Will Die In Love

Chapter 66

“You are suspended for the next one week.” Paro heard the principal’s voice roar from inside his office as she stood outside, her hands fidgeting nervously. She waited, biting her lip, feeling a twist of guilt in her stomach. Jay didn't need to be there, getting the scolding. But he had taken the blame without saying a word.

Finally, the door opened, and Jay walked out. He glanced at her and Preeti, who was awkwardly standing by the wall. Preeti looked at him with guilty eyes. 

“Thanks for… you know, covering for me,” she blurted, looking with guilt and gratitude.  “I was just trying to mix those reagents as a joke. I didn’t think—”

Jay raised a hand, brushing it off. “It’s fine.”

Then his eyes met Paro’s, holding her gaze for just a second. For once, Paro didn’t look away. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

He gave her a small smile, one that was softer than anything she’d ever seen from him. Paro’s heart skipped, and for a moment, everything around them seemed to go quiet.

“We still have to do the chemistry project together, remember?” he said after a beat. “ If you don’t have any problem, we can work at my place after class. No problem.” 

Paro froze. Preeti shot her a look, raising her brows. Paro could already hear her father’s words ringing in her ears; there was no way he’d let her go to a boy’s house, especially Jay’s. He heard the other day his father was talking to her mother about Khatris’ and it wasn't something positive. But she didn’t want to say that in front of him.

“I’ll let you know tomorrow,” she said and looked away quickly. Jay nodded, giving her a gentle smile. 

“ Ok let's go then”. Preeti suggested as Paro and she took the leave. 

••••••••

Later that night, Paro gathered up the courage to ask her dad, careful to keep her voice light. But he looked at her frowning, face hardening. “ Jay Khatri? Can't you do the project at school itself? I mean the Khatri family is trouble; they’re not the kind of people you should be around.” Her father said in an unpleasant voice. Paro felt a pang of disappointment.

“ No Dad. We.... We need to do it after school. And Preeti will be there too. Can I please go? It's for the school project only.” She asked in a slow gentle voice, hoping that he’d agree. 

 “ Go with Preeti. But remember to maintain distance from that boy. No need to be friends with him.” He said in a stern voice. 

“ Thank you, Dad,” Paro said, smiling lightly, even though his last words didn't sit well with her. 

••••••• 

“ Hey, where are you going?” Preeti asked Paro, seeing her leaving the class. “ I am just going to the library. Wanna join?” Paro asked, already knowing the answer. 

“ No thanks.” Preeti gave a disinterested look. Paro laughed, seeing her antics, and left. 

She was scanning the shelves when she heard a laugh. She was about to ignore it but it sounded familiar. Going against her behavior, Paro curiously peered around the corner. And her legs halt at the place. She saw Jay standing with Ivy. They were close enough so that it looked like she was practically leaning on him. Her giggles filled the quiet, his hand resting lightly on her cheeks. 

Paro’s stomach dropped, and she felt a strange, tight knot form in her chest. She didn’t even wait to see what happened next; she turned and walked back to class, trying to keep her expression steady.