You Can Dance!

Ruqsana could tell Ahmer was just not in form tonight. On the surface, he seemed like his usual jerk form, ignoring people trying to have a conversation with him and replying to everything with “Hn” and “Uh-huh”. But unlike the first time when he was actively being a jerk, this time, he just seemed distracted, like he had a lot to think about.

Not that Ruqsana cared, she just wanted to get through the inauguration party without giving her parents a reason to scold her. Which now seemed inevitable given Ahmer’s attitude. He was also actively avoiding Farha for some reason. She tried coming over to them at least thrice, only for Ahmer to lead Ruqsana away to some other spot.

“Alright, what’s wrong with you?” Ruqsana asked Ahmer.

“Nothing,” Ahmer said the first word of the night.

“Then why are you being a moron?”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“What are you, my girlfriend?” Ruqsana snarked.

“I’m literally your fiancé,” Ahmer deadpanned.

“Oh, so you remember?”

“I’m not in the mood for your tantrum. I’m going to the toilet,” Ahmer tried to excuse himself.

“Hey wait!” Ruqsana blocked his way, “You can’t just run off. You want our parents to scold us again?”

“I’m just going to the toilet for five minutes, I’m not leaving,” Ahmer grumbled.

“How do I know that you won’t just sneak out?”

“If you’re so suspicious, just come with me.”

Ruqsana blushed, “To the men’s toilet?”

Ahmer wanted to facepalm, “Just outside. You can wait for me while I do my business.”

Ruqsana followed Ahmer to the men’s toilet, just as Ammar got out of it.

“Hey bhaijaan, how’re you holding up?” Ammar asked Ahmer.

“Shut up Ammar!” Ahmer snapped at him before entering the toilet.

“What was that about?” Ruqsana asked Ammar.

“He didn’t tell you? Mahira ma’am, our dean, is banning all clubs from next week,” Ammar answered.

Ruqsana gaped for a bit before glaring at Ammar, “Your brother is hurting because of his club ban and you’re trying to poke fun at him?”

Ammar raised his hands to placate her, “Whoa, easy bhabhi, I was genuinely worried. Even I know not to kick a man when he’s down.”

“I doubt it.”

“Personally I’m not very affected because it’s only been a few months since I joined my basketball club. But bhaijaan and his friends started their cartoon club so they must be very upset that it’s being shut down.”

“Can you check on him?” Ruqsana requested.

“I just tried,” Ammar shrugged, “he obviously doesn’t want to see my face. Besides, I’d rather be building connections with important people right now.” Ammar left Ruqsana to brood. She was still miffed at Ahmer but she felt somewhat bad for him.

‘If only he would talk to me,’ Ruqsana thought to herself.

Just then she got a call from Prince. She looked around before picking up the call, “Assalamualaikum Prince, what’s up?” She asked, though she could guess.

“Walaikum Assalam,” Prince replied, his voice cracking a bit.

“A friend of mine told me about what’s happening in Shah Sarai University. What are they thinking by banning clubs like that?” Ruqsana got to the meat of the matter.

“Mahira ma’am and the administration have always looked down on extracurricular activities. They want all students to focus on nothing but studies. It’s all so unfair.”

“It is. Can’t you lodge a complaint or something?“

“They don’t care what we students think. A few students tried to complain about it and got suspended.”

“That’s just terrible. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“If you could just let me vent that would be enough for now.”

“Of course, tell me how are you feeling?”

“Honestly, useless and cowardly. I behave like a cool guy in front of my friends but now that my club and my friends need me, I can’t do anything to help them. All I’m doing is watching as the college just crushes all our dreams and hard work like useless trash.”

“Hey, firstly, you’re no coward. A coward wouldn’t pepper spray thugs for me.” That got a chuckle from Prince, “Secondly, now is not the time to be moping and self-pitying. You and your friends need to put your heads together and see if there’s really nothing you can do.”

“Well, this girl Alisha, she suggested something which got me thinking of an idea but it’s too risky and may not work.”

“I won’t ask you to put yourself and your friends at risk, but I will ask this: Would you rather try something and fail or never try anything and regret it for life?”

“I don’t want to put my friends at risk but I don’t want to give up so easily.”

“And which would you regret more?”

Prince thought about it before answering, “Never trying. I know the risks but we’ve put in so much work for the club, I can’t let it end like this without trying.”

“That’s the spirit! So what are you going to do now?”

Prince explained his plan to Roxy.

“Wow! That’s a bold plan, are you sure Ahmer can pull it off?” Ruqsana asked.

“I- He’ll have to manage somehow because he’s the one contesting for elections tomorrow. Say, do you build websites on commission?”

Ruqsana smiles, “I do but for you, I’ll give a hundred percent friendship discount.”

“Haha! I’ll send the details later. Thank you for everything.”

“Don’t mention it,” Ruqsana cut the call.

Back in the toilet now armed with courage and a reckless plan, Ahmer made a group call to the Anime Club group. Fortunately everyone picked up.

“Hey, what’s up?” Salman asked.

“Fahad is right, we have to do something big if we want Mahira ma’am to take us seriously and save the club. What I’m going to do is risky, so I won’t hold it against any of you if you decide to back out. But I’ll do this alone if I have to.”

“Sounds like you have a plan,” Shoaib said, “How about you share what you’re thinking.”

Ahmer explained his plan to his friends.

“Whoa, it’s like my plan cranked up to 11,” Alisha was impressed.

“I’ve already asked a friend to make a website so that everyone can see that we’re serious,” Ahmer explained.

“A website is useless without a social media presence. Shazia, your cousin handles the college Macebok group right. Think you can get him to help us?” Salman asked.

“I’m sure he’ll help. He was fuming about the shutdown and his friend being suspended for trying to request they reconsider the ban.”

“Mahira ma’am will surely cut the speakers the moment Ahmer mentions the club shutdown,” Faiz noted.

“I can help with that,” Rashid volunteered, “Zayan is in charge of speakers tomorrow, I’m sure he’ll help if we explain what we’re gonna do.”

“I’ll ask the soccer team to help keep everyone off the stage so Ahmer can do his thing,” Fahad added.

“Guys, it’s gonna be risky and may not work, are you sure you want to help me?” Ahmer asked.

“I’d rather not pick a fight with Mahira ma’am,” Faiz admitted, “But I’m tired of her and all the teachers looking down on us for our passion.”

“Well said Faiz, we’ve got your back Ahmer,” Shoaib said.

“What about your parents? Will your father allow you to do this?” Saif asked.

“He’ll probably grill me alive for this, but I’m not backing out,” Ahmer said firmly.

“Damn, I didn’t know you had that dawg in you,” Shoaib said.

“If you can face the Suhail Qaiser for us, Mahira ma’am is nothing,” Fahad said and everyone agreed.

“Guys, I’m so glad we made this club. No matter what happens, we’ll face it together,” Ahmer promised.

“Ahmer? Are you in there?” Ruqsana called him from outside the toilet.

“Yeah, I need a minute, I think I have constipation,” Ahmer shouted back.

“Didn’t need to know that,” Ruqsana scrunched up her face in disgust. Everyone on the phone chuckled hearing Ahmer’s excuse.

“Well, let’s do our tasks today and meet tomorrow before the first class once,” Salman said

“Yeah, bhabhi is waiting, let’s not keep Ahmer constipated,” Shoaib teased. Everyone laughed and left the call. Ahmer washed himself before leaving the toilet.

Ruqsana noted that he looked determined and focused, ‘It must have been a good shit.’

“Are you alright?” She asked him to be sure.

“Yeah, I need to prepare my speech though. How long until the event ends?”

“It’s almost over,” Ruqsana checked her phone, “just fifteen minutes left.”

The two of them returned to the event hall, thinking of the tasks they had ahead.