Part 25:

After having breakfast, everybody got ready to college. Arnav took his books and went to parking while checking his mobile. When he touches his mobile screen, it showed one message. Without checking the person, he opened the message and read

"I'm sorry... if I hurt you... I didn't mean to... --- Sneha"

"What the... why did she saying sorry now."

"Who is she, Arnav?"

"Who else.... Sneha... My crazy lover. She is saying sorry now. I don't know why."

"What else? She asked you about friendship. But you didn't reply her, so she might thought you are not interested. For making you uncomfortable she said sorry" said Anjali as matter of fact.

"What the! How can she conclude like I'm not interested?"

"Then, what else she will do. You already took long time. You said next day you will tell her your opinion. It is already one week now. She definitely will conclude like that."

"Oh come on Di... you should support me... not that crazy girl." Both the siblings started their fight, while Aman took Arnav's mobile to check the message. After some time they reached college. Everybody left for their classes. When Arnav is about to go, Aman stopped him and asked

"Arnav... what did you reply to Sneha?"

"Nothing Aman... I don't know what to reply to her."

"Don't do this Arnav. Don't ignore her. You may regret it later."

"What? Why would I regret it? In real, I not even know about her. Then, why would I regret it?"

"Who knows, she might be your love or soul mate."

"What the hell Aman? How can you say that? How can she be my love or soul mate? I love Khushi... I do not love any random girl. Do you know that?"

"If she is a random girl, if you are not in love with her; then why is she messaging you?"

"Oh god... Aman you know that she is crazy about me. She said she is in love with me."

"So what... you can still love her. She may be beautiful you know."

"Aman please stop it. Don't spoil my mood this morning. How can I know she is beautiful or not. I didn't even see her. How many times I have to tell you."

"You didn't see her? You don't know who she is? Then how can "Sneha" message you from "Choti's" number?" questioned Aman.

"What are you talking about Aman? Why are you eating my mind early morning?"

"You are this much dumbo, that's why she is playing with you. Did you see the number of your crazy lover's message?" Arnav nodded his head negatively, with irritated expression.

"Then first see, and then talk." Aman removed Arnav's mobile form Arnav's pocket, opened the message, and showed to Arnav. Arnav is shocked to see the message, which sent from Khushi's mobile. He is confused. He looked at Aman with expressionless face.

Aman sighed deeply and said "May be Khushi is your crazy lover. And may be she is shy or tensed to say her feelings to you directly. That's why she is doing all these. But I'm not sure. There is a chance for her friends too. They may take Khushi's mobile and message to you. We have to find out that, before it is too late. But remember don't force her for anything. She is not that type of girl who will say their heart out. We have to be careful."

Arnav has mixed feelings now. If Sneha is Khushi... his life will be a wonderful, as Sneha already confessed her love. If she is not Khushi... he has to take care of her and let her know about his love and ask her to maintain their friendship, no other relation. But his heart is dancing in the thought 'what if she is Khushi' Arnav looked at Aman, who is watching each and every expression of Arnav. Aman smiled and said, "There is no wrong in dreaming and hoping. I too hope the same. I deeply wish Sneha would turn into Khushi. All the best Arnav. But remember don't say any word to anyone. We have to find Sneha and most importantly, why Khushi is scared about you. As Anjali said if it related to that rumour we have to find the person who is creating all this mess from the starting. We shouldn't take more time to clear this mess. Till now we didn't take that rumour seriously. But now we can't. We can't when it comes to Khushi. Ok careful"

Arnav hugged Aman, without saying anything. But Aman understood his friend's feelings. He doesn't want Arnav to be emotional. He likes him as a strong, powerful man. Aman smiled a little, hugged him back and said

"Ah Arnav don't be a child. Don't behave like a sentimental fool. It doesn't suit you. Ok. Now let's go to the class." Saying this Aman dragged Arnav out of parking place.

*******************************

When Khushi reached the college, Payal is waiting for her. When Payal saw Khushi, she dragged her to the canteen. When they are on the way to canteen, NK came to them and stopped.

"Khushi Ji, I want to speak with you. It is really important. Please can you give me some time?" asked NK

Before Khushi say something, Payal said "No... NK Ji... not now... I want to talk with her. This is more important. May be she will talk with you later", saying this Payal dragged Khushi to the canteen. But NK held Khushi's another hand, not letting her go from there. With that sudden action, Khushi jerked and landed on NK's chest. But Payal is more determined to take Khushi with her. She pulled Khushi her side. Again Khushi landed on Payal's chest. It happened for some more time. Both NK and Payal pulled Khushi their side. When Arnav and Aman are going to their classes, they watched this drama going on in front of canteen. They both looked at each other, and went there to save Khushi.

"What the hell is going on? Why are you both pulling her like that?" asked Arnav.

"I want to talk with her, that too now" said Payal and NK in unison. They both looked at each other and again started to pull Khushi either side.

"I will talk first," said Payal.

"I have to talk first," said NK.

"Stop it... she is not a toy. Don't do this" shouted Aman.

Both NK and Payal stopped pulling Khushi. Khushi sighed deeply in relief.

"Thank you so much Bhai... these two are trying to kill me. Thank you for saving me"

"Shut up Khushi... if they are pulling you like this, can't you stop them?" asked Arnav.

"Ah Arnav Ji... do you really think, I didn't protest them? I did, but there are not ready to listen me. So, I stopped protesting..."

"Fine... now go to your class rooms"

"No Bhai... we don't have class now... our English teacher is on leave today... so, we are free..." said NK smiling.

"Ok then go to library. Don't mess here. Behave like a good student NK... and you two... go now..." ordered Arnav.

All the three nodded their heads like a good students. They walked towards library. After watching them heading towards library, both Arnav and Aman went from there. After Aman and Arnav went from there, Khushi, Payal and NK came back to parking and searched for them. After confirming their departure from there, all three hi-fied each other and went to canteen.

"Khushi... I need to talk to you. It is really important... please...," asked Payal.

"Yeah Khushi Ji... even I want to talk with you this one also important... please" said NK.

Sighing deeply Khushi said, "As Payal asked me first, Payal you say what your matter is"

"Khushi I will ask one thing... you have to answer me genuinely, frankly and straight. Will you?"

"Yeah Payal. I will. Ask me"

"Do you love Arnav Ji?" asked Payal in low tone, not wanting anyone to hear their conversation, leaving NK and Khushi shocked.

"Payal what are you asking? What nonsense is this?" Khushi asked in same low voice, not meeting her eyes with both of her friends'

"Don't do this now Khushi Ji... it is really important to know... it is really necessary for you to answer us" said NK, looking at Payal.

"NK?"

"Yeah Payal ji, I also want to ask the same"

"NK... did you?" asked Payal

"Yes... I heard everything... that is why I want to clarify things..." he turned to Khushi and said "Please Khushi Ji... tell us... do you love Bhai?"

They both can see the fear in Khushi's eyes. They clearly know what she is thinking.

"Khushi Ji there is no such thing you are thinking. I know my Bhai... he is not that type..."

"Whi.... Whi... Which ty... typ... type... you are talking about NK Ji?" stuttered Khushi.

"The type which you are thinking Khushi..." said Payal

"Payal...?" Khushi asked confused

"Yes... Khushi... the same type "womanizer"... he is not that type..."

"But... yesterday..." Khushi is really scared to talk about that. She doesn't want to hear anything about that. She doesn't want to hear any bad about Arnav. Forget 'womanizer'.

"Relax... yesterday what you heard that is all a big lie. They are fooling you. I heard them completely. After you left from there they said their intentions loud."

"What?!!" asked astonished Khushi

"Yes Khushi Ji... we heard them total. They are bad girls. But I won't let them successful" with this both Payal and NK said what they heard at that room, yesterday. Khushi is confused whether to feel happy or not.

"This is happened after you left from there. They are just trying to fool you and trying to trap Arnav Ji for their own benefits. Khushi... do not let them win. Tell me dear... do you love Arnav Ji? If you are, we can sort these things. You can propose him and make things easy for you. And you..."

Khushi stopped Payal in middle saying, "No Payal... I can't propose him. There is no way to sort these things."

"What?!" said NK and Payal.

"Yes... there is no chance for me..."

"What are you saying Khushi Ji? Why there is no chance for you? Did you propose him?"

She kept silent. "Open up Khushi... this is not the time to be silent..."shouted irritated Payal.

"Yes I proposed him, on the night of fresher's party. But he is in love with other girl" Khushi said everything about their phone conversation. Her secret calls to him, his confession about his love. At last her friendship proposal to him. She also said that she is waiting for his acceptance of their friendship.

Both NK and Payal are shocked to hear this.

"No... I don't believe this... he can't be in love... he won't love any girl... he is not that type..."

"What!?" said Khushi and Payal.

"Ah sorry... I mean... he is angry and reserved type... he is not the person who can mingle with girls so easily. It is really difficult to get his love"

"Then how can you expect me to be successful with him NK Ji?" asked Khushi

"You are different Khushi Ji. Didn't you see his concern towards you? Didn't you sense his tension whenever you are in trouble?"

"Yes Khushi, NK is right," said Payal. After pausing for some time suddenly, Payal got an idea and said loud "What if that girl is you? I mean what if Arnav Ji loves you. I mean you didn't say him your name, and you didn't let him know about your identity then maybe there is a chance for you. I mean as NK Ji said he has concern for you; he is getting tensed whenever you are in trouble. Whenever you need him, he was there for you. He took a good care of you. Whenever you are in need, he is there for you to help you. Think Khushi, may be you are only that girl. What will you say NK Ji?"

"Yeah there is a chance for that... there what you say Khushi Ji?"

All three kept silent for some time. Khushi went into deep thoughts. Both Payal and NK stared at Khushi, waiting for her to say something, but she didn't say anything. NK looked at Khushi and said

"Look Khushi Ji... you may think that I'm supporting my Bhai. But whatever I'm going to tell you is completely true. I admire my brother. He is the only one man whom I can say perfect. He is the best. He is affectionate. If we are with him, we are safe. Trust me; you will never regret your decision. I know we need some time to understand him; he is not that easy to get. Don't be tensed Khushi Ji. Just try to understand his feelings. As I know my brother, he will only like the girl like you. Not that stupid girl from yesterday. Please Khushi Ji... you..." he got interrupted by Khushi.

"I know NK Ji... he is the best. That is why I fell in love with him. I don't want to lose him at any cost. At the same time, I can't make him lose his love or happiness. If he is happy with that girl, with whom he is in love, I'm perfectly fine and am ready to leave him. I need him to be happy. That is more important to me."

"Oh... bhabhi..." NK hugged Khushi... "Now itself I'll go and ask his opinion on this matter. I want to clear everything now. Just now itself." He is about to go to Arnav, when Khushi stopped him.

"NK Ji... stop... you are not going anywhere. I don't want you or Payal say anything about this to anyone."

"What are you crazy Khushi?" asked Payal.

"Whatever you think, it is up to you... but I don't want any of you talk about this to anybody" said Khushi.

"No bhabhi..., please, don't do this. You and Bhai deserve this. You both should be together. Please bhabhi..."

"NK if you want me to be your Arnav Bhai's bhabhi then keep quite. You have my promise. And you too Payal, you both have my promise. Actually I want to clear these things by myself. But I need you in this. I need your help. And please promise me you won't say anything to anyone about my love to Arnav Ji. Please" asked Khushi, making Payal and NK helpless.

"Bhabhi... this is not fair... but still..." said NK, continued by Payal, saying

"We are here with you. But whenever, wherever you want us we will be there for you. Don't hesitate to ask for anything. But think one more time Khushi. Please don't do this to you and Arnav Ji."

"No... Payal... I'm not going to do any bad. Actually, I want to clear things as soon as possible. I can't keep my life in this horrible situation. I want to know about his feelings. As you both said, if I'm the girl whom he loves, then I'm the first person to be the happiest person. I need him in my life. He is a great support for me. As I know, in these matters everyone should clear their mess, by themselves. I don't want anybody handle my feelings or emotions. But surely I need your help. Please be with me. That is more than enough for me. And please don't say anything to anybody. Promise me" Khushi said with tearful eyes.

Both NK and Payal hugged her at once, by herside, nodding their heads. Promising her that they will be with her whenevershe needed them.

...to be continued