Chapter 52: Chapter 52

"When you start to get to know someone from the heart, you can recognize their moods, their essence without them telling you about it." [Jacqueline]

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[Jacqueline's POV]

After the teacher let me off the hook with a warning. I sat back down on the seat and glared at Rohan who in turn rolled his eyes at me mouthing 'it's no big deal.' My mind raced with anger. I was not the person who was even scolded once by the teacher. Neither I was the kind of student who won't pay attention to her classes. My biggest dream was to either die or perhaps get away from my home which was only possible if I could make myself something in life. Someone who can pay for her life. Someone who can gain freedom. This was the first time I was scolded by a teacher just because of him. I felt my eyes stung with tears.

"You may want to drink it before your tears ruin your face."

Rohan forwarded a water bottle to me saying softly, almost sounding human.

I stared at him dumbly, my eyes gliding over his high cheekbones and chiseled jawline.

"Trust me, it helps!" He said softly, placing the bottle in my hands.

Sighing, I opened the bottle and took two mouthfuls of water. I sucked in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. The fact that everyone was now focusing on the lecture finally reduced my humiliation. After that, I obeyed every word the teacher said and tried to keep my composure. After the class, I ignored the Rohan-like air while Nina was busy trying to please Jaan.

The whole day went like a blur. Due to the presence of Rohan, Nobody paid attention to me. Neither they bullied me. Except for some snickers in the background they didn't do anything to me at all. I should have been happy for that single reason but I was not. For some reason, I was neither here nor there. At lunchtime, Nina decided to grace our table with her presence. She was all bubbling and smiling but I felt myself flinching at her happiness.

No matter how much Nina tried to talk to me during lunch break. I couldn't respond to her actively. I was too immersed in my visions to respond to her. It didn't matter anyway, since she would break the friendship sooner or later. The sooner would be better for me though. At least I wouldn't be hurt to the point of no return. If there was anything in the world that I was terrified of, it was getting hurt by people I loved. Or maybe getting hurt by anyone. It was funny to even think of, considering people hurt me every day since childhood. But the degree of that hurt might depend on how much that person means to me. Surely, Nina doesn't mean that much at least now, but she still meant a lot in comparison to anyone I found. The way she began the word friendship for me already meant a lot. And I was terrified of what she would mean to me if I let her in. If I tore those walls around me for her, how much it would hurt. I felt the silence in between us.

Despite so many thoughts consuming my mind, I was unable to say a word to her. Except for some nodding and giving her a few smiles. My head was heavy with insecurities, my heart emptied with a future I was excited about. The fact that I won't be having a single friend before I left school, was unbearable. Rohan, the bad boy didn't interfere however I treated her, neither he spoke to me for her no matter how much she begged him to ask why I wasn't saying anything. Or maybe he was just giving me time to settle my brain with facts. Or maybe it was just anger.

As I looked down, I noticed Nina had handed me a paper. I couldn't believe what was written on it.

My eyes dilated, as I exclaimed looking up at her. Somehow she was standing nearest to me. "What! You are!"

She beamed at me with a smile.

Looking at my surprised face, Rohan frowned and snatched the paper away from my hands. His frown deepened.

"Are you crazy Nina? Didn't I tell you, I will deal with him in my ways?" His tone was in disbelief.

He shook his head, looking at her with anger. Few kids looked our way, at his outburst to which Rohan glared at them fiercely and they looked away.

She grinned at him, her hands on the waist of the white kurta dress she was wearing. Her eyes were shining. She looked at me and then looked at him.

"I am very sound Rohan! But just for your curiosity, this is what I want to do for my first friend. And if I am successful in doing this, there will be a video release of it and No one will ever dare to touch her."

My eyes widened in disbelief at her, my heart warmed up with her love and bravery or craziness. Why will she ever do that?

She pouted suddenly, and I had the urge to pinch her cheeks.

"I wasn't going to tell you this secret before doing this, but her behavior scared me." She bent towards me, enveloping my shoulders in her arms. Rubbing her right cheek against my left cheek, she said softly.

"I don't want to lose her before I even earn her Rohan."