Truth or Dare

Thus the vacation became a bad one for Taaliyah since the crack between Nara and Zahir only widened. And the motivation grand parents gave him was the major reason for all and Nihal could say nothing against them. Taaliyah was beginning to hate the system followed in the house by everyone. And she could clearly understand why being a victim Nara do not wish to return home at all.

Nihala stopped the fight between Nara and Zahir. But it effected the trip. Zahir would walk alone in his way while the three women enjoyed everything else ignoring the grumpy man while at the museum and at the garden park Nara took them to. Nara had visited the places only once with her friends during the time she joined the university. They crossed the bridge across the artificial lake set up and that when she saw someone on the other end of the bridge walking with his gang. Nara turned away immediately. Taaliyah noted it. "Is that brother Mike?" she whispered to Nara.

"I don't know, is it him or am I imagining?" Nara asked her sister back.

"Oh it's definitely him. Will Umma and Uppa identify him?"

"I guess they will," Nara said. "Where is Uppa?"

"Not around here anyway, I will take care of way, let's go some other way," Taaliyah said and ran towards Nihala to distract her. They cancelled boating and decided to go the zoo area of the park.

On the meanwhile, Mike noticed everything and could not help but smile. He wondered what Nara's reaction is going to be like when she learns that he is also in her same university and has been following her around most days. Mike has chosen the degree Visual Communication and had been enjoying doing it. While Nara kept herself busy with work and studies all the time. But meeting her in the park was unintentional and unexpected. He bunked the classes and came out with his friends while she looked like came for a visit with her family. So Mike chose to pretend like he did not see her at all.

Taaliyah the moment she saw Mike, she was reminded of her best friend Derek. She took out her mother's phone. And she began to text him.

'Hey, how are you?'

'Am with sister, as usual Uppa found mistakes with her and almost got into a fight,' she informed him.

He read the message and replied her instantly.

"That's sad. Don't get inti fights. Take care. Don't catch cold, stay warm. Am practicing here. Mother said she wanted to go out and get grocery. So am alone,"

"That's great. Which song are you practicing?"

"Charlie Puth We don't talk anymore," he sent.

"Wow I love that song," she said to him. She had smile on her face she forgot not to do.

"Who is it?" Nihala asked her.

"Ester," she lied instantly and began to text Ester to get a reply and deleted Derek's texts. Zahir hates keeping friendship with boys, especially after Nara's incident so Taaliyah always had to lie about Derek.

"Do you want to try it with me? I know you are good," the message popped up. Nihala took the phone at the right time. Taaliyah grew tensed though there was nothing.

"Let's give it a try, duet, we might even win," the message from Derek popped again and Nihala read them.

"What is Derek talking about?" she asked Taaliyah. "What is going on?" Nihala looked at her daughter with a serious expression. Taaliyah grew tensed having no idea what he texted her.

"What?" Taaliyah asked as if she did not hear it. Few minutes passed with worry. She looked at her sister and mother.

"Go participate then, don't tell your grand parents but," Nara said to Taaliyah.

"Performing with a boy, is that necessary Taaliyah?" Nihala asked.

"Umma it's Derek, so what?" Taaliyah said obstinately.

"It's Derek, Zayn and everyone until they put the script on, Nihala said and she regretted saying it instantly. Nara went pale, and she looked down, going silent.

"Ummaaaa," Taaliyah got angry.

"What?" Nihala asked as if she does not know anything and pretended to be cool.

It was a seriously bad trip all in all. Nobody enjoyed it well and also destroyed Nara's time as well. But she remained silent. Taaliyah then chose to reply Derek.

"Yes," she was so excited inside. But then her mother's word struck her again. 'It's Derek, Zayn and everyone until they put the script on,' her heart skipped a beat. 'It's not like am doing anything wrong, it's just a house competition, I have got nothing more,' she convinced herself. Nihala, and Taaliyah bid farewell with Nara and got back into the hotel. Taaliyah could not wait to get back home. But she wondered, how will she practice without him to sing together. She then decided to beg her parents to let her meet the girls and use the chance to meet Derek at their place.

And it did work. All the girls met at Bhoomi's house which is near the school and invited Derek and Fred over. Bhoomi's parents were cool with it. Derek came and Taaliyah felt over the top. It was the first meeting for Taaliyah with Derek, outside their schools.

The two began practicing. Taaliyah watched the real video for reference for sometime and learn what Selena Gomez is singing. Then they started. Karaoke was played. Everyone was shocked to see the two singing. Derek always did well and people knew it, but nobody expected Taaliyah to sing well. Not one. Derek looked at her proudly while she sang her part whenever.

"Don't wanna know, if you're looking into her eyes...."

It was beautiful. Every thing was. After practicing for sometimes, Bhoomi's mother brought them orange juice and snack to munch in between. Everyone sat around the table and decided to play games. The first choice was truth or dare.

The first was Ester's chance.

"Truth or Dare?" everyone asked.

"Dare," she chose. Fred gave her the dare to go upstairs and walk down. Ester went to do it, climbed the stair and returned back.

The next chance while turning the bottle came to Hera.

"Truth or Dare?"

"Dare,"

"Go to kitchen and bring me a glass of water,"

The next chance came to Derek.

"Truth or Dare?'"

"Truth," he was lazy to do anything getting up from the seat.

"Do you love anyone?" Emily jumped and asked looking at Taaliyah. And yes Taaliyah's heart froze and she wanted to hear that too.

"Oh come on don't waste a chance with silly questions," Hera said. "That question does not count," Derek smiled and glanced at Taaliyah who sat smiling for a second and the looked at Hara who was busy thinking of a question.

"Number of times you have watched porn," Hera asked suddenly.

"Shhhhh..." Bhoomi asked them to lower her voice. Everyone bursted out laughing. Derek shook her heard.

"Have you watched?" and Derek nodded his head in agreement.

"Oh come on which boy would not?" Fred said. "I have too, he has too," Fred said and Derek shrugged. Then next turn was Fred's.

"Truth," he said. He was lazy too.

"Have you kissed anyone?" Emily asked.

"Twice," he said.

"Who?" everyone was shocked. Derek laughed.

"Girlfriend from 5th grade,"

"On her hand," Derek revealed the truth. "Say that too," Everyone laughed out loud. Then came Taaliyah's turn.

"Are you in love?" everyone aksed in the same voice without asking her Truth or Dare. She did not even get to choose. Her heart skipped a beat and she looked at Derek who already was looking at her carefully. She immediately looked away when she saw it

"I am in love..." she said.