Sanjana,

''What is one thing you always wanted to do but could never do?'' Rishi asked me as I lay there trying to catch my breath after he took me on that death ride over the racing track. It was thrilling yet terrifying. I felt alive, yet it was like my soul left my body, hiding in a corner for the ride to get over. I felt drugged or drunk , not very sure.

Rishi chuckled a bit and then nudged me, ''I asked you a question.''

I struggled to sit up like an 80 yr old. ''Many things, but gradually the thoughts left my mind and I made adjustments.'' I replied realizing I just did made few but way too many adjustments.

He stared at me as if I was an alien. ''What?''

''You mean, living ones dream and achieving them is not important?'' He asked

''It is, but family is more important. Giving up few things for family is okay.''

''Did family give up their choices for you. Or you are only one making adjustments.''

His question troubled me. ''Are trying me to turn me into a rebel?''

''Sanjana, sacrifice should be a two way thing. Family, should sacrifice for each other and not make only a group of people to sacrifice  and others just till their dreams.'' His words turned me quite. My thoughts went to my brother. Was it so difficult for dadu to accept bhai's choice. Why couldn't be the bigger person and welcome bhai and his wife in our family. Bhai had always done what was expected out of him. He gave up his choice of career to be in teaching and research, joining the family business. Dadu thought it was a low paying job and Bhai wasn't doing his duty by leaving family behind. I recalled that our female cousins had a very controlled life, I still had some freedom being the youngest one. 

I recalled all the times she was being told 'Girls from good families don't do such things'

'It's okay till you keep in your room, these interest will never take you anywhere.'

'You should pick some other hobby and learn some skill which will help you in your future home.'

'You should make new friends, these girls will spoil you.'  I recalled all that I had been told. I actually never had the friends or hobbies of my choice, the opinions of my family..No, my grandfather's inputs had a great effect on my life and choices. 

I wrapped an arm around Rishi's and placed my head on to his shoulder. He placed a deep peck on the top of my head leaning against mine. ''Hey!''

''What is it like to live by own choice Rishi?''

''What is that you wanted so bad but never could?''

''I once wanted to perform on stage, but gave up the idea as my Dadu believed girls from good families don't  perform on stage. I could never understand this before but now, you made me question.''

Rihsi wrapped an arm around my waist, as his other palm caressed my face. He watched me with affection I could not explain in words. ''Tell me Sanjana, will your dadu be happy if he gets know of me?''

''No!''

''Then why are you with me, even if it is for some days.''

''It just felt right.''

''Sanjana, you are with me because you know you family is not watching. If they would know, you will be ashamed of your choices and might stop speaking to me.'' His words made my grip tighten around his arm. I shook my head in negative in a futile attempt to make him believe that he was my best choice, but I knew he spoke the truth and if Dadu knows, I might never see him again.

''Hey, I am not blaming you. You love your family unconditionally, and I will never ask you to chose, but I will ask you to fight for me. I will only fight if you do. If you don't we end this after our agreed time.''

''Don't say that.''

''Sanjana, the reason I fell for you was because you stood up to a bully for your friend, or your room mate. I like your strength , you have the ability to love unconditionally and I want you to fight for your dreams , and me.''

''I want to kiss you.'' I said, he smiled and took my heart away. ''Not here!''

''Now who is scared?'' I teased

He stood up and pulled me along. ''I don't want to go back. We still have time.''

"Move.'' He dragged me along and went whining like a six year old. He drove down the small cliff as I kept my arms wrapped around his middle and my head on his shoulder. ''We are here!'' he said

I looked up and found a beautiful house infront of me. ''Where are we?''

''My parents bought this for me when I started college, but I wanted to stay in campus to experience the life.'' My respect for his parents multiplied,  for them Rishi mattered more than the world. "I will get you coffee''

I stopped his tracks, holding his hand. I intertwined my fingers with his. ''I might not be able to fight the way you want me to but can you give me all in the promised days.'' He cupped my face, pecked my forehead and hugged me tight. I tried to tighten my grip as much as I could, he was the only one who spoke of my dreams and wishes. Rishi lit the fireplace and took seat next me, he opened his arms and I went willingly. I had lot of views and impressions about love, it has always been poetry, songs, kisses , hugs and million words but today in moment, love was silence which I was enjoying wit Rishi.

''You wanted to kiss me?'' He said and smiled. I returned it placing my lips over his, Rishi pulled me onto his lap. Our tongues dueled trying to get max of one another. We turned breathless but taste of one another seemed more important than air. 

We lay there, in each other arms in silence. ''Can we stay here tonight?'' I asked. ''No, not until we are official with families.''

''I thought you were a bad boy?''

''I am, because I make my own rules. I challenge the old and look for new, and I am not scared to change things in my benefit.''

Rishi

''Did you date before me?''

''I did, yes''

''That's wrong?''

''No, I never forced myself on anyone. I never disgraced any of my companion. Sanjana, if two people want to be together, and are adult, they should take the decision as per their liking.''

She scrunched her nose, ''Not everyone thinks like you. Its still looked down upon when you have multiple partners.''

''I know, but I am not responsible for what others think. Sanjana, the thing which can be bad can also have good side. People who sometimes wait for the right tone don't actually know what they want and many settle and compromise with the wrong one for life.''

''And having multiple partners is justified? Would you accept me with a past?'' She asked angrily

''Yes!'' And she blinked. ''Sanjana, I know it has always be cool and easy for men to have multiple partners compared to females, but not all men are that shallow. Changes happens slowly.'' She rolled her eyes. I smiled, ''On a lighter note, good girls like you always fall for bad boys. So, on the whole experience wins.'' She shook her head and then smiled.

We drove back to the campus and after walking her to her dorm, I was left to think that life has always been hard on girls like Sanjana. Families expect more, and they just kill their dreams because they believe its right.

I wanted Sanjana to have all she ever wanted. With every passing day, I dreaded the day our deal will be over and she will be back being a stranger to me.

I was still lost in my thoughts and didn't hear Jay calling me. ''Are you deaf?'' He barked

''What's wrong?'' I asked

''I seems a girl tried to kill herself because you broke her heart after promising to marry her.''

That bought me up on my feet. ''Who?''

''No one knows, but they are digging deeper. Rishi, someone wishes to take you down bad, you need to stay alert.'' I nodded, I have been part of many rumors but this one, at the end of my academic course can be sabotaging for my career. Picking my phone up, I dialled my dad and told him everything. Yes, I am known as a spoiled brat who gets away with everything and I don't mind using the power and name available to me in my benefit specially when I am not wrong.

''Who can do this?'' Jay broke my chain of thoughts

''When and Where did it start?''

''Over the rehearsal hall...'' He paused and we both smiled. ''Ruby!'' That came collective. Taking a deep breath, I declared. ''She is finished.''

''What are you going to do?''

''Wait and watch?''

***

The few days went about the rumor getting stronger and stronger with million names popping up. I remained unaffected of the looks, comments and hate thrown at me. Sanjana tried to probe but I assured her it will be taken care. We couldn't meet due to her assignments and presentations , but I decided I was going to lie low and watch how much  mud can be thrown my way. And finally the day arrived. the dean called for me and I wasn't alone, my dad had already come down and so did Ruby's

''May I meet his imaginary girl who tried to kill herself.'' I mocked. The Dean gave me a glare but before he could open his mouth, my dad added. ''If this is proved wrong, I will take a very strict action against the ones spreading the rumor.''

''Is he the guy who promised to marry you?'' Dean asked. The stood nervously not uttering a single word. ''Speak, or I will drag you to court on a defamation case against my son.''

''I did it for Money, Ruby promised some quick cash.'' I smiled, in the past , even before the dean , we had broken the chain through which the rumour mill flowed. ''You can leave.'' The Dean said red faced.

''Call Ruby in along with her father. Yes, I know he is visiting.''  Dad said and he Dean reluctantly obliged. 

Ruby walked in unaffected, foolish girl. I didn't waste confronting her, instead I handed an envelope to her dad and he lost all the colour of his face. ''Yes, that's your daughter with different boys. She used these to extract money.'' I said

Ruby glared at me and I smirked. ''I warned. Next time you do  this, it will be the bulletin board.

''Rishi!'' Dean warned. ''Ruby, apologise.''

''Not here! In presence of everyone. She took a week to spread the rumour, she will now undo the damage personally distributing these pamphlets around the campus, or I release  these pictures.''

''Rishi, do not cross the line.'' Dean warned again. 

''I didn't start.'' Yes, I was misbehaving but I had warned her not to rub me the wrong way.  Taking a step to her I warned again. ''I have more Ruby, I will destroy you"

With that I walked off leaving my dad to handle the rest. I wasn't worried about what others though but Sanajna's thinking wrong about me was unbearable. I just have few months in this campus and I am not sure that we would meet after this campus, If she still wanted to part ways we will, amicably with memories we could cherish for life

I took a deep breath, not aware, after my fiasco, Sanjana was going to give a big test which would change rock our lives in coming days.

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