"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Onwards!!!

Chapter 3 - Reconciling

#St Peter's College#

*Bell ringing*

"Alright. I guess that would be all for today" Pragya said as she closed the book. The students rushed out of the class. Pragya walked out of the room after them.

"Pragya! Hey Pragya!"

She heard someone shout from behind. She turned around and found Laksh, trying to find his way through the crowd of students to her.

'Oh my! Why is he here! Is he some spy! Maybe he works for the mafia and is here to kidnap me for ransom! or------- Dhat! Stupid day-dreamer.. Silly me, I almost forgot he works as a coach here. But what does he want with me? Run Pragya run' Pragya thought to herself and started walking faster.

"Hey! Hey wait! I know you heard me!" Laksh chased after her. He ran faster and finally reached her. However, she wouldn't stop, so he caught her wrist. Pragya tried to break free of his grip.

"Please listen to me just once okay."

'What should I do... Should I listen to him? Meh...Its not like I can run now.' Pragya nodded.

"Thanks. We can't talk in the middle of the corridor. Lets go to the canteen okay"

#Canteen#

"So?"

"Yea.... You see, I wanted to apologize on behalf of my brother Arjun. I know he went too far with his jokes, but trust me he didn't mean to insult you. He thought that you would flirt back. He didn't know that you would react in such a way. I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing for your brother? He should apologize for his own mistake."

"Arjun won't apologize. You see, he never apologizes to anyone, and no one can make him do that. But trust me, he regrets his actions. I know it because he had sent this for you." Laksh gave her 5 invitations. They were invitations to Abhi's party that was all over the news. Abhi would be releasing his new album in that party and only media, models, actors and high personalities were invited. And Laksh was giving her not 1, but 5 invitations!

"Arjun perosnally asked Abhi to give an invitation to you, since you are such a big fan of his. And since you might feel awkward coming alone in the party, Abhi gave me 5, so that your sisters could come too."

"Arjun asked Abhi to give me the invitation.... because he felt guilty?" Pragya asked with wide eyes

"Yep!"

"Then why won't he apologize?"

"Bhai is......um....he is a bit complicated. Anyway, just know that he is sorry. I hope you can forgive him."

'Are you kidding me! I'm getting invitations to a party where only famous personalities would get to go! I can forgive him, thank him, kiss his feet even! Eeeeeeeeeeee! I'm so happy! But better not show it to him..... Hai!'

Pragya cleared her throat "Okay."

Laksh let out a breath "Thats a relief. Thanks"

Pragya nodded "What about that other guy? The one that fought Ragini?"

"Sanskar?" Laksh snorted "You can forget an apology from him. He won't apologize or do anything to show that he is guilty. Sanskar believes that he can never be wrong."

"You seem like a good guy. Why do you all hang out with him if he is so arrogant?"

"Because even though he is arrogant, he is someone who values friendship greatly. He acts cold towards others at first, but once you get to know him, he can be a great friend. Actually, its not completely his fault you know. He is the son of Durgaprasad Maheshwari."

"The Durgaprasad Maheshwari!? He's the richest man in all of Delhi!"

"Exactly. Because of this, most of Sanskar's friends were either people who wanted his money, or other arrogant rich brats who flaunt their riches. That has made him like this"

Pragya nodded. 'Poor Sanskar, guess I misjudged him.'

"Sanskar is a part of the new album too. He is a known model and he's the one acting in the video of Abhi's songs."

"I see"

"Not to sound rude, but Ragini also over-reacted." stated Laksh.

"I'm sorry for her behaviour. You see, Ragu is the youngest of us, and she has been pampered by us so much that she acts a bit immature. She's a sweet kid though. Talkative, but always ready to help others."

"I see"

Pragya checked the time in her watch. "I've got a class to attend. Bye Laksh."

"Actually, you should say 'see you later' " said Laksh.

"Eh? Why?"

"Umm... I think I can call you my friend, no?"

"I...guess"

"Ok, friend. Don't tell the rest of your sisters, but Rishi likes your sister Tanuja"

"What!" The people in the canteen turned to look at Pragya in confusion.

The Principal was passing by at the same time with the Vice Principal(V.P) when they heard her screaming.

"Um... Sir, you had said that this girl was a good, well-behaved teacher?" asked the V.P

"Pragya, you're over-reacting" Laksh tried to calm her down.

"Over-reacting! OVER-REACTING!" Pragya grabbed her hair with both hands "You just dropped a bomb and you think I'm over-reacting!!!"

"She seemed like a good teacher. My goodness, the generation these days" said the Principal, shaking his head.

"Okay Okay. Calm down alright!" Laksh took her out of the canteen. "Rishi likes Tanuja, but that doesn't mean that he will start playing with her feelings ok. He isn't like Arjun bhai. Rishi genuinely likes Tanuja and is a real gentleman."

"How do I know that you are not lying? You could just be saying this to help your friend!" accused Pragya.

"I told you all this because I trust you to help me help Rishi in winning Tanuja's heart. Would I have told you about Rishi liking Tanuja if I didn't think of you as a friend? Rishi is really a good guy Pragya. And on top of that, he is one of the richest business man in the city."

"My sister doesn't care about riches! Do you think she would marry a guy just for money!?"

"I know. Its not what I meant, you're misunderstanding me." Laksh grabbed his hair in frustration "Look, trust me as a friend ok?"

"Trust the brother of the guy who insulted me?"

"Ok... I guess you have a point. Ok listen, just give me one chance to prove that I'm right. That Rishi is the right guy for Tanuja. Please Pragya!"

Pragya didn't want to agree with him, but one look in his eyes convinced Pragya that Laksh wasn't lying.

She took a deep breath and let it out. "Ok...Okay look! Just one chance."

"Thank you."

"How will you prove that Rishi's feelings are true?"

"We will be going to your cafe today. You have to find a way to bring Tanuja away from the rest to sit with Rishi. Once they are together, observe them from somewhere close. Tell me then if you don't see love in Rishi's eyes for Tanuja."

Pragya thought about it. She didn't see anything wrong in the plan. She nodded. "But if I don't find anything, you guys will leave us alone!"

"Okay. And please don't tell your sisters, especially that one who came with the knife" Laksh shivered remembering how she threatened Arjun.

"You mean Maya di? Hahaha Ok Ok. Don't worry, I won't. Besides, Maya Malhotra seems scary, but she isn't that harsh."

"Maya Malhotra? As in the owner of the famous fashion industry Glam Town?"

"Yes"

"But I thought your title was Gagodia."

"Yes it is. Maya was adopted by our parents when she was 9."

"Where are her real parents?"

"They.... I'm sorry, but its personal. Just know that they were bad people who got what they deserve for treating Maya badly."

Laksh didn't understand what she meant, but he guessed Maya's parents and Maya don't get along for some reason.

"Okay then, bye. Or else, I'll be late."

"Bye Pragya"

#Later, outside Rishi's Mansion#

"Rishi hurry up already! Are you a maiden or something? Why do you need so much time to get ready!?" shouted Laksh from Arjun's jeep.

"Well, I guess he is putting some make up to look presentable for Tanuja" teased Abhi.

Arjun whistled

Sanskar, who was sitting in Abhi's car, just rolled his eyes at their antics.

Rishi rushed out of the gate and hopped on to Arjun's jeep. "Shut up and lets go." The others just laughed.

#While travelling#

"So...... Pragya accepted the invitations?" asked Arjun.

"Yep."

"You should thank Abhi. Its only through him that Pragya forgave you." said Rishi.

"As if! Abhi would have invited her even if I didn't." Arun shouted, loud enough so that Abhi heard from his car.

"True that. Pragya is too cute. And also a big fan of mine. I could at least do that for her, since she got upset because of us." 😊

"Whatever Romeo" Sanskar smirked.

"By the way guys, I got to know that the girl that threatened Arjun bhai that day was Maya, Maya Malhotra. Owner of Glam Town." Laksh spoke loudly, so that Abhi and Sanskar could hear him from the car.

"You mean the one who made Arjun almost piss in his pants?" snickered Rishi 😆

"Shut up! I wasn't scared ok!" 😒

"Hahaha. ok bhai, we believe you" 😂 said Laksh,sounding the exact opposite.

"Maya Malhotra eh?" Sanskar noted and got thinking 'She has good national and international connections with the biggest fashion industries and sponsors worldwide. If I can get on her good side, then maybe I can bag a big contract. I'll gain international fame through it! But... I can't approach her directly. It would reveal my purpose. Hmm... maybe if I can get one of her sisters as my girlfriend' 🤔

Sanskar smirked 'I could get many girls with my looks. The Gagodia sisters wouldn't be so difficult I guess. But whom to seduce??? Tanuja is already chosen by Rishi, Pragya? Nah..her personality totally contrasts with mine, it will be very tough.... Ragini? Nah...she already hates me and would probably grab my neck and choke me to death 😓 ' Sanskar shivered at the thought 'Maya's out of the question, which left.... Swara. Hmmm...she seemed like a happy-go-lucky girl. She would easily fall for me. Hah! guess I got my prey.' 😏

Arjun was also thinking about the Gagodia sisters, especially about Maya. 'Maya Malhotra, eh. So much attitude, so much arrogance. Girls like you need to be taught their place, and I guess this job belongs to guys like me 😠 '

#Outside Mermaid Cafe, 3pm#

Arjun shut off the engine and he, Laksh and Rishi got down from it and moved towards the cafe.

Abhi and Sanskar got out of the car. As soon as they got out, they both put on their glasses and hoodies.

Arjun took one look at them and burst out laughing. Laksh and Rishi looked back at Arjun, then at Abhi and Sanskar. 😂😂😂

"Hahahaha..Sanky, Abhi, we are going to a cafe, not to rob a bank! Put away the hoodie and glasses. You two look like you have just jumped out of some crime/mystery fiction" Laksh pointed out, laughing.

"You guys look ridiculous! You'll embarrass me in front of Tanuja!" Rishi panicked. 😫

"Laugh if you want, but you guys are forgetting that I'm a rockstar and Sanky is a model. If the people here recognize us, we won't get a moment of silence!" 😒

"We were lucky the cafe was almost empty that day." Sanskar pointed out.

"Okay, okay, lets go inside already!"

'I can't wait to see your smile Tanuja' thought Rishi.

'Pragya, my cute, here I come' Abhi smiled to himself. 😊

'Swara Gagodia, let the game begin. And I plan to win' smirked Sanskar.

'Maya Malhotra, time to burst your ego.' 😠 Arjun thought to himself.

Laksh looked at all four of them and slowed down. He didn't know why, but he felt like all his best friends-cum-brothers were going to war rather than a cafe. 😅

He just shrugged and went behind them, unaware of the turmoil inside his friends' minds.

However, as they were about to enter, they found all the Gagodia sisters coming out of the cafe. They were dressed up, and carrying baskets, as if they were about to go for a picnic.

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To be continued...

Next chapter : Picnic Time! Love blooms between Tanuja and Rishi, while Sanskar tries to trap Swara in his love. Arjun feels that Maya woud be his toughest challenge ever, while Abhi gets to spend more time with his Pragya. And.... whats up with Ragini and Laksh?