And just then, when my very critical conversation with Kabir, on our Whatsapp chat, ended -

MY PHONE RUNG.

And this time, it was the most unexpected call.

The name on my phone was very clear, in block letters - KSHITEEJ KABRA.

"OMG...ab yeh kyu call kar raha hain?" I anxiously whispered, unable to take a decision, all of a sudden.

After 5 seconds, my mom yelled - "Shweta, phone utha na".

Panicking at first, I silenced my phone, and just when I was about to pick up, it ended.

Without wasting any time, I quickly re-dialed his number - and he picked up the call in a second -

"Hello" his firm voice.

"Hello" I tried to be sweet.

"Hi Shweta, Kshiteej bol raha hoon" I always wondered, about his habit - he always used to introduce himself on call saying - "Kshiteej bol raha hoon".

On the other hand, I always wished, that someday, I will shout loudly in his ears that -

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

Kshiteej, you must know - ki maine tera naam - apne phone mein - special tareeke se save karke rakha hain.

All BLOCK letters, that too BOLD and UNDERLINED -

So, I know, that from this number - it has been Kshiteej - who has called and he wants to talk to his LIKER (because I am not sure - whether I love him or not)

who wants to talk to his liker a.k.a SHWETA KALANTRY.

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

I exclaimed the above written bold sentences - to my heart - when he again gathered my attention on the call -

"Hey Shweta...are you there?"

"Haan Kshiteej, bol na."

"Woh actually, maine phone kiya tha - to call you downstairs." He continued -

"Since aaj Sunday hain, toh maine socha - ki apan sab colony friends - milte hain niche.

Maine Pratyush ko phone kar diya hain, baaki logon ko main bula raha hoon -

Toh, tum aa rahi ho?"

To his long explanation and question, I simply answered -

"Ahhh...Haan"

"Sab log aa gaye kya?" I enquired off him.

"Haan...bas main toh niche aa gaya hoon, Pratyush mere saamne hi hain - aur baaki log aa rahe hain -

Toh, tum bhi aa jaana - Yash ke  ghar ke saamne."

"Okay - main paanch minute mein aati hoon." I replied, as my mom entered my room.

"Mummy -  main thodi der niche jaa rahi hoon - sab colony friends aa rahe hain." I was looking for my jacket, while I exclaimed this statement.

"Thike.

Kiska phone tha abhi?"

"Kshiteej ka...I smiled looking at myself in the mirror, while I was tying my hair, into one single pony.

"Niche aane ke liye?" my mom, again asked me.

"Haan Mummy" I rushed across her, to the balcony - taking a glimpse of the situation and the people standing downstairs.

Though not very clear in the dim light of the evening, nevertheless the Street lights - helped me to recognize some of my friends.

I could guess the presence of the following people - PREETI, KABIR, YASH and finally - Mr. Kabra - KSHITEEJ KABRA.

I rushed back to my room, tied my hair into my typical one pony - gave a sweet smile at myself in the mirror - and rushed outside my house - 

My sweet adobe -a 2 floor bungalow, with the brown walls - Plot no. 5 - "Kalantry's" - written on our name plate.

I was very eager to rush to that place - just to see "him" and my friends - and to enquire once again, whether Kabir had spilled the secret or not. Nevertheless, I tried to control my emotions, and stepping out of the main gate - I walked a little slowly, rather cautiously - with the typical beautiful girl steps.

As soon as I entered the premises of Yash's building, I received a warm welcome from everyone. Preeti shook hands with me, Yash said a simple hello, Kabir beamed with a little wicked laugh - since he was my secret keeper, at present. Last but not the least, Kshiteej simply smiled at me - and so did I - not exaggerating my excitements.

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

TO ALL MY READERS -

I want to make one thing, very clear -

From my talks, you might think - that I am a little - desperate teenager. But to be frank, I AM NOT.

I always have control over my actions, I am aware of how and why, am I behaving in a particular manner with the respective person- and I never display/make people aware of my likings/dislikings - specifically when it comes to - CRUSH.

Or rather, I would say - MY INFATUATION.

To sum up, not a single friend of mine - is aware of the fact that I have a crush - on a boy of my colony.

Exception - Kabir Chaudhary a.k.a KABIRA - who got to know this secret - just because of that stupid link, which he had shared with me.

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

"Hey Shweta...wassup" Kabir smirked, as I looked up at him - with a weird expression.

"Kuch nahi...bas Kshiteej ka phone aaya tha - ki tum sab mil rahe ho niche - toh..." it was rather, not necessary to complete the statement - as my friends understood - my simple reply.

"Haan...KSHITEEJ ka toh phone, mujhe bhi aaya tha!" - Kabir smirked again.

"Teri exams kab se hain, Shweta?" Yash asked, and then all of us - were involved in an unending discussion - about our respective schools, studies, colleges, classes etc.

All of us - were in Grade 11th.

While Yash - opted for engineering, Preeti chose medical, Kabir, Kshiteej and I - were the commerce students.

To be frank, though my parents are insisting their only daughter - to take a decision about my future studies - in Grade 11th itself, yet I am confused - exploring myself and my favorite topics/branches of careers - to study for.

To add on to this, Kabir and I - used to attend the same college and tuitions, while he was preparing for CA - I simply studied for Grade 11th and 12th. Hence, my life was pretty cool and normal.

I did not have much study load in Grade 11th, and I used to enjoy my present study life - tuitions for 4-5 hours, extra study for 1-2 hours and then, watch/read/cook.

"Yaar Kshiteej, tumhari tuition mein kahan tak padhana ho gaya?" Kabir asked this question to the boy - right in front of me - standing, inclined towards the two-wheeler behind him - looking handsome.

"CA foundation ke liye - chaaron papers ke second ya third chapters shuru kar diye." Now, while Mr. Kabra was describing his study routine - I reminded myself - that he is very serious for his CA studies.

Until Grade 10th, Kshiteej was a cool guy - but his Grade 10th CBSE board results - 91.5% - were comparatively low as per his expectations and his elder brother was disappointed.

Therefore, being in the commerce stream, in Grade 11 - he started studying very seriously - along with following his usual hobbies, luckily similar to mine - watch/play.

I was simply wondering about us - when suddenly, I heard a louder noise in the background,

"Shweta...?"

"Haan" I was a little startled, as Preeti held my hand - and shook me.

"Shweta -  tumne kya decide kiya?" 

Kshiteej had asked me a question "Hayeeee! #1"

"Kya...?" I asked back.

"Maine pucha - tumhara kuch decide hua kya - aage ki padhai ka?" Though I was not very satisfied with Kshiteej's question - since I did not have an adequate answer for this -

Nevertheless, I blushed at the thought - that he was caring for me or my studies. 

"Hayeeeee! #2"

"Haan...woh...ahhh

12th ke baad mein - I will be looking for Management courses. BBA - MBA types."

"Thats impressive." He smirked.

"Hayeeee! #3 

"MBA bohat sahi degree hain." "Bolne mein bhi - kitna sahi lagta hain - M-B-A"

"Master in Business Administration" Kshiteej exclaimed with a fascinating smile as all of us laughed.

Finally at 7:50pm, when two of my other friends - had already received calls from their homes - to come back - we decided to leave.

Imagine, the above image, to be a simple ground-map of my colony.

BLACK color - Yash's house

YELLOW color - Kabir's house

RED color - Shweta's house (my house)

BLUE color - Kshiteej's house

Finally, while we were leaving from Yash's house, I and Kshiteej turned towards the left, while Kabir turned towards the right - getting on the main road - on his way back.

And then, all of a sudden -  the most engaging moment took place, as Kabir turned back, and shouted - 

"Byee Ms. Keej" 

This was bad, but the worse was the following situation -

I have no idea, what struck my mind or what made me do this, but suddenly, I myself turned back and shouted - "Kabir Yaaaaaar".

To add on to my embarrassment, Kshiteej looked back, as well - and simply glared at me - in utter confusion - wanting to know - more about this new name.

#SABOTAGED.

I was simply speechless, as Kabir started laughing loudly at me.

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT CHAPTER