AMIDST

Chapter 8

MAYRA'S POV:

I wake up in the morning with a slight heaviness in my eyes. Images of last night flash in front of my eyes. Niall drumming, looking so damn good, dancing with Zain, the tingles under my skin wherever Zayn touched, then dance with Niall while he was just staring at me, drinking for the first and the last time, Abhay offering to take me to my room which was eventually in the boys' hostel, Niall fighting Abhay and bringing me safe, removing my heels, covering me and the last thing which kept ringing in my ears.

"You looked beautiful," he would have never said thet had he knew that I was listening. I can not believe Niall can be so respectful towards girls. But he is! He saved me from falling into such a big trouble.

"Hey! How are you?" Naina asks.

"Good. Just a little headache."

"Here, take this." She gives me medicine.

"Thanks."

She definitely knows about the incident but does not speak of it. After some time she says, " Niall brought you here." She says in a shock.

"Hmm. I do not remember everything but the bits and pieces."

I get up and go to freshen up. I think I should thank Niall. I get out of the washroom but Naina is nowhere. Alice is sitting on her bed staring into her phone. I shall talk to her about it. She knows Niall. She can help me. I take a deep breath and start

"I know you don't like me but I need to talk. Please."

She nods. I had not expected it. I told her everything except the compliment part.

"Niall saved you. You mean that second year guy, Niall," she is shocked.

"Yeah. I am shocked too but it was him. Do you think I shall thank him? I am kinda confused."

"Yes, you should. I will talk to him too. He would be in the music room."

"Okay thanks."

Her way of talking clears that they were just friends. Real close but only friends. She is not that bad. I mean she is rude and proudy and all but she proved helpful when I needed it. I leave the hostel engaged in my thoughts and reach the music room. I think I should knock but then realise that it was not his bedroom so I just go in. I am kind of stunned seeing him play drums. I saw him playing at the party too but there he looked different, I don't know why.

"I had always liked drummers" I speak my thought aloud.

Niall in a shock looks up and may be half realised what I spoke.

So I repeat," I like drummers. I mean in general. I find them fascnating."

"Hmmm. "He replies coldly.

"Actualy I just came here to thank you," I continue hoping to start a talk.

"Hmmm," he says again.

"Will you say something other than this? I mean I am here to thank you for saving me yesterday."

"Hmmm,"he repeates more focussed on his practice.

I, losing all hope to talk, just turned to leave when he says," Niall Richards. I am Niall Richards."

"Hey! I am Mayra Malhotra."

Although we knew each other but this was a formal introduction or may be a start to a new friendship. Richards!! I have heard this.Where? Where? I rack my brain when I realise Alice is Richards. Gosh! they both have the same last name. Are they married? No No No No Mayra. What are you thinking? They can not be. May be they are just cousins or may be siblings or may it is just a coincidence or may be...

"Hey? Where are you lost?"he says breaking my trance.

"I mean all the girls lose themselves seeing me but you reacted quite fast, babe,"he says.

"Huh!" I woke up from my thoughts."I was just thinking.... I was thinking nothing," I defend myself.

"By the way, was it not too early to send me a friend request. I mean we never talked. I never gave you a reason to do that,"he says.

"You like me soo much?"he says and smirks.

Friend request? What the hell is he talking about? Why would I send him one? I am not so dumb and he is not so nice.

"No No No. There is some confusion", I defend myself, "I never sent you any request. Why would I?"

"You did. How the hell would I get the request then? I am not so desperate to lie to you about this. So come on now, accept it babe. It is nothing to be ashamed of. All girls send me a request. Moreover, I have already accepted yours."

Enough now. He is accusing me. I know, accusing is a big word but he was. He is accusing me of some thing I never did. Is this the longest that someone can talk to this guy without any argument? Whatever, now defend yourself Mayra. Speak up.

"I did not send any. If it still reached you which I do not know how then only God must be knowing it. I will unfriend you as and when I reach back to the hostel."

"It's ok Mayra. We know each other now so it is okay to be online friends." and he holds out his hand.

There is a sudden change in his tone and I somehow know that if I would unfriend him, he would send me a request. Gosh! he is so unpredictable.

"Uhuh!," he coughs, softly, and I realise I have to give out my hand. He gives me a soft handshake and a small smile.

"Now that I have thanked you, tell me why the hell did you give me that drink which created all this trouble?"

" I was upset and I needed a distraction so I thought to irritate you. But who told you to drink it?"

"You provoked me Niall, you know it. By the way, you said you do not drink. Is it true?"

"Yeah, it is. I quit it last year."

"Okay!" And we both stand in awkward silence. Got to go. Hope to see you soon."

"Yeah. See ya."

"Bye."

"Hmmm." He says settling back for practice.

I roll my eyes and leave closing the door behind me. The music resumes and I am mesmerised by its purity. I stand there and listen to it while time flies by. I hear footsteps behind me and leave immediately afraid of getting caught.