“Aarohi Govind!” A sharp voice pierced through my ears. “Will you stop shouting, Shree?” Yukti voiced out in order to calm down the furious cat. 

“Why, just why did she agree for Verma sir's extra classes?” Shree again shouted as the girls surrounding my bench covered their ears to protect it from any damage.

All the boys have been shifted to another class as they were creating a hustle around while Verma sir got offended when they didn't obey his warnings to quiet down. 

So he asked all the girls to either segregate our class from the boys or he would not teach anyone; neither the boys nor the girls. 

Upon receiving no response, he was ready to leave but I had to stop him because he is one of the best faculty for History. And if he would've left, it might have affected a lot of students. 

“What else did you expect me to say? Even you know how good of a teacher he is. Also, the only male teacher who doesn't always stereotype us.” I stated my point as Yukti and a few girls supported me and made her understand it.

“Behen I understand tujhe tere bande ke saath bethna tha par abb jo ho gaya so ho gaya!” Yukti tried to console her while patting her shoulder a little. “Mera pati!!! Hum juda ho gaye!!” Shree cried dramatically and ran out of the room.

(Sis, I understand that you had to sit with your partner but what has been done has already been done!

My husband!!! We got separated!!)

“Iss nautanki ko koi sambhalo yaar.” Yukti shook her head in defeat as Muskan went behind Shree to console her. Meanwhile, Verma sir arrived and looked at the attentive state of all of us.

(Someone handle this drama queen.)

“Settle down everyone, I know some of you aren't happy with my earlier decision but to maintain the decorum of the class, I had to.” He announced and restarted the previous lecture that we had left halfway in the first period.

After school.

“Aarohi, stop!” Falak exclaimed. “Bhari jawani mein heart attack de k he manoge na tum sab?” I replied while she plastered a sheepish smile. “She saved you. You might have slipped on the banana peel, idiot.” Yukti asserted while smacking my head lightly.

(Y'all gave decided to give me a heart attack at this young age, no?)

“Bhagwan ne 2 aankhein toh di hai use karna nahi aata toh apni yeh additional 2 aankhein v saath leke ghuma kar.” She taunted while passing me my specs which I generally use while reading.

(God has given you 2 eyes but you don't know how to use it so have these 2 additional eyes with you.)

“Hehe, thanks jaaneman.” I grinned as she passed an irritated look while Falak led us downstairs. “It was such a tiresome day today.” Falak mentioned. “True.” I asserted as we reached the main gate.

“Ok then, see you guys.” I waved to Yukti and Falak as they rode their scooty back to home. Today my mother was coming to pick me up so I stayed back. “Ms. Govind.” I heard his faint voice from behind. 

“Aap abhi tak yahin hai?” He raised one eyebrow, out of habit. “Well yes, your mother in law has decided to pick me up today so I'm waiting for her.” I replied as his serious face turned into a blushing one.

(You are still here?)

“Shall I also wait to greet my mother in law?” He questioned with a sly smirk. “Han, that would be great! I'll finally get the chance to introduce you as her future son in law!” I exclaimed with a sheepish smile.

“Aree aree, aap toh marwayengi hume!” He stuttered. “Kabhi toh batana padega na Choudhary ji, aakhir kab tak chupte chupate ishq karte rahenge?” I replied with a challenging look while he went silent.

(Aree aree, you will get me killed!

I'll have to confront it to them someday Choudhary ji, until how long will we continue to love secretly?)

The look on his face made me break my teasing demeanor. Then I told him I was just kidding to which he let out a sigh.

‘But why would he do so? Was he not really serious about our relationship?’ A bunch of questions popped up while a horn broke my trance.

It was mom's car. “Hi mumma!” I waved as she signaled me to come quickly. I turned my head to find him smiling at me as he then said, “Achha rukiye, aunty ko namaste toh kar he sakta hun main.” while walking along with me.

(Ok wait, I can at least come to greet aunty right.)

“Namaste aunty, kaise ho aap?” He asked excitedly as soon as we neared mom's car. Mumma replied to him with equal enthusiasm and had a small conversation. We then bid bye and headed towards our home. 

(Namaste aunty, how are you?)

“Akshit is a gentleman, isn't it?” Maa mentioned while wiping the rear view mirror. “He is.” I replied while smiling like an idiot. “What's up with you smiling and all han?” Maa inquired. 

“Can't I even smile now?” I replied back. “Do you know there are only 2 kinds of people who smile without any reason, 1 who aren't stable with their mental state and 2 who might have developed that stupid feeling called crush in your generation.” She paused a little while eyeing me through the mirror.

“And in your case, I assume 100% that…” She paused again. “That?” I asked, getting nervous. “That, it's the 1st one!” She chuckled and passed a quick kiss through the mirror view.

“Umm, why do you feel that it can't be the 2nd one?” I asked while fidgeting the straps of my school bag. Maybe my question was a bit too direct which is why the motion of the car suddenly halted.

“Wh-what happened?” I asked again as she turned her body towards my direction. “Is there something that you are hiding from me?” She asked, looking at my eyes directly with a strict gaze. “N-no.” I stuttered.

“Aarohi, there's no need to hide anything. You know I'm like your friend right?” She asked while extending a hand to comfort my anxious self.

“Yes, I know and there's nothing that I've hidden from you.” I mentally cursed myself for lying but what else could I have done? I know for a fact that she wouldn't allow me to date anyone before I turn 18. And that is months away from now.

Sometimes I do feel that dating Akshit secretly is like betraying my own parents of the trust and love that they have always shown on me. I do question myself, if I'm really doing right or not. But I never receive a solid answer.

It's strange how I got so connected to that one person who didn't even know about my existence a while ago. It's strange how I'm lying to my mother just to safeguard that one relationship which we built a few months ago. 

It's strange to be in this sort of situation where it gets difficult to even think whether or not the lies are worth it. I really don't want to be in this situation but what else can I possibly do? 

‘Should I tell her the truth? What if she-’ “Rohi, ghar aa gaya. Chal.” Maa called out as I nodded hurriedly and got out of the car while slinging the bag around my shoulder.

(Rohi, we have reached home. Let's go.)

“Hi, Gudiya Rani.” Dad exclaimed while opening the door for us. “Hi, Papa.” I smiled back while entering.

“The lunch has been prepared and Choti has made a special dish for all of you so, get freshen up and come quickly.” He announced.

As I was ascending the stairs, the same thoughts rummaged inside my mind making me feel anxious and unsteady. On reaching my room I placed my bag on the study table and laid back on my bed. 

“Hey Radha Rani, is the ‘secret relationship’ thing wrong? Should I not do it? Should I ask Akshit to-” “Rohi, room mein jaake sidhe bed pe so matt jana. Freshen up first.” I was again interrupted by mumma's voice. 

(Rohi, don't sleep on the bed directly. Freshen up first.)

‘She even knows the minute details of my routine, my behavior, let alone my whole existence. How can I lie to her?’ The following question continued to hurt my brain as a small headache started to develop.

I freshened up and applied balm on my forehead and neck to relax the stretched muscles but it didn't help. “Didi, the food is getting cold.” Ayushi shouted while I headed downstairs, wearing my specs in the meanwhile.

“Why have you worn your specs right now?” Papa asked as I took my seat beside him. “My head is hurting quite a lot so I thought wearing this might help.” I replied simply.

“That's not how you should treat a headache, princess.” He replied as he fed me a bite from his plate.

“I know but after wearing it, I feel a little better.” I replied with the food in my mouth. “Don't speak while you're eating.” Maa suggested. I nodded and gulped the food while she proceeded to feed Choti another bite.

“By the way, what has happened to your right hand?” I asked, noticing some bruise and burn marks on her wrist and palm respectively. “Oh this- I burned myself while preparing this Ghevar.” She mentioned with a toothed smile.

“Din bhar mujhe dadi amma banke sunati rehti hai, kabhi khud ka dhyan bhi rakh liya kar.” I lectured as she looked down with an agreeing nod.

(You keep on lecturing me like a grandma all day long, take care of yourself sometimes as well.)

“Ok ok, don't be sad. Let me have this Ghevar for which you burned your hand.” I added to lighten up her mood.

Ayushi had always been the one to show interest in cooking while I've been the clean freak type of sister.

When mom gets sick or can't make food, it's Choti who handles the cooking department while I take care of the cleanliness afterwards.

“Is there any special occasion for which you have prepared this?” I asked. “Not really.” She replied, making me a little doubtful. “I mean I was craving for some Rajasthani food so I thought of making this.” She answered.

After lunch, we sat in the living room to have small talks to catch up on what everyone had been doing lately. But unlike any other day, I was more into listening than speaking. 

Dad had come back home from a 48 hour shift today while maa finally got some time for herself out of her pharma work. Ayushi had also been studying a lot for the incoming tests, trying to give off her best. 

And I was just pushing back the truth. The truth which can not only affect the new bond but can even shake the base of the old ones. 

‘Stop over thinking, Aarohi. It's nothing serious.’ Said a voice from within. 

‘Nothing serious? Are you mad? It's obviously serious. She is lying to the ones who trust her blindly.’ Another voice countered.

‘But don't you know that upon the revelation of the truth, her parents might lose their trust in her.’ said the 1st voice.

‘That's exactly why she should speak up and discuss this with her parents.’ The 2nd voice affirmed.

The argument took a more dramatic turn leading me to have a severe headache. So I left for my room and asked maa to wake me up for my coaching classes by 4pm.

Time skips.

“Rohi, uth jaa jaaneman.” Yukti said over the call. “Uth gayi, uth gayi. Bata.” I replied in a dreamy voice. “The class got canceled for today, due to the bad weather.” She replied which woke me from my slumber.

“Oh the weather? Okay okay.” I said while checking out the surroundings from the window. “Waise, I had to ask something.” I added. “I'm all ears, baby. Ask.” She replied.

“Umm woh, kaise shuru karu?” I hesitated. “Aree jo bhi hai bolde.” She insisted as I summarized my worries to her. Even she got confused with my questionnaire.

(Umm, how should I start?

Oh, whatever is it you can just tell me.)

“Rohi, do you know that there's no one upon whom you can trust, more than your parents. I know uncle and aunty might react a bit different from what one can expect but it is their right to know about it. Hai na?” Yukti said in a low and a mature voice.

“Par Yuku, what if they might go against this? I know I shouldn't be so desperate but even Akshit has become an important part of my life. Tu samajh rahi hai na?” I tried to make her understand but deep inside even I knew that she was right but was I wrong?

“I understand but you don't worry too much. Do you know, in this teenager phase, nobody takes us seriously? For some we are just children with hormonal changes and stuff, who can be easily distracted and for others we are growing adults, they expect us to take all the responsibilities like an adult.” She stated.

“And we don't belong to either opinion. Taking in regard to the first case, we aren't some notorious youth who have wrong habits or are attracted to someone for the sake of ‘hormonal changes’ if you know what I mean.” She paused to hear my reply while I hummed.

“And neither are we the second case; we can handle responsibilities but if someone expects a particular result from our inputs, the task suddenly seems more challenging and complicated. In short, we aren't completely able to handle the pressure yet.” She added but that confused me even more.

“Maybe that's the reason why you should think about telling everything to your parents.” She concluded. “Just talk to Akshit and then decide.” She said and hung up the call.

I sat straight on my bed trying to figure out what shall I do next, the headache which was long gone after I woke again started to trouble my head.

Being an overthinker, I knew I had to do something as quick as possible or else my head might just explode from overthinking. So I rang his number. And thankfully, within a ring or two he picked up the call.

“Hi, Ms. Govind.” He cheered from the other side. “Hello.” I replied in a low voice, nervousness evident in it. “Anything happened? You don't sound as cheerful as you usually do.” He questioned. 

“Umm, I am in doubt.” I mumbled. “Jii batayiye, Krishna ji k ashirvaad se aur meri thodi mehnat se I'm eligible enough to solve any doubt that you have.” I could hear him smile, if that's possible.

(Yes tell me, by the grace of Lord Krishna and a little hard work of my own, I'm eligible enough…)

“Shall I tell my parents about us?” I asked in a faint voice. “Ms. Govind, do you know your voice is like the voice of a cute baby but can you please speak a little louder?” He requested.

I again explained everything to him and even he was as confused and doubtful as I was. “Ms. Govind, we have discussed this earlier also. Unless and until you aren't comfortable with sharing our relationship with them we won't inform them of anything.” He replied with a thoughtful pause.

“But if you think uncle and aunty might not agree then it's better to keep it a secret.” He then added, “Aur waise bhi ek baar mera NEET clear ho jaye aur hum apni apni zindagi mein kuch kabil ban jaye. Fir toh mein sidhe barat leke aapke ghar pohochunga.” 

(And anyway, once my NEET gets cleared and we become able and independent in our lives. Then I'll directly come to your house with a marriage procession.)

“And what will I do till then? Continue to lie to my parents?” I questioned while he again went quiet. “Ms. Govind that's not what I mean, and what's even our age to discuss this right now? We are just 16-17 years old.” He answered.

“But Akshit-” Before I could say anything I heard someone's voice from his side. Maybe it was his father, Sandeep uncle. “Akshit! Have you lost your mind? Why didn't you tell me that Aarohi is older than you?” He said in an angry voice.

After a moment I heard some tapping sound and then a muffled voice, maybe he had put his phone aside or under something. “And what's wrong with it?” Akshit questioned back.

“What's wrong? Aree what's even right in it? Don't you remember what happened with Arjun and that girl?” His father replied.

‘This name sounds so familiar.’ My subconscious brain recited. “Why are you overreacting?-” “Overreacting? You know that there's this tradition in our family that the wife shouldn't be older in age than the husband.” His father cut him off.

‘And wait, why didn't I ever hear about this ‘tradition’ before? Something is-’ “I know and it's not like Ms. Govind and I are going to get married.” His words held such an impact that it shattered my heart. I didn't even know when the phone fell off of my hand.

‘Am I in this relationship only for the sake of his time-pass?’ I questioned myself. ‘I was set to lie to my parents for this?’ I felt darkness cover my sight as I fell back on my bed.

♡

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

First of all thank you so much for the countless amount of votes, comments and feedbacks you guys have left on the book in these 2 3 days.

Never had we ever imagined to make this book reach 115k reads so soon but guys made it possible.

[Ques: What would you guys do if you were in place of Aarohi?]

Abb aage kya hone wala hai? To find out, Stay connected!

Vote target: 120?
Comment target: 60+

Keep on voting and commenting. And don't forget to take care of yourself and enjoy the rainy days.

Also shower your love and support on out insta handle @sushimagines

With love
《Radhe Radhe》