Aarohi's POV:

I can't move. I just stare blankly at the wall.

"It's okay", Karthik says, trying to soothe me. He is kneeling in front of me, while I am sitting on my bed in shock. He takes my hands in his and rubs his thumbs over the back of my hands, in smooth circles, slowly, still trying to get me out of my stupor.

The door bangs open, but I don't bother to look up.

"We got over here as fast as we could", I can hear Roshni speaking, her breath coming in pants. "The others are on their way."

Just one word is constantly tumbling around in my mind, occupying my entire brain, and slowly, seeping through my veins and taking over my soul: FAILURE.

"How is she?" That's Mehul's voice.

FAILURE.

"She's still in shock", Karthik says.

FAILURE.

"Uncle and aunty are out for work?" Roshni asks. "Do they know?"

FAILURE.

"Yeah they do", Karthik says. "Unfortunately they can't leave work and come home right now. So I called all of you guys. We need to get her out of this."

FAILURE.

"Aarohi, look at me", Karthik says.

I don't look at him.

"Look at me." This time, there is determination in his firm voice.

So I look at him. And when I look into his eyes, I can't stop the tears from flowing.

Karthik silently wraps his arms around me and I hug him tightly. He rubs my back, effectively soothing me. "It's okay, Lizzie. It's okay. It's not the end of the world. You know what, it's NYU's loss. Not yours."

I chuckle through my tears. Only he would be insane enough to state that the rejection of an application by a University is the University's loss, not the applicant's.

"I know studying in NYU has been your dream ever since you saw Step Up 3", he says slyly and I hit him. He laughs and continues, "But trust me. This in no way means that you're a failure. We know you're not a failure, your family knows that, the whole world knows that. Stop beating yourself up over this. You've worked really hard and you deserve a break. You're not a failure, and you never can be."

He breaks away from the hug and looks me in the eyes. "I hope you know that. In life, you may face many rejections. It certainly does not mean the end of the world, and does not classify you as a failure."

"He's right", a new voice says and I look up to see Hanshu, Aish, Kaushik and Raunak all smiling down at me, slightly sympathetic. Roshni and Mehul are with them, smiling as well.

"Are you feeling okay?" Karthik looks at me, concern swimming in his eyes and I smile and nod.

"Good", he says and swiftly kisses my cheek and lets me go. A hoarde of animals prance around in my stomach as redness seeps through my cheeks.

I clear my throat. "Thanks for coming, you guys. Really. I truly appreciate it."

"Shut up", Aish says. "What are friends for?"

I look at her and see her smiling and feel guilty immediately. "I'm so sorry you guys had to leave your first date and come here." I look at Raunak who rolls his eyes and says, "Shut up", as if it would help ease the guilt.

It's been almost a month now since Karthik and I became best friends again and Raunak had confessed that he liked Aish.

During the period, Raunak had joined our group and had finally asked Aish out yesterday evening. Turns out, Aish likes him too.

Roshni and Mehul started dating one week after they met and they're still going strong. She totally believes that meeting him was destiny, and that he is THE one- her Prince Charming. We never argue with her over that.

Hanshu and Kaushik are just friends. They're more like siblings who fight with each other. Everybody was sort of hoping that they would end up together as well, but their friendship is stronger than ever. Hanshu calls it "brotherhood" and she crinkles her nose in disgust whenever anybody teases her over Kaushik.

Meanwhile, Karthik and I have gotten even closer, if that's possible. And Karthik is the same old idiot who was my best friend in school. He's still just as sweet and just as funny; his antics are just as annoying but just as cute as well. Our friendship was the same as before; if not, stronger.

With one minor detail.

I have started to fall in love with him.

Okay, maybe it's not that minor a detail.

Every action of his, right from opening the classroom door for me, till waiting for my extra lecture at University to get over so that we can go home together, makes me thrilled and nervous at the same time.

I have fallen in love with every movement of his, with every moment of us.

I love the way his eyes light up when he smiles, which is often.

I love the way he laughs like a donkey over some stupid joke.

I love the way he acts all tough while watching "A Walk to Remember", but ends up tearing up.

I love the way his eyes shine in determination when he wants to do something.

I love the way he is concerned about my well-being.

I love the way he gets protective of me whenever any guy checks me out.

I love the way he ruffles my hair whenever he teaches me Strength of Materials and I get an answer right.

I love the way he cares about his family, his friends, about people, about animals.

I love the way he can understand me, on such a deep level, that I don't need to say a word for him to know what is going on in my mind.

I love him. I don't know how it happened, when I realised it, but I do. And I am falling deeper every second I think about him or am with him.

The only thing I don't love is the thought that he might care for me as a brother cares for his sister.

Because it has happened before.

Back in high school, when my classmates had teased us, Karthik had told them off by saying that he had brotherly feelings towards me and nothing else. I hadn't thought much of it at that time, but now, everything has changed.

The logical part of my brain tells me that brothers and sisters don't do what we did in the Taj Hotel.

But the voice in my head is a bitch and does not want to see me happy. So she constantly keeps reminding me that Karthik might have just joked about it, and since he hasn't brought up that topic since then, neither have we done anything remotely even close to that since then, it must have been a one-time thing, and a mistake, at that.

I hate her habit of reminding me that I might not be good enough and that Karthik hadn't actually enjoyed what had happened, but had lied about it, just to protect my feelings.

And she's right. I had tested the theory once when I had worn shorts and a tight top to college, with my hair open and enough make-up on my face. I was picked up by my girl gang (all of whom know how I feel about Karthik) at that time, and when I had reached college, Karthik's eyes had popped wide open (which now I think it's probably due to horror, since I was trying way too hard), and numerous boys had stared in my direction and several of them had hit on me.

But not Karthik. During lunch, he had disappeared and he appeared after lunch with a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt and he had made me change into them, saying that guys were having inappropriate thoughts about me.

I had complied, grumpily and slightly disappointed. When I came back, he was talking to Raveena and laughing, and that shattered my heart.

I guess I was definitely not good enough.

So, I had stopped trying.

But that didn't help my heart.

I am in love with my best friend, and this is the very first time I have fallen in love with somebody. So deep, and so right.

But unrequited love is a disaster.

Heartbreak is one thing which is so Goddamn difficult to handle.

I cry myself to sleep almost every night, since I know for certain that Karthik might never have feelings for me.

So I try to make my peace with the fact that I will always be his best friend and nobody will ever know him the way I do.

As of now, that's enough. More than enough.

I have buried my feelings deep inside the facade of being his "bro", his confidante. Not that I am pretending to be his confidante, but it takes huge effort to suppress my feelings which are at the tip of my tongue, every single minute I am with him.

"Lizzie?"

"Huh?" I jerk out of thoughts to see Karthik looking at me, worried.

"You okay? You spaced out", he says.

I blink my eyes and rub them, then proceed to wipe the tear tracks off my cheeks. "Yeah, I'm okay", I say, in a small voice. "Handling rejection is a very difficult thing for me to do. Especially since I strive to achieve perfection. It's like I'm not good enough for New York University." Just like I'm not good enough for you, I want to add, but I don't.

"Relax", Karthik says and hugs me from the side now, squeezing my shoulder.

Every touch of his calms me as well as sends tingles in my body. He's a weird drug. Quite paradoxical.

"You'll get admitted to other universities", he states confidently. "Sometimes, things happen for a reason. A very good reason."

I peer at him from under my eyelashes, my heart on my sleeves again-

"Maybe we should go out", Aish suggests. "That will take your mind off of things."

"That's a good idea", Karthik agrees and everybody looks at me.

I grin. "I suddenly feel like eating pizza."

"And she's back, ladies and gentlemen!" Karthik announces and everybody laughs.

We are on our way to Pizza Hut when my parents call me, separately. Both of them tell me that it's not the end of the world and that there are better opportunities and I should not feel disheartened, because I did my best.

I tried. Atleast I tried here, and got rejected.

Should I atleast tell Karthik about my feelings? I would end up getting rejected anyway, but I will make sure that it won't affect our friendship in any way. I will strive to maintain our friendship.

I should give it a try. I never give up so easily, and I almost always achieve what I work hard for, so why not this?

The success rate is minimal, but at least I would have tried. I don't want to regret not doing something.

We're munching on delicious double cheese pizza when my phone rings again.

It's an unknown number.

"Hello?"

"Aarohi?"

My insides turn cold.

It's Mayur.

I cut the call.

Mayur had called me atleast fifty times and I had ignored each call. He had apologised to me but I hadn't bothered replying. I don't forgive so easily. I had blocked his number.

He had once shown up inside my classroom and Karthik had almost beaten him up but I had stopped him.

I was least interested in talking to him.

Still am.

"Who was it?" Karthik asks.

"Wrong number", I shrug, not looking at him.

"Hey Aarohi", Karthik says. "Is there something on my face?"

I look at him and frown. "No. Nothing."

"So you're sure there's nothing on my face which makes you think I'm a fool?" Karthik is glaring at me. "You're a terrible liar."

I look down as the table goes quiet.

"Was it Mayur?" Hanshu asks, and I nod, after a second.

My phone rings again. Karthik picks it up before I can and says, "Stay the fuck away from her", and ends the call.

"Block that number", he orders me but I glare at him.

He can't just dictate things to me.

Maybe I shouldn't block the number, just to rile him up.

But I don't find the need to do that either since the Pizza Hut door opens, and right there, in all his glory, is Mayur.

He makes a beeline towards me as my eyes widen in shock.

"Aarohi, please", Mayur begs. "I made a mistake. Please forgive me."

"How did you know I was here?" I say, stunned. "Have you been stalking me?"

"No, I was in the neighbourhood when I recognised Pratap's car", he explains. "I figured you might be here as well, since he just told me off."

Karthik then stands up. "I think I told you to stay away from her."

Mayur ignores him. "Please, Aarohi. I have changed now. I swear, I have eyes only for you. I love you."

My mouth opens of it's own accord. Karthik makes a move, but I stop him.

"Let's talk in private", I suggest.

"But-" Karthik begins, but I cut him off.

"Let me handle this on my own", I say, not looking at him.

He grits his teeth and Mayur looks genuinely happy.

We walk outside the restaurant and Mayur says, "Thank you, for listening to me. And I'm truly very sorry about my behaviour. I'm no longer friends with Tisca either."

"Mayur", I sigh. "It's over between us. I'm sorry, but I don't have feelings for you."

Mayur closes his eyes. "I know. You love Pratap."

I am so shocked that I don't know what to say.

"It's okay", he smiles. "I won't tell him. I just hope you would be able to forgive me. I have realised my mistake. I'm not my father, Aarohi. I cannot turn into him."

"What changed?" I ask, curiously.

"I saw you for how you truly are", he confesses. "You're beautiful, both inside and out. And then my dad lost his business. Turns out, he's a fraud. Then I decided that I would not be like him in anyway. So the first thing that I wanted to do was apologise to you. But that doesn't change the fact that I love you. I really do."

"I'm sorry, Mayur, but I..." I trail off.

He looks behind me, possibly in Karthik's direction. "You love him. I know."

We don't say anything for a while.

"I forgive you", I say.

I don't know what changed my mind, but Mayur actually seems repentant. And life is too short to hold grudges.

I feel like I'm growing up.

"Really?" He asks, his eyes lighting up.

"Really", I smile and he smiles back.

"Thank you", he says sincerely. He then hesitates and says, "Can we be friends?"

I look at him carefully. "Are you sure you want that?"

I know how difficult it is to be just friends with someone you love.

"Better friends than nothing", he smiles and shrugs.

Man's got a point.

He extends his hand, but on instinct, I pull him in a hug. Maybe I shouldn't have done that because he stiffens a little, but then relaxes and his hold on me tightens.

"Are you guys done? The pizza's getting cold", a voice interrupts us and I see Karthik staring at us, his face devoid of expression and we break apart.

"I gotta go", I gesture towards the door.

"I'll see you around", Mayur smiles and I smile back and wave.

I then follow Karthik and the first thing I do is unblock Mayur's contact number from my phone.

Nobody says a word, as there is a slight tension in the atmosphere. But then conversation commences as usual and everything becomes normal. Nobody asks me what has happened with me and Mayur, and for some reason, that makes me relieved.

"I'll drive you home", Karthik says after everyone's done.

I nod my head. "Thank you."

"We just need to make a quick detour", he says and I shrug, not questioning him.

I hug the rest of my friends goodbye and get into Karthik's Audi. He opens the door for me as usual and I blush visibly. But he's too deep in his thoughts to notice.

We drive silently for a while and then he speaks up.

"So what happened? With that tool of an ex boyfriend of yours?" He asks, and I almost suppress a grin, somewhat enjoying the fact that he hates Mayur.

But then I remember that Karthik thinks I'm like his sister and my smile drops.

"He apologised", I say.

"And told you he loves you", Karthik adds.

"Yeah, that too."

"So have you forgiven him?"

"Yes."

Karthik doesn't say anything for a while. I look at him to see that his knuckles are white and his jaw is tight.

He then sighs. "I hope you know what you're doing."

"He sounded very genuine."

"Did you tell him you don't love him?"

"How do you know whether I love him or not?" I ask, my tone sharp.

He snorts. "Please Aarohi. I know you. Even you won't be that stupid to still be in love with him. I doubt you even were in the first place."

"You know nothing about my feelings", I deadpan.

He stays silent for a while but then says, "I just don't want you getting hurt. That's all."

"I won't. We're just friends now."

He snorts. "Yeah, right. Is that what he told you?"

"Why do you hate him so much?"

"How can I not?! I hate him for what he did to you!"

"But he's changed now!"

"Please don't tell me you're thinking of dating him again!"

"What if I am?! Huh?! What's it to you?"

"You're so Goddamn blind!" He yells and then abruptly stops the car and gets out. I get out and slam the door behind me.

"What is your problem?!" I seethe, crossing my arms.

Karthik runs his hands through his hair in frustration. "How can you not see it? He's not good for you! I don't trust the guy at all."

"But I do. And you can be wrong. Just like you were wrong about Raunak."

"That is totally different! Raunak never hurt you! Mayur did!"

"He's changed, Karthik! It's as simple as that!"

"You deserve much better. And definitely not him."

"Oh yeah? Then maybe I should date Kaushik. He seems like a nice guy."

Karthik laughs out aloud. "Now you're just sprouting shit. This is ridiculous!"

"What's wrong with Kaushik?"

Karthik closes his eyes. "Not him either."

"You know what?! I'm not the one with the problem! It's you!"

"Yes, it's me! How can I not have a problem with anybody else dating you when I-"

"Mr. Karthik Pratap?" A voice calls and both of us turn around.

An old man is standing in front of a shop, looking at the both of us, a little bewildered.

"Yes, that's me", Karthik clears his throat and says. "We spoke on the phone."

The old man smiles. He's tall and fit, and looks extremely kind.

"Ofcourse. Come on in", he invites us and we follow him inside the shop.

And then my jaw drops. Puppies. Dogs. Kitten. Cats. Everywhere.

Oh my God! It's a pet shop!

I look at all the adorable faces around me. It's like my own Disneyland.

"What are we doing here?" I ask Karthik and he smiles.

"Well, I missed your earlier birthdays", he says. "And plus the rejection got you down so I thought you need a gift to cheer you up. So we're here to adopt any one of these darlings for you."

"Oh my God!!!!" I squeal and jump up and down like a crazy person. "This is the most amazing gift ever!!"

He grins widely and starts laughing as I do a little "yippee" dance. "Yeah, I also figured you must be missing your dogs- Shamsher and Pikachu. So, eh, why not?"

I run around from one animal to the other and finally stop at one adorable little puppy. It's looking at me with wide eyes and starts barking when I get closer to it. It's a golden retriever and very small and very cute. I then pick it up, and it resists, but eventually gives up and licks my face as I coo it.

The old man approaches me and smiles, "Aah.. I can see you've taken a liking to her, and she to you."

"She's a female?! She's so adorable!" I kiss her nose and she looks at me with her doe-shaped eyes. She's so damn beautiful.

Karthik walks towards me. "Have you selected yet?" He smiles.

"Yup! I want this little cutiepie", I tuck the little puppy in my arms and sway gently from side-to-side.

"Excellent choice", he smiles and he pets her. She willingly goes to him. Traitor.

"She likes me too", he grins. I snatch her.

"She's mine", I stick my tongue out and he chuckles.

"What are you going to name her?" He asks me.

"I don't know, haven't decided yet", I shrug.

He stays silent and then says, "How about Lizzie?"

I look at him as she tries to lick my neck. "Lizzie?"

"Yeah. She's just as adorable as you are", he smiles.

I blush. "Lizzie. I like it." I smile at my new baby. "Hey, Lizzie!" I coo.

I look at Karthik again and see him looking at me with a bright smile on his face. The one that reached his eyes and makes them twinkle.

"Thank you so much, Karthik", I tell him.

"Anytime, Aarohi. You know that", he smiles.

And then I blurt out like the stupid person that I am. "I love you."

He laughs. "I love you too."

Retreat! Retreat!! Abort mission!

But the heart wants what it wants.

I take a deep breath. Now is a good time as any.

"No." I look at him. "No. I mean, I'm in love with you."

Karthik looks at me, as if he's been clubbed in his head.

And then my phone rings.

I struggle to keep a hold on Lizzie and remove my phone from my back pocket, and pick it up without checking the caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Aarohi", my mother says, her voice trembling. "Please come home quickly."

"Mom? What's up? Is everything okay?"

"It's Daadu", mom sobs. "He passed away."