24 The Freshers' Welcome Party 14

Lili shook her head in exasperation and gave an apologetic look to the boy in the stall. Then she looked at Genea and asked, "Can you still walk?"

"Yes yes" said Genea hurriedly as if trying to escape further scolding.

"Just help me up to get up" added Genea.

"Here, give me your hand. Lili, hold the other hand and pull her up" said Aaron while going to the other side and preparing to lift Genea up.

But as soon as Genea stood on her own feet, she squealed in pain and leaned towards Lili.

"It seems you have sprained your ankle. Come we'll help you to the infirmary" said Aaron when he saw Genea's condition.

"No actually, it's after all my fault for not protecting her well. Let me, please." said the boy in blue shirt, whom Lili had shouted on earlier.

"No no noo.. I am fine. You.." said Genea but before she could finish, she found her legs in the air, she leaning on a firm chest.

"Please, let me take you to the infirmary. Otherwise I will feel very irresponsible." said the boy with pleading eyes.

"Okay then, thank you. Take good care of hers." said Lili and briefly winked at Genea when the boy wasn't looking at her only to receive a glare from Genea.

Lili and Aaron quietly watched as the boy carried Genea away to the infirmary.

-

After Genea left, Lili and Aaron weren't really interested in shopping. So they walked towards the stage where now the programme had started for some time. When they settled down on their chairs, they finally paid attention to what was being performed.

One of the school bands was performing their own composed songs. The song which they were singing then was very energetic but melodious. The lyrics were very motivational and the beats were excellent.

Soon Lili lost herself in the song and Aaron lost himself in Lili.

-

After the song ended, the band started preparing for leaving the stage. Probably the song was their last rendition for that evening.

Lili could finally get the chance to pay attention to her surroundings. That is when she saw a steady gaze at her. She looked to her right and saw Aaron looking at her with glittering eyes as a child would look at his mother or a devotee at his deity.

"W- Why ar-e you looking at me like that?" Lili stammered badly under Aaron's gaze but any how voiced her question.

"You still like music?" asked Aaron, the glitter in his eye only changing into awe.

"Yes, I.. What do you mean by "still"?"

Aaron looked straight into Lili's eyes. His eyes so deep, so dark.

"Have we met before?"

Lili once again questioned Aaron.

She felt that she was held captive with his eyes as she tried hard to decipher the emotions in his emotionless eyes. But she ended up with nothing that could take a form Rather she felt floating in the middle of an ocean of emotions which had drowned her completely, yet she did not feel suffocated or uncomfortable. She rather felt immensely secured as if, she was wrapped up in a cocoon, Aaron's cocoon.

Aaron too never looked anywhere else, as if wanting to show the unseen, to unleash the secrets which cannot be voiced but only be felt and remembered.

Suddenly bright light was focused at the duo, which made them squint their eyes uncomfortably.

When Aaron adjusted with the sharp light, he turned to look at the source of light which was found out to be a floodlight fixed on the centre of the stage ceiling.

"And now we have another pair of first year students who are to come up to the stage and present their walk for the fashion show. Woohoo"