THE WIND THAT KISSED HER CHEEKS-chapter 2

CHAPTER-2

APOLOGY

NOTE: This is the second chapter of the series The Wind that Kissed her Cheeks. If you haven't read the previous chapter clicked the link:- https://poetryandstoriesforlife.blogspot.com/2020/11/the-wind-that-kissed-her-cheeks.html

 

“It would be better if you avoid him. At least for now” suggested Avantika. She was making her tie while Nikila drove the car. Usually, Sayantan joined them but unfortunately, he was stuck in work back in his dad’s garage and couldn’t make it on time. So they had to leave without him to reach college at the earliest. Nikila managed to narrate the whole incident that took place on Saturday night. She was home the whole Sunday- eating ice-cream, killing time on Netflix, and relaxing on Blackpink’s albums. She felt it absurd to cry over Jeet’s anomalous behavior. Besides, she took an hour bath of warm water to dump her feelings for Jeet. Although it didn’t help yet she thinks that’s what girls in big cities do. Flush their feelings in the faucet.

Avantika and Sayantan were Nikila’s best friends. They were together since high school. On every occasion, they had been together. Nikila counted on them as a lost traveler counts on stars. Jeet’s inappropriate behavior had upset both of them and they couldn’t get over the fact that a guy as nice as Jeet could do something so knave.

Avantika hugged her as she stopped by her house to fetch her up for the college in the early morning. She planted a kiss on her forehead and hugged her as if she were her pet cat. Nikila purred at her adorable act of kindness. She was as adorable as Nikila. She had adorable, baby doll-like eye laces, sun-kissed skin, deep brown eyes, and a robust, average figure with heavier busts. Her flaxen hair was matted and unkempt but promised to shine when groomed.

Having spent the weekend in Boudoir, the two aspirant Business Analysts got out of the car and glanced at the magnificent campus of St. Bernadette Institute of Future Technology and Business Studies.

Nikila adjusted her backpack. Time for grinding, she mentally prepared herself for a challenging week. The campus was bustling with students. Group discussions in the open expanse were common practice before the classes. Nikila was examining the crowd, shifting a glance from one student to another. Avantika noticed her peculiar behavior, “Looking for Jeet?”

“Yeah. I don’t want to run into him” she said googling through the crowd.

“Avantika!” someone shouted. It was Debjyoti, the speaker of the Student Council. After a brief jog, he reached Avantika in time to remind her about the oncoming debate competition.

“Are you sure you haven’t forgotten about it?” he prayed.

“No, not at all. I have all the documents secured. When we do meet?” she solicited.

“Right now. Mr. Bose is waiting for the team in the auditorium. Oh, hey Nikila. How’s it going?” he asked abruptly.

“I’m going great. Thanks!” she smiled.

“Babe, I need to go. I’m so sorry” Avantika pleaded.

“No, it’s alright. I will be fine” Nikila hugged her. “Prepare well. I want medals clanging down your neck.”

“I will make sure it happens” she winked.

Debjyoti coughed to grab her attention and indicated her to keep going. Nikila felt like a fish out of water when Avantika and Debjyoti went beyond her vision. She hitched up the strap of her bag, tightening her lips. It was only 8 o'clock. An hour due to the first classes begin. Groggily she continued walking towards the main building. Luckily, she found Prachi engaged in a discussion with Nitish and Joy. She needed company and couldn’t wait to join in.

“Hey, guys! What you all are doing?” she said gleefully.

“Nikila! Thank God, you came in such a good time,” Nitish was overwhelmed at her presence. “Remember when Mr. Annand was delivering a lecture on Big Data Analytics for Risk Management?”

Nikila nodded, “I remember. He told about the formulation of mapping of consumer data and grouping of investment risk”

“Yes, exactly. I have been thinking about the hypothetical situation he told us to work on and I have come up with my own formulation. Just have a look” Nitish put forward his notebook. Nikila skimmed through the data carefully. Apart from being an independent, party girl, Nikila was an expert in business analytics. She had an in-built talent for understanding the gravity of any situation and provided the best solution. But, once again, she could never make out her own problems or assumptions on which she could count on. The relationship being her prime area of failure and also a bad investment. At times she felt she lacked in emotional intelligence, and confuse herself with her unambiguous desires.

“I would suggest going for analytic problem framing instead of the traditional method. Cleanse your data and adopt a neural methodology then feed your data into it,” Nikila explained them, sketching strange, complex drawing on the notebook and running her hand furiously over the data.

“I told you to reconsider your methodology,” Prachi complained.

“The formulae look accurate, though” Joy declared.

“The formulas rely upon correct data mapping. If the data mapping doesn’t support the true values, the formula invariably becomes invalid,” Nikila shrugged. Nitish looked puzzled and blankly nodded at her words.

“That was great! Why don’t you join us in the library in the evening?” Prachi offered.

“Oh, I would love to!”

“Nikila!” someone called her name. The familiarity of the voice frightened Nikila. It was Jeet and he couldn’t keep himself at a distance from her. Nikila stood there clinging tightly to the strap of her bag.

“I have been looking for you the whole time. Why did you block my number?” Jeet grilled.

“I don’t want to talk to you,” Nikila avoided eye contact. I wish Avantika and Sayantan were here. 

“I need to sort out things between us, you get it” Nikila was looking away with her arms crossed. “Nikila I’m speaking to you” he shook her shoulders. Nikila felt uncomfortable and wiggled out.

“Jeet, watch out what you are doing” Prachi remarked.

“Take it easy,” Nitish snapped but Jeet cut him off.

“This is none of your business,” Jeet affirmed. Seeing the moment, Nikila slipped out and vigorously walked towards the main building.

“Nikila, wait!” Jeet overtook her, obstructing her way. “Why are avoiding me?”

“So what am I supposed to do?” Nikila said dramatically, her bag falling off her shoulder. “Jeet, how could you do something so shameful?”  Nikila pronounced.

“You didn’t like the kiss?” Jeet smirked.

“No, it’s not about the kiss but…” she mumbled, biting her lips. “How could you touch me down there without consent?” Nikila said subtly.

“You always loved the way I touch you, didn’t you?” Jeet questioned.

“It’s not same as touching my hair or cheeks. It’s different. It’s consensual,” Nikila struggled to explain.

“You could have told me instead of slapping. Such a disappointment,” Jeet swelled with anger.

“I know I’m a disappointment. Would you leave me alone now” she said trying to leave but Jeet held her wrist tightly. He squeezed it till she gasped in pain. “Jeet, stop! It’s hurting,” she snatched his wrist to let her go. “Stay with me, please!”

“NO!” she pulled her hand forcefully, few students were staring at them, whispering and mumbling. Nikila caressed her arm, running somewhere she didn’t know about. Jeet kicked the dust angrily.

She ended up near the cafeteria where she flung her bag under the boughs of a tree and hugged her knees, sobbing silently. In the morning hours, the cafeteria was the quietest place on the campus making it a perfect spot for couples to share quality time. Feeling weak and exploited, she longed for the presence of her friends. Her fist was clenched and she kicked the ground in anger. “I hate you, Jeet,” Her gentle sob now turned into a cry and she shivered.

“Let it out. Nice and slow” an unknown voice reached her. Immediately she wiped her tears and settled her hair. She turned smiling weakly. Her eyes fell on a handsome countenance- sculpted jawline, jet-black almond eyes, and long refined nose. Nikila was momentarily stunned. Beard shaved into medium stubble added a sharp feature to his honey-toned skin.

It was the biker from the riverside. He narrowed his eyes, slightly turned his face, trying to recall those crystal brown eyes, glittering with tears. “The screaming girl?” he managed to say that.

Nikila recognized the guy and at once wiped her tears. She turned around to get her bag, “What are you doing here? Did you come here to meet your girlfriend?” She tried to sound funny.

“And will that cheer you up?” he said.  She was still feeling the pain in her heart.

“Do you study in his college?” she asked out of stupidity.

“Else I wouldn’t be here,” Point!

The zipper of her bag wouldn’t behave. It got stuck midway and a frustrated Nikila used her strength to pull it.

“Still struggling to get over the conflict?” the boy asked her.

Firstly, Nikila had to get to her classes but Jeet would be waiting for her. This annoyed her. What else made her annoyed was the boy and his overwhelmed curiosity. But it was nice of him to make an effort to help her get over her inner conflict. The boy shrugged and got busy with his notes. Nikila gingerly lifted herself to leave but a thought stuck in her mind. She turned towards the boy. She felt stupid.

He might be a stranger but that doesn’t mean I need to be obnoxious, thought a stupid Nikila.

“Sorry, if my behavior offended you. I didn’t mean to ignore you,” she apologized.

“Oh, don’t be bothered by it. Thinking is the talking of the soul with itself,” he said with a smile. He was absorbed in reading a book. Nikila didn’t understand what he was trying to say.

“Will you mind if I ask you to walk me to the front gate of the main building?” she asked rubbing her hands together. The boy looked at him as if to say, Aren’t you old enough to walk by yourself.

“Actually, my boyfriend, I mean Jeet is not letting me go without an argument and I can’t risk getting into another soul fight, you what I mean?” she pleaded shyly, clutching herself tightly to make a gesture of sympathy.

The boy looked amused and he nodded, “Sure!” He dusted his denim jeans and gathered his stuff. Off they went towards the main building. He was taller than Nikila and had a muscular, athletic build- grace like that of an American model. Nikila felt nervous. Compare to Nikila’s clumsy foot action, the boy had a graceful walking style and no bit of him left Nikila unimpressed.

Together they walked silently till they got to the entrance. Students were rushing in for their classes. Hardly had they reached the entrance when they noticed Jeet waiting for her. He hurriedly came walked towards Nikila.

“Damn, where did you go? I was so worried” he confessed with a certain degree of heat.

“Jeet, I have my classes and I don’t want to create a scene,” she refused to talk to him.

“I understand you are angry with me but there is a way we can sort out things. I love you! I really do and I will make it up to you,” he said with open arms. “Who are you, anyway?” he eyed the boy standing beside Nikila.

“Oh, me?” he cleared his throat but before he could speak anything Nikila said, “He is my new boyfriend.”

“What?!” Jeet exclaimed. “How? I mean we are still not done.”

The boy lifted his finger, “It is terrible…”

“You don’t have to speak, damn ass” Jeet glared.

“Jeet, we are definitely done and I want you to get into my way. He is a much better guy,” Nikila argued.

“How can you say that? I know you better than anyone,” Jeet smirked, folding his arms.

“He cares about my consent before touching my sensitive areas which you didn’t even bother to do so. I’m not your property, Jeet” Nikila declared.

“Babe, I am apologizing for what I have done and I regret my actions. I completely accept what I’m responsible for. But, your property! There is a misunderstanding-” 

“Sure, there is a misunderstanding and let me be clear-” the biker tried to explain but he was cut short when Jeet came close and eyed him.

“Who asked your opinion? And how dare you be with my girl?” Jeet said brusquely.

“It’s not what you are thinking? Besides, she asked me to accompany her,” the biker said without flinching. Nikila sensed the tension rising in the air. She tried to drag the biker away from it.

“Leave us alone. We are getting late for classes,” Nikila placed her hand on his chest. Jeet’s jawline tightened and he clenched his fist. He pushed Nikila out of the way and punched the biker in his face. He barely moved an inch. Jeet took several steps back, holding his fists up, preparing for another strike. The biker looked at Nikila was astonished by the quick turn of events. Jeet charged headlock at him, swaging his fist. However, he quickly reacted to it by ducking downward by slightly bending his knees. Jeet swung his arm but couldn’t touch him. Instead, the bike raised his rear arm and punched him hard on his face. Jeet fell flat to the ground. Within seconds, he started gurgling blood. Suffocating, he coughed to clear his nostrils. 

Nikila gaped in horror while the small crowd around them cheered. “That’s a social media speculating shot, dude!” someone screamed. Many of them were recording the scene and clicking pictures. Not every day they get to see such out-of-world college fights like those Tollywood movies. “You absolutely nailed it!”

Nikila didn’t know how to react. “That’s enough, we need to go” she muttered.

“Keep off me” said the biker as calmly as he could. Nikila gave a confused look. “Just go!” he said firmly. Nikila swallowed hard and quickly went out of everyone’s sight. She secured herself the last bench in the lecture hall and kept her head below. What the fuck was I thinking! She screamed inside her head. Dragging someone she didn’t know into trouble-filled her with guilt and disgust. She felt emotional instability. In other words, her mood swings kicked in.

Back in Dean’s office, Jeet and the boy sat comfortably in front of Mr. Subhas, the Dean of the college. Jeet held an ice pack under his purple nose. His eyes were red. The other guy had a face filled with disappointment and frustration. Mr. Subhas looked at them.

“This is an absolute case of breach of law. Fights are not tolerated within the campus and everyone knows it well,” Mr. Subhas said politely. His palms closed together tightly.

“Apologizes, Mr. Subhas. I humbly regret my actions,” the boy said regretfully.

“It doesn’t seems right. Civilized people indulging in punches and crunches, make it ridiculous. What were you thinking?” Dean questioned him.

The boy looked at Jeet, “It was a small argument. A clear misunderstanding which took a drastic change and I put myself forward for any kind of punishment.”

Mr. Subhas nodded.

“You should be arrested for your actions. That’s should be the consequence! You maniac! I won’t spare you” Jeet growled. “Mr. Subhas I want him suspended before I could file a case against him,” he fulminated.

Mr. Subhas pointed his finger, “Weren’t you the one to start the fight? You are equally responsible for this.” Jeet swelled with anger.

“Both of you are liable to this mess, so the punishment will be equal,” Mr. Subhas declared. “You can go now!” Jeet got up angrily and left the room.

“Riyaz, I didn’t expect such a thing from you,” Mr. Subhas said frowningly. He had a fatherly figure and his priorities teach him to think over the goodwill of the students and the college. Any incident disrupting the progress or spoiling the image would be never tolerated by him. However, he let Riyaz, the biker, go on the condition that he wouldn’t promote or take part in any form of violence. Mr. Subhas leaned back on his chair, his deep eyes were dreamy, watching Riyaz leave the room.

“That’s a meme material, dude” someone was shouting in the hallway. Nikila walked down the corridor in embarrassment, trying to avoid attention. Avantika joined her during the lecture. At first, she couldn’t figure out Nikila among the crowd of eight-four students. Since she was accustomed to sitting on the first benches, Avantika didn’t expect to find her cowering at the corner of the lecture hall. She squinted her eyes when Nikila waved to her.

Avantika’s annoyance was obvious after hearing out Nikila. Besides, Nikila realized she was blameworthy. We didn’t even introduce ourselves and he is already in trouble because of me.

“I should find him. I owe him my gratitude as well as an apology,” Nikila appealed.

“And where will you get him?” Avantika beseeched, shrugging her shoulders. Nikila bit her lips. Surely, the boy won’t appear out of nowhere and present himself before her nor would Nikila break her etiquette by forgetting the whole incident. She thought about the cafeteria in the morning and thought of giving a try.

To divert her attention, she decided to crack her head on analytical theories by browsing through books in the library. Avantika patted her shoulder and reassured her whether she would be alright by herself to which she smiled and positively said “Yes!”

Avantika decided to catch up with her once she would be done with her research. Meanwhile, she would strategize for her upcoming discourse event.

The library was as quiet as a mouse. Not even a single sound of creaking or cracking of the floor nor the rustling sound of turning of pages could be heard. Nikila comfortably browsed through the piles of books until she entered the philosophy and literature section. She skimmed through the entire row. Nicomanche, Beyond good and evil, A history of Western Philosophy, Apology…

She poured through the collection- book-to-book, hastening her steps. Hardly had she paced towards the other section of shelves when she bumped against a muscular wall. Her face buried into someone’s chest! Immediately she looked up to apologize. Instead, she stood still as if hypnotized! It was those jet-black almond eyes that hypnotized her. Those were the same eyes that looked into her crystalline tear-filled brown eyes when she was sobbing in the morning. It was Riyaz, the stranger she met on Saturday night by the riverside. Riyaz raised his eyebrows in surprise, “Scream girl?” he murmured. She felt as if she was losing herself. Never did she felt so anxious and confused.

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