**SCARS** - SanDhir FF (CH6 - REAL FRESHERS PARTY; UPDATED @ PAGE 29) - Page 19

Originally posted by: MDKRM

Hey how r u now? I just hope tommorow u r giong to updt The duoble updt fingers crosed

Originally posted by: tiara24

its aweome

pls pls pls update soon

Okay guys. My hand is better now. Removed my clasp.
The update will be day after tomorrow.
Anytime before day after tomorrow.
I swear. :P
Love

awesome!!!! finally update!! hope your doing good!!!

Originally posted by: samyukthakrish

awesome!!!! finally update!! hope your doing good!!!

love

samyuktha😳

Hi Samyukta.
Err... So I couldnt update. I'm sorry.
I will do it by tmrw to the max!
Pakka promise!
Apologies. :/

Originally posted by: MDKRM

Updt it now im waiting plzzzxx

Listen, I'm so so so sorry.
I really am.
I will update by tomorrow. Actually I would have done it today... But Vinayak Chaturthi is an important day and I couldn't be locked up in my room with my laptop.
Please understand.
I will do it by tomorrow.
The chapter is almost complete... And I need to just proof read it.
Sorry again.

Originally posted by: tiara24

when will u update yr..?

Tomorrow.
I know I sweared last time and yet... :/
Something came up which was unavoidable.
Please understand.
I will update tmrw..
Pakka!

Originally posted by: twni

update plzzz

Soon darling, soon.
Tomorrow.
Promise. Pakka wala.

*Ducks behind Hagrid.*

Alright guys, don't kill me please. I know I'm late. And I know that saying that would be, like the understatement of the century.
But I have an excuse. A valid one. I fell. Now that is something which happens a lot with me... only this time I couldn't get away without hurting myself. Sprained my wrist. And that too the right one. Yeah, I know. I'm Somya afterall. Things like that are so common in my life. Anyways... I'm fine now. Totally alright.
But after surviving on my left wrist for the past month... I have to advise you guys to never take your right hand for granted.

So here's Chapter 6. In the previous chapter we all got a hint of Randhir's problems. This one will give you a taste to Sanyukta's. And let me warn you... it's bitter.
The Sanyukta in my story has suffered. :(
Also I wanted to warn you guys. This isn't a story where the girl and the guy meet, first they fight, then they kiss and make up and then they get together. NO. You all will have to be patient. This is the story where the girl and the guy don't only fall in love... but also heal each other. Its not gonna happen overnight. Sorry if I'm sounding rude... but a couple PM's I received just let me know that some people have the wrong idea about Scars. Had to clear it.

And yeah... this chapter is looonnnggg. So please be patient. Earlier on I was thinking of shortening this... but then I was like, to hell with it! I just thought of posting the entire thing, specially considering I'm so late in updating and all... you guys can read it in two takes or something?
Havent proofread or anything... so apologies for the mistakes, if any.

Also, in about 9 minutes... I'm about to turn 19. :)
Consider this chapter like my birthday treat to you guys. :D
A special shoutout to YOU my reader for making my life so, so awesome.
It really feels so amazing to know that people like you, like to read stuff out of my imagination and are attached to this story.
A big HUG and loads of kisses! :* :*
THANKYOU!
❤️

~*~
Previously in Scars.

As the three hurried behind, Sanyukta's pencil and books fell down on the way. Her pencil landed right and Randhir's feet. Their eyes met and in that instance he felt the same pull he had felt yesterday. He had difficulty in staring back... but at the same time he couldn't look away. She broke the gaze this time and bent down to pick up her books. Randhir, who was seated, bent a little and picked up the pencil. His gaze then landed at Sanyukta's neck. On the side of her neck, just below her hairline... there was a faint scar. A thin, bent line paler than her skin. It was almost white in colour. Usually it would be hidden by her hair or cloth, but right then he could clearly see it. Oblivious to Randhir's staring, without speaking or looking at him Sanyukta opened her palm, demanding her pencil back. Randhir, finally averting his gaze, looked at her palm and silently dropped the pencil in her hand. Just then the teacher entered the class. Sanyukta quickly stood up and rushed behind.
What was that?
The image of the scar floated in Randhir's mind.

~*~

Chapter 6
Real Freshers Party; Real Drama

"Di? Tumhara koi boyfriend hai...?"
Sanyukta's eyes widened in surprise. "Kya?"
"Main puch rha hoon ki kya tumhara koi boyfriend hai kya?"
"Nahi... Nahi, Manan. Par kyun?" Sanyukta asked him, confused.
"Nahi... sab ka boyfriend hota hai na... tumhara kyun nahi?"
"Wo..."
"Koi baat nahi... I can be your boyfriend."
Sanyukta grinned.
"Alright... par tum mere liye, thode se... thode se chote nhi ho?"
"No. I am 7 years old now. I am a big boy."
Sanyukta chuckled and smiled mischievously.
"Uh-huh? Big enough to fight this?" She pulled him into her lap and started tickling his sides. Sanyukta laughed along as his laughter rang loudly across the room along with his pleads to stop.

"There, there now! Kya chal rha?" Divya Di smiled as she neared them.
Sanyukta looked up and finally stopped her ministrations. She straightened Manan and pulled down his shirt which had ridden up.
Sanyukta smiled at her.
"Sanyukta... iss baar bahot dinn baad aana hua?!"
"Haan Di... wo, college has begun... So..."
"Yeah, I get it. You are a big girl now." she smiled at her.
"Yeah... and I am a big boy! See! We are good together." Manan added. Both Sanyukta and Divya laughed at that and watched him rush to the other children.

Sanyukta was at Nirmala Shishu Bhavan: Home for abandoned children. It was a Missionaries of Charity Trust Organisation which had been running for the past 20 years. It was a place she had been frequently visiting for quite some time now. At first, coming here would make her sad... looking at all the children who did not have their parents or their homes. But then she realized that being with them, just being there for them... that gave them immense happiness. And it made her happy too. Away from all the baggage, from all the memories... being around these innocent souls made her feel at peace with herself.

"Dai Ma se bhi milne aayi thi. So rhi thi toh maine disturb nhi kiya..." Sanyukta told Divya. Dai Ma had been the caretaker of the orphanage for more than 20 years.
"Hmm... Aur kaisi ho tum?" Di asked her. Sanyukta smiled and told her that she was fine. They made small talk about school and studies. Sanyukta told her about her subjects and the stream she had chosen.
Divya was one of the children who had once lived in this orphanage. Now she was married, worked in a hospital, was a mom of an adorable 4 year old girl and soon going to be a mother of another. And though she was very busy, she always made it a point to visit the orphanage at least twice a week.

Just as Sanyukta was going to ask Divya about Riya, her naughty daughter, her phone buzzed.
Divya smiled and excused herself as she went over to the children.

*where the hell r u?*

It was a text from Tami. Sanyukta pursed her lips and frowned.

*u know im at Dai Ma's*

*its 5 already. the party starts in 2 hours. come back, like now!*

Sanyukta grimaced. She knew why the girls were so insistent on her being early. They wanted to paint her face and doll her up. And Sanyukta wasn't going to let that happen. She could clearly see an argument happening within an hour and she wasn't looking forward to it.

*fine. will be there in 15 minutes.*

Sanyukta bid goodbyes to all the children. They were unhappy that she was leaving so early but she promised them that she'll visit again soon. She checked on Dai Ma but she was still sleeping, so without bothering her, she left.

Sanyukta waited at the bus stop, mentally praying to God and hoping that she could survive the twenty minutes in the bus without any problems. She caught the shuttle bus after 5 minutes and jumped in cautiously. Just as she entered, she heard a familiar voice call her.

"Sanyukta!"
She turned around to find Parth. He waved at her and patted the seat next to his. Sanyukta smiled and reached him. Thanking God mentally.
"Hey! Tum kahan se aa rhe ho?"
"School. Kal ki party ke baad gym ki saaf safai me help kar ke laut rha hoon."
So typically Parth. He was always one of the first volunteers for school events. He always helped anyone as much as he could.
Sanyukta wrinkled her nose mockingly, "I think I should sit somewhere else."
Parth narrowed his eyes with a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips and pulled at her hand, making her sit down next to him with a thump.
"Why didn't you call me? Main bhi help kar deti." Parth just shook his head and smiled.
"Tum toh orphanage se aa rhi hogi.."
Sanyukta nodded. Parth smiled at her.

They talked about last night's party and the one they were about to attend.
Just then Sanyukta remembered the Special Assembly regarding the announcement of the new Supreme Council which had been postponed. She asked him about it.

"Nandita mam keh rhi thi ki shayad iss Wednesday hoga ... pata nhi." He shrugged. He looked slightly worried... like something was bothering him.
"Is everything okay..?" Sanyukta asked him.
Parth looked at her for a few seconds as if deciding something. After a moment his shoulders slouched and he puffed out his cheeks. Something was definitely wrong, Sanyukta could sense it easily. Involuntarily her hand reached his and she held it.
Parth looked at their entwined hands and then into her eyes.
"Pata nhi... par I feel like... like something is about to happen. Something bad."
Sanyukta furrowed her brows.
"Matlab?"
Parth hesitated. He was having trouble trying to explain himself.
"Baar baar aisa lag rha hai jaise... something is up."
"What is wrong Parth? Why are you so worried?"
Parth looked outside the window and then back at her. "So I went and talked to Nandita mam about the assembly and asked her why it was postponed... but it looked like she didn't want to tell me the actual reason. Like she was trying and hiding the reason behind the-"
"But why will she do that?" Nandita mam was one of Sanyukta's favourite teachers.
"Exactly. And that's what is irking me. Aur jab unse thodi aur baat ki toh lag rha tha jaise... I don't know... like she was feeling sorry for me."

Sanyukta couldn't understand. Parth was a sensitive and intuitive guy. If he says it looked like that, it probably did. But why would Nandita mam feel sorry for him? Parth was one of those students almost all the teachers liked, praised and gave examples of. Specially Nandita Mam.

"Maine itni mehnat ki hai... to be the house captain. It's important to me. It's the one thing which I have really, really worked hard for. Aur ab..." He sighed. "Main bas chahta hoon ki sab kuch theek se ho jaye..."
Sanyukta understood what he was saying. Parth's dad was a rich and efficient business man. He was very well known in the entire social circuit of Dehradun and very popular among the press and people. Whereas Parth... he was popular too... but he wasn't exactly a people's person. He shared a strained relationship with his dad. They did not have the same priorities in life. Mr. Kashyap wanted his son to be a go-getter. He wanted him to focus only on himself and on his career. He wanted him to do everything perfectly. In short, he wanted Parth to be just like him. But Parth wasn't. Parth didn't like socialising much, he didn't like talking about himself, his achievements, his merits... he strayed away from attention. This made Mr. Kashyap disapprove of his son's behaviour. And though Parth kept aside all his issues and genuinely tried to please his father... it was never enough. Becoming the school President was one of the things which he knew would help him gain his father's approval. And 9 out of 10 students who became the college president were House captains first. It was an important stepping stone. And he couldn't miss it.

Sanyukta smiled and tried assuring him. "South House ke captain tum hi banoge Parth. Saara school ye baat jaanta hai... Relax. All will be fine." She pressed his hand which was still in hers.
He smiled and looked into her eyes... for a couple more seconds than what would seem normal. Sanyukta quickly looked away and so did Parth. Though she really cared for Parth and he meant a lot to her, things always became slightly uncomfortable when it came to their equation. Especially, considering their history, which made things complicated. Changing the subject... she started talking about the party again. They discussed the previous night's party and the events. It was alright. Sanyukta wasn't exactly a party animal. But she wasn't the only one who didn't enjoy it... When you are inside campus, everything became a lot more restrained and restricted. And most of MCA's population hated restrictions.
Sanyukta thought about tonight's party. The Real freshers Party. They wouldn't be inside campus. There wouldn't be any teachers within a 15 kilometre radius and there would be vodka. She shuddered at the thought.
"Are you cold?" Parth asked her.
"No... I'm good."
"Hey you guys!" someone shouted from behind, making them jump.

Sanyukta turned around and frowned. Adi. He always sneaked up on her.

"Hello gorgeous!" he told her smirking, as Parth rolled his eyes. He came and started preparing to sit down next to them, in their 3 seater, when Sanyukta's eyes widened. There was no way she would be able to sit in such close proximity with a guy. Parth noticed this and cleared his throat pointedly at Aditya. He looked over and noticed both their expressions... his smile falling off his face.
"Ohh... I- I'm sorry. I forgot..."
He looked embarrassed and quickly put some distance between himself and Sanyukta and sat down in the seat in front of theirs. Sanyukta's face was set aflame and she shifted in her seat uncomfortably. Why? Why did it have to be like this? Just when things would begin to seem normal... something or the other would happen and make her realize what she truly was. A freak.

Adi turned around with a smile as if nothing had happened and began rambling about last night's party. It was his theme after all and he was happy that the party had turned out well. Of course, not quite as awesome as tonight's would be, he said...

But Sanyukta wasn't listening. Her mind went back to all those incidents which were a lot more embarrassing and drastic.

In her 5^th grade... which was her first year in MCA, after running out of all excuses, she had no other option but to attend her PT classes. By then Sanyukta had realized her problem. She couldn't bear to be touched by an adolescent male. Especially the elder men. And when she saw Narayan sir helping all the girls during their basketball try outs... she knew that the day wasn't going to end well. Her fears were justified. When Sir came around and suddenly held her by her shoulders she immediately freaked out. She screeched a blood curling scream and her body began shaking miserably. Her face was covered with tears and sweat and she started running as fast as her feet could carry her, away from her visibly shocked teacher. She didn't even know where she was going...

Since then it was the news on campus. Sanyukta Agarwal, the weirdo, the freak... The children started treating her like an outcast. No amount of therapy or counselling could ever help her. For the next year people barely talked to her, let alone be friends. She had given up all hopes of having a near-normal life.
But in the beginning of their 6^th grade things started changing. Her roommates finally started interacting with her more... she started getting invited to parties. And by the end of 7^th grade, she suddenly found herself in the midst of the most popular and rich children in school. Things had been better since then... but she had to accept that nothing will ever be normal for her.

"Sanyukta? Are you okay?" Parth bought her back to the present.
"Yeah... I- Im good."
"I know what's wrong. You have motion sickness right? Don't worry... Ela ka ghar aane hi wala hai." Parth smiled reassuringly.
Sanyukta smiled back tightly.

MCA had always been specific about not just being a boarding school... but an academic institution. And so Pr. Einstein Isaac, their Principal almost 13 years back had started this norm that on every second weekend of the month all students could leave the school premises and spend time with their families. The rule never changed. And though like Sanyukta's, a lot of students' parents didn't live in Dehradun, they all got themselves residential guardians assigned who lived here and got stay passes for themselves. Sanyukta and Tami's guardians for the stay pass here were Elakshi's aunt and uncle. So every second weekend Sanyukta and Tami along with Ela stayed in Ela's Aunt's home. She was heading there right then. And hating every moment of it because she knew she had to endure another make over session with them. Being best friends with fashionistas sucked sometimes, Sanyukta grimaced.

"Haan yaar! Bahot maza aaya tha... it was like live WWF!" Adi was talking about the fight last night at the party between Dushyant and Abhishek over the latter's girlfriend Nupur. It had been quite the talk for all the gossipers. Thankfully the other guys managed to calm those two down before things reached the teachers.

Looking out the window Sanyukta realized that her stop was near and so she got up.
"See you guys in..." Sanyukta checked her watch, "1 and a half hour." She smiled and waved them.

"We are late..." Ela whined.
"Not late... we're just making a good entrance." Tami said as both of them with Sanyukta got out from the car.
"Nahi... koi friend drop kar dega. Aapko aane ki zaroorat nahi hai." Ela was telling her driver.

They stood at the entrance of Zest... the latest most desirable stop for partying in Dehradun.
In fact Adi's friend, Niketan's father owned it... so they had booked the entire club for the night for them... all the three floors. She could hear Selena Gomez's Slow Down the Song blasting from the doors of the club. She took a deep breath. Sure she had been to such parties several times, it was a part of MCA's culture, but that didn't mean she enjoyed it.
"Relax Sanyu! You'll be fine.." Tami told her.

"Yeah, sure I will..." she replied bitterly. Crowds always made her anxious. There'll be so many guys... she gulped. She looked down at her dress for the tenth time and grimaced. "Why couldn't I just wear something like I wore to last night's party?!" Keeping in mind the Ladies in Red' theme, Sanyukta had worn a red pleat neck top with jeans.
"That was a school party. This is different! This party is meant to socialise and begin our college life with a bang! So we can make new friends and interact with the new admissions. You need to look hot for that!" Ela said. Sanyukta rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to retort when Tami cut her.
"Now don't you start again. Ye dress perfect hai... ab naatak mat kar!"
Sanyukta had previously decided on wearing a navy blue full sleeved dress to the party... and she had packed it with her to Ela's house even. But after returning back from Dai Ma's, surprisingly her dress was missing. She obviously knew how the dress got lost'. The girls didn't want her wear it and Ela had very politely pointed out that it was "Meh." Ela gave her the dress she was currently wearing. It was a shiny, simple black lace dress. Sanyukta fell in love with it the moment she saw it... but she knew she couldn't ever afford it. And though Ela had told her a number of times that she had bought it for herself but didn't really want to wear it anymore, she knew better. The dress was bought for her. They knew she would love it and won't be able to say no to it. And though she was really annoyed then she also knew how lucky she was to have friends who were so considerate and thoughtful. The only problem with the dress was its length and the hands and the neck. Though every part of her body was modestly covered, full sleeved even, she still wasn't sure about it. The dress reached till the middle of her thighs... and the hands, the neck, the upper back... it was all covered in supernet lace. Sanyukta had never worn anything like it and couldn't help but feel weary about it. And on top of it she was wearing heels. Not killer stilettos like those of Ela and Tami's, but still this look... with her hair left open and all... the entire look was so different than what she's usually like.

"You look great Sanyukta!" Ela rolled her eyes.

"Yeah... as if anyone's going to be looking at me or any other girl when you two are in the same room." Sanyukta pointed out grinning. Tami was wearing a tight, sequined olive green dress whereas Ela chose to put on a flowy, off shoulder magenta Forever 21.

"Okay... come on! Vaibhav wait kar rha hoga!" Ela said impatiently.
"Haay ye besabri!" Tami nudged Ela and Sanyukta laughed to see her blushing furiously.

Together the three of them walked up to the door. The moment they entered, Sanyukta almost cringed at the loud music and the darkness illuminated only by flash lights. She didn't see anything she hadn't seen before. The dance floor was crowded. There wasn't space to even step a foot, she wondered how people were dancing. She looked to the sides at the rows of high chairs where students were sipping on their drinks, when suddenly her eyes locked with a certain Randhir Singh Shekhawat's.

He was looking at her. And she was looking right at him. He was just sitting there bored as ever, sipping on his coke, when he felt the weirdest, most inexplicable thing and his eyes instinctively darted over to the door. And there she was standing with those two girls she seemed to be attached at the hips with. She looked so... different. It had been a week since he had been seeing her daily... but tonight she looked so very different. Her face had a slight color on it and she was wearing this short black dress. Her arms and collarbone were covered in some net like, translucent material with odd patterns on it. And as if somebody had whispered to her, her eyes immediately darted to his and held them. They continued staring at each other... none of them looking away, again. Randhir wondered why she was staring at him when he realized that she would probably be thinking the same.

"Sanyukta?" someone shouted from a distance, breaking her hold on him. Of course, it had to be her loverboy. Parth Kashyap. This one week in MCA... one thing was quite clear to him. That the guy followed Sanyukta around like a lost puppy. He came around and gave her a side hug, his eyes taking in her attire. He then, in an attempt to be inconspicuous, greeted her friends who were standing next to her. The shorter one of them was in the arms of a guy already. His name was Vaibhav... maybe... Randhir wasn't so sure. The guy after releasing the girl turned around to greet Sanyukta and the other girl. Where he hugged the tall girl... he merely shook his head in Sanyukta's direction. Why? It didn't look like they didn't get along. Sanyukta Aggarwal seemed like a girl everyone would get along with.

"Ahem!" Someone cleared a throat next to him. He looked at Latika.
"Whatcha looking at?" she asked him cheekily. Without answering her Randhir mussed up her hair making her gasp dramatically, "Randhir!!" Standing beside them Nikhil laughed. Latika narrowed her eyes at them as she adjusted her hair back. "Come on!" she suddenly said and pulling Nick by his hand took him away. He tried to protest but she was having none of that. Within a minute they were out of Randhir's sight.

"You think they'll realize it soon?" Grace asked him from his side.
Randhir thought about it for a minute... "Knowing these two... I don't think so."
She sighed. Just then some girls came up and started squealing and hugging her. Standing right there, they began praising each other's dresses and stuff, all the while throwing suggestive glances at Randhir. He turned away rolling his eyes and taking another sip. Grace suddenly spoke something he couldn't make out and the next moment he saw her being dragged away from him towards another group of girls.

He saw Karan nearing him, all the while looking in one particular direction. Randhir looked too and saw Sanyukta and her taller friend standing next to Parth, Sahil and some other people.

"This girl is so hot!" he heard him saying.

"Which girl?" Randhir asked, suddenly annoyed for no particular reason.

"Tamanna Qureshi." He said and looked at him. He smirked then and added, "Don't worry. I won't hit on your girl. Though I have to agree she's kinda hot too."

Randhir scowled at him. "Can you stop with the my girl' thing. She's not my girl. She's not my anything. I don't even know her."

"I can get all the info dude! You just have to ask!" he wiggled his eyebrows, annoying Randhir further. Karan was one of the smoothest guys with girls. Also he was better than Google when it came to digging information about them.
"Where were you?" Randhir asked him, changing the topic.
"Spending quality time with Vidushi." He snickered. "Where's Grace?"
"There." Randhir pointed to where she where she was standing. She was talking to some guys.
"I have to say that our friend is already garnering a fan base here." Karan chuckled.

Randhir took out her phone and decided on checking upon Riddhi. Now that they were going to stay in Dehradun, they had occupied their farm house. He called her.
She picked up at the fourth ring. "Bhaiya?"
"Haan... kya kar rhi hai tu?" Randhir had to speak louder due to the music.
"Nothing... DVD player pe Friends dekh rhi hoon. Nimi aur Mansi yhi hai..."
"Okay... If you need anything, call me."
"Bhaiya, party kaisi hai?" Randhir rolled his eyes at how excited she sounded.
"Tujhe pata hai na... I hate parties."
Riddhi laughed. Randhir couldn't help but smile in response.
"Yeah I know. Chalo... we are painting each other's nails. I don't want to mess up Nimi's."
Randhir laughed this time. "Fine. Do that. And then have dinner soon. Bye."
"Bye! Have fun!" She laughed and hung up.

"Riddhi?" Grace asked him as she neared him again.
"Yeah..." he smiled. Karan smiled at her too and then left. Randhir had no idea where he kept going. He hadn't left his chair even once the entire time. Sure, a few girls had asked him to join them on the dance floor but he had declined.
Randhir was bored. He wasn't even going to come if Lats and Karan hadn't bugged him so much. And Randhir had already told his friends that he would get back home as soon as possible.

"One shot please!" a voice called beside Randhir. He looked up to see Vidushi kneeling on the counter beside him.

She had no clue why her eyes kept darting to where he was sitting. No matter whom she was talking to, no matter what she was doing...
He was sitting there, the epitome of ease and confidence, sipping from his glass. He was wearing a plain light brown shirt with a darker jacket on and a pair of faded jeans. His hands were folded upto his elbows and his hair was the usual - tousled.
Sanyukta was really struggling with herself. She kept coaching herself not to look at him, and yet involuntarily, without even thinking about it, she would automatically glance over to where he was sitting every two minutes. Sanyukta was annoyed with herself and was just hoping that nobody else noticed it... she didn't want anyone to think she was some sort of creep. She was also grateful that he didn't ever look over at her again like he had the moment she had entered. Grateful... and disappointed.

Sanyukta berated herself, shook her head and focused on the people she was sitting with. They were sitting on one of those couches that were scattered around at the ends of the room. The music wasn't as loud there. They didn't have to shout in order to speak to each other.

"You look... amazing tonight Sanyukta."
Sanyukta looked up at Parth. He was looking at her with tenderness and admiration. She blushed a deep shade of red. "Thanks." She smiled. "You too." She told him and it was true. Parth was dressed in a light blue shirt with a buttoned up dark waistcoat with plain jeans. He had this whole guy next door thing going for him, which Sanyukta thought was quite endearing. And apparently a lot other girls too, as many had come up and asked him to have a drink or join them for a dance. Sanyukta looked at the dance floor, trying to find Tami who had rushed towards it with a few other girls. They were playing this song called High Heels, which she knew was Tami's favourite. Ela had disappeared with Vaibhav. She had no idea where they were or what they were doing... and she didn't want to know either. Meanwhile Grace had come upto her and they had talked about classes and complimented each other. She looked absolutely stunning in her pale blue flowy dress. They talked for a couple minutes until she received a phone call and had to go somewhere quieter to attend it.

Just then, on their own accord, her eyes drifted towards the counter where quite a few people were sitting... where Randhir was sitting. But unlike other times, Sanyukta couldn't remove her gaze within a second. Because this time... he had company with him... and it wasn't any of his friends. Randhir was talking to Vidushi. Randhir was sitting and leaning against the counter, with his back to it, his eyes on the dance floor, his elbows supporting behind him. Vidushi was standing. She leaning next to him, but in the opposite way. Her behind was jutting out towards everyone as she leaned on her elbows in front of her with a small glass in her hand. She was dressed in an incredibly short shimmering dress and had a flirtatious smile on her face. Randhir was saying something... but without looking at her. He kept speaking as his eyes scanned the room and suddenly landed on Sanyukta.
Letting out a gasp of air Sanyukta immediately looked down into her glass and its contents. She felt really embarrassed for being caught staring at him. Now he will probably think that that's what she has been doing the entire time. "Which you have..." a voice in her head told her. She frowned. He didn't need to know that. Without daring to look up again, she turned away. She saw Kaustukhi walk up to her... and her appearance distracted her. She was looking more different than ever. This gave her some peace of mind as she was happy that she wasn't the only one who had been subjected to a makeover. Kaustukhi's dress was short and figure hugging. It was a shimmering number, much like Vidushi's, but a couple shades darker. Her long hair was open and curled, her glasses missing. Sneha who was standing next to them raised her eyebrows and mocked her by asking her who she was. She smiled shyly and shrugged. Just then Sanyukta noticed a spectacled guy standing behind her. He was wearing a large full sleeved weird shirt, buttoned upto his collar and trousers which started a little too high from his waist. His pants were a 90's Bacchan style... getting wider from the knees to the ankles. Kaustukhi sat down next to Sanyukta. She quickly looked to her side at boy and then at her. "Sanyukta... this is Jignesh. Jignesh, Sanyukta." She said in her accented voice. The boy smiled broadly, adjusted his specs over his nose and bought a hand forward for Sanyukta to take. Sanyukta groaned internally. How was she going to reject the handshake without offending him? Parth instantly came to her rescue like always. He placed a drink in his outstretched hand. "Ye le." Jignesh was obviously distracted where Sanyukta muttered a meek "Hi." Trying to divert any attention from her she asked in a fake peppy voice, "Are you guys classmates?"
Jignesh replied to her, seeming quite excited that she was talking to him, "Roommates." He told her with a wide smile. "Me and Kaustukhi are classmates. Benchmates actually." He looked at her, his smile now touching his ears. Kautukhi smiled at him too and possibly blushed a little.
Okaaay. So that's what is keeping her busy these past couple of days. Sanyukta grinned at her knowingly. All their non-dancer friends were sitting with them chatting about various things. Drinking and eating stuff. Sanyukta already felt tired. She looked at the watch. 11:30. MCA's parties usually went on till 4 in the morning... but Sanyukta never made it past 12. She looked at the dance floor again and saw Tami dancing with Latika. Sanyukta couldn't help the smile which crept up her face. There was something about Latika which always amused her. Tonight, she was wearing jean shorts and a black top with silver stars on it. Even from a distance she could see all the accessories on her glowing in the dim light. She was dancing with both her friends. Ela had earlier told her that their names were Nikhil Oberoi and Karan Singhania. Both the guys were impeccably dressed and Sanyukta realized that the group of 4 was dancing at the center of the floor. Tami had been dancing since the moment she had stepped inside Zest. She loved dancing. She noticed the guy, Karan, lean over her and say something in her ear which made her laugh. Sanyukta's eyes narrowed. Only yesterday, she had seen him getting a little cosy with Vidushi at the party.

Sanyukta and the group of people sitting on their couch were having fun too. People were drinking, having fun, engaged in truth and dare... Sanyukta opted herself out of it. She knew how vicious some of her friends were. Just then Tami came up to them along with Latika, Karan and Nikhil. They all were heaving for breaths. Tamanna flopped down next to Sanyukta, fanning herself. "All this dancing is killing my feet." She said, as she took out her heels. "Come on Tami, I'm sure you are enjoying yourself. What with all the attention you're getting from so many boys." Chuckled Parth, who was sitting on the other side to Sanyukta. The news of Tami's breakup had reached the eager ears of a lot of guys and many had been trying to ask her out since then. Especially tonight. Tami gave them a smug smile. Latika then smiled and complimented Sanyukta, telling her how pretty she was looking. Before she could respond Latika spoke again. "Oh. Sanyukta, ye dono mere friends hai... Karan and Nikhil. Guys this is Sanyukta. She's my roommate." Both the guys smiled and nodded at her in acknowledgement. She smiled back. Ela and Tami were right. They were both extremely good looking guys. They started chatting with Parth, and Sanyukta got to know that they too were roommates.
Tami got up then to get some food for herself when Karan occupied her space sitting down next to Sanyukta with a thump. Sanyukta felt herself stiffen immediately. Though there was alright distance between them, Sanyukta couldn't help but feel paranoid.

"Can you pass me that?" he asked, pointing to a glass on the table. Sanyukta nodded and then picked up the glass, placing it near him... but not handing it to him, avoiding contact. He gave her a funny look and Sanyukta shifted uncomfortably on the couch. Here it goes... she thought. She was making a fool of herself and he was about to point it out.
"So, are you going out with Parth?" he asked her. Sanyukta's eyes widened. Talk about being direct...
"What! No... we are friends." Parth wasn't sitting next to her right then, Thank God.
"Good. Come on let's dance then." He said, his eyes twinkling mischievously. Sanyukta gulped.
"Erm... I don't dance." She said.
Karan laughed at her uncomfortable expression. "Relax Sanyukta. I know... you don't have to."
"You know?" It felt weird for him to use her name when they didn't even know each other.
"Yeah... you don't look the dancer type." He stated.
Sanyukta frowned at him. "Excuse me? Type?"
"Yeah..." he shrugged nonchalantly. He was really beginning to annoy her.
"Then I'm probably not the type you flirt with either." Sanyukta narrowed her eyes at him.
Karan laughed again. It was a happy sound. "You must be a keyboard... because you are totally my type." He smirked at her.
Despite herself, Sanyukta laughed. "Was that supposed to be a pick up line?"
"Yeah... did it work?" he asked her, his smile still in place.
"Okay... that was the worst pick up line I've ever heard." She chuckled at him. His smile broadened. The wariness Sanyukta had felt initially drifted off. She no longer felt awkward with this guy. He was funny and charming and though he was a big flirt... Sanyukta realized that he was harmless, much like her friend Adi. And it felt nice... for once to just be like a normal, careless girl... have conversations with random good looking strangers at a party.
"Oh yeah? What's a good pick up line according to you?"
Sanyukta laughed and shook her head. "Oh no... I don't- I don't know."
"Come on... one pick up line?" he says, adjusting himself on the couch so he could face her properly. She stiffened again for a moment... but when he stayed where he was, she relaxed.
"Umm... okay, I have one." Sanyukta smiled nervously.
"Go on..." he urged her, smiling at her kindly. He did have a very cute smile.
"So... did they name a hurricane after you?"
He raised her eyebrows.
"...Because you are surely blowing me away." She concluded and smiled rather smugly when she saw his pleasantly surprised expression.
"Okay... that was really cool! I should note that down." he exclaimed.

He was about to say something else when Sanyukta suddenly saw Grace and her smile dropped. His eyes followed hers. Grace was pushing across people down the hall and heading towards them in a hurry. Her face was scrunched up in worry and she looked like she was about to cry. Something was terribly wrong. Within seconds she was rushing towards them. Sanyukta and Karan weren't the only ones who had noticed her. Latika and Nick immediately stepped forward in worry meeting her before she neared the table in front of their couch.
"Guys jaldi chalo please... its Randhir." She said, her voice high pitched and her words fast and unclear in panic. Sanyukta's heart began hammering in her chest. What happened? What's wrong with him? She stood up and so did Parth and Tami. Parth reached them and asked tentatively "Is everything alright?" Grace shook her head in a no and then repeated again "Guys please. Hurry. He's over there." she said pointing somewhere behind Sanyukta. She turned quickly.

She couldn't see him. But she saw a crowd of about 20 people standing nearby the counter. Without wasting another second all the people on the couch moved towards the scene of commotion. Sanyukta's footsteps carried her fast, but she wasn't tall enough to look inside the circle and had to move past the people to see exactly what the hell was happening. And then she finally saw him.

Randhir was standing right in front of her. His eyes looked darker than ever, his nostrils flaring. The expression on his face was murderous. He was standing close to Adi, glowering at him. Sanyukta eyebrows scrunched in nervousness. He then spoke through gritted teeth. The music was still loud and Sanyukta couldn't hear a thing. Adi looked really angry too. He told him something too and so fast that Sanyukta didn't even see the movement Randhir's hands were on Adi's collar in a death grip. He looked at him so menacingly that goose bumps erupted at the back of Sanyukta's neck. She realized that Karan and Nick, both, were on Randhir's side now trying to calm him down.

What was with guys? Was it some kind of bro code to always fight at parties. Only at last night's party there was that huge fight... and now these two.

Someone had stopped the music. Every person in the club was now standing around the counter, staring at the two guys. Even people from the makeout sessions on the first floor were descending down to see what was happening. Everything was eerily calm until an amused voice spoke. "This is gonna be awesome."
Then someone else hollered from the crowd, "FIGHT!"
"I hope Randhawa gets his ass kicked..."
"My bet's on Shekhawat."
"I've seen Randhawa... he can be pack a punch when he wants..."

Karan shouted then, "Cut it out Randhir. Stop." Randhir was still clutching Adi by his collar and shaking him up by it while mouthing things in such a low voice than even after straining to hear, Sanyukta couldn't make out a word. Adi was holding onto Randhir's collar too, but his knuckles were loose. His eyes were drooping. Belatedly Sanyukta realized that he was drunk.
Finally after a little help from Parth, Sahil, Vaibhav... the two guys let go each other. Randhir shrugged out Karan and Nikhil's with a jerk, and without even a glance at anyone, he left the place. Grace began following him when Karan held her hand, shaking her head. There was complete silence for the next 5 seconds until aloud booming sound from the speakers made Sanyukta jump. People started dissipating from the scene and back to the dance floor. Parth and Sahil bought Adi forward towards them, who looked like he was sleep walking with his half-closed eyes and mutters under breath.
"He's totally wasted." Veer said. And as the words left his mouth, Sanyukta smelled the disgusting smell of liquor off Adi. He was being held by Aayush and Vaibhav for him to be upright.
"Where's Niketan?" Ela asked.
"Probably wasted. Just like him." Sahil answered, scowling at Adi.
Niketan was Adi's best buddy. From getting drunk to attending detentions, the two guys mostly did everything together. Where was his friend then, when he needed him?
"Niketan's nowhere in sight. I guess one of us will have to drop him off home. If he got caught or something..." Aayush said.
None of the people present there were legal. Underage drinking was quite common in MCA. But only because nobody had ever been caught... yet.

"I'll go then. He doesn't need any more trouble than he is already into." Parth said, digging his pocket for his car keys. He had a Minors' License.
"Theek se jaana." Sanyukta told him as he began leaving.
"I'll be back in 30 minutes. His house isn't far." He told her, smiling.


"Where were you all the time?" Sanyukta asked Ela once they were all seated on their couch and things had returned to normal.
"With Vaibhav." Ela said without meeting her eye.
Sanyukta stilled. "Do I want to know?" she asked her doubtfully.
Ela rolled her eyes then. "We were just dancing, Sanyu." Sanyukta nodded, relieved.
Tami chuckled then. "Yeah, I saw you guys. That wasn't dancing. That was feeling each other up in the corner of the dance floor."
Sanyukta spluttered on her coke. Ela slapped her arm, her expression angry. "I'm sure Sanyukta ne dekha hota toh usse heart attack aa jaata." She said, seeming pleased by Ela and Sanyukta's reactions. Ishika, Tanvi, Aayush, Veer, Sahil , Priyanka, Sneha, were all back on the dance floor. Karan, Latika, Grace and Nikhil were nowhere to be seen. She felt slightly worried for Randhir... Kaustukhi left for her home early, Jignesh leaving with her. She smiled at the thought of those two. They sure looked cute together.

Suddenly they heard a loud whooping noise from the corner. Vidushi was standing on one of the ping pong tables at the far corner of the room, dancing like it was her last time doing it. A group of people below were cheering her on and dancing to the beats themselves. Sanyukta rolled her eyes. This happened at almost every party. She saw Ela looking over at drunk Vidushi in disgust.
Sanyukta's attention landed on Tami's drink. "Tami...you are drinking." She told her pointing out her glass. "Yeah." She said casually and continued tapping her foot to the rhythm of the song. When Sanyukta kept looking at her with her eyebrows raised she finally looked back at her. "Come on Sanyu! This is social drinking. Look at everyone else." Sanyukta looked at everyone's glasses. Most of them had the glasses filled with the same kind of drinks. "But Tami-"
"Before you start... this is beer. It doesn't give you a high."
"It has alcohol. And alcohol isn't good for y-"
"I told you. I'm a social drinker." She shrugged.
"Well, it wouldn't be long enough when the social part slips off it."
The two girls looked at each other disapprovingly for a minute, until finally Tami sighed.
"You won't drop this, will you?"
"Not ever." Sanyukta smiled triumphantly. Tami pursed her lips and put down the glass.

Sanyukta smiled at her again. And Tami scowled at her. Just then Pranay, their classmate came up to them. "Tami... you away from the dance floor?" Come on!" he said as he pulled her up. Vaibhav then came up and sat down next to Ela. They held hands and soon Sanyukta began feeling slightly uncomfortable. She wanted to give them their space. She looked around. Grace was back and being dragged on the floor by Tanvi and Priyanka. By this time in any party almost everyone ended up on the dance floor. Usually only Parth remained to keep her company on the couch, he was always the one helping everyone when they got drunk and started puking away. But as he had still not returned, she was pretty much on her own. She got up and made an excuse to Ela saying something about getting some snacks, which she was sure she didn't even hear. She was on her way to the food counter, making her way carefully, avoiding any contact with any guy when she felt her phone vibrate in her clutch. She went to the corner of the room where both the volume and the crowd was less and where she could detect some signal. Fumbling with her bag, she quickly took out her cell phone. Maa. She made a face. This wasn't going to be good.
"Haan Maa."
"Kahan hai tu?" her mom asked her, and from the tone of her voice Sanyukta could make out that she already knew the answer.
"Party." She kept it simple and to the point.
There was a pause for a moment. "Sanyu maine tujhe kitni baar mana kiya hai-"
"Maa please..." Sanyukta groaned. How many times were they going to have the same discussion.
"Don't 'Maa please' me Sanyukta. How many times do I have to tell-"
"Exactly Maa, how many times?"
"Sanyukta..."
"Maa... dekho. Na maine Drink kiya hai, na ladko ke saath dance, na hi kisi drunkard se baat. Mujhe pata hai ki mere liye kya sahi hai aur kya galat..."
"Sanyukta... tu jaanti hai... that you aren't like any other girl. You have problems. Problems which go deep into your-"
"I know that." Yes, she was different... Abnormal. Yes, she knew that. No, she didn't like being reminded of it. Even by her own mother.
"Aur tere wo dono dost..."
Sanyukta groaned again. Sanyukta's mother wasn't very fond of Sanyukta's best friends Ela or Tami.
Sanyukta mother sighed. "Listen Sanyu... We aren't like your friends or their families. Unlike them, you don't have a set of parents. You have only me. And I don't earn as much as any of your friend's mom or dad..."
"Maa... I know. I know that." Sanyukta repeated herself and shut her eyes in despair.
"Really? Toh tu iss tarah clubs aur pubs me jaake party kyun kar rhi hai? Hamare paas itne paise nhi hai ki tu iss tarah aish-"
"Mere khud ka ek paisa nhi laga hai. Ye club Niketan ke dad ka hai. Aur isiliye hamare entry cards aur khaane peene ka kharcha sab free hai." Sanyukta told her mom harshly.
"Niketan Verma? Tu uss ladke ke saath hai? Tujhe pata hai wo kaisa ladka hai? Maine bahot kuch suna hai uske baare me. Sneha ki mom bol rahi thi-"
"Maa mujhe jaana hai.. Main tumse baad me baat karungi. Please take care. So jaao bahot der ho gyi hai-"
"Exactly. Bahot der ho gyi hai... I can't sleep when I know my daughter is at a party at this time, in a club with a bunch of morons who-"
"Don't worry about me. Main apna dhyaan rakhungi. Bye." With that she hung up.

She knew she would face trouble for this. But this just wasn't done. Yes, Sanyukta did understand her mom's concern. She lived alone... with her only daughter living thousand miles away from her in an environment and atmosphere that she thought was too forward. Yes, Sanyukta knew that her mom was bound to be worried. And it was only natural of her to feel protective about her daughter. But wasn't she supposed to have a normal social life? Wasn't she allowed to have fun like every other 17 year old girl? Maybe she was harsh with her mother... but at that time, she wasn't going to accept her rules and restrictions and sit locked up in a room, while the entire school, including all her friends, were together, enjoying themselves. She didn't want to be alone. Left out. She was way too familiar with that feeling and hated it way too much to want to experience it once again.

She turned to her side and saw the staircase. Sudden inspiration came to her. She knew there was a sort of balcony on the first floor of the club. She ascended the stairs, carefully keeping in mind the pumps. The first floor was a lot less illuminated than the ground and which is why, Sanyukta realized, it was the ideal make out zone. Even on the stairs there were couples who were holding hands. Once she landed on the first floor and looked around, she understood why the ground floor looked less packed, when supposedly the entire college body of MCA along with other school invites were present. Half of the people were here. With their significant other. Talking. Holding hands. Hugging. Making out. She blushed in embarrassment and tried to not stare at any one couple in particular. It wasn't like she hadn't ever seen anyone kiss before. People kissed in front of her all the time. But the fact that she hadn't ever done it herself, made it a big deal and always managed to mortify her. She felt slightly disgusted and nauseous. She knew none of them had even noticed her. They were all... busy. With her footsteps quick, she moved inside to locate the balcony and easily found it. It was at the far end of the corridor. A light breeze flew towards her and she moved forward again. She was cautious though... she didn't want to... interrupt anyone. But to her surprise it was empty. Not a single couple in sight. Perhaps it was too... exposing.

Leaving the thought behind, she moved in a step further. The cool air, which for once didn't belong to an air conditioner, felt really nice. She watched the night sky. It was actually beautiful. Numerous stars twinkled like diamonds in between clouds, bringing a smile on her face. She didn't dare close in on the railing of the balcony. She was very well aware of her aversion to heights and didn't need a hyperventilation session right then. After all the noise and crowd downstairs, the silence and the solitude felt so, so good. Funny, when only just a second back she had been thinking about not wanting to be alone. But this was different. This wasn't alone. This was spending a stolen moment with herself. She was about to start singing, when suddenly, a movement in her periphery made her jump in fright. She clutched a hand over her heart and tried to slow down its pace.
"Hey." Said the guy. He was incredibly tall, lanky and had dark curly hair and big black eyes. She hadn't ever seen him.
"Err... Hi." She said and then turned to the front not wanting to have a conversation with him.
"I'm Lucky." He said scanning her from top to bottom in a very sleazy manner. When his eyes reached hers back again he said, "From Notre Dame Academy." Sanyukta gave him a slight nod. Though MCA and NDA were big time rivals, many students from both the schools knew each other and often hanged out.
"What's your name?" he asked her.
"Sanyukta."
"Sanyuktaaa..." he drawled.
She hid a shudder.
"What are you doing up here babes?" If she hadn't mistaken, his voice sounded a little slurred. Hearing warning bells in her head she quickly replied a "Nothing." And started to turn around.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Where are you going?" He said and blocked her way.
Sanyukta's heart plummeted and her eyes grew wide. Trying not to sound so panicked she modulated her voice and spoke "I need to get downstairs. Nice to meet you." She moved to her left but the guy blocked her again. "What's the hurry. You can tell your guy to wait." He slurred again.
Sanyukta calculated the possibilities of running. There was a crowd full of sane people, her friends downstairs. There were people right outside the door. She could scream and someone would surely hear it. So she wasn't in mortal danger here. But that didn't relieve her. What if he grabbed her? Touched her. No...
"Yeah... I'm sure he will understand. And then we can... you know... carry on. You can actually make me 'lucky' tonight." He sneered at her, making her skin crawl.
She took an alarming step back.
"Ow, baby, don't be like that. Come here. I'm telling you... it's gonna be a lot of fun." He approached her. Sanyukta knew that this was the time to make a run for it. Or at least scream. But what if he tried to shut her up by touching her? In that moment she was immobile, helpless. She kept stepping back until her spine hit the railing of the balcony and soon he was towering over her.
"So, Sanyuktaaa..."

And then it happened. Without warning both his hands came up and held her by her upper arms.

Immediately the images and memories of that fateful day started coming to her. <flash> His hands running over her arms. <flash> His hands touching her neck. <flash> His hands running in her hair...

She gasped loudly and started shivering involuntarily. Her face covered in sweat and tears. His hands were moving across her arms around her neck, trying to pull her face to his.
"No... please. Leave... leave me." She tried speaking, heaving in between the memories that seem to flow relentlessly. Her memories were... Like a dam... which had been broken... like all the water was swallowing her. Like she was drowning. She tried surfacing again.

"Please... don't."
He was saying something now in her ear as he continued holding her. But she couldn't hear. She was drowning... and falling. And hurting. All at the same time. His hands were like iron bars on her arms. And really, all he was doing was holding her and talking to her. But it was too much. The memories were too much.

"I think the girl just said no." a cold, angry voice said from somewhere near. Suddenly all the memories vanished. The flashes automatically stopped and she was back in the present.
Stunned, she looked up to see none other than Randhir Singh Shekhawat looking at Lucky like he was about to punch him. And that is exactly what he did. He didn't even give the guy a chance to open his mouth before he brought his fist back and punched the guy full in the face.
Straight at his jaw.
The guy staggered back and hit the ground to the side... and then stayed there. Randhir moved forward, towards him, a look of pure murder on his face. His body was tense, his jaw locked tightly. Right then he was the scariest guy in the place.
But still, not as scary as the guy on the ground.
He was her saviour. He had saved her, not only from the guy... but also from reliving those memories.
The guy on the ground groaned loudly and his eyes repeatedly fluttered. There was no blood... but one could clearly see the red, blotchy imprint of Randhir's knuckles on his face.
At his sound, Randhir's eyes flashed and suddenly he kicked the guy on his side. Sanyukta gasped loudly and spoke as clearly as possible. "Randhir, stop!"
His eyes finally met hers and he searched her face, trying to find something.
Lucky was now trying to sit up and was crouching on the ground.
Randhir looked back at him, and yet again his eyes flashed dangerously. He bought back his fist yet again, preparing to hit him, when the guy groaned.
"Please... please don't." he tried speaking, but the words came out unclear.
Randhir was towering over him now. "Isn't that what she told you?" he shouted. The guy whimpered again. Randhir let out a disgusted sound. "Don't you dare to try and take advantage of any girl ever again. Do you understand?" he shouts.

Sanyukta was still looking at the guy on the floor, when Randhir finally turned to her. His eyes ran down her body, not lingering in a way of checking her out or making her uncomfortable, but seeing if she was okay.
He was making sure the guy didn't do any damage.
Sanyukta folded her arms over her chest, very embarrassed over the whole situation. Discreetly, she tried wiping her face, when tears stung her eyes again, unwillingly. She looked down at her feet unable to meet his eyes for the first time.
"Chalo." He said and began moving. Sanyukta moved too and followed him out of the balcony.
Suddenly he stopped, turned and looked at her again for a second. Then while looking downstairs he took off his jacket and without any warning reached his hands behind her and adjusted it on her shoulders.
An involuntary gasp escaped Sanyukta. His fingers on her shoulders froze.
Sanyukta panicked waiting for the flashes to return...
But none came.
Sanyukta's eyes met his and widened in shock. Why wasn't she panicking? Why didn't those images flash in her mind again? Why wasn't she shivering and shaking and sweating and crying? Why did his touch feel so different than Lucky's, or any other guy's for that matter. Could he...?

"Are you okay?" Randhir asked her, while both his hands were still on her shoulders. Sanyukta was still in shock. It had been so long that something like this had happened. Only Parth could touch her. And he was one of his best friends. His childhood friend. How could this guy, she didn't know anything about... How could he touch her without making her feel violated? Without making her feel like being used?
His touch was so different than any other guy's touch. Randhir's hands on her gave her the strangest sense of comfort and security. He kept looking at her, waiting for a response when his eyes darted to her shoulders and he realized that he was still holding her. He quickly removed his hands, letting the jacket stay and cleared his throat.
"Sorry." He muttered without looking at her. Sanyukta could tell that the knowledge of Sanyukta's aversion to male touch hadn't reached him yet. To him she was a normal girl. The thought gave her a weird satisfaction. She looked at him and saw his eyes on her.
"Tum...? Tum theek ho?" he asked her again doubtfully.
Sanyukta nodded while swallowing soundly.
He nodded too. "Do you want to stay...?" he asked her. His tone told her that he already knew her answer.
Sanyukta shook her head. He nodded then. "Come on." He said and then stood side ways so she could walk down the stairs. Faint realization dawned on her that a lot of people on the first floor were looking at the two of them curiously. But she didn't care. This was fine. She was safe. She could feel it.
She adjusted the jacket on her shoulders and slowly, carefully descended down the stairs. She could smell a clean, musky, masculine and homey smell emanating from the jacket which made warmth spread inside her. She could feel him walking closely behind, just a stair above her. When they landed, they were immediately engulfed in faint darkness and a mad crowd. People were dancing everywhere having a crazy time. It felt funny that none of them even had wind of what had just happened on a floor above them.

They were trying to make their way out of the crowd, when suddenly, Sanyukta felt Randhir's hand at the small of her back. She jumped slightly at the contact again, fearing the images and flashes.
But to her relief, she experienced none. He was trying to help her weave out of the crowd. With his hand pressed at the end of her back, everything became easier. They were out of the club in seconds and walking down the parking area. He had removed his hand the second they stepped out and began walking ahead. There was this absolutely huge white car shining in the darkness of the night. It was an Audi A4. Sanyukta had no knowledge about cars but she could read the sign behind. And an Audi was for someone freakkin' rich and sophisticated... that she knew. Randhir digged his pockets and pulled out the keys and unlocked the car with its remote lock. He opened the passenger door for her and she walked towards it and sat down clumsily. She could hear Randhir's footsteps walking on the other side of the car and then getting inside.
"Seatbelt." He said while pushing the key in the ignition.
Sanyukta clicked it on her side and then as the car jerked to life, she looked at the watch on her wrist. 1:30. She sighed.
What a night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yipeee m d frst to cment...😆