Breathe Anew: Chapter 1: Old Friends & New Acquaintances

Title: Breathe Anew
Author: Roshni & KC
Rating: PG
Pairings: Aariyan/Sehrish, Vikram/Shweta, Si-won/Amaya, Chad/Sally, Aedan/Hana
Word Count: 2,694
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. This was written for fun. No profit is being made and no copyright infringement is intended.

Introduction

Chapter 1: Old Friends & New Acquaintances

One of the most famous places to eat in Ananta was the Suri Palace. It had an air of freshness and home to it. Almost everyone ate there at least once a day due to Mrs. Suri's cooking. On a Monday morning Sehrish and Vikram were eating breakfast as the place started to pile up with students and people who were going to work.

“How's the shop going Sehri?” Vikram asked casually.

“Business is slow but overall I am happy.”

Vikram snorted at her response. “You'd be happy even if you didn't have any costumers. You get lost in the back room. That's where you live.”

“Viky, come on you are just jealous because I have the A list clientele.” Sehrish laughed at him.

“Keep on dreaming babes.” Vikram snorted.

“Darling, I can see the green-eyed monster peeping out again.” Sehrish retorted.

The door to the restaurant opened and the hottest looking guys wearing Ananta University uniform consisting of black dress pants, blue dress shirts with grey sleeveless sweater, a black coat consisting the Ananta university emblem and black boots entered the Suri Palace.

Sehrish looked at the crowd. “I hate to love you and leave you Viky but the breakfast crowd is coming in and I need to help mom and dad since I don't have appointments this morning.” Sehrish picked up her plate and went to help her mom.

The three guys walked up to Vikram as no other table was empty.

“Are you done here?” Aedan questioned.

“No, but you guys can grab a chair and sit down, its not like I am going to use up four chairs by myself.” Vikram replied.

Chad thanked Vikram.

“No problem. I missed this place. I was out of the country for a while. So let’s see if I get this right…” Vikram pointed at each one of them and said their names correctly.

Si-won confirmed his answer and asked him if he was Vikram.

“Yeah but you can call me Vick or Viky.”

Chad looked at him curiously. “So, where did you go?”

“Antarctica!” Vikram replied without looking up from his breakfast.

“What in the world were you doing in Antarctica?” Si-won asked perplexed.

Vikram looked up at him as if he was thinking. “You know, that was my question too when I got off the plane in the middle of ice and saw penguins waddling towards me.”

Sehrish brought over their breakfast orders.

“So How was it?” Chad asked.

“I thought I went to a crystal palace, except that you could fall, freeze and die any second.” Vikram replied in all seriousness.

“Well, at least tell me you had fun.” Si-won said.

“Fun? What fun? I thought I was going to freeze until I went to Australia.” Vikram replied looking at Si-won as if he was crazy. He looked at the time and excused himself.

He stood up in a rush and gathered his tray. He turned around and BAM. There was no sound except the shattering of all the dishware. He sees someone’s abdomen area drenched in his coffee. He looked up to see smoldering brown eyes staring at him. He takes a cursory glance over her body. She is wearing the same school uniform as the three guys but her shirt and skirt are ruined.

“I have to go; you should watch where you're going.” Vikram tried to walk around the girl. She blocked his way, picked up Aedan’s coffee and dumped over Vikram’s head.

“Now you can go.” Shweta replied in a sweet voice.

“What the bloody hell did you do that for?” Vikram asked angrily.

“You should watch where you're going. You ruined my clothes, it is dictated that one should say sorry if they are at fault. Since you didn't say sorry, now we are even.” Shweta said trying to control her anger.

“Why you little…” Vikram said enraged and started to whisper under his breath about not cursing at women.

“You owe me a cup of coffee.” Aedan told Shweta in a cool voice. She acknowledged his statement and walked upto the counter. She ordered two coffees and started to tell Sehrish about the idiot who bumped into her.

At that moment Vikram walked up to the counter.

“Sehri, is my gym bag still upstairs? Some babe dropped Aedan's coffee on me and now I have to change. I need to be at the office in like five minutes so I can't stop by home.” He explained.

Sehrish bursts into peals of laughter and started clapping. “omg, someone finally has enough guts to stand up to the great Vikram Singhania. Well-done Shweta.”

“Shut up Sehri and tell me where my gym bag is.” Vikram demanded.

“It’s upstairs in the linen closet.” Sehrish replied.

Vikram thanked her and turned to Shweta. “See You around Miss I'm All That.”

“See you Mr. I can see but am blind and need another pair of eyes.” Shweta says heatedly.

“I see you guys hit it off really well.” Sehrish said sarcastically.

“Sehri just shut it, I am already late as it is and my best friend is coming today. Need to get my condo ready. See you later.” Vikram went up to grab his gym bag.

Sehrish hands Shweta the two coffees’ she ordered. Shweta thanks her and asks if she can give the coffee to Aedan while Shweta changes her clothes in the ladies room.

Shehrish gives the coffee to Aedan along with his regular bagel and cheese.

Half an hour later Si-won, Aedan and Chad stepped out of a Mitsubishi i-MIEV sport car in front of Ananta University. Two girls were standing at the front and their eyes followed the progress of the car.

“Wow what a car.” Sally said with star in her eyes.

“Why don’t you go snog one of them?” Hana asked.

“What I would give to drive that Mitsubishi? It’s smoking hot.” Sally goes on ignoring Hana’s comment.

Hana rolled her eyes and started to drag Sally towards the class. “Come on Ms. Dreamer or we’re going to be late to class.

Sally sighed and declared. “One day Hana, One day I will own a car like that.”

“I told you already, go snog one of them.” Hana said exasperated.

“I wouldn't know which one; they are all so hot looking.” Sally responded with a laugh.

“I suggest inny mini miney mo…” Hana recommended fondly.

Sally turned to look at the boys and started to do inny mini.

“Let’s go, you are making a fool of yourself.” Hana said slowly.

“Fine, fine, you're such a party pooper. What do we have first?” Sally asked.

“We have Math first. Let’s go and try to stay awake during class.” Hana advised.

“You should be the one worried. Math isn't my worst subject.” Sally responded.

“Don’t remind me.” Hana groaned.

“Ok I won't remind you that math is your worst subject.” Sally joked.

As they were walking to math, Sally bumped into someone and all her Books fell to the floor. She bent down to pick them up and noticed someone else helping her pick up her books. She looked up to see Chad's face only a few centimeters away from her.

“I am Sorry; I wasn't watching where I was going.” Sally said quickly.

“Anyone can see that. I think you need another pair of eyes.” Chad responded curtly.

“and I think you need a lesson in manners.” Sally snapped.

“Are you offering to teach me?” Chad smirked.

“Sure why not?” Sally responded innocently.

“What manners can you teach me? Have you seen your size? I could blow and you would fly away.” Chad stated rudely.

“What does that have to do with manners?” Sally asked confused.

“Blind and pretty slow as well. Just get out of my face and go get your eyes checked out. If you don't have money to get your spectacles, send the bill to me. I don't mind paying as long as I don't have to bump into a skinny lizard like you.” Chad said nastily.

“Sally, we have to go or else we'll get in trouble we still have to find the classroom.” Hana reminded.

Sally turned away and grabbed Hana’s hand muttering, “you just wait and see. Calling me a skinny lizard, why he looks like a big oaf!”

Aedan and Si-won who heard her muttering started to laugh.

“WHAT ARE YOU LAUGHING AT?” Sally glared at them.

“Nothing Miss?” Si-won looked at her questioningly.

Hana looked up into Aedan’s eyes and grabbed Sally’s hand. “Let’s go we are already late.”

“Yeah, you should go, you are going to be late.” Aedan said softly.

Hana and Sally run off leaving Aedan, Si-won and Chad amused until Aedan looked at his watch and saw they only have a minute to get to their class.

“Ok, have we stopped grinning like fools? We are going to be late let's go.” Aedan stated and turned to walk to his class.

Shweta blocked his way. “Not so fast, I just want to warn you guys; if I ever see any of you within a 3 mile radius of sally, I will skin you alive and before you say what have we done? I just saw and heard what took place. So, remember I will be watching you.”

“I swear sometimes she is fiercer then a lioness protecting her cub.” Si won muttered.

At lunch time Sally walked into the cafeteria only to be dragged to the table where Shweta and Amaya were sitting.

“Hey, so what happened with the rich trio and you?” Amaya asked before Sally could say anything.

“That idiot, I don't know what his name is, bloody bumped into me then he goes I should go to the optometrist and he'll pay for my glasses if I don have money and on top of that he called me a skinny lizard.” Sally explained heatedly.

“That sounds like Chad.” Amaya gave her opinion.

“Yeah well, whatever his name is, I plan to teach him a lesson. Just wait and watch.” Sally replied

“Don’t do something stupid.” Amaya warned.

“She will do no such thing.” Shweta looked at Sally trying to intimidate her.

“She won't do something stupid or she won't teach him a lesson?” Amaya asked innocently.

Outside the university a black sleek Lamborghini was tearing across the Ananta Motorway. The driver realized too late that a Harley was joining in and the car clipped the back of the Harley making it spin. The driver of the Harley took off their helmet and hair came tumbling out. She looked at the Lamborghini and opened her mouth.

“YAH Watch where you’re going?” Sehrish yelled.

“I think you should watch where you are going? All that hair probably reduces your visibility.” The driver of the Lamborghini replied.

“I didn't know you had long hair because it is clearly your fault.” Sehrish replied furiously.

“Looks like you are blind or maybe just partially blind. I do not have long hair and even if I did I would tie it if I was driving. You on the other hand are as blind as a bat and drive like an amateur. Whoever gave you this Harley signed not only your death warrant but also of those who drive on these roads.” Aariyan snapped back.

“No I think that is you since my hair is tied you idiot. Also it was your fault then why are you calling me blind?” Sehrish retorted.

“Darling I have been driving for years now you look like you just got your license yesterday. If you need driving lessons I think I can arrange some time to teach you how to ride this baby.” Aariyan offered cockily.

“I didn't know you were so old. You have a good face and body but a horrible attitude. You're not going to get any girl. Anyways I don't have time to waste on you.” Sehrish answered.

“You don't have time to waste. Babes you just wasted 15 minutes of my time do you even know how much I cost per minute? If I gave you the total you wouldn't even be able to pay me a quarter of that.” Aariyan leered.

“Yea I can, even a rock from the side of the road is more expensive than you.” Sehrish responded.

“Why you…If you knew who I was... but I am wasting my time. I just hope never to see an unattractive and imperfect being ever again.” Aariyan said irately.

“Never look in the mirror then.” Sehrish offered advice.

“Why? Are you jealous that the mirror loves my face and hates yours? I think at home we call people like you frecklesville.” Aariyan said a bit insolently.

“No, I was just advising you on how to make your hope come true. If you never look in the mirror you won't have to see an unattractive and imperfect being.” Sehrish replied angrily.

By now they have come so close to each other that their faces were inches apart. They were so engrossed in insulting each other that they didn't see or hear a yellow Porsche stopping before them. The driver of the Porsche comes out and grins.

“So you two have met?”

“For the last time in my life hopefully.” Sehrish says optimistically.

“You know who frecklesville is?” Aariyan asked in surprise at the time Sehrish asks skeptically,
“You know who this loser is?”

“Sehri meet Araiyan, my best friend and Aariyan this is Sehrish a close friend and business rival.” Vikram introduced both ot them.

Sehrish looked at her watch. “I have to go Vikram. Mom needs me today at the Palace. As for you Mr. Aariyan It wasn't a pleasure meeting you and I hope to never see your face again.”

“ Then I suggest you catch a flight out of here because I am going to be here for a while and I certainly don't want a frecklesville like you to spoil such beautiful scenery.” Aariyan replied.

"No, I am the one who lives here remember so you should leave." Sehrish explained.

“Children children. Stop bickering. Ari I don think frecklesville is a nice name, apologize to the lady and as for you Sehri, you have better manners then that. How can you be so rude to a guest in our town?” Vikram says amused at his friends.

“You are right I am better than that but not to someone who hits my Harley.” Sehrish agreed with him.

“Have you seen her drive Viky, like a maniac and besides I offered to teach her how to drive her Harley.” Aariyan explained.

Sehrish huffs at him and leaves.

“Will wonders never seize? Looks like Ari my friend, you just found your soul mate. I have never seen Sehri so worked up but dude I think frecklesville is a low blow. I have to give her credit for not leaving any claw marks on you.” Vikram teased Aariyan.

“Soul mate, don't make me throw up.” Aariyan made throwing up noises.

“Right, let’s go to my condo. By the way Ari, you know the chemist for the perfumes you are supposed to meet? Its Sehri, if you think this was bad wait till you meet her professionally. She will butcher you.” Vikram informed Aariyan.

“As if, I can rip her to pieces.” Aariyan snapped back.

At the Lee residence, Aedan’s father asked him to come in the living room because they needed to talk.

“Is something wrong dad?” Aedan asked worried.

His mom reassured him of nothing being wrong.

“Let’s just say it is not happy news.” His father replied.

Aedan looked at his father questioningly.

“Your great-grandfather wanted your grandfather to marry his friend's daughter. However, his friend had a son and they said that it would be passed down to the next generation. However, your grandmother had already arranged my marriage with your mom. Now this duty falls onto you. I think it is time for you to know about this as your great-grandfathers friend's great granddaughter has turned 18 recently.” His father finished with a sigh.

Aedan can’t say anything for a few minutes because nothing sinks in. Once it does, “WHAT?” He shouted incredulously.

Originally Posted on February 10, 2009 at I-F

Chapter 2: Kisses