Chapter 3 ended with the boys about to enter the cafe, when they saw the sisters coming out, dressed and with baskets.

Onwards!!!

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 4 - Lets go Camping!

"What are you guys doing here again!?" asked Ragini with irritation.

The rest of the boys looked at Rishi for an excuse. Rishi, on the other hand, was looking at Tanuja. He was mesmerized by her beauty. She looked so beautiful in the pink salwar that he couldn't take his eyes away from her. Tanuja noticed Rishi staring and looked down, blushing.

"Rishi... Rishi! Speak up!" Laksh whispered in his ear.

"Uh.. Wha? O....right! You see, we wanted to apologize. Arjun and Sanskar are really sorry for what happened yesterday. They wanted to apologize and so we thought we would stop by." Rishi laughed awkwardly, hoping they would buy his excuse.

Maya looked and Pragya and signaled her to step forward. Pragya did as told. "Go on. Apologize to her."

Rishi looked at Arjun and Sanskar. Arjun shook his head at him and whispered "Rishi, you know I don't apologize to anyone. Don't expect me to apologize"

'If I want to get on Maya's good side, I have to show that I am sorry' thought Sanskar. He stepped forward "Pragya, we are really sorry for how we behaved with you yesterday. We truly are sorry. Right Arjun?" Arjun just nodded.

'Laksh wasn't lying about his brother. I wonder why Arjun refuses to apologize. Its not like it will kill him' thought Pragya.

"Hmm. I guess your job is done then. Now leave." stated Maya.

"What?" Rishi looked at her dumbfounded.

"You said your friends came to apologize. They did. So now, leave." Maya looked at him pointedly.

"But....but isn't apology followed by friendship? I .. I mean we should try to be friends no?"

Maya crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes "Why?"

"Because...be-because" Rishi looked at his friends for support.

Laksh sneaked a glance and Pragya. When Pragya looked his way, he signaled her to help Rishi.

'Why should I help them? Its not like I know Rishi personally.......But if Laksh is right about him, and he truly cares about Tanu di, then I guess its worth a shot.'

"Maya, its ok. You see, Laksh and I chatted a while in the college and he is quite a nice guy. I'm sure his friends are too. Besides, I invited them to come with us."

"You did? But how Pragya di? We planned the camping trip just an hour ago." Swara spoke and looked at her suspiciously

"W-w-ell you see...I-I"

"She texted me! Right Pragya?" Laksh interrupted

"Yes. Laksh is right. I texted him."

Maya didn't look convinced.

Just then, Maya's driver arrived "Mam, I'm sorry but... the car has a punctured tire."

"And you are telling me that now?"

"I'm sorry Mam, I....I didn't think you all will be going for camping. I went home, thinking that I would change the tire tomorrow morning. I got your call and hurried back, but it will take some time for me to fix it" the driver said. He was looking down and was visibly shaking, fearing Maya's anger.

"How could you be so careless" Maya said in a calm manner. But everyone could feel that it was the calm before the storm

"What if I had an important meeting today?"

"Mam I-"

"You would have delayed me? You know what happens when someone messes up with my business matters, don't you?"

"M-m-a-m I-I"

'Wow. Maya sure is scary. The driver looks like he's going to faint' thought Sanskar

"She's scary. I think its a bad idea to go along with them. Lets go back." Laksh whispered to Sanskar

"Don't be a coward. Maya isn't that scary" Sanskar told him

"Yep. She's not scary. She's downright terrifying!" whispered Abhi.

Arjun looked at Abhi "You're acting like a child. She isn't terrifying either" He looked back to see Maya walking towards the driver, who was shaking like a leaf. Maya had a deadly look in her eyes. He gulped "Okay, I take it back. She's scary"

Maya was about to hit the driver, when Tanuja placed a hand on her shoulder. "Maya.... let it go please. Its okay"

"But how are we supposed to go now. This bas-"

"Maya....Its okay. We will find another way alright?" Tanuja gave her a smile.

Maya let out a deep breath and smiled at Tanuja. "Okay Tanuja, if you say so"

While the girls looked relieved, the boys looked on in shock. The lioness became a tame kitten in mere seconds?

"But how will we go now? And we need to bring the mats, tents, and the stove too" Swara said, looking distressed.

"We can take you guys! Arjun has his jeep and Abhi brought his car." Rishi pointed out happily.

Maya still didn't trust them.

Swara and Ragini went near her and whispered "Maya di, lets take them with us. Free rides!"

"Besides, we will be going camping with Abhi, the rockstar. Please Maya di! For us!" Ragini pleaded.

Maya sighed. She knew Pragya didn't invite them, although she didn't know why Pragya was lying. Also, she didn't trust these guys, but she didn't want to disappoint Swara and Ragini. "Fine. You five can come. But if you cause any trouble..."

"No! We won't. Trust me. And if they do cause any trouble, I'll take care of them" Rishi said, glaring at the other four boys.

"Lets go."

Rishi waited to see where Tanuja would sit. Once he saw her heading towards the jeep, he immediately snatched the keys from Arjun and moved to the jeep.

'Unbelievable!' Arjun was about to shout at Rishi, but Laksh held him back.

"Let him be. Poor Romeo wants to sit with his Juliet" Laksh joked as he and Arjun picked up the mats and tents, and moved towards the jeep.

Rishi saw Tanuja about to sit in the back seat and spoke up "Sit here! I-I mean if you want to that is! I'm not forcing you, but you'll like it better here. I don't mean to say that I know what you like... because how would I know..haha... But I--You see--" Rishi rambled on. Arjun and Laksh stiffled their laugh. They knew Rishi rambled when he was nervous.

Tanuja smiled looking at Rishi. He looked cute while stuttering. Rishi might think that he wasn't being obvious, but she was catching on to the fact that he might like her.

"Okay. I'll sit at the front. Maya, you don't mind sitting at the back, right?"

"Its okay Tanuja"

"Maya will be riding in my jeep?" Arjun asked.

"Yes" Tanuja answered with a smile. She thought it would be best Maya stays with her as only she could calm Maya.

"Yes. Problem?" Maya asked with a pointed look.

"N-n-o No. I just thought you would prefer to ride in the Audi than the jeep"

"Don't assume you know me just because you met me twice" Maya said as she climbed onto the jeep.

"Pragya, you can sit with me." said Abhi.

Pragya looked at him with wide eyes. Her mind was conflicted. 'Waw! Sitting beside Abhi! But...but what if I embarrass myself! But what could I possibly embarrass myself with by sitting beside him? ......I'm Pragya! Of course I'll embarras myself somehow!'

She didn't know what to respond, when Ragini and Swara spoke up. "Of course she will!"

"I...I will?" Pragya said, uncertainly. They pulled her along with them towards the car. Sanskar and Abhi followed.

Swara spoke while walking "Yes you will because if you do"

"We will also get to sit in the Audi!" said Ragini, finishing Swara's sentence.

Swara nodded and looked at Pragya "So no but's okay Pragya di. lets enjoy"

"And have fun!" exclaimed Ragini

"Okay okay. But why do you two always have to finish each other's sentences? It makes my head spin as I turn to look at both of you"

Swara: "What can we say, its something"

Ragini : "that comes naturally to us."

Swara : "We seem to know what"

Ragini :"the other's going to say." They laughed in unison.

"Its as if you two are twins!" Pragya exclaimed.

#On the Road#

Tanuja was giving the directions to Rishi and Abhi's car was behind the jeep, following it.

"Take the left"

"So...Where are we going?" asked Rishi.

"The lake"

"Lake? I didn't know there was a lake in this region" Laksh said from the back

"The lake has been here since long. But only few people know about it since it is in the middle of the forest."

"I see. How did you find out about it?"

Tanuja hesitated and looked at Maya. Rishi understood that the topic was related to Maya somehow.

"My father knew of it as his grandfather used to take him there. He told me. I told the Gagodias"

"That reminds me. Laksh told us that you were Maya Malhotra. How come you don't write Gagodia? Malhotra is your mother's title or something?" asked Rishi

Arjun was about to tell Rishi to shut it, as Maya would no doubt speak out rudely, when he saw Maya's face. She didn't look angry or irritated. In fact, she looked distressed. She was gripping her hands tightly and adverting her eyes. Right now, she looked......afraid?

He saw Tanuja lay a hand on Maya's hands. Maya gave her a smile in return and looked relieved.

'Maya is more of a mystery than I thought. Who are you really behind that harsh facade Maya?' thought Arjun.

#In Abhi's car#

(Pragya is in the front beside Abhi. Sanskar, Swara and Ragini are in the back. Swara is in the middle because she knows that Ragini hates Sanskar)

"Soooo Pragya. How are you?" Abhi asked while driving his car.

"I-I-I'm fine. What about you?"

"I'm awesome. Like always." Abhi said, jokingly, giving her a smirk.

Pragya blushed, while Swara and Ragini giggled from the back seat.

"Ugh..are you both high school girls?" Sanskar looked at them irritated.

"Off-ho! Chill a bit Sanskar. Why are you strict all the time?" Swara said looking at him

"Probably because he has no sense of humor" Ragini remarked

"Or maybe I'm a bit mature unlike you"

"What did you say you ape!?"

"Ape? I'm a model, and you're calling me an ape? I think you need glasses because other girls find me handsome." Sanskar said angrily.

"Chill guys! Ragini. Lets not spoil our trip okay?" said Swara.

'Oops. I almost forgot my mission to make Swara fall for me' Sanskar thought

"You always try to keep everyone out of trouble and happy. It is so nice of you Swara." Sanskar said with a smile.

Swara and Ragini looked at him with wide eyes.

'Wasn't he angry just now?' "Um.... thank you... I guess."

"You don't need to be modest Swara. You really are a very nice person."

Swara blushed and looked down. Sanskar, on the other hand, was quite happy with the results 'Good start Sanskar Maheshwari'

#Near the Lake#

"Wow. Its so pretty" Rishi said staring at the lake. The lake was beautiful. There were swans swimming at the lake, birds making beautiful sounds on the trees near it and the most beautiful sight was of the daisies that surrounded the lake.

"We come here every once a month. It really gives one peace just by looking at it." spoke Tanuja.

"Wow! This place is amazing!" Abhi exclaimed

Arjun took out his camera and started clicking photos.

"You could use your phone you know. Or are you just showing off your camera?" Maya asked

"Bhai is a photographer." Laksh told her

"Hey! Don't go making this place public. Its kind of our secret place." said Swara, rushing in front of Arjun and blocking his camera. Sanskar and Ragini came behind her, while glaring at each other.

"Woah woah! Relax. I won't. I'm just clicking them for myself okay?"

"I don't trust you. Delete the pictures!"

"What the- No, I won't"

"Delete them!"

"I said no. I don't break my word. I said I won't give them to anyone so I won't"

"Why yo-"

"Relax Swara. When Arjun gives his word, he doesn't lie. And if he does anything, I'll see to it" said Rishi.

"I could write a beautiful song here!" spoke Abhi

"You want to write a new song! Here with us Abhi?" Ragini asked, excited.

"Yes. This place is so beautiful, poetic" he looked towards Pragya "and romantic"

Pragya blushed and rolled her eyes. Abhi had flirted with her all the way there. They had talked about themselves too and Pragya had finally stopped blushing at everything he says. Now, she felt comfortable around him. She even teased him back. When he just stared back, she thought that she had done something wrong, but he just laughed and said that she had 'finally loosened up'.

"Then you should definitely see the daisy field!" Ragini exclaimed.

"Daisy field?"

"Yes! There are a lot of daisy flowers there. Its so beautiful"

"Then take me to it"

"Follow me" Ragini said.

Abhi looked back at Pragya, as if asking if she wanted to come. Pragya was about to say yes, but she noticed Rishi interacting with Tanuja.

"Want me to help you with something?" Rishi asked Tanuja

"No Rishi. Its okay. I and Maya can set up the mats"

"But I can help with the mats. Besides, Maya looks busy with her phone." Rishi gave her a charming smile.

"Okay" Tanuja said blushing.

Laksh was looking at her with a look that said 'I told you so'.

However, Pragya needed more proof. She shook her head and signaled Abhi to go with Ragini. She had to make sure Rishi was right for her Tanu di.

"I want to go to the field too. My little terry needs to see me"

"Terry?" Arjun asked confused.

"Hahaha... Terry is Swara's tree. She planted it when she was 10."

"Okay. Lets go."

Abhi, Ragini and Swara were about to leave when Sanskar spoke up "I would like to go too"

"No you won't!" Ragini told him rudely.

"I'm not asking you. Swara can I come please?" He turned to Swara and gave her an innocent smile.

Swara blushed and nodded.

"Swara! Why must he come?"

"Its okay Ragini. Besides, he is Abhi's friend"

Ragini just huffed and walked forward.

Sanskar smirked 'You're too easy Swara.'

Arjun saw him smirking 'Sanskar what are you playing at?'

He was distracted by someone's phone ringing. It was Maya's.

"Hello. Yes Mr. Malkhani. Yes..Hello? Hello?"'Damn network. Maybe I would get the network near the hill.'

Arjun saw Maya walking off somewhere and disappear among the trees. 'Where is she going? She may know this place, but it might not be safe to raom around here. Its still quite a big forest'

He looked around and saw Rishi helping Tanuja with the mats and tents. Pragya was nearby, watching them.

'Well....guess I'm the only one who saw Maya go. Better go behind her. I might hate her, but that doesn't mean I want her dead' with that he followed Maya.

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To be continued...