Chapter 26
It was the bright sunlight streaming in that woke Piya. She blinked as she sat up, trying to adjust her eyes to the blinding light.
Yawning, she pulled her curls into a messy ponytail and went to brush and get dressed.
As she was choosing her dress, her mind involuntarily went to Abhay's reaction on her dress to the party.
Suddenly wanting to defy him, she picked out a bright red tank top which would probably give her sunburn. But it would be good to see him grimace, she thought vindictively as she chose her ripped jeans.
Then, as an afterthought, she picked up a stole and slung it around herself.
She left her hair open.
Packing her books, she slung the bag over her shoulder, donning sunglasses as she made her way out of the hostel.
She was in for a surprise, however. Abhay was standing right outside her hostel, leaning against his car.
When he saw her, he stood up straight and Piya saw his eyes widen in shock, then they travelled upwards, then down.
For a moment, she thought he was checking her out, till with a swift move, he pulled away her goggles from her face.
Piya gasped in shock. 'What the-'
Abhay controlled his temper.
He knew exactly why Piya had dressed like this, and it made him extremely irritated. Although something in him warmed him at the thought that she was showing her defiance of him.
He smirked and said, 'Nice outfit. Is this for Jeh's benefit, or mine?'
Her eyes widened and he suddenly realised that his words could be construed as casual flirting. She looked very disappointed at his lack of reaction, however.
Composing herself, she said, 'Can I have my sunglasses back? The sun's hurting my eyes.'
Wordlessly, he handed them to her, still smirking slightly.. Putting them on, she snapped haughtily, 'My outfit is for my benefit, not yours, and-' she grimaced, 'certainly not Jeh's.'
He couldn't stop himself from retorting. 'Of course not,' he said. 'But I still get to see you first, don't I?'
Even with the sunglasses, he could see that she was glaring at him. 'Congratulations,' she said icily. 'Now, if you don't mind, I'll be leaving for college.'
She turned around to leave, but she suddenly felt a sharp tug on her wrist.
Whirling around, she noted with dismay that Abhay's fingers were curled around her wrist. 'I thought you could use a lift,' he gestured to his car.
He released her. She stared at him.
'Of course,' his expression turned bitter, 'if you can trust me enough to stay in my company for a few minutes.'
In the end, she didn't really have a choice. 'Fine,' she said, climbing in the passenger seat.
Abhay got in beside her.
Feigning a calmness she did not feel, she leaned backwards as he started the car.
Her eyes, looking outside the window, failed to notice his eyes travel neck downwards, then return to linger on her face.
Abhay took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus.
As the car moved smoothly past the mountains and forests, he spoke.
'I'm sorry about yesterday.'
Piya turned around to face him, her eyes wide.
He offered her a small, genuine smile, then said, 'I apologize- I overreacted. I just didn't want someone to- take advantage.'
She bristled indignantly, then her eyes softened and she said, 'Thanks, Abhay. For looking out for me.'
He turned the car left, easing it into the parking lot.
'I'm your resident bodyguard, aren't I?' he said softly. 'I take my job seriously, you know.'
'So you admit it was you under the ice, and you who saved me from the wolves that night,' she pat back at once.
Abhay mentally kicked himself. What was happening to him? He was lowering his guard and making mistakes.
'Yes?' said Piya. She was watching him closer.
He exhaled. 'Yes. But-'
'Don't worry,' she said. 'I know how to keep secrets between friends.'
That wasn't what he was worried about. What he was worried about was Piya getting her hopes up again, and asking more questions.
Strangely, she didn't say another word, as he killed the engine, then got out and held the door open for her.
She got out, looking around. The parking lot was almost deserted.
Then subconsciously resting her fingers on the window- inches from his own- she said quietly, 'Thank you, Abhay. And you're forgiven, but please don't over do it again.'
'You have Sociology first period, right?' said Abhay.
'Yes, and a free one after that,' said Piya.
'I'm free till break,' said Abhay. 'I'll be in the library if you need me.'
'Sure,' she said. And then her gaze flickered to where their hands lay almost touching. An odd look flickered across her face, then she retracted her hand as if she had been burned.
'Well,' she said awkwardly, stepping away so Abhay could close the door,'I'll be seeing you...?'
He nodded once, putting on shades himself.
And then they turned away and took opposite routes.
Abhay made his way to the library, his jaw set and his eyes shards of ice. He still couldn't believe her audacity. Granted, she had resorted to following fashion these days, but did she have to flaunt it like that? Didn't she have any studying to do?
And what was that...thing...doing in her wardrobe anyway! It was downright scandalous! Was Piya out of her mind, choosing something like that?
He felt a stab of regret having provoked her the previous night. This was all his fault. As usual, any attempt to tell her anything would result in her doing exactly the opposite. It was the very reason he was keeping his mouth shut about her workplace, and today, her outrageously revealing top. It was fit for someone like T- that girl could take any opportunity to show off, but Piya?
Searching for sanity, he entered the library. Like most of the times, Miss Gupta appeared to be reading something, but she looked up as she saw him.
'Good morning, Abhay,' she said, and Abhay nodded to her. Yesterday, she had seemed almost like a younger person, laughing with Alina Khurana. Their friendship intrigued him- but then again, he imagined that they probably had a lot in common with each other.
Now, Miss Gupta seemed as businesslike as ever, but her intelligent eyes bored into him.
'Something bothering you?' she said.
'No,' said Abhay shortly.
Miss Gupta did not say anything else, but she got up from her seat and glided towards the shelves.
Suddenly, she dropped several books in front of him.
'If you're that bored, try reading these to...take up the time,' she said. 'This library is not a place to idle away doing nothing.'
Abhay fixed her with an incredulous look, but decided against saying anything, instead pulling one of the books closer to him and opening it.
Regardless, he kept glancing up every ten minutes, waiting for Piya.
She did come finally, looking tired : when she saw him, she smiled slightly, then banged her own books on the table.
'This is a reading place!' hissed Miss Gupta.
'Oh- sorry,' she whispered at once. Then her eyes widened as she saw the pile of books near him. 'What are you doing?' she hissed, sinking down into her chair.
Rolling his eyes towards Miss Gupta, Abhay muttered, 'Don't ask.'
Getting the hint, Piya suddenly smirked. He glared at her and she dropped her eyes, then took out a pen and started to finish her assignment, checking the books for references from time to time.
Unfortunately for Abhay who was sitting opposite her, as she leaned over , her neckline slid further downwards, and Abhay clenched his fists in repressed fury.
Looking sideways, he saw one of the students staring. Blood boiled in his ears. 'Excuse me,' he mumured to Piya, who was quite oblivious to the stares around her.
Getting up, he strode up to the boy and made a show of retrieving a book from the shelves. Then, very softly, he said,'Do you like horror movies?'
The boy jumped, not having noticed Abhay Raichand before- and certainly intimidated by the cold glare he was recieving.
'N-no,' he stammered.
Abhay smirked. 'Of course. I love horror movies, you know,' he said conversationally. 'In fact, I've watched so many I know twenty different ways of gouging out your eyes, each more painful than the last.'
He let the threat hang in the air for a moment. Then, even more softly, he added, 'Would you let me practise on you?'
The boy fled the library within ten seconds. Abhay remained quite still, trying to control his fury.
He and Piya both had classes next period, and when the bell rang, Abhay stalked off without a word to Piya. Miss Gupta came to keep the books back, noticing Piya's forlorn face. 'He must have had an important class,' she said,placatingly. 'He didn't even talk to me,' said Piya, looking upset.
'Must be preoccupied by something, then,' said Miss Gupta, diving to catch 'Jane Eyre' as it was about to fall to the ground.
Piya nodded, going out. To her relief, Misha wasn't interrogating her about Sid anymore. In fact, she was keen to just talk to Piya about inane things, making Piya realize exactly how much she had missed having fun with Misha.
Twice Misha and Piya were reprimanded for not paying attention in class.
When classes ended, Misha and Piya were still laughing in the corridor, vaguely conscious of the many stares they- or, more particularly Piya- was recieving from the male species.
Suddenly, she felt a vice-like grip on her elbow. Misha looked surprised, and Piya turned around to see Abhay, wearing a smile, yet his blue eyes were so dark they were almost black.
'Misha,' he said cordially, his tone not reflecting the painful grip on her arm, 'could you spare us a moment?'
'Oh!' said Misha. 'Um...Sure, Abhay, no problem.'
She walked away.
'Piya,' said Abhay in a quiet yet dangerous voice, 'You will not speak a word or ask a single question, starting now. And don't you try resisting- one, I'm stronger than you, two- I can easily pick you up.'
'But-' began Piya,but stopped abruptly: people were turning to stare.
Abhay's eyes were dark and dangerous. She allowed him to half-drag her to a deserted corridor. He swung around to face her and released her hand abruptly.
Instinctively rubbing her elbow, Piya snapped, 'To what do I owe this pleasure, Abhay?'
'Don't you dare give me attitude,' he snarled. 'All day long, you waltz about without a care- do you have any idea what you're wearing?'
He saw something like triumph flash across Piya's face, but he was past caring : he was done with her stupid games.
'Stop trying to run my life, Abhay,' she retorted .
'Well, someone will have to, won't they, since you clearly aren't insterested in running your life yourself?' he said cuttingly. 'And honestly- you know what? This thing makes you look like a cheap, third-rate nobody. Obviously, being a model doesn't guarantee good taste in fashion...'
His eyes flickered over her contemptuously, and for the first time, Piya's bravado faltered and she took a step back.
'I don't know who you're trying to fool,' he said coldly, 'but if you can delude yourself into thinking this kind of dress would make you look elegant in an educational institution- you need to get yourself checked.'
Piya closed her eyes briefly, at his flat, cold tone, but Abhay wasn't done yet.
'You look like trash. You're worse- way worse- than T, and she is the gold standard in feather-headedness. I'm disappointed in you, Piya. Have you really sunk that low?'
Her shoulders slumped. Blinking back tears, she turned and began to walk away. But Abhay kept pace with her easily.
'Oh, for God's sake, stop crying just because I told you the truth. You know I'm right- so why cry?'
'Stop it,' she whispered in a low voice, trying to stop the flow of tears. 'You win, I lose- so stop, please. I have to go to my office-'
He was in front of her, gripping her shoulders, stopping her. 'You are not going to office in that,' he said. 'You are going to the hostel with me and changing. Good gracious- don't you have any shame?'
'Abhay, I'm late-' she tried to move past him, but he wouldn't budge.
'I don't give a damn. You're not going in that- atrocity.'
Forty-five minutes later, as Abhay drove her to the office, she glared at him sideways, angry at him for pushing her buttons and then pretending to show he cared. He didn't give a damn. If he did, he wouldn't have insulted her like that. And she knew that he had seen right through her scheme to insitgate him, and had turned the tables on her.
Which was why she was now wearing a very demure white shirt with dark blue jeans. And all this while, Abhay had said not a word, except,'Get in.'
He stopped abruptly, and Piya collected her thoughts to see that she had reached. Disorientated, she fumbled with the seat belt, her muddled thoughts influencing her actions.
'Stop moving,' came Abhay's voice, sounding frustrated. Then he leaned over and freed her of the seat belt. But he didn't move away at once. Instead, for the few seconds- or was it hours?(Piya was never sure) his eyes had held hers in a trance, and Piya could do nothing except stare , for it was beyond her power to do anything when he looked at her like that...almost as if he wanted to...
And then he moved away abruptly, and the spell broke, colour flooding Piya's cheeks. What on earth had happened to her? She needed to get a handle on her emotions...she would have to find a way!
'Thank you,' she said curtly, as she stepped out of the car.
'Same to you,' he replied, in a softer tone than hers, as he turned the car away from her.
Piya stared after him, puzzled. Same to her? She had thanked him. Why would he thank her?
Shaking her head, she went in to see Alina, looking harassed. There were hardly two or three employess working in the office that day.
'Thank heaven that you've come,' said Alina. 'I was really thinking you'd do a bunk, too.'
Piya stared around. 'What- why is everyone-?'
Alina scowled. Lowering her voice, so only Piya could hear, she said,'Because Sid's gone out, and he told everyone to do whatever they wanted. Naturally-' her face twisted in a grimmer line-'they took the day off.'
Piya looked surprised. 'Why? Where has he gone?'
Alina raised her eyebrows meaningfully. 'Oh,' sad Piya, understanding and despair flooding through her. 'What are we to do?'
'Do?' said Alina. 'We wait.'
Within the next hour, their remaining collegues had finished whatever they were doing and had left. And finally Piya saw an opportunity.
'Can I ask you a few questions?' she asked abruptly.
Alina's head swivelled around, as she muttered something to herself.
Then she turned to face Piya. 'The supernatural kind of questions, you mean?'
Piya smiled in spite of herself. 'You see,' she said, 'I haven't really had someone to, you know, answer me properly, even though I'm surrounded by supernaturals, but-'
Alina's eyebrows rose. 'Not even Abhay?'
'Not-not really,' confessed Piya. 'I mean- I did most of the finding out on my own.'
'Before all the time travel business?' said Alina curiously.
'Um...yes,' said Piya. 'Abhay hasn't ever been...forthcoming about his life- not that it's his fault,' she added hurriedly. 'I probably didn't feature in his world.'
Alina raised her eyebrows. 'Don't tell me you fought with him again.'
'What-how did you?' began Piya.
Alina burst out laughing. 'I made a wild guess,' she said. 'You looked so sulky when you came here, like a kid who's been denied his favourite chocolate.'
Piya pursed up her lips. 'I am not a child,' she said.
'No more than Abhay, I assure you,' said Alina in a placating tone, but her eyes were full of mischievious laughter.
Piya changed the subject. 'I need to ask you some things,' she said.
'Fire away.'
'Why did- I mean, why did you-your family-come here? I mean, was it-some plan?' said Piya.
Alina frowned.
'Yes,' she said. 'There was a plan- of revenge.'
Piya's eyes widened. 'Revenge on whom?'
'Are you asking about me or my family?' countered Alina. 'We have different goals...'
'Um...' said Piya. 'How about both?'
Alina shrugged. 'My mother-and her son- want revenge on Abhay. I too, want revenge, but not on Abhay.'
'That's why...'Piya said in ahushed voice, 'That's why... Jeh and Abhay-?'
'Yes, that's part of the reason why they hate each other.' said Alina. 'There's also a more obvious reason, and if you don't know that, then I won't tell you.' she winked.
'Are vampires and werewolves born enemies?' said Piya.
Alina shrugged. 'Debatable. Many members of both species would agree.'
'And you don't?' said Piya.
'Not really,' said Alina. 'I mean, if you really look at it, we're not that different,really. Vampires- creatures of the night, while werewolves... We're very high on emotions on a full moon. The night affects both of us. Some vampires can train themselves to perform..certain magical rituals, while among werewolves, the magical powers,in main,are entrusted to clan leaders. However, werewolves too can train themselves in a similar way.'
'Wow,' said Piya, storing away the information in her brain.
'Silver affects both,' continued Alina. 'While it burns vampires, a silver dagger to the heart can kill a werewolf. That's why, while wooden stakes are used to kill vampires, they're tipped with silver to kill werewolves.'
Alina's eyes were unfocused : she seemed far away.
'And that is why,' she said at last,'You should carry a silver knife at all times.'
'Why?' said Piya. 'I'm not going to be attack-' the words died in her throat, as she remembered Alina's words about Jeh the previous night.
'You could be,' said Alina seriously. 'You could really be attacked. You see, along with Abhay, mom holds you responsible for my brother's death, as well.'
For the first time, her composure slipped and her eyes felt hot. She looked away.
'Your-' began Piya.
'Not Jeh,' said Alina. 'I used to have another brother. And he loved me very much, but... Abhay killed him. A year ago.'
'No,' said Piya, horrified. 'Why would Abhay do that?'
'Because it was him or Gaurav, Piya,' said Alina sadly. 'I don't blame Abhay for killing Gaurav. But- I wish he hadn't trusted the wrong people...'
Her expression was full of hatred as Piya stared at her.
'Why...' she started, but Alina shook her head. 'I don't want to talk about it.'
'Oh..okay.' said Piya quietly.
After a while, Alina asked suddenly,'So what did you and Abhay fight about today?'
Piya groaned. 'Alina...'
'Oh, please, come on...' said Alina. 'You could tell me you know!'
So Piya told her the whole story, from how she had wanted to egg him on to how he had forced her to change.
Reina smirked widely when she heard the whole story.
'But,' said Alina, trying to hold back her bubbling laughter,'Don't you see? He cares, Piya. And well...he doesn't want anyone looking at you that way. Apart from him.'
Piya scowled. 'He wants Maithali's doppelganger,' she snapped. 'If he would treat me like a human, then maybe I'd believe that.'
'But he hasn't had much practise,' said Alina, still grinning. 'He's been a vampire for too long, you know...oops! I mean, he's been without a proper relationship for too long...no wonder he's messing up. Give him a chance!'
'At being friends, maybe,' Piya groused. 'I don't think I can handle being second-best, a shadow of-'
Alina shook her head in exasperation. 'Go back to work, Piya. You'll empty your grey cells if you keep thinking like that.'
And that was the end of the conversation.
PS. No I don't plan revealing Reina anytime soon. And no, Reina is decided already, so you can make your guesses without fear that I would change it😆Please like and comment😳
Edited by bookworm-ALS-- - 12 years ago
Vanshaj
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
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