RAGHVANSH'S POV:

"Rizwan, if you want to come— just come okay? Do not waste my time. You understand?" I yell through the telecom and hang up.

"Chill Raghvansh. Don't ruin your mood because of that asshole." I huff, but it's no stress reliever.

Sensing a knock, I get up and and open the door only to see a frowning Kaushal.

"What's wrong Raghvan? Why are you not picking up my call?" He says as his eyebrows crease together.

Sighing, I say- "Rizwan called me, he's coming too I guess."

"But where are we exactly going?" Shrugging it off, I grab my Mask and shades.

Slipping my phone in the back pocket of my jeans, I shut the door behind me.

"I don't know, maybe just do street shopping or something?" I gesture him to follow me to the elevator.

"Oh. Here itself? They're going to identify us, Raghvan. Kabaddi is popular in Malaysia too," He says and presses the ground floor buttton as we walk in.

Looking behind my shouder, I say sternly- "So what Kaushal? Aren't we humans too? We're in Malaysia, and street shopping is quite popular here, I don't want to regret anything later. Okay? Anyway, do you not want to buy anything for your Rahul?"

I wriggle my eyebrows, causing him to look away— trying to hide his blush- "Okay okay, Raghvan. I'll come. But why all of sudden you want to go shopping?"

I smile to myself as the hospital girl crosses my mind again. Can this series be over already! Dammit, I need to see her, like now.

Video call her, Raghvansh.

Can I? Yes, I can.

But will I? No, not at all. It's just fifteen days more and yes, I want to wait till then.

Why? Because I want to feel it. The feel of seeing her after almost a month. Though it's a bit hard, but it's going to be worth— the sight of her all grinning and honey laced voice reaching my ears.

But not to forgrt, I also like what is going on between us now, it makes me feel good, very good. I've noticed and it makes me so happy to know— that I'm not the only one who enjoys our moments.

It's her too. She likes talking to me, she shares stuff with me— I don't think if anything else can make me happier.

I cannot help but love the way she leaves me a text everytime she's free and vise-versa. It gives me a feeling as if I'm important, as if I have someone waiting for me, as if I have someone of my own. But I should be reminding myself—it's not true, she's not mine. God knows whether she'll ever be.

It's of no use— telling myself to stop falling for her, she's worth it.

We move out of the elevator as it reaches the ground floor and I unlock the phone and my fingers involuntarily open Piha's and my chats and type-

You : Good Evening, Piha! Wanted to leave a text for you, just the way you do for me. I assume you'll be up my another 10 minutes. If you feel dizzy, sleep for another 10 minutes, okay? 10-15 minutes won't make a big difference. Send me quick message once you wake up.

Summarising it for you—It's 7 PM now, and should be around 4:30 in India given that MYT is two and a half hours ahead of IST. Piha is on an oncall right now, which lasts for another three hours. So as she said she would be talking a nap given they have the last surgery for the day lined up, which is approximately two hours long. So as per my thinking, she'll be awake within a while as they have a surgery in half an hour.

Also, me being me— cannot wait till the surgery gets over.

I send hit and lock my phone as I see Rizwan approach us. Rizwan Bhatt is a raider in our team but that's not important right now, it's the fact that— Kaushal and I were supposed to go for street shopping at around 6 but then Rizwan, the great, called me to inform that he would be joining me and Kaushal. Then at around 6 when I texted him, HE HAD GONE FOR A SWIM.

And yes, that's why we've been waiting for him.

"Yo Skipper!" He raises his hand for a high-five and I snort at his audacity.

"Rizwan, you better shut your mouth and tag along. Remember, if you open your mouth— you'll regret it." I shoot him a glare as he shrugs it off.

He casually throws his right arm over my shoulders and says- "Bro, I'm sorry, really. I totally forgot about it, common stop holding a grudge against me, otherwise we'll get late."

"Whatever," I say as gesture both of them to get going, "chala (let's go)."

We walk out of the hotel, looking like theives in the mask and shades. The thought obviously makes me chuckle as Piha has seen me this way when I had accompanied Utkarsh to Aaraya and her place.

What's up with them? Are they dating? Shouldn't really matter to me, but then I wish they are.

Also it gives me bonus chances to meet Piha. Haha, it's going to be fun when they get to know—I am Utkarsh's brother.

Fuck you Raghvansh, how is it fun? They're going to hate both of you. Utkarsh for being such an useless brother, and you for the way you talk to you parents.

But didn't Utkarsh say they were very freindly and sweet?

Yes, he did say that, but of course their parents want the best for their daughters, right? Don't be over confident. You're popular, good looking, rich, etc, but that doesn't make you a good person, right? They like you as a sports person, now make them like you as a human being.

How's that possible? Does it mean...I'll have to meet her parents soon??

The thought instantly makes me panic and my heart beat faster.

What if they hate? Yes, they are going to hate me. They won't let Piha roam anywhere close to me if they ever get to know Piha and I are friends.

Dammit, that sounds painful. A plain life. Without that adorable girl, without that grin which lights up my day, that angelic voice, those silly sorrys, crying over calls, her solutions to my every problem. I can never get over it. Which reminds me how connected I am to her— we aren't strangers any longer.

Rizwan's voice falls into my ear, causing to disturb my thoughts- "The street is already here, Skipper. Where are you lost?"

Only if they knew the innocent soul.

I look around only to see a place which looks like Times square but with street shops of course, not forget— zillions of street shops.

"Raghvan, you're going to get us killed today," Kaushal says as I snap my head in his direction.

"It's no big deal, Kaushal. Even if we get identified, nothing is going to happen except we'll have to call Sarvesh so that he drives the crowd away," Rizwan says and pats Kaushal's back.

Huh?

I shoot them a puzzled look and say- "Who the fuck is Sarvesh?"

They both share a confused look and turn towards me. Rizwan raises his eyebrow as he says- "Sarvesh, our manager..."

Wasn't that Rohan?

"Whatever." I shrug it off. I look around to see many cute little shops around me. Damn, they're pretty. Not than a certain girl though.

Removing my phone from the pocket of my jean, I tap on the camera icon and click a few photos of the surrounding. Why haven't I been to Malaysia before??

How about coming here with Piha one day, Raghvansh?

I feel my cheeks turn to a shade of crimson. I can't help but picture myself and Piha— walking on this very street holding hands and her giggling.

Can she stop invading my thoughts? Atleast not during daytime.

I look at Kaushal as he opens his mouth to say something but shuts it. I gesture him to speak and he points at something- "I-I...Ca-can we go to that sto-store, I want to-to buy something for Ra-Rahul."

I grin as I nod and watch Rizwan throw us a questionable look- "Who's Rahul now? Skipper, Kaushal, you guys are such snakes. Weren't we bffs?"

I gulp and cringe at his choice of words- "Okay okay, Rizwan, get done with emotional drama. He'll tell you who Rahul is?" Saying, I throw a smirk in Kaushal's direction as he widens his eyes at me.

"I-I like Rahul," He says without meeting Rizwan's gaze. Dammit. Did he really say that? I'm so proud of him right now.

"You like me too, does that mean you'll buy something for me-" He says only to be cut by Kaushal.

"In the romantic way, Rizwan," he says and stares at Rizwan, "And yes, before you ask me, I am gay and I hope you accept me that way."

He says at both of them continue their staring compition, until Rizwan comes forward and hugs Kaushal- "I am proud of you Kaushal. you should've told me so before. Do you really think I would've judged you? You both are like a family to me, if it makes you happy, then just remember I'll always have your back, okay?"

I leave both of them alone as they continue their 'brotherly talks'.

Walking around my gaze falls on a cute shop, not very big, but decorated with fairy lights and appealing wall arts, causing my legs to drag them in on their accord.

I am not even surprised to see the place crowded, as it looks very attractive and appealing. A smile appears on my face as I see tiny accessories mostly for girls around. My eyes roam around a stall, as a clip catches my eye. I cover the distance between the table it is kept on and me.

It's a Bowknot Rhinestone Hair Clip— a set of three with baby pink leather ribbons.

So fucking pretty.

Common, Raghvansh. You have to buy this, it would look so goddam beautiful on her. Surely you are dying to see her with this on, aren't you?

I smile and facepalm myself.

My lips stop stretching as I realise— I have to stop being this way. I'm straight-up controlling her, I can't make her wear this— just because it would look pretty on her. If she wishes to wear it, then she will.

But she would look so beautiful, dammit.

Yes, she would. I let out a dreamy breathe before turning towards the vendor and saying- "How much is this for?"

He snatches it from my hand and turns it around, probably checking the MRP- "The entire set or just one of them?

"The entire set."

He throws me a suspicious look given to my shades and mask, passing me the packet back- "25 Ringgit (6 dollars)."

Why does it sound like I'm buying drugs? I remove the Malaysian Ringgits from my wallet and hand it to him- "Thank you."

I take a stroll around the store for a while and walk to find my two missing friends.

Sensing my phone beep, I unlock it quickly expecting Piha's message-

Piha : Hello Ansh. I woke up like 30 secs ago, and yes as I saw your notification, I instantly texted you. Also to inform you— I do not feel sleep, on the other hand, I am pretty excited for this surgery as it's the last one for this week, and then I have a two-day break. So sleep was miles away ya. Are you busy? What are you doing? When did you come back from shopping?

It's her.

I grin ear to ear as I explain-

You : I know, we should've been back by now, but then idiot Rizwan, he went for a swim saying he forgot our plan. So yes, it delayed by an hour and we're strolling in the shops right now. Wait, let me just send you a photo, it's so freaking beautiful.

I click a picture of the same shop I got the souvenir for her and attach it to our chat.

Piha : Ansh, that is so pretty! I wish I was there...but Pune is also beautiful. Enjoy okay? Don't waste your time on chating with me.

My jaw clenches at her words and as I'm about to call her— I realise that she's busy and she won't pick it up right now.

Trying not to sound angry, I type-

You : Waste my time? It that what you think?

Why doesn't she understand? She's worth all my time. I would give up on anything to just talk to her.

My chain of thoughts break as my phone rings and my gaze drops to the phone— only for my eyes to widen.

Dammit, Piha.

Why is she calling be right now? Isn't she on her shift?

Not wasting a lot of time, I do what my fingers have been aching to do— pick up the call.

I press the phone to my ear, only for sweet voice to subside all my anger- "Hello, Ansh."

Trying not to melt, I continue pretending to be unaffected by it- "Hmm?"

She stays silent for few seconds, which lets the noise around me reach my ear.

Stop standing in the middle of the street, will you?

I quickly shift to a less crowded corner and cross my right arm across my chest.

Her tone hesitant- "A-Are you mad at me?"

Mad?? No, not at all. I just... don't like it when she speaks about herself that way.e

I can't be, I wish to tell her. But instead I say- "No I'm not, Piha. I don't have a reason to be mad at you."

But I will, if you keep treating yourself that way.

"You did sound like you were. Tell me, please."

Sighing, I honestly reply- "Piha...I just didn't feel good. Why did you tell me to not waste time talking to you? Get one thing straight— you aren't a waste of time, okay? You know right, I've been waiting for you to wake up since an hour. Why is it? Because I want to talk to you, Piha. Do not be like this, please," I say softly as I feel her go silent.

What's with her?

"I'm annoying, ain't I? I'm sorry Raghvansh Sir. I didn't mean to irritate you, I'm sorry if something I did or said offended you. I won't complain if you don't ever want to talk to me again," She says and I feel anger take over me again.

Is that what it is? I mean nothing to her. Me not talking to her— wouldn't make even a mere difference in her life. It would in mine.

Not wanting to keep another word inside me, I say- "Piha, it's nothing to you, right? Or it that you want to say— 'it doesn't matter to me even if you don't talk to me again'. That's not how problems are solved, Piha-"

As I'm about to explain to her how she should be clearing things, I hear a faint voice- "Dr Piha, they've asked us to assemble us in the emergency hall, let's go."

"I'll come in five, Dr Khan. Go ahead please." I hear her say.

She's a busy woman, and I have to stop disturbing her this way.

Sighing, I say- "Let's talk about this later."

~√~√

Author's note:

Here comes their first argument, sorry from my behalf :-)
Also do guess what will happen next and vote too.
Updates might become a bit irregular as studies are getting real serious and I've been barely getting time for writing or even myself. Please do bear with me. Take care!