Loving A Lie

19. Payback

Author's Note: please vote and comment. Let me know how do think the story's going.
P.S. : This is my favorite chp. Which one is yours?

I woke up next morning and searched my bed for my cuddly cushion but found none. I got off the bed.
'Belle.',I called out.
'Belle.' No answer.
I walked into Granny's room to find her sleeping comfortably next to Granny's feet.
At my approach the furry feline woke up raising her head in question, pointing her ears for anything I had to say.
I held her to my chest and ended her sleep prematurely.
I caressed her back lovingly. She snuggled against me rubbing her nose with my nightshirt.

I poured some milk in a bowl for her and in a glass for me. I added some cocoa to my glass.
I kept her in the basement later until Granny would wake up and take her charge.
We had decided on this procedure to avoid repetition of that day's incidence.
She looked at me with those eyes as if saying ' Will you lock me up now?'
But I was prepared this time,having learned it from her similar eyed human counterpart.
I closed my eyes and locked the door with a click.

I peeked out of the window and a bright clear sky greeted me. It wasn't cloudy yet it was cool enough for my liking. I inhaled the morning air and shivered from the silvery cold.
I could see the Gray's mansion in all it's glory and splendor.
I remembered everything from the yesterday's conversation and shivered from a tingle that wasn't due to the cold. I wished it could had been a little bit meaningful.

My heart sped at Daniel's thought. How very irrational!

Why everything simple turns topsy turvy where Daniel is concerned?

Why do I even bother with a guy who had vehemently ignored me past these few days that too after branding me a friend?
I draped my arms around myself unsuccessfully protecting my bare skin from the unsuspecting cold that had crept on me.
I sighed and turned to get ready.

At college I waited with a unsaid curiosity to see whether Daniel would comply with his side of promise. I walked towards canteen, at the lunch Bell's first ring, with a keenness fit for a two year toddler.
I scolded myself. I shouldn't be so excited for such a nonsensical thing.
Well there weren't any girls. True. But Daniel's too wasn't to seen at the table he had occupied since the past few days. I glanced once at the table as if wishing him to appear.
Again my my more active part of the brain caught up with the passive , Daniel-yearning part and gave it a disapproving signal.
Anyways why would Daniel come here if he lacked any proper entertainment? What was here of any interest to him?
I huffed angrily. I walked towards the food counter to get my regular coke but I was distracted when I saw a senior boy,(I knew he was senior because he looked way too bulky to be a first year ), slap a first year girl ,I recognized from my class.
My jaw dropped in surprise then it shut close in anger,my teeth grinding as I prepared for my outburst. How could he do such a despicable, dishonourable act to a lady?
'Hey mister what do you think you are doing?',I hollered at the disgusting boy.
'Whatever that has to do with you?',the boy snapped back at me. He wasn't expecting any audience I guess and wasn't very pleased at my intervention.
The café lacked any audience on account of the disappearance of Daniel and his demonic fanatics.
I wondered what did he do to dispel the ever increasing club of overzealous females.
My attention was called by the cry of the girl whose face was lashed by the muscular guy.
He was now hurling vulgar abuses at her.
I walked up to him. He stopped midway sparing a loath full glance my way.
I ignored that.
I was full in his face and warned him,' Don't you see she's crying? Just talk it out calmly. If I see you hitting her ,you would be in trouble.'
'Like how?',he challenged.
The girl's sobs increased in volume.
'Like maybe finding yourself in a dark mossy cell?',I retorted sharply.
He spat down and tugged at the girl's hair at which she screamed .
The crowd that had been watching our argument slowly crept out of the cafeteria.
'You are all cowards!', I shot at the evaporating crowd.
A few shrugged and the remaining few left with a fearful look in their eyes.