The Rules Of Pursuit

9. Challenge Accepted

"We never really got to congratulate you for making it to the soccer team." Junaid clapped Mandy on his back.

"Yeah, and neither did we congratulate Naxi, for being defended by 'The Avinash Chauhan'." Mia playfully pulled my nose making me screw my face.

"Avi is dating that Damini girl, isn't he?" Junaid asked.

"I hope not man, she is hot stuff." Mandy said excitedly, puffing out the smoke from the joint.

"If I remember correctly, someone once said that we don't have hot girls in our batch." Mia said, taking the joint from him and placing it between her lips.

"Umm, okay that was before I found out how well she can grind." Mandy pretended to thrust his pelvis, scrunging his face, both of his arms raised in the air.

"Only you can go from being amazingly charming to a complete pervert within seconds." I scowled. "But on a serious note I really dont like that Damini," Mia offered me the joint which I hesitantly dragged, immediately bursting into incessant coughs. Junaid rubbed my back to ease the discomfort as I handed him the joint.

"Hey just because he winked at you and said kind words, doesn't mean you should get your hopes high puke queen," Mandy sounded amused.

"No, it's just that, I have this feeling that even if they start dating and all, Damini and Avinash wouldn't last." I replied pensively.

"Why is that?" Mandy asked between puffs.

"Avinash, may be popular and all, but there is something pure and innocent about him, while Damini has this gold digger, selfish, slut vibe."

"I agree with Naxi," Junaid commented, "she did try to flirt with me couple of days back."

"Shut up!" Mandy cried out, "Why hasn't she tried that on me yet."

Both Mia and I rolled our eyes.

"Well even if that is true," Mandy looked straight at me, "you my friend need to face the brutal truth; the harsh reality."

"Which is?" I took a puff of the joint slowly this time, as it eased in and made me feel a little dizzy. I liked this numbness, something I had never felt before. My surroundings seemed so close yet distant.

"Avinash will never date you." Mandy pursed his lips.

Ouch! Mandy's brutal truths and harsh realities were indeed brutal and harsh.

"Who wants to date him?" I shrugged, "I just want him to be my first."

Mandy's jaw fell, before he rolled in laughter.

"Unless you drug him, I don't see that happening either," Mandy chortled.

"Oh come on, men only want one thing," I said irritated.

"That is where you are wrong puke queen." Mandy sneered, "Love making is different from casual sex. You make love when you are in love, and it is immaterial how beautiful or grotesque your partner looks. However, you can have random sex, only with someone to whom you are sexually attracted. I mean you can love with your heart but, what YOU want is purrrre llllust," he emphasized on the r and l.

"And I am not sexually attractive?" I snapped, "Just because you don't feel that way doesn't mean nobody will."

"Well it's not me," he looked at Mia, "you like girls right, would you have preferred having a fling with her."

Mia looked at me apologetically and shook her head.

"What about you Naid?" Mandy turned to Junaid.