CHAPTER 10 : TRUTH OR DARE

Roma

Bad move Nikhil, really bad move. You are challenging the hungry lioness. Just wait and watch now.

It was 4 in the afternoon. All our classes were done for the day and the cafeteria was also deserted with only us 4 being around. The staff members were about to leave too. We were sitting in the outdoors' table, so there was no one to disturb us. There was an evil smirk on my face.

NIKHIL : Like to do the honour of the opening spin mistress?

I : Sure (I took the bottle and gave a twirl. It spinned a 360 degree twice and landed on Tanya).

I : So Tanya, truth or dare?

TANYA : Truth

I : Ok, let me start with a juicy one. Have you and Advik kissed?

ALL THE THREE IN UNISON : What!!?

I : Roma never plays fair guys. Let me tell the rule, the one with more number of skip by the end is the loser. So Tanya, would you answer or skip.

TANYA : I will answer. Um…yes

NIKHIL : What!? When? (Nikhil asked looking at Advik)

I : No pushing Nikhil. One question per truth. (Advik blushed, I genuinely felt how cute the two are so I wished to compliment)

I : You are lucky to have such an adorable couple as best friends Nikhil. I love you both! (I twirled the bottle again and it landed on Advik)

I : So, truth or dare Advik ?

ADVIK : I have learnt as a child that everyone learn from their mistakes but smart people are those who learn from other people mistake. So, I choose dare. (Tanya gave him a pat on the back)

I : Would you like to do the honour Nikhil or should I ?

NIKHIL : Oh no, not today Roma. Today, my target is only you. (I ignored the second part)

I : Advik, the day since we have known each other, I have noticed that you really love Tanya. (He cut me off screaming "I do").

I : So here is the dare for you, I want you to stand on this table, face the opposite market complex and scream the three magical words to Tanya at the top of your lungs. (He blushed, Tanya got excited whereas Nikhil whispered in my ear seductively)

NIKHIL : I hope you are aware that there is a special place in hell for rebels like you.

I : I prefer lioness to rebels (I whispered back to him with the same tone).

ADVIK : How much of an evil you have to be ? Nikhil you have to get her good for me mate!

NIKHIL : Just wait and watch bro. (I interrupted them saying "do the dare")

ADVIK : (he stood on the table as I instructed) I LOVE YOU TANYA MALLIK ! (He screamed so loud that I was deafened for a while)

ADVIK : Nikhil, you spin the bottle. This woman knows black magic. (Advik said pointing to me while sitting back on the chair).

I : Use what so ever theory, am gonna win anyway. (Nikhil spinned the bottle and unfortunately it landed on me)

NIKHIL : Truth or dare ?

I : My life is an open book. So, I would take truth

NIKHIL : Look me in the eye and tell me what do you think of love?

(Now I was trapped. Since the last week in the activity room I didn't dare to look at Nikhil in the eye. They are mesmerising and hypnotic. His wide oval shaped ocean blue eyes, as beautiful as the sea make me drown in them. Looking at him and telling my views on love must be every girl's fantasy. And here I was asked to do so).

NIKHIL : I don't think we have all day Roma. (I snapped back to reality and he had a smirk on his face) Want to skip?

I : Never (for the moment I forgot that Tanya and Advik were sitting there. The air around suddenly got pleasantly warm).

I : Caring for someone beyond every rationality and logic you have ever concerned for, mistaking their voice to your heartbeat and wanting them to provide all the happiness of the world no matter how much it destroys you. When you truly love someone you just can't stop ever. Even if that person can never be with you, they can never be yours, you can't bring yourself upto the level of erasing them from your mind. Ever.

Nikhil

I was mesmerised, touched, warmed and lost in the round wide deep black eyes that are staring into my ocean blue ones. Her gentle voice screamed that she has never been more honest in her life than now. I could see from the corner of my eyes that Advik and Tanya were giving me a thumbs up with a cheerful smile. My eyes for the first time in years were glistening with tears for a girl. And this girl wasn't fake. Roma cleared her throat which brought me back to real world.

ROMA : Continue? (I nodded, twirling the bottle again and it finally landed on me)

ROMA : Truth or dare?

I : Truth

ROMA : What happened when you were in the last year of your middle school?

I : Skip. (She was shocked by my reply. I know she asked out of curiosity just like I did. But I am not ready to answer her. If she pushes me now, then I will understand that she can't respect my decisions and views).

ROMA: Ok (she said twirling the bottle again and it again landed on her)

TANYA : Truth or dare?

ROMA : Dare

ADVIK : There's a second year senior standing two tables ahead. Go to him, talk to him and ask for his number.

We all turned around to see the senior. He was around 5'10 , had normal masculines, subtle beard, almond shaped eyes and fully gelled hair. He was wearing a casual white t shirt and blue jeans. I know why Advik was doing this. This is for the discussion we had in the morning.

ROMA : Easy peezy. (I wanted to stop her. I approached to hold her by wrist but was stopped by Tanya)

She went to the guy, talked to him and was freaking giggling. The guy looked over our table and took out his phone. In matter of seconds, they exchanged numbers which she and I haven't done yet. My blood was boiling, hatred piling up in my throat, muscles in the stomach was like tightened knot. That was the moment I realised, this attraction of mine for Roma is not gonna fade with time. I straightened my face when she came back with a smile of victory.

TANYA : You got it, for real?

ROMA : I did. He is a gentle guy. (I snorted at that comment) Nikhil can I have your phone for a minute?

NIKHIL : I am not giving you my phone to call that f*#kboy

ROMA : Nikhil, language. (I gave her dead rolling eyes when she snatched the phone from my hand).

She frivolously typed something and handed it back to me.

ROMA : I presume we will need to talk beside college hours, in future. (I checked my phone and it had Roma's contact number. I don't know how childish it sounds but, the knot in my stomach loosened a little)

TANYA : Should we head back?

ROMA : Of course, I also have to celebrate my victory.

Tanya and Advik groaned out of frustration but I was still wandering at the series of events today. Admiring Roma in class, Challenging her, flirting with her, asking her questions to satisfy my curiosity, getting a jealous over a random guy, getting her number. What's going to happen? I have no clue.