Never do I leave again

part:12

A/N: long chapter ahead brace yourself.

          Our convocation . Well it's too long for our comfort. Too formal. But once the hats are off our head, there was an uproar. Then started the fun. Confetti and balloons are all over, covering the once tidy floor. Sound music started to play. Students gathered to the centre of the hall ready to dance. And the staffs and chief guests were no where to be seen. We all were in our own dream world. That one most enjoyable day of our life. But there was this nagging thought inside me saying that something was not right. That's when I noticed that I haven't seen Asif from the beginning of the graduation. Pushing that thought aside , I joined Alice. Everyone was dancing like crazy. Happiness oozing from everyone. We've stepped ahead a milestone now. Although my happiness didn't last long as other's. My phone vibrated. A smile creeped my face on looking at the caller ID. It's Asif. My smile faded away as soon as I heard his voice. His voice it's ful of distress. Is he in danger. He asked me to meet me on the other side of the hall. I searched for him at the mentioned place, and waved at him to join us here. He refused. I hanged the call and marched to him grabbed his wrist against his protest and started my track to where I came from. He flinched away from me. I turned around to look what's wrong. That's when I noticed that someone is holding his other hand. I looked at them. It's Raphael, our junior. Well I despise her is an understatement. She was really a nice girl when I first met her, new to the place and totally innocent. But as days progressed she became vile. After that she've been trying to grab Asif's attention. She knows very well we're together. But nothing bothers her. Asif despise her as much as I do. But now, what happened? Their holding hands. And he's not affected by this. I stared at their entwined hands. These sweet gestures are received for me. I reached out and tried to separate their hands but they won't bulge. I stopped trying. I started glaring at them for explanation. There was a pleading look on Asif's face whereas a smirk on Raphael's. Oh how much I love to wipe that smirk out of her face. "Ria let us take this somewhere private, come on" Asif spoke breaking the silent war going between me and Raphael. I shook my head turning to him. "Please" he added. I considered it a minute. Looked at their entwined hands and spoke " leave her hand and let's go somewhere more private". He gave a pained look before moving aside but Raphael being her got a vicelike grip on his hand. I raised an eyebrow looking at them and stood my ground. I'm not moving anywhere until they are separated. "Let us talk to her here" Raphael spoke in her sick sweet voice.  I scrunched up my nose in disgust. Again looking for him to continue. He cleared his throat." Ria... We,. Um.. I .. got something to say you...that...is... I ... We..." He stuttered. "We are engaged" Raphael interupted him in a sing song way. It registered in me after a few seconds. I zeroed onto her left hand where there was a ring with a large white stone. Which somewhat look strange in her hand. " Ria I... We.. were going to say you... Please listen... Ria..." Before he could complete his sentence there was a loud crash sounded beside us. There were shocked gasps all around us. I turned to look a scene before us, where Alice was straddling Raphael and raising her fist for yet another punch I guessed from her red knuckles. Raphael trashed and  screamed in pain. I was pushed by someone to hold Alice back. Asif was yelling at me to take a hold on Alice. I was glued to my spot, unable to move from the previous shocks. Asif tried separating Al from his fiance. It was his turn to stumble back. That's when I realised Asif has received a punch from Al. I moved forward going inbetween Al and Raphael. I reached for Al , she stopped at once. I made her stand up beside me and held her back from anymore hitting. Raphael took this time to slap me across my face. Al took off again but this time she was facing an angry Asif. He was there livid, Steam coming from his ears. His face a bright shade of red revealing his anger. I took it upon me to hold them both from each other. Al and Asif, I know them both and also their anger. They become untameable when they are anger, all logics thrown apart. Asif took a step towards me ready to hit. He took hold of my wrist not so gently and grabbed me aside from the group formed around due to the fight. He threw me against a wall across from the party hall. Al had followed us, Raphael on her tow. No one dared to look at Asif except Al of course. They were literally growling at each other. I asked Al to back off and turned to Asif. He looked at nothing particular and started grunting , some words coming along with his grunts. "We're engaged for a month now and getting married in three months, I was gonna say you before things came this long, but I didn't got a chance, we were betrothed. Her father asked me to marry her..." ," And you said yes" I interupted him. Earning a scowl from him. He started again to explain, but I cut him off mid-sentence. I've heard enough. So this is it. That's why he was conserved over the months. And we were facing downhill in our relationship for a few weeks now and I didn't had any doubt that something was wrong. And here is the reason for everything. There's this only question itching in my mind ,"how were you both betrothed?". Cause I've known him for years now and his parents too, they are not one to do arranged weddings. Even their only daughter was happily married to her love not some stranger. How does this even happened? I cleared my throat cutting off the stretching silence. He looked at me and his eyes softened at once. He placed a hand on my right cheek. I winced. It stung , that's where Raphael had slapped me I think. He started rubbing soothing circles. I sighed and melted at his touch. " We love each other", he said. I smiled a second thinking he was mentioning us. Before I jerked away realising he was talking about them . He and Raphael. Tears started welling up in my eyes. No I won't cry before these people. Not anymore. I wasn't in a state to reason anything logically. I stormed off from that place. I went inside the hall to students looking at me with pity in their eyes, Where there was admiration and respect before. I hate this. I hate them. I hate everyone. This place. This peoples. This pity. This love. I hate everything, everyone. I ran out of the hall, with Alice following behind me. I slid down beside a wall near our classes. Al came beside me and hugged my side. I dropped my head and let my tears roll down my cheeks. I sobbed until I was drained. I heard some shuffled footsteps near us. I ushered Al to Leave that place. I don't wanna face anyone right now.