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As compensation , a long chapter :)

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♪♪ It's been a long day without you, my friend

And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

We've come a long way from where we began

Oh I'll tell you all about it when I see you again

When I see you again...♪♪

✣✣✣

Those were the days.

This one sentence brings with it a lot of memories.

A roller coaster of emotions.

A wave of pleasure.

A full blown smile .

And today she was going to relive that  with the same person whom she experienced it all with.

With the determination of getting her best friend back, she moved inside dhruv's room to be greeted by a complete darkness.

She knew every corner of this room yet she didn't even tried to switch on the lights. Maybe she just wanted to find that lost man who was still a child  sitting all crumbled up in the dark corner of a room crying silently but not letting even a sound come out so that he can hug her when she needs. 

But today she was there with the same twinkling eyes in which he will seek shelter, with same open embrace whose warmth will make his let go of his boundaries and sweet memories which will let the tears slip to finally let it fall so that every pain rises away in her hold giving her back her BEST FRIEND.

"Dhruv..." alya whispered so lowly that it felt like it was just like a sound of release of breathe...

And slowly she made her to the corner of the room near the big window exactly knowing him..

And she was correct. There he was like she had expected . She could not exactly say his face expression for it was dark but she knew he would be trying to fight back his tears though they won't stop not today at least.

She just went and knelled beside him in the floor and kept her hand in his head slightly stroking it. 

"Sena.." a nickname given to her by her best friend, their star, niti and he just calling her that was enough for tears to form but she blinked them back as today she needs to be strong for the broken man in front of her. Her Man.

"Do you remember how I punched you straight in the face ?" her voice came as a mere whisper but they had a tint of happiness in them . 

Till now she was sitting in the carpeted floor cross legged and he had his head in her lap.

Stroking his hair she asked the question fully aware of the tears that wet her dress, while he just hummed but she well knew that a small smile had formed in midst of those tears. 

But she just decided to go back  to the golden days  of their school .

MEMORY LANE

Back while in grade 8

"MR. Dhruv Vedhant, I am warning you. If again, you called me with that name, I will punch you in the face." alya was gritting her teeth and glaring at the boy  in front of  her who was grinning like an idiot..

"Really, then here I go Aluuuuu.." and he again went with  his teasing but next second he was groaning in pain..

Cause alya saxsena never misses her aim.

And the little corner of his lips started to bleed while he was holding it..

"Damn girl, it hurts." dhruv said in a pained voice..

"Serves you right." alya said while blowing air in her fist and grinning widely..

"What the hell is going on here? " teachers voice boomed  making them jump. 

"You two were asked to kneel with your hands holding your ears as punishment but seems like you are enjoying your time after getting thrown out of class." both of them looked down but alya was grinning while dhruv just want to put some ointment as it was really paining and the teacher seeing it would surely not help..

But what alya said shocked him to core..

"Teacher, I was kneeling only but I saw dhruv's lips were bleeding so I asked him to go to the medical room but he is not ready.."

"Really dhruv, show me.." teacher said with concern after all he was a silent one and liked by all teachers except that he and alya never get along to not disturb the class..

Glaring at alya who was giving a sad look to teacher he thought of some excuse..

"No no teacher, it's not blood. It's just ketchup." alya rolled her eyes at his lie.

Men and their ego .  Get hurt but never accept it and most importantly, if you get hit by a girl.

But alya was in no mood to leave him so easily after how much he teased her..

"Dhruv, you were eating during your punishment?" alya spoke so innocently that dhruv wanted to puke and teacher looked at him for explanation but getting none spoke..

"Dhruv, in my office now." saying so teacher left from there while alya grinned while dhruv glared at her which least affected her.

"Go go, the shyyyy boy dhruv.." alya sang behind him  while he went to teacher's office muttering curses under his breath.

**********

"Where were you dhruv? We were  waiting for you " the girl spoke while shifting a little in the bench making space for dhruv to sit in her right.

"Slight correction, you were. Not me." the next girl who was sitting on the left of the girl who asked dhruv about his whereabouts spoke nonchalantly.

"Why don't you ask to your best friend? " dhruv spoke looking angrily at the girl who had spoken but she was devouring her sandwich and  shrugged casually.

"Not again. I cannot deal with this every time.  " the girl spoke irritated..

"This time it was alya who started." dhruv spoke confidently..

"Yeah right and it was me calling myself that name ." turning to the girl alya spoke..

"Niti, This time I just ended it." alya said while grinning and dhruv face palmed while niti raised her eyebrows.

"Ended it means?"

"Dhruv, you are experienced. Why don't you tell her?" alya was sure dhruv would never lie to his one and only best friend so 1..2..3..

"She punched me...See it's still paining.. " niti was shocked would be an understatement.

It was always mukti doing the honor of punching each and everyone and she listening to the complaints about her sister from the same person who got punched by her sister but did her best friend, her alya too started to punch someone?

"I am so proud of myself." alya said while again blowing air in her fist..

While dhruv sat grumpily..

"What is the main problem with you guys?" niti asked finally having enough..

"I guess she is on period.." dhruv spoke sarcastically pointing at alya..

"But ironical isn't it, he was bleeding few moments back.." alya rocked it while dhruv sulked..

"Why don't you guys understand I cannot choose between you two ?  If one is my heart then other my soul without both I cannot live."

"Niti.." dhruv spoke while putting her hand in her shoulder.."I think you should.."

"You should just stop reading more of those fiction. It's taking a toll on you.." alya had completed dhruv's sentence. It took few moments for niti to comprehend but they were already laughing..

"I am serious.."  niti spoke with seriousness..

"Alya, you were with me since I remember and dhruv though we met years after I was  with alya I consider you guys equal. Just know one thing that for me whatever friendship is, best friends are , I will explain remembering both of you not just one so please.." niti spoke with all seriousness and till not both were looking at her with seriousness..

"Please stop getting jealous and making fun of each other. It's been years guys.." no one spoke anything for few minutes but after few minutes alya spoke..

"Only in one condition?"

"And what is that?" dhruv spoke ..

"Stopping calling me with that name.."

"Which name? Aluuuuuuuuuu" and he again went on it..

" Niti.." alya whined like a child but this time she had enough..

"You guys are going to sort it out yourself and till then don't speak to me.." and she walked away..

"Okay, I will stop calling you that but what do I call you then?"

"Vedhant, for your info, I have a  pretty good name.." alya rolled her eyes..

"But I don't think it's pretty."

"Then call me Sena.." it was so sudden that dhruv though he was hallucinating and alya though she didn't really speak that..

"Did I hear right? Did you just asked me to call you Sena?"

"I guess I did.." alya spoke thinking something..

"But that name.."

"I know it's reserved just for my best friend who fortunately for you and unfortunate for me  happens to be your best friend too and since both of our best friend is angry with us, I guess this much I can do for her.." and now it was dhruv's turn to take a next step..

"I am sorry." dhruv spoke sincerely..

"I am sorry too." alya replied back.." I should have understood that niti means a lot to you. To befriend someone for first time being an introvert is not easy but I was just jealous that she loved you more though she said it's not so.."

"I know alya, maybe I was sailing in same boat. I was jealous of how much time you get to spend with her while I don't so.." dhurv too spoke his heart today..

He was an introvert and he got a best friend in niti though alya came along with her. Two of them never got along as she had the capability to bring out that mischievous, fun loving, extroverted dhruv so maybe he didn't like that idea.

It was no different for alya. Niti was always her friend and her go to. But with dhruv coming , she just felt like she was getting left out. Though niti never gave any reasons for her to think so but also one's mind can always push you in that abyss of negativity and same happened with alya. But after hearing dhruv's apology she just let her positive side win over her negative one.

Both of them keep sitting with a peaceful silence when dhruv decided to break it..

"So alya.."

"You know I prefer Sena more.." alya spoke looking every where but him. Clearing his throat dhruv spoke..

"Sena.." it was more like a whisper..Alya turned to look at him and with eyes asked to continue..

"I guess we should go and search our bestie.."

"Hmm...Yeah..let's go.." 

*********

"Sena.." that soft whisper brought her back to the present..

"Why cannot we bring those days back?" 

"Who said those days cannot be brought back.." alya said with a smile..

"We can??"  he voice held so much hope. It's like a child was told that he can touch moon. A sudden excitement filled his veins and he just wanted what alya told to be true.

"Yes but for that I want that dhruv back who used to be my best friend. Not this dhruv who speaks less, keeps on getting lost in thoughts. I want back that dhruv, who used to tease me, make fun of me, and fight with me . That extroverted dhruv who was just ready to do anything to make me angry and fight with me . " the silence engulfed them and one could not decipher if it was a comfortable one or awkward one. 

"I want to see you again dhruv. "

No one spoke , only the steady breaths were heard.

After what felt like eternity dhruv whispered..

"I will try.." those three words held more value than 'I love u' for alya and she just tightened her hold in his hands as a promise of being there for him always..

///////////////////

"It's 2 at night. What are you doing in terrace?" one girl asked to the other one sitting in a swing looking at the stars.

"I just hate myself so much." the disappointment laced in her voice was too much for a teenage girl of 17 years but maybe that's what life is. 

It's all about exception.

"Oh that, don't worry about that Mukti Vardhan, I hate you too." the girl beside mukti spoke with a wide grin in her face while patting mukti's head.

"You hate me." mukti whispered more to herself and those traitors whom she had held don't know for how long just made it's way out without even her knowing it.

"Mukti, do you know in this big Vardhan mansion, we two are the only ones with not any other living being around . So, I can just suggest you to cry out loud you know. No one's going to judge you."

"I am crying and you find it funny.." mukti said with tears still rolling down her face..

"What can I do when this stupid creature on whom my life depends is crying saying all hate her.." 

"Vardhan, I never said all hate me. I said I hate myself and that's a complete different thing." mukti spoke in a low voice..

"Urrgghh..girl, stop calling me Vardhan. It seems like I am some strict teacher named vardhan. call me niti. Such a beautiful name I have got." the girl, niti spoke flipping her hair..

"Yeah right, Thank me. Your name was given after mine and that too something that could rhyme with mine so.." mukti said while wiping her tears and smirking..

"Yeah yeah whatever. " niti rolled her eyes at her sister's mood swings..

"So now tell me, what happened?" niti spoke seriously..

"Nothing. First I had a nightmare and after that I just cannot stop myself from overthinking and I am hating myself for everything. It's like something bad is about to happen.."

"Mukti, what did you see?" niti asked while mukti looked at the sky where the tiny stars were playing hide and seek with clouds.

"Something I fear the most." mukti spoke , her gaze fixed on the dark sky.

"I was covered in blood.." niti asked, her gaze fixed on mukti.

"I would  have been scared if that was what I saw.."

"Then?"

" I don't want to remember it. Just know it does not make me scared but makes everything numb."

"Mukti..." niti forcefully turned mukti's gaze towards herself and found how much she was trying to hold the tears..

"Just remember, I love you too much to leave you ever. You are the only family I got. You are my soul muku. I love you." niti spoke while mukti hugged her and cried..

Tears slipped from niti's eyes too. 

After what seems like eternity, mukti broke the hug.

"See, you always make me cry. I so hate you.." mukti said while pouting.

"At least once tell me that you love me.." mukti rolled her eyes at niti's these words.

"Nope. Never. Wait for your prince charming to tell you that ."

"Oh shit, I have a date tomorrow. How could I forgot? That idiot brother's of your have planned a date and I am sure he will propose me." 

"And I guess you forgot to add something like it better be good otherwise I will never say yes." mukti teased her while niti rolled her eyes..

"Yeah yeah, bhai ki chamchi."

"Niti tu meri behen hai aur wo mere bhai, so you and him..." and before mukti could continue niti was running after her and mukti was running while laughing..

Complete Vardhan Mansion was filled with the laughter of the vardhan sisters.

"Bye mukti..I have to go.." niti said with an emotionless face while mukti was numb in her place just staring at the leaving figure of her sister..

Suddenly, everything seemed to be falling apart ...

Everything was moving around and she could just hear one voice.

"Mukti..Mukti..."

Her name was being called and it was too loud that she shouted...

"Stopppp.." and it all stopped..

And before she knew she was engulfed in a hug .

She just tighten her hold knowing who it was..

Her best friend. Her Cabir.

"Shhh..It's fine. I am here.." cabir rubbed her back while she tried to hold her breath.

After few minutes mukti was calm and cabir slowly broke the hug.

"Nightmare?" cabir asked slowly while giving her water to drink..

"Just the second half. First was reality, too close to me to forget. " mukti spoke while taking drinking all the water in a go..

"I miss her too." cabir whispered while mukti looked at him who had held her hand and was looking at their hands..

"I know. And I miss us." mukti said and cabir looked at her with tears..

"I miss us too but it's not same? " cabir said but it came more like a question..

"After that day, I never got to see you again."

"Can't I say the same Cabu.." and he didn't have any reply.

Wasn't she right? After star left, he  was lost too.

"It was last time Vardhan mansion heard the laughter of us sisters, it was last time Vardhan Mansion was opened. And with it got closed one part of everyone,..." mukti spoke while cabir nodded and added..

"And everything is still buried in those four walls if we want to be us again." cabir said while wiping a tear drop that fell off his eyes and smile after hearing what mukti said..

"Cabu, I want to be that old muku of yours. That bindass mukti, no fear of anything, trying every adventurous thing, finding solace in reading books and getting lost in the world of words for hours and sleeping in class and spending most of the time with my bestie playing pranks, making memories..." mukti said while tightening her hold on cabir's hand..

"I want to go to My Home. I want to go to Vardhan mansion." mukti said the words out loud which everyone had been dying to hear since that day.

It was years but mukti never wanted a reality check and finally she decided to fight her fears, and let go to see a new life again..

"Get ready, we are going." saying so cabir kissed her in the forehead and moved out to get changed after opening the curtains of the room letting the sun rays enter the room.

Mukti too went to get ready though the fear lingered , she was sure her best friend will be there.

//////////////

"Hum tum..Hum tum.."

"Girl, stop it. My ears will bleed if you keep on singing." 

"Like you can sing like a koel..." the girl mocked ...

"Tch..tch..niti vardhan, did you forget I am lead singer of FAB5"

"And I am The moon Goddess." niti replied back..

"You and your obsession with werewolf. " niti grinned at this..

"You seem so much excited."

"Me no ways. Teri behen , wo vardhan. mujhse bhi jyada excited hai. " 

"Hey, not a word against my sister. Otherwise I will cancel the date. "

"Yeah and I will let you right.." niti mocked at him..

"But manik , who brings a girl in jungle for a date." 

"I bring, ab chal." saying so manik moved forward ..

After walking few minutes and not hearing a word from the chatter box aka niti, he turned around to look for her but there was no one..

Not even a single person..

Just the dark trees ..

"Niti..niti.." manik looked frantically but no reply...

"Jaan..jann.." manik screamed but again no reply..

And moving around he saw a figure lying in the grass little far and as he reached to see the face ...

"What the hell?"

"Good Morning to you too Mr. Malhotra."

"Saksena, why did you throw water in my face?"

"Wo that, I just felt like." harshad said while grinning while manik was shooting daggers , 

"If only  looks could kill Malhotra, stop staring. I am not gay." and manik looked at him with disbelief..

"How do you do it? Aaj bata hi de, how can you say this lines? How?"

"Phirse bol ke batau?" harshad stated but it was more like a question..

"Bas rehne de..and What are you doing here?" manik asked but was rewarded with a smack in his head..

"For you info idiot, this is saxsena house, you are in my room sleeping like Kumbakarna in my bed and saying what I am doing here? Great right..." manik gave a sheepish grin at that while harshad rolled his eyes..

"Now, tell me.." harshad spoke seriously..

"What ?" manik asked as if not knowing what he was talking about. But looking at Harshad's expression he knew what he was asking about..

"I can't say why FAB5 broke.." manik said looking directly into harshad's eyes..

"Let me slightly change it for you to explain me.." harshad continued with so much anger in his voice that manik was forced to look away...

"Mr. Manik Malhotra, why did you decide to break FAB5 without even the FAB4 knowing it?"

**********

Dear students, 

This is to notify you all that we are organizing a treasure hunt  among the music students so that they get to bond with each other. It's compulsory for each of the students to participate.

"Treasure Hunt, seems interesting "  whispered the boy the girl beside him heard and replied..

"I know right.." the boy with amused face turned to see the girl and girl too turned but next second..

"Bandar.."

"Kabutar.."

"Did you just call me bandar?"

" Did you just call me Kabutar?"

"Hell yes, I did"

"Yep, I did"

"A.."

"J.."

"Don't call me that. Only nanz can call me that."

"Same, don't call me that. Only nandu can call me that.."

"Are you copying me?"

"I am not a cat to copy you."

"Obviously, you cannot be a cat. You are bandar."

"I am not a bandar but you are a kabutar."

"You called me kabutar..I will show you.." saying so jeff started to hit him with the books in her hands..

Having no option he too started to do the same with her using the books in his hand..

"Hey devimaiya, aryaman, jeff..tum dono kutte billi ki tarha kyun lad rahe ho?"

"Yeh kutta nahi ye bandar hai."

"Aur ye bili nahi kabutar hai.."

"Kya?" navya looked at them like they just spoke some alien language..

Some students were looking at them when aryaman spoke..

"Circus chal raha hai?" and one glare was enough for them to disperse..

"Uss se bhi jyada hoga, bandar jo hein yaha.."

"Kabutar, jyada mat bol dana dal dunga mein.."

"Tujhe toh mein.." saying so jeff again started to bit him..And he did the same..

"Ruko ruko.." saying so navya came in between and stopped them..

"Tum dono ek dusre ko jante ho?"

"Nahi.." both said at once and turned to two different sides..

"Jeff, navya..here are you guys. I was searching for you guys." nandini came towards them. 

Aryaman's back was facing her but after listening to her he turned around and their gaze met..

"Nanz..dekh ye bandar mujhe kabutar bol raha hai?" jeff said while pointing at aryaman..

"Nandini, tum aryaman ko janti ho? Par tumne toh kaha ki tu use nahi janti..." navya spoke not know what was happening..

"Nanz ne kaha..kab?" jeff asked ..

"That day when she punched him in front of whole college.." 

"Come again.." jeff asked not knowing that thing..

"Wo Fab5 ka challenge tha na jo gate se first aayega use kiss aur dusre ko punch. Toh aryaman got the punch ." 

"Nanz, you really punched him..." not knowing what to say nandini just nodded..

"She really punched you as in the famous punch of Nandini Murthy?" jeff asked to aryaman who rolled his eye at her being over dramatic but again nodded..

"Yahoooooooo..Meri barso ki tamanna puri huyi. I years of prayers got granted. Nanz ne apni Arya ko punch mara.. Wow, iss din ko toh itihas ke panno par hona chahiye tha. This should be marked a golden day in history.." but before jeff could continue nandini cut her..

"Hogaya toh chalein, we have something to work on.." nandini reminded jeff..

"Wo right, navya and you bandar, come with us. We need your help."

"We don't need his help."

"Sorry, it was kabutar who asked me so I am coming." arya said while nandini glared at him and he returned the favor..

"What's happening?" navya whispered to jeff..

"Till now nothing have happened but if you never know what will happen if they start to wrk together on our mission ..."

"What mission?"

"Mission FAB5" 

*******

Words count: 4000 words

*Unedited* so sorry for the mistakes.

Finally done with it.

Love,

CrazyButSweetReader