Last period

"Akshit!" I called but he was all lost in his thoughts.

(Din mein bhi bhabhi k sapne dekhne laga yeh toh.)

"Akshit! Bhai class mein dhyaan de warna Mehta sir maar dalenge." I shook him a bit. "Oh, sorry sorry." He scratched his neck and started taking notes.

(Akshit! Bro, pay attention in class or else Mehta sir will kill you.)

'Isse kuch toh hua hai, abb yeh pyaar hai ya kuch aur yeh toh pata lagana padega!'

(Something has surely happened to him, now it's love or something else I'll have to find out.)

"Now, who's gonna tell the electronic configuration of Zn?" Mehta sir asked. "Manav, you answer!" I stood hesitantly, not really knowing the answer. Akshit whispered something but I didn't understand.

"Answer quickly Manav!" "Sir I-" I saw Akshit writing something down. "Sir it's [Ar] 3d¹⁰4s²." I read out loud. "Okay sit down." I sighed in relief.

"Thanks bhai bacha liya tuney." I smiled at him while he shooed me off saying, "Padhle gadhe itne easy answers v nahi aa rahe tujhe!" while I smiled sheepishly.

(Thank you bro, you saved me.

Study you idiot, you don't even know such easy answers.)

Bell went off

"Okay students, make sure to revise whatever we studied today. There will be a test on monday of 30 marks and I want everyone to score more than 20, understand?" Mehta sir said and we all nodded packing our bags.

"Kya yaar abhi abhi toh school shuru hui hai itni jaldi tests?" I said fake crying. "Tera bas chalta toh tu kabhi na padhta hai na?" He hit my head while walking out of the classroom.

(Bro the school started just recently and we are having tests already?

You would never study until someone asks you, right?)

"Waiseee~ Aaj ka kya plan hai?" I said putting my hand on his shoulder. "Well nothing bhai! Today I have classes from 4 to 8 and then piano classes as well. Also I've to study for test." He replied.

(Btww~ what's your plan for the day?)

"Padhaku! Main soch raha tha aaj v ghum fir aate. Agar plan mein kuch changes aaye toh batana." I said while we reached my car. "Ok." He replied and sat pretty quiet throughout the drive back to his home.

(Nerd! I was thinking we could go out today. If there will be any changes in the plan, text me ok?)

5:00 pm

Yuku <3
+91 xxxxxxxxxx

Me
Hello, text me when you get free.

Yuku <3
Hi Manvi, yeah tell me, something urgent?

Me
Aaj class nahi gayi?

Yuku <3
No, actually sir has some important work so he canceled classes today.

Me
Oh okay
Wait, I'll call you then!

I dialed her number And she answered it within 3 rings. "Hello Manvi! Bol kuch hua hai kya?" she asked. "Aarohi k dil mein Akshit k liye koi feelings hai kya?" I asked without even thinking twice about what I was saying.

(Hello Manvi! Say what happened?

Does Aarohi have any feelings for Akshit?)

"wh- why-?" She fumbled. "Just tell me honestly, does she like him or something like that?" I asked with a 'voice' that could make her answer my question without thinking twice. "Umm... no, I mean yes, I don't-" "Don't even think about lying to me Yukti." I said firmly.

Silence...

'Yeh aisa kyun puch raha hai? Isko kahin pata toh nahi chal gaya?'

(Why is he asking like that? Does he know about the secret?)

"Woh Aarohi-" "1 peti Yakult tere ghar tak pohonch jayega." He bribed. "Aur hafte mein 2 din drive mein v leke jaunga, bata de please~" He continued.

(I'll deliver a whole box of Yakult to your home. Also I'll take you on a drive for 2 days in a week, please tell me~)

'Waise toh mein sakht ladki hun par yahan mein pighal gayi.'

"Han Aarohi likes Akshit. Well since a year now." I told Manav while apologizing Aarohi back in my mind. "Oh- heinnn- a year?" He nearly shouted in shock. "That means since 11th? Damn bro how come you guys hid that from me so well?" He asked.

"Since 10th last actually, remember that Food Fest?" I continued when I heard a slow hum, "Yup, it was more like a love at first sight for her. But please don't tell her that I told you all this otherwise she'll eat me alive." I said.

"I too have something to reveal. I mean I'm still in doubt but maybe like potentially something like this is happening." He literally talked in riddles which my small brain didn't processed.

"Aayein?" "I think Akshit likes Aarohi as well." He said and my head somewhat got blown by his words. "Whatt!!??" "Ji han, today at recess Akshit was about to leave but he stopped when he saw her. Also when she saw her frustrated and refused to eat, his face was shouting that he was sad and worried."

"Omg, Sherlock Holmes ka pota bann gaya tu toh! Han yaar now thinking of it, I too think the same." I said understanding, what is going on. "Sooo what now?" I asked.

(Omg, you are Sherlock Holmes grandson man!)

"Well I'm thinking, why not set these guys up for a date?" Manav suggested. "Umm but how?" I asked and he spilled his master plan.

"Damn bruh, you are a genius." I complimented him and his great idea. "I know, I know but the only problem is his classes. Just wish one of his class gets dismissed early or canceled today."

We then planned about what we have to tell to our best friends to make this plan successful. As if on cue, he received a text from Akshit that his 2nd class is canceled for the day so he is free after 6. We celebrated a bit and hung the call to proceed with our plan.

"Han behen bol!" I said replying to Yukti's call. "Kya kar rahi hai?" She asked. "Event related work bro. What about you?" I asked while writing the welcome speech of 'Female Hitler'. "Well I was thinking why not go to the café for some relaxing time." She suggested to which I denied but then she made me agree.

"Ok then, reach there at 6:40 pm sharp." She said and ended the call. "Is she sane?" I shook my head and finished writing the speech.

'Holi mein v speech deni hai budhia ko, aur woh v mujhe likhne k liye de diya.' I sighed and went to do my homework.

6:10pm

I closed my books and checked the time. "Areee baap re, marr gayi! Chal Aarohi ready ho jaa jaldi warna the 'Punctual Yuku jii' tujhe nahi choregi." I quickly got dressed and informed mum that I was going out with Yukti.

(Oh God, I'm dead! Get ready soon Aarohi or else the 'Punctual Yuku jii' won't spare you.)

"Thik hai, par jaldi aa jana." She said and I nodded heading out taking my scooty ki chabi (keys).

(Ok but come back soon.)

At Café

'Thank God I reached here before Yukti. But she always punctual what happened today?' I thought walking to an empty table.

Few minutes later...

[Play the song here!]

My phone screen lit up showing Yukti's number. "Kahan hai tu? Kabhi toh late nahi hoti aaj kya hua?" I asked. "Aree meri scooty achanak band padd gayi yarr sorry main nahi aa paungi." She replied in a low tone.

(Where are you? You never come late what happened today?

Actually my scooty broke down, sorry I won't be able to come.)

"What will I do here alone? I'll get back home then." I said and she sighed ending the call. Just when I was about to get up of my sit I heard a small 'Hey' from behind.

'Khwaab se bhi khubsurat uski muskan,
Pyaar se bhi pyaari uski awaz.
Samandar se bhi gehri woh aankhein aur Chand sa roshan woh chehra.
Ek he hai, sirf ek he hai.'
My heart singed while it saw him.

[Shi: I tried guys, I tried, sorry if that sounded ajeeb :) sikh rahi hu hehe.]

"Akshit! Tum yahan?" I asked. "Well Manav ka wait kar raha tha par kuch reason se woh nahi aa paya. Aur aap?" he said while taking a sit infront of me. "Well same here, I got ditched by Yukti." I replied.

(Akshit! You're here?

Well I was waiting for Manav but for some reasons he couldn't make it. And you?)

An awkward silence...

"So how's your event manager thing going?" This time he started the conversation. "Good but it's getting hectic day by day." I replied drinking my coffee. "I see. And what about study and classes?" He asked and we had a small discussion about higher education.

"Great yarr! My father is also a Doctor and he wanted me to be one as well but I was more inclined towards literature and stuff so yup he stepped back." I said when he mentioned he wants to be a Doctor and is planning to study at AIIMS Delhi. [AIIMS RIZZ!]

"Good to know that your father is so supportive." He smiled sadly. "You look sad, wanna share what's bothering you?" He shook his head in negative saying he's fine.

"Tumhe pata hai, mein bohot achhi detective v hun, ACP Pradyuman ji v mujhse advice lete hain toh mujhse toh jhoot bolo he matt." I said eyeing him suspectfully.

(Do you know that I'm also a great detective, even ACP Pradyuman takes advice from me so stop lying to me.)

"Ok ok before you say 'Kuch toh gadbad hai!' and do some more drama! I can just tell you that my father is someone who has more love towards his work than towards me and mumma." He sighed.

'I wish I could just hug this little kid infront me right now.' Wait did I thought out loud? Because I doubt I heard him saying a slow 'Me too'. 'My mind must be making up stuffs.' I sighed gulping the last sip of coffee.

"It's 7:30 now, I think I should get going." I said standing up. "Wait wait, you shouldn't go alone. I'll drop you home." He insisted to which I declined. "Aree it's not even that late, don't worry I'll be fine." I said paying the bill and walking to the parking lot.

"But Ms. Govind-" "Oh shit!" I exclaimed. "What happened? Are you alright?" He asked reaching infront my scooty. "The tire got punctured, Oh God! Why always with me?" I sighed.

"Don't worry Ms. Govind there's a mechanic shop nearby we'll get your scooty fixed." He smiled and helped me to take my scooty the shop nearby.

"Bhai! Yeh dekho zara, puncture thik kardo." He said while the mechanic checked the tires. "Bhaiya, yeh banane k liye toh thoda time lag jayega. Tire thoda ghis v gaya hai badalna padega." the mechanic replied.

(Bro! Can you check the puncture please?

Brother, it will take time also the tire is worn out, I've to change it as well.)

"Achha toh kitna time lag jaega fir bhi?" He interrogated. "Aap kal subah aake le jayiyega" the mechanic said. I sighed and nodded agreeing when he looked at me.

(How much time will it take then?

By tomorrow morning. You can leave it here.)

We left my scooty and I called my mum mentioning the issue. She asked me to take a rickshaw or ask 'Yukti' for ride back home. I replied her with a hum while ending the call.

Minutes later while I was waving at rickshaw to stop I heard a bike horn. "Toh ghar chale?" He asked holding forward a female helmet in his hands. I tried to deny but let me tell you all that he is very stubborn. I wore that helmet and sat on his bike while holding the back of the bike for support.

(Shall we go home?)

The ride back was very awkward and when I say 'very' I mean 'veryyyyy'. Not to mention that between the ride I accidentally touched his shoulders twice and honestly speaking, I would love to rest my hands on them. -cries-

I reached the gate, bid him 'Good night' and went inside. Then I had a nice dinner with and texted Yukti what all happened and dive back to my dream land.

What an amazing day it was.

♡

Sushi's note: Hey readers, hope you liked the chapter and thank you for the votes on the previous chapters as well.

Also thank you for 500+ reads and almost 70 votes on this book.

Take care of yourselves and don't forget to vote, comment and maybe share this with your friends as well.

With love
《Radhe Radhe》