Part 23 – Let the fun begin
"WELCOME TO LAKSHMI HIGH SCHOOLS SEMI-ANNUAL HOMECOMING"
Ringing through the loud speakers, students cheered and gestured friends and acquaintances to come over, mingling with one another.
Suddenly, rings of shrieks and overly exaggerated laughs rang out of the vast ballroom as 4 white limousines made their way into parking area. As the female students watched Atul, Rahul, Akaash, and Ali with adoration, the male students' gaze was filled with hostility as their dates bluntly fawned over them.
Walking into the entrance one by one they watched the whole school pause slightly, eyes hovering over them each. Atul, casually leaning on the wall behind him bobbed his head to the music in his iPod, checked out his fellow classmates and then walked away. Akaash, again in his flower world was twirling a stupefying red rose between all his fingers, amazingly avoiding cuts or bruises from the multiple thorns while checking out all the adolescent females gawking at him. Rahul, yawning once in a while had disappeared suddenly once they had stepped foot inside. And Ali was the most observing of all. His thin face slowly yet continuously moved from left to right, anticipating for something.
Or someone?
Swiftly turning around, he managed to bump into someone. Waving it off as a fan girl standing too close for her own good he mumbled something under his breath and walked off arrogantly.
"Y-Y-YOU bas***d!" a loud voice shrieked from behind.
Hmm, that voice was awfully familiar and a fan girl wouldn't dare talk back.
Ahh, Muskaan the loud mouth, he thought in a fraction of a second before turning once again.
Aliyah looked down in horror as the person who bumped into her was none other than Ali himself. Resisting the urge to strangle Muskaan for being so blunt and loud, she readied herself to apologize.
"Aish, how unfortunate … tsk … I was in such a good mood… until you came here." Rahul nonchalantly commented popping out of no where.
"WHAT?!" Muskaan screeched again causing everyone to wince as their ear drums exploded. "Who are you to talk… you … you… whatever."
"How lame. Is that even a comeback? And why are you so loud? It's a-nnoy-ing."
Unable to control her anger at him, she launched, but Aliyah was quicker in reflexes, constantly on her feet with Muskaan's unpredictable behavior.
"I'm really sorry." She muttered, nodding at them and walking away while controlling Muskaan simultaneously.
"WAIT!" someone yelled causing all of them to stop, including the rampaging cat.
Aliyah turned once again to come face to face with mesmerizing cologne and a chest in her face.
"Sorry." the person mumbled confidently and took a stride backward.
"Oh… Ali. Hi." She said poignantly, trying to regain composure. His presence was simply too much to engulf in mere seconds.
"Hey." He replied, a soft smile growing on his face. She watched as he opened his mouth to say more yet was cut off when she was suddenly pushed his way by a powerful force.
"EEEEEE." Aliyah exclaimed falling into his arms. If Ali wasn't there she'd be lying face flat of the floor like a squished pancake. She blushed as his warm arms enveloped her protectively as if giving her a hug, in which she most gladly reciprocated.
"A-Ali…" she whispered lightly.
Ali looking down at her mumbled an 'I got you' before looking up to see a group of girls whom dressed in tiny pieces of cloth, only covering necessary parts otherwise, tskk tsskk... His thought remained incomplete as a familiar face stood there.
Was that? Could it possibly be?
Anjali?!
dk%%H@F%ak?!?!?!
WTF happened to her face?! Instinctively he tightened his hold on Aliyah as he scanned over the most horrid creature he had seen in humanity. Eyes black, with excess bags, bruises turned purple, scars that were black scabs from healing, and a puffed cheek as if a tennis ball was shoved in her mouth.
How the hell did that happen?
Anjali, as if noticing that all eyes were gawking at her stuck her shoulders out their respect way and straightened her back more.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the nerd. Hmm nice dress, where'd you get it? Wal-Mart?" she insulted, encouraged by the vicious giggling behind her.
Aliyah heard students gather around her, watching intently. Tears began to form, blood rushed to her cheeks from embarrassment, and her grip on Ali loosened.
"HEY! I'm talking to you! Is that all you can do, cling onto men who are too good for you, you little slut." She began again.
Aliyah could've sworn his muscles stiffened around her. However, as soon as the thought of him protecting her came, she was pushed away by him too. Feeling dejected and thrown mercilessly she averted everyone's gaze watching her and meekly stared at the ground.
"HAH! What did I tell you?! Stay in your place next ti---"
SMACK!
The audience gasped along side, Aliyah and Muskaan at the current situation.
"H-HOW DARE YOU SLAP A WOMAN?!" Anjali echoed through the halls, shrieking with all her might as she lay on the floor holding her stinging cheek.
Ali was livid, it was easy to see as his eyebrows crushed together creating lines on his forehead, his jaw tight, teeth clenched, and lips portraying a thin line.
"I don't see a woman, all I see …
Is a FEMALE DOG."
"WHAT?!! HOW DARE YOU!!!"
"HOW DARE I?! Who the hell do you think you are?!" Ali yelled.
Pointing an accusing finger at her, "How dare you hit Aliyah, hell, how dare you touch her?! Who gave you that right?!" he whispered menacingly to her.
To say everyone was astounded and ridiculously scared to the bone would've been an understatement. Nothing, in the four years of high school, has been able to make Ali loose his cool.
Hmm, this girl must really be something.
Everyone watched as Anjali's puffed up cheek swelled even more, if that was even possible of course. She winced in pain and let out a fake cry before running out of the hall, her followers watching as Ali's gaze turned to them before shrieking and following suit.
Good Riddance
"The show's over. Go back to your business." Akaash yelled loud enough to make everyone face the other way and act as if nothing occurred.
Ali stood there for a good 10 seconds before turning around. Aliyah kept her gaze on the floor even as she saw his shoes underneath his gaze.
"Look at me." She winced at his rough voice and slowly gazed up uncertain and slightly scared.
Seeing the fright in her eyes, he softened his expression and voice, "Are you ok?" he asked attentively.
She nodded meekly before letting her gaze fall again, only to land on his bloody hand. Both his hands were in fists and it seemed as if he was punishing himself by stabbing his fingernails into his palms, hard enough to let blood ooze out. Aliyah felt her stomach retract at the sight and let out a gasp.
"Your hand." She said while reaching for it; she watched his flinch at contact but chose to ignore assuming it was due to the pain.
"Huh?" he said looking down as well. He opened his hand and watched as blood flowed, not too much, but enough for Aliyah to overreact.
"W-we need to get you to the h-hospital. Q-quick!" she rushed out frantically searching for something.
He laughed, surprising her as she looked at him incredulously.
"Calm down. It's just a cut." He said calmly and examining his own hand.
"I'll just go to the locker room and get a few tissues." He said walking away a few steps before being dragged in the other direction.
"It's this way..." was all he heard.
----------
"Give me your hand." Aliyah spoke sternly reaching out for it as Ali sat on the high bench and she stood in front of his knees..
Ali watched her amusingly as she roughly took his hand.
"Oww. Geez what's gotten into you?" No, it didn't hurt, but he wanted to know why she was acting the way she was.
"Nothing." She mumbled applying antiseptic carefully to his wound.
"Doesn't-look-like-nothing." He teased.
"…"
"Aliyah..?"
...
"Hey."
..
"I'm talking to you!" he feigned angriness.
"WHAT?!"
"What's wrong with you? Why are you yelling?"
"What's wrong with me?!" she yelled pointing a finger at herself then u-turning it to poke into his chest.
"What's wrong with you! Why'd you hurt yourself?!"
"Pfft. Are you serious? Are you angry because of that?"
"YES! No. I mean, yeah I am! Why'd you hurt yourself and why did you hit Anjali?" she said immediately regretting the words once they ran out her mouth, Ali's expression went back to livid and he pulled his hand away from her staring at her incredulously.
"Are you kidding? Cause it isn't funny. 'Why did I hit Anjali?'Did you not see or hear what she did to you out there?! She tried to embarrass you in front of everyone. She was calling you these ludicrous names and you expect me to just stand there and watch?!"
Saying Aliyah was baffled would be a nice synonym for her thoughts. How was she supposed to respond to that?!
"Huh?!" he spat at her.
Scoffing he ruffled his hair. "Just put the bandage on my hand." He said shoving his hand in her face.
In silence she wiped the remaining red liquid off his palm and slowly yet carefully wrapped the bandage around it.
"Sorry."
"WHY ARE YOU SORRY?!" he roared. "What the hell are you saying sorry for?" he watched her face in confusion as liquid started cascading from her eyes.
God.
How can someone cry so beautifully?
Getting ready to run, she was immediately tugged back by her arm. The pull wasn't forceful, it was calm and demanding.
His arms pulled her in between his knees and rested around her waist hugging her, his head on top of her left shoulder.
"Don't cry." He whispered softly in her ears rubbing her back softly to calm her sobs.
"I'll protect you."
----------
"Ladies and Gentlemen: May I have your attention?"
By now all the students in Lakshmi had gathered around the stage, unyielding attention and perked ears, even a calmer Ali and puffy red eyed Aliyah came in time.
However, there seemed to be two people missing, well maybe three.
I wonder where Armaan is.
…
Yeah and Riddhima.
…
Maybe there together?!
….
OH! & What about that hot guy with the cone-shaped earring?
..
Yeah! Didn't he participate in the auction too?
Ladies and Gentlemen: MAY I PLEASE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION!
-- cricket … cricket
Thank you! Now on behalf of the student body and administrators of Lakshmi high school we are pleased to welcome everyone to our semi-annual Homecoming!
-- applause
We also are pleased for you all to know that this years 'Date Auction' has made a record-making amount. And all of it will go to a respectable charity fund!
-- applause
The amount donated to this 'Date Auction' was a hefty sum of …
DRUMROLL
3 CRORE RUPEES!
GASP..
..
WHAT THE?!
"HOT DAMN!" Akaash exclaimed.
"That's a loooot of money." Rahul said in unison.
"Who in their right mind would pay that much for a date?"
"Atul, one person didn't pay all that. It was multiple people." Ali said still in a daze.
"Still. None of US participated in the auction. And we can't afford that!"
EXCUSE ME! EXCUSE ME! AH-HEM!
…
THANK YOU. SINCE SUCH A HUGE NUMBER HAS BEEN RAISED FOR THIS EVENT, THERE WILL BE NO BEST MALE AND FEMALE DRESSED CATEGORY THIS TIME. INSTEAD WE SHALL MOVE STRAIGHT ON TO THE DATE AUCTION.
The students watched interested as the principal's eyes seemed to widen at the envelope given to him.
AH-HEM. YES… WELL ORIGINALLY THE DATE AUCTION WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR MULTIPLE WOMEN. HOWEVER, ALL THE MONEY WAS DONATED TOWARDS A DATE WITH ONE PARTICULAR FEMALE STUDENT. SO WE SHALL SIMPLY CALL HER ON STAGE.
Ladies and Gentlemen: RIDDHIMA GUPTA!
As Riddhima entered the stage students wondered where she popped out from. However, their thoughts ran short as soon as she came in sight. Gasping at the elegant female wearing a beautiful white gown studded with beads. Her jewelry sparkled whenever she walked causing reflections all over the ballroom. Her hair was tied in a messy bun which let loose several strands that swiftly caressed her skin. As she walked, boys ogled her body which was completely outlined by the perfectly fitted dress, and girls were staring in awe wondering why they couldn't look like her.
"Holyyy.. crap." Akaash said as drool slid down his chin.
"Damn. She's beautiful." Rahul whispered is awe.
"S.hit. Why didn't I bid?!" Atul mumbled as well.
Ali watched Armaan, who also seemed to pop out of nowhere. He stood on the far right of the ballroom covered by the amount of people, arrogantly he leaned again the wall, arms crossed as he watched Riddhima walk on stage with a proud smile on his lips.
WELL, NOW THAT WE HAVE HER UP HERE, WE SHALL ANNOUNCE THE THREE TOP CONTRIBUTORS.
IN 3RD PLACE, WE HAVE … AKAASH!
"SAY WHAT?!" The three friends replied in unison at Akaash who bashfully smiled at their reaction.
"Eh.. he he. I wanted to … uh… help the charity raise money?"
SMACK
SMACK!
SMACK!!
"Oww! You guys! Can you blame me? She's freakin' hot!" Akaash defended.
Ali calmed himself down and turned to Armaan's direction, only to be caught midway at a guy.
One of Riddhima's gang members.
That guy with the cone-shaped earring.
What was he doing here?
CONGRADULATIONS AKAASH AND THANK YOU FOR YOU GENEROSITY.
NOW, IN 2ND PLACE WE HAVE A PERSON WHO DOESN'T EVEN ATTEND THIS SCHOOL AND HAS STILL PARTICIPATED
EH?
BUT THE ONLY ONE HERE THAT DOESN'T ATTEND THE SCHOOL IS ..
ADI?!
2ND PLACE?!
ADITYA!
"WHAT?!!" he roared livid causing everyone to create a pathway from him straight to Riddhima on stage. Adi looked toward Riddhima who looked equally baffled.
How the hell did he get 2nd place?!
He f.ucking paid 1 crore!
And who the hell got 1st place?
Riddhima was so confused at the moment. So … so … so confused. She was disappointed, if it wasn't Adi, then who would she have to go with? She watched as Adi angrily stomped his way over to her, eyebrows creased and lips firm.
Yet before he reached the stage, everyone's head turned to another clearing, made for a new-arrival. Tailored black suit, white collared fashion labeled shirt with a matching white rose in his pocket. He complemented Riddhima's dress so well.
As if he knew what she was going to wear before hand.
Everyone watched shockingly as he made his way up to the opposite side of Riddhima, right across from Adi.
"No.. this isn't possible." Riddhima swallowed hard, her eyes wide at his presence.
"YOU!" Adi's managed to squeeze through his tight jaw while giving off deadly glared in the other man's direction. "What do you think you're doing?" he menacingly whispered.
Armaan simply neared them and grinned arrogantly at Adi, who was merely stood a few feet away from him, before turning to the crowd gathered around the stage.
1.9 Crore ... by Armaan Mallik
---
Ahh my fingers hurt 😆. Kidding. Probably the longest update till date. Hope you like it.
Leave comments please.
& Thank you to all who commented on the previous part and answered my question a couple days ago.
ENJOY!
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