I ,You & We

7. The club

Aiken's p.o.v.

We all looked at our girls in awe as they walked towards us. They all looked stunning as always. That's where the need to protect them from asshole came. I was used to seeing Stacy, Sky, and Lav all dressed up, in make-up and heels for party but what took me by surprise was Tara. She was walking behind them, her eyes holding nervousness. I had never seen her in a dress in past months. She was looking gorgeous in that skater dress. Tara is nothing like those front cover models, didn't have zero figure or anything special. She was a girl who could easily blend with the crowd and wouldnt get herself noticed. She has a 5.7 height , dusky complexion, dark brown hair and black eyes. Her eyes being the striking feature as they spoke more than her tongue. But seeing her today I knew some boys would definitely flutter around her and my hands ready to punch them away.
"You could have worn a jacket at least. Don't you think those dresses are too small.", Ethan complained as usual. He always saw them as sisters and played his role of being a big ,overprotective brother seriously. He always felt a need to cover them up. If it was in his hands he would have bought them clothes the way he liked and forced them to wear those.
"Don't listen to him. You all are looking gorgeous. I don't know why I run behind other girls. I could just date any one of you and die as a happy and lucky man. What say Stacy?", Kaydon smirked.
Stacy glared at him making his smirk disappear.
"I saw your post on Instagram. You all are really sparkling like gems. I am tired of complimenting you all. Every time you come out looking beautiful. ",I stated the truth.
Sky blushed and said thank you while Stacy  and Lav flipped their hair saying they knew.
They all started heading towards the car. Tara was still walking behind us. Not uttering a word. She felt the compliment was only meant for them. Tara doesn't talk much, she doesn't object to our decisions. I am sure she thinks she owes us for having her join our group. In her mind she has given us a high status. She behaves like an outsider even after one week. Going close to her, I whispered in her ears," The compliment was meant for you too." She was startled hearing my voice proving she was in her own thoughts and didn't notice me coming.   She blushed and said,"thank you."
"Thanks for inviting.",she continued.
"You are not invited.", I told her making her eyes go big with surprise.
"Oh! I thought you were okay with me joining, but if it doesn't please you, I can go back."
"Okay.", I tested her.
"Ok.", she said in a sad time and turned back. Seeing her face,  I couldn't hold back my laughter any more and holding her back I  said," Tara! You don't need an invitation to join us. You are anytime welcome. It's your human right to join us. Stop behaving as if we owe you something. It's nothing like that."
Hearing she can accompany us, she was relieved.
"Guys are you coming?", Ethan asked in an irritated voice .
" Yes of course.", I shouted back and we walked towards the car.
Ethan ,Lavender and Kayden owned a car. We were taking two with us . Ethan,Stacy and Sky in one and Kaydon, Lav, Tara and me in another. During the car ride, Tara kept fidgeting with her bracelet. I knew if I didn't stop her, she would definitely break it. I put my hands on her but immediately felt a jolt of electricity passing through my body sensation when she looked in my eyes a warmth crept in my body. We both immediately removed our hands.
" Any problem?", I asked.
"No."
" Sure? You can tell me."
" I have never been in a club or pubs in India. In my family going to these places is a crime. We were taught to stay away from these places.  If my parents would have seen me coming here. They would have disowned me."
I was shocked.
"Really? Or are you exaggerating."
"Yes. Not a single thing is exaggerated." "What do you feel about it?", I asked.
" I don't know. Both countries have different traditions. Here in NY people drink to celebrate but there back at  home parents told me that it makes you impure.Dont I dare touch it. I think if its taken in right amount and you don't go overboard and if you go then you don't cause any harm to yourself or anybody else. It's good if consumed once in 2-3 months . It is people's choice. Everyone has different definition of fun."
" So are you going to drink?"
"No. My parents have told me against it and they have given me pretty good reasons to stay away from it."
"It's your wish but for your comfort I am telling you none of us is addicted to alcohol. It's like you said just once or twice in 2-3 months but when we drink, Lav , Ethan and Kaydon go overboard and do not have any control."
" I thought Stacy would also be in that list." "Stacy may give a cool vibe but she's really matured and the most responsible among the girls.", I said.
There was a silence.
I decided to break it.
" What do you think about me?"
"What about you?"
" About my drinking habits?"
" I don't judge .I don't know."
I knew she had already categorised me in the group but still it was fun teasing her. "But you did judge Stacy."
"No....... I didn't mean it in a judging way."
" Stacy is not going to like this. She hates people who judge. God forbid, but not even my enemy should face her wrath."
Tara got all tensed up and started pleading, "Please, promise me you are not going to tell her please. "
She pleaded but when she saw smile making a way on my face, she stopped.
" You were joking.", she said as realization hit her and her hands my shoulder.
" It's fun winding you up .",I laugh.
" Of course . It is.",she said angrily and turned her face towards the mirror. She didn't speak to me the whole drive. When we got down from the car she ignored me and started walking towards the rest of the people. I called her sometimes but she didn't pay any heed to me. This is how I wanted her to be, not angry but showing herself some respect and treating us as friends.
When we got inside, Tara looked around the place gathering as much as she could. It was one of the famous clubs in N.Y.. It was one of those posh clubs  and nothing like those foul smelling clubs. Thanks to Ethan's rich habits. Music was blasting in the background. I went to sit and ordered
myself a drink while rest of them went to rock the dance floor.  Seeing them dancing my mind and body begged me to join them. My feet started tapping but I stopped them. The wish to dance was replaced by anger . Dancing had destroyed everything. I hated it . I was so much into my thoughts I didn't realize Tara sitting beside me. I poked her arm . She did nothing. I again did the same thing again. No response. I poked this time on her waist. She just moved a little bit but didn't say anything or express anything. Then I did something that  I didnt know would pass or fail. But I did and passed.
She started laughing ,as I tickled her.    
" So you are ticklish?" I stated the obvious. "Of course! Stop.", she laughed and pleaded.
" No. Not until you start talking back.", I put forward my wish.
"Please stop.", I stopped doing so.
"That was a pure evil thing to do.", she glared at me and then smiled.
"I don't think so. It was quite funny. You didn't leave any other way to make you speak up."
" There are many other ways."
" Like what?"
"You could get down on your knees and holding your ears say sorry."
" Why should I say so?", I  asked seeing the change in introvert Tara.
" You scared me. It's a punishable offense."
I knew she was joking but to wind her up again I sat on my knees and holding me ears said "sorry." She looked at me and when realization hit her to what I had done, she jumped from her bar stool and started pulling me up but she couldn't move me an inch.
"Say, you forgive me." I said.
" Just get up Aiken. I was joking !"
"I'm not . Say you forgive me ,so I can die with peace."
"Stop doing this. People are watching."
" Let them. What's important is you forgiving me."
" Okay I forgive you. Now stand up."
Standing up I faked wipping my tears  and took my seat. Taking the seat we remained silent but when our eyes met we started laughing. It was really stupid of me but it was fun seeing Tara getting all panicked. "You don't want to dance?, I asked her.
" I can't dance.", she said.
I nodded.
" Don't you want to dance?, she asked. Without meeting her eyes  I said," I don't."  "I noticed you don't drink much. Or is just to impress girls and get into her good books." , she asked in a teasing manner.
"My father didn't like it . Getting drunk till you can't tell whether you are on earth or mars."
"Where does your father live?  In New York or somewhere else."
I thought whether I should tell her or not but before my mind would come up with a decision my tongue answered,"He is in coma.
"I'm sure he will definitely get better and then come out of coma.",she said putting  assuring hand on my shoulder. Everyone mostly said that they were sorry when I told them about this but she seemed so sure as if she was the doctor. She hadn't even met him. There was an awkward silence, broken by a totally wasted man.
"Hey beautiful ,can I have the honour of buying you a drink?", he asked Tara.
" No thanks.",she replied and turned facing me.
" So not the drink but will you dance with me?", he still continued his pursuit.
" I can't dance sorry.", Tara politely refused. The guy still came forward and grabbing her by her waist said," Oh come on! Everyone can dance if not ,I can teach you. After that we could go back to my house."
I could feel anger rising inside me and before I knew my hands met the bastards face. He fell on the floor, his nose started bleeding.But my hands didn't stop. Tara shouted from behind to stop. The guards came and took him away before I could kill him.
My knuckles were bleeding. The guy was well built and strong. If he hadn't been drunk it would have been tough.
Tara looked at my hands and gasped."Aiken your hand. It's bleeding."
She asked for first aid kit.
"It's not needed Tara. I'm fine."
" Just shut up!" ,she glared at me and her angry eyes made my tongue forget the language."
I kept looking at her face as she bandaged my hand. It didn't hurt much but whenever she applied antiseptic she winced.
"Thank you.", we both said together to each other when had finished with her dressing.
"No need. These guys need to know that when girl says no then they should stop then and there."
"Still thank you. If you hadn't been here, I still would have managed to save myself but you were here and saved me. So thank you."
" You're welcome and I'm sure you would have managed it and taught that drunk a lesson." She smiled and started laughing. Seeing her laughing and carefree my heart and brain got ready in the armour to kill anyone who tried to disturb the smile from her face.
" Is everything okay?", she asked .
"Yes, can I have some selfies clicked of us?"
"Of course.", she nodded excitedly.
Clicking some selfies , I posted it on my Instagram profile. In one photograph she was smiling but I was looking like a love sick tennager staring her .
I decided to delete it but don't know how it ended up to became my wallpaper.

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I know the part of Aiken saving Tara was cliche. But sometimes cliche are the best, they rule.