All that terrified 23-year-old Ayra were pink notes. Whenever she found one, she ran like hell.
This time, her frantic escape led her to the bustling city of Mumbai, where she enrolled at "Dev Scholars University."
All she wanted was to spend her li...
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Ahaan steered his car into the near-empty DSU's parking lot.
His stomach clenched as he spotted a familiar figure standing on his parking spot.
It was Geet.
She stood there, arms crossed, her gaze fixed directly on him. Seems like she was waiting for him.
He parked his car and hesitantly approached her. It's been year or so since they had a conversation.
God knows what brought her here.
There were few other cars parked around that area but mostly the place was empty. Before he could even stammer a greeting, she cut him off.
"Look," Geet spat, "I don't care what went down in that hallway, and frankly, I don't want to. Just stay away from Ayra. Do us all a favor.”
No.
It wasn't fair.
It wasn't fair that other people get to decide whom he should talk to or whom he shouldn't. If they could have a say then he'd be alone all his life.
“Ok!” he just nodded.
Geet didn't even wait for a response. She spun around on her heel and walked away.
This wasn't the Geet Ahaan remembered. She used to be warm and open. Now, she built walls around herself. Ever since Ved left her, she had really changed.
Ahaan tilted his head back, his gaze drawn to the sky. It was clear, so clear that it bothered him. A whisper escaped his lips, barely audible, "I wish you were here, Ved.”
Another figure caught his eye – Priya, standing beside her emerald green Bmw M2, glaring at him. Had she overheard the conversation?
The answer was evident in the venomous glare she sent his way. She gave him a – “wish you’d vanish out of thin air” look and brushed past him.
The hatred he saw in her eyes was nothing new. At this point he was used to their glares and negligence.
But it doesn't mean he was “okay” with it.
It stung.
The resentment in their eyes, the way they shut him out – it all hurt like a punch to his gut. Even pretending it didn't wouldn't make it true for him.
For Ahaan being invisible was a strange kind of torture. The longer it went on, the more he felt like the problem, a burden everyone was better off without.
The weight in his chest tightened with each passing second. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and walked inside.
As he walked down the hallway, he heard a two students talking.
Student 1: "He is getting expelled."
Student 2: "No way!"
Student 1: "Is it because of the fight?"
Ahaan's footsteps stopped.
Student 1: "Yeah. I mean we all saw this coming. Not only Ahaan but I heard a girl also got injured. I am sure Karan will get expelled."
:☆ﾟﾟ☆:
Across town, Ayra and Chiya were busy shopping. They grabbed some things for the apartment and then ducked into a clothing store.
Ayra spotted a vibrant dress and held it up, exclaiming, "Chia, this would look amazing on you!”
Not even taking a glance, Chia said,“ That pathetic purple is so not my taste, Ayra.”
She was busy sifting through a rack of brown shirts, her brow furrowed in concentration.
Chiya always stuck to dark colors. Unlike most girls, she didn't care for frills and fancies.
Black jeans, black tees, or brown pants with beige shirts - that was her vibe. Dark tones and comfy clothes, all the time. And her hair? Always in a high ponytail, never a strand out of place.
She had a vibrant personality wrapped in coconut shell.
Ayra, slightly disappointed, put the dress back on the rack.
The two friends shopped for a little while longer and then headed home.
As dusk painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, it was time for Chiya to return to Pune.
As Ayra leaned against the doorway of the room, watching her pack, a familiar pang of loneliness hit her.
“What is it?” Chia asked.
"You haven't even been here for a full day.”
Hearing that Chiya pulled a small box out of her bag. Inside were a beautiful locket and bracelet, each with the first letter of their names intertwined – "A" for Ayra and "K" for Kaira.
She carefully placed a locket with a tiny "K" around Ayra's neck, "There, a little reminder of your crazy childhood friend.”
She then handed Ayra the bracelet with an 'A' and held out her wrist, "Now you do the honors."
Ayra smiled and slipped the bracelet on, then hugged Chiya tightly, waving goodbye as she left for Pune.
After Chiya left, Ayra sat alone in her quiet apartment. The emptiness felt strange.
She then remembered the diary which Chia had brought for her. She went to her study, picked up the diary from the drawer and sat comfortably on the balcony swing.
The cold breeze swirled her hair as she decided to capture the emotions and events since arriving in Mumbai.
✧
Under the cover of darkness, a motorcycle zipped down the highway from Mumbai to Pune. The roar of the engine cut through the night air.
Suddenly, a sound broke the silence. It was the rider's phone which buzzed loudly. She slowed down a bit and pulled over onto the side of the road.
Her long ponytail whipped around her face as she took off her helmet. Her attire mirrored her personality - a black leather jacket hugged her lean frame, paired with dark jeans and boots.
Answering the call, she listened to a thin voice of a woman on the other end,"Kaira, Is the job done?”
"Yep, the locket's with her," Kaira replied, her eyes fixed at the bracelet wrapped around her wrist.
"Excellent work!” the voice praised. "Now get out of there."
The call ended.
She took a deep breath, wore the helmet and accelerated back onto the highway, speeding towards Pune.
