Prachi rushed out of the college, in the calmest way she could, clinging on to her bag. She tried to stifle the tears, she didn't want to give them another chance to tease her, taunt her.

"You're so weak! You fainted due to a prank. No wonder Shahana was the first to befriend you." a girl had said.

She had felt so embarrassed at that moment. That one moment when she displayed weakness, revealed the weak being inside her, everyone started making fun of her. And worse, they also made fun of her only friend here.

"I've heard she's Punjabi! I wonder if everyone from her culture is so weak hearted. I can't believe her parents raised such a weak child!" another girl had laughed at her, mockingly.

And at the moment, when she raised her hand on that girl, she wasn't thinking. She wasn't able to bear the way they were insulting her religion, her parents. When reflecting, she cursed herself for hitting her.

"How dare you?! You will pay for this. You don't know who I am!" the girl screeched and looked like she was about to explode when her friend supported Prachi.

"Baat jo bhi thi, jaise bhi thi, you shouldn't have made of her! I expected you to be the last one to say such a thing."

"Mishti, how - how could you say such a thing! You will pay for this, Prachi. If that's your name," the girl said shooting a glare at Prachi before walking away.

She regretted raising her hand, it probably wouldn't have caused conflict between the two people. But then again, her parents beliefs were also proved wrong. Mishti, had went against her own friend for a stranger, that too for someone of a different religion. Maybe, she would've agreed with her parents if Mishti hadn't intervened, and if she hadn't met Shahana. But now that those events had occurred, she was positive that she needed to change the opinion of her parents, somehow. They were wrong and she was sure of it.

Prachi went to her hostel room and locked the door, pretending to be tired. She moved towards her bed and buried her head in her pillow. She couldn't help but think that things would be different if her twin was here. She would never be in this situation if that fire hadn't occurred. She pulled her hair, not knowing what to do. Her parents would be with her shortly, and she would be leaving the hostel but did she really want that?

Her father's anger was something no one could control and she feared what would become of those who teased her if her father, Abhaijeet Sandhu, found out. Plus, her sister Maahi would be here too and she had inherited her father's anger. She knew that her slapping that girl would've been a popular topic amidst the gossip squads of the college, so could she really succeed in hiding that from her family? The first thing that came to her mind was to request her parents to not come to Mumbai.

If her family did get informed of the incidents that had occurred at college, they would also be more firm on their decision about their religion. In addition, they would also end up staying permanently in Mumbai for as long as she was there. She sighed. She would have to make some sort of excuse to for them to not come here. As much as she missed them and felt out of place, she couldn't risk them coming to know about everything that happened with her within in a time span of just two days.

With a heavy heart, she called her mother, to inform them to not visit her.

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"Bro, are you okay?" Rishi questioned. He became more tense when Ranbir didn't answer and just looked on, staring out his window, frowning.

Rishi purposefully dropped a spoon to gain his attention. Ranbir flinched on hearing the loud clang the spoon had made. "Rishi, you should leave. My parents don't know anything about what happens in college and your image will get ruined because of me!"

Ranbir was still guilt driven about the events that had happened earlier. He had witnessed the other college students making fun of Prachi and was glad when his sister took a stand for her but he still couldn't help but blame himself. If he hadn't ever been Darsh's 'friend', the principal would've long punished Darsh and many people would've been saved from a bully.

"Ranbir, you the girl who fainted yesterday? I feel like I know her. She seems familiar. And stop feeling guilty! You don't have any choice but to help that idiot. You know that you forced into this so called friendship. Why don't we just talk to Aunty and Uncle about it? I know they'll do something about it!" Rishi reasoned.

"NO! Mom and Dad can never know about the college me. They'll be devastated. And about the girl, maybe you've met her or someone similar to her? It's not unlikely. You were bought up in Punjab, weren't you?" Ranbir instantly denied, telling his parents would make matters a whole lot worse.

Before Rishi could reply, Mishti barged in.

"Bhai, for how long will you hide it from Mom and Dad? I pretend to not talk to you at college but someday people will know the truth! The truth can never remain hidden for long. Bhai, reveal the truth to Mom and Dad. They'll figure a way out! Please do it, if not for yourself, than at least for those who are suffering because of Darsh!" Mishti pleaded, on the verge of tears.

"Mish, I'm sorry. I can't do that! It will shatter Mom and Dad and if Darsh comes to know, you know what he'll do." after saying that, Ranbir left.

"Do you think he'll ever reveal the truth?" Mishti sighed, trying to control her tears. Her brother had changed so much - she missed the old him. The one who was carefree, didn't worry and wasn't serious about most things. But now, seeing him like this, torn, silent, consistently blaming himself, it hurt her. She would anything to see her real, old brother again.

"I hope so Mishti. I hope so." Rishi whispered, sighing.

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"Ranbir where are you going?" Pallavi smiled at her son, completely unaware of the events taking place in his life.

Ranbir feigned a smile. "Mom, I'm going to my friends house. I'll be back by dinner time!"

"Aren't you seeing your friends too much these days?" Pallavi smiled teasingly and Ranbir shook his head, still faking a smile.

"Mom! There's nothing like that. I'm going to a different friend's today," Ranbir smoothly lied, smiling.

Pallavi nodded, despite feeling something was wrong. Though she quickly shook that feeling off as Ranbir was acting the same as he did a year ago. "Make sure to be back by dinner time!"

Ranbir bid bye to Pallavi and rushed out. He peacefully drove his car, pretending that there wasn't anything wrong. He sighed wearily as tears made their way to his eyes. He was becoming tired. It had been around a year since he started lying to everyone, since he had started pretending. He didn't know when he could stop with all these lies, all this acting but he definitely knew that he was tired. He didn't feel like pretending anymore. He felt like a burden on his parents. They would probably have to hear taunts because of him in the future! Why couldn't god just let him be honest?

Ranbir wiped the few tears that had escaped his eyes and took a deep breath. He reminded himself that he had to do this, to ensure their safety. He had to pretend. No matter how broken he became in the process.

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(1300+ words)

How is the update?

Precap- Prachi tries to become friends with Ranbir.

So, I'll be updating this ff every Monday and Friday but I may not do it as I this story requires me to be in a sad-ish mood. And if I write it while I'm glad, it changes my mood or doesn't allow me to write the story in the best way I can. So, I might delay the updates from time to time.

Anyways, do vote if you liked the update and if you didn't, do provide feedback!

Until Next Time!

~ Riya Sharma