Unrequited

Chapter 3

Within an hour and a half, I had reached R.V.V. I had taken an uber instead of the train today. Just being responsible, you know?

The gates had been decorated with colourful streamers and balloons. There were bright yellow lights lining the sides of the pathway.

The trees which were in periphery of the campus were adorned with the same gleaming lights. I could hear the soft, incoherent murmur of people inside the auditorium as I walked towards it.

Inside it was brisk with students and teachers walking around on the stage setting up the props, testing the lights and sound, and what not. Suddenly warm arms engulfed me into a bear hug and my ears rang with the familiar squeal of delight.

I turned around to face an all dolled up Aisha. Her subtle make up made her look mature and wiser. She looked just mind blowing!

I eyed her up and down and she giggled, blushing. We walked towards the front and met the others. Nyra was dressed in ash blonde coloured one-piece and Amyra was clad in an emerald green flowy cocktail dress with a slit which went dangerously high up onto her well-toned thigh.

Soon, the show started. A group of girls from the science and commerce streams danced to cocky, Bollywood numbers. Half of them forgot their steps and the others danced over-enthusiastically, that they were in danger of either tripping over each other's feet or falling off the stage.

I suppressed my laughter, not wanting to seem insensitive. The talent hunt, sing shows and other speeches and performances went off well. Somehow, knowingly we all drifted to the huge open yard, behind the auditorium.

I saw the DJ flex his muscles and prepare himself for the tiring night. The first song that played was Disco Disco and My! My! Did the girls go crazy. The booze was let out too, that's where the boys headed.

I got myself a beer in a poor looking plastic cup and hitched myself in a corner. I loved dancing. I did! But I needed something in me.

I let the alcohol make its way to my stomach in small sips. Slowly my heart started beating along with the music as if it was coming from inside of me. I headed to the make-shift dancefloor and threw my hands in the air. I swayed to pumpy beats moving my hips like I was in a movie and all eyes were on my butt.

Stupid! Stupid! Don't overdo it. Just dance! Don't think so much. Let me enjoy the alcohol.

I let Kia drown out for tonight and let the alcohol take charge of my gyrating body. My hands stayed in the air and blood rushed to my face. I could hear screams of 'whoooo' and 'yeahhh'.

Aisha and I danced like there was no end. The numbers shifted from Kala Chashma to Sweety Tera Drama but I did not budge. Suddenly I stepped onto my own foot and started plummeting down towards the earth.

Damn it Kia! – Kira scolded— can't you go just ONE DAY without embarrassing you and mee?!

Even through my brain was swimming in beer, I knew that I was going to be the laughing stock for tonight. And then strong arms held me, grabbed me. Saved me from disgusting, disgusting embarrassment in the not-so-far-away future. His hands were big—I was sure it was a HIS—but not beefy. Covered in black soft material.

"Thanks a lot. I'm sure I would have fallen", I mumbled, still into his hard, rock solid chest. When he stabled me, I plastered a grateful grin on my face and looked up.

And then I saw them. The eyes. Light brown but deep. Eyes one could fall in love with even before seeing the face. Eyes I had fallen in love with. Once. Twice. A GAZILLION times. Eyes I had trained my heart and soul to hate! To stay away from! Brown Eyes. His Eyes. His Brown Eyes!

SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!

Ayaan's Eyes.