Karan was looking at the couple in front of him with tear-pooled eyes. The heartbreak he had gone through some months before, felt fresh wounded all over again.

His eyes were mesmerized just like always, seeing his angel but when he saw the familiar boy following her towards the car and their whole public display of affections. He was shattered.

Kabir had seen Preeta and her friend sitting on the other table but he didn't wanted to let Karan see them. He was afraid if Karan would lose his senses or do something wrong like confronting Preeta, so he was trying to mix him up in their friends conversation.

But suddenly, Karan's mother's face splashed on the mobile screen as Karan quickly took a cue outside the restaurant. He was busy in telling his mom, that he was doing fine and was really feeling great but it all became a lie when he heard a familiar angelic voice as he turned to his left and saw Preeta walking out of the restaurant with none other than her best friend, Arjun.

Karan was about to walk towards her, remembering how she had tricked him in escaping from his car. How he had spent these past months as a love sick bastard just because of her and here she was laughing and enjoying her life.

Kabir was getting suspicious as why Karan was taking so much time, when he turned to look towards Preeta's table, he got scared.

"Shit... Karan might see her."

He whispered to himself and excused from his friends to walk outside. He reached Karan but he was shocked when he saw his best friend's glossy eyes. He followed Karan's gaze and wasn't surprised to see Preeta and Arjun hugging and giggling like a couple as he had already seen them in the traffic.

Kabir was ashamed of himself that he couldn't make his best friend happy for a single day, just because of this Preeta. To check if Karan was alright, He put a hand on his shoulder and said in a gentle voice.

"I know it hurts but she is happy, Karan, without you."

Karan gulped the lump in his throat as he was agreeing to his best friend's words.

Her brown hair were blowing in happiness, her eyes were brightened because of the presence of that boy. Her smile was broad because of the words that boy was whispering to her. Karan clenched his jaw but didn't forget to reply Kabir.

"Without me."

"Karan, I think that asthmatic boy is her... "

"...her boyfriend."

Karan completed Kabir's sentence while Kabir felt bad for his best buddy. He wanted to do something for him but seeing the scenario in front of him, he wanted to let Karan feel that the girl wasn't hers to love.

"Karan, stop mourning over her. Its her loss that she is not with you. She doesn't deserve you, my friend. Let her live her life. You can have more beautiful and rich girls than her. Love is a waste of time, Karan. It only hurts you in the end. I know its hurting you, so let it end now. Forget her, bro."

While Preeta and Arjun were behaving like a couple near their car, Karan replied to Kabir.

"Love is sure waste of time but I haven't lost faith in love because I still am deeply in love with her. I can still feel my heartbeats getting faster when I am watching her beautiful form. She is still able to hypnotize me with those pretty brown eyes. How can I resist her tempting lips? I know she's mine and she herself will realise this... "

Karan turned to smile at Kabir which seemed creepy to Kabir.

"...eventually."

____________

Its been two tiring days for Arjun and still he was ready to leave for Chandigarh to meet his parents. Preeta wanted to go with him and meet her own parents but because of her college, she couldn't. So she was giving two poly bags to Arjun to mix it in his luggage.

"What's that?"

"Its for my parents. Have you forgotten this because of you are living in Australia that we used to be neighbours and our parents still are? So, give these to them. I had brought this yesterday when you were buying shirts for yourself."

Arjun smiled at Preeta thinking, how caring and sweet she is to think so much about her parents. He wanted her to feel the same for his own parents. He felt his heart skip when he realized what he had just thought but immediately covered it with a cough and took the poly bags politely.

"So, is there any girl you find interesting?"

Preeta asked shyly while sitting on the couch in Arjun's room while Arjun stopped packing his bag and looked at her. Seeing her shy face, he continued packing and decided to tease her.

"Of course, there are lot of girls. Some are really hot while some looks Victoria Secret Models. All the boys in my class dream of them every night, including me."

Preeta's jaw dropped at Arjun's blunt answer and felt jealousy lingering in her heart.

"Ohh, then you must be ready to ask them out. Aren't you?"

Preeta asked extra sweetly in anger while Arjun tried to hold his laughter.

"Obviously, why wouldn't I? Its fun there, you know. Having a girlfriend, doing Nasty things, enjoying your college life."

Preeta immediately stood up and made an excuse to leave the room.

"Great. I am happy for you, Arjun. Ohh, I forgot. Bhabhi must be cooking alone in the kitchen. I should go and help her."

Just as Preeta passed by Arjun to leave the room, he immediately held Preeta's wrist and pulled her close towards him which made her hands resting on his chest.

He hold Preeta's waist and brought his face closer to her. Preeta wasn't able to digest the thought of losing her best friend to some hot and queen bee type girls. She was jealous. But seeing the fantasy in his eyes, she was losing the hope, there couldn't be something between her and Arjun, so she decided to end the topic by leaving the room. Preeta was looking at Arjun's chest as Arjun started speaking.

"Preeta, I know what you feel for me."

Preeta blinked many times, digesting his words but didn't looked at him.

"And trust me, the feeling is mutual."

Preeta's eyes lit up as she looked at Arjun's serious face. But Arjun was controlling his emotions inside for two reasons. Firstly, he wanted to kiss her which he knew, could destroy his friendship while the other reason was the one that he spoke to her.

"My parents had sent me to Australia so I can make my career. I miss my parents, you, our friends. But you know that its impossible for me to maintain a long-distance relationship. I am not telling you to wait for me when I will be graduated because who knows if you will meet your true life partner in this time and same goes with me. That's why I don't want our sweet, old and pure friendship to reach next level. If we have to be together, we will. If not, then I'll be still happy for you because you are my best friend. Are you understanding my thoughts?"

Preeta nodded and looked down. She was feeling very emotional and low because of Arjun's explanation. He didn't sound like he liked her. She knew that Arjun liked her as a best friend but he didn't wanted to her to have hope that one day they can be together. He had warned her which was better for their situation.

False hopes leads to disappointments.

"And about those hot classmates of mine... "

Arjun left her waist and stepped back to take a look at her. Preeta was already feeling uncomfortable in his embrace and now that he was staring at her was more weird. Arjun continued his teasing.

"C'mon, Preeta. You know how much a geek I am. Those girls like bad boys. I come into nerds' category. I was totally joking that time. But some girls are really genuine and good in my friend circle. May be one of them can be the special one. I will immediately tell you if I get committed. Okay?"

Preeta was satisfied with Arjun's explanation and felt good but she was somewhat upset that the only boy, she had liked had friend zoned her.

"And if that doesn't happen, then I can always come back to India and marry you. What say?"

Arjun slapped his finger at Preeta's nose while teasing her to which she playfully glared at him and that's how the packing was completed. The best friends had finally solved the tension in the air and had made each other comfortable. Preeta was not happy at first but when she was about to sleep, she finally thought about it.

Arjun is right. I can't maintain a long-distance relationship. There won't be a base of it, at all. Its better to wait for my Mr. Right aka My future Husband. I will not waste my love on any other boy. But in this case, I can only wish that Mr. Right should be a good, decent boy just like Arjun or Arjun himself.

Preeta giggled at her thoughts and closed her eyes not before whispering to her self.

Let's see, who is chosen for me.

____________