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Moving on…💃💃💃

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

(Words in braces) - Telephone conversations

Chapter 32 - Strange Turns

#Next Day, Mount College#

Saara checked her watch in frustration, which was probably for the 10th time, as she stood before the auditorium. 'He should have been here by now. What's taking him so long?!' she hit the pillar near her in anger.

"Wow there, lady bheem! I'm here. No need to harm that poor pillar. What did it ever do to you?" Sanskar remarked with a smirk as he came near.

Saara turned to him in anger. "You! You should have reached here 20 minutes ago! There's only today left for the Fest and you're still acting so irresponsible!"

Sanskar yawned. "Are you done with your yapping? I would really like to go practice. We don't need to waste time with your lectures."

"I'm the one wasting time now?!" Saara looked angry enough to hit Sanskar. "You bl-"

"Saara! There you are." They both looked towards the voice to find their father approaching. However, there was a girl beside him whom they didn't recognize.

Sanskar was about to wave at his father, but stopped himself. He remembered that Saara was there and he to act rude towards his father in front of his sister. He opened his arms and greeter sarcastically. "The worthless father is here! Enjoy your chat my lesser family. I'll be waiting inside!" saying that, he went inside the auditorium without waiting for replies.

"Arrogant jerk!" Saara murmered to herself.

Mr. Mehra came and stood before Saara. "I've been looking all over for you Saara. I want you to meet this new girl. She's Maya. Maya D'suza." He introduced, pointing to the girl.

Saara looked at her with disgust. Although the girl was pretty, her dressing style sucked. She was wearing big spectacles and her dress looked tacky. She was wearing an oversized hoodie and baggy jeans. She kept looking down and looked nervous. One could tell that she was shy and an introvert.

"Did you bring her from the 1980's, dad?"

"Saara, behave. She's the daughter of a friend of mine. Maya wanted to check the college and I want you to show her around."

"But dad, I need to go practice for the College Fest!"

"True. However, Maya needs to know the campus. Also, she's got no friends here."

"But there's practice!"

"I-I don't mind wa-watching you practice." Maya spoke in a soft, stuttering voice. "I-if you don't mind t-that is." she added meekly. She looked like she was going to faint from nervousness under Saara's glare.

Saara rolled her eyes as she noticed it and smirked back. "Chill. I won't eat you up. You can watch."

"O-okay. Th-thank you!" Maya responded with a smile.

"Nice. I'll be leaving with you with her then. See you later Maya. Hope you enjoy your time in my college." with a nod towards Maya, Mr. Mehra left.

Saara waved and walked inside the auditorium. Maya followed Saara inside. Once they got near Sanskar, Saara sat down opposite to him and motioned for Maya to sit on one of the seats.

Maya obediently sat down. From the corner of her eyes, she saw someone standing at the entrance. Saara followed her gaze and saw the person. "That's Mansi. Ignore her Maya."

"Who's this by the way?" Sanskar asked in confusion. "What's she doing here?"

"I'm M-Maya. Maya D'suza." she spoke out with a tiny blush.

"Hi. I'm Sanskar." Sanskar went near her and put forward his hand. After all, he was Sanskar Mehra. No way would he miss a chance to flirt with a pretty girl.

She blushed but shook his hand. "I-its nice to meet y-you, S-Sanskar."

Sanskar smiled and tried to free his hand. However, she was looking at him with dreamy eyes and unconsciously gripping his hand harder.

Saara snorted. "Let go Maya. Forget any romantic thoughts you're having about him. He's just a player and a shameless flirt." she bit out.

"Thank you so much. I took great efforts to build that reputation for myself." Sanskar responded jokingly.

Unknown to him, Mansi was watching all this from afar and fuming with jealousy.

"Whatever! Lets practice." Saara grabbed the paper and began singing.

#City Hospital#

Ragini woke up with a groan. She opened her eyes to find Ansh looking at her with a smile.

"Good morning Ragini. How do you feel?"

"I...I think I'm alright. What happened?"

"You had a high fever yesterday night. Doctors said it was because of the poison and um...stress." Ansh contemlated whether it was the right time, but asked anyway. "What were you so stressed about? Was it...was it about my proposal?"

Ragini paused, deep in thought. It was indeed what was stressing her mind. Once Swara had told her to accept Ansh, she thought back on all the time she spend with Ansh. Never did she regret even one moment with him. She found that Swara was right in saying that she owed Ansh a lot. Moreover, Ansh also had every quality that a girl wishes for in a boyfriend. In fact, she kind of felt that she liked Ansh too.

However, she couldn't deny the fact that she she may like Ansh, but she loves Sanskar.

Yes.

She finally accepted the fact that she indeed loved Sanskar.

His attitude, his hidden care, his selflessness, his childishness, his good attributes, his imperfections.... everything. She realized her love for him.

'But I know he doesn't feel the same way. He thinks of me as a friend or an associate. Nothing more. Besides, why would he like me? I mean...he is a rock star with many rich and gorgeous fangirls after him. And me? I'm just an ordinary average looking girl.'

"Ragini? I'm asking you something." Ansh was looking intently at her.

'Should I tell him yes? But I don't love him like I love Sanskar. Yes, its true I feel something for him. But my love for Sanskar surpasses my love for him.' She looked down in distress. 'If I tell him no, he would be heartbroken. How could I do that to him?! I...I need to say yes to him. Besides, Sanskar doesn't even like me in that sense. If I tell Sanskar my feelings, he might start to feel uncomfortable around me and start staying away. But if I accept Ansh, then Ansh will be happy and not heartbroken, I won't be making Sanskar uncomfortable and maybe....maybe I will be able to find happiness with Ansh someday.'

"Ansh I...I accept you." Ragini tried to smile at him, but she knew it must have looked like a grimace. After all, did she think she could lie to her own heart?

Ansh looked at her with a smile. Slowly he let out a chuckle "You're really cute Ragini."

"Th-thank you. You're an amazing guy I would be lucky to have as a boyfriend." she stuttered out, with a stone in her heart.

Ansh chuckled. "You're cute. But, you would have looked cuter if what you were saying was true."

Ragini felt her heart still on his words. "W-what are you saying Ansh? I don-"

"Ragini please. Don't lie. If you ever thought of me as a good friend, tell me the truth." he spoke with a serious face. "I deserve that much.

"Ansh I...I-" Ansh watched as she tried to speak, but broke out into tears instead. At once he pulled her into a hug.

"Hey, don't cry. I'm here. I'm right here. Tell me what is wrong."

"I'm sorry Ansh. I'm so, so sorry. I...I wish I could love you the most. But I love another. Its not that I don't like you. I... I do. I could die for you. But I-"

"But you love Sanskar more, don't you?"

Ragini broke the hug and looked at him wide-eyed. "How...how did you know?"

Ansh sighed. "Me and Swara stayed back yesterday. During midnight, when she had left to get coffee for both of us, you woke up. However, your fever was so high that you didn't know what you were speaking."

He looked at her. "In your feverish state, you spoke out his name, several times Ragini. And...and you also spoke of other things..."

"Like what?"

"Like...like how you were confused about your feelings, how you felt guilty for not loving me back, of how bad you felt that you were going to break my heart."

Ragini cried harder "I never meant to do this to you Ansh. I-"

"Its okay Ragini. Don't worry. I don't hate you."

"Why not!? You should hate me. I'm such a bad person! All you've done is been nice to me and I hurt you." Ragini was openly crying by now.

"Well, at that time, I was hurt. I was furious with you. But I realized that it wasn't your fault." he smiled a wry smile at her and shrugged. "You can't stop your heart from falling in love."

"Ansh, both you and Sanskar mean a lot to me. I could die for the both of you. But when it comes to love....I love both of you more than my life, but...but my love for Sanskar exceeds even that." Ragini let out a miserable smile. "You probably think I'm talking nonsense. I'm not even sure if I'm making sense to myself!"

Ansh shook his head "No. I understand. Its possible to love two persons at the same time, but it's not possible to be in love with two persons equally. You will always love one more. I guess, my elder twin is the lucky one."

Ragini looked at him in awe and desperation. "Why are you so understanding? You are so amazing. Why couldn't have I fallen in love with you? It would have been perfect."

Ansh laughed at thesd words, but it lacked the joy and humor. I guess that's fate." he put forward his hand "But promise me. Promise me this."

"Anything! Just tell me."

"Ragini, you won't give the spot of best friend to anyone other than me. I won't ever talk to you otherwise." he joked, trying to lighten the mood.

He knew, that sometimes, in order to make the one you love happy, you need to let them go. Keeping them with you without their wish isn't love. It's obsession. He loves Ragini and if she is happy with Sanskar, then he will let her go. He's happy by seeing her happy.

Ragini smiled and put her hand in his. "Deal! You'll be my best friend for ever and ever and ever and ever and ever!"

Ansh chuckled. "So, when do you plan to tell Sanskar about your love for him?"

Ragini looked down. "I don't want to. I know he doesn't love me and I-"

"You're wrong Ragini." Ragini looked up to him in confusion. "Remember when you were lying outside the auditorium? I had seen Sanskar's face then Ragini. Seeing you lying lifeless, it was as if he lost his will to live. And he way he looked at me and told me to hurry to the car... I can never forget that look. The years may have kept us apart, but I know Sanky like the back of my hand. He likes you Ragini. He really does."

Ragini looked on with wide eyes. She didn't know if she should cry in relief or laugh in happiness.

#Auditorium, Mount College#

Mansi watched Sanskar and Saara practice. She had went to Sanskar, but he shouted at her and called her a double crosser, traitor and a killer. Never had she received such treatment from Sanskar. She saw Saara's smirking face in the background, while the new girl was trying to calm down Sanskar. 'Who does she think she is!? She has no fashion sense, no dressing sense! She dares take my place beside Sanskar?! And that Saara! She dare laugh at me. I'll show her. I'll take care of Saara like the way I thought I would remove Ragini the first time.'

She smirked and looked at the lights. She walked towards the ropes holding them above. 'Top news of tomorrow. College girl dead because of accident at the auditorium.' Mansi smiled imagining the scenario.

Sanskar was playing his guitar with his eyes closed, when he heard Maya gasp from beside him. He opened his eyes to look at where she was looking. His eyes widened as he saw the lights about to fall on his sister.

At once, he rushed forward and pushed her out of the way. Fortunately, he was able to keep himself from being crushed under them as well. However, he got some minor scratches from the fall and the glass pieces breaking beside him. However, forgetting about himself, he immediately rushed to Saara's side. His worry for his sister overrode the fact that he was to act arrogant and like a prick to his sister.

It took a moment for Saara to realize what had happened. She couldn't believe she was under the lights and would have got brutally hurt if it fell on her. However, what came more as a shock was the fact that Sanskar had risked his own life to save her. The same Sanskar that deemed he didn't care for her.

"Saara? Hey, Saara! Are you alright? Saara answer me!" Sanskar asked in worry. However, she kept looking at him with wide eyes.

Mansi cursed as she saw Saara safe. 'Its all that girl's fault! If she hadn't alerted Sanskar, my plan would have been successful. She's also trying to get closer to Sanskar. I need to show this new girl her place!'

"You....you saved me." Saara softly spoke out, the shock slowly melting away.

Sanskar instanty realized his mistake. He wasn't supposed to show that he cares. He abruptly got away from her. "I...I did that so that I don't have to look for another duet partner." he tried to put on his confident and arrogant smirk. "That's all, nothing more. That's it!"

"B-but no one would risk t-their life just for a duet performance." Maya stuttered out helpfully from nearby.

"I do, alright!" Sanskar glared at her. He was starting to hate her now.

"No. Don't lie. If its so, then why did I see worry in your eyes when you were asking me if I was alright? In fact, why did you even ask me if I am alright if you don't care?" Saara questioned him.

Sanskar tried to think of an excuse. However, Saara got her answer in his silence. "So I guess Ansh bhai was right. You're doing this on purpose. This all drama of hating us...its just a lie."

"No! Its the truth! You're just being a foolish child!" Sanskar tried to convince her.

But Saara could see the panic in his eyes, which strengthened her belief. "No! Ansh was right. You're...youre not genuine with us. There's something not right!"

"You're the one being stupid! You...you...dog, idiot, imbecile!" Sanskar insulted.

However, Saara grinned. "This isn't gonna work anymore. Now that I know there is a reason behind your actions, I won't stop until I find the truth. I think I'll tell Ansh bhai too, so that he could help me."

"Stupid ignorant girl! Why don't you understand?!"

"Understand what, Boo?" she said with a smile. It was a name she used to call him when she was little.

Sanskar felt an unknown happiness on hearing that name from his sister's mouth after so long. However, he needed to convince her that he doesn't care. "Never call me that again."

"Why not bhai?"

"Don't call me that either!"

"I'll try bhai. But I don't think it's possible bhai. You understand right, bhaiiiiiii?" she joked.

Maya silently giggled from nearby.

"You...you just...ugh!" Sanskar gave up and stormed out of there in anger.

Saara chuckled 'You can't hide the truth for long bhai. Me and Ansh will find it out and bring you back home. Its time we became a family again.'

She was about to leave the college to meet Ansh, when she remembered about Maya. "Um ...you only know me and Sanskar here, don't you? I have to leave, but Sanskar is in the college. Go find him, okay?"

"Bu-"

"Okay! See you!"

Maya watched her go and sighed herself . "What to do now? *sigh* Well, I guess I'll follow Sanskar." she smiled to herself. "He is so handsome and dreamy. I don't mind being at his side!"

"Oh no you don't bitch. You're coming with me!" saying that, Mansi grabbed her wrist and pulled her along with her, not paying attention to Maya's cries of protest. 'I'll show this new girl what I can do.'

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

To be continued...

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹