The Rules Of Pursuit

39. Soccer Shocker

The faint sunrays pouring through the window woke me up. Avinash was sprawled across Mia's bed mouth, his lips slightly parted with Brute huddled at his feet. His chest rose and fell in perfect rhythm while he snored mildy. The blanket tangled around his torso. I couldn't fight the urge of storing this image of him forever. I picked up my phone, which lied beside my pillow and focused the camera on Avi. The shutter clicked when I captured him in my phone.

"It is illegal to take someones's pictures without seeking their permission." Avinash murmured, his eyes still closed.

"I was taking a picture of Brute," I lied, blushing profusely.

His lips stretched into a smile as he opened his eyes and lifted himself up.

"Urrghh," he groaned rubbing his forehead, "I hate hangovers."

"Here, take one." I threw a strip of Brufen to him. He tore out a capsule and swallowed it with a mouthful of water.

"Thank you not just for this," he said holding up the pain killer strip, "but for everything. You do have pretty great friends." He smiled at me.

"So do you." I said truthfully, "Even though you will get the I-told-you-so from all of them, but they will forgive you." He agreed with me.

Avinash left to change for breakfast, while I called up my parents and spoke to them for a while.

I went down to the cafeteria after taking a quick shower and changing into a fresh pair of clothes. Avinash was already there, sitting with Mandy and Natasha.

I walked up to the counter grabbing a pair of chicken and corn sandwich and joined them, sitting on the empty seat beside Avinash.

"We may have a plan to get rid of those videos." Mandy said as I took a bite of the sandwich, savoring the taste of fresh bread intertwined with chicken, cheese and Italian herbs.

"I am all ears." I said with a mouthful of food. "Oops sorry." I apologized noticing Natasha grimace at my lack of manners.

"Well, I have told Akshay that I and Mandy wish to resume practice." Avinash informed, "He will be keeping his phone with his clothes on a chair like always. You two," he moved his finger between me and Natasha, "will have to crack the password and delete the video, while we keep him engaged in the game."

"What if Damini decides to show up." I pointed out an aspect which they had obviously overlooked.

"Don't worry," Natasha said after mulling over it for a while, "I will handle her."

"Game on!" Mandy said holding his fist in the air face-down. We rolled our eyes before fist punching him.

"Heyyyyyy baby," I felt nauseous hearing that squeal, "I missed you so much yesterday." Damini swooped down kissing Avinash on his cheeks.

"Hi Mini," Avinash acted as if he knew nothing about her last evening's escapade.

"Baby you didn't call me for breakfast." Dumbini pouted at Avinash.

"I did Mini," he lied "but your phone was not reachable."

"Aww," She pulled Avi's cheek.

"See you at practice Avi." Mandy wanted to get out of there.

I could understand how he felt. Damini did not have even an iota of remorse. She surely must be excelling Art of Deception.

"I will come with you." Avinash stood up.

"What practice?" Dumbini squeaked.

"Oh! Since Akshay...is back, we are starting our soccer practice from today." Avinash informed her, pausing to see how she would react to Akshay's name. However, her face didn't reflect anything.