Strings Attached

~Chapter 16~ (Contd.)

"What? It's true! Ever since you rolled your eyes at me back in seventh grade, remember? You hadn't started wearing this back then, and I loved your expressions!" He reminisces, fingering her veil to indicate what part of her clothing he meant. Hidayah instantly shifts herself away from his reach.

The two of them are about to turn a corner and I debate with myself whether I should follow or not. I feel like an intruder. And the bloke has already glanced at me twice. It's quite easy to see that she's far more comfortable with him walking beside her than she'd ever been with me, considering they know each other, and practically since their childhood, it seems.

Yet, something makes me stand at the turn and listen to them. Why can't I move? Why do I care? What am I even doing here, listening in on a conversation between two people I don't give a f**k about? But my mind can't conjure up a plausible reason. And then I hear him speak again.

"Please Hidayah. Don't you think you owe me for being such a nice classmate to you all these years? Help a poor guy out, would you? Show me around. Be a considerate friend?" he asks her desperately, but there's still a hint of playfulness in his voice I don't like. He's only teasing her.

"We weren't even acquaintances, let alone friends," Hidayah responds stubbornly, and I can imagine her rolling her eyes. "So stop pestering me and be on your way, Siddhartha! I have a class to get to. I've already tolerated you long enough."

"But that's the thing Hidayah, I don't know the way! So, how can I even be on it?" he catches on to her sentence and pleads his case. "Please, Hidayah. Be my guide today, for old times' sake. I won't trouble after this, I promise." The ba*tard's desperate like he's stranded on an island and she's his only hope. And what's worse, I can sense the girl is about to give in, too. I can't help sneering at how she's changed colors.

"Please, Hida--," he begins again, but something passes on between them to annoy her and she interrupts him, anger and incredulity evident in his tone.

"Ye kya kar rahey ho tum?!" she hisses angrily, reverting to Hindi in her state of alarm. (Meaning: What are you doing?!)

"Pagal to nahin ho gaye ho?!" I'm guessing he caught her arm. "How did you even dare?" (Meaning: Have you gone crazy?!)

"Kya ho gaya, yaar? It was just a slight touch. Why are you shouting at me like this?" the boy with the weird name says in a not-so-affected tone. He has the worst excuse I've ever heard, I swear. But his tone is sinister and it tells me he's a seasoned one. The f**ker could do much more damage without feeling sorry. And realizing that, my fists clench involuntarily at my sides. I'm about to show myself when Hidayah responds. (Meaning: What happened, yaar?)

"Why are you acting like you don't know me, huh? And I will shout like this. In fact, I'd shout even louder and create a scene if you try anything again. I gave you the benefit of doubt and you took advantage of it!" she reels off, highly incensed. I'm surprised she isn't scared. Or, maybe she is but is trying to act tough.

"You deserved it, you bi*ch!" the blackguard retorts bitingly, suddenly changing tack and getting into her face to deliver a threat. And that's when I make a move.

"Hey, you!" I sound out as I get nearer, and Hidayah looks at me, bewildered. But then, she does the most unexpected thing by letting out a slow breath and visibly relaxing her stance.