Aarushi exited the doors of her workplace stepping into the deserted street of Delhi. An eerie silence and loneliness lingered around her as the clock struck midnight. A shiver ran down her spine as a frosty blow hit her. The liveliness of day in street was resting in a deadly peaceful sleep. She hurried towards her university, slightly flustered by the deathly silence around her. There wasn't a single living in soul in sight, street dogs were howling ominously elsewhere, Aarushi could feel nervousness surging inside her born out of the sinister timing and atmosphere.

She nearly jumped out of her skin as a chime broke into the chilling silence. Aarushi waited for her ruffled heartbeat to return to normal pace, breathing heavily she took out her phone to check the source of disturbance. She was mentally cursing the sender for dropping an unexpected message when she was already spooked by her surroundings at the same time she wondered who would be awake enough to remember her at the dead of the night when students struggled to keep up with their study resolutions while fighting the desire to snuggle in cozy blankets and adults were absorbed by peaceful slumber after a long tiring day. She could not remember someone from her contact that was in some other category than these two.

She had informed their dorm warden about being late; Anjali and Harshita would be fast asleep by now, catching up on their week's sleep. Other than them, there was no one who would message her at this hour. Her lock-screen was blinking with a text from an unknown sender. A fazed frown formed on her face as she read the short text.

'Be safe'

Aarushi opened her chat with rising curiosity, confusion and a faint fear. Her mind was debating over the identity of sender being a stalker, a scammer or a hacker when another text glowed up on screen.

'Got your contact from Viraj, Ajay'

Aarushi let out a relieved breathe which she had been unconsciously holding in.

'Oh, it's just him', she thought to herself, self consciousness made her cheeks turn pink when she realized her overpowered imagination had jumped onto worst conclusion a few moments back. A faint smile appeared on her delicate lips with a sense of comfort and soundness washing over her. A mere text had induced a feeling of certainty inside her melting the minatory aloneness and angst. Someone in this world could still care for her; this thought was more than enough to ease her agitations.

She kept her phone back as memories of early confrontations crashed across her mind. Few hours ago, he had been grim and chilling like no other human and now this puzzling and caring text had left Aarushi torn in a storm of thoughts and emotions.

'What are you Ajay? I would be delighted to have the superpower of mind reading if it could give me some access to your weird way of thinking. One second you are blazing and bright like the radiance of sunshine and other second you are cold and distant like frozen valley. I can feel the thoughts and emotions through people, but every time I try to interpret your thoughts, it leaves me more tangled and surprised than before. I have been accustomed to your abrupt transitions but even after all these years, they never fail to arouse a surprised element within me, which is astonishingly adorable. Maybe that's why somewhere I don't want to intrude your thoughts, keeping that strange sweet feeling intact. Honestly, right now, I am once again wondering if this guy has some bipolar or maybe dissociative identity disorder! But still I can't help feeling reassured and warm', Aarushi's thoughts sarcastically mocked her feelings. She shook her head silently laughing at the idiocy of human emotions.

'Over here!', Juhi waved over to them from the corner most table in eatery.

Aarushi along with Harshita, Anjali and Sarthak walked past the crowd over to her. Aarushi noticed a young man accompanying Juhi. He was dressed in a scrupulous black tuxedo and white shirt, his black blazer was lying haphazardly on his side while his neck tie had been loosened up comfortably. The black hair with streaks of brown had been carefully gelled bringing out his prominent jaw line with faint beard. The sharp grey-green eyes were carelessly scrolling through the contents of his latest golden Iphone model. He looked up with a cordial smile upon realizing the arrival of fellow guests.

Aarushi introduced her friends to her childhood best friend who immediately hit it off with each other. In mere moments they had become visibly comfortable and affable in each other's company, as though they had been friends for years instead of few minutes.

'Oh! I almost forgot, this is my senior and mentor, Mr. Pratyush Chopra', Juhi introduced the young man with her. He had been observing the union with keen eyes; he exchanged a warm greeting with Aarushi, Harshita and Sarthak who acknowledged it with amiable gestures. Pratyush's eyes froze on Anjali who was standing slightly behind, camouflaging into the cramped background. His genial smile wiped away replaced by a bizarre angst.

Aarushi turned to look at Anjali who was staring back at him with an odd disdain and rage blazing in her dark brown eyes. Aarushi exchanged a perturbed glance with Harshita who happened to mirror her bafflement. Something wasn't right with these two. Anjali wasn't a judgmental type who would take a dislike for someone without even knowing them. Her attitude wasn't falling in place for her friends who had noticed her uncanny exchange with Pratyush. Harshita tapped her on shoulder, waking her from her vision.

'What happened? Do you know each other?', she asked worriedly eyeing the two of them.

'No, he just happened to be familiar', Anjali attempted to brush off the question with her lips pressed in a hard smile. Aarushi and Harshita knew something was off but they decided not to press upon the topic, it was a friendly lunch meeting; better not ruin it with something personal. Harshita nodded settling between Aarushi and Sarthak. Anjali took a look at the only seat beside Pratyush and walked over to Sarthak.

'Sarthak will you swap seats with me? I want to share some latest gossips with Juhi', Anjali asked him, with a light hearted smile. Sarthak by now had become aware about weird air between Pratyush and Anjali, not wanting to encroach upon the topic he quickly left his seat for her moving in the empty chair beside Pratyush.

'So you are the one working on famous case of Niranjan builders?', Sarthak spoke to Pratyush, trying to ease the stiff atmosphere around them. Pratyush turned his attention to Sarthak nodding in approval. He and Juhi were handling some dispute case and this time their visit was for some ground study regarding same. Anjali was chatting animatedly with Juhi. Aarushi saw Pratyush stealing nervous glances at Anjali amidst his talk with Sarthak.

'What's up with these two?', Aarushi wondered finding Harshita mirroring her thoughts. They exchanged a look and decided to probe upon the topic afterwards.

Juhi had placed their order for an exquisite South Indian platter. Pratyush had offered to pay for the meal as a welcoming gesture. Aarushi had denied to his request but had given in after solid insistence from his side. Their meal was in middle of preparation when Anjali excused herself to attend a call. Pratyush's eyes followed her as she left the restaurant, not long after he exempted himself momentarily. Aarushi saw him going after Anjali, tensed about their previous behavior she followed them both out of the eatery.

Aarushi saw Anjali standing rigidly at some distance from the main entrance with her back towards her and hands crossed across her chest. Aarushi could read her expression without even looking at her face. Pratyush was standing before her speaking frantically. Their voices were drowned in the honks of vehicles rushing on the road. Aarushi tried to make out bits of the conversation but traffic made it impossible, but by the look of it, it didn't appear to be a pleasant one.

Anjali turned around and started walking in dine's direction without a second glance at Pratyush calling her desperately. Aarushi hurried inside, not wanting to be caught eavesdropping. Anjali approached their table and picked up her bag preparing to leave.

'Where are you going?', Harshita asked her alarmed.

'Suhani needs my urgent help at her evening shift in OPD, I am sorry but I might not be able to stay for lunch', Anjali apologized to Juhi for her sudden departure with a modest smile.

'It's alright, we can catch up some other time', Juhi replied. Pratyush arrived at the scene and was thrown back by Anjali standing there with her bag over her shoulder, ready to leave.

'You are leaving?', he asked her.

'Yeah', she answered briefly with a hard edge in her voice. Pratyush did not extend the conversation and seated himself not meeting her harsh gaze. Anjali arranged a contrite smile as she exited the restaurant. Aarushi exchanged anxious looks with Sarthak and Harshita. Anjali had left them stuck with a lot of questions and doubts, they knew something wasn't right but could not understand what was not right.

Aarushi and Harshita dumped their bags in room and rushed over to library to find Anjali as soon as they arrived back on campus. Sarthak had wisely decided to stay out of the girls' matter until Anjali herself told him about it. Aarushi had called Anjali enquiring about her whereabouts; she was planning to study at library. Aarushi and Harshita made a dash to her location with a few course books and a huge mental questionnaire. They found her sitting at their usual spot beside second last window and took their seats on either side of her.

'What?', Anjali asked, alarmed by the unnatural eyes fixed upon her.

'Haven't you got anything to explain?', Harshita started. Anjali turned her focus to the book in front of her leisurely turning one of the pages.

'I don't think so', she said coolly.

'What's up with you and Pratyush? Did you guys know each other before?', Aarushi finally asked.

'I told you, he just happened to be familiar', Anjali tried to dodge the question. Aarushi took in a sharp breathe, did she really think they were blind fools to not notice her strange mood.

'You ignored his whole existence for almost all the time, with that fact known, ask yourself if you still take us to believe what you just said', Aarushi retorted. Anjali did not answer opting to remain silent. Aarushi was driven to the edge of her patience, what could be so bad that she needed to hide it so desperately. Aarushi slammed her book shut causing a few heads turned in their direction, trying to catch the source of distraction.

'Guys let's talk outside', Harshita whispered hurriedly, shooting remorseful looks at others.

'Fine', Anjali replied briefly, stowing away her books.

'What do you want to know?', Anjali asked as soon as they were out of the doors of library.

'You know what we want to know', Aarushi replied with a similar tough tone. Anjali looked from Aarushi to Harshita studying their firm features; she knew they won't give up until they find the truth so it was no point escaping. She let out a defeated sigh.

'He is my cousin sister's ex', she said staring at the gravel below their feet.

'We had befriended each other a few years ago via my sister at some family event. Sometime later I came to know they had broken up, it came as a shock for me who was pretty well aware about my cousin being head over heels for him. My sister was pushed to anxiety disorders following the breakup of her two year long relation causing her to lose a precious career opportunity. She cried to me about how she had been fooled and mistreated by him. By that time I had started to regard him as a good friend, my sis's words caused me to question my friendship with him. At first I could not believe her, but she had successfully convinced me about how terrible of a human he could be. I cut off all my contacts with him, despising him for troubling my much loved sister and ruining her whole future. When I saw him today, hate and fury of past took the best of me', Anjali finished with a tinge of grief.

Aarushi and Harshita were dumbstruck by her confession. They had never heard about this story for past three years they had been friends. Anjali loved her sister like a sibling; her sister was the sweetest person one could ever meet. Listening to her despondent past was tough to believe.

'I saw you both discussing something outside restaurant', Aarushi began.

'I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but it didn't appear like a friendly chat...', she continued with a hint of apology.

'He wanted to make things clear between us, let him tell his side of story', Anjali answered. Aarushi nervously pressed her lips in a thin line, finding appropriate words for situation.

'Did you hear him out?', Harshita asked. Anjali shook her head in no.

'Anjali, I know you love your sister, besides she is someone who is undoubtedly lovable. But Pratyush didn't appear like someone who could hurt someone intentionally. I think you should give him a chance to explain his side', Harshita told her practically.

'I agree with Harshita. I know you are resentful for your sister, but every coin has two faces. You should clear up your past feud with him, and you were friends before, you must know better than us how he used to be with you', Aarushi said. Anjali was giving it a hard thought, what two of them said did make sense. She had never given him a chance, jumped on the conclusion based on a single view.

'If you say so, I think I'll give it a try', she said. Aarushi and Harshita smiled at her decision.

'And yes, how is it between you and AJ, we were so caught up with college that we almost forgot about latest updates', Anjali said with a chaffing smile as they walked back to their dorm. Aarushi's clear cheeks glowed pink under the light of setting sun.

'Yeah, I bet you will have ample of rivals. With his drama lead personality, he is nothing less than a human magnet; tall, gorgeous, distant yet warm', Harshita joined in, putting special emphasis on adjectives.

'Quit it now you two, nothing happened between us. But there was more chemistry between Sarthak and Ajay', Aarushi said.

'Sarthak and Ajay?', Harshita and Anjali chorused with similar amazement. Aarushi nodded as she told them about their exchange.

'Girl, that wasn't just chemistry, it was an explosive oxygenation reaction', Harshita said horrified by the detailed sketch of situation. Anjali nodded vigorously. Aarushi had purposely left out the detail about his "She is not just a friend" remark; her friends' mind would reach weird possibilities faster than light if they heard about it. Aware about the perplexing character of Ajay, she was herself weighing over the multiple meanings behind his words.

'I too am confused as hell. I still can't get it what made Ajay detest Sarthak in such a short expanse of time', Aarushi said. Their talk came to an end as they joined others at canteen for dinner discussing the details for final day of announcement of selected projects.

Four days had passed since their unpleasant lunch with Pratyush and Juhi. Aarushi had been completely assiduous managing her lectures, studies and job along with their project. She could barely spare some time for a proper meal. Her friends had taken up most of the charge of project, but after all she was the main force guiding them. Anjali, Harshita and Sarthak had given it their all to acquire public support from medicos and NTI making regular interactions with students and following their strategy ardently. Aarushi was spared from publicizing activities, credits to her friends.

She hadn't gone to NTI or spoken to Ajay after her last visit. Sarthak had taken up the responsibility for NTI, working diligently. Eventually, it was the D-day for finalization. Aarushi looked absolutely stunning with her crew neck off white sweater and waist high black pants, accompanied by her partially clipped silky hair falling down her shoulder. She dabbed a little bit of light baby pink lipstick on her neither thin nor full rosy lips. The subtle makeup brought out the gentleness of her round high cheek boned face and impeccable jaw bone. The close set eyes were glittering with nervous excitement as she grabbed her bag to join her friends outside in corridor.

They were seated in auditorium with complicated nervousness filling inside them with every passing second as they waited for announcement. None of them dared to utter a word as they fought against their inner turmoil of curiosity, exhilaration and anxiety. After about half an hour of nerve racking silence, a gentleman clad in a three piece suit made his way up the stage. The anchors handed him a mike as he prepared himself for speech.

'A very good evening to all the young men and ladies present here today. I can see you all had great one week discovering a wide variety of fresh talents within yourself and your friends. I appreciate all of yours efforts and thoughts; it was a glorious experience for me and my comrades to become familiar with all the young power amongst us. But sadly, only top three projects could find their way ahead into the competition', he addressed the crowd before him.

Aarushi could feel her heart throbbing against her ribs as her hands intertwined in her lap.

'So now, for the most awaited moment of evening; the first project to make its path to finals is, solar medical bus, accounting to 23% of total votes', the crowd erupted in applause as selected students joined the announcer on stage.

'Second idea that has managed to acquire 30% of votes to be selected for next round is, AI cancer diagnosis machine'

The hall was once again filled with claps as second team joined others.

'Now for the last finalists, the most voted idea of the evening, with a total of 35% is...', the man paused dramatically for a brief second smiling at the tensed faces before him. Aarushi held her breathe.

'AI smart band assistant for heart and brain'

Aarushi jumped in her seat, screaming with felicity. She high fived Anjali and Harshita as they almost ran up on the stage, she was brimming with joy as she shook hands with the announcer. Her project had been selected that too with highest percentage of votes, she felt higher in her spirits than she ever did in past four years. Her efforts and hardships were finally paying off, she had achieved one of her primary goal; she could feel a new energy gushing inside her weaving a promise for a better future.

'Congratulations and best of luck to selected participants, for your journey ahead', announcer concluded as throng once again clapped furiously.

'I still can't come to believe that we made it, we can finally work on it!', Aarushi exclaimed as they waited behind the stage for information regarding the NTI team they would be joining.

'Absolutely, it is just unrealistic!', Anjali said, clapping her hands together.

'Attentions students', the announcer who had declared their results called out to euphoric young lot before him. The chatter died away immediately as all focused on man.

'As you all are aware, this is a collaborative programme between two institutions. You all will be cooperating with four other students, I'll be handing out the lists of your fellow teammates before they join us here', he told everyone as an assistant hurried over giving out the name list of mystery members.

Aarushi's eyes nearly popped out of sockets as she looked at the names of her other team members. She rubbed her eyes, checking and rechecking the words spelled out in bold black letters.

Ajay Sanghvi, Garvit Agarwal, Hardik Yadav, Viraj Mishra

'Is this for real, or maybe I am just drunk in by pleasure', Aarushi thought, shaking her head and closing her eyes expecting the names to transform as soon as she looked back. To her immense disbelief, they did not move an inch.

'Holy cow! Dude, you are born with a golden luck in love', Harshita whispered in her ear making Aarushi jump.

'What?!', she asked startled.

'Look at the names; this is too good to be a coincidence. Your crush is on your group out of all the eligible pupils! Dude, you are living the fantasy of girls!', Anjali said, ogling dreamily at the paper. Framing words was a herculean task for Aarushi as she stood there letting the reality sink in, it wasn't a mistake or dream, it was a solid truth, an undeniable fact. Happy was too small for the emotion she was feeling at the moment, Anjali was right, she was really living in a dream, this is too good to be true!

'Everyone, I believe you all have gone through the names. So now you all can familiarize yourself with your members', the elderly man spoke beckoning the other students towards the area. A murmur broke through them as twelve figures rambled in. Aarushi's eyes widened as four familiar boys sauntered over to them.

'Hello again, I told you I'll be coming in', Viraj said grinning ear to ear with Garvit and Hardik. Ajay was lazily standing by his side, looking unbelievably opulent with his jet black hair styled neatly and a navy blue parka with strikes of white and orange covering his lean musculature. The smooth texture of his unblemished skin glowed radiantly with light blushes, an aftermath of chilly winds outside. A beatific smile stretched across his face reaching right up to his eloquent eyes twinkling with blithe and warmth.

Aarushi had frozen in her spot, forgetting the act to blink as she ogled starry eyed at the embodiment of word hope and ecstasy standing before her.

'Did he made you lose your sense of hearing?', Viraj said waving a hand in front her nose. Aarushi woke up from her daydreaming with a jolt. She quickly looked away, feeling hot in her cheeks.

'Wh-What are you saying? I am perfectly normal', she said, catching her wild emotions which were behaving savagely for past few minutes.

'If that's what you call being normal, then yes, you are perfectly normal', Viraj sniggered. Aarushi opened her mouth to defend but was interrupted by Sarthak.

'If I may ask, how did you all ended up with us?', he said impassively.

'Ask him Sarthak', Viraj shot a knowing look at Ajay as he addressed him. Ajay chortled awkwardly as all quizzical eyes turned towards him.

'Why don't you explain Garvit?', he said looking at him with meaningful eyes. Garvit caught the purport hunting for words to explain their appearance.

'Oh... Well... You see, our project still required some base work, so we decided to pull out', he said with grateful smile.

'And your idea was attractive so we wanted to extend our help', Hardik swiftly filled in rest of the sentence. Aarushi saw Ajay sneakily throwing a grateful nod in Hardik's direction. They were behaving strangely, but it went unnoticed by everyone else who all seemed pretty occupied praising their luck for assembling a first-rate team.

'It's great you all could join us! I was so uneasy working with a group of complete strangers was nothing less than a toiling task', Harshita gushed.

'Yup, we can start right away, we all are pretty well known to each other', Garvit chirped in agreement.

'Do you guys have classes tomorrow? We can start with planning from tomorrow', Hardik said.

'Nope, it is an off for us during weekends, we can start with it', Anjali said as Harshita nodded in agreement. They left the arena finalizing plans for next morning.

Aarushi was walking behind rest of them; her brain was still caught up in the unusual interchange. These guys were hiding something, but question was, what were they hiding, and most importantly why?

'Aarushi', Ajay called to her from behind making her stop in her tracks. He strode over a few steps stopping right before her.

'You haven't been around lately?', he asked with a casual gist.

'I was caught up with college and job, barely had time for project', Aarushi shrugged her shoulders as she started walking again. She hadn't forgotten about his last remark, and had considered reducing their interaction to bare minimum and right now he had appeared out of the blue being allotted in her group, making it impossible for her to sort things going in her mind.

'Did you get my text?', he asked hurriedly after getting an indifferent response. Aarushi nodded shortly. His text and attitude were polar opposite and had unsettled her nerves for time being.

'You didn't reply then...?', he trailed off bashfully. Aarushi took in a sharp breathe composing herself, she didn't want to lash out on him on being so dense.

'What reply were you expecting from someone whom you didn't even consider friend Ajay?', she retorted twirling to look at him.

'I-I never meant that...', he stuttered apparently jolted and demented.

'Then what do you mean? I wasn't blessed with power to read imaginary words you know; I am familiar with human method of communication, which requires a clear framing of sentences, your method is probably too extraordinary for me to understand', she said with an impatient snide. She was too tired to crack his puzzles, she needed solid words to his thoughts; she wanted to get some clarity about him.

'I...', Ajay paused in between pondering over something. She raised her brow asking him to continue.

'I didn't mean to say that you weren't a friend; you are an old classmate as well, it was obvious for me to help you', he said never taking his eyes from the ground below them. Aarushi closed her eyes letting out subdue breathe.

'Of course, what else were you expecting Aarushi?', she thought caustically.

'Well, thank you then. We'll have a pleasant cooperation in future also, I guess', she said with hard politeness. Ajay nodded attempting a weak smile.

'Will you save my contact now?', he said after a moment. Aarushi fetched her phone typing in his name.

'Done', she said showing him the screen. Ajay smiled her favorite dimpled smile making her heart skip a beat.

'Will I see you tomorrow then?', he asked her as she turned towards the iron exit of campus.

'You'll be seeing me almost every day for next three months; what, regretting joining in now, do you?', she retaliated with a satirizing grin. Ajay guffawed at her chaff.

'I won't regret it for life', he said with an earnest smile.

A/N:

Don't forget to share your views and votes with me! 

I was facing some issues in uploading a new chapter for past few days, thanks for bearing the delay! It would mean a lot if you could shower some support and comments on this part as well!