FLASHBACK,

Antara and Guddan were going well with their studies. They both were equally working hard to achieve their parent's dreams, their dreams.

Few months have passed by and many things were changed in their life. On one hand, Guddan has become so reserved and an introvert that she never spoke to anyone except her sister. She was not the same girl who was few months back, the chirpy, cheerful and naughty one who used to spread joy and happiness everywhere. She has caged herself into a prison from where she couldn't illuminate the bright light within her.

On the other hand, Antara was slowly able to accept the truth and was trying to mix with the people around her. She was still the calm one as before but has learned to enjoy and befriend with most of the people. She found true friends and loved them making a part of her life. Even though, there is still an empty place of her parents which could never be filled by anyone else but luckily she had those friends who gave a ray of hope in her life and one of them is Akshat. Being classmates, they used to spend a lot of time with each other and this made them to know each other and get closer. Though Antara has still not accepted him as her friend, he was really trying hard to prove himself that he deserves her friendship.

MGM BUSINESS COLLEGE,

Everyone were discussing about the assignment they had to do in pairs selected by the professors.

Richa: Yaar Antara, you are so lucky, tujhe to Akshat mil gaya.

Antara: So what! Doesn't matters, if he is Akshat or someone else. Mujhe sirf assignment complete karne se matlab hai.

Richa: But it matters to me right! Kaash Sir mujhe aur Akshat ko pair up kar dete. Mujhe mila bhi to kaun wo bandar ki shakal wala insaan, Aniket.

Antara: Serves you well!

Richa: How mean, Antara! Dekh mai ......

Akshat: Hello beauties!

Richa: Hey Handsome!

She replied with the same enthusiasm but Antara as usual just smiled at him.

Akshat: Richa, Aniket is calling you. Wo assignment ke baare me kuchh discuss karna tha use.

Richa: Who is he to order me?? Use mere paas aana chahiye tha na ki mujhe uske paas bulaye.

Akshat: You are absolutely right! Why don't you just go and give him some piece of mind?

Richa: Abhi batati hun use! And Akshat, Antara ko please class tak carefully chhod dena.

Akshat: Yeah, sure! Why not!

Antara: Uski zaroorat nahi hai. Teen mahine ho chuke hai mera is college me. First day nahi hai mera.

Richa: Tum to har roz aise hi aati ho jaise aaj tumhara first day ho.

She angrily leaves the place stomping her feet on the ground as an offended child.

Antara was walking across the garden to go to her next class and Akshat paced to join her.

Akshat: Umm....So what about the assignment? I mean if you don't mind you could visit my home. Ham saath me assignment kar lenge.

Antara: Sorry, I can't! Kyun na ham, college hours ke baad garden me ya library me apna assignment complete kar le.

Akshat looks at her questioning.

Akshat: Agar tum nahi aa sakti to mai tumhare ghar aa sakta hun.

She looked at him and was about to deny him but he continued.

Akshat: ....If your parents don't mind me coming at your place.

Antara: Ham college me hi kar lenge, please!

Akshat: Ok, wherever you are comfortable!

Antara: Thankyou!

She gets into the class while Akshat was still standing out in his thoughts about her denial when Aniket pushed him from back and he maintained his balance in the nick of time.

Akshat: Aaj samajh gaya mai ki tu dost ke shakal me dushman hai mera. Jaan se maarne ka iraada hai kya?

Aniket: Ye to mujhe tujh se kehna chahiye. Arey yaar, mai kal hi ENT specialist ke paas gaya tha aur aaj phir se jaana padega. Tu hi tha na, jisne us bakbak machine ko mere paas bhej diya.

Akshat: Ha, to kya hua hai?

Aniket: Hello, Hi, kar lene se kuchh samajh nahi aata hai bachhuu...Chaar ghante non-stop uski baatein sunega na tab samajh aayega ki kya hota hai. Ek to kal maine use ghar drop kya kiya, poore raaste mujhe uski kitar-pitar sunni padi aur uske baad seedha ENT specialist ke paas jaana pada. Mere naazuk se eardrums ka kya haal hua hai tu jaanta bhi nahi hai.

Akshat: Aur mujhe na jaanna bhi nahi hai, aur fil haal ke liye na tu mere kaan kharaab mat kar.

Aniket: Tujhe kya ho gaya hai? Tu kyun itna pareshaan hai?

Akshat: Ek taraf wo hai jo bakbak kar ke logon ke kaan kharaab kar rahi hai aur yahan ye hai jiski awaaz sunne ke liye bhi logon ko tarasna pad raha hai.

Aniket: Kahin tu Antara ki baat to nahi kar raha hai?

Akshat: Dekha! Tujhe bhi yehi laga na! Kyunki ye baat itna obvious hai ki wo kisi se utni baat hi nahi karti jitna ek normal insaan karta hai, at least mujhse to nahi.

Aniket: Ab kya hua hai?

Akshat: Yehi to problem hai ki kuchh bhi nahi hota hai. Ek to badi achhi kismat se ham donon ko saath me assignment karne ka chance mila lekin usne mere ghar aane se mana kar diya, aur na hi mujhe uske ghar jaane ki permission di. Yaar, this isn't fair.

Aniket: To phir tum log assignment kaise karoge?

Akshat: Usne kaha ki college me hi karenge. Aur tu Kya? Tujhe assignment ki padi hai? Wo mujhe aise kyun ignore karti hai yaar, it hurts me.

Aniket: Oh Hero, ye dramebaazi band kar aur uske point of view se soch. Shayad uske parents, wo "ek ladka aur ladki kabhi dost nahi ho sakte" un khayaalat wale ho. Who knows! Isiliye wo na hi tere ghar aana chahti hai aur na hi tujhe apne ghar bulana chahti hai.

Akshat: Jo bhi ho yaar, I can't take this anymore! Mujhe usse kisi bhi haal me friendship karni hai.

Aniket: Tu wo sab chhod, you know what, guess kar mujhe kya pata chala hai?

Akshat: Tu phir se apni global news reporting mere saamne shuru mat kar.

Aniket: Global news report nahi, Antara news report chalegi?

Akshat: Antara? Uske baare me kya?

Aniket: Antara ki ek chhoti behen hai. Junior college me padhti hai.

Akshat: Tujhe kaise pata chala? Wo to kisi se itna baat bhi nahi karti ki apne personal life ke baare me kuchh share kare.

Aniket: Wo Richa hai na, usne kal apne bakbak ke beech me ek achhi baat batayi.

Akshat: Oh!

Aniket: Sirf Oh? Mujhe laga tu to bada excited hoga.

Akshat: Kyun?

Aniket: Let me explain! Ye sab jo log kehte hai na ki bhai-bhai aur behen-behen bilkul ek jaise hote hai, ye sirf baatein hi hoti hai. Actual me aisa kuchh nahi hota hai. They always are poles apart.

Akshat: Ha to tu mujhe ye sab kyun bata raha hai?

Aniket: Tu ab bhi nahi samjha?? Oh, God!! I mean, tu Antara ko chhod uski behen ke paas ja. I am sure she would be friendly and open unlike her sister. Aur wo na.....

Akshat: Ek minute! Tujhe kya mai koi Playboy types lagta hun, aaj ek ladki nahi to doosri. Apni ye faaltu ideas apni jeb me rakh, mujhe mat suna. Mujhe abhi ke liye meri attendance sab se pyaari hai, mujhe wo chahiye, isiliye mai class me ja raha hun, tujhe aana hai to aa warna apne in faaltu ideas ke saath yehi picnic mana.

Saying that, Akshat scooted towards his class while Aniket followed him trying to explain his point.

XYZ JUNIOR COLLEGE,

Guddan was on her way to leave the college managing her diagram sheets in her one hand while the other hand was busy in setting her dupatta which was blowing through the wind. She was finding it difficult to manage and was about to settle at a place nearby her when she collided with a person on her way who came running from the other side.

She immediately bent down to pick the sheets which fell from her hand and found an other hand helping her which was probably of the other person who collided with her.

Guddan: Dekh kar chalna nahi aata kya?

Parv: I am sorry, I was in a hurry.....

Guddan: Tum???

She stood up straight looking angrily at him.

Parv: Tum yahaan kya kar rahi ho?

Guddan: Ye college tumne khareed kar rakha hai?

She asked looking at her sheets for any damage. He was about to answer but she spoke before he could say anything.

Guddan: Agar hai bhi na tab bhi mai tumhe nahi maaf karti agar mere diagram sheets ko kuchh hua hota.

Parv: Ooo ye kindergarten ke bachhon wali drawing ke liye tum mujhse is tarah baat nahi kar sakti.

Guddan: Kar sakti hun aur kar bhi rahi hun. Kabhi ek amoeba ka bhi diagram dala hai tumne? Aaye bade mere diagram ko drawing bolne wale.

Parv: Amoeba chhodo maine aise aise drawings kiye na ki uske saamne tumhare ye diagrams bachhon ki drawing hi lagegi.

Guddan: Don't you dare, mere diagrams ke baare me kuchh bolo!! Tum Arts students ko kya pata, ek ek diagram draw karne ke liye kitni mehnat lagti hai.

She said pointing her forefinger towards him.

Parv: Tumhe kaise pata mai Arts Student hun? Aisa to nahi ki tum mujhe stalk kar rahi ho?

Guddan: Is khush fehmi me mat rehna tum. Mai aur tumhe stalk karungi!! Huh!! Diagrams ki itni insult koi Science student to karega nahi kyunki use iski ehmiyat ka andaaza hai, tumhari tarah nahi.

Parv: Itna lecture kyun suna rahi ho! Kaha na Sorry, jaldi me tha mai.

Guddan: Sorry?? Apni ghatiya apology apne paas rakho aur doobara apni aankhein use kar liya karo.

Parv: Mujhe na tumhari help karni hi nahi chahiye thi aur naa hi sorry bolna chahiye tha.

Guddan: Khud ki galti sudhaarne ko help nahi kehte. Tum na bas jao yahaan se, mujhe tumse baat hi nahi karni.

She walked past him and he went towards his friend who was calling out for him. She was amazed to see the person infront of her.

Guddan: Uncle, aap??

Mahesh: Ha, mai. Kaisi ho tum?

He asked caressing her head and she smiled at his gesture.

Guddan: I am good! Aap kaise hai aur aaj yahaan kaise?

Mahesh: Mai to ek dum fit and fine hun. Wo bohot din ho gaye to maine socha, I mean mai aur meri wife ne socha kyun na ham apne bete ko pick kar le aur saath me uski behavioral report bhi le le.

Guddan: Oh!

Mahesh: Mai soch hi raha tha ki tum mujhe milogi ya nahi lekin dekho tum yahaan mere saamne ho.

He said smiling as if he has achieved something precious.

Guddan: Aap mujhse kyun milna chahte the?

Mahesh: Tum nahi chahti ki mai tumse milun? Achha thik hai I am leaving.

He was acting to leave and she immediately held his hand and looked at him with guilt filled eyes.

Guddan: I am Sorry, I really didn't meant that.

Mahesh: Aww...tum to sach me serious ho gayi. I was just kidding!

She smiled in relief seeing him laughing but was equally embarrassed to not understand his act.

Mahesh: Tum na bilkul mere un naa-layak bete ki tarah nahi ho. Agar mai uske saamne aisa karta na to wo mujhe chhod kar jaane nahi deta balki wo khud chala jaata.

He laughed saying about his son and she just smiled looking at him whose words were scolding but eyes were shining with love for him, the same love from which she and her sister is been deprived of.

Mahesh: Isiliye to mujhe tum se mil kar achha lagta hai, kuchh der ke liye hi sahi, aisa lagta hai bhagwaan ne mujhe un do beton ke alaawa ek beti bhi di hai.

She was looking at him and thinking about the twisted lives of people in this world. The person in front of her never had a daughter to pamper her with his love, care and affection and she and her sister who had their parents loving them with all their might, lost them.

Mahesh: Mai bhi kya boring baatein karne lag gaya tumse! Tum batao kaisa hai college, studies and all?

Guddan: Everything good!

Mahesh: Koi pareshaani to nahi hai na yahaan? Agar hai to you can share with me, I will try to help you out.

Guddan: Nothing! Everything's fine. (Murmuring): Bas hai kuchh badtameez log...

She said thinking about Parv and the next moment, she sees him coming towards them with an irritated look on his face. She immediately turned her back towards him and completely faced Mahesh.

Guddan: Aapne kaha Aunty bhi saath me aayi hai, wo kahaan hai?

Mahesh: Ha, wo use raaste me uski friend mil gayi to wo usse baat karne lag gayi aur mai bhaag kar yahaan aa gaya. I avoid Ladies Gossips.

He said laughing remembering the incident as if he has escaped from a terrifying incident. His smile reminded her of her father. The way he used to tease her mother and they both used to laugh at her irritating her to such an extent that they had to work hard to pacify her. She stood reminiscing all the moments she had with them, overwhelming her.

She came out from her thoughts listening to his voice.

Mahesh: Ye dekho wo aa raha hai.....

She knew that he was talking about Parv as she has earlier saw him coming towards them but before he could complete his sentence, she interjected him.

Guddan: Aap uski taraf mat dekhiye. Wo na ek number ka badtameez ladka hai. Agar use pata chala na ki mai yahaan hun to wo phir bina kisi wajah se mujhse jhagda karne lagega. He is so damn irritating!!!

Mahesh: Wo sach me aisa hai?

Guddan: Haa, wo.....

Parv: Aaj ka din hi kharaab hai!!

He said standing beside her without noticing her and was speaking to his father when suddenly his father wrapped his arm around her shoulder taking her in a side hug. She was shocked at his sudden act but was looking at him adoringly.

Mahesh: To tum hi ho jisne meri beti ko itna pareshaan kar rakha hai!

He asked with fake anger and Parv looked at his father and the girl with him shockingly.

Parv: Ye aap kya bol rahe hai? Maine ise pareshaan nahi kiya hai balki ye khud mujhe pareshaan karti hai.

Guddan: Haww... Kitna jhoot bolte ho tum. Maine tumhe kab pareshaan kiya hai, haan? Uncle, maine aisa kuchh nahi kiya hai, ye jhoot bol raha hai.

She said innocently looking at Mahesh and Mahesh nodded at her.

Mahesh: I know! Is naa-layak ladke ne hi kuchh kiya hoga. Ghar me to sab ko pareshaan karta hi hai, college me bhi shuru kar diya.

Parv: Dad!! At least kisi ladki ke saamne to meri insult na karo! Meri baaki girls ke saamne kya izzat reh jaayegi.

Mahesh: Izzat khone ke liye na pehle izzat hona zaroori hota hai. Kabhi izzat kamaya hai tumne?

Parv: Daaaaad!!! Stop it na! Pehle hi mood kharaab hai mera.

The father-son duo were busy in their bickering session while she looked at them puzzled comprehending why he addressed him as his "Dad". Was he really his father? Then why didn't he spoke when she said about his son to him.

Parv: Aur Dad, kya kaha aapne? "Meri Beti"! Ye ladki kab se aapki beti ho gayi? Aur Mom ko bataya aapne apne is "beti" ke baare me?

Guddan: Uncle!!

Mahesh: Haa beta bolo.

Guddan: Ye..... (pointing towards Parv) aapka beta hai?

Mahesh: Ha, yehi hai mera beta. Maine kaha tha na us din ki mera beta bhi isi college me padhta hai. Yaad hai tumhe?

She nods her head.

Guddan: I am Sorry!

Mahesh: Kis liye?

Guddan: Wo maine jo kaha na....

Mahesh: Uske liye to mai tumhe kabhi maaf nahi karunga.

He spoke with a bit louder voice terrifying her. She remembered how Parv said that his father can make any student's way out of the college. She hung her head down in guilt thinking about her parents dreams and what if she couldn't fulfill them because of this silly mistake of hers. Tears brimmed in her eyes even with the mere thought of it.

Seeing her silent, Mahesh lifted her head and was shocked to see tears in her eyes.

Mahesh: Arey....tum to rone lagi! I am sorry, mai tumhe hurt nahi karna chahta tha.

He said wiping her tears and she shook her head holding his hands.

Guddan: I am sorry, mujhe aapke bete ke baare me aapse is tarah baat nahi karni chahiye thi.

Mahesh: Ye bhi koi sorry kehne wali baat hai. Agar tumne uske baare ne kuchh achha kaha hota na, then you should have felt sorry, kyunki aaj tak mujhe kabhi is ladke ke liye accha response nahi mila. Aur agar tum iske baare me achha bolti na tab mujhe lagta ki tum jhoot bol rahi ho.

Guddan: Aap ye sab aise hi bol rahe hai na kyunki mai ro rahi hun.

Mahesh: Nahi beta! Isse pehle bhi maine tumse apne bete ke baare me kaha tha na, Naa-layak and all?

She nods.

Mahesh: Ha, to phir! Tum to hamesha meri mazaak ko seriouse leti ho. Aaj ke baad mai kabhi tumse mazaak nahi karunga. I am sorry!

He said holding his ears apologizing to her. She shook her head and pulled his hands making his hold on his ears free.

Guddan: Aap sorry mat boliye, please! Galti to meri hai, mai hi aapke joke ko seriously le leti hun.

Mahesh: Finally, you understood. Ab batao tum ro kyun rahi thi?

Guddan: Mujhe laga aap mujhe college se nikal denge.....

Mahesh: Mai kyun aisa karunga?

Guddan: Aap yahaan ke....

Parv: Tum to drama queen nikli, haan. Ye tumhare aankh nahi water tank hai. Do second me baras pade. Aur ye, tumhara rota hua chehra, tumhare un diagrams se bhi bohot bura hai.

Parv immediately interrupted her because he caught the reason behind her crying. He didn't wanted her to reveal the lie he spoke that day.

Guddan: Tum phirse shuru ho gaye. Mere diagrams ke baare me kuchh mat kehna warna mai....

Parv: Kya karogi tum? Mere hi Dad ke saamne mujhe dhamki de rahi ho tum?

Guddan: Ha, kyunki you deserve this. Tum hi to mujhse....

Mahesh: Stop it!!!

They both looked at him and then at each other before being silent.

Mahesh: Parv, Guddan ko Sorry bolo.

Parv: Mai kyun??

Mahesh: Aise koi baat karta hai kya? Sorry bolo.

Parv: Lekim Dad....

He was about to argue but receiving one glare from his father made his mouth shut.

Parv: I am Sorry!

Guddan turned the other side ignoring his apology.

Mahesh: Beta, jab koi Sorry bolta hai na to use maaf kar dena chahiye.

Not wanting to hurt him, she accepted his apology.

Guddan: It's Ok! Lekin agli baar se mere diagrams ke baare me kuchh mat kehna.

Mahesh: Sun liya na tumne. Aaj ke baad se meri beti ko pareshaan mat karna.

Parv: Dad, will you please stop this drama with your so called daughter? Aap to mere saamne aise behave kar rahe ho jaise mai sach me aapka beta nahi hun.

Mahesh: Mai chahe jitna bhi soch lun but I can't deny the fact that unfortunately, you are my son.

Parv: Unfortunately??? Seriously Dad? Aap na rehne hi do, Mai unke paas jaa raha hun jo sach me mujhe apna beta maanti hai aur sach me mai jinka beta hun.

Mahesh: Ha, ha, jao. Mai yahaan apni beti ke saath thik hun.

Parv: Daaaaad!!! Aap use beti mat bulao. Mujhe use apni behen nahi banana.

Mahesh: It's up to you ki tum use kya maanna chahte ho lekin mere liye to meri beti hi hai.

Parv huffed in annoyance and was about to leave from there not being able to tolerate his father's over-dramatic self but finds his mother walking towards them.

Jaya: So, kya chal raha hai baap bete ke beech...

She finds Guddan with them and looks at her suspiciously.

Jaya: Who's this cute little girl??

She asked caressing her cheek and she smiled at the receipt of motherly warm touch.

Parv: Mom, she is not at all cute but she is a villain. Ye hamari story ki villain hai Mom.

Jaya: Parv, aise baat nahi karte. Kitni baar kaha hai na maine....

Parv: Mom, ye Dad ki beti hai.

Jaya: What??? Mahesh Ji!!!

Guddan: Aunty, aisa kuchh nahi hai jaisa aap samajh rahe hai. You are mistaken. Uncle to mujhe aise hi beti bulate hai.

Mahesh: Mai aise hi tumhe beti nahi bulata hun, I mean it.

Guddan: Lekin Uncle, Aunty wo....

Mahesh: Relax Beta! Ham sab jaante hai ye Parv kaisa hai. Mauka chahiye bas use nautanki karne ka.

Parv: Kya Dad, aap bhi! Mera revenge bhi poora nahi hone diya.

Jaya: Revenge? Ghar chal tab mai samjhati hun ki asli revenge kya hota hai. Aise hi itni maasoom bachhi ko pareshaan kar diya.

Parv: Mom, maasoom aur ye? Donon antonyms hai.

Mahesh: Tu chup kar! Pata nahi kyun haath dho kar meri beti ke peeche pad gaya hai.

Parv: Mai na sach me yahaan se ja raha hun. Yahaan meri koi value hi nahi hai. Sirf ek Bhai hi hai jo mujhe samajhte hai.

Mahesh: Please leave. Hame hamari beti ke saath akele time spend karne ka mauka milega.

Not wanting to leave them alone with Guddan, he still stood there.

Jaya: Mujhe aise lag raha hai jaise mai tumse pehle bhi mil chuki hun. Is that so?

Guddan: I don't remember meeting you before.

Jaya: Anyways, tum apni Mom ka number mujhe de do. Ham apne Ladies Gang me khoob gossip aur masti karenge.

Guddan's face fell down after listening to her words but she managed to maintain a steady expression on her face.

Guddan: Wo abhi yahaan nahi hai.

Jaya: Koi baat nahi, jab bhi aayengi to mujhse zaroor milana.

Guddan: Sure!

Then Mahesh started speaking to his wife narrating on how he met Guddan and why is Parv being so irritated and so on and Parv was trying to remain calm and unaffected by the scoldings he was receiving from his father but ended up being frustrated.

She was just standing still witnessing the scene and imagining her own family in place of them. She remembered how they used to be with each other, more like a group of friends of same age group rather than parents.

Unknowingly, few tears dropped from her eyes and she immediately wiped them. The feeling she had with them of being loved by strangers was somewhere gathering the broken pieces of her heart but she was so reluctant to let that happen because she knew that it will be lasting only for few days and she didn't want her heart to break one more time. She didn't want to hurt herself and drown into such pool of false happiness one more time that she couldn't be able to come out from it.

She decided to leave from there silently and took few steps back when Mahesh noticed her move and inquired about her action through his eyes.

Guddan: I should leave. Mujhe late ho raha hai.

Mahesh: Mai drop kar dunga.

Guddan: No, no. Mai khud chali jaungi.

Mahesh: Kaha na mai drop kar dunga, not a big deal.

Guddan: Thankyou Uncle, lekin mujhe na apne friend ke ghar bhi jana hai. Usse notes lena hai mujhe.

She lied to him not wanting to ruin their family moment being an intruder.

Mahesh: Achha thik hai, be careful. Thik se jana.

Guddan: Sure!

She left from there but Parv looked at her retreating figure sensing her lie. He wondered how the girl who never looked at someone other than her books could have a friend amd he being the most popular guy couldn't know about it.

==============================

Has anyone ever felt of trying to escape from the world and going to some corner of the world away from all the works and tensions... I am so feeling to do it right now😖

It was just one week I completed my internals and much to my dismay today I got the timetable for the end examinations which is not much far than just a month away.

Having a busy schedule of completing assignments, record works and attending online classes and practicals, now an other work of preparation for exams has been added to the worklist.

I just feel like crying, crying and crying and going to some other world with completely no worldly tensions...Even though I know this can't be happening.

Please pray to ease this hard time for me and for everyone who's going through this.