'Where had you been?', Harshita said slightly annoyed. Sarthak came to halt besides her giving them all an apologetic look.

'Actually I had gone to explore the campus area while we were waiting for Viraj and Ajay. Accidentally, I lost my way in one of the labyrinthine academic buildings, but fortunately ran into Anusha while roaming, who helped me back', he gave a brief explanation smiling a grateful smile at Anusha who reciprocated with an equally sparkling beam.

'That was nothing honestly, I was on my way to see my sister anyways and coincidentally you happened to be her friend', Anusha chirped.

'Sister?', bemused voice of Viraj called out from behind. Of course, excluding Ajay and now Sarthak, others weren't aware of the relationship between Aarushi and Anusha.

'Yeah; my sister, Aarushi', Anusha said with wide smile throwing her hand around Aarushi's shoulder.

'I forgot to introduce her, she is my first cousin; Anusha', Aarushi said.

'First cousin... How come we never knew about this identity of yours Miss Enchantress', Viraj enquired playfully.

'Because my sister was always too busy to even show herself; despite both of us being in same city we never really got a chance to exchange a good word over evening tea for past whole year', she said with mocking chagrin.

'And we wouldn't have met for another year if I hadn't ran into her and Ajay a few days back while returning back from dinner', she added with next to no idea of what she had just revealed. Aarushi's eyes widened while Ajay coughed at the same instant.

'You mean, Ajay Sanghvi, sophomore student of Computer Sciences', Viraj asked not bothering the slightest to cover up his amusement at the piece of news.

'As far as I am aware, he is entitled with only one identity I guess?', Anusha replied, running a suspicious eye over the group sharing similar funny expressions, except Aarushi and Ajay as both shared equal apprehensive expressions.

'Where did you meet them?', Viraj asked casting Ajay a dubious side glance which was successfully ignored by him. Aarushi raised her eyebrows, desperately hoping for Anusha to get the hint and stop talking right away.

'Down the dark alley between council building and block second academic building I think so...', Anusha replied, visibly taken aback by their confusing reactions and completely oblivious to her sister's non verbal inkling.

'Oh I see... Isn't that alley way peculiarly famous for some you-know-what stuff Ajay?', Viraj said pretentiously smiling a knowing grin at Ajay. Hardik snorted loudly while Garvit desperately tried to stifle a giggle. Ajay let out a shallow nervous chuckle, shifting from one foot to another. Aarushi, Harshita, Anjali and Sarthak stared at boys with visible perplexity, clearly stuck in the dark.

'Darn it! Shouldn't have said it!', Anusha cussed under her breath realizing her remarkable deed.

'Congrats bro, you realized it too soon', Aarushi sarcastically mouthed to her. She rolled her eyes at Anusha's remorseful look. Her attention went back to boys' conversation and soon enough her mind gasped in horror as it caught the possible meaning. Mental embarrassment overshadowed her as she dared not to think about some highly plausible stories attached to these words.

'What do you exactly mean by you-know-what stuff?', she managed to ask meekly with visible apprehension and doubt. Hardik and Garvit chortled boisterously while Viraj strenuously bit back laughter giving her a mocking look. Anusha face palmed herself with a resigned sigh. All their reactions made the alarm go off in Aarushi's mind. She was unreasonably right in her speculations.

Anjali, Harshita and Sarthak had by now deduced the whole situation and were supporting similar amazed expressions at Aarushi's too innocent question.

'You are asking wrong person madam', Viraj said, quavering with laughter.

'Enough with that now, Viraj; let's get back to project', Ajay cut in leaving no room for arguments. Aarushi heaved a relieved sigh, mentally thanking him for sparing her from further awkwardness. Viraj tried to speak something but ate up his words at the look of Ajay's face.

'Oh right! Aarushi I need your two minutes, it's freaking important, unavoidable you can say', Anusha said recalling her original purpose of coming here. Aarushi nodded following her sister at a spot out of others' earshot.

'Did you get involved in some feud with Sakshi?', Anusha said. The out of the blue question invoked wariness within Aarushi. She slowly nodded her head.

'How do you know?'

'What did you tell her?', Anusha continued pretending not to hear the question.

'She was hell bent on asking a highly reluctant Ajay out for coffee date. I just did him a favor by helping him out, but my question still exists; how do you know?', Aarushi said stressing upon her previous question.

'I see... She came to me muttering all kinds of libel stuff about Ajay's medico girlfriend and accidentally your name slipped off her tongue. You can probably imagine my expected reaction on this piece of news', Anusha explained. Aarushi gave an understanding nod.

'So I was trying to find an opportunity to talk to you, face to face. What's up between you two?', Anusha put up her question with clear eagerness, giving her sister an unsure look.

'Honestly nothing, I was just helping him. You must know Sakshi better than me; she isn't the type who'll bow down from her efforts to pursue him until or unless a staggering blow hits her in face. Ajay was really stuck in an inescapable and awkward situation, I just helped him squirm out of it', Aarushi simply stated the whole story.

'You told me he was your classmate right?', she said with a dithering edge. Aarushi nodded.

'And you both weren't close, correct?', Anusha continued. Aarushi furrowed her brows at the weird quiz.

'Not much, our interactions were mostly academically restricted; but why do you ask?', she said with faint vexation. Anusha scrutinized her features, thinking something.

'It's weird... As far as I know, you are too conservative and unambiguous to get involved in false scandals, why did you pull up such a drama to save someone who wasn't even close to you? Honestly, what is your actual relationship with him?', Anusha said. Aarushi's heart rate shot up to ninety from seventy two as she nervously contemplated over her answer.

What answer can she give Anusha when she herself was unaware of it?

'Dear, I have been searching the same answer for past whole decade, what can I tell you?', she thought with a mental sigh.

'What are you thinking Aarushi?', Anusha interrupted her thoughts. Aarushi shook her head giving her sister a crooked smile.

'Nothing important, anyways you'll be running late for your club activity; it's nearly five', Aarushi quickly changed the topic. Her attempt successfully distracted Anusha. Anusha had once mentioned something about existence of a few activity clubs in their college and their operating schedule. Luckily, Aarushi had recalled the minute detail just in time.

'Thank god! You mentioned it! I really need to dash, see you later', Anusha called out behind her as she ran back in the direction of academic block. Anusha was the girl who could let go of things pretty quickly, thanks to her always bubbly attitude. Aarushi loved this attribute of her sister in certain circumstances; at least Anusha wouldn't probe upon the topic relentlessly like others.

Aarushi turned back. Her eyes lingered on her friends, merrily chatting and laughing just a few yards away. Her phone blinked with an incoming message announcing payment of her monthly income by Jennie along with extra bonuses, this payment meant more than half of her debt installments and major debts would finally be covered, and the ones remaining weren't too huge or significant. Over the span of past years, she had toiled hard every day, sacrificing every luxury and golden moments that intended to come in her life.

Finally, a faint glimmer of dawn has subdued the dark times of life. The answers she had waited for every moment are standing at an arm's distance, the materialistic and social matters of her family are gradually easing down bit by bit, everything is falling in perfect pieces. At last, she has a slight chance of living her life for her own self, free from all the obligations and irrespective of all those duties and opinions.

Earlier, she was expecting a closure for her past tale; now, the story yearns to replay once again. Should she allow herself to indulge once more? Every romance deserves a second chance, should she give this chance to herself once again? The old dusty box of her feelings has been reopened, that longing desire has been revived, past was a drastic wound but future intends to heal its hurt.

Instinctively, Ajay turned in her direction, an animated smile stretched up to the corners of his black eyes beaded with unquestioning warmth and contentment. She did not glance away but let herself go in complete control of her inner heart, this time as she gazed back. A serene smile inadvertently formed on her lips as a wave of eternal solitude and bliss overwhelmed every aspect of her, every unanswered question, every doubt had lost its significance in that particular instant.

Aarushi knew what she wanted. All former hesitation had vaporized. Her heart melted under the reassuring warmth. She wasn't going to step back now nor was she going to let her past get into the way of her present.

'Why does it even matter if it can never be changed? Don't give yourself petty excuses to run away now, Aarushi. You have loved him selflessly all these years; don't escape from this story when it desires to unveil once again. The situations are turning, so is your life. Past wasn't in your favor but future is. Just go for it, don't leave behind these sorrowful regrets of your golden youth', her mind spoke up.

Aarushi returned his hearty smile, as she ran back towards her friends, instilled with the desire to chase her lost youth and love once again.

[Flashback]

'Hmm... A stroke of purple here and little bit of bluish hue here... Perfect!', Aarushi smiled appreciatively at her work. Picturesque night scenery had been brushed down on the canvas in front of her. She wiped away the leftover paint with a wide grin admiring her first ever realistic scenery artwork; a big dappled moon glittering in the blending shades of blue ranging from light to dark, a swing hanging from the black brown branch of a colossal tree occupied by silhouette of a lonely boy admiring the virtue of moonlit night with his sole companion, an equally forlorn cat.

The harmony of ironic existence of melancholic shades with satisfactory happiness two beings found in each other's company, perfectly synchronized with colors of life. Happiness is the permanent color that shines on the canvas of life at all times, it just takes the effort of an optimistic eye to see it amongst all the desolate plaintive shades, just like this art work painted on canvas.

Aarushi had been gifted with incredible talent with colors and brushes and she cherished this boon by heart maintaining it as a soothing hobby to exempt herself from everyday chaos of life.

Her artworks were usually painted with gloomier and darker shades instead of brighter and cheerful colors. Unusually, the desolate tones seemed to offer a feeling of solitude and relaxation to her. The beautiful picture proudly showcased its every tone, spreading a feeling of self satisfaction within its creator.

'Perfect and amazing!', Aarushi muttered to herself giving an admiring eyeful to her work.

'It's beautiful', an admiring voice startled her. Ajay took the seat besides her examining the painting with an astonished and flattering look.

'You like it?', Aarushi said with an automatic smile.

'Hmm... It just needs a last detail', he mused. Before Aarushi could ask anything, the paint brush was efficiently swapped out of her hand.

'Hey!', she cried. Ajay dipped the brush in black paint, searching for a perfect spot.

'Every art needs to be patented, I would gladly do the job of inscribing my name on it', he replied with a mischievous grin.

'No way, it's all my hard work! How can you acclaim it?', Aarushi nearly yelled at him, stunned by the audacity.

'I love this piece Miss Know-it-all, that's why I want to claim it forever', he said. Aarushi's frown deepened at his obnoxious attitude. Ajay raised his eyebrow mockingly, with a childish smile playing ear to ear.

'Dare you ruin my work', Aarushi spoke through gritted teeth.

'Stop me if you can', Ajay replied with a clever challenging smile. Aarushi tried to grab the brush out of his hand but her hand was left hovering in mid air as Ajay swiftly moved it out of her reach. Aarushi scowled before making another unsuccessful attempt. Ajay effortlessly dodged off her futile strives every time driving her to the edge of her temper.

'Fine, do whatever you want!', Aarushi huffed turning her face in opposite direction. Clearly, she was fuming. What normal human could possess such level of annoying audacity? The earlier gaiety she had felt on his compliment had instantly vaporized under the effect of his insolent behavior. She saw him bending over the painting scribbling something at the bottom right corner from the corner of her eye. This only angered her further.

'Turn around and have a look', he spoke after a few moments. Aarushi turned deaf towards his words, shifting further away from him. She didn't have the courage to witness her hard work being ruined nor was she exactly cooled down to forgive him that easily.

'Fine, I am sorry; now turn around and have a look', he said. Aarushi could imagine his smile even without looking at him. She peeked through the corner of her eyes at the painting; nothing unusual, the piece still looked as good as new. She finally turned around scanning every inch of the canvas.

Few letters had been spelled out in the bottom corner; her eyes widened in amazement as she made out the words.

Aarushi

Her name had been spelled out elegantly with black paint. She looked over at Ajay, who was supporting an innocent expression.

'What does this mean?', she asked with voice filled with incredulity.

'It means what it reads; Aarushi', he replied easily stating the obvious. Aarushi rolled her eyes.

'I mean, why didn't you scribble your name?', Aarushi said.

'Do you want me to scribble my name, I'll do it now', he said with a teasing smile. Aarushi gave him a scornful look at his playful words.

'Okay, don't give me that glare please. You really put in a lot of efforts in this, so it's my way of appreciation', he answered with a genuine smile. Aarushi blinked her eyes in perplexity.

'I am not so gifted in art myself, but that doesn't mean I don't know how much effort and time you have given to this work. So I decided to grace it with its creator's name, so that it can turn into a permanent memory from just an art work', he dimpled at her.

'You mean it?', she asked dubiously. The butterflies were beginning to erupt inside her at his words, but she cannot afford to lose her composure in front of him.

'You have the proof right here', he said indicating in the direction of her painted name.

'You should be grateful that you get to enjoy my rarest best possible script, it is reserved only for something truly admirable', he continued with a sense of pride. Aarushi couldn't help laughing at his comment.

'It's weird though, I always thought you appreciated the sunny and warmer shades in painting', Aarushi voiced her thoughts. It was an assumption that our choices in art reflect our inner selves, and Ajay's ebullient personality perfectly went with brighter colors.

'Everybody tends to think that, credits to my vivacious self', he said with a slight chuckle.

'But it's not always the case; the melancholic tone has a special soothing effect that calms the distressed nerves, and that's why I love it. Believe me, this is my favorite art piece so far, if it hadn't been painted by you, I would've gladly extended my claim on it', he said with mocking seriousness.

'That's really some sweet compliment you know', Aarushi said with a smile. His every word struck right at her heart causing the waves of unexplainable bubbly emotions to surge inside. That dimpled smile, the warm eyes full of honesty, played a different melody of happiness inside her. She couldn't afford to wipe away the smile that appeared got broader and more cheerful with every passing second she spent with him.

'You deserve that one; after all you are the one and only, highly gifted Miss Know-it-all I can genuinely compliment', he said. The admiration outlining his words filled in a sense of tangled emotions inside Aarushi.

She couldn't decipher the complicated butterflies; or the peculiar tingle her heart felt; but whatever it was, it effortlessly managed to flow a new wave of radiance and happiness. Somehow, in that instant, her world felt complete and beautiful, with nothing, but his delightful smile.

[Flashback ends]

'Miss Chaturvedi, you have the permission to present your case; kindly proceed with it', Aarushi said with a matter of fact tone. She folded her arms fixing Anjali with a piercing icy stare. Harshita stood beside her matching the level of intensity of Aarushi's composure and tone. Anjali shifted nervously in her seat giving her two friends a pleading eyeful.

They were sitting in Aarushi and Harshita's room, waiting to confront a highly professional secret keeper, Anjali Chaturvedi. Aarushi wasn't going to forgive her for former shocks without a good conversation and shrew. Suhani had been let off the hook after Garvit sincerely explained everything for himself and her, but Anjali didn't stand a chance of escaping this easily.

'Guys, can we be a bit more lenient please?', Anjali whispered in a meek low voice. Aarushi narrowed her eyes precariously causing her to gulp audibly.

'Plea overruled, please proceed now', Harshita said with a hard edge to her voice. She too had been kept in the dark by Anjali, although not entirely, but still in the dark. Anjali silently stared at them with imploring look.

'If you don't want someone to break into your phone and crack open all your dirty little secrets, you should start talking now', Aarushi intimidated in a menacing voice. Anjali looked visibly frightened now. If she doesn't spill the truth now, Aarushi and Harshita would certainly not spare a moment to confiscate and hack into her phone.

'Umm... I don't know how to start, it's a long story you know...', Anjali started mumbling.

'Oh, I love long stories! We haven't got any more classes left now, so let's use this leisure time to hear your story', Aarushi said with voice reflecting high levels of sarcasm. She comfortably seated herself on other chair facing Anjali with a rigid stare. Harshita occupied the edge of four poster bed; waiting for Anjali to begin.

'Well... After you told me to talk the matter out with Pratyush, I considered giving him a chance to explain himself before arriving at any conclusion about his former relationship with my sister. And, apparently, you were right; their story really had a second face to it; and to my uttermost surprise, their relationship had failed because of my sister and not Pratyush', Anjali said.

'What makes you say so?', Aarushi asked.

'Pratyush supports a pretty influential background. He shared her screenshots and audio records where she was doubtlessly blackmailing him into doing some academic favors with the threat to reveal their relationship to everyone. He was being emotionally tortured by her idiotic tantrums and constant feuds and as a result decided to break off', Anjali completed her story. Other two blinked at the revelation, exchanging unassertive looks.

'It's difficult to believe that your sister can do all of these', Aarushi finally broke the silence.

'It is. Even I was shell shocked when he told me all of these, but he has some undeniably solid proofs against her. I had asked Garvit to help me out with checking their legibility and they weren't fabricated. I had put in blind trust at my cousin's words, never thought she would be the one to betray me with lies', disappointment and hurt were clearly heard in her voice.

'It's good the truth is no longer kept in dark. But how come you fell for the man you had hated in just a few weeks time?', Harshita spoke up in a much gentle voice.

'It was completely unexpected you know, after learning about the whole case. I was guilty about my brash behavior with him at the eatery, but he spared me from my personal rue by telling me that it was perfectly normal for me to believe the account of my sister and that he doesn't hold any grudges. I was still at unease and that's when he offered to rekindle our friendship as a compensation price if I still wished to redeem for my impudent words the other day and I agreed at a stroke. Gradually, I discovered that I don't need to hold back any of myself when I am with him. He is loyal, caring and calm. In short, someone who can make any girl fall for him the next instant she meets him. I don't know when I developed a crush on him in due time as we engaged in various conversations', Anjali said staring at her hands playing on her lap. Silence persisted in the room for next few moments.

Aarushi and Harshita exchanged looks with each other. Being told a falsified tale by her own beloved and most trusted cousin, must have shattered Anjali. And the way she had despised Pratyush, it was quite an abrupt turn of situation to hear her praising him.

'Anjali, have you thought this through... I mean, are you sure about him?', Aarushi asked a tender voice. She could empathize with Anjali to much extent. Anjali nodded her head.

'After I discovered my own feelings, I gave it some serious thought that whether they were for real or just another teenage infatuation. After deliberating for over fifteen days, one thing I am sure about is that I do have a genuine, large crush on Pratyush Chopra', Anjali confessed with a small smile.

'It's good you aren't confused about your feelings. When do you plan to confess then?', Harshita questioned her straight away. Aarushi nodded in agreement, curiously waiting for her response.

'Actually... I don't need to confess', Anjali said sheepishly. Aarushi gave her a puzzled look.

'What do you mean you don't need to confess? How are you going to express your crush then?', Harshita voiced out.

'You see... I just received a text message, that is still waiting to be answered', a sheepish grin escaped around the corner of lips as she fetched her cell phone opening the chat section. Aarushi and Harshita turned their eyes to look at the text shining on screen.

'What the-', Aarushi swallowed back her astonished words, too stunned to speak them for real. Harshita gasped audibly, equally stunned.

'Anjali, I don't know how... But I think over the time, I developed a crush on you. It's not the most perfect way to ask, but I don't wish to play the word games with you any longer now. I don't know if you reciprocate any of these feelings, but if you do will you be willing to be my girlfriend?'

Aarushi read and re-read the text multiple times until she could recite it without even glancing at it. She wondered if she was actually living in some fantasy drama world. Here they were interrogating their friend about her crush and suddenly, that crush is no longer a one sided emotion, but a proposal waiting to be accepted.

'Reply back right now! What are you waiting for?', Harshita gushed eagerly.

'We aren't in some bollywood movie that the moon would sing melodies and Pratyush will get your reply before you send it manually, so text him before he assumes something', Aarushi encouraged her with a wide smile. Anjali glanced at her two friends before typing away the text.

'Yes!'

Aarushi and Harshita high fived each other, grinning from ear to ear. In less than ten seconds, another text blinked up on screen catching all three girls' attention.

'<3 I'll be coming over to Delhi around Christmas. Will I be allowed to make up for this haphazard proposal at that time with a more memorable one?'

Anjali turned a shade of bright red as she replied with a smiling emoticon. Aarushi and Harshita let out cries of 'Aww' and 'Oohh' causing more blood to rush inside her cheeks.

'Someone is in a relationship now!', Harshita squealed animatedly. Aarushi giggled at her playful act.

'A memorable proposal especially designed for you, Miss Chaturvedi', Aarushi spoke with a silky voice, winking teasingly at Anjali.

'Enough now you two, we have got loads to deal with for tomorrow, let's sleep early today', Anjali tried to brush away their twitting remarks, turning beet root red.

'Ooohh! Our night owl is talking about sleeping early today! Mr. Chopra sure has played his enchanting charm pretty quickly, I guess', Harshita said with a playful grin. Anjali frowned at her, blushing deeply.

Harshita and Aarushi, laughed cheerfully, gleeful for their friend's happiness.

'So one of us has finally found her romantic happiness... I don't know when I'll be lucky enough to get to experience that...', Aarushi thought herself with a slight chuckle allowing herself to indulge in the fantasies of her one true love.

A/N:

So here's another update though it's not exactly an early one. But new update will be coming up shortly! 

Anjali has found her love, how long do you think it will take our Aarushi and Ajay to find each other?

Will they be able heal their past or there's still a long way to their true happiness?

Interesting chapters coming up in future! Stay tuned and shower it with all your lovely comments and votes!!