After Meeting You

Chapter 3

Jared POV    

     It was immense silence all the way along to the bus stop. And I also didn’t initiate any conversation with her. After reaching at the bus stop I just simply said, ‘Take care goodbye.’ I was about to leave when she tugged at my sleeve so I just turn around to see she was crying. ‘Hey what happened?’ I asked worriedly. ‘Can you please take me to the prom? Please!’ ‘Look Anika my parents don’t even allow me to go to the prom. I am really sorry. But I can’t take you to the prom.'

    ‘I think you are mistaken Jared. See I don’t have any crush on you. It’s just that some of my classmates, more precisely my bullies threaten me to ask you for prom. If I don’t go with you to prom, they will post some indecent pics of me on school bulletin. Please go with me. Please.’ She said while looking so pitiful and hurt. I don’t if I should say yes but still some uneasiness and doubts lingered in my mind. I was in trance when she said, ‘Please Jared, I beg you! I know it’s weird but please come with me to the prom. Please. My parents are conservative and little orthodox if they knew there are some pics which can taint my character they will remove me out of school. Please I want to continue to study further. Please.’ I took a long breath before asking her, ‘How come they got your pics. And why don’t you just complain it to school?’ She looked little cautious at first and answered ‘About the pic it was not like I doing something with a boy or so, as I don’t even have a boyfriend. Somebody accidentally spilled juice over me in cafeteria, so I went to the washroom to clean it. I was cleaning the shirt in front of wash-basin when some girls came from behind and started clicking pictures, while I was not wearing a shirt. I tried to resist but they slapped me in my face and dragged me to the toilet and locked me there for whole day. When I was free, they demanded me to collect your information. Apparently they have crush on you. But you resist everybody’s charm so they are frustrated! Regarding the compliant, I tried but they asked for evidence while I didn’t have any! I also asked for cctv footage near washroom but for unfortunate part of me the cctv was broken. When those girls got to know about my complaint they shared my pic with another girl. They told me if I disobey next time it will be a boy. Look I don’t want to taint my character, my father is a very strict person if he knew about any of this thing he will punish me terribly without even looking into this matter. I know you think I may be a psycho for clicking your pics, luring around you, try to be friends with your friends but I don’t have any other option. Please help me out for once, I shall be grateful for you for lifetime. Please.’

    I looked at her and felt into deep thought, not only my parents are tough even she got one set of such. But still I was little confused about helping her. I do want to help but somewhere down in my heart I was not sure. But refusing such thoughts I gathered up my courage and said to her, ‘Ok I shall help. But look I don’t know if my parents will allow me to go to the prom. But I can speak with those girls if you want because I feel somewhat it’s my fault.’ She blushed a little while saying ‘It’s not your fault. Can I come to give you water bottle at your tennis match tomorrow? In this way I can convince those girls.’ ‘Ok sure.’ Her bus came and she said goodbye and left. And here I was with thoughts circling in my mind. I don’t know what to feel exactly. I am pretty sure only Kev can help me out, but before that I need head home or my mom will really turn into Cinderella’s stepmom!

    It was almost 5 when I reached home; I was anticipating the conversation that may happen in the house. While opening the door I saw my mother sitting on couch in daze. Our home has adequate furniture just that amount which is needed for three people at most if someone visits for four people. All furniture was dark with no extra décor to it. My mom looked at me with no expression whatsoever. Looking at me for a while, she shifted her eyes and said ‘You are late.’ I looked down with guilty eyes and said, ‘I am sorry. This shall not happen again.’ ‘I hope so too because you need to savor your freedom and not to take it for granted. We can never have everything and control everything. For you to control your life, you need to be stronger than ever. Now go back to your room and take snacks from the counter of the kitchen.’ I nodded with yes, there was many a times when mom used to say such stuff which sounded confusing and message at same time. But right now I need to call Kevin who could give me advice regarding Anika’s matter.

     I fished out my phone from my pocket and dialed his number when I suddenly realized that he must be with Mia and it’s bad to disturb them. I was about to disconnect the call when Kevin received it and I could hear his drowsy voice. ‘I am sorry for disturbing you and Mia, I shall call you back.’ I was about to hang up the call when Kevin’s voice came through, ‘It’s ok bro you are clear, Mia left half hour ago so now I am all yours!’ ‘Oh god!’ Laughing with sinister smile Kevin replied ‘What can I do for your majesty?’ And please speak faster I am about to sleep!’ Sighing to his mocking voice I replied, ‘It’s about Anika.’ Before giving me chance to finish my words Kevin said, ‘What happened? You have fallen in love with her! Please don’t, she is weird. Fyi she is not friends with Mia but she just nagged her to let her come at my house. Maybe she is into it. So what you wanted to say regarding Anika? Taking a long breath I told him everything that happened between me and Anika. ‘Holy s**t!’ Kevin screamed so loudly that I am pretty sure his voice could be heard around entire block.