High School Romance Revisited

Chapter 25 - The Terrace

"I have clearly asked Koushik not to invite him. Even if he appears he won't be entering the party. I'll make sure the guards throw him out," Rai said while driving. But that wasn't helping me. The frantic movement of my heart was not calming down at all.

"But Rai, after the post he will know that I am together with Mahen," though I promised myself that I won't let Shekhar's fear damage my relationship once again, I was still afraid what he was planning. I was scared that he was determined to hurt Mahen.

"See the damage is done. But the way I know Shekhar, no one else does."

I looked at Rai. Her jaws were tight with rage. She felt irritated hearing about him. There was a part of her past none of us knew. She too knew Shekhar since childhood but she never shared why she hated him so much. 

"His warning and threats are hollow," Rai said, "He won't be able to harm Mahen. Until and unless he gets some help."

"What help?" My mind was suddenly on high alert.

"Deepa, Shekhar is more like a henchman. I have a doubt there is someone else behind all these. He cannot act on his own. That fucker doesn't have a spine, he always requires a support," Rai's voice was dripping with loath. The conflict between Rai and Shekhar was ages old. She had always warned me about him but I didn't understand at first. I was too naïve to believe. However now her words gave me another tension.

"Who could it be? Who would have a problem with our relationship except Shekhar, Nupur and Vasundhara aunty?"

"That's what I have to know first. Anyways, forget it. And if Shekhar again sends you such messages, I'll personally give him a visit," Rai halted the car in front of the venue.

Chitra's mother's family was one of the oldest residents of south Kolkata. Her grandfather was among the most prestigious and reputed personality among the old elites of Kolkata. Hence Shonali aunty's maternal house was more like a zamindari bungalow with a huge terrace.

The old building was decorated with a beautiful combination of lights and flowers while the party was being held at the terrace. The event planner had turned the barren terrace into a hip n happening party ground with fountains, foams, ice installations, canopies, artificial dance floor and an exceptionally long bar counter.

Koushik had especially hired the most expensive bar tender of the city and needless to say it was giving out major club vibes. Thank god they had an elevator installed at the back side for terrace access or else it would have been very difficult to climb those old wooden staircases in stilettos.

As soon as I entered with Rai I was dragged towards a corner canopy by Elora and made to sit beside Mahen who complained of having a headache due to their constant irritating comments.

"I can't believe this. You two kissed as soon as you patched up!" Sanjana poked me. Chitra coughed asking, "Shall I open my mouth?"

"You know you look better when you keep your mouth shut! That way you look like those ideal Bengali boumas (daughter-in-laws) but as soon as you open your mouth you turn into thos vamps of Bengali daily soaps!" Mahen retorted.

"You –" Chitra was about to lunge at him but Koushik prevented. "Come on Mahen, why are you so shy? You two have patched up after ten years."

"I think you two should dance!" we all turned at that beautiful husky voice.

"Mohona mam!" Rai screamed and almost jumped to hug her. Debdyut pushed Karan away from the center to let her take a sit. I too hugged her. Though Shekhar's tension was still poking my mind, this day was turning really better for me.