First time heart flutters

Chapter-12 Truth

Rihaan was sitting inside the car with the AC on.
The driver was driving the car slower than a tortoise.
If it had been the older Rihaan, he might have asked to speed up the car but today he didn't feel to do so.
Even the driver felt something odd.
"Rihaan, are you feeling unwell?" He voiced out.
"No ji. Just feeling tired due to the tiring practice for sports day."
"Oh ok."
The driver became silent.
Rihaan had many thoughts oscillating in his mind.
His mind went to the incidents that happened that morning.
Flash back
Rihaan was walking into the class after having his breakfast at canteen.
He saw the girls' group gossiping things while having their lunch.
In the corner of one of those benches was Preeti.
She was donning a beautiful smile.
Rihaan had always felt an urge to complement her for the beautiful smile.
This girl has a beautiful smile unlike her friend who always frown at me!!
"Hey Rihaan!!" Aruna called him.
She had an evil smirk on her face.
"Hi." Rihaan greeted while trying to decipher what she was trying to do.
"I have something to ask." Aruna asked while Aarti giggled.
"Yeah."
"Do you like Riddhima?"
"Riddhima?"
"Don't you act like an innocent. We know that you are dating her." Aarti dropped a bomb on his head.
"No actually..." Rihaan muttered nervously, "It's not like that..."
I am not dating Riddhima. She is just my bench mate.
Why don't these girls understand?
"Rihaan is blushing! Gosh!" Aarti commented.
My face is red due to anger and they find me blushing!
Wow!
"I am not blushing." Rihaan said in a serious tone.
"Really?" Aruna mocked.
"Could you please shut your mouth Aruna?" I shouted, "You are a bitch who keeps gossiping about others. Myself and Riddhima have no relation and she is just my friend."
"What's the language you are using?" Rihaan heard a sweet voice rebuking him.
It was Preeti.
She rebuked me for the language I used. I know it's wrong to use that but Aruna deserves it.
She keeps interfering in my personal life and I absolutely hate it.
"I am using the right language. People like her shall never understand one's feelings."
Rihaan argued.
"Fine. It was Aruna's fault but you can't name her bitch. Can you?"
Preeti asked back. Aruna was her best friend.
"It's not just Aruna's fault." Rihaan began,
"It was yours, I mean the entire gang's fault. You are gossiping about some other person's life."
My mind begged me to stop. It doesn't want me to hurt Preeti. The more I Hurt her, I felt like hurting myself.
But my mouth was out of control. It was ready to spat venom that was strong enough to break Preeti's heart. A pure soul's heart.
"So dear bitch, you have no rights to deliver justice. Just fuck off!" Rihaan shouted loud only to hear a ear deafening thud due to the slap against his cheek.
Entire class became silent. A sharp pain shot down the cheek due to the slap.
It was Preeti. She was the one who slapped me.
Her eyes were filled with tears threatening to fall down anytime.
"You are a monster who spats venom on others. You are heartless. You are not a human. You are a monster." She declared with her voice trembling.
Monster. It pained a lot. I recalled the words I used to curse her. It pained me even more.
How did I use such words for Preeti? My mind cursed me for breaking an innocent soul.
Entire class was witnessing us. Everyone had a disgusting look on their face. Few felt pity for Preeti. Ofcourse, everyone liked Preeti for her innocence.
I could see Preeti packing her half finished lunch.
She was shivering due to anger. Pushing her lunch box under the desk, she walked outside the classroom, probably to the section where her frowning friend shall be.
"We have reached home." Driver declared breaking Rihaan's thoughts.
Getting down silently, He walked into his home hiding his pain with a blank face sans expressions.
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Preeti sat in balcony. Looking at at the blazing sun, she could feel the heat due to it on the marble floor. Still it didn't cause any discomfort to her as it used to be in general.
Her heart was scarred today by someone she liked and external pain doesn't matter.
Her phone rang. It was Naina.
"Hi. Preeti?" Naina's cheerful voice hit her ears.
"Haan."
"What are you doing?"
"Learning for test."
"Oh. Am I disturbing you?"
"No. Say."
"Are you feeling serious for Rihaan and Riddhima's relationship?"
Preeti was silent.
"I mean, you just have a crush on Rihaan, then why are you feeling bad for a relationship he holds with someone?"
"One second Ms Agarwal." Preeti tried controlling her anger, "Can we talk later? I am busy."
She disconnected the call not waiting for a response.
Will she be calm if Sameer has an relationship?
If she names her bitch?
Does she know anything that happened?
Then why does she comment like a pro?
Preeti was frustrated.
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Rihaan laid on his bed. He took leave from his coaching centre stating illness.
Pulling out the phone at corner, he started playing his playlist.

(This song is from tamil version of Dil se movie named Uyire.
More than hindi version, I felt like the tamil version is appealing. So I have added the song such that it has subtitles. Enjoy the song, and continue reading. It shall touch your heart if you listen wholeheartedly setting aside the difficulty of Tamil language.)
I must not have been rude. How can I?
What am I even supposed to do?
I broke her heart but I feel like breaking my own.
I know that I am speaking like a extra cheese pizza. Too cheesy but, I don't know.
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Naina threw her phone on bed and sat down frustrated.
"Why is she behaving rude? What did I do? I just tried cheering her up."
"Didi." Arjun came inside running.
"What Arjun?"
"Someone named Rihaan had called you." He said and Naina's eyes popped out of her sockets.
Why is that guy calling me?
"Get me the phone."
Let me ask that duffer about what actually happened. A mere revelation can't make Preeti this much hard.
"Hello Rihaan."
"Hi. Will you mind sharing Preeti's number?"
He asked in one go.
Is he mad? How is he supposed to ask this? How can I give?
"May I know the reason?"
"I need to apologise."
"Apologise? For holding a relationship with Riddhima?" Why should you do that?" Naina asked out of curiosity.
Rihaan clenched his fist.
"It's nothing like that. I and Riddhima are no way related. Moreover, I need to talk with Preeti. It's urgent. Can you give me her number?" He asked losing his cool.
"First of all, how did you get my number?"
Naina asked.
I must interrogate him. How did he get my number?
I never gave him.
"Can you stop asking useless questions? I need Preeti's number. Send me fast."
He is ordering me. How dare he?
"I can't."
"Why?"
"I can't give my best friend's number to some x or y."
"I am no x or y for Preeti. I am her friend. Is that clear?"
This guy is getting on my nerves. How rude?
"Just shut the hell up. I can't give her number. Use your other sources and fetch if you want. Bye."
Naina was about to disconnect the call when,
"Hey. Cool down angry bird."
She heard another voice.
Swati!!
"Swati??" Naina blurted out.
"It was me who gave your number to Rihaan. I am not having Preeti's number in this phone. So Naina, can you please forward Preeti's number?"
"But Swati..."
"No ifs and buts. I know everything." Swati said stressing the word everything.
"Fine." Naina forwarded the number half heartedly.
"Thank you." Rihaan muttered.
"It's okay." Naina replied and disconnected the call.
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