Chapter 6
Planet Earth's Name Has Officially Changed Into Planet Smirk
My eyes were red and puffy from crying. After getting back, I ran up straight to my room, letting Neil explain everything to Mum. I checked up on her once, just to see that she was crying but then she composed herself. She had handled the news better than me but I knew how hurt she was. What kind of a woman doesn't get hurt when she comes to know that her husband had been cheating on her and beating her own son? The curtain of my windows were drawn so I couldn't see Virat's room. Not that I wanted to, anyway.
I changed into one of Neil's huge shirts and my pyjamas to sleep. Laying down on the bed and hugging the pillow, I let my mind drift off to what had happened. The tears started blurring my vision again but I forced them back. Getting up, I made my way to Neil's room which was just beside mine. I knocked, waiting for his reply.
"Come in!" He shouted from inside. Opening the door, I glanced at his room. It wasn't exactly a neat room. The walls were painted dark blue, a lot like mine but the shade was darker and his had white moons rather than stars. Ha! Mum's choice. Neil was standing there with nothing but his boxers. I rolled my eyes.
"Why do you guys sleep half naked?" I asked, frustrated but only got a smirk for a reply. Though it didn't reach his eyes. I settled down on the carpeted floor, resting my head on the bed. Neil adjusted himself beside me.
"Are you alright now?" He asked, breaking the silence. I looked at his concerned face and nodded once, sighing.
"I'm sorry for reacting that way. It's just... I couldn't believe it and it broke my heart to know that you endured so much for us," I said, my voice gentle and wrapping my arms around his neck. He responded to the hug, rubbing my back to calm me down. Pulling away, he wiped away the tears that had fallen.
"It's okay now. What happened, happened. You can't change it and I can't either. So, no use crying about it," he replied, softly. "I'm glad that man left. We're better off without him."
"Hmm... I've been a terrible sister. I should've asked you how you got hurt but I was dumb enough to let it go. I'm so sorry."
"Stop saying sorry for something you haven't done! And even if you would've asked, I would've lied to you anyway." I hugged him again. Pulling back, I noticed he was rolling his eyes.
"What?" I asked, impatiently.
"Don't you go all sissy sissy on me. We're better off as the fighting siblings than get all mushy," he said, fake shivering. I hit him on the chest but broke out laughing.
"You're right." I replied. "By the way, I got selected for the band." His broke into a huge grin.
"I knew you would do it!"
"Whatever. Don't know how I'm going to play, though," I said, the seriousness coming back.
"You honestly care about that? Show that idiot that it wasn't his teaching that made you brilliant in guitar. He may have taught you but it's you who got this far. Stop thinking about him. He's not worth our worries, okay? Now come one, I'll leave you to your room. You still have to go to school tomorrow, remember?"
I groaned, getting up and opening the door. As soon as we reached my room, Neil walked over and went to the window to get a look. "Wow, you really get a view of Virat's room then?" His voice was full of amuse ment and as he turned to me, I saw a sly grin on his lips, his eyebrows raised.
"So? It's not like I peek. In fact, I'm having doubts about you. You're the one peeking, not me." I smirked at him, making him cringe.
"Ew. Disgusting!" He exclaimed, scrunching is nose in disgust. I laughed, lying flat on my bed. "Anyway, goodnight Em." Neil was just about to open the door when I stopped him.
"Nee-Nee, can you stay with me for the night, please?" I asked making a puppy dog face. I missed this bonding between us. It had been months since we even shared a proper time with each other. After what he told us, I didn't like the feeling of letting him go again. The thought o losing him, scared me out of my wits. We may fight, but I love him so much. He's a brother no one can ever have and I'm lucky to have him with me. Dad could've done anything to him... maybe he wouldn't even be here if Dad would've crossed his limits. I shuddered at the thought.
Neil sighed, nodding and getting up on the bed beside me. I broke into a smile and rested my hand on his torso. "I don't want to lose you. Ever!" I whispered to him.
"I know and neither do I. Now sleep... you never wake up in the morning," he replied, giving me a peck on my forehead. I took in his smell and closed my eyes, smiling to myself.
* * * *
"I swear if you're not going to wake up, I'm going to pour a whole bucket of water on you," Neil threatened. I rolled my eyes and got up. He blinked at me, astonished. "You've never woken up this early before. What has happened to you?" I just shrugged in response. I was never enthusiastic to go to school. Today, however, was a different scenario.
After getting dresses in jeans and a top, I got down the stairs and made my way to the kitchen. Mum was sitting there as usual, reading he newspaper and patting Imagine with her free had, absentmindedly. "Hey, Mum," I said, giving her a kiss on her cheek.
"What are you doing here so early?" Mum asked, pretty shocked. See? Everyone thinks I'm not capable of waking up this early. I smiled smugly. "Tell me, is it the excitement of meeting someone?" She smirked, wiggling her eyebrows. I almost choked on my cereal.
"Mum, why would I be excited to 'meet someone'?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. She laughed. "I don't know. Maybe Virat?"
I groaned. "I'm so not talking to you. Why the heck would I be excited to meet him? HIM of all people!"
"He's not that bad, you know?" She replied, taking a sip of her coffee. "I mean even though his reputation isn't so good. Anyway, Neil told me you got selected as the lead guitarist? When did you even plan to tell me?" She smiled.
"I completely forgot. And no, he is bad. You know nothing about him."
"Come on, Maanvi. We have to go now!" Neil shouted, walking over to us. I nodded, following him to the door, after giving Imagine a hug. "I've got football practice today, so why don't you ask Sophie to drop you?"
"Nah! Band practice today, remember? It's not going to be too long because it's the first practice. So, I'll be there in the field." Opening the door of the car, I got inside, taking in a deep breath.
Before I could say something else, there was a tap on the window. I looked up to see Virat standing there with a smirk. Okay, I'm done. I've had enough of the smirks to last me a lifetime. It's safe to say that Planet Earth's name has officially changed into Planet Smirk. "What is it?" I asked, opening the window.
"Can't I say good morning?" He smirked. He wanted to say 'good morning' to me? I was about to reply when he cut me off. "Good morning, Neil!" Okay, that was rude. First, making me think that he was saying it to me and then when I was about to reply, he 'greeted' Neil instead?
My brother-dearest laughed looking at my expression and Virat joined in. "So much for having a 'good morning'," I muttered.
* * * *
"I can't believe you guys!" I shouted. "I mean a One Direction song? Are you freaking kidding me?!"
Okay, here's what happened. I headed for the music room for the band practice and those stupid band members thought of giving me a surprise by telling me that we're going to practice a song by my favourite band - One Direction. Oh yeah, I'm so lucky! Please do note the heavy use of sarcasm.
"But Maanvi, all the girls love One Direction. People love that band so they'll love us if we play their song!" Liam argued. Oh acting as if he was the leader now, was he?
"I don't give a damn about fan followers. If we want people to actually love us... we need to play what defines us. And 1D songs don't define me or Sophie. So, thank you for the offer! We appreciate it that you called us but I would rather leave than play 'their' song."
I expected Liam to argue back. He sighed, shaking his head. "You know what? You're right. I don't know what came over us. So what should we go for...? The Beatles, Led Zeppelin?"
I smirked, "Stairway to Heaven it is..."
* * * *
To say the least, I was exhausted. Really exhausted. Who thought that playing guitar would be tiring? But well, who was I kidding? Liam, being the git he is, insisted upon practicing continuously for 2 whole hours! Continuously, without a single break or even a drop of water. Really?
And to think I had to go to the football field to watch the guys practice. Oh I so wanted my own car! I guess I could eat something from Neil's bag... he always had chocolates there.
I reached the field, taking in everything in front of me. The guys were playing, shirtless, sweat beading their whole body. I cringed at the sight... of course they all looked drool worthy with the six packs but sweat? No, I need to throw up soon. My eyes darted to the bleachers where a few of the girls were giggling. Bleachers, where the annoying girls were, or, the grass? Where should I sit? The grass, of course. Rolling my eyes, I sat down on the grass, spotting Neil's bag and taking out a Hershey's Bar.
"Stealing, Peaches?" The all too annoying voice called out from behind me. Just when I thought I would find some peace, this annoying jerk had to show up. I turned to look at him and resisted the urge to gape. He was shirtless as well but definitely better than anyone else up there. His muscles looked amazing on him and for the first time I didn't feel like puking because of sweat. I quickly averted my gaze, as I realized that I had been staring. Heat rushed up to my cheeks and I hoped he didn't notice. I looked up again, his chocolate brown eyes gazing back and lips twitched into the famous smirk. I rolled my eyes, probably for the 100th time. Yes, I do that a lot.
"Actually, taking out something to eat from my brother's bag doesn't count as stealing," I replied, glad my voice didn't come out weird. He still had that smirk and I wanted to punch him straight away. "You know those smirks annoy me a lot?"
"Ouch, that hurt, Peaches," he said, putting his hand above his heart. "Well, I don't think you even mind it, considering you were checking me out just now." He sat beside me and I felt my heartbeat quicken. Great. To hell with him. I could feel my cheeks getting more scarlet by the second.
I scoffed, glaring at him. "I was not checking you out."
"Were too."
"Was not."
"Were too."
"Was so not."
"Whatever. You and I both know the truth. So, no point in arguing," he said, running his hand through his hair, giving me 'the' smirk.
"Can I ask you something, Jock?" I asked, cocking my head towards him. He nodded his head, signalling me to go on. "Why are you suddenly after me? It's not like there aren't thousands of girls. They're pretty, I'm not. They're popular, I'm not. So... why this sudden interest in me?"
He looked at me, as if deep in thoughts. I was waiting for his answer patiently, but all he did was shrug in response. I groaned. "There has to be a reason, you doofus. Come on spill the beans."
"There are no beans to spill. My sudden interest in you? I don't know. Has anyone ever told you that you're something else? I mean you're not like other girls." He was smiling at me now, making butterflies flutter inside my stomach. Okay, what the hell? First of all, what was 'something else'? Second, what's up with my stomach?
"Please elaborate 'something else'. I'm curious to know."
"Curiosity killed the cat. All you need to know is it was a complement," he said. He got up, brushing away the dirt from his pants and walked away not before giving me a wink.
However, I wasn't really paying attention to my surroundings much now and did not bother to reply after he gave me a wink. His smile was still stuck in my mind. How many times did people see him smile? I knew it was a genuine smile and oh the way his dimples showed up. God... his dimples are to die for. If I would've been standing then, I would've fallen down because my knees would have gone weak. It's strange how a person you hate... oh okay - Dislike not Hate.. can have that effect on you. But I know why it was happening. He was handsome and I'm a teenager for god's sake so it's only natural that I behaved like one. You may not believe that I can be like other girls but who are you kidding me? I'm a girl so I do act like a girl and those girly things happen to me too. So yes, I was just being a girl. And that's why my stomach reacted that way and the butterflies fluttered inside. That's why his touch sent sparks to my body. I was being a girl. But... no there was no way I liked him or was falling for him. Because that's just impossible. Not too mention, it was so cliche - the good girl falling for the bad boy. And I hate cliche stuff.
No, it was not happening. Never ever.
* * * *
Author's Note
Hey,
Thank you for the comments :) They really make my day.
Now, no offense to the One Direction fans. I didn't mean to insult them. It's just that I'm not a fan and neither is Maanvi :P
I also changed the cover. It's on the first page :) What do you think? I suck at it so all I do is find a picture, add text and a few effects.
Sorry for any grammatical errors or typos.
Take care!
Love,
Stella
Bindi
Udne Ki Aasha
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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