*Viraj*

"Ye kya hai maa?" I ask, showing her the papers in my hand as she gulps nervously.

"Vo.. vo.." she starts speaking and I wait for her to continue. She doesn't.

"Toh isliye aaye the vo kal? Ye dene ke liye? Bete ko dekhna tha na unhe toh" I say furiously as I slap the papers back on the table.

"Aap sign karogi inpe?" I ask her, knowing the answer to my question.

Maa unhe divorce dene ko tayyar nahi thi. Jab mujhe pata chala that he was cheating, maine maa ko bahot force kiya ke vo unhe divorce de de. But she loved him so much. Still loves him so much that she was willing to forgive him.

She said that he is not in his right senses and will come back to her. That their love was real and they'll get back together.

Aisa hota hai pyaar? Itna ghatiya.

"He wants me to sign it" she whispers and I run my hands through my hair.

"He wants you to sign it, so obviously you will sign it. Kyu ki unki happiness sabse jyada important hai na. Chaahe vo aapko kitni bhi buri tarah treat kare, chaahe vo aapko divorce kyu na de de, but unki khushi important hai bass. Vo kya chahte hai, unhe kya chahiye.. aap sab dene ko tayyar ho. Divorce bhi? So that he starts a new life with that bitch" I say.

"Viraj" my mom glares at me in a warning tone.

Abhi bhi apne pati ki zara bhi insult sunn ke nahi leni. Ab toh vo pati bhi nahi rahe. Neech Insaan.

"Kya? Kya bolna chahti ho aap maa? I can't watch you like this" I say my voice breaking.

I am not going to cry. Not for that man.

"He has moved on. I guess I should too" she says sitting on the couch with her head in her hands.

"Aapne sign kiya toh bass sab khatam. Why can't you be angry on him? Why can't you torture him the way he did. You are letting him control you too easily" I say.

"Because I still love him. He is my husband!" she snaps at me.

Oh god again with this shitty love thing.

"That man doesn't love you maa! He cheated on you. He never loved you. He is just a manipulative bastar.."

My words are cut when maa's hand slaps me across the face.

I clench my jaw as my eyes fill with tears. She puts her hand on her mouth and steps backward. She is shocked by her own action. She has never hit me before. And I know this slap has hurt her more than it hurt me.

I just give her a brief nod blinking back my tears and go upstairs in my bedroom. "Beta I'm sorry.." I hear her words fade out when I slam the door shut behind me.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

*Aslesha*

I won! I actually won! Shit is this a dream?

My name gets announced and I stand rooted in the spot when Pari pushes me forward and I stumble on the stage.

The judges give me a trophy and I receive it with happy tears in my eyes and touch their feet.

I thank them as some photographers click pictures. I search for my papa in the crowd and see him clapping proudly for me. I grin widely and hold up the trophy to show him. He clicks my picture from his phone and I see him telling the man next to him that I'm his daughter with a big smile. And that's the brightest and proudest smile I've ever seen on him.

I made him proud! I made papa proud!

There were three trophies actually. One for the winner of each - group dance, duet and solo. In the group dance and duet our college didn't win but for the solo dance, I won it!

"You won you won you won.." Pari chants jumping up and down and I start jumping with her. "I won I won..."

"Everyone is waiting outside. Jaldi change kar, chalte hai" she says and I quickly rush inside the changing room.

I change and wash my face. Many people stop and congratulate me, even the teachers!

Viraj sahi kehta tha, ye feeling bahot mast hai. I feel on top of the world!

I see Trisha arguing with a guy and a wicked smile forms on my face. Thank God she challenged me to take up a typical Bollywood dance number for my performance. That just made my performance so much better.

Many students are gathered around them to see the drama. I see the guy whom she is shouting looking sad and ashamed.

"Kuch mistake hai. And it's because of you we lost! You forgot the steps.." she is shouting at him but stops when I go and hug her tightly.

"Trisha.. my best friend! Thank you so so much. Tumhare wajah se mai jeeti. See" I bring the trophy right towards her face and show her shaking it up and down. "Dekho dekho. I won" I say grinning widely.

She glares and slaps my hand away as more people gather around us.

"Don't think so smart of yourself, you just.." she starts saying but I start laughing at that.

"Smart? Mai? Smart toh tum ho Trisha. First of all you disqualified me in the auditions without even looking at my dance. Mocked me, insulted me. Aur aaj jo tumne mere dress pe hot chocolate giraaya waha toh hadd hi ho gayi. Wah" I say smiling as everyone around us gasps as they whisper among themselves.

"Itna sab plan karne ke liye bahot dimaag lagta hai toh tum toh bahot hi jyada smart ho. The smartest of all" I say giving her big smile.

She stays quiet glaring at me like she wants to claw my eyes out and I want to burst out laughing at that expression.

I turn to leave but turn back to her. "By the way Trisha, you are the most wicked bitch on this planet and I'm sure you lost because of your stupid ass self. Stop blaming others and try to grow up" I say and the guy, who she was shouting at, gives me a genuine smile.

"I won" I say and bring the trophy towards her face again, showing it to her as everyone around us start laughing.

I turn away, leaving a furious chudail glaring at me.

I go outside and see papa standing there with all my friends. I go and hug him. "I won" I squeal and give him the trophy. I'll never get tired of saying that.

"I'm so proud of you. You were amazing" papa says proudly as he hugs me.

"Did you meet my friends?" I ask him and he nods. I look at them to find the face which I wanted to see from so long, but I don't see him.

"So kya plans hai abhi? Do you wanna party with them or can I take my beautiful daughter for dinner?" he asks me and before I answer Shabnam speaks up.

"Uncle hum toh roz parties hi karte hai. Aaj koi plan nahi banaya kyu ke usne khud kaha tha that she'll spend time with you" she says.

Papa gives me a warm smile and I smile back at him distractedly. I'm still trying to find him. Kaha gaya ye ladka? Did he even see my dance?

"Mai car leke aata hu gate ke yaha. Parking pass me mili hi nahi toh dur karni padi. Meet me there in 10 minutes beta" he says and waves everyone a goodbye and leaves.

"Oh my god Aslesha you were just so wonderful" Saumya says.

"Stage ko aag laga di tumne moti" Rudra says pulling my cheek.

"Your dress was so beautiful. Tu toh dusra wala pehenne wali thi na. Where did you buy this one? Mujhe bhi chahiye" Pari whines.

"Congratulations" Joel says.

"Mujhe party chahiye bass" Tej says and everyone burst out laughing.

"Thanks guys. Don't worry party mil jaayegi" I promise them.

Everyone leaves after hugging me and congratulating me again and I'm left with just Rudra and Pari by my side.

"Viraj kaha hai?" I ask Rudra and he sighs.

"Pata nahi yaar. Tumhare dance performance ke time dekha tha usse, Neel ke saath tha. Uske baad se gayab hai" he says and I suddenly feel sad.

Why isn't he here? I want him here.

"I called him but he's not answering" he continues and I just nod. Busy hoga. But itna kya jaruri kaam aa gaya isse?

I see dad's car approaching. "Thik hai mai usse call kar ke dekhti hu. Drop her home on time or else I'll kill you" I warn Rudra and he laughs.

"Ok mom" he rolls his eyes and I get in the car waving them a goodbye.

I message Viraj. *Where are you?*

"Kya hua Aashu? Everything ok?" Papa asks and I keep my phone away. Mai bhi kya phone se chipak ke hu. Busy hoga koi baat nahi. Why spoil my time with papa.

"Kuch nahi papa. Just hungry" I say and decide to not think about that blue eyed cricket star till I reach home.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

Dinner with papa was awesome. I hug the pillow to my chest feeling exhausted as hell. I eye my phone which I didn't check for the last 2 hours. Viraj ka call ya message bhi nahi aaya.

But aaya hoga toh? Jab mera dhyaan na ho.

I quickly take the phone and see that there are is just one message and that's from Majnu. Nothing else. I open it

*Veeru ke ghar gaya tha but he was not home*

Ghar pe nahi tha? Kuch kaam aa gaya hoga obviously. Ya fir kahi kisi ladki ke saath toh nahi.. I suddenly feel a surge of jealousy.

I clutch the pillow and glare at his number. Ye competition ke liye itna force kiya, jaan ke peeche padd gaya aur jab results ki baari aayi tab gayab. Abhi uski khabar leti hu.

I call him but he doesn't answer. Where the hell is he? And why the hell am I feeling so restless. Busy hoga yaar. 24/7 mere baaju me thodi rahega. He has his own life.

But.. but.. I wanna talk to him.

Acting like a stupid desperate girl, I call him again. No answer. I huff and keep the phone away and sleep. Or at least I try. I can't even sleep now. What the fuck is wrong with me.

I eye the phone. Ek aur call karu kya? 12 bajj ke gaye hai. This is so not me. How can I be so desperate. But usse pata bhi nahi ke I won. I wanted to tell him this news more than anyone else. Kya karu kya karu..? Message kar deti hu. Ha, message desperate bhi nahi lagega.

*Hey dummy! I won*

Naa, I erase it. I wanna see the expression on his face when I tell him.

*Hey dummy.. kaha gayab ho shaam se. I've been worried.. I hope you're fine*

Without thinking much I press send. Okay the message was a little clingy.. um a little more than clingy but koi baat nahi. Now I won't text ya call him aage se.

That's it, pakka, 100%, kasam se, ekdum surely, no call ya message aage se.

Yes! And with that thought I go to sleep.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

I have passed the ultimate level of desperateness. Khud pe sharam aa rahi hai mujhe toh. Mai subah 10 baje Viraj ke ghar ke bahar haath me gajar ke halwe ka dabba le ke khadi hu.

Wow just wow.

Mai sahi se so nahi paayi. Toh subah I don't know kyu mai uth ke gajar ka halwa banayi. Fir pata nahi kyu maine socha ke Viraj ko bahot pasand hai gajar ka halwa toh usse thoda deke aati hu. Aur pata nahi kyu mai yaha aa gayi seedhe.

And now I'm standing here, in front of Viraj's house, like a stupid moron.

Ghar chale jaati hu. Kyu mai khud ka mazak banaa rahi hu? But uske mom ne kaha tha mujhe wapas aane ke liye. And I'll just say ke mai yaha se guzar rahi thi toh aa gayi. Ha right. Aur de ke I'll go home. Ye sahi rahega.

I take a deep breath and ring the doorbell.

Oh shit, bhaag jaau kya?

Nahi nahi how stupid. Bass ghar hi toh aayi hu, usme konsi badi baat hai. Chalta hai.

After a moment his mom opens the door and I give her a bright smile. "Hello aunty" I say.

She smiles but it is not as bright as me. Infact it's a very weak smile. She looks tired and there are dark bags under her eyes.

"Arre Aslesha. Aao na beta andar aao" she says and I regret the thought of coming here. But ab aa gayi hu toh...

"Viraj hai?" I ask getting inside. A pained expression crosses her face.

Something is definitely wrong. Mujhe ghar jaana chahiye.

"Umm vo.." she starts but I cut her off. "Nahi vo mai bass yaha se guzar rahi thi toh mai gajar ka halwa laayi thi so I thought ke kyu na aapko bhi thoda deke aau. Maine subah hi banaya hai aur Monday tak kharab ho jaata na toh mai abhi dene aa gayi. And now I'm just babbling like an idiot" I say giving her a guilty smile as I fidget with the hem of my top nervously.

She smiles sweetly at me. "Vo upar room me hai. Tum khud de ke aa jaao. He'll be really happy to see you" she says and points towards the staircase leading up. I give her a small nod and go upstairs. There are 3 doors. Viraj ka konsa wala bedroom hoga.

The sign on one of the door makes it obvious that it's Viraj's bedroom.

'Gaming in progress. Eye contact / small talk unavailable'

Ofcourse.

I knock it but there's no answer. Mai sahi me yaha tak aa gayi.. Ghar jaau kya?

I knock again and this time the door opens slightly. I peek inside and see Viraj lying on the bed with his headphones on. Oh, tabhi sunayi nahi diya.

He is facing the window and I look around his room. The bed is near the window in the front and to the left is his study desk and on that wall is a poster of the Indian cricket team with the world cup. Tu the right there is a showcase and a cupboard. On the showcase there are trophies, CDs and other stuff.

Nice room.

I look at him again and he's still facing the window. I walk towards him and remove his headphones from behind.

"What the.."

"Hi" I chirp, before he continues that sentence, smiling happily at him.

"Tum yaha?" he asks with a frown. He looks tired. Just like his mom. His eyes are a bit red. But he still manages to look handsome in that white crumpled t-shirt and navy blue track pants.

"Ha vo mai gajar ka halwa banaa ke laayi thi" I give the dabba to him.

Why isn't he asking about the competition? Does he already know that I won. If yes, then why is he not happy or not congratulating me?

He takes the dabba and keeps it aside. Kya hua isse? The way I know him, he would have already jumped up opening the dabba and started eating.

"What's wrong?" I ask sitting on the bed. It's very soft.

"Nothing" he says.

"Viraj.. kuch toh baat hai. Tell me" I urge him again.

"Bola na kuch nahi. Should I tell you each and everything that happens in my life" he snaps and my mouth falls open.

He has never talked to me like that. Not since we became friends.

"Wha.. what? Chilla kyu rahe ho tum? I was just concerned" I say my heart beat picking up.

"Concerned?" He says laughing humorlessly. "Please don't concern yourself. Infact your nagging is very irritating. Sambhal ke ghar jaao. Jyada daaru mat peeyo. Bike dheere chalaao. It's just so irritating" he shouts again and I get up from his bed hearing his harsh words.

"Viraj tum kiska gussa mujhpe utaar rahe ho? I know these are not your words. This is your anger speaking" I say as he gets up and walks towards the window, gazing at the blue sky.

What the hell is wrong? What has made him so angry? Or maybe hurt. His mom was sad too.

I step behind him and place my hand on his shoulder turning him to face me. I grab his face with both my hands, looking into his sad blue eyes. The brightness all sucked away. They seem dull.

"Kya hua Viraj? I'm here for you" I whisper stroking his skin with my thumb. He looks into my eyes for a moment, his emotionless mask breaking but suddenly something clicks in his head and the mask is back.

He takes my hand harshly and pins it behind me. Also taking my other hand and putting both of them behind me with his hands around me. We are close, really close.

"K.. kya kar rahe ho?" I ask feeling scared, for the first time, around him. He has insulted me, made fun of me, but never frightened me. His grip on my hands tighten.

"What did I tell you? Did you forget? Ke I'm just being nice to you because of the competition. So that you win. And now, you're of no use to me. So stop fucking irritating me. You're not my friend and everything that was between us was fake" he says harshly with such an angered expression that my mouth goes dry.

Fake? So he just did it for me to participate? But isse usse kya mila?

He looks at my confused expression and evilly smirks. "I know tum soch rahi ho ke tum participate kar ke jeetogi toh mera kya faayda hoga. You know under 19 cricket matches ke selectors sirf top colleges me aate hai. So in a way tumne participate kar ke meri hi help ki" he says and I struggle out of his grasp not wanting to stay anywhere near him.

I feel like crying, but I won't give him the satisfaction of watching me cry. He pushes me against the wall almost painfully and I try to wiggle out of his grasp.

"You bloody bastard! Mujhe pata tha. A heartless jerk like you can just use people" I whisper as my eyes fill with tears and I blink them away.

"You've ruined my life Aslesha Mathur, how could you ever think that I'd like to be friends with a girl like you" he says with venom.

"Ruined your life? How?" I ask literally not understanding. How?

"Leave. Get out" he says stepping backwards abruptly. "Don't you ever think that I'll have feelings for you. I'd die rather than being friends with you. Mere life ki ye haalat tumhari wajah se hai" he says and I see his eyes turn a little glassy as my heart squeezes inside my chest. I stand there rooted on the spot, my mind going completely blank.

"Jaao Aslesha! I can't bear your presence anymore" he says and takes my hand and pushes me out of his room, slamming the door on my face.

I stand there for I don't know how long just looking at his door. And when I come to my senses I run outside avoiding the worried call from his mom and get on my scooty and go home.

Fake. It was all fake. I hate him. I hate you Viraj Singhania.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

Hello! Thoda intense ho gaya na chapter? Don't worry sab thik ho jayega, ya kya pata nahi hoga... Hahah.. :D keep reading to know what happens next.. ily :)