Chapter 21

Batool Imran

@nav_bat

"Apple juice?", he offered to her putting up his best manners, and although feeling a bit awkward Khushi took the glass and drank some of it, feeling the taste a bit funky and bitter, but shook her head and drank half the glass, leaving the rest on the side table that was beside the couch. She felt her head spin wildly a little while later and giving him a queasy smile she walked away Purab following her, happy with his plan of having her drink tequila under the name of apple juice. He smiled evily to himself, happy that he could have that hot shot to himself in a drunk state now, for in a sane state he knew, she would never let him linger anywhere near herself.

As he was making his way behind Khushi, Vivek from the corner of her eye saw him following her, and hurriedly excusing himself from Vishaka, paced towards Purab, and roughly grabbed his hand much to that perverted 17 year old boy's surprise.

"Don't you dare look at her like that. Keep your eyes off her, or else I will rip you apart right from your limbs", Vivek threatened him, digging his fingers into Purab's palm causing him to slightly flinch, who, Purab was looking with the same metallic look in his eyes at a furious Vivek.

"Who is she to you, dick head?", Purab asked him back in a steely voice, annoyed at Vivek's protective nature for Khushi, being a victim to it a for a second time now, once back in the Computer Lab and now here.

"My best friend", Vivek replied back with an air of pride, pointing his finger dangerously at Purab, making it clear by his actions that the consequences of every wrong action of Purab's could be very severe.

On the other hand, Arnav stomped out of his room, in a new hoodie now deeply annoyed with Anjali and Aakash's not so hilarious actions, Karan right on his heels.

"Di and Bhai never leave a chance to make me appear a laughing stock", Arnav grumbled openly, looking very angry indeed and it took all of Karan's persuasion and will to stop Arnav from pacing away, and made him sit on a couch next to a side table which was occupied with a half drank glass of apple juice, and an un eaten plate of pizzas and wedges with white sauce.

"I'll get us some pizzas and juice, you sit here", Karan informed him with a hint of finality in his voice, and Arnav still in a very bad mood nodded, as Karan disappeared from sight, towards the food counter, leaving Arnav to sit alone, his eyes back to searching for Khushi who was nowhere to seen. He felt very thirsty, and looked at the half drank glass of juice by his side, not being able to control the urge to drink it, he drank what ever remained of the liquid in the glass, immediately a feeling of numbness and quirkiness taking over his mind.

The teens were over with eating the party food, and disposed off the plates, everybody now gamed in for some fun. The music was now even louder than ever, the mood in the atmosphere extremely happy, as Aakash excusing himself from Payal went over to the DJ, and requested him the song he wanted to play. Karan on the other hand was having a hard time understanding why Arnav was suddenly being all cheeky and laughing madly, refusing to eat or drink anything, making his best friend wonder if Arnav had genuinely lost it.

Everybody gave in a large hoot as the familiar tune of popular Indian song, 'Tu Mera Hero' consumed up the entire living room, the teenagers all madly cheering for the song and moving to a side, as Aakash came in the center of the stage, along with two of his other friends and began to dance in with the synch of the music being played, letting go of all the shyness he previously held and giving large impressive smiles to Payal, who was having a hard time controlling her cheeks from turning bright red.

The three boys in the middle did some groovy moves and sung out the lyrics on the top of their lungs, having the entire crowd crazily cheer for them.

Tu Mera Hero

Humko Kehte Superman, On Karlo Handycam

From AM to PM, Bande at your service Mam

(We Are Known As Superman, Switch On Your Handycam

From morning to evening, guys are at your service Mam)

The crowd now went entirely went mad with cheering as Anjali walked in seductively towards where the two other boys and her brother were dancing, making her way in between them and lipsing out the next set of lyrics which were almost like echo in the song.

Tu Mero Hero, Tu Mera Hero, Tu Mera Hero

(You Are My Hero, You Are My Hero, You Are My Hero)

Anjali shaked her body gracefully, her brother by her side grinning at her and doing some kind of identical steps, their hips colliding with each other, Anjali's chiffon brown dress swaying away as she danced, Vivek now feeling himself tapping his feet too, joined the teenagers on the stage, getting into the flow himself. Aakash made a grab for Payal's hand who was fortunately standing nearby to where they were dancing, and pulled her towards himself, smiling at her joyfully, who too was now looking at him, as he slid his hand around her waist, her back colliding with his chest.

Tenu Main Love Karda, Be Matlab Karda

Bahun Mein Aa Soriyen, Bas Aaja Raat Key Liye

(I love you, and do so without any reason

Come in my arms beautiful, just for this very night)

As Aakash sang these lyrics with the song playing in the background, loud hoots and whistles could be heard, Payal a beet root red but surely having the time of her life. She didn't fell odd being with him like with most boys, and during the time at school they had both developed an eventual liking towards each other, which as the friction between them grew was now becoming a very difficult thing to deny. Vivek seeing this as his chance to impress Vishaka fully, almost identically like Aakash pulled her to the center of the dance floor, having her look at him incredulously, as he sang the next set of lyrics, her surely getting at ease with the words of the song registering in her mind.

Saadi Tou Desi Hain Adaa, Sadi Tein Hojayein Fida

Bahun Mein Aa Soniye, Bus Aaj Raat Key Liye

(Our style is cultural, come sacrifice yourself on me

Come in my arms beautiful, just for this very night)

Vivek did a half fainting move on Vishaka's arm, who promptly caught him thinking he would fall, but he glinted happily at her and smiled brightly, having her slightly blush with his gesture. He got up, and joined his two fingers to make a 'wonderful' expression, having her turning pink, and joining in with him, moving her body, her blue dress moving with her body now, the ruffles all going hay wire in the juvenile atmosphere around them.

Somewhere far from the crowd that was cheering and dancing, an extremely whirled Khushi, was having a hard time walking straight to the length she had almost bumped into a number of hopeful boys who had thought that maybe they were finally getting the chance of her company, but alas for them she even in her state had shoved past them hurriedly, and was on her, making insane faces now as the beats of the songs absorbed within her making her go all crazy now.

Arnav on the other hand was getting our of control for Karan, who had been shaking his head madly enough, and was trying to get a hang on his friends mental situation but absolutely failing at it. Khushi walked in away from the crowd towards Arnav where she had had been previously sitting, and Arnav seeing her leapt up from his seat, much to a bewildered frustrated Karan's surprise, and was in a heavenly daze walking towards her, who her self was walking towards him.

Subha Hone Na Dein, Saath Khone Na Dein

Aik Doosrein Ko Hum Sonnein Na Dein

Tu Mera Hero, Tu Mera Hero, Tu Mera Hero

(Let the sun not rise, and our companionship never end

Let the two of us not let each other sleep

You are My Hero, You Are My Hero, You Are My Hero)

Back on the stage away from the lost eyes of the two teenagers, the stage was getting more and more rowdy by every minute, every body now almost mad with hooting, as the Anjali singing the next set lyrics, pulled Shyam in the center of the stage urging him to dance with her who after a lot of hesitation, and looking around only to be subjected to venomous looks complied to dance, Anjali getting at absolute ease with Shyam around her, moving her legs and hands around him in a disorderly manner.

But, attention from the older couple was soon thrown off, as people stared wide eyed, at a drunk Khushi, who was singing out the lyrics that were playing in the background, inches away from Arnav from a dazy Arnav.

"Subha Hone Na Dein, Saath Khone Na Dein

Aik Doosrein Ko Hum Sonnein Na Dein" Khushi sang out in loudest pitch possible, but looking melodious how so ever, and walking towards Arnav, all eyes on her, pointing at Arnav, much to every bodies extreme horror, "Tu Mera Hero, Tu Mera Hero, Tu Mera Hero", But what had most people lose their minds right at the moment, was Arnav slightly smiling at her, many of the girls fainting right at the spot, Anjali and Aakash gaping in such a odd manner it would earn utter shame to a poor goldfish.

He walked towards her, in a discreet manner, slipping his arms around her face, and having her front collide with his chest, she looking at him, stupefied, however her eyes roaming around in her sockets fixed on him, making the two of the look like on force. "Main Tera Hero, Haan Hero, Main Tera Hero" , he voiced out back, her arms automatically wound her his neck, oblivious of the people around them, who had their pupils out of their sockets. Poor Karan was having a hard time, catching up to the things around him, his BP level going so low, he fel he was on the verge of fainting, and no wonder he would have, hadn't it been for Priyanka who had caught him just in time, their eyes met, and here was another couple in making.

Vivek, who had been standing next to a dumbfounded Anjali and Aakash with Vishaka, accompanied by a pale Payal, he had been holding Vishaka's hand so tightly and squeezing now and then seeing his best friend in the arms of the person he knew she despised the most in the whole world. It had gone as far as Vishaka shooting him a terrified look and freeing her hand from his grip, knocking him out of his trance, by waving her other hand in front of Vivek. But Vivek hadn't paid much attention and even though back to the real world, the music playing behind them, the crowd was much too shocked to continue, however Anjali and Aakash now exchanged knowing looks with each other, grinning away madly, and went stoutly towards Arnav and Khushi, pulling them into the center of stage, much to their surprise they easily moving to where they were being taken.

The crowd out of their hypnotic state now, cheered out loudly tapping their feet, and got back into the flow of the music that was beating up furiously now, another couple now on the so called stage, who hadn't failed to hold the attention of all. Purab from the other hand felt aggravated seeing the work he had done, being used by someone else for their advantage and skipped onto the stage where Khushi was dancing beside Arnav, at a close distance but nearly as wrapped up in each other as before.

Haye, Mainu Tu Hot Lag Dein, Lakta Hain Note Lagdi

Mooka Mila Hain Abhi, Hoga Na Phir Yeh Kabhi

(You look so hot to me, just like lakhs of currency notes

We have got a chance right now, who knows we might not get it afterwards)

"Haye, Mainu Tu Hot Lag Dein, Lakta Hain Note Lagdi

Mooka Mila Hain Abhi, Hoga Na Phir Yeh Kabhi" He purposely moved his body in a manner that it was rubbing toward Khushi's, colliding his lips with her moving ones, making her go all fidgety, and looking at him oddly, moving in closer to Arnav, who at the moment noticed Purab's disgusting act, pulled Khushi towards himself and exchanged places with her now having her standing next to Vivek, much to his great relief, and him Arnav himself standing next to Purab glaring at him so viciously it was like he'd knock the breathe out of that creep any moment now.

Sannu Tu Touch Karlein Ae Ae, Maza Too Much Karlein Ae Ae

Bahun Mein Aa Soryein Bas Aaj Raat Key Liye

(Just touch me please, and enjoy too much

Come in my arms beautiful just for tonight)

The five couple that were rolling on the stage now, accompanied by a juvenile crowd around them, who too were dancing madly but not as evidently, some single some without partners, but all in all having the time of their life time. Purab had been glared at so thoroughly by Arnav that he was forced to retreat, and moved camouflaging in the dancing crowd, leaving the party much to everyone's relief, although no body had really noticed.

Subha Hone Na Dein, Saath Khone Na Dein

Aik Doosrein Ko Hum Sonnein Na Dein

Tu Mera Hero, Tu Mera Hero, Tu Mera Hero

(Let the sun not rise, and our companionship never end

Let the two of us not let each other sleep

You are My Hero, You Are My Hero, You Are My Hero)

As the next and the most famous, apparently the high light of the song played, the five girls that, Khushi, Payal, Anjali, Vishaka and Priyanka, moved in front of their respective partners Arnav, Aakash, Shyam, Vivek and Karan, spreading their arms out wide like a eagle with wings, curling them in an fascinating fashion, having the tips of their nails brush against the cheek of the boys, their bodies moving synchronically, in front of them, the boys wrapping their arms around the slim waist of the girls, moving in motion exactly as the girls were in the front.

The girls now turned around, and kept their two hands on the two shoulders of the boys, bobbing their head two and fro, each having a delicate smile on their face, as the boy's did the same, the couples moving in a mannequin like synch.

Main Tera Hero, Suno Zara Ameero!

Main Rabda Banda, My Friends Sab Da

Dekhe Dunya Key Kone Bas Hum Dono Hein Sorein

Kuriyun Mein Apne Charchein, Hum Pein Karte Hain Kharchein

Life Mein Aisa Dhoye, Main Jaan Bacha Ke Sooya

Suraj Se Maine Bola, Ye Bola Bola

Subah Hone Na De

(I am your hero, listen all the rich people

I am the Gods messenger, every body's friend

I have seen all the corners of the world, only we two are beautiful

Girls chat about us, and spend money on us

Such did my life beat me, I saved my life and slept

I asked the sun, let there be no morning)

Probably on these particular lyrics nobody was actually following an current step, the entire dance floor filled with cheers and tapping feet's of the young boys and girls, enjoying themselves like there is no tomorrow. Colors were blended in such a way it was hard to decipher faces in the presence of the fluorescent vibrant lights. Vivek looked from where he was dancing with his crush, his eyes taking glimpses of his best friend, and smiling lightly to himself seeing her happy, but somewhere he felt odd the way she was dancing, their was un certainty in her moves, her body was not stiff it seemed more of a doddle then a appropriate clear cut dance. He wondered if anything was wrong with her, or with her partner who she was dancing with, the couple he observed looking nice, yet at the back of his head he had a bad nagging feeling, that something was wrong with the two of them. Much of his was doubting there sane state, and he wondered, were they even sane right now?

Subha Hone Na Dein, Saath Khone Na Dein

Aik Doosrein Ko Hum Sonnein Na Dein

Tu Mera Hero, Tu Mera Hero, Tu Mera Hero

(Let the sun not rise, and our companionship never end

Let the two of us not let each other sleep

You are My Hero, You Are My Hero, You Are My Hero)

Khushi lipsed the word, the only one doing it in fact, looking straight into Arnav's eyes, her head now spinning, breathe labored, body unsteady, and moved her hand upwards in a semi circle shape, to indicate the Sun, and picked up Arnav's hand that was lying by his side, clasping it in her own two hands, indicating their partnership, and withdrawed one hand, pointing her finger right where is heart lay, bringing into action the last line of this set of lyrics.

She moved in closer to him, her mental activity almost having stopped due to the effect of the drug that she had been annoyingly subjected too. Her head shaking eyes dropping low, she took steps towards him, who looked in no better condition, sharing similar conditions with her. The deep violet dress that she wore waved around, with people around them dancing mad, but the two of them in their haze were just looking into each others eyes deeply, trying to look into what they thought was the spark.

"Tu Mera Hero, Haan Hero, Tu Mera Hero", she dazily repeated, voicing out the words of the pop song that played behind them, having all the teenagers around them whirling in a daze.

"Main Tera Hero Haan Hero, Main Tera Hero", he sung back drowsily, as she swung her arms around his neck looking into his eyes in the drunk state she was oblivious to the world around her. His molten bronze eyes were boring into her caramel brown ones, both fighting that affect that they had on each other, as she felt herself, backing away from him, twirling around him, but mid way in between she felt a much firmer hand yanking her away from him, which was dragging her all the way to the washroom, leaving him, Arnav staring at her disappearing face in utter despair.

Arnav vision seem to have faded by some nano second, as among the blare of music and weird flickering of light, he couldn't make the face of the boy who had taken Khushi away from her, and stood stationary on his spot letting his brain formulate a new response, to get his motor neurons into action.

On the other hand Vivek was pulling a pretty flustered Khushi behind him, having a hard time to steady his grip on her wrist, as she kept struggling to let go of her, but all efforts of her were in vain, her determined best friend dragging him with all the force in the world. On much pondering and noticing how weird she had been acting, her movements told him what had happened, in fact the movements of both of them told him, that they were, drunk.

"Viveeekk'leavee mee..I wannaa..go.back to him", Khushi said in a shaky whiny tone, the drunkard effort now consuming her thoughts, making Vivek grumble to himself, and even much worry over how in the world did she ever get drunk.

"We will, once I get you back to your senses", he said sternly, shutting her for the time being, who made a cute straight annoyed face at him, and obliged by his demand, now quietly following him out of the crowd, to the washroom. Vivek momentarily stopped in between seeing Karan dancing with Priyanka, obviously unaware of the drunk state of his friend.

"Karan, I think Arnav's drunk, go help him out, while I knock some reality into her", he told indicating Khushi, and Karan immediately understood, and quickly excused himself from Priyanka finding his way back to Arnav amongst the heavy crowd, making it difficult for him to spot the person of interested.

Vivek pushed the door of the small washroom at the far end of the living room with his elbow, pushing in a blurry headed Khushi inside, and made her way with much difficulty, stand straight in front of the basin, and opened the tap flowing with icy cold water, splashing the water on Khushi's face much to her shock, who took her time to adjust to the blur of events her pupil inhumanly constricting and dilating, making her have to blink her eyes countless number of time to finally get everything in focus.

"Where'where..am I.. (looking around her and then at Vivek) What, what are you doing with me in the washroom..(touching her face) Why is my face wet?" Khushi asked him flabbergasted, bombarding all the questions she could on him, with him looking at her in a queasy manner, as if it was least expected thing happening in front of me.

"Why are you looking at me like that? (lowering her voice shakily) Did, did..something happen?" she asked a bit of inquisitive, and scared at the same time, her patience growing thinner with Vivek standing silent in front of her.

"A lot happened. First tell me, how did you get drunk?" he asked back straight, not trying to go in round about or crack around, the situation was very serious, and as far as he knew him, she was definitely not that type.

"DRUNK?" She exclaimed and he quickly kept his palm on her mouth, to dilate the sound of her booming voice in the small washroom. She removed it quickly, and took his hand in hers, and walked out of the washroom, seeing in a bizzard way at the people who were dancing around, most looking at her and giving her a thumbs up.

"What the hell did I do when I was DRUNK? Why are these people reacting like that?", she asked extremely confused, looking at Vivek bewildered who seemed momentarily amused to see her in the state she was, but quickly shifted on to a serious note, and looked at her curiously.

"Chun, how did you get drunk btw? What was the last thing you drank?" He asked her, in a Sherlock Holmes, manner out to solve a murder mystery.

Khushi looked at the way he was talking to her oddly, and arched an eyeborw at him, but quickly let the expression go, and strained her head trying to think of exactly what had happened, only faint occurences coming back to her nothing must to clear. And then she suddenly remembered the face of Purab and him handing over her Apple Juice.

"Apple Juice" she told him, and he looked at her with a thoughtful expression, making her think of how very sane people could drunkards back to reality and then turn into something similiar themselves.

"Are you sure it was Apple Juice, or tequila? Did you take it on your own or someone gave it to you?", Vivek asked her, now having her knock a hard punch into his chest making him look at her incredoulously.

"Dont you be all that Sherlock Holmes with me! (making an awful expression) It gives me the creeps, *pause* and yeah I didnt get it, Purab gave it to me", she told his casually, btu equally freaked out with his mysterious detective act, but what came after that was an even bigger shock to her, as Vivek looked at her his eyes as hard as chips of burnt metla, face having lost all its colour, making him look something like the demons she usually saw in SuperNatural.

"Purab? I knew it, that f**ked up creature would surely bring in some trouble! Did you drinkt he whole thing or was there some left?" He asked quickly, being short in his words, in fear of the anger rising inside him erupting out in the open, which was very unlikely for someone of his nature but he knew when it did, it was all hell broken loose.

For Khushi to react aptly at this moment was very difficult, since probably she wa sonto discovering new horizons of truth, a completely different edge to her best friends usually calm nature, and to top it all off, a even more bigger shock that was just coming her way at an immeasurable speed now.