Chapter 5

Koeli

@Koeli

C O V E R  B Y  S H I R I S H A

Part 5

Aryan awoke the next day with a severe headache. He had slept late last night because his sleeping pills were exhausted, and he had forgotten to purchase them while coming back from college. The sun rays peeping through the curtain are definitely not helping much. There was a light knock on the door. He got up from the bed and walked towards it. Unlocking the bolt, he checked who it was. He was greeted by a disoriented Imlie whose hair was sticking out randomly. Holding her pillow against her chest, she walked into the room without acknowledging him and then collapsed on the bed with a thud. "You are an asshat. For you, I am out of my room. Hell! Why did you come?" she muttered to herself in her sleep before closing her eyes.

Aryan stood there for a moment, looking at Imlie's sleeping. He took his glasses from the nightstand and glanced at her again. He thought she was pretty, but definitely, she ought to learn how to behave. He got startled by the knock on the door. Mrs Malhotra held a wooden tray. The smell of fresh muffins filled my senses. She almost dropped the tray when she saw her daughter sleeping on the bed.

"Aryan beta, tu to bada fast nikla? Mere barso ka sapna tune ek hi din mein safal kar daala?"

Imlie woke up hearing her mother's voice. Aryan stood utterly confused. Mrs Malhotra kept the tray on the table and spoke, "I hope you guys have used contraceptives. Kyunki itni jaldi mujhe nani nahi banna hai."

Aryan was horrified to hear the statement. "Aunty, that is not true. Your daughter came into the room today morning."

"Wait the minute", Imlie interrupted. "What? Nani? Are you out of your mind, mom?

"What are you doing in this room then?"

"This is not his room. This is my room. Yesterday, I was so uncomfortable sleeping in the guest room so, the first thing I did in the morning was come to my room and sleep on my bed for some time. Why can't I sleep for some time in my bed? And mom, don't act like an 80s mom.

"You thought, you can convince me to marry this village?" Imlie gestured towards Aryan, making a disgusting face. What will I do? Go to his house and wash his clothes, make roti sabzi and raise his kids? Are you out of your mind, mother?"

"And what made you think I will marry a girl like you? Who is obstinate, immature and lacks in manners? I might be from the village, don't forget your roots, Miss Imlie Malhotra. You have said enough, and you have no right to insult me further. Aryan took a step towards Imlie. I am spearing you because of your mother, but you better behave yourself. Whatever you are enjoying it because of your father. You have achieved nothing in life on your own. You don't know how to value people. Learn from your mother, or you don't have the brains to learn that either?"

Imlie lunged towards and held his collar, "How dare you talk to me like this in my house. Just because my mother allowed you to stay in the house doesn't give you the right to talk to me like this."

"Enough, you both." Imlie's mother shouted. "Is this the way to behave with our guests? Is this what I have taught you?" Imlie and Aryan glared at each other.

"If you don't stop, Imlie, I will not allow you to attend the party on Saturday." Mrs Malhotra deadpanned.

"Mom, you can't do this to me." Before Imlie could finish, her mother left.

"If she doesn't allow me to go to the party, I will kill you, Professor."

Aryan moved toward her making her fall on the bed due to the close proximity. "I sincerely want you to try that." He was dangerously close to her, looking straight into her eyes.

Aryan leaned on the bed, taking her along with him. Books dropped from her hand to the ground. She held his neck to balance herself. Aryan place his palm on the bed so that his weight doesn't squish her. Their gaze locked. She gulped looking at him. Aryan tucked the strands of hair that irritated her eyes. 'Aryan', her voice was feeble. He leaned and brushed his stubble against her soft cheeks. She closed her eyes.

Blinking several times, Imlie pushed Aryan that making him topple a few steps. He quickly snapped back to the present. She got up and brushed her night suit. "I am already running late. But don't think this is over. She went inside the bathroom and closed the door with a loud thud making Aryan flinch.

What just happened, he wondered. He sat on the bed holding his head. A lone tear slipped cascading his cheeks. This can't possibly be happening, he thought. Frustrated, he wore his runners and went out of the house. Some cardio might bring back some senses in him.

~*~

"Why are you so grumpy this morning, Imz?" Mishika looped her arms with Imlie.

"I don't want to talk about it, Mish." Imlie blew her locks in frustration. 

"Anyways, please don't spoil your mood babes. We have so much to plan for the party."

"I have lost all interest. Mom is behaving difficult. She said if I misbehave with Mr Asshole, she will not let me attend the party."

"What! What happened yaar?"

"Nothing. I will tell you after the class. Let's go to the canteen, I am super hungry. Mom was so pissed that she didn't cook." Imlie made a sad face.

"You must have done something terrible to piss her off."

"Please, you don't start now. Anyways, what's the plan for Saturday?"

Mishika whispered something in Imlie's ears. Stunned would be an understatement. "Are you kidding? If we are caught, mom will kill me. She will never let me enter the house.

"Oh! shut up. It is going to be fun, and nobody will come to know about it.

"Do you think it is safe? I mean, we don't know these people." Imlie worried her lips.

"I know them. Cam and Sam are great. They have been organizing these parties for a long time now. And all posh people go there. Let's go pretty please. It is going to be so much fun. Boozing, Hookah and especially boys." She stressed the last one.

Imlie was not convinced by the plan, but she decided to give it a try. There is no harm in going as she will be having the car and a driver. She decided that she is not going to booze because the last time she boozed, she puked her gut out. But boys, she was not sure. Cam and Sam are third-year students who were known for their lavish parties. Not everyone gets the invitation to attend their parties. Since Mishika have been fooling around with Sam for a long time, she got the invitation. Previously, we couldn't attend because we were underaged. I know how excited Mishika is. And I don't want to spoil her fun.

Thank you all for liking my story. Do like and comment if you like this part. :)