IT ALL STARTED WITH A DETENTION

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Mysterious Painting

Arohi's POV:

Asher was looking at me like I had all the answers to his questions, but I know it's not the right thing to do in this situation, if Emily, who barely trusts anyone would be broken if this thing spreads by any chance.

It's not as if I don't trust Asher, he saved Emily today which shows how genuinely he worries about her but some decisions are never our thing to take. I hope he understands it.

"I came here to ask you something," I told him trying to change the topic. I sounded so nervous I don't know if it was because I was in another person's house in the middle of the night or it was because Asher was standing shirtless in front of with all the confidence in the world.

He looked puzzled at first then smiled encouraging me to go on.

"It's becoming late, my parents don't know I am outside the house. So, if you don't mind... can you please drop me to my house"

otherwise I would be grounded for life, I wanted to add.

I don't know why I was not able to tell him about me sharing a apartment with Marissa.

"Oh, okay wait here I will get my car keys" he turned casually walking back.

"And your shirt," I said which made him glace at himself with realization.

" I don't mind you driving shirtless but taking your recovery and the temperature outside I think it would be better"

He couldn't help but smile and went into the washroom to change.
while I was about to go guest room where Emily was there.

I was caught by the sight of the painting hanging on the wall near the door, I have seen many paintings. Maybe countless of them in gallery or exhibitions but never got the feeling of familiarity like I did know. It was not admiration.

NO.

It's as if I have done this and forgotten about it. It's a feeling where you go into a room, then forget why you went there. But you still know you came for something.

The Strokes, light angles... Everything is so familiar but yet distant. I was even afraid to touch it, what if it disappears?

"Arohi you are still here"

I was so into the painting, tracing all the lines from my eyes. This painting had that mixed feeling of familiarity.

"Arohi are you okay?" Asher asks me with concern written all over his face.

I hear his footsteps approaching me but I am immobilized, like someone as captured me.

The only thing I was truly aware of was the painting. Nothing else.

"Arohi? What has happened to you, Arohi.. Arohi.." each word becomes lesser and lesser like an echo turning into a void.

"Arohi!" He shook me little roughly.

When I turned to Asher, there was a tug in my gut and words stubbled out of me "where did you get this from" I said pointing towards the painting.

First, he looked confused then realizing what I was talking about his face relaxed, and with a smile, he explained to me how he got it from the exhibition held in our school.

"What? Which exhibition? I never heard of any" my voice was confused, as far as I remembered there was no exhibition this year. Or any year for that matter.

"The one on our math exam, I think you have missed it," he said

"No definitely there was no such exhibition, I would have known about it. I literally stay in the school"

"But... " He tried to explain when Emily rushed into the room, her face which was filled with confused horror relaxed after seeing us.

"Arohi!!" Emily comes running to us, she still looks weak from dealing with the incident. Her dark circles were prominent under the room light.

"Emily what happened," I said, concern lacing my voice.

"Marissa called me asking where you were, she was so scared... She was even considered going to the police. so, I told her you are with me. I didn't know what to say, I blurred something about project and assignments. I was so scared I didn't know what to tell her" she was barely able to talk.

"Emily calm down" I said with determined voice, inside I was crying with all the anxiety and fear of Marissa telling my parents about this. I could imagine their furious voices yelling at me for being so irresponsible.

More than me being screwed, I was bit more concerned about Emily. I didn't know where she will stay. Her house was definitely not safe. Now seeing that Marissa tensed I can't tell her anything, the last we want to Marissa freaking out and taking irrational decision like complaining to police or even worst informing Emily's parents about the incidents.

If my parents get to know about it, then it can be pretty scary. Emily in her condition could never be able to handle them.

I could call Ryan.

Then I remembered once when we went to his house how his brother looked pissed about us being there. It was just an hour's visit.

Now there was only one option left.

" Asher if yo-

"Emily can stay in the guest room tonight," he said in the meantime.

"Looking at her condition she needs rest, her parents will not be happy if they saw her like this," he said " by seeing you people I can guess they have no idea about the whole incident either?" He looked questionly at both of us.

"Yes, they are out of town," Emily said. While she said that there was a void in her voice.

I was filled with a sense of gratitude towards Asher for helping before is asking. He did so much for us today words can't just express them.

*Phone rings*

"Aro Marissa" Emily said bring me back from admiration land.

"Let's go then?" Asher asked,

"Yeah, let's go" now to face the reality.

I hugged Emily telling her to take care and not to worry about me if I don't call or message.

She looked confused.

"Just know I will be grounded," I said smiling when I saw her smile for the first time tonight.

I can do anything to make her smile, I wanted to say but the moments just went by, my thoughts stayed with me.

We got into the car. The road was empty with street lights illuminating the path. If we heard carefully we can hear some dogs howling in the distance.
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