Diya's POV
Usually, if it's about celebrating, my friends would hit the pub but since I don't go to pubs they decided to enjoy the night at our place. Yeah, another one of your stupid principle. Right. Girl, can't you give a break, you and your stupid moralities said my conscience while rolling her eyes.
Oh, shut up you! Don't you know that I hate crowded places? It makes me feel suffocated. Plus I don't know how to dance. So, what's the point in going there anyway. I said to reason with my conscience.
Yeah yeah, right she said, rolling her eyes.
I just brushed her off. Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
" Diya mind opening the door? I think they are here" Khushi partially yelled from the kitchen.
" Sure!!" I quickly went and opened the door, I am so excited to meet them. Once I opened the door they threw themselves over me and pulled me into a tight hug.
" We missed you Diya!!" they said in chorus and congratulated me for getting the job. " Thanks, guys. Now come let's go and enjoy!" I said and we all strolled into the living room.
Khushi ordered pizza and I bought snacks and drinks for them. Not to forget Steven had brought his baby along withbhim, I meant the vodka bottle. We started chatting and enjoyed eating pizza.
Then, they started sipping their vodka while I enjoyed my orange juice. Yeah, there is another thing that I forgot to mention I don't drink. There goes Ms Principle once again...This time I decided to ignore my conscience.
" So, Diya how was your interview? Tell us about your boss. Did he act rude during the interview?" Steve asked me with concern in his voice. He is normally very overprotective of me and treats me like a younger sister. He never made me feel like I didn't have an older brother.
" Oh, C'mon Stev! I heard that Mr Rahul Singh Ranawat is very hot! Diya you should be lucky having him as your boss" said Ria in a teasing tone.
I just shook my head and hit my palm on my forehead, after hearing that. Ria and her obsession over hot guys. I just rolled my eyes mentally.
" Well Ria you should have also heard that Mr RSR is an arrogant businessman and has 0% of respect towards others," said Dave in a mocking tone.
Exactly Dave! You're 100% true.
Ria just shrugged hearing that.
Well, Dave is the most matured guy among us. His thoughts are always rational and he always has that aura of a Godfather around him. His pieces of advice are worth listening.
" Diya.....you haven't answered my question yet" Stev was still waiting for my answer.
I sighed deeply.
" Its nothing Stev, the interview was great. My boss is ok? I don't have any complaints" I said with a fake smile.
I don't want Stev to know that whatever Dave told was true. He will get unduly worried.
" Diya how did you get a bruise on your forehead," Ria asked me with a confused look.
Shit!!
" Yeah, how come I didn't notice that. Diya is there anyone behind your bruise? " I could already sense Stev's anger in his question. Not to forget Stev is our university's No.1 rowdy. A good rowdy to be precise. He just finds it difficult to control his anger if someone messes with his friends. He will beat the crap out of them. Yet he is the uni's hotty. I guess girls find bad boys hotter compared to the nerds. I never understood their psychology anyway.
Whatever, now back to Stev's question. " Uhm....it was nothing Stev I just got hit by a car while riding my bike, that's all. It's not even considered as an accident, so just chill " I said assuring Stev.
" Who was the person driving the car?" Stev questioned me as soon as I completed my sentence.
Do you think I am gonna tell you that buddy? After knowing very well what will be the consequences. Ah! ha! Wrong move dude.
" I don't know Stev, I couldn't see his face clearly" Liar.... you know who called me that.
Stev was so angry at the person for not even checking whether I was fine after he hit me. Even Dave and Ria were mad at that fact.
" Diya you are an experienced bike rider, I can't believe that you got into an accident. Were there no people on the road? Because usually, the road is full of vehicles at day time. They would have come for your help." Dave questioned me.
What did I tell you about Dave, he has started his enquiry already.
How am I supposed to say that it happened at night and that's why there were no people on the road. Then he would ask me where I was heading so late at night. They know that I don't go out anywhere at night since I am not a pub or party person. That's the reason, they are thinking that the accident must have taken place during the day. I can't tell them that I am a racer and I go racing every Saturday and sometimes Sunday. They would freak out knowing that.
" No its nothing Dave, even though I'm an experienced rider I should have been more careful," I said and gave Khushi a please-don't -tell-them look. She understood my situation and played along with me.
But Dave wasn't convinced with my answer. "But Diy-" before he could complete Ria cut him in between. " Dave can you please stop your investigation. She is our friend, not your accuse. You know what? Sometimes I think you would have had a better future if you chose to become a CIA over a doctor." Dave chuckled at her.
I know Dave. He isn't convinced yet but he just dropped the topic.
For now.
Then we started playing truth or dare game. I hate that game, but I gave in for them. Right now, only I was sobber, they were so intoxicated by the vodka. They didn't ask any awkward question or any silly dare. It was like playing the game with kids. For an instant, they asked questions like,
"When was the first time you got hit by your teacher?"
" What are your fears? "
and for the dares, they were like
'sing a song'
'imitate like one of your friends'.
I enjoyed the game at the beginning but the questions and dares got worse well just for me as the game continued. The alcohol has started showing its effect. Surprisingly, I got more truth compared to dare.
" Diya why are you restraining yourself from falling into relationships and running away from commitments?" Ria asked me with a slurring voice.
" Yes, Diya, not only relationships you even find it difficult to let anyone near you even as a friend. It even took a long time for us to make you feel comfortable around us. You are always guarded." Stev questioned me while gulping down the whole glass of vodka.
" Diya I feel like you are hiding something from us. Is something bothering you? Did you have any horrible past regarding love and relationships? " even in this state Dave never forgets to be the smart one, digging out answers
" Yes, Diya we want to help you. Will you let us help you?" Khushi asked while looking intently at me.
I know my friends, they would never ask me all this question in their sobber state because they knew how uncomfortable I would get. I will usually brush off their question with silly excuses. But they were always curious to know the reason. They thought maybe I was just shy at the beginning and that's why I don't get involved in any relationships. Soon, when they found out that I was purposely ignoring relationships, their suspicion grew even more. For some reason, they restrained themselves from asking me about the reason.
Told you they were very understanding but since now they are not in their sobber state, I guess they can no longer hold back their suspicion.
I can sense the concern in their question. But how am I suppose to tell them what I went through? My face turned pale and my vision became blurry. I definitely didn't have any Exs or heartbreaks. But....how could I forget what I saw.
The incident that took place years back still haunts me until today. That's the reason why I behave like this. I was on the verge of weeping. I was fighting back my tears when all the horrible memories from my past flashed in front of my eyes. I can't break down, not in front of them, then they would sense that something is definitely wrong with me.
When Khushi placed her hand on my shoulder and gave me a comforting look while squeezing my hand with her other hand, THAT WAS IT. I could no longer hold it back. I broke down in front them, tears were streaming down my cheek continuously.
Never in these four years, they saw me in this state. I was shattered. Even in their drunken state, they never failed to show their concern. They were trying really hard to comfort me and to make me stop sobbing. It only made me feel even worse.