Her skin glowed bright orange under the golden hue of evening sun, part of her face was hidden in the shadowy darkness as she stared absent mindedly out of the window. The evening outside was breath taking, but Aarushi's thoughts had wandered far from appreciating the ending day. Animated chatter of her friends had become indistinct and hazy as she allowed herself to drown in the unspeakable misery of her life.

'Aarushi, we have arrived at campus.' Harshita's voice came amongst her speeding thoughts. Aarushi snapped out of her musing.

'What's going in your head?', Anjali asked suspiciously, as she passed by her seat. Aarushi shook her head and followed the group back to their hostel. She hastily arranged a positive smile, concealing her somber mood.

'See you at eight', Sarthak bid farewell to girls as he took off in the direction of boys' dormitory. Aarushi waved him, preoccupied by her own thoughts. It was seven in the evening by the time they had returned back. Students were hurrying towards the canteen for an early meal; they had to come up with unique strategies to turn the public opinion in their favor. Aarushi and Harshita joined Anjali and Suhani at their table, they were stowing away the food on their plates as quickly as they could.

'All the ideas were pretty exclusive, wonder who's going to hold the baton until end', Suhani spoke. Harshita and Anjali nodded as they tucked in spoonfuls of rice mixed with spicy pulses.

'I am curious about it as well, it would be an absolute entertainment', Anjali gushed; her eyes reflected a sparkle of excitement.

They finished their meal early and hurried over to campus grounds, students were engaged in leisure activities around them, relaxing after another frenetic day. Some were engaged in outdoor sports while others cheered their friends or stood as passive audience, majority were taking a long stroll around the cobblestone paths lined by lush green fields and neatly manicured bushes. Aarushi, Harshita and Anjali hurried over to the seating pavilion. Sarthak was already there, seated on the fourth step from ground. They climbed over to him.

'Ok so what will be our plans for tomorrow?', Sarthak began as soon as the girls had taken their seats.

'I think we can opt the basic strategies for promotion, like social interaction and public survey', Aarushi suggested. Harshita scribbled her idea in a notebook.

'Right, none of us is great at acting, so we can't possibly put up a street show or something', Anjali said.

'We can arrange for some talk shows, I know a few members of council, they should be willing to give their opinions', Sarthak added thoughtfully.

Aarushi nodded approvingly. Harshita was recording their conversation with uttermost concentration.

'Aarushi you can ask out your friends in NTI is they would be willing to help us out', Sarthak spoke up. Aarushi was slightly taken back by the suggestion; she bit her lip pondering over the suggestion.

'Sarthak is right Aarushi, if they could help us it would be great!', Anjali perked up.

'I don't know... They have their own project to look after, but I'll ask them', she replied skeptically. Sarthak gave her a nod.

'Ok, so I'll get down the names of candidates for talk show by tomorrow', Sarthak stated.

'Harshita and I could cover up survey reports', Anjali said.

'That leaves me to look after social interaction', Aarushi concluded.

'I'll help you with that', Sarthak told her, flashing a bright smile. Aarushi smiled back appreciatively.

'Good! I'll message the layout to you all by tonight', Harshita told them.

By the time they returned back to dormitory it was already past nine, they still had their core subjects to study. For next four hours there was hardly any sound from each of them.

Harshita was fast asleep by the time Aarushi winded up her work. She switched off her table lamp soaking the room in impenetrable darkness. It had been an exhausting day, but there wasn't a brink of sleep in Aarushi's close set deep black eyes.

Thoughts were streaming through her mind, dissolving the urge to sleep. The deadline for repayment of debt installment was approaching; she had to find a part time as soon as possible. It wasn't a popular culture for students to work in her age, but situations were strikingly different for her. Her father had been under enormous debt, after coming off age and clearing her medical entrance, she had given her word to creditors to fulfill the payment in small installments. After applying for an education loan, she had decided to save up her scholarships and earn income by working and taking up part time jobs for debt repayment. Over a year's time span, she had managed to pay a part of enormous debt to creditors by working part time at some café nearby their campus and her scholarships. This year, to her immense dismay, café had been closed due to property disputes. She had to hunt for some more opportunities as soon as possible. Conditions weren't stable in her family yet, she couldn't bear to see her parents working their bones out, she hadn't shared much information about it with her parents.

Aarushi sighed heavily, as she recalled her carefree childhood. Ten years ago she couldn't bring herself to visualize her future self worrying about finances. After the drastic condition her family had been thrown in, she had let go of her immature self, taking up the reigns as eldest daughter. She wondered if she had chosen the different path at that time, would it have made a difference. A sad smile crypt on her face as she remembered the days long gone. There was no turning back in life, she had chosen the way herself, she could not go the other way now; she could only reminisce about her sunny days and conjecture about an alternate life. A single tear rolled down her flushed cheeks as she embraced her terrible fate.

----xxx----

Dear Mr. J,

The anguished years seemed to melt away into long forgotten memories today. The tormenting time had blended away in long lost archives. The moment I had always anticipated and fantasized in my dreams is finally turned into a reality; a reality which is just too implausible. I am still afraid that as soon as I open my eyes, this dream would once again end abruptly, leaving me entangled in the squall of sorrow. I can't explain the complicated wave of emotions that washed over me this afternoon after I looked back into your deep set black eyes.

Maybe I saw the longing despondency or maybe it was just my wishful thinking, I am not sure about those unsaid words or the hidden feelings behind that guarded expression, all I am sure about is some part of my damaged and blackened heart still flutters in same way, as it had years ago. Feelings never changed, it's just us who have changed. Time had stopped at that forked path years ago; it's us who went away.

Four years ago, I had confessed to you, with the hope and anticipation never seeing you again but life had brought you back crashing into my world. I want to hold onto this second chance and embrace the colorful world again, but am I right? Will my past ever find a niche in this society?

The vicious vicissitude that had struck my family, had forced us to crawl into the invisible sections of mankind, bringing us back to the very starting. We have to build our crumbled status once again, brick by brick. Mom and dad had always wanted to give me the best possible living, they veil away their frailty and tears under those reassuring and optimistic smiles and words, but I can still feel that struggle and pain to the core. I can feel their hopes and worn out souls, I can feel my little brother putting on a fake armor of ignorance and solidity hiding away his miserable heart, but all I can do is watch; watch them suffer in agony and despair, hoping for the days to turn someday.

I had decided to give them the life and dreams they deserved, but am I failing to keep up my promise? Years back, I had decided to trade my life for them, am I really staying true to my words?

You had a simple life always; I cannot bear to drag you into this inclement world of mine, where nasty surprises await me at every turn. I cannot afford to disrupt the serene living of yours. True Aarushi wants to strive for you once again, but her duties want to push you further away from this murky sea. What should I do? Is this really a fortunate prospect or just the destiny playing another callous joke with me?

Aarushi

----xxx----

Aarushi sighed dismissively looking at her swollen red eyed reflection in mirror. She splashed cold water on her face removing the last remnants of drowsiness. She had an exhaustingly busy schedule ahead. After the morning classes, she was supposed to accompany her friends to NTI campus for accumulation of public opinion. Harshita had shared their one week plan yesterday night. Anjali had offered to print out the questionnaire, which all of them had agreed to almost immediately. Printing was one of the most strenuous tasks with all the students flocking machines photocopying notes and assignments. Anjali and Harshita were debating over the objectives of opinion poll when Aarushi joined them downstairs for breakfast.

'How's it going guys?', Aarushi enquired, flashing a bright smile and dropping into the chair across them. She had flawlessly arranged her expression from somber to cheerful before facing her friends. Harshita looked up at her.

'What happened to your eyes?', her tone hinted suspicion.

'Had a rough night I guess', Aarushi replied, hunching her shoulders casually. Harshita went back to discussing final elements of poll as Aarushi dug in her crispy sandwiches and freshly prepared warm parched rice dish. It was a smooth day in classes; they hadn't been given much work, which means they had plenty of time to devote to their project. They had decided to leave for engineering campus at half past five in the evening.

'Aarushi, we are leaving without you if you don't join us within next two minutes!', Anjali threatened her from outside her room's gate.

'Just a second, I am done with this stuff...', Aarushi called to her friends, stuffing her books inside a navy blue denim backpack. She was wearing casual red v-neck top with waist high light blue jeans with her hair done in a standard high pony.

'Here I am', she said, adjusting her off white sneakers as she followed her friends out of the dorm's doors.

'Aarushi, what were you up to?', Harshita asked her, as they walked across the cobblestone path towards college entrance.

'Nothing particular, anyways where's Sarthak?', Aarushi replied, successfully brushing off the question. She had come across an advertisement for job of a helper at the newly opened book café near NTI campus. It seemed like a worthy opportunity. She had decided to give it a try and packed her documents along.

'I think he will be meeting us at entrance', Harshita answered searching advertently around the gates. Sarthak was standing near the iron gates, he waved towards them. Girls hurried over to him.

'Oohh... Someone is looking snazzy today', Anjali complimented him. Sarthak was dressed in a basic white long sleeved shirt and navy blue jeans. He was wearing his frameless glasses which brought an elegant flavor to his deliberately ruffled dark brown hair and grey eyes. He looked completely stunning.

'How many confessions have you got until now?', Harshita teased him, smirking slyly. Sarthak turned crimson at their remarks.

'Not many, maybe just two as of now...', he laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. Aarushi giggled at their exchange. Sarthak was a perfect combination of looks with brains. He had been confessed to by numerous girls around the campus for past one year, all of whom had been rejected politely, he claimed he was waiting for his 'The One'.

'Fine now, let's go', Aarushi said heading towards the exit. Anjali and Harshita followed her, still in the fits of laughter. It was about thirty minutes walk down to NTI.

'Ok, so now we split up, Anjali and Harshita cover the east wing, Aarushi and I will be in-charge of west wing', Sarthak told the group as they crossed the splendid iron gates entering the campus. Anjali and Harshita nodded to the arrangement.

'By the way Aarushi, did you ask your friends?', Harshita enquired.

'Umm... It kind of slipped out of my mind...', Aarushi replied tentatively. Her mind had been occupied by her personal worries; last night's arrangements were lost amongst the clouds of worldly tension hovering over her.

'Doesn't matter, we might run across them somewhere today', Sarthak said. Anjali and Harshita waved them as they left towards the east side of campus. Students were filling around them, ready to retire for evening activities. Sarthak and Aarushi spotted some of their fellow participants chatting animatedly with pupils about their respective projects.

'Let's begin', Sarthak smiled at her. She nodded, smiling back. She tried to disguise her nervousness and timidity by mirroring his enthusiasm. Sarthak gave her thumbs up before disappearing into the crowd of students. Aarushi took in a deep breath to calm her anxious insides. She used to suffer from mild social anxiety whenever interacting with strangers. Though she had managed to hide away her faint-hearted behavior pretty well until now, she was still unsure about how was she going to initiate an interesting talk with a group of strangers, without creating awkwardness or blandness in her topic.

'It would be a lot more easier only if...', she left the thought incomplete as a new wave of anxiety and sadness shot through her.

'Let me help you'

Aarushi gasped at the sound of that familiar raspy voice, a voice which sent her heart galloping at a rate of hundred miles per hour. She turned to face Ajay standing behind her. His lips were curved into a friendly crooked smile, though his eyes mirrored the coldness from the previous day. Aarushi stared at him, dumbfounded by his sudden appearance.

'How did he manage to appear out of blue?', she thought to herself, her eyes exposed her thoughts. Ajay laughed silently as he moved towards her.

'Aarushi, let me help you', he repeated his sentence. Aarushi could smell his cologne as she looked back with a puzzled face. The familiar fragrance tingled her memories as their past came flooding back. Ajay looked astounding dressed in a printed dark grey shirt and navy blue jeans. His hair was kept uncombed, attributing to his prominent square jawed face and flawless features. He appeared nothing less than one of those stunning male leads of dramas, striding right out of television.

Aarushi returned back to her senses, processing his words. Ajay waited patiently for her answer, looking confused at her lack of response.

'O-Ok', she stuttered, handing him half of the sheets of questionnaire she was carrying. He smiled down at her.

'Come with me', he said, walking past her. She followed him meekly. Her thought process had gone nearly numb under the sudden warmth that spread throughout her body. All of her restlessness melted away as she made her way through the crowd. Ajay stopped short distance from a group of about eight or seven people, chatting jubilantly. He turned around to face Aarushi following him silently.

'You see those people there', he asked her, tilting his in the direction of group of undergraduates near them. Aarushi nodded, eyeing the group briefly.

'They happen to be my batch mates', Ajay told her. Aarushi gave him a confounded expression. Ajay smiled at her strange expression and went over to the group with Aarushi's eyes tracing his perplexing actions.

'What's up guys!', he greeted two of the boys. They turned to look at him, returning his avid salutation. Aarushi stayed in her spot, admiring him as he blended in the atmosphere in almost no time. She was evidently awestruck by this easy going amiable person, who can liven up even the deadliest winter valley. She smiled as she recalled their school days. He had always been the sunshine star of school, with exuberance complimenting his cuteness and light air of cheekiness that surrounded him; while she was distant and frosty, trying to find the warmth of living, implicated by the snow of misery that layered around her.

'So, years of maturity did not diminish your childhood completely, Mr. J', she smiled lovingly as the thought crossed her mind.

'Everyone, I have something to share with you', Ajay went on, addressing the small group around him. All eyes turned to look at him with incredulous looks.

'So my friend here is preparing an AI based smart watches, which can monitor data of heart and brain patients, and for its approval I require your help', he added. Aarushi could hardly make out excited indistinct chatter that circulated around the people, but she was pretty sure it wasn't negative. It was a few moments before he spoke again.

'Great! So here is the questionnaire, you can all fill it up and give it to me by tomorrow', Ajay spoke warmly as he handed out the papers.

'I'll get going, still got some work', he called out to the group as he took his leave. Aarushi stared at him plainly dumbstruck; she wondered if this was really this easy.

'Did you see?', Ajay enquired, amused by her reaction. His eyes penetrated right into her soul as though trying to decipher the unsaid thoughts hiding within it.

'I am wondering if this was really so simple', she blurted out the truth and regretted it almost instantly. She looked away from his hypnotizing gaze, turning a light pink.

'How can I just speak my thoughts like that', she thought embarrassed by her directness. Ajay chuckled softly at her instant truthfulness.

'Don't worry, it isn't so difficult, just go with the flow, so do you want to take over for next one?', he asked her raising one of his perfectly shaped brow. Aarushi bit her lower lip in indecision, she wasn't yet confident of her own abilities.

'Don't get agitated, I believe you can do this, you are the same excellent scholar whom I had known in school. It won't be a grueling task, trust me', he said to her. His eyes bore into hers, burning with a mysterious intensity, Aarushi could not bear to look away from his vehement gaze. Aarushi could feel her heart thundering loudly. They were the words, she had longed to hear; they were the words that had given her hope to live all these years, she had never expected to hear them yet another time, from the same person.

It was like her parched insides had been bestowed with cool water after years of aching for it. The burning wound in her heart was cooled down by those magical words. The grief of past four years unleashed itself rampaging through her veins, mixing with a renewed sense of joy and hope.

She moved her head signaling yes. Ajay smiled at her, Aarushi sensed a lingering woe and relief in that smile, she wondered if this was a part of her vivid imagination or the affliction she felt in that smile was truly real. She took a long deep breath.

'Don't worry... I... I am here', he whispered the last part of sentence hesitantly, tearing his eyes from her and looking down at the ground. She felt reassured by his words. She knew she could face her fears as long as he believed in her.

Sunshine had fallen in her frozen valley after years of prolonged night, she didn't want it to vanish once again, but is it really possible for snow and sun to exist with each?

Aarushi smiled at him feebly before disappearing into the crowd.

A/N:

What do you think about this chapter? 

Is this all Aarushi's vivid imagination or there is more to Ajay than everybody know?

If you enjoyed this chapter, do vote it and comment your views! Thanks!