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.

"Woh...actually..." I myself started to give an explanation, to Kshiteej's confused expression, as he still stared at me, while Kabir walked towards us.

After 2 seconds, I was simply speechless, as I was unable to make, any false story in my mind.

Since, I stayed silent - Kshiteej himself asked - "Yeh kya tha?" 

"Bro..."Kabir looked at Kshiteej and spoke - "Yeh maine tera naya naam rakha hain"

"Kabira...what name is this?" Kshiteej glared at Kabir, as I still stood silent.

"K-double E - J" because

K - tere naam mein silent hain aur "EEJ" -  joh last mein aata hain.

Kshiteej was unable to understand this horrible logic, which Kabir had given and after a complete silence of 5 seconds, he exclaimed -

"Kabir, mere bhai..." Kshiteej put his hand on Kabir's shoulders.

"Bhai, tu bachpan se hi itna pagal tha - ya yeh teri tuition ka asar hain." 

I simply couldn't control my laughter - as I knew, that both of them - used to tease other for their respective tuitions - since both of them, were preparing for CA - but from different tuitions.

"Ek second...tujhe itni hasi kyu aa rahi hain - tu bhi woh same tuition mein padhti hain na!" Kabir's statement made me quiet, in one single second.

"Aur woh toh thik hain - but jitna maine sunna - tune MISS (Ms.) Keej bola."

"Right?" Kshiteej enquired off again, and this time - it was me, who was going to be, in a trouble.

Kabir couldn't answer and Kshiteej looked at me and spoke - 

"By the way Shweta, tum kyu piche palati?" #SABOTAGED.

This time, Kabir had a reply. Though this reply - was not an answer, rather it was a counter - question.

"Pehle tu bata...MISS Bolne par bhi, tu kyu palta...kahi tu bhi toh...hahaha"

That horrible and horrendous smile on Kabir's face, was annoying enough to make his complete mockery and make Kshiteej leave the scene.

This was probably the last statement, as our conversation ended abruptly.

After this Sunday meeting, I was a little pissed off with Kabir - for purposely revealing the secrets.

We had a talk outside our tuition on Thursday evening - wherein he again said sorry and promised me, that he will never put forward this topic, from next time, in front of anyone.

"Acha Kabir, ek baat bata - uss din ke baad - tujhe Kshiteej ka phone aaya tha kya?"

"Haan...aaya toh tha!" I was a little tensed with his answer.

"Kya bola usne?" I asked.

"Arre kuch nahi...bas padhai ki baat thi - tuitions and all ko leke, AUR..." before he completed, I couldn't resist and interrupted -

"Last sunday ke baare mein - usne kuch pucha kya?"

"Aur usne pucha tha - ki main kya bol raha tha - Ms. Keej ke baare mein? - Kabir

"Toh tune kya bola?" I was a little anxious.

"Arre kuch nahi - maine yeh hi bola ki - maine uss din mazak kiya tha - and then I changed the topic." From his voice, I was not very sure - whether he was successful to keep the secret to himself. Nevertheless, other than keeping faith on Kabir, I had no other option.

"Chal okay Kabir, lets just keep it a secret - only between the two of us - and LETS CHANGE THE TOPIC CHANGE."

One of my other friends in the tuition called me, and we were talking, when I heard her whispering - " Pata hain kya, isko woh apne class ke Aryan ke naam se chidhaate hain." 

She looked at one of the three girls, standing at a distance, to which I replied - "Toh kya ho gaya, aaj kal toh yeh sab common hain." 

I gave a modest answer, since this was not an exaggerating news.

"Arre tujhe pata nahi kya...?" my friend, exclaimed in a hushed tone - in my ears.

"Kya...???" I asked with a cautious look.

"Pichle hafte, uss ladke ke kuch dost bol rahe thee - ki woh bhi usko..." she did not complete the sentence, rather she just winked at me.

"Ohhhhhhh....." I exclaimed, as a big smile broke on my face - but instead of happiness, this was more of realisation.

"Ab pata chala Shweta..."while my friend, expected a friendly expression from me, I turned back and rushed towards Kabir.

After a minute, when I found him - talking to the other boys - in the open area - I yelled - "KABIRRRRR", this time a little loudly. While the other students standing there stared at me, Kabir rushed at me.

"Kya ho gaya Shweta...?" he smirked.

"Ek baat bata...tune yeh Kshiteej ko...." before I would complete my statement, the phone in my hand rung and it was - DAD. 

Immediately, I picked up the phone and spoke - "Hello..."

"Shweta...piche dekho...main bahar khada hoon!" I turned around, finding my dad - sitting in car, right in front of the parking gate - wherein he could easily identify me.

Now, although I wanted to talk with Kabir - nevertheless, talking with an alone boy - in front of dad - would be a little awkward - taking into consideration that he was waiting for me outside.

If I am not wrong, he won't scold me - talking to a boy - but I would be a little cautious.

Hence, I told Kabir - "Bbyeee, baad mein baat karenge."

And, the words in my mind - remained their itself - as mere thoughts.

However, I realised that my heart and mind - both of them, working together - were preparing a plan. Now this plan would be - a mastermind or a flop show - you will get to know - only at the end of my story.

That Thursday, though I slept early - nevertheless, I was very excited for the next day - because the next day - I was planning to make a big decision.

Next morning, I got up at 7:00am, but for the entire day until 6:00pm in the evening, I was in utter desperation.

I left my tuition at 6:00pm and reached home by 6:20pm. My mom had just opened the door of our house - when suddenly I heard a noise in the background.

I strolled towards the main gate - only to find my infatuation - Kshiteej Kabra - on his two-tweeler - probably, its front wheel got punctured.

He got down from his Jupiter (two-wheeler) and cautiously he took hold of his two-wheeler.

Though I couldn't help him - with any of the physical means - still I rushed towards him - "Are you okay Kshiteej?"

"Haan haan...I am good."

"Bas yeh saamne ke, wheel ne, mera saath chod diya." Both of us laughed on his statement.

"Awwww...I can understand your feelings." I purposely spoke, in a low-comforting tone.

"Seriously...?"  "How's that possible?" He suddenly asked.

"Tumhari tarah hi - kisi ne mera bhi saath choda diya." 

"Main uspe puri tarah dependant thi - as if woh mera backbone ya mera support tha,"

"Par usne bhi - mera saath chod diya."

That smile on his face turned into a stern look - as he glared at me - in desperation, waiting for the appropriate answer - to this riddle like statements.

"Shweta...kaun hain yeh dhokebaaz?" in his remorseful voice, he asked.

"Actually Kshiteej, mujhe tumhe bohat time se - ek sach batana hain!" I moved a little near to him, getting down the pavement of my house, while he opened the stand of his moped, down the road and stood right in front of me.

"Kya sach hain?" he asked, this time - he was very serious - as he stared into my eyes and I could actually see my reflection in his eyeballs, which shine in the dim street lights.

"Kya tum iss sach ko sunne ke liye, tayaar ho Mr. Kabra?" I purposely increased the suspense.

"What is the truth, Ms. Kalantry? Kaun hain yeh insaan?" He questioned.

"Sab se bada sach toh yeh hain Kshiteej - ki woh ek insaan nahi hain!" The happy look had turned into a stern one - and now, into a puzzled face - as he was utter confused.

"What...?" He exclaimed.

"Haan Kshiteej...kya tum sach sunne ko tayaar ho?" I could sense his curiosity, as he was no longer normal.

"Shweta...agar aaj-hi-ke-din, tumne mujhe nahi bataya - toh...ahhh" since we was unable to give an engaging reason in his statement, after 3 seconds, I myself spoke -

"Toh kya Kshiteej....?" 

"Please Shweta...tum please yeh chodo" he giggled and continued.

"Please jaldi batao...kaun hain yeh?"

"Woh actually..." I started revealing the secret.

TO BE CONTINUED IN THE NEXT CHAPTER