Neck To Neck

In the cafeteria, Anna and her little band encompassing a table started feeding their empty stomach with no petty talks. The silent was so uncomfortable to bear for Anna, she was in a peak of running down the hill, 'Why is that everyone was so silent.'

Anna also relished boring eyes on her behind, "Why do I feel that most of the people here are staring in our direction."

George who could not continue with his pretense spilled the pearls, "Girl! you are the one who needs to explain us."

"What should I explain? I damn don't understand what is going on? you dumbo!"

George exchanged a quick meaningful glance with Naia, 'Hey! go easy with the girl!'

Naia who was at ease crossed her arms across her chest and shot Anna a look, "Two men were fighting over you yesterday. We know Shane but who is the other one. We have been with you all your childhood, When did this man come into the picture? When you left the home town you were already married, Anna! Are you messing around?"

"What?!! What did you say? I am messing around? do you think, I am such a lowlife?" Anna who heard the accusation out from her dearer ones could not stay collectively in, she shivered heavily, she was at a point that she might break down any moment.

All those gathered around Anna sensed the painful turbulent vibration coming out of the tender girl, Naia started coaxing her, "Sweetheart! I am sorry, I am so sorry, I should not have acknowledged the issue that way. I was worried about your future, You are still young and this incident might tarnish your name.

Who is he anyway, tell us everything we have to put an end to this. I am sure that Shane is a recognized person in this college, yesterday's incident might have caused a heavy gossip wave around the college. That's why people are shooting their glances towards us."

Anna faced Naia and looked straight in her eyes and asked, "Towards us or towards me?!"

She then dropped her gazes down and questioned herself "*Snort* What wrong did I do? It was purely a misunderstanding between guys, I got nothing to do. No men were fighting over me." 'How would I tell you all that Shane holds zero interest in me so how could he fight over me?'

"Oh come on! really?! did you not notice how both guys peered their gazes at you? Girl! you have no idea. They were neck to neck. No wonder! You are a talk of the college today, you ought to be famous soon." George added fuel.

This time Naia smacked George's head on behalf of Anna. Looking at Anna's pained face, George zipped his mouth once for all.

Anna squeezed her head with both her hands, "Famous?! *Snort*" She downcasted her eyes with utmost pain and with a mixture of a sarcastic smile, she replied, "Hmm... That's it then, Shane will nullify his emotions towards me."

'I have done everything opposite to what he asked me to do. He warned me to keep a low profile and never reveal the relationship between us to anyone but I have done the exact opposite. That too on my first day of college. Oh no! did he also come to know the spreading gossips around the college.' Thinking about the possibility itself made Anna shiver in fear.

Aaliyah who was hearing the whole conversation as if a mute, was now keen eye to the only words left from Anna's mouth, 'Shane will nullify his emotions towards me.'

Without knowing herself, she asked, "nullify his emotions". Once the words spilled out, she regretted soon enough. She heard Anna reply, "Never mind". Aaliyah thought, 'I am not yet close to them, why did I intervene?'

To put a hold to the discussion, Naia caught Anna attention by throwing her bait, "Let it go, Girl! What happened yesterday is a done deal, So forget it. I got a piece of very good news to you."

Anna blankly looked at Naia, "...."

Naia's idea worked well, She was good at manipulating emotions especially Anna's. She knew upside down of Anna, with her reaction alone, Naia can determine what is going on in Anna's mind