Save her (kind of, huh)

Shayan's pov

Five of us were sitting around a round table, Shaan on one side of me and Eleanor on the other. Eleanor was quiet during the whole ride till now. She looked tired with her slumped shoulders and continuously yawning after every two to three minutes.

There were two menu cards on the table, one grabbed by Sana and another one by Shaan. Waiter was waiting for our orders.

Sama asked him, "Please give us a minute".

"Ok, madam", he left.

"I don't know what to order. You people decide", with that said, she closed her eyes pretending to sleep.

Sisters only glanced at her once but paid no attention.

Shaan looked up at me, "Shayan, your choice? "

"Butter paneer with naan", I replied.

"Great. I will have that too", Shaan added.

"Chhole bhature, for us", Sama said.

Eleanor extended her hand to Sana. Sana handed her menu card.

"Wasn't it up to us to decide for you?" Shaan probed, his eyes raised.

"Things you people decided, that's too much for me. Let me see if I can have something simpler". She replied and looked through it. Tension in her face started to grow.

"What is it? " I asked.

She looked up at me and made a tired smiling face, "It's just too much. Hmm... I will have Paneer cutting dosa". She put the card on the table.

Shaan gestured to the waiter and placed our orders.

After retreating of waiter, I turned to Eleanor, "Excuse my concern, but you look like you are afraid".

"I am".

"of what?"

"Food".

Others laughed a little but I narrowed my eyes at her. Eleanor shrugged and again closed her eyes.

Gosh! She was so difficult to converse.

Shaan took the mobile out from his shirt pocket and showed it to Eleanor. "Do you want to see what happened?"

Before she could take it in her hand, I intervened, "Stop". Her eyes widened at my move. As for me, I ignored her and snatched mobile from his hand. "Let me see it first".

"I need to see it", she said in low voice.

"Why?" Of coarse, I was the one with attitude.

"That's my problem, not yours", she cried out, but that too silently.

I could sense her irritation growing. I pushed the play button and played it in silent mode.

What I saw made my blood boil. If we hadn't interfered and helped her, she would be in great trouble, facing alone. I shouldn't show her such things, that can make her more terrified.

I returned the phone back to Shaan and instructed him, "Don't show it to anyone else".

"Hey!", she protested.

"Isn't it her right?", Sama tried to defend.

But I nodded in denial at Sama and turned to Eleanor. "Leave it".

"Why?"

"Please".

She scoffed but said nothing. Instead, Sana started, "that's rude. Show it to her as well".

Eleanor again extended her hand to me. I again nodded my head in denial.

She looked away.

I returned phone to Shaan. He placed it in his pocket.

"What now".

We all looked at Eleanor who was fidgeting with the handle of her bag.

"Is Megha your friend?" I asked.

She gave a nod, "I made some friends last night". She thought for a moment. "They can tell me what's going on there".

"Hey!" Sana exclaimed.

"Do you remember something ", Shaan asked.

"I think... you may have all the contacts of our seniors. Am I right?" Sana explained.

"Oh! Yes, I forgot", She immediately took out her phone, "Give me your numbers".

After taking numbers one by one from us, she immediately send contact list via whatsapp to us. Shaan smiled at her, "Thanks".

She smiled back, "Most welcome".

Waiter came with our food. As he was serving it, Sama asked, "Is it time?"

Eleanor chuckled. We all looked at her. A small childish laugh, neither loud nor low. Just the perfect rhythmic combination.

Without any further suggestion, she started eating dosa. Maybe food made her happy. Not that we don't appreciate, before any alarm goes off, we were into it. I forgot how hungry I was. I looked up at Shaan who smiled without raising his eyes.

After we were done, I got up telling them to remain in their seats till I get back.

I was three feet away when I heard Eleanor asking to pay half of money. I opened my phone while moving out of main gate and dialed a particular number.

After few rings, "Hello?"

"Good evening".

"May I know who is talking? "

"Shayan Khan".

There was definite pause from the other side. Prince Khan replied, "You have not learned how to greet your seniors".

I sighed. "I will learn the day you stop messing with us".

"This is how it is. We faced the same thing. My seniors got worst than what you got. Who are you to change the rules?"

I thought about it, he was telling the truth though. Should I feel considerate in this matter? I remembered someone's face. She even ran out to the forest to escape.

Well...

"But, what you did today was crossing the line and you over did it".

"Who are you to decide that? See, it is better for you people to back off or.. "

I wondered at my phone. Was he threatening me? Me!

"Or you know the consequence of what we will do with the recording we have", I replied genuinely.

I could sense the storm brewing in his head as he remained silent for a while.

"You will regret it. Challenging us will not give you the superiority you wished for so badly". He reprimand.

What the heck! After everything they did... He was making it to appear as our fault!

"As if we asked for it", I scoffed.

"Think about it. I am willing to keep it till here only. But if you will expose that video... "

I didn't understand where he was going with it.

"We, boys, will get away with this. But what about your sister?"

My hands froze. Sana was also in that video. Exposing that video might stain her reputation. People think of things that's only suitable for a man's appeal and girls are the usual victims in this world of man's dominance.

"We have thought about this already. I know what I am doing. You should pack up your belongings and be ready for expulsion from this college".

He hurriedly interrupted, "Okay! Okay! We won't come in your way. Just don't show it to anyone else".

I smiled, "As you wish. I am not against you".

He hung up. I saved the call recording and turned around finding myself face to face with Eleanor.

Oh-oh.

Her eyes were usually big and round, but this time I found them larger than normal. Her lips pressed into thin line. Either she was surprised or very very angry.

"Well done! Well done!" She clapped twice and came back to the same position.

Should I be afraid of her? Never in million years!

"Where are others?" I asked impassively.

She took two steps forward. "Do not.. ever.. do not try to save me without asking from me".

Was she serious? I helped her, wasted my and my siblings' time. For her. And not even a word of gratitude!

I shot back. "Alright".

Maybe there was a change in my facial expression that change to anger because of her that I saw a flicker of fear in her eyes. She averted her eyes and took a deep breath.

Without waiting for another comment from her, I went inside. Leaving her there.

They were laughing and enjoying. "It looks like you are better without me".

Shaan fist bumped with me, "Don't try to spoil the mood, Shayan".

"Wasn't it obvious?" I shot back.

Sana was the one who sensed the oddity. "Where's Eleanor?"

"Outside", I answered.

"You left her like that!"

Shaan stood up abruptly. "It's time to go home anyways".

All of us moved out. Eleanor was standing in the same position, with her hands crossed against her chest. She was looking at the sky.

On seeing us, she complained, "I want to go to my room, please".

"I am taking out car. Wait here", I went to parking space.

On our way back to college hostel, none of us talked.

As Eleanor was getting out, "Thanks for helping". She had a small smile on her face.

"It was a big day", Shaan yawned then continued, "Have a good night sleep!"

She fully smiled and left.

I stared at Shaan who raised his eyes at me in question.

"You drive, I don't want to be your driver for whole day".

Shaan laughed. What a wonderful laugh he had.

"Come on. Switch". I told him annoyingly.

"But you are going to regret later". Shaan teased... clearly.

"Don't drive fast", Sama pleaded. "Please please".

He continued to laugh mercilessly as he drove like drunk.