2 weeks later.

"Aaru uthhhhh!" A shrill voice shouted, audibly harming my ear drums. "Yaar sabko mujhe neend se uthane mein kya maza aata hai!?" I exclaimed, hiding myself more inside the blanket.

(Aaru wake uppp!

What bliss does everyone get by waking me up!?)

"Because you're the main character jaaneman, tujhe neend se uthana is 'side character's', I mean my duty." I recognized the voice, it was Yuku. "Stop this rubbish. And kya side character han? Without Yukti, Aarohi is just Adhuri." I stated while getting up from my bed.

"Looking at the brighter side, at least you woke up." Yukti said as I hugged her. "Anyways, what brought you here? That too at 7 in the morning." I asked, intrigued, making my bed after checking the time on my phone.

"No specific reason. Just wanted to chill at your home, so here I'm." She answered, I hummed in reply as I combed my hair which was tangled as hell. Though, Yuku took it from my hands and made me sit on the edge of my bed, as she gently untangled my hair with the help of comb. "See, that's what I was inteding." I stated proudly.

"Yukti beta, woh Kumbhkaran uthi ya nahi?" Mumma shouted from downstairs as Yukti replied, "Yes captain, the mission is accomplished." We heard mum chuckle, she then asked me to freshen up quickly and come down for breakfast.

(Yukti dear, did that Kumbhkaran woke up or not?)

"Aunty be like: Aree nahane jaa, nahane jaa" Yukti repeated a famous meme of TMKOC, while putting her right palm on her waist, arching it a little and acting like Champaklal.

We were laughing hard when we heard another shout from mum, "Aarohi! Nahane jaa, nahane!" We could have laughed harder at that but rather it was my cue to run towars the bathroom or else Mrs. Strict Govind will not spare me.

"Akshit, papa bula rahe hain. Living room main aana zara." Maa said as she entered my room and exited after informing. I went towards the living room, receiving a strange look from my father.

(Akshit, dad is calling you. Come to the living room quickly.)

"Anything serious?" I asked, taking my seat in front of my parents.
"Who's that girl?" He interrogated while I gave maa a why-did-you-told-him look, crying internally. "Who?" I acted along.

"The one your mother has dreamed of marrying you with." He mentioned. "What!?" Me and maa looked at him with utter shock. Looking at our shocked faces he laughed. "Look at your faces, I was just kidding, no need to get so stressed up." He replied, catching his breath, still laughing.

"But the way both of your faces turned pale, I assume Akshit does have a girlfriend, isn't it?" He questioned, returning to a strict stance, shifting his gaze from me to maa and then back to me.

"Even if I have, I wouldn't bother to inform you." I replied bitterly. "Son, I know we have differences but that doesn't mean you will continue to hate me till eternity." He looked at me with hurt eyes.

"I didn't mean to hurt you but you have never been there in any of my special days, moments or let alone my small achievements. Then, how am I supposed to be so comfortable to share anything with you?" I let out a sigh, I gazed over my mother's gloomy eyes, the tears that were ready to roll down any moment.

"My maa has raised me well so I'm apologizing for my rude words but please don't misjudge it as love for you from my side." I clarified as I went back to my room.

I don't want to disrespect him but the circumstances between us makes me bitter about his presence and the fact that he will never be that good father I wish for, makes the situation even worse.

Anyways, back to what I was doing earlier. I was preparing an apology card for Ms. Govind for hurting her unintentionally. I wrote down whatever I had to convey to her but the difficult part is, 'How am I gonna give this to her?' I was thinking of a solution when I received a call from Manav.

"Bro, listen, in the evening we have to visit Aarohi's home so taiyaar rehna. I'll pick you up at 6." And he ended the call. He didn't even wait to hear an answer from me and just hung up? Yahi izzat reh gayi hai meri.

[Shi: Abhi toh fir bhi thodi bohot bachi hai, aage aage dekho hota hai kya :)
Akshit: -cries quietly-]

'Wait- Ms. Govind k ghar? Kyun, kaise, kis liye??' I dialed Manav's number which he picked up after a few rings.
"Why are we going to Ms. Govind's place?" I questioned. "Sarika aunty ne bulaya hai, maybe for a small party." He replied. "Any special occasion?" I asked again. "Nothing special! But I think she is aware of your and Aarohi's fight. And to make things right, she has invited us." He spoke back.

"And on what basis are you saying this?" I was curious and astonished after being educated with Ms. Govind's mother's thoughtful nature. "Because she has particularly asked me to bring you along. Now, if your KBC questionnaire is done, let me complete my sleep." He replied, hanging up the call yet once again. Meri izzat- nvm!

I jotted down my point of view, and just wished Ms. Govind will understand and forgive me. Ending the note, I wrote 'SORRY <3' I know the symbolic heart is too chessy but, I can't help. That's what I feel for her so I did what I did. No more behes.

"You suggested mumma to invite Akshit and Manav bhai right?" I furiously asked Yukti as we settled in my room after breakfast. "No no! Why would I do so? I know how upset and angry you're with Akshit." Yukti submitted as she held her hands up in the air. "Then why did she invite them?" This time I asked myself.

"Kahin Akshit ko damad banane ka toh nahi soch liye aunty ne?" Yukti uttered, receiving a glare from me. "Seriously, Yuku?" She let out a nervous giggle. I then sensed someone's presence on my door. I glanced out but found no one, so I shrugged it off.

(Maybe aunty has decided to make Akshit her son in law?)

"Anyways, give me some updates." Yukti sat up straight on my bed. "Nothing yaar. 1 saal se confidence jama karne main lage rahe aur jab finally, gusse mein he sahi par confess tak krdiya humne, fir bhi jeevan mein kuch khaas badlav ho nahi paye hain." I replied, drifting back in my imagination.

(...I gathered confidence for 1 year and finally even being angry, when I confessed to him with all my courage yet there seem to be little to no changes in life.)

"Pata hai, pehle, jab hum unhe dekha karte thee, tab na dil mein ajeeb si nervousness rehti thi mano insaan nahi koi strict teacher samne ho jinke subject ka homework humne na kiya ho. Par fir jab hum dost baney tab ek sukoon sa mehsoos hone laga unke aas pass. Aur firse sab bigad gaya!" I bluttered out my thoughts, as I laid down.

(You know, before when I used to look at him I used to feel a different type of nervousness as if he is a strict teacher, whose homework I have not done. But then, when we became friends, I felt comfort/peace around him. And then everything got ruined once again!)

"You know, your way of talking with 'adab' just wins my heart." Yukti stated, bringing me out of my trance. "Don't tell me I referred to myself as 'hum' again." I looked at Yuku as she replied, "Not only that, you even mentioned Akshit as 'unhe', hmm hmm." She teased.

I hid my face out of sharam, also with embarrassement as I somehow thought I was not fluent in this way of speaking so I always run away from it.

"Just forgive him yaar! I know he acted stupid that day but mere bichare devar ko maaf karde." Yukti made me sit back straight. "I want to forgive him too bro, it's just... A part of me is still doubtful. And there's no way he likes me back so even if we don't go back to good terms it will not be so difficult for him, isn't it?" I was upset.

"Only if you knew." Yukti mumbled yet I heard that but before I could ask further, Ayushi joined us. "Hi didis" She said, sitting beside Yukti and giving her a hug. "Where were you?" Yukti asked. "I was at my friend's home for sleepover di. I arrived just a while ago." Choti replied.

"How was your sleepover?" I asked. "Too good di. Prerna said Hi to you." She replied. "Prerna kon? Teri, best friend?" Yukti questioned. "Yup, the new student who joined last year. Jisko adhe seniors apna crush bana bethe thee." Choti clarified further.

(...Upon who, half the seniors had crush on.)

"Oh right! I remember how Yash too had a small crush on her and used to act like a total gentleman everytime she was nearby." We chuckled, reminiscing about those days.

"The best thing about the past was that, it happened, so beautifully that it made us recall and miss it again and again." I mentioned. "Hayee author sahiba ki baatein, waise teri story ka kya hua?" Yukti asked as Ayushi got curious too.

(Hayee the sweet words of Ms. Author, by the way what happened to your story?)

"Han di, it's been a long since I last saw you entering in your diary or memo pad." Choti gave me a doubtful look. "Well I was writing the story, but I don't think the plot will work." I replied, that made the 2 go sad. "I'm sorry guys, it's just my brain is suddenly out of ideas." I added.

"Shall we help you?" Ayushi suggested as I nodded. "Ok then listen up! What about this mafia theme story where the female protagonist acts as a cowardly, sensitive and dumb girl but when the mafia falls in love and marries her; she kills him on their first night, seeking revenge for her entire family's murder; who were killed by the male protagonist, the mafia." Choti spoke up, in one breathe.

"Sleepover ki aad mein wattpad padh rahe thee na tum sab?" I questioned her while she smiled nervously. And I shook my head, with a facepalm.

(You guys were reading wattpad in the name of sleepover, weren't you?)

"I have a better idea! Why not write a story where the male lead is a great sportsman and the female lead is a well renowned choreographer/artist. And then write about their sweet & cute love story. Simple yet lovely na?" Yukti drifted into her dreamland while I brought her back with, "I'll surely write about your and Manav's love story one day, but not now Yuku." Yukti looked at me blankly but then her eyes sparkled, "Pakka?" She asked innocently.

'Hayee meri Yuku baby~' I cooed at her quietly and then gave her a quick nod, "I'll make sure to promote it everywhere I go." Yukti clapped with joy. But returning back to reality I mentioned,

"Koi ni guys, we are going to face board exams this academic session. So I think it's better to put my author self on hold." I said walking up to my study table, glancing over my course books in the shelves fixed on the wall, while closing the small cabinet that I had for my novels with a sigh.

"As you say, miss topper. Achha let's do some project work together." Yukti said while Ayushi brought her assignment and settled on the floor. We decided to accompany her so we sat around her and started our work.

6:30pm.

"Namaste aunty." I heard 2 voices from our main door as I was drinking water in the kitchen. "Come inside beta." Maa welcomed the 2, then she asked me to bring water for them. 'Them' who? Oh right, Akshit and Manav bhai! I put 2 glasses of water in a tray and went to the living room.

"Hi bhai!" I cheered, placing the tray on the center table. "Hayee" Wait- what was that? I heard a faint voice. As I looked up, I found the owner of the voice, it was Akshit! "Sorry?" I asked. "Huh, nothing? I didn't say anything." He replied, taking the glass from the tray and drinking it in one go.

'I'm sure he said 'hayee' but why? I'm not even in my most flattering outfit, wearing a pair of gray trousers and a black crop top with my hair made up in a messy bun. Still?' the bubble of my thoughts popped with mum's words.

"Make yourself comfortable kiddos, and enjoy yourselves while I bring something for you guys to eat." Mumma exited the room, not before calling Yukti and Ayushi to the living room. "Hello bhaiyas, kaise ho?" Ayushi asked as she sat beside Akshit. "Good, thank you and you?" he asked, distancing himself a little from Choti.

Meanwhile the love birds started to flirt with each other as Yukti sat beside Manav on the 4 seater sofa. "Hayee meri Manvi. I missed you." "I missed you too Yuku bab-" I cleared my throat loudly as I saw mumma nearing the room. "Maine kuch nahi suna." Mum said and exited as she took the tray with her.

(I didn't hear anything.)

'Hein? Yeh meri Maa he thi na?' I thought to myself sitting on the single sofa placed perpendicular to the side of the big sofa when, "Waise Akshit bhaiya aapne yeh thik nahi kiya." Ayushi said, drawing my attention towards her. "What did I do?" Akshit asked. "Didi confessed to you and you didn't even reply to her, too bad." Choti stated, making the 4 of us shocked.

"How did you know about this? And I'm warning you Choti, don't let maa or papa know about it or else-" "Uffo didi, ek toh main aapki side se baat kar rahi hun aur upar se aap mujhe he dara rahe ho." Ayushi cut me off. "And anyways, now that I have your secret with me, I can use it as a blackmailing card." She passed me a smirk.
(Uffo didi, firstly I'm talking from your side and above that you are threatening me.)

"The way I've always thought of you as my precious, sweet, cute, and adorable baby sister but you just proved me wrong with your last statement." I fake cried, looking out for sympathy that none of them spared except for a willing Akshit, who I ignored.

"Ok ok, coming back to the point! Akshit bhaiya do you accept my didi's proposal?" Ayushi asked excitedly.

"Konsa proposal?" Before Akshit could answer, mumma arrived with snacks and aam panna. "Woh sorry ka proposal jo didi maan nahi rahi hain." Ayushi tried to cover up but failed miserably when mumma asked, "Then why were you asking Akshit? Shouldn't it be the other way around?"

(Proposal of apology that Didi is refusing to accept.)

Ayushi gave me a please-handle-the-situation look as I sighed before speaking, "Mumma don't you know, how dumb she is? Usse chordo, please give us something to eat first, we're hungry." I said as mum passed snacks to us and poured out freshly made aam panna in 4 glasses.

"Oh, I've also baked a cake for you guys. Let me bring that as well." Mum said as she left for the kitchen again. "Sorry sorry sorry" Ayushi chanted. "It's okay, but be extra careful next time." I replied.

"Even I want to apologize to you, Ms. Govind, and on a serious note I had no intention to hurt you and believe me whatever happened that day was a mere misunderstanding. And I am also sorry for my behavior afterward." Akshit stated and it seemed as if his words were filled with honesty yet I was not 100% convinced.

He then slided over a small brown envelope that was stamped with a very beautiful golden stamp and a small white flower, sorry I don't know it's name but it looked so pretty. And on top of the envelope in a delicate handwriting, 'To, Ms. Govind' was written.

"If someone apologizes to you with so much sincerity then you should forgive them Aarohi." Mumma said entering the scene as she placed the cake and passed me a glance. Using the time, Ayushi quickly hid the envelope under the pillow, placed on her lap.

"I forgive you Akshit" his face suddenly brightened up with joy. "But not completely, you still have to regain this friend of yours." I stated as I was actually hurt, maybe because of the silent rejection, idk.

"Good to know that your fight has been resolved now. Let's cut the cake to celebrate it!" Mumma seal-clapped as she signed me to hold the knife along with the rest. We cut the cake and fed each other small pieces and yet again I didn't feed him the cake.

I supposed he was determined this time, as he cut out a piece of cake and got up from his place while his hands reached out, near my mouth. I hesitantly leaned forward, trying hard to not let my lips touch his fingers but destiny had something else in plan already.

As he rested the piece, and removed his hand, his finger brush over my lips accidently yet gently like a feather. I could sense it was unintentional as his eyes got agitated, ready to apologize.

Though I reassured him, communicating through my eyes that 'don't worry, I know it was a mistake' but deep down beneath my skin, I felt sparkles erupting as a layer of goosebumps sprinted around my whole body.

The butterflies fluttered round and about my stomach, providing me the feeling of warmth and nervousness at the same time. I just sat there frozen, seemingly baffled, how the lightest of his touch could affect me so miraculously.

I truly didn't want this feeling to fade away, the warmth made me feel like home. Not only because of the touch but also because of his innocence, his delicate tries of handling my anger and his efforts, the way he kept on apologizing for weeks now, trying to safeguard this 'friendship' but something told me that 'you can't be just friends with him anymore!' & 'it's much more than just friendship Aarohi' which only brought me to a conclusion that,

'Whatever may be the situation today, tomorrow or in the near future, this heart will never stop loving you, Akshit Choudhary.' I smiled looking into his eyes, drowning deeper with every passing second.

♡

Sushi's note: Hey readers, hope you liked and enjoyed this chapter!

Firse long chapter!? Maza aaya ya nahi pyaaros? And guess what, we've reached 10k+ reads and 900+ votes.
And thank you for waiting patiently for the next update.

Also, a sneak peak:
"Vivaan is better than you."
"Then stay with your Vivaan."

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《Radhe Radhe》