Aadhya's POV
I'm utterly and completely shocked.
Why? All because of Reyhaan Singhania. That boy who is unapologetically rude, makes snarky comments and has never acknowledged me, has somehow magically not only initiated a conversation but also laughed with me.
Exactly.
It feels like someone has put a spell on him or while river rafting he drowned in water and some clone has replaced him. Because in the 2 months that I have known him, I have never once seen a smile on his face unless he is speaking with his friends. But even then it is only a small one or max max a grin.
But the one in the lift was full blown laughter. It was ethereal. It was contagious. It was rich and deep that echoed in the small space and I couldn't hold myself back. I very much needed to not give a fuck about anything else but just live in the moment and be happy. But I never in a million years thought it would be with Reyhaan.
I didn't think I would discover his unguarded and more human version. Perhaps this way I got a glimpse of his true self, something beyond this dominant and crude demeanor.
"Babe, let's dance!" Aditi shouted due to the loud music bursting from the speakers. "Lets go" Anaya and I said simultaneously.
After a few rounds of dumb charades, the party had finally started. We walked onto the dance floor, right opposite to the dj. I could feel the thumping bass reverberated through the soles of my feet. The lights above swirled in a kaleidoscope of colors, casting its enchanting glow on everyone around me.
The song had changed from some random remix to Calm down by Selena Gomez, and a grin instantly made its way on our lips. We looked at each other and Aditi excitedly yelled "you guys know the hook step right?"
We nodded, matching the same excitement as hers and we started singing while grooving to the song. We mirrored each other's gestures, adding our own playful twists and spins. The rhythm of our laughter intertwined with the beats, amplifying the euphoria that coursed through our veins.
The song has now changed to Tum Hi Ho Bandhu and automatically my eyes close shut allowing the music to envelop me, to guide my every movement.. My lower lip was in between my teeth as the grin was still plastered on my face. As the lyrics filled the air, I felt a surge of emotion welling up inside me.
My hands swirled gracefully in the air and for some reason I felt as if the lyrics breathed life into my limbs. My hips moved with a fluidity that mirrored the gentle sway of the melody. With each sway, I embodied the emotions woven into the song—love, longing, and the bittersweet beauty of human connections.
Anaya and Aditi's cheers bring me back to reality and I mimic their movements. Aditi takes out her phone and starts taking photos and videos. I link my hands with Anaya's and I twirl her around.
I feel my phone suddenly vibrate in my pants pocket, so I take it out to find Ahaan Bhai's name flashing on my phone screen.
"Bhai is calling I'll be right back" I shout after tugging both their hands but their frowns say they couldn't hear.
I instead show my phone screen and they show a thumbs up. I walk out towards a more silent area and pick his call.
"Hi bhai"
"Hey" he replies "Are you back?"
"Nope. we'll be leaving tomorrow"
"Right I forgot"
I chuckle at his forgetful nature "Yeah"
"So what are you doing right now?" he questions
"Since it's the last day we're having a party at the hotel and it's awesome!" I squeal
"I bet it is. By the looks of your Instagram stories, its safe to say you had fun in the trip?"
We talk back and forth about our days. I tell him about the trek and the cheating fiasco which made him laugh at our childish nature. After talking for some time I end the call and return to the party.
As I'm nearing the stage, I see everyone crowding in the middle of the stage. Maybe someone's terrific dancing has drawn the spotlight.
But that doesn't make sense since the music has stopped and no one is cheering or shouting. I walk in between the crowd, to the front and what I see next takes me in shock.
Reyhaan and Jai fighting.
What actually surprises me is that they are fighting like dogs. Blood oozing out from their faces. The air was thick with tension, I noticed Aditi standing to my left so I moved towards her.
"What happened?" I whisper yelled in her ears.
"No idea, I guess that asshole said something that triggered Rey" she shrugged
Reyhaan hurled Jai onto the floor and sat on top of him. He clutched Jai's shirt and his fists met Jai's already red face. The sound echoed in the silence and I couldn't help but wince at the scene unfolding. Reyhaan kept punching the shit out of him while he was trying to defend himself.
I shuddered at the creative cuss words coming out of their mouths. Both of their friends tried pulling them apart but their efforts went in vain. Jai somehow rolled Reyhaan aside, gasping for breath and managed to stand back on his feet.
Sweat and blood mixed together dripped from their face, staining their clothes and slicking their bodies. Anger radiated from every pore in their body.
Reyhaan stood up but before he could do anything Jai started throwing punches at him again. I was partly annoyed because no one except for their friends were trying to stop the fight. But most importantly what even happened that led to this shit!
Their bodies moved with an instinctive ferocity, honed by adrenaline and a primal desire for dominance. A loud gasp left my mouth when Reyhaan lifted his hand to punch Jai but it stopped in the air and his eyes clashed with mine.
I stopped breathing.
His eyes blazed with an incandescent fury, twin embers of anger that seemed to pierce through the very fabric of the air. They were like smoldering coals, intensified by the force of his rage, emanating an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.
He clenched his jaw even more tightly and looked back at Jai. After pushing him he storms out without a second glance. People start murmuring around us as they slowly move around.
With a heavy sigh I look at Aditi and Anaya who share the same worried look as mine.
"Hey, maybe the boys will know what happened right?" Anaya says
"Yea they must know what happened" Aditi agrees with a nod
They start walking but I stop them "You guys carry on I'll be back". With a nod they walk forward while I go to Reyhaan's room.
Surprising I know
It eats me up that this guy is the same as the carefree one in the lift with me a few hours ago.
I first went straight to the reception and requested for a first aid box. Five minutes later they provided me with one and I went straight up to his room where I guess he is.
I ring the bell and wait for him to open.
Breathe breathe
He opens the door but I'm welcomed with him yelling "I don't want to talk to anyone!"
"Hi" I say meekly. His lips are bleeding, there is a cut on his cheek bone. He has freshen up I guess because his shirt doesn't have any blood stains on it.
"I said I don't want to talk to anyone. Get lost"
Wow. Not the greeting I expected
"Reyhaan just listen to me-" He interrupts me "If You're here to lecture me then do yourself a favor and leave."
"On the contrary I'm here to help you with your wounds" I reply while showing the first aid box
He glances at it and narrows his eyes at me but before he can say anything I add "Please just let me help. Your cuts and bruises will get worse if you don't tend them"
Staring at me for a good 5-6 seconds, he widens the door more and walks in the room.
I walk in, kicking the door shut to find him standing with his hands folded across his chest. I raise my eyebrows "sit on the bed"
He obliges while I place the box on the bed and open it. He keeps staring at me, making me feel conscious. I clear my throat awkwardly and I say "I'm gonna start with your lips"
He nods. Using a clean cloth I dab the blood oozing out of the cut on his tender lower lip. After cleaning it, I move onto the bruise on his cheek bone, below his eyes.
My heart hurts just by looking at it, I wonder how he feels. I lean a little closer to have a better view of his cut but what I don't realize is how close our face is. I hold his chin and angle his face to the left, so I can maintain the distance while having the cut nearby.
Then I take a bandage and place it on the bruise carefully. Once done with that I ask him "is there anywhere else you're hurt?"
Without replying, he just shows his hand and I scrunch my nose in horror.
"God! Look at your hand. It's awful. I don't understand why did you have to fight in the first place."
"I told you this before, if you want lecture then you can leave" He replies rudely
I look at him in disbelief "Don't throw your anger and attitude at me. I didn't do anything"
"Then quit lecturing and get out!" He shouts anger igniting within him, transforming his face into a tempestuous landscape. He stands up from the bed and walks near the glass window.
"I won't! I want to know what happened? What did he say or do that has made you punch the shit out of him?" I say matching the same tone as his.
"Why? Why are you so hell bent to find out? I didn't even ask you to come and tend my wounds. So it would be better if you leave me alone!" He yelled, and his brows furrowed, forming deep, ominous creases that seemed to channel the intensity of his emotions
"Why do you get angry so easily huh? This anger is not because of Jai or your stupid rivalry. This is something bigger and deeper than what you let on to show. It is some pent up frustration which you haven't taken out for years. You have it buried down inside your heart and body that is just one step away from bursting out"
His nose flared in anger, while his eyes, usually calm and impassive, became stormy orbs, burning with a fiery glare that could pierce through the thickest of walls. His jaw clenched, muscles tensing beneath the surface. "Keep your views and suggestions to yourself and and just get the fuck out of my room." He starts of in a low dangerous voice but yells at the end.
"You don't have to shout at me. I wanted to just help you" Anger radiated in the same intensity as his.
"I didn't ask for your help. So keep it to yourself. You have so much to talk about me and you seem to love analyzing people, no?" he gives a sardonic bitter smile as he closes the distance between us and we're just a few inches away.
He continues "Then here's what I think. Straight A's, no boyfriend, doesn't like drinking or smoking, loving parents and family. You're the definition of perfect. But you know what they say?" he looked at my lips while brushing his lips with his tongue
"hmm?" I shivered as he asked again. My eyes held his, not wanting to break eye contact "No one is perfect. Who is the real Aadhya behind this façade?"
Hurt pangs in my chest. Each word digs through every single fiber of my body. I don't why but each word, each phrase hits me hard. Like as if it was reminder that my façade up is slowly falling down.
the real Aadhya
Perfect
Loving parents
I hear the door open and obviously it was our friends but neither of us broke eye contact.
"You had no right to throw that on me. But you know what my mistake, that I thought I could actually talk to you-" He interrupts me "I-"
I show my hand sternly, glaring at him "lips moving still talking. I wanted to just help you with the wounds and I guess my job is done"
His lips tightened into a thin line, a flicker of menace emerged, as if his every breath carried a warning. Without a second glance, I walk out of the room. I don't dare to look at anyone because I already have tears pooling in my eyes and one look will break them free.
.
Author's Note
Okay is anyone else crying or is it just me? But it isn't just Aadhya who is hurt, our pretty boiii is hurt too.. Stay tuned to know why and more. Don't forget to vote and comment <33