by Namita Singh
glass of water for himself. This ‘partner’ thing has always befuddled me. Looking at Rufina aunt, she seems as happy as any other member of our house who has a partner. Sometimes even happier. Obviously you don’t need to have a partner to survive well. But apparently it is considered a bonus.
“Why do you think she doesn’t have a partner?” I ask instead.
“She has very high standards.” He jokes, chuckling. Then sober, adds, “It’s not necessary that you’ll have a partner. If you have one, okay. If you don’t have one, double okay. Your aura just tends to seek the one with whom you’ll be most compatible. If you don’t find anyone who fits with your aura,” Uncle shrugs, “big deal.” He ends in a ‘duh’ tone. “It’s not like a ‘soul-mate’. Not everyone has someone custom made for them.”
“But…Aunty doesn’t even date anyone…?” I finish sheepishly. I know, I know, my curiosity is making me ask such questions which I shouldn’t be asking. But can you blame a guy? Aunt Rufina is a placid woman and fairly good looking, even in her forties, and even without the make-up. It is not going to be tough for her to catch a good guy even at this age.
Uncle nods, “That’s because her aura doesn’t fit well with anyone. Or vice versa. The bond you attain with your partner can’t be attained with anybody else.”
“So…” I start dubiously, “If perchance you don’t like your partner…” I trail off.
Uncle chuckles, “It’s impossible not to like your partner. But, hypothetically, if you do, you’ll still stick with them, because only their aura will be satiating enough.”
It doesn’t escape me that he may be giving justification for his relationship with someone like Gwen.
“Sounds like a curse.” I quip childishly and get up to place my own plate in the dishwasher.
“Don’t worry.” Uncle says, “As I said, it’s fairly likely you’ll not find a partner at all.”
“Yeah, Aakir hasn’t found one. I am yet to get mature.” Talking of Aakir, I check my wrist watch, “Oh crap, I have extended my break. I better get going.”
I bid uncle a goodbye and depart towards our shop. Uncle and father keep up jobs of their own, apart from our family business. The latter is mostly run by the women of the house. I can say we are fairly well off with four bread winners, considering the size of my family. Though the money invested in the cars for my family hasn’t been fruitful. As therians we all prefer to walk or run on foot than use our cars. They are used only for very large distances or when we require being faster than we are on foot.
The rest of the weekend is uneventful. Since Faith and Rahul are home the dinner is lavish and the gossips are endless. We youngsters end up spending the nights out, ‘partying’. That is if eating out, taking a few drinks (with Faith and Rahul’s help, since Aakir and I are not off age) and wandering aimlessly in the streets of Liepāja is considered ‘partying’.It’s a fun time, nonetheless. I always enjoy with my family, more so than I do with my friends from school. Ray and the other guys from school did propose a gathering and endless liquor, but Aakir and I always have the good excuse of our cousin sister being home.
Before I know it Aakir and I are running late for school on Monday. We reach with only five minutes spare. As soon as we are in the corridor Aakir snatches a copy of The Plutocracy from the newspaper rack, making me roll my eyes. He is such a gossip digger though he’ll never admit it on face. We walk down the corridor, rushing to our first class. Other students, some in the same posture as Aakir with the newspaper, hurry up too as the warning bell rings. Aakir’s nose is stuck in the paper, inattentive to the crowd of students rushing to their classes.Still he bumps not into a single student on his way, probably sensing their aura beforehand and diverting his way. Show off.
We reach the class, our friends being boisterous at the back benches. A few people greet me as we walk towards the back of the class. Politely, I greet back.
“Oooh! Here’s our hero!” Francis half jumps onto my shoulder, attempting to grasp my skull in a head lock. I playfully push him back, but my force is enough to keep him at bay. I instead motion to give him a high five. A round of ‘what’s up’ goes off and I am comfortably seated at my bench as my countless friends continue to talk.
“Oh, Viktor got a huge blow.” Ray says, grinning, as he walks to sit next to me.
Viktor? Oh, right. I had completely forgotten about my so called fight with him.
“He’ll survive.” I reply nonchalantly.
“Not after reading this.” Aakir mumbles, his face still buried in The Plutocracy.
I frown, “What?”
“That was very nice of you, you know.” Natalie says, sitting in front of me, “There are so less people who stand up to bullies these days.”
My chest puffs up a bit at her comment. No, it has nothing to do with how pretty she is. No, it also doesn’t have anything to do with the million dollar smile she’s sending my way. And no, it certainly doesn’t have to do with the fact that she has chosen to sit near me, as I have been wishing since the last few days.
Okay, so maybe I have a little crush on her.
I smile at her, “People shouldn’t bully in the first place.”
“Yes,” Ray says, “I regret not interfering before it got out of hand.” He says, in respect to himself being amongst the audience while the kid was getting bullied. “But I am very glad one of us stood up to him,” he continues, looking at me, “Viktor had to be stopped.”
Well. Don’t I feel like a proud child, I mentally scoff at Ray’s praising.
“I wish I was there.” Natalie gushes suddenly, her dark eyes twinkling, making her look cute, “Not because I’d like to see you in a fight,” she gives me a chiding look in jest, “I just read that you were very good. I have never seen you getting involved in such things ever before.”
“Oh,” I start, keeping the blush off my face, “It wasn’t much of a fight.” I say modestly.
“Yeah, I read that you didn’t allow Viktor to put even one offensive move.”
There was that word again. “Read?” I ask.
She shrugs, “The Plutocracy.”
“Oh.” I should have known Neal will write exaggeratedly about my ‘fight’ in his paper. I don’t feel the urge to read the article. With the way my day is starting I’ll anyways know the content of the article from people soon enough.
“Yes. Viktor has a reputation for fighting.” Natalie continues, “So naturally I was surprised when I read the paper about you defeating him.”
Defeating? What was it, a war?
“So was I, man.” Ray smiles at me, “I honestly didn’t think you had it in you.” he says genuinely.
They continue to talk back and forth about this. ‘Viktor’, ‘Plutocracy’, ‘You were so good’, ‘Very nice of you to stand against Viktor’ and the best, ‘I didn’t know you had it in you’. It was starting to irk me a little. The only good thing that seems to be coming out of this is Natalie talking to me more than usual. But even that starts to lose its charm by the time lunch rolls over. Every single person I am meeting has nothing more to do than tell me how good it was of me to stand against Viktor. It’s hilarious in a satirical sense, because I had completely forgotten about the ordeal over the weekend. Teenagers. Forever trapped in a brumous state. I’ll notice Aakir snickering subtly whenever someone lifts the topic again. As much oblivious our friends are of my blatant vexation, that much aware Aakir seems to be of it.
I am walking towards the cafeteria with Natalie by my side when out of nowhere a hand clasps on my shoulder, obliging me to turn back. If I were a pure human the hand on my shoulder would probably leave a bruise. Once turned, I understand why the hold is so powerful in an antagonistic fashion. Standing, almost bristling is Viktor Lagunov, the very subject of whom has me on edge the whole day.
“Having the time of your life, Lichinsky?” he growls, stepping onto my face.
“Lagunov.” I greet him tiredly, looking around us. My friends have halted, so have all the s
tudents in our vicinity. Everyone anticipating what will happen.
“Let’s have a little buddy chat, shall we?” He sneers at me and I notice that two, equally bulldozer sized boys are standing behind Viktor. What’s with these people having minions all the time?
I blink and realize that everyone’s awaiting my answer. I take a deep breath and exhale it as I contemplate what to do.
“Sure,” I reply to him, “But be sure to take an appointment first.”
My smartass comment earns me a few snickers. Viktor looks unimpressed. Aw, hell. I shrug off his hand from my shoulder and turn to walk away. The next thing I know, Viktor has me pressed against the wall, his hold uncomfortable at my clavicle. I take a moment to let it sink in that he just pushed me, forcefully I may add, against a wall.
“Don’t be a sissy-” he starts and that’s all he manages to say. I push him so hard against his chest that he stumbles back, clumsily falling in the arms of his two friends. I take a step towards him as he, embarrassingly, steadies himself.
“Don’t you dare touch me again, Viktor.” I tell him in a low voice. I have no desire to let the world know what we are talking about. “And I have no interest in your stupid games.”
“You have some nerve to tell me that after last time.” He snaps back, not trying to be as discreet as myself.
I huff in annoyance. I have had enough of these childish antics, “I don’t have time for