowed my eyes at him. He lied to me! He was getting involved in all these things? I noticed there were two more guys who were busy rolling small slips of paper with white powder on it. Karthik threw his cigarette away and picked one of those rolls.
He lit it up and inhaled it. His eyes rolled in the back of his head as he exhaled deeply. I watched him in shock and turned towards Nikhil.
"Wanna join?" Karthik moved his hand towards me and I took a few steps back. He laughed at me and others followed.
"I am going to tell aunty about this. So this is what you were upto in the name of group studies?!" I shouted at Nikhil.
"You won't dare."
"Why won't I? Do you even know how much worried she is about you?"
"I don't need you to tell me that."
"Come on Nikhil. It's not time to argue here. We both know you are getting yourself involved in wrong things. Exams are next month."
"Oh fuck it! I am tired of listening to this shit everyday."
"I don't care about what these guys are upto but I won't allow you to get into all of this." I motioned with my hands and Nikhil's face hardened.
Just how did they manage to sneak alcohol and drugs here? That too in the library! How come anyone didn't notice them? I knew this place was deserted for most of the day but it was really outrageous of them to do something like that.
"Nikhil you are coming with me." I grabbed his wrist and started walking. He didn't move.
I tried to drag him but he freed his hand away from my grip. I glanced at Karthik was was smiling smugly.
"What are you doing? All of this is wrong! You should be studying right now," I told Nikhil.
"And who are you to tell me that?"
"I am your friend. Don't act like a child now. We need to talk to your parents."
"Hell no! I am not coming with you. Who are you to order me around? My girlfriend?"
I looked at him in surprise, shocked at his outrage. How could he say that? Maybe he was under influence of those drugs and his judgement had become clouded?
I tried to grab his hand again but he moved away. He distanced himself from me further and joined Karthik. He was upto something bad and my suspicions were right too. I should have been more careful when aunty said to keep an eye on him. I thought she was just overreacting.
"Nikhil, listen to me. If you don't stop this, I will have to tell your parents about it. Aunty's health is not good too. Think about her atleast. She is worried about you."
"Just shut up, Sandhya. Do whatever you want. I am not scared. You think you can blackmail me like that? Come with you? Sorry, but that's not happening. Everyday, my mom is complaining about me playing basketball and scolding me to study 24Ã7. I am not a machine for God's sake.
"And she even keeps chanting your name throughout the day, that I am tired of it now. Sandhya this, Sandhya that. I am her son, not you. Why she has to compare everytime? So, go ahead and tell her everything. I don't care! I will do whatever I want."
"Calm down first. You don't know what you are talking about."
"I know exactly what I am talking about. I don't need another lecture from you."
"I am your friend Nikhil."
He scoffed at this and took a joint from Karthik. I moved forward to snatch it away from him, but Karthik stopped me.
"If you ain't got any business here, leave. I won't be giving you another warning," he said.
"I am not afraid of you."
"Leave Sandhya," Nikhil told me.
I gave him a glare and marched out of there! What the fuck just happened? How could Nikhil treat me like that? I would have to talk to his parents about this. I was not letting him get dragged into that hell. I was fuming with rage as Nikhil's words replayed in my mind. I needed to cool off or I would do something that wouldn't be good.
Just how dare he talk to me like that? I was his friend. I was only telling him to do the right thing. How could he lash out on me? I was already frustrated with Jahnvi since morning and now he had to add fuel to the fire.
As I moved down the corridor, stomping my feet in anger, I heard Jahnvi's voice. I turned in her direction and the last bit of patience left in me evaporated.
"Stop it! I said leave my hand," she told the boys in front of her. The one in front twisted her right wrist in his hand.
"Why, babygirl? You yourself came to us. Now you want to get away?" one of them teased and grabbed her other arm.
"Leave my hand!" She tried to put up a fight.
"Nope. You are coming with us. Let's go guys," one said and they started pulling her with them. There were three of them in total. She dragged her feet behind but they kept their hold on her. I inhaled deeply and my eyes saw red.
"Leave her," I warned them and they stopped in their tracks.
"Fuck off!" one of them said and I snapped.
"Last warning. Leave her," I stressed my words. They didn't listen. Not my fault.
I approached them and punched the guy who told me off and he stumbled back. The others looked in surprise and I dragged Jahnvi away from them. They got distracted with the surprise attack. The second guy tried to grab Jahnvi as she tried to run. I kicked him in the stomach and kneed him in the face as he went down.
Janvi made a run and I told her to get away as far as possible. There were not many students around at this part of the college, so no wonder, no one heard her cries. I couldn't believe they were trying to assault her in broad daylight.
But, then again I wasn't also expecting Nikhil to blow off on me when I busted him. My temper shot up and I grabbed the last guy from his collar. He tried to hit me. Tried.
I grabbed his fist before it connected with my face and twisted his hand behind his back.
"You are not getting away with what you did to my sister," I whispered in his ear and he struggled against my hold.
I let him off and did a roundhouse kick on the boy who I had punched first. He landed on the ground and didn't get back up. The other two attacked at the same time. One of them managed to land a punch on my face and that was the only hit I was letting them go with. I was not in the mood to get beaten up now.
But they were. This was a great opportunity to try the new moves Rajeev had taught me. Three against one? Not fair but when has life ever been that? I landed an uppercut to the boy's jaw on my right, and then grabbed the left arm of the one on my left. I twisted his hand and he yelped in pain. I jabbed him in the face with my right elbow. I turned around and kicked the other boy as my last hit.
They joined their fallen fellow on the ground and I put my hands on my knees, panting hard. One of them got up and I groaned. He moved towards me, eyes flaring. He jumped on me. I dodged him in time and he landed on the floor. I got on top of him and started throwing punches in quick succession.
He shielded his face with his hands and just as I was about to land another hard hit, someone grabbed me by my waist and pulled me off of him.
"Calm down, Sandhya. You will butcher him." Parth rubbed my head and I took deep breaths.
My cousin had returned with my friends, to help me I guess. Parth released me when I cooled down and gave me a bottle of water.
"That was awesome!"
We turned towards the few students who had gathered around the scene. Huh? They were here all the time? Then why didn't they help me? Some of them had their mobile phones in front of them and I knew, they must have recorded all of it. Jerks. Instead of helping me, they were busy making a video.
I shook my head in disapproval and Surbhi pulled me in a hug. I patted her back but winced when I noticed my wounded hands. Damn, I got lost in the fight too much.
"You kicked their butt! Nice job, atta girl." Divya smacked my back.
Rashi and Tanya gave me a worried look and I motioned towards the beaten up guys. They were an easy competition. The girls giggled and hugged me. Parth complained why I didn't call them. I wasn't thinking properly at that time. I only saw what they were doing to Jahnvi and couldn't control myself.
I turned to Jahnvi who was standing a little distance away. I sighed and moved towards her. She sobbed and I pulled her in a hug. She collapsed in my arms and began wailing louder. Ouch! My ears.
"What happened here?" Mayank came.
Deja vu. I laughed in my mind. It was always like that. One of us would make a mess and he would have to handle it. He looked at the guys and then at us. One of the students showed him the video, and his eyes widened in surprise.
"Didn't know Rajeev was raising a baby tiger." He smacked me on the back proudly and checked my bruised hands.
"Go to the nurse's office right now before your wounds get infected," he told me and we all followed his orders.
As for the guys I beat up just now, I knew what would happen to them. We got in the nurse's office where Jahnvi kept apologizing again and again. I patted her head and tried to console her as the doctor tended to me. I was failing badly.
End of Flashback
Mayank's mouth formed an 'O' shape as he took it all in. But, I didn't tell him about Nikhil. I skipped that part. I would take care of that matter myself. I would tell him if it got out of hand though.
"Be careful with what you are doing." He directed this towards Jahnvi who nodded her head like a toddler.
I squeezed her hand and she gave me a small smile. No matter if I hated her or she drove me crazy, she was still my sister. My family. And anyone who tried to hurt my people, would have to go through me.
I glanced at Ved's table and saw Ayush looking at me in confusion. His eyes were directed towards my hands. I smirked at him and he rolled his eyes. He must not have seen the video yet. I heard students whispering about me and pointing at their mobile screens.
So, the latest viral video for the next week was decided now. I was glad nothing happened to my sis, but I would have appreciated if one of the students had helped me instead of recording and enjoying it. Kids these days, I tell you.