°o The Kill o°| AR Part 26(12/02) - Page 43

Part 22 - Back to "Normal"

Breaking News!

Exactly 2 days ago, a man's dead body was found in an alley.

About 45-50 years old and 6 feet in height.

He was rumored to be a leader of a gang.

His head was caught in a rope and wrists slit multiple times.

His body was brutally injured and his face was cut up.

No one knows how he got there or who did what.

So if anyone had an idea of who it might be

Please call the station.

Now back to the music!

CLICK -

Satisfied, Riddhima turned off the radio and continued to rest, physically. Yet as she crossed her arms on top of her abdomen laying on her back, she couldn't help but wonder.

What is Umar Bhai didn't want this?

What is he thought she had become a cold-blooded murderer?

Just like the person who killed him?

Slamming her eyes together she tightened them as much as possible as if wishing they would permanently close for her benefit and rid the horrid thought formulating too quickly.

Turning her head to the side, she peeked at the time 7:00 AM.

She hadn't slept all night. All she did was listen intently as every 20 minutes the same news of the bas***ds death came on. She yearned to record and replay it over and over till her ears bled.

2 days had passed, with no contact to the outer world just in case the police opened a case to investigate.

Who would suspect a teenage girl going a prestigious high school anyway?

Sighing and mentally clearing her mind, she walked languidly to the bathroom –

It was time for school.

----------

Armaan waited on the rooftop, arms folded, with the other four. It was the last day he would wait patiently. If she didn't show up today, then he'd go find her.

Personally.

"You honestly think she'd come today?" Rahul asked quietly noticing the solemn atmosphere.

"Yeah, she probably switched schools and is half way around the world." Atul added.

"Actually, I thing she is coming today." Akaash said twisting the leaf that landed on him in the autumn breeze.

"Why is that?"

He merely shrugged, "Just guessing."

Ali watched the interaction and thought about the news he heard 3 days ago in his car with Aliyah. He knew Riddhima was a part of it somehow. The times were too closely linked for it not to be.

Meanwhile, Armaan's eyes hovered over the students entering the school. It was obvious she wasn't here.

Her fiery hair and hot pink motorcycle were far from mundane.

Moments of silence passed right before a hoard of students began running, as if a celebrity arrived.

He wasn't expecting what he saw,

--- A blue motorcycle,

with Riddhima.

She was with him. Again.

& it made his blood boil.

----------

As his motorcycle parked in the circular school driveway, Adi leaned to the side so she could climb off. Feeling her swinging off, he leaned his bike back.

Noticing the solemn expression as she faced him, he leaned closer into her catching her gaze.

He watched as those emerald pearls darted back and forth his left and right eye, as if searching for answers. Leaning more in, he felt her relax with the proximity.

Whispering softly as he calmed the nerves she would deny existed,

"Everything's going to be fine. I'm right here Ridz.", rubbing her arms slowly and softly, he felt goose bumps multiply in between seconds and pulled away.

Mouthing a 'Don't worry' he gave her a soft smile and kissed a cheek, letting it linger till he felt Riddhima smiling back.

Leaning away from her he mentally congratulated himself as her eyes twinkled and blood rushed to her cheeks.

"Thank you" he heard her mumble softly before he chuckled at her shy demeanor and pulled her into his chest giving her a gentle squeeze of reassurance. Only to become more joyful when she snuggled into him, completely molding her figure into his, and reciprocating the hug.

He let her linger as long as had to. Soon enough the tension in her body flowed out as she leaned against him completely relying on his for support. After giving her a last squeeze, he let go. Winking he drove off.

BRMMMMMMMMMM

Riddhima stood there for a good few seconds before realizing she was in front of the school. Slightly widening her eyes then calming her erratic heartbeat, she tried her best not to show vulnerability. Yeah, like that worked –

"RIDDHIMA! HEY!"

Turning around she was amazed at the amount of students watching her.

Was the whole school out here?

"HEY!"

Turning again towards the voice, she found herself being tackled, trying her best to remain perpendicular to the ground.

"I MISSED YOU SO MUCH! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?!" someone slightly shrieked in her ear making her wince.

"Umm.." she said trying to peel of the certain someone off a little so she could at least know who she was talking to. Taken by surprise as the person pushed her shoulders back to look at her.

"Riddhima?!"

"OH! Aliyah. Hi." She squeaked chuckling slightly.

"YEAH! ME! What, did you forget me or something?"

"N--"

"Never mind! C'mon! We gotta sign you up for Homecoming. You're gonna be in the date auction remember!" she said dragging her into the school completely oblivious to the incredulous student body outside.

"Uh … o – k?"

"GREAT! COME ON!"

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