I returned to my practice room, and my team was concerned when they saw me all frustrated. They asked me if I had again gone to the boys' room and got teased. I lied to them that it wasn't the case, and I was just worried about my hairstyle being messed up.

Others didn't ask further, but Suhana wasn't convinced. She asked me if Akshay and I fought, so I went ahead with the lie and told her it was a small banter. She told me not to think about it and focus on our rehearsals.

I was feeling really bad and irritated. Again, I ended up treating Tejas badly, but it was not completely my fault this time. He wasn't answering and was cross-interrogating me.

As long as Ayzere is still here, I guess I won't be getting a proper answer. Tejas was enjoying teasing me earlier, and it is enough to confirm from his words that he is interested in me, but now, I am not sure what kind of interest that is. Is he in a dilemma? I mean, Ayzere did confess to him. Moreover, she is a close friend of his. He must be thinking something about her.

Even if he told me that there's nothing going on between him and Ayzere, it isn't impossible that something might happen between them. She hasn't left yet, and as Hriaan said, she is continuously coming to their studio. But why is Tejas not staying at his home? Is he running away from her? He is too kind to ask her to leave even if she is bothering him. Why am I being like this to him? I am myself not confessing, but I want to know how he feels for me. What a hypocrite!

I decided to apologize to Tejas for my misbehaviour. I knew I was getting confused by him, but it was my responsibility to not let my emotions take over my logic. And I had forgotten the most important thing too.

What if Tejas had confirmed my doubt of him liking me? What would I have done then? Am I really in a position to have a romantic rendezvous at the moment? And he is Tejas for goodness' sake. I can lie to my friends and even my family, but he easily catches my lies. I shouldn't take this risk again.

I reminded myself that I hadn't fully thought through my plan. My guts were continuously telling me that my thoughts regarding Tejas's attention towards me were right, but I didn't know how I was supposed to handle them if they materialised.

Also, I was kind of feeling both happy and stupid while imagining weird stuff. I kept repeating the conversation between me and Tejas in my mind and realised that I needed some guidance. Therefore, after finishing my team rehearsals, I left the practice room and avoided Tejas.

I saw him still practicing with his team, and he also noticed me rushing towards the exit, but I refused to let my heart control me this time. I ran off and dived into the first autorickshaw that I saw.

Okay, let's go and ask my best friend Arushi about my concern. She is just like me. Of course, she has almost zero experience regarding this, but she reads a lot of romance novels and is very smart. I won't be able to sort out this issue by myself.

Also, I know I hate Ayzere, but she is also a girl. She likes Tejas just like I do. Tejas even rejected her, but still she is trying. I should also put some effort and be clear about what I want. Just imagining Tejas accepting my confession or him telling me about his true feelings is not going to solve anything. Stupid emotions - I wish I can take out my heart and squeeze the hell out of it.

My impatience was growing, and I had already repeated the questions I was going to ask Arushi a zillion times. I was prepared when I reached her home, and since it was Saturday the next day, I was ready to sacrifice my whole night for the important conversation.

My best friend opened the door, and I hugged her.

"Aru, I need your help," I told her.

"What happened?" she asked.

I broke the hug and looked at her expectantly. "It is a very serious issue, and you are the only one who can solve it. We can't talk at the door, so let's go to your room."

She was confused and asked me if I was talking about the exams, but I pushed her towards her room. I instantly locked her door and was going to start attacking her with my concerns, but fortunately, I stopped before I let out my secrets.

On Arushi's bed, Suhana and Akshay were going through some books, and I looked at them like I was seeing them for the first time.

"I didn't know you guys were here too," I said awkwardly.

And here goes my plan of discussing love and crushes with Aru.

While Suhana smiled at me and asked me if was also here to study, Akki was staring at me as if he was looking at me through a sniper. He was there when I was trying to confront Tejas, and as my chuddy-buddy, I was afraid if he overhead my conversation with his teammate.

Now that I couldn't talk to Arushi about my main concern, I decided to give up and study. Akshay and Suhana were using the bed, so I sat down on my regular spot and laid out all of my textbooks and notes. Arushi brought some snacks for me, and I started studying while trying to avoid Akshay's piercing curious stare.

He is not going to ask me in front of his girlfriend, but I am sure he is thinking about the same thing I am worried about. I can't do anything, so let's study. Even if my head is filled with Tejas's thoughts, he is not the one who will give my exams.

I solved a few important questions and gave them to Arushi to check. Within a few minutes, she told me all the wrong points and reprimanded me about my handwriting. I instantly remembered how KD had also scolded me that I was losing marks because the professors didn't understand what I was writing.

I kept that advice in mind when I solved more questions again, and this time, I tried to copy Arushi's handwriting because it was the best, and our teachers always complimented her assignments for the same.

When I was done, I showed Aru my answer sheet and her notes side by side.

"Look, Aru, don't both look almost same? I know it isn't that good, but I managed to copy at least 80% of your wonderful handwriting," I said proudly.

Arushi glanced between the two sheets of paper, and slowly, a scowl formed on her face.

"Why do you always copy?" she asked.

I looked at her in confusion. "What?"

She smiled, but it wasn't a sweet smile; she looked like I had offended her in some way.

"Aru, what happened?" I asked in worry.

"Of course, I need to repeat twice just like every other time," she said and glanced at my t-shirt.

"Why can't you do your own thing for once?" she questioned.

I really couldn't understand why my best friend was reacting like that suddenly. I wondered if she was angry because of my poor performance in the rough exam she was taking, or if there was some other reason behind it.

"You know, Bhoomi, because of you how many times Akki and I had to redo our own assignments?" Aru complained.

"A lot of times," I answered and chuckled as I remembered the funny times, but I stopped when Arushi narrowed her eyes.

"Yes, for you, it was always fun, but that's not the case with us," she said.

As Arushi's tone got serious, Akki and Suhana tried to intervene, but she told them she had to let me know what she wanted to say.

"Bhoomi, right now also, you are just copying, nothing else. You copy my notes, fine. You copy my assignments, again fine. You copy my way of answering questions, okay, but why are you copying my handwriting now? Leave something at least. Why are you not trying to be original instead of being just a copycat?" Arushi ranted.

My eyes widened as I saw my best friend let out her frustration; I didn't know she was getting troubled by me, and that too, so much.

"Do you even have any idea how many times, all because of you, Akki and I had to change our own assignments even when we completed them first? Even after telling you n number of times, you still copied word from word, and me and Akki helped you redo your homework before ours. I keep telling you that our professors are strict and we will fail because of the ditto homework, but do you ever take me seriously? Of course, not," Arushi accused.

"I am sorry," I apologized. "I didn't know I caused so much problem for you. Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Aru huffed. "I did multiple times, okay? But did you listen even once?"

I thought Arushi was unknowingly taking out her parents' anger on me, but after hearing her rant more, I realised that it wasn't so. Seeing her so worked up, I felt it best to leave.

I packed my bag and kept her notebooks safely back on her desk. As Arushi had said, not just her, but Akki suffered because of me too.

"I am sorry, Akki," I told him.

He and Suhana were worried, and Akshay asked Arushi why she was in such a bad mood suddenly, but she didn't say anything. I told him to let it be and not bother Arushi as she was already irritated.

"Thank you for helping me in my studies, Aru," I told her and took my leave.

It was late in the night, so I decided to go home as fast as I could. I still couldn't believe what happened just earlier. That was totally unexpected.

Aru was so annoyed. She should have just scolded me. Why did she go on a rant like that? I feel so embarrassed. Isn't she my best friend? She didn't even stop me when I was leaving. I am not going to talk to her. She knows I am not academically smart. She could have just called me stupid.

"Bhoomi, wait!" Akki called from behind.

I didn't stop. I kept walking, but he caught me.

"I will take you home," he said.

I shook my head. "I don't want to trouble you."

Akki stopped me again. "Oye, Boom Boom Boomer, even if I am mad at you, I won't let you go alone so late in the night."

I refused, and we started fighting. We would have spent the whole night like that if Ritvik Bhaiyya hadn't spotted us and scolded us for behaving like idiots.

He asked us why we were out so late, and before Akki could complain to him about me, I asked Ritvik Bhaiyya to drop me home. He agreed and told Akshay to go back to Arushi's house. Akki obeyed his order, but before I left, he punched me on the back and ran off.

Ritvik Bhaiyya asked me why we were fighting, and even if we did, we needed to at least be aware of the time and location. I didn't say anything because I was already worried about Tejas's issue, and now, Arushi had blown off on me out of the blue.

I had gone to ask for her help, but she didn't even feel sorry that I left her home so late in the night. I decided that unless she herself talked to me first, I wouldn't talk to her.

Ritvik Bhaiyya dropped me home within minutes, and after he checked upon my sister and niece, he left. My mood was completely ruined, so I had dinner and instantly went to sleep. Mom asked me why I looked so enraged; I told her that I was no longer going to have tuitions from Arushi.

Mom asked me why I was picking fights with my best friends nowadays. I was annoyed, so I told her to not bother me and pulled my blanket above my head.

Stupid Aru. How can she treat her own best friend like that? She does not love me any more. Hmph!

While fighting with Aru in my mind, I dozed off. Since it was my holiday, and Mom had to go to work, I got up around 7 am. There was so much work to do and my studies also. After finishing off everything, I got to calmly sit on my ass only around 2 pm.

If you want to shut up your brain, physical exhaustion is the key.

After lunch, I took afternoon nap, and before I prepared dinner, I did revision of a few chapters and helped Srishti in doing her homework. In the evening, Dad and Mom returned at the same time, and since Dad was here, I couldn't discuss anything with my sister or mother.

I deemed it best to not bring up my personal affairs for the time being. In the night when I slept, I started thinking about Tejas again.

What am I doing? I keep worrying about the same thing when I am totally not in any position for a relationship right now. I am in a debt! Why do I forget that? I keep thinking that I should just confess to him or he should tell me his true feelings asap, but will I be able to handle that? Is it even the right time for me to have someone special in my life? What about my family then? Why am I continuously losing my focus?

It is okay, Bhoomi. You are a human too. These emotions are normal, and it is not your fault that your family is going through a tough situation right now. You are lying to your friends and can't share everything with your family, so your heart is just trying to keep you happy in the best way it can. In your case, most of your dreams are connected to Tejas, and he is not a bad person, so you end up moving in his direction.

That's the whole problem. Why am I trying to get him more involved with me when I am not stable myself? He has his own life.

Relax. Nothing serious has happened yet, so stop overthinking.

I forced myself to sleep, and since Mom had taken a leave for Sunday, we both completed the whole housework in a jiffy, leaving me enough time to play with my niece and studies. I was satisfied with my preparation, so in the afternoon, I watched a movie with my family, but during the most interesting climax, I fell asleep.

In the dream, I was watching a different version of the movie, but before I could watch it whole, I was woken up by Srishti. She dropped my mobile on my face and ran off before I could catch her.

I was going to throw my phone away, but my sister told me that my friends were continuously calling. Since I had reduced the ringer volume of my phone, my father had noticed it vibrating just now.

I checked my phone and widened my eyes when I saw more than fifty messages and missed calls. I checked it, and with groggy eyes, I read all of the WhatsApp messages: 'Bhoomi, where the fuck are you?', 'We have to complete the preparations. Get your ass here asap!', 'Why haven't you wished Rehman yet? Do you have a death wish?', 'Boom Boom Boomer, are you hiding somewhere? Don't forget, we are in this mess all because of you.'

As I went on reading, my brain replayed previous year's memories of Rehman's birthday, and I jolted in terror when I remembered what warning Rehman had given to all of us, especially me.

Fuck, I even forgot to wish him. He will have my head for dinner!

I instantly called Jiya, and she was busy blowing up balloons. There were loud noises coming from around her, and she hurriedly told me to come over because the guys were just messing up everything.

I promised her to come over in a snap. I didn't have time, so I just washed my face and ran off towards Vibhan's dance station. On my way, I reached our familiar bakery, and when the owner handed me the cake the moment she saw me, I had tears in my eyes.

She told me that she had already prepared Rehman's favourite flavoured one-kilo cake and was waiting for me to arrive. I was amazed that she still remembered my request from one year ago, and while I myself forgot my friend's birthday altogether, the bakery owner saved me from getting murdered.

I took the cake and reached Vibhan's studio. Everyone was running from one place to another, and when Akki spotted me, he took the cake from me and placed it inside the fridge. First, he scolded me from everyone's behalf, and when he was satisfied, he handed me my responsibilities.

Last year at Rehman's birthday, while teasing him about finally becoming an adult, I had accidentally ended up dropping his cake. It was custom-made, and the birthday boy was really looking forward to it, but thanks to me, his whole party was ruined. He was the youngest, so we had no choice but to accept his every demand, and as a result, one year later, we all were trying to amend my mistake.

Fortunately, the preparations were done in time, and while the boys took care of bringing the rest of snacks and drinks, Jiya, Arushi, and I left to get ready for the party at Jiya's house.

Jiya asked me why I was ignoring Arushi, and I taunted that I was not smart enough to be Arushi's friend. Jiya was surprised, and Arushi told me that she wanted to talk to me, but I refused. I was still angry at her, so I told her that we would end up fighting if she brought up friday night's incident.

She looked at me in accusation, but I didn't react at all. All of us got ready within half an hour and went back to Vibhan's studio.

One by one, the guests started coming, and I reminded myself to behave when The Emperors arrived. After them, a lot of Rehman's other friends also came, and I was amazed when Ritvik Bhaiyya brought my sister also. She was on a wheelchair, and Ritvik Bhaiyya told me to enjoy with my friends as he would take care of Dhara Di. I was very thankful to him.

Finally, the birthday boy arrived and acted surprised. He was very satisfied when he saw the cake, and to avoid any accidents, I kept myself away from the main table where everything was set up.

While all of this was going on, I didn't fail to notice Tejas looking at me. To avoid staring at him like an idiot, I busied myself and started preparing dishes for everyone after the cake was cut.

Jiya, Arushi, Vibhan, Shlok, and Akki helped me, while others completed Rehman's other demands. While we were distributing the snacks to our guests, Tejas came to help us. I didn't say anything as I was trying my best to keep my eyes off him.

Why is he shining extra tonight? What's with his cheeks resembling fresh apples? Did he trim his hair? Why is he looking so good? He is literally glowing! Oh, wait, I haven't apologized to him yet. Maybe, I should find the right time and do it.

When we were done distrubing the food to everyone, I checked if I could catch Tejas alone. Weirdly, I didn't see him after I noticed him chatting with Hriaan just a few minutes ago.

I waited for him to return, doubting that he might have gone to the washroom.

I won't act like a fool and will just say sorry to him. I hope he doesn't ask me anything related to how jealous I acted that day. There's no way he didn't know what I was talking about when I was confronting him like that. The way he was pulling my leg, I am sure he knew exactly what I wanted to hear. But today, I don't want to discuss that. It is Rehman's birthday; all of the attention should be on him only.

Tejas still hadn't returned, so I got worried. I feared if he had already left. I decided to go and ask Hriaan, but at just that moment, my phone rang.

It was an unknown number, so I didn't pick it up. But when I received a message from the same number, I froze in my place. The message was from Shailesh. He had asked me to meet him within five minutes as he was waiting in an alley near Vibhan's studio.

What does this asshole want now? Why did he come here?

Fearing my friends' safety, I instantly went out and searched for Shailesh. I found him hiding in a dimly lit alley not much far from the dance station.

"Why are you here?" I asked him.

Shailesh smirked. "The five lakhs you gave are already finished. Transfer all of your savings to my account right now."

I looked at him in disbelief and disgust. "I don't have anything. You also know my family is not rich, so why are you doing this? At least, give us some time."

Shailesh clicked his tongue in annoyance. "What's exactly your problem? You keep saying that you are poor, but you definitely got money for shopping and parties, huh?"

"Please," I begged him. "As soon as my salary comes, I will give it you, but right now, I don't have anything."

My sister's ex-husband narrowed his eyes. "You guys are really trying my patience. I think I shouldn't have made that deal in the first place. I should have just kil-"

I felt a very nasty feeling in my guts when Shailesh's frown suddenly turned into a sinister smile. While talking, his eyes snapped to something behind me, and he stopped what he was going to say. I wondered what he saw, so I looked back, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw Tejas coming in our direction.

What is he doing here?!

Tejas stopped beside me, but he was staring at Shailesh suspiciously.

"Who is he?" Tejas asked.