Beyond the Beats

Chapter 52. Identity crisis

My mood was really sour even after I came back home. I felt like doing nothing because I really wanted to just erase the memories of Boomer from everyone's minds.

Feeling angry at my friends for suggesting me to take part in that dance competition against The Emperors, I went to Vibhan's studio and wreaked havoc on my crew.

They were clueless about why I was snatching their hair and biting them, and Ritvik Bhaiyya had to hold me down before I transformed into a wild animal.

A bit of my frustration was taken care of after fighting the guys, but it rose again when Arushi informed me that I needed to submit two of my assignments again - the new lecturer was really disgusted by my handwriting.

I was playing a game on KD's iPad and was going to watch some web series before Arushi started tutoring me, but that free time was also gone now. Arushi gave me her notebook to copy the homework, and I begrudgingly stopped my game and started writing.

"You haven't returned Kshitij's iPad yet?" Arushi asked.

"I forgot," I replied.

"Bhoomi, you shouldn't keep someone else's stuff for so long."

"I know, but I really forgot to give it back to him. He hasn't said anything, so it is okay."

"Fine."

I furrowed my eyebrows as I felt that Aru's tone was a bit odd.

"You mad about something?" I asked her.

She shook her head. "No, but my laptop has been acting up a lot these days. It keeps hanging up, and a lot of my files also got erased. I didn't even take backup."

"Have mercy on the old guy. It has already been six years; of course, its end is near," I said.

Arushi started complaining how her parents never listened to her about buying a new laptop for her and always gave her used things of her elder brother. Before Arushi, the same laptop was used by her brother for three years before he went to another state for higher studies.

She fisted her hands in agony when her laptop screen turned black, and she had to forcefully shut it down.

"This is the fourth time since morning," she cursed.

I glanced at KD's iPad. "Aru, you can use this tablet for your work."

She sighed and refused. "It is not either mine or yours, so how can I use it without its owner's permission?"

I waved my hand in dismissal. "Oh, come on, stop being so formal. You think KD would have refused if he was here? Just use it, and I will tell him about it later."

As it is, he will dance in joy once he knows that his crush used his iPad.

Arushi looked conflicted, so I forced the tablet on her. After a lot of thinking, she finally gave in and started working on it. I smiled to myself when Arushi carefully handled the gadget and was gently typing on it unlike how she butchered her laptop's keyboard.

Three hours later, I was done with my assignments, so I asked Aru if she wanted to watch a movie. She agreed, and after the movie session, I packed my bags, and my best friend gave me an extra bag to cover up the iPad.

I noticed how Arushi was really concerned and kept scolding me to be careful while handling KD's property. I teased her if she was actually worried about the non-living object or its living owner. I succeeded in making Aru turn into a tomato.

I ran away after she looked like she would beat me up if I didn't stop making fun of her. I continued on my way to my house, but the path leading towards my chawl was blocked by a big tempo.