Hues Of Dusk

Chapter 25. Rejection

"Yeah. Tough life they have."

Most of the conversation involved my dad asking him about his brother who was also in Army just like his dad. He must be really proud. No wonder, he wanted to join armed forces too.

"Thanks for having me. Bye aunty. Bye Uncle," Nikhil said and went outside.

I followed him and stood beside his bike. He mounted it and put on the helmet. When I didn't say anything, he turned towards me and asked me what I wanted.

"Can I ride your bike tomorrow?"

"No."

"Please. I really love it. Only tomorrow."

"No. I only decided on teaching you. And my task is complete."

"You are mean. I drive fine. I promise I won't damage it."

"Absolutely not."

"Pretty please. Just one round. Or I would ask aunty to make you do that. She won't say no to me."

"Are you blackmailing me?"

"You are making me do that. Just one ride won't cost you your life."

"Okay. Just one ride and then you won't bother me."

"Deal."

"Deal."

×~×

"Late," Rajeev announced.

"I still have two minutes," I argued back.

"Not in my watch."

"Your watch is broken."

Everyday Rajeev would scold me for getting late. I was not late. According to him we should arrive fifteen minutes before the specified time. Just why?

I put my bag in my locker and got on with my usual work. Thanks to this job, I had good amount of money in my piggy bank now. I had cut down my unnecessary expenses too. By now, I had enough money to buy a second hand scooter.

"Someone is working hard," Mayank said and sat on a table.

"You should learn from me," I replied and he threw a packet of chips at me.

"Hey bro! Up for the party today?" he asked Rajeev who was busy doing calculations in a register.

"Yes," Rajeev replied and Mayank turned towards me.

"You want to come?"

"Nope."

"Come on. Don't be a party pooper."

"No."

"You still afraid of Ved? We will be there too. I will make sure he doesn't try anything, okay?"

"Ummm.... No."

"Rajeev tell your kid to come. She is being stubborn. Is this how you raise her? To disobey the elders?"

Rajeev rolled his eyes and got back to his work. Mayank poked my shoulder and I swatted his hand away. He thought it was a simple prank Ved pulled but I knew he wanted to humiliate me.

Last month, I had gone to such party along with my girl gang. We enjoyed and danced. Everyone got themselves a drink except me. Eventually, they made me take one shot and I went in the washroom to puke. My throat was burning. I won't ever come under peer pressure again.

When I got out of the washroom, I tripped and fell on my knees. I looked up and saw Ved laughing and shooting with his phone. He did that!

"Why would you do that?" I shouted.