Abhi who was behind Sid quickly came in front.

Abhi (caressing her cheek): Who the fuck got guts to touch you and even harm you?

Sid saw Abhi. He sighed and took a step back. Sum saw him and sighed frustratedly.

Sum: Say Avu. We are waiting for your answer

Mallika and Vaish looked at each other. Vaish quickly hung her head low, feeling guilty. Mallika was about to say something.

Avu (nervously): Umm.... Actually vo meri finger prints hain.

Everyone (confused): Hein? How?

Avu: Vo... Vo actually I slipped in bathroom and was about to hit on slab. So I placed my hand there and finger prints left on cheek.

Abhi (looking at her weirdly): Tu pagal ho gayi hain? Ye kya bakwaas thi. I mean aese kaun karta hain.

Avu (glaring him): Main gir gayi. Girte time koi Girne ki position nahin sochta idiot.

Abhi: Haan par aese kaun girta hain ke finger prints aa jaye. Clumsy monster.

Avu (punching on his stomach, irritated): Huh! I am not monster. Jaa mar jaa tu jaa kar.

Sid: Guys....

Everyone looked at him. He rolled his eyes.

Sid: Let's go. I am hungry or lecture ke liye late nahin hona hain.

Sum: Haan chal.

Abhi: Okay but Avni tu aese kaise lecture attend karegi?

Avu: I am fine. You don't worry.

Abhi (smacking her forehead): Idiot aese class me koi bhi dekhega to kya sochega? Roommates ne mara hain tujhe?

He chuckled on his joke, so did Sum and Sid. Mallika faked smile and Vaish looked down.

Abhi: Ointment ya kuch laga le.

Avni nodded.

Abhi: Guys tum log jao and humare liye bhi breakfast lo. Hum aate hain. I mean main Avu ko ointment lagva kar aaya.

Sum: Fine.

Abhineet went towards college clinic, others in mess.

Skips to evening

Everyone was in room taking rest. Avu took her phone and messaged Abhi "meet me in garden now". After few minutes Abhi replied "coming...".

Avu: Mallika I am going for walk.

Mallika nodded. Same Abhi said and both came in garden.

Abhi: Kya hua? Urgent bhulaya hain. Everything is fine?

Avu: Yes! Just wanted to talk with you about something important.

Abhi: Okay!! Aaja baith kar baat karte hain.

They went and sat on a bench. Avu seems bit nervous. Abhi sensed it.

Abhi: Kya hua nervous kyun ho rahi hain?

Avu (sighed): Umm.... Abhi I never seen you more than my best friend.

Abhi (confused): Kya bol rahi hain?

Avu: See Abhi we are engaged now. Jaldi hi shaadi bhi hogi but for me tu mera best friend hain sirf. More than best friend maine tujhe kabhi dekha hi nahin in my life.

Abhi: Tu ye sab kya leke baith gayi? You also know tere liye mere mann me kabhi feelings nahin thi or nahin ho sakti hain. Life partner comfort and best friend comfort different hota hain and we are going to marry because this is what our parents wished for. Unki last wish thi ke hum dono ki shaadi ho or hum dono sath rahe. Why you are talking about it now?

Avu: Abhi listen I agree humare parents hamesha se chahte the hum sath rahe. Ek doosre ki support bane. Ek doosre ke happy ya sad times me sath ho but they never asked us to name our relationship as marriage. They want us to be together. Hum best friends ban kar bhi ek dusre ke sath rahe sakte hain na. Jaise aaj tak rahe hain?

Abhi: Tu bolna kya chahti hain?

Avni: I know you love Vaishu but humare parents ki last wish ke vajah se you are stopping yourself.

Abhi looked at her with shock.

Abhi: Tujhe kaise pata?

Avu (giggle): Teri best friend hoon. Hum sath me bade hue hain. Humne baat karna bhi ek dusre ke sath start kiya tha before talking to our parents. Because mumma papa uncle aunty ko humari bhasha samajh hi nahin thi.

Abhi too smiled remembering their parents words.

Avi: Teri school ki pehli crush ka number bhi maine leke diya tha tujhe or college ki uss chudail ko jab date kar raha tha to break up bhi maine karaya tha so that uncle ko pata na chale to teri pitai na ho. Bahut ache se jaanti hoon tujhe har waqt notice kiya hain kaise creeps ki tarah usko stare karte raheta hain. Shopping par jaye to chup ke uske liye gift leta hain. I know everything, okay?

Abhi (ruffling her hair): Tu nahin sudregi.

Avu (jerking his hand): Vo sab theek hain par mere baal nahin bigad.

She glared him. Abhi roll his eyes.

Avu: Hmm.... To main chahti hoon tu humare is zabardasti ke rishte ko tod kar jaa apna pyaar paa le. Late ho gaya kahi to rote rhega lifetime.

Abhi: Humare parents ki last wish mere pyaar se zyada jaruri hain?

Avu: Abhi uncle aunty mom dad khush hoge hume ek dusre ke unhappy, uncomfortable dekh kar?

Abhi: Umm...

Avu: Abhi for me you are my best friend but as husband I will be uncomfortable you around maybe now even more jab mujhe ye pata hain mera best friend pyaar kisi or se karta hain but husband mera hain. Will you be comfortable around me as your wife? Be honest Abhi.

She kept her hand on his shoulder

Abhi: I don't know yaar.

Avu: Hmm.... Hum khush nahin to humare parents bhi nahin hoge. They wanted us to be together we will be but jaruri nahin shaadi hi kare. From my side Abhi you are free to go and confess your love. I am super sure uncle aunty mom dad will be happy. Vo bhi khush nahin hoge jab dekhege hum ek zabardasti ke rishte mein hain.

Abhi (nodded): I want sometime to think about it.

Avu: Okay!

Abhi: Avu vo sab to theek hain but usko bhi feelings honi chahie. I mean main confess to kar loon but she can be uncomfortable around me if usko feelings na hui to

Avu (sigh): Abhi she likes you. She is also stucked on her feelings because we both are engaged.

Abhi was shocked but nodded.

To be continued.