The girls left them, challenging the three. They sat at the very spot Karthik chose earlier for himself. The entire event was a total misery as it took them some time to compose themselves back. 

"Where have I put myself into? Errr...." Anuradha buried her face in her palms.

"I'm sorry, Radha. I didn't know things would get aggravated this far." Karthik apologised.

"Didn't I tell you this isn't going to be a one-day show!" Anuradha yelled as she couldn't calm herself down.

"If you had not called me and if you had not gone there to confronted them before me, I wouldn't have TO BE A GIRLFRIEND FOR TWO!" she yelled in frustration. "Eww... it sounds so bad" she buried her face in her palms again.

"Sorry, butterfly"

"Don't call me that!" she slapped his hand off her shoulders. "I feel like my wings had been copped off by those hefty girls" she said almost crying.

"We can handle this, butterfly. Aren't you the strongest of us all?" Christopher said.

"Strong? Me? You must be out of your mind" she laughed.

"But you did look like you would burn them down to ashes" Karthik added.

"I am one, they are seven. They are hefty, I look tiny next to them. I was literally quivering inside. Thank god for all those acting skill I have acquired that I managed to hide my fear. Otherwise... Bubye Manohar and Christopher" she waved her hand and gulped the coffee Karthik had bought for him.

If it wasn't for Christopher's call, she wouldn't have to be in this issue with them.

/*/*/*

"Hey, are you in campus?" Christopher asked as soon as she answered his call.

"Yes, I am. What's wrong, you sound so troubled?" she asked.

"I need you to come to the canteen right now."

"I can't I'm busy, Christopher"

"Karthik needs your help. You have to be here."

"Karthik can help himself, Chris. Go back to whatever you were doing." She was about to put down the phone when Chris yelled to her to wait.

"What is it, Christopher?"

"Karthik is in the canteen and the girls don't really look like they will go away if he ignores them... Why don't you just come down here now!"

"You are all here to make my life miserable as if it isn't miserable enough!"

"If you don't get here soon, you will see a miserable Karthik"

/*/*/*

And the day couldn't have gone any worse than this, admitting that she is a girlfriend for two and proudly fighting for them, it was not a joke. What if this matter leaks out of college and reach her parents.

They would skin her alive for tarnishing her family name. 'Everything has to be under controlled, Anuradha', she calmed herself.

"What do we do now?" Karthik asked coming back with three cups of coffee.

"Bloody graphic students!!!" she slammed the table all of a sudden. "If it wasn't for the morphed pictures I would have thrown this hot coffee on their faces."

"They definitely would have predicted, Karthik, that you might say 'NO' and wanted to use the photos to threaten you to stick with one of them. But they must have not expected this twist" Christopher added.

"I never knew they would do this. But thank god the pictures weren't that bad." Karthik sighed a relieve.

"But Manohar, imagine if it's out in the internet. 'Karthik Manohar Chauhan and the Seven Girls' Flash news... Wow! That would be an epic introduction to the new talent in the music industry" Anuradha chuckled, inwardly worrying about herself too.

"Can't we get them thrown out of the college" Christopher suggested

"Nah, I tried that before. We often forget that we are in private college. They paid to get in here and these girls are a pack of spoil brats" Karthik reminded.

"Rich girls but attitude like shit!" Anuradha said in disgust.

A soft humming tone from a device broke each one from their train of thoughts and started to check their phone.

"Mine" Anuradha said before answering the call.

"Yes, dad. Alright, I will get that done" dropping the phone on the table, she took a deep breath.

"How did I forget about it?" she mumbled.

"Forgot what, butterfly?" Christopher asked.

"To tell you'll about the fundraiser" she answered.

"Fundraiser?" it was Karthik this time.

"There is one welfare organisation which is holding a fundraiser event next month_"

"Next month?" Christopher interjected, as he tried to figure out why is she telling that to them.

"Yup, I supposed to tell you last week but all these happened." She sighed and continued as she explained about why she needs their help.

"Hmm... actually that's a very good idea, butterfly" Christopher nodded.

"Yeah, it could indeed give us new exposure and experience performing in public than our usual indoor performance" Karthik too agreed in helping in the fundraiser.

"So, four of you are good enough to start a band, right?" Anuradha asked as she was doubtful if she needs to approach more people to join their new band.

"Don't worry about that, Radha. If we need, we will get few of our classmates to join. And by the way we six not four, that includes you and Shika as well" Karthik added as he sipped in the cooled coffee.

"I don't think we can help"

Karthik continued, "That doesn't matter, also we need to keep this in mind that we will have to act as a couple most of the time as I believe these girls are propagators, they might not leave anyone from not knowing this news." Anuradha nodded in respond.

"As much as I hate to see you both as a couple even if you are acting, I think to make it look real, I will play my part as the side artist. Otherwise, we can't stop the rumours. You both should be in the main lead, because Karthik you are the target for them and butterfly, you are his shield. You both get what I mean, right" Christopher explained so they know what they should do from this very second.

They nodded, "You have helped me many times and even now, I owe you. In return you can ask me any help in future and I'm ready to do it," Karthik offered.

"hmm... I don't know about the future but I'm sure I need it now. This issue has to be within this compound and should not leak out if it does I won't be able to help you."

"Deal." Karthik extended his hand to Anuradha.

"It's a deal" Anuradha said as they shook hands.

"But remember, butterfly is mine until I'm convinced she isn't meant for me." Christopher warned Karthik.

"Fine, whatever. Anyways, after college hours we are free from this act," said Karthik not having any intention to bring this act to life.

This one week have made them take decision that they never thought they would do and say things that they never wish to say. Anuradha was almost going to a devastating state for what had happen today, fortunately her father had ringed her right on time to divert her wavering mind.

"Right, that's enough. So, now we have our academic, our play and this 'Mission' to concentrate on including preparation for the fundraiser. We have lots to do." Anuradha reminded the bunch of works they need to do. 

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

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Anyone missed my videos? I knew someone did :D ... Hope you like this edit ;)

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