FF: WHO AM I? BOOK 1 complete - Page 78

The next day was a not-so-sunny Sunday. Pia spent most of it in Dhruv's rented quarters, practicing her manipulation of the elements, and looking up more spells which would help her to defend herself. The forest was out of the question for practice, and she was using the spare room while Dhruv sometimes came to watch for brief spaces of time. She would not tell Dhruv anything- it was useless to make him afraid.

She left at around 5 o'clock in the evening.

Sitting with her books, revising 50 ways of Disguising ,Truman's Defenses and Spotting Magickal Creatures, Pia was surprised when someone snatched them away from her nose. Head up, ready with a sharp retort, Pia was surprised to see Dhruv in front of her. He picked up one of the books in his hand. "What are doing with your course books on a Sunday?" he queried, and Pia was once again thankful for the charm which made the books resemble normal human books, when Anvesha entered.

"Because she's Pia!" she answered happily, half-bouncing.

"Give that back," said Pia snatching away her books and locking them in her almirah.

Remembering that she was supposed to be friendly, she managed a smile. "What are you doing here?"

"We," said Dhruv, opening her wardrobe, "are taking you shopping. Anvesha has been telling me that you don't wear dressy things. You need new dresses."

"No!" snapped Pia. "I do not!"

"I wouldn't be so vehement," said another voice. Pia spun around : Abhay was leaning against the doorway, looking calm and unruffled.

Anvesha turned, grinning at him. "Cute couple, aren't they? The guy is forcing the girl to go shopping." She laughed, and Dhruv smirked. "Come on, Pia," he said, tugging her gently.

Resigned, Pia agreed.

Next day(Monday):

"Come on, tap-dance, nerd!" called out T and P, laughing raucously at Adhiraj , who fumbled with words before making a few awkward steps, so that the entire college was laughing at him.

"No, I'm sorry, that's enough," muttered Anvesha furiously. Kicking aside her chair, she strode forward, as Pia hesitated, then followed, not noticing Misha, Kabir and Jeh , who had just reached the college, staring at her. Nor did she notice Abhay frowning behind her.

"Having a lovely time, bimbos?" called Anvesha sweetly. The whole canteen fell silent, as everyone stared at her. When she had everyone's attention, she spoke again. "I thought Adhiraj was not a fresher?" she asked, still in that dangerous sugar voice. "Oh come on, Raichand, you know he's the nerdiest kid around here, have you seen anyone who looks so boring?" said T, as P tittered loudly. Pia felt sick.

"Why don't you look in the mirror sometime, T, you might see someone much worse," she snapped, unable to keep quiet. "Yeah, or buy glasses," cut in Anvesha, sending Pia a grateful look.

Poor Adhiraj looked quite confused as he looked at them, as though nobody had ever defended him before.

"Adhiraj, mind joining us?" said Anvesha, taking advantage of the silence in the college.

She shook his hand. "Anvesha Raichand."

Adhiraj came over, looking extremely awkward. Pia looked at him, and held out her hand- when all of a sudden , it hit her. She couldn't sense his feelings. She stared at him, wondering what was going on.

"This is Pia Jaiswal," she heard Anvesha say as though from afar. "This is Dhruv- you know him, and this is my brother Abhay."

"Oh- I mean, nice to meet you," said Adhiraj awkwardly.

Abhay looked at him disparagingly, but said nothing else.

Pia's eyes were screwed up as she tried yet again to sense his feelings. Nothing. It could be nothing of course. Some humans did learn to hide their mental activities. Others were simply gifted that way. But it was the first time she'd ever met such a human.

"Pia, remember what you had to do today?" said Dhruv quietly.

Pia looked up. "Yes," she said quietly, and walked over to where Misha was standing with Jeh and Kabir. She cleared her throat. "Hi, Pia," said Jeh smiling encouragingly at her. Misha and Kabir stared at him in surprise. "Hi Jeh," said Pia hesitantly. "Hi Misha."

There was a silence. Misha and Pia stared at each other.

"I- " began Pia, and then took a deep breath and continued. "I'm sorry, Misha. I mean, I'm really sorry. I- uh- wasn't in the best of spirits, and I'm sorry I took it out on you'.I'm sorry." She paused before she could start rambling.

Misha was staring at her as though she'd sprouted two horns.

"So, I mean'.That's all I wanted to say," finished Pia awkwardly.

Misha's mouth opened.

"You mean- we can be friends?" she said, speaking very slowly and clearly.

"I-yes, I mean if you don't want to, that's fine," Pia started to say but before she could complete the sentence, Misha had launched herself at Pia and given her a bone-crushing hug.

"Misha- you're strangling me," said Pia weakly, while Jeh chuckled softly behind.

Misha let go of Pia, and then hugged Kabir tightly, ending it with a kiss.

They continued to kiss passionately, until several people nearby yelled "Oi, get a room!" and the broke apart abruptly. Misha flushed, looking at everyone's smirks. Pia had automatically, turned away, but she suddenly felt great waves of sadness emanating from'someone. Who was it? She tried tracking the source, and suddenly knew who it was. Her eyes widened in recognition'.Jeh?????

She looked at him, but his face was quite impassive as he looked straight ahead. Pia wondered why'then realizing that he was probably still upset over her rejection. She sighed: there was nothing she could do about that particular circumstance.

"Group hug!" trilled Anvesha, who had just arrived. She immediately crushed all of them, except Abhay and Adhiraj, who edged away immediately.

"Oh, come on, you two," she said, pulling them into the motley of arms.

As they unentagled themselves from each other, Misha said :

"Come one, everyone, let's go over to my house'.Pia, Mom and Dad really want to meet you- and you guys too, of course."

She prepared tp leave, but Pia said "No, Misha- I- I have some work." Then she left hastily.

"What is it with her!" exclaimed Misha.

"Let her be," said Dhruv quietly. Everyone looked at him, and he continued, "When we were young, Pia had a very bad experience. She doesn't like being around people. She- it's very hard for her to even be friends with anyone. So please don't take offense, yeah?"

Anvesha looked at him in confusion. "But Pia is so close to you. She trusts you, right?"

Dhruv smiled slightly. "As much as she can trust any one, I suppse," he said. "No, that doesn't mean she trusts me with everything. She lets on a little more than the tip of the iceberg, and she hears me out'.that's it."

Hours later, in the forest:

"I hope you realize why you have been positioned there," said the icy voice of a woman on the phone.

"Your Highness," replied the head of the werewolves , "It's not as easy as you think. A vampire was protecting her."

"A vampire?" repeated the woman.

"Your Highness, just give me some time, I promise to give you more satisfactory news soon," he said.

" How soon?" she hissed. "I'll have to try my own methods now. Good luck." She laughed dangerously, and the call ended.