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Chapter 17

“Eyes are the informers of heart. They darken when we are angry, while softens when we are filled with love.” [Jacqueline]

….

Jacqueline’s POV:

I gripped the straps of my backpack tightly. My whole form trembling in anticipation of what would happen to me today. I shifted in discomfort from one foot to another as a kid of age 6 years glared at me. If you are wondering where I am? I am at my bus stop waiting for my school bus to arrive for the last ten minutes.

I could sense my cortisol level increasing with each minute. Cortisol; a stress hormone, our nature’s inbuilt alarm system. And it was alarming to me that I needed to calm down. But when does that happen what we want? Almost every time what happens is opposite to what we want.

I place my hand on my heart. Realizing that My heartbeat was abnormally high.

“Di are you okay?”

The same 6-year-old kid asked me confusion clear in her eyes. I think her name was Riya or something. She was my bus companion. Though we never chatted, there were times when she had flashed a bright smile at me.

“I. Ye. Yeah. I am fine.” I stuttered the first time I spoke to a kid. It was embarra**ing.

“But you look pale.” She clutched the hem of my kurta and inquires again.

I exhaled, trying to downplay the words I said.

“Ah. Do I?”

I could feel her, sus***ious gaze on me. But I didn’t say anything. Waiting for her to either say something or just left me alone.

“You are so cute Di. When you pout.” She giggled, as she said those words of admiration.

‘Cute? Can a child lie? I didn’t know. But normally I never heard of a kid lying.’

Smiling, I bent down and caress her forehead,

“Thank you, Riya. But I think you are cuter than me.”

Her black eyes widened, as her cheeks turned a little pink. Her pink lips edging into a pout.

With a shy look.

She mumbles.

“You think so?”

I answered back “Yeah. I do. By the way, I have chocolate. Would you like some?”

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“I. Her gaze turned a little hopeful but then as if remembering something. It turned a little distressed. As she muttered a small

“No. Mommy said, to not take chocolates from strangers.”

“How about I introduce myself to you? Although I am no stranger to you, I have been your bus companion since last year. But just for you, I can tell you my name. And then we will no longer be

strangers. ”

A smile formed on her lips, as she nibbled on her lower lip.

“Yeah. You are right. Let’s do this.”

I held my hand for her to take smiling.

“Hie, My name is Jacqueline.”

She took it with a smile on her face.

“Hello, Jacqueline Di, I am Riya. But you can also call me RiRi.”

“I would love to.”

“Great.” She clapped her hands while I handed her the chocolate.

We both spent half an hour waiting for our bus to arrive. Eating chocolates and laughing at each other. As chocolate stained our lips, into a brown color.

As I saw the bus coming our way, I held her hand. And took out a small napkin from my backpack. Cleaning her lips with the tissue.

“You got some chocolate here RiRi. Let me just wipe it for you.”

“Okay JJ.”

I held her chin and cleaned it. Just when I tried to stand up, she held my cheeks and placed a small kiss on my cheeks.

“Thank you.” Uttering a word, she ran to the door of the bus. Her two ponytails swaying with the wind. As her little arms stretched out. The sight of her warmed my heart.

Several students peek out of the window. Looking at us curiously. While I patted my cheeks to cover up the blush. This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

On reaching the door, She glanced back and yell my name.

“Come faster JJ.”

I calm down and walk towards the bus exhaling. And she walks inside.

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I watch as she settles down with her friends, smiling at me. I smile back and settle down on my usual seat.

Though she did manage to calm me, but now that I was alone again. Fear engulfed me. I fidget in my seat.

‘What am I supposed to say to him?’

‘That it wasn’t intentional. Or that it flew from my hands.’

My attention drifts to my cell phone. As I glanced at it. Remo had not texted me since yesterday. Why? I don’t know.

I opened my FB account, wanting to send him a message and ask where is he? Though I did not want to admit it, I missed him. I missed him a lot. Probably if last night I could have talked to him, my mood would be much better than right now.

I decided it was better to just text him if I wanted to. Because there are how many times I did the things I wanted? Probably very less.

“Hey, Where are you Jerk? Are you alright?”

“I am missing you.”

There was no response. Exhaling I puffed my already puffed cheeks.

‘Where do people go when we want them the most? When we are in desperate need of their presence. Where the hell is he?’

I guess he must be busy. Too busy to entertain me. Perhaps he might have some very important work to chat with me on useless topics.

The school arrives. And I glanced out of the window. Thinking about whether I should head inside or just leave. The driver’s uncle glances at me from his seat. Confusion clear in his eyes.

“We are here Bitiya. Get off.”

“Eh. Okay, uncle.”

“By the way where were you yesterday, you didn’t return and I had to leave the school because of kids screaming. So I am sorry to not be here for you.”

“Mam Leila needed to discuss a project with me. So I was occupied by her. And don’t say sorry, Uncle I know how difficult it is for you to deal with brats like us.”

He nods at me, understanding my words.

“Not like you. Just except you. You are a good girl.”

I grin at his words. A feeling of warmth flooding inside my chest.

‘He thinks, I am a good girl.’

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“Thank you, uncle. I will be going now. And I wish you Have a good day ahead.”

“Thank you Bitiya. Bye.”

I walk towards the entrance with slow steps wanting the gate to be closed before I can reach it. But it doesn’t happen. As if time was laughing at me. As if Every second was spent making twice as much as a minute pa**es.

Then it happens, what I didn’t want.

The Watchman sees me and yells at my face to enter inside fast.

I was still anticipating my reaction. When a hand fell on my shoulders. A very rough hand. A hand that I can recognize must be of a man.

Then his body and face come in view making me freeze. my eyes widening in fear and reality. The reality dawned upon me.

‘Rohan.’

‘I am so done.’

He smiles at me. A fake one.

And said.

“Let’s head inside baby Jacky.”

His husky voice sending shivers down my spine. He forced me to step along with him.

Despite my fear, I nod at him walking at the same pace.

“Good morning uncle. Don’t mind her, she was waiting for me.”

I could feel the watchman’s judgemental gaze at me. As he looks at me like I am some dirty girl.

Though my heart was screaming at me to tell him, That he was lying. I wasn’t waiting for him. Or that I wasn’t in a relationship with him.