The hall was packed with students and staff for the Orientation Ceremony; that were seated before the stage in multiple rows, listening to the Dean address his audience regarding University Protocols in a monologue, since the past 15 minutes.
In the third row, Mateen sat alongside Ammar, who was busy typing away on his phone furiously; in continuation of a lover's spat he had started with his girlfriend Farah, last night; who still wasn't ready to let go of the fact that he'd ditched her at the party to leave with his friends.
Swearing under his breath, he shoved his phone back in his jackets' pocket.
"I swear—I am getting sick and tired of her shit, now!" He muttered through clenched teeth, ending in a long exasperated sigh.
Mateen barely acknowledged his statement with a mere glance, before returning his attention towards the row in front. Ammar was quick to catch up on the subject of his friends' attention and followed his gaze to find it fixated on the back of a girl, whose hair was covered in a white Dupatta.
"Oh. Isn't that her—?" Ammar added in a bored tone while eyeing towards the seat, two rows ahead of them. Mateen sat with his long legs sprawled in front of him, while lazily eyeing her. He didn't take his eyes off of her, even as Ammar continued beside him.
"—Heard she was the Board topper for the last 4 years and came in first in entrance exam, too. She's here on full financial aid—" Mateen kept his gaze fixated on her the whole while, listening to Ammar go on beside him.
"One of those typical Middle class family situation—Death of father in early childhood with single Mom raising children. The same old, usual, tragic story—But, still can't believe this beat you." Before Ammar could finish, she had turned her head towards the girl sitting beside her and they caught a glimpse of her side profile.
"Hate to admit it—but pretty cute for a destitute—" Mateen didn't tear his gaze away from her until he heard Ammar say the last bit. Already, this girl had managed to catch his attention for more than one reason and the last bit had made his interest peak up even more.
"Yeah—Doesn't it make you want to mess her up, so bad—" Mateen added slowly, with a glint in his eyes and finally looked away from her to meet Ammar's gaze, who was watching the Dean with disinterest and boredom. His hands stuffed in the pockets of his jacket grumpily, until, hearing Mateen's words made a chill of excitement run down his spine. He'd finally turned in Mateen's direction to find his gaze fixated on her once again; a sardonic smile playing across his lips. For a moment Ammar didn't say anything, as if gathering his thoughts and then without looking in his friends' direction, he carelessly shrugged his shoulders.
"Whatever you're thinking, I am in—" Ammar added without a second thought and didn't miss the small huff escaping Mateen's lips as he pushed back in his seat; crossing his arms over his chest.
"—Only, if you wager your Porsche 911." Ammar finished, without the slightest hint of glee.
"Fine. Then you can put your Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, at stake; which your old man gifted you." Mateen added lazily, without missing a beat.
"You dirty bastard." Ammar turned to him with a lazy grin and caught Mateen shrugging his shoulders in self-appraisal.
"Can't help it, if you're born that way—" He ended carelessly.
——————————————
They were making way towards their respective vehicles, following the end of ceremony, when a familiar face caught Mateen's attention from a short distance and he immediately stopped in his tracks. He swore under his breath and had just begun to turn away, when that person's voice prevented him from taking even one step further.
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Stairway to Heaven
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