I knew it was a terrible idea to join these lunatics for this event. My first priority was to isolate myself in my room with my computer and hack some codes but this Ayan dragged my mom to convince me and here I am.
Freshers are gulping down juices like shots and surveying the surroundings with their mouth wide open, girl side eyeing us but instantly looks away when we look at them.
Placing my hand in the pocket of my leather jacket, I shoot an irritated glance to Ayan who's savoring his tangerine juice "is this why you brought me here?" I question, my voice coated with nothing but annoyance
"Enjoy the music and disco lightning system" Ayan sets his blue jacket while his head bobs to whatever music is going on. I highly doubt that I'm related to him.
"Ayan we are not some toddlers to enjoy colourful lightning" Rayan shrugs them off, he has awfully dressed up in a black and white varsity jacket paired with white t-shirt but at the end he's the one sensible here. Zaid and Ayan are those who'll do anything illegal and call it fun.
Being elder burdens me with the responsibility to ensure all of them are safe and sound which includes none of them should drink, smoke, date or else I'll be answerable. Perks of being in an Asian Desi family. That's also the reason why I had to tag along tonight.
"You enjoy the club although the lightning is exactly the same!" Zaid quips the conversation and all I do is roll my eyes at them while he and Ayan laugh holding their stomach.
"I'll join you guys shortly" excusing myself I aim to breathe some fresh air of silence, so I move to the upper floor.
The thing I like about Aurelian is that the professors do not bother blessing us with their prestigious presence at any of our events. The student managing committee is responsible for all the arrangements and they always perform top notch.
They literally booked this resort for a freshers welcome party! Totally worth devouring your books for.
Once I reach the upper floor for the restroom, I hear some boys wickedly giggling and a girl's quivering whisper.
My brows scrunch in curiosity, and something like rock drops into my stomach. Peeking through the wall I witness 3 boys surrounding a trembling figure, blood rushes through my veins to my eyes as I observe the girl.
"I'll give you ten seconds to leave from here or else you won't like the consequences" despite my efforts to keep my voice calm, rage tinges it
All of them jerk their heads in my direction and I'm convinced to see fear in them.
Hoorain hesitantly turns her head after the boys, her tear-filled blue eyes locking onto mine. Those eyes are like the ocean after a storm, turbulent yet mesmerizing, the most beautiful things I have ever seen. I remember the first time they grabbed my attention, their brilliance making the world seem to fade away. But now, seeing tears stain those eyes, feeling her raging breath and witnessing her trembling figure, a wave of fury surges through me. My bloodshot eyes narrow as I glare at the boys.
"I said ten seconds" I say, my voice dropping octave. "Leave. Now. Or you'll regret it"
One of the boys sneers, trying to mask his fear. "Ahad don't meddle in our matter" my jaw clenches
I take a step forward, my fists clenching. "Your matter? Bullying an innocent girl is your matter? This is my last warning, leave or you'll be picking up your teeth off the ground"
They hesitate, exchanging nervous glances. They know my reputation; they know that one punch from me can break bones. The leader, trying to save face, scoffs and motions for the others to follow him.
"We'll see about this," he mutters as they back away, their bravado crumbling.
As they retreat, I turn my full attention to Hoorain. Her eyes still shimmer with tears, and my heart twists at the sight.
Hoorain mutters under her breath, "There's no dark room, you're safe, you're safe." But before I can even process her words, she collapses to the ground. It's as if bullets pierce my chest, a feeling of helplessness washing over me. Without a second thought, I rush to her side and lower myself to her level.
She grips my hand tightly, her nails digging into my skin as she struggles to breathe. Tears stream down her face, her heartbeat raging like a storm. I don't understand why, but it feels like I'm dying right here, watching her suffer. Yet, I let her hold onto me, allowing her to draw blood if it means she feels some sense of security.
"Hoorain, you're safe," I say calmly, my voice barely above a whisper. "Nothing is happening."
She clutches my collar, trying to regain control, but I gently place her hand on my heart. "Feel my beats," I urge her. "It's okay, nothing will happen."
Slowly, she focuses on the rhythm of my heart, her breathing gradually steadying. With each passing moment, the panic in her eyes begins to fade. Finally, she stands up, and I offer her my support as she rises to her feet.
"Are you fine now?" I inquire with concern covering my entire cells
She nods her head "thank you for saving me. I shouldn't have come here alone"
"They shouldn't have done that but now you're all safe and I'm sure they won't look in your direction if they do then please don't hesitate to tell me"
What the hell Ahad? I must seem like a desperate person and an idiot man here.
She offers me a sly smile and then surrounds her gaze to overcome the awkwardness I guess. Am I making her uncomfortable?
Closely looking at her I realize that she is the epitome of innocent beauty. Her blue eyes resemble an ocean hit by the warmth of sunshine, her ash brown hair cascading till the length of her waist. The soft curtain bangs touching her skin just adds to her beauty.
I've never seen any girl prettier than her and I can't comprehend the urge to never land my eyes on any girl ever again.
"By any chance" I ask her a question that has been lingering in my mind since this morning "are you afraid of me?"
By observing the way she trembled when her coffee burned my chest it seemed like she was afraid of me. And now the bullies triggered her panic attack, there is some trauma I guess.
I can't help but ask, "Are you afraid of me?" as I look at Hoorain, my expression a mix of shock and amusement. Hoorain meets my gaze with a bored expression and replies, "No, it's nothing like that."
But I insist, pressing her for an answer. After a moment of hesitation, she finally confesses, "I just simply don't like bad boys and bullies, and AP gunda lagte ho."
(You you look like a thug)
I have to purse my lips to suppress a laugh. No one has ever called me out like that before. Sure, I have a reputation as the "bad boy," but I never bully anyone. I reserve my fists for those who deserve it, those who trigger me into a fight. Yet, somehow, that earns me the label.
Before I can say anything, Ayan, always the joker, drops onto the floor, laughing hysterically. "Ahad, gunda!" he exclaims between fits of laughter, his hand clutching his chest as if his heart might burst from the sheer hilarity of the situation.
My confusion only deepens as Ayan continues to laugh. I can't fathom how this guy can make any girl laugh, let alone Hoorain.
But the moment is interrupted when a hazel eyed girl arrives on the scene. She throws a flower bouquet at Ayan's chest and exclaims, "Aur Tum Chichoray!"
I can't help but wonder what the hell is happening
How serene life is going on- I'm savoring a juice, observing everyone relish their life and dreaming about my book boyfriends.
Tonight I've chosen Rhys Larsen as my date. People may make an assumption that I'm suffering through a mental disorder but it's better fantasizing about books rather than getting your heart broken by insufferable real men.
Yes, I'm referring to the narcissist who disrupted my tranquil hours in the library. He contemplates that every girl will be charmed by his cheesy remarks and looks but he must grasp that attracting a girl is so much more than looks.
Well if he had the guts to contemplate that, he wouldn't be a playboy in the first place.
Speak of the devil and here he is.
I roll and squint my eyes after turning myself in a wish that he didn't catch my sight. With a swift movement I grab my juice and rush from this place but accidentally bump my knees, pain courses through my veins but after a reluctant dabbing at the bumped area, I set to escape again ignoring the pain.
"Hazel"
I search everywhere in puzzlement. Did he call me Hazel? How dare him!
With a furious expression on my face I spin around to catch his sight. Ayan stands there with a bouquet of roses.
He's honestly good-looking, with his navy blue jacket and white t-shirts combo, his allure is enhanced.
But even a pet looks good!
What actually defines a person is their attributes not looks.
"You can stare at me all you want hazel but please accept these flowers" stepping closer to me, he offers the bouquet with a smirk as if I'd roll on the floor with happiness that Ayan pervert Ansari has given me flowers.
"You can keep these flowers back in the vase you grabbed them from, or give it to anyone who is actually interested in receiving them"
With a devilish grin he places his elbow on the table nearby and in a leaning position he whispers "but what about my heart who is interested in beating for you"
Cringe! Cringe! And Cringe!
For God sake even Ryle Kincaid was better at flirting than him.
A coughing sound interrupts the not-so-pleasant conversation and I can't be more grateful for it
"Is it a heart or a football? It ends up with everyone" a boy with rectangular glasses jumps in.
He smirks flashing his dimples and peers at Ayan, in return Ayan tilts his head and Zaid just rubs his forehead with his middle finger.
I totally agree with Zaid. Ayan Ansari changes girls like clothes.
"Ignore him Inaya" Ayan shrugs "did I tell you that when I saw you in last year's film festival, I wasn't able to breathe properly since then"
Yeah right, he dated five girls only from my department in that span of time and turns out I never attended that festival.
"Oh really? I never attended that festival!"
Ayan fists his mouth and the vibrations of his chest indicates that he's laughing and on the other hand Zaid stands beside me laughing whole heartily
"What a coincidence, even though I didn't attend that festival"
He raises his hand in the hope that I will consider giving him a high five but I just shoot him an irritated glare.
He ends up clapping his own hands and giggling awkwardly on his own.
I'm already drained from socializing this much. Being an introvert challenges you sometimes like I've finished my word count for today yet here I am wasting my words on this useless person.
As I move to flee this place, a girl contacts Ayan and evaluating by his fading smile, she isn't good news so let's enjoy the show Inaya.
Ayan initiates departure but is halted by Zaid with a gentle push on his shoulder
"Hey Ayan" the girl places her hand on his chest but he immediately shrugs it off
"Jee Ap Kaun behn jee"
(Yes who are you sister?)
Ayan passes her a sympathetic smile.
I bite my lower lip to stifle my emerging laugh peering at the offended expressions of the girl
"Behn jee! Ayan seriously? You used to call me qalbi. We dated last year until you Ghosted me"
The entire red color suits Ayan Ansari, I would prefer dying than to have any relation with him
Zaid rests his hand on his abdomen while laughing maniacally
"Bus kar Ayan!"
(Stop it Ayan)
His one hand positions on Ayan's shoulder "agar aesa Raha to adhay university ki qalbis ko behn jee banana parega"
(If this continues, we'll have to turn half of the university's qalbis into sisters)
"Why would I ask for an enemy when I have you as a friend?" Ayan mutters under his breath loud enough for me to hear
I force a smile on my face and stand ahead of him. "See, that's the reason. When are you thinking of turning me into 'behn jee'?"
I literally wish for him to label me as his sister right now. Anything would be better than hearing cheesy lines from him. But he just smirks and says, "Apko to biwi banane ka soch raha hoon."
(I'm thinking of making you my wife)
Observing my frown Ayan laughs nervously and says, "She wasn't my girlfriend; she was his girlfriend." He pats Zaid's cheeks.
Zaid looks like a bomb just went off in his house. Ayan continues, "Our faces look alike, actually."
Zaid's mouth widens, and he says, "Don't sprinkle salt on my wound. I've never even dreamed of a girl in the name of dating. Forever singles be like."
Noticing rage bubbling within me he hands me the bouquet of roses and rushes away somewhere.
"He went to the upper floor and please don't forget to inform me when you beat him up"
Zaid grins and leaves from this place.
I can't decipher why Ayra hates him? He's neither Playboy nor rude. Zaid is the closest man I've seen to a gentleman and he's handsome as hell.
I can't stand the smug look on Ayan's face, so I dash after him. He bolts up the stairs, and I follow, determined to give him a piece of my mind. Reaching the upper floor, I catch sight of him peeking through the wall, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Before I can say anything, he collapses on the ground, laughing uncontrollably. "Ahad gunda," he manages to choke out between fits of laughter.
My rage spikes, and I throw the bouquet I'd been clutching right at his chest. "Aur tum chichoray!" I snap.
(And you're a pervert)
Ayan just grins up at me, completely unfazed by the flowers now scattered across his shirt. "Oh, Inaya, I love it when you get feisty," he says with a wink.
I groan inwardly, hating the way he always manages to twist things around. Just then, we both notice Ahad and Hoorain standing at the top of the stairs. Ahad, ever the reserved one, is looking at Hoorain with an intensity. What the hell is going on?
Concern overtakes me for Hoorain because she's with Ahad and that's bad news. He's a badboy! It can trigger her PTSD.
Hoorain, shoots me an assuring glance. "What's all this commotion about?" she asks, though I can tell she's trying to veil her own emotions. Alright I think we girls will have a meeting in our dorm room.
Ayan scrambles to his feet, still laughing. "Just a little friendly banter, right, Inaya?"
"Friendly?" I scoff. "More like annoyingly persistent."
Hoorain stares me with eyes that are about to bulge out because I don't even raise my voice if a fly is bothering me but as a reader I draw a line at cheating and God knows how many girls he has cheated on. Now he's trying to flirt with me!
Ahad clears his throat, his eyes never leaving Hoorain. If other girls were here then Ayra would threaten to pluck his eyes out if he continued looking at Hoor and on the other hand Maha would've fantasized their wedding
"Ayan, do you always have to cause such a scene?" Ahad affirms
Ayan shrugs, throwing an arm around Ahad's shoulders. "What can I say? I live to entertain."
I roll my eyes, but Hoorain's amused smile makes me soften a bit. "Well, try to tone down the entertainment next time," I say, wishing to get rid of the Ayan irritating Ansari.
Ayan leans in, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Admit it, Inaya. You'd miss me if I didn't."
"Keep dreaming," I retort, but I don't even want him to dream about me not that anyone actually would.
Ahad finally looks away from Hoorain long enough to give Ayan a gentle shove. "Come on, let's leave these ladies in peace."
As they walk away, Ayan throws one last grin over his shoulder. "Until next time, Inaya."
I shake my head, turning to Hoorain. "Please don't ask I know he's ridiculous"
Hoorain laughs softly. "Totally understandable"
"Hoor, did Ahad do something?" I mutter. In these past few years we girls have developed a bond stronger than a family and we seek to know the torments inside us by just a single glance, she is not ok.
"No he didn't do anything well I'll tell you guys everything when we reach the dorm" I nod, understanding the circumstances.
As we head back downstairs, I can't help but build a negative image of Ayan in my mind. I thought that maybe he can develop a sense of maturity but no he has to remain a playboy.
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