Aditi's point of view

I served the macaroni in two plates and we both started eating in silence. Actually Dhruv was the only one who was enjoying the meal, I was only playing with my food and thinking how to apologize him. I looked at him, and wait for him to say something, maybe hoping he will compliment my food but he remains mum and keep eating while looking infront of him. I also didn't disturb him and looked down my untouched food. I didn't do the task which I came for. Since when I came here, I just only ogling him or lost in his thoughts.

I was afraid when he scolded me. Though it wasn't the first time when I get scold but ghere was a concern behind his scolding unlike mummy-papa or Arun bhiya. There were no emotions, when mummy papa scolds me. They purely wants me to learn the leason but Dhruv, he is different from others. He cares for the people, no matter if there from his family or the mere girl living in his neighborhood. That's why I fell in love with him. He protected me when I didn't expect someone save me from mummy's slap and that's remind me, I still apologize to him.

"Dhruv.." I call his name in a low voice.

He stopped eating and looked at me.

"Sorry.."

"For what...?" He looked at me confusingly.

"For the day when you save me from mummy." I whispered and looked down on my lap in embarrassment. I don't want to bring out the topic because it was hurtful for him also to remind.

"If you are apologizing me for that slap then you don't have to." I raised my head from my lap and looked at him.

"Your mother was scolding you without knowing the whole truth. You already face a lot that day and I didn't want, you get more hurt." Tears welled up in my eyes. It took a lot of me to cantrol them falling. I was looking at him with love but more than that I have respect in my eyes for him. He is the man with golden heart and I feel so small in front of him.

He didn't know that I got scold that day also not from mummy but papa too l also scold me. It wasn't new for me but his words means a lot to me. He doesn't know how much, he raised his respect in my eyes. He was also looking at me like he know what I was feeling right now.

He averted his gaze first and started eating again. My mind was feeling with his thoughts and how humble and a kind person he is. It's not hard for someone to fell in love with him, especially not a girl like me, who may not experience any kind of love and not used to a lovely gestures. I noticed that he didn't talk much when he eat but he thinks alot while eating. Sometimes I wish I could ne a mind reader so I can tell what is going inside in my handsome neighbor's head.

Suddenly his phone started ringing and he picked it up after looking at the caller ID.

"Hello.."

Dhruv kept quiet when other person was speeking on the phone. Other person on the phone keep speaking while Dhruv was giving his short answers.

"Atul actually, I want your physics notes." I looked at him with surprise.

My eyes lightened up when I came to know that whole the time he was speaking with Atul bhiya. It's been more than four months he went to Mumbai but I didn't talk to him for once. I really missed him so much and to talk him about so much. For some time I forgot my all worries and just wanted to talk my brother.

"Is Atul bhiya on the phone?" I asked looking at Dhruv hopely.

"Hold on." He put the phone on mute.

Dhruv looked at me and he understand my urge to talk to my brother.

"Do you want yo talk to him?" He asked and I noddded my head eagerly. There was excitement on my face and I can't hide my wide smile from Dhruv.

"Okay wait.." He again unmute the phone and put it on his ear.

"Hey, Atul..Actually Aditi wants to talk to you. She came my house for some work." I was glad that he didn't reveal my real reason behind my visit to his house, othervise I was gone.

That's why I call him my light in darkness.

Dhruv give his phone to me. I took the phone from him and put it on my ear, ready to speak my brother after four month. For sometime I forgot about Dhruv and was really excited to talk Atul bhiya.

"Hello..Atul bhiya..it's me Aditi. How are you? Did you settled there well? How was your study going? I miss you so much..Did you also miss me?" I showered him with questions without hearing his hello.

I was so excited to talk to him that I forget everything. My cheeks were started hurting to smile continuously. I looked at Dhruv and he was grinning while looking down into his book. May be he also aware of my excitement when I was talking to Atul bhiya.

"What do you want Aditi? I came here to study not to miss you, can't you understand the small thing huh! Don't you know I am coming on Diwali till then don't disturb me with your rubbish talk and what is this requesting Dhruv to talk to me. You started disturbing his poor soul also. Don't you have other work to do?" My excitement didn't last long when Atul's bhaiya hurtfull words reached to me.

It was like someone put a heavy stone on my heart, that much I was feeling heaviness in my chest. My eyes welled up in tears when I realized he didn't missed a bit like I miss him. He daily talk to mummy and papa then why he feels I was disturbing his study. Did talking me for few minutes really disturbed his study and why he always take care of outsider over her sister. Did I am nothing to my brother. Does he also not want to love and protected her little sister like Dhruv loves and protect Divya. After saying the hurtful words to me he hang up.

I looked at Dhruv and he was already looking at me with concern and care. His eyes reflected the some kind of emotions which I can't read. Maybe he also pitty on me. I gave him a sad smile but he keep looking at me.

"Call got disconnected. I think the network was poor there." I said while giving his mobile phone back and gave him sad smile but he clenched his jaw and nodded his head curtly.

I got up with our empty plates and glass. I wiped my tears, hiding from Dhruv and walked to kitchen to wash them. After washing the dishes when I came back to the living room and found Dhruv lost in his deep thoughts.

What he thinks so much? His life is perfect. He has the loving parents and siblings who can do anything for him and his life will be more perfect when he become IAS officer. It wasn't my belief, I am sure of he will surely become an IAS officer one day. His dedication towards his dream and his hardwork is enough to help him peruse his dream. I wish my life is also perfect like him.

I was about to ask him for my leave when suddenly the door open and Uncle, aunty and Divya walked inside with lots of shopping bags in their hands. They got Dhuv's attention and he looked at them. Uncle took his leave and went towards his room. There is one other girl who walked inside with them. I know her, She is Anuradha's aunty bestfriend daughter, Priya. She is same age of Dhruv and also studying in 12th class.

Priya is a beautiful girl, I had ever seen. Perfect body, fair color, long black hair, hazel brown eyes, kind nature and she is talented too. Both in academics and extra curricular activities. Sometimes I also get jealous from her.

How someone get so perfect?

Priya often come here with her mother or alone and she Dhruv spends lot of time together in his room. Her father is Deputy commissioner in Saharanpur sell tax department so obviously she is rich and beautiful too.

But apart from her riches I admire her for nature alot. She is a sweetheart for everyone. She is also preparing for UPSC exams. I hope she also achive her dream.

She is close to Dhruv and I have a feelings that they both like eachother. I confirmed about Priya that she likes Dhruv and sometimes Dhruv also showed his interest in her. They both belongs to the same background and matched eachother's standards. They looked perfect for eachother like a soulmate and I know one they will going to end up together and Priya will be the bride of Dhruv and the daughter in law of Malhotra family. A painful wave passed through my heart when the thought come into my mind but this is the truth and truth is always bitter.

Priya gave me a smile and muttered a small hii. I also returned the gesture and looked at her walking to Dhruv and talk to him.

Dhruv was avoiding my gaze since Priya step inside the house. Anuradha aunty was looking at both of them admiringly. I can see, she was imagining both of them in future as a couple.

I wish I could be at Divya's place.

I wish Anuradha aunty see me as her future daughter in law.

I wish, Dhruv also love me.

I wish, I will the one who become his Dulhan (bride).

"Tripathi when you came here?" Divya get my attention and I looked at her.

"I..I...came..."

"Priya, let's go to my room. We will talk there." Dhruv said annoyingly.

What happened to him suddenly. Why he looked so oissed off? I thought.

Priya blushed and nodded her head while tucking loose strand of hair behind her ear. They both went to upstairs towards Dhruv's room. I was looking at Dhruv's and Priya's back when they were climbing the stairs. My eyes only fixed on Dhruv and looking at his back. Maybe I was hoping something that will not happen. But when when Dhruv was climbing the stairs he suddenly turned and his eyes met with mine. My heart suddenly beats fast and I clutched my dupatta to calm it. After giving me a last glance he disappear to upstairs in his room with Priya.

"Aditi where is your one earing?" I turn my attention to Divya and looked at her confusingly, try to process her words in my brain because I didn't hear a thing.

She understands my confising expression and said again, "Your earring in left ear was missing."

My hand automatically reached to my left ear and indeed, my left ear earring was missing. I looked on the floor and try to search my earring.

"I don't know may be I lost it." I said while looking at the couch where I was sitting.

"Don't worry I will give it to you, if I find it in my house." Divya said while putting the shopping bags on couch and sat on it.

"You both talk till then I make tea for everyone." After saying this Anuradha aunty also took her leave.

"Aditi..come I will show you my farewell dress." Divya said in excitement.

"But we have farewell party after our midterm exams." I said looking at her.

"Yeah, I know but I can't stop myself when it comes to shopping." Divya said while taking out the beautiful dress from one of the shopping bags.

I sighed and shake my head.

Divya and her live for shopping.

After talking to Divya for sometime I took my leave and went my house. Dhruv and Priya didn't come out from his room till I was sitting in livingroom with Divya which make my mood more gloomy.

When I came to my home, mummy papa and my uncle and Bua ji did not return home. I can't ask them when they are going to come home because I don't have a mobile phone and we don't have a landline. So after finishing my chores in kitchen and cleaning it I came to my room. I looked my lost earring in my room also. It was my favorite one and I buy it from after saving money. But I think I lost it forever.

******

My Bua ji and uncle left after five days stay in our house. Papa and mummy gave so many gifts to them and thousands of money. Every time bua ji and her husband visited us, they robbed my parents. Bua ji and my uncle taunt me alot but I learn how to ignore them without hurting myself.

After my talk with Atul bhiya that day I never tried to talk to him though I still missed him and want him to come back home soon but I don't want to disturb his studies and he was right, I shouldn't have bothered Dhruv that day to let talk to Arun bhiya. Bhiya go there to make his future not to miss me.

Our exams started and I burried myself in my books. Though it was busy to find a time for study between house chores but I study till late night yo cover the syllables. Divya came to my home often for group study and I helped her in many subjects. Though I am an average student and scored just well but I am good in teaching.

Our exams occurred in whole month and keep us busy but in that whole month I didn't see Dhruv, not a single glimpse I get from him. I could not see him in school because we have pur exams in alternative days. Sometimes the feeling to see him was overwhelmed that I really wanted to drag him out from his house and looked at him all my heart. I cried when feeling took over my emotions. At the end when I feel batter I make understand my heart that, I will see hkm after his exams. He must be busy in his studies that's why he didn't come out. After feeling satisfied, I again burried myself in my books.

"Today's exam is sucks." I looked at Divya and she was looking at the question paper with frawn.

"Why it has to be so lengthy? My hands are hurting." Divya said while rubbing her right hand. I chuckled looking at her expressions. She is right, today we have exam of English literature and it so freaking lengthy that I started having headach while writing my exam. I was affraid that I wouldn't be able to complete my exam on time but thank God I completed it on time. But I am affraid of next exam. We have chemistry exams and everyone knows how sucks I am in chemistry.

"Aditi..."

Divya and I both walking towards our bus while discussing about our exam when I heard my name. I turn to the direction and saw Raghav was walking towards me with a notebook in his hand. Divya glared at him and went inside the bus.

"What's her problem?" Raghav asked aftwr he approachedme and looked at the bus in which Divya went inside.

"You know her feelings towards you still you tease her." I said while defending my friend.

"I love to tease her and she said she moved on from me. It was fun when I flirt with her and she looked at me like she wanted to kick my ass." He said with grin and I shake my head.

He never gonna change.

"Don't forget you have a girlfriend." I said while narrowing my eyes to him.

"So...She didn't stop me to flirt with other girls. You know how much understanding she is. That's why, I love my sweetheart." He said with dreamy eyes and looking like a love sick puppy.

"Ikay..okay but don't hurt Divya's feelung otherwise I will be the one who kick your ass, understand.." I looked at him with warning.

"Understand.." He said while raising his both hands in surrender.

"You better.."

We both keep talking on random things and I laugh a lot when he was cracking silly jocks. He told me his last date with his girlfriend and how he messed up everything. He tell me everything about his love life and didn't hide anything from me. He met his girlfriend in one of school event which was helding in a district level and every school from the district, were participating in it. Once he met me with his girlfriend and introduce us. She is lovely girl and beautiful too. But she tease him a lot and pulled prancks whenever she got chance.

Perfect for him...

Raghav and I both share a strong bond that someone confused us as a couple. We both also aware of the rumors around the school that we both are dating and Raghav was doing two times but we both know the reality. We both like a siblings who loves to pull eachother's legs. Raghav told me to ignore the rumors and I did as he said.

"Do you like Dhruv?" I looked at him with shock when he asked me suddenly. My heart started beating faster and sweat forms on my forehead.

"No.." I answered immidately while shaking my head and looked at him with wide eyes like I saw a ghost in daylight. Why did he asked me. I always make sure that no one can noticed when I was admired him.

"Oh..!"

"Wh..why...d..did..you asked?" I stammered in my own voice.

"Nothing..sometimes I feel like that you have crush on him." He said casually while shrugging his shoulders.

"But do inform me if you like him. I will help you to woo him. I want to be the cupid in your love story." He said mischievously while pulling my leg and I can feel the hotness on my cheeks.

"Why do you come here? You don't have a exam today." I asked while trying to change the subject.

"I came here to give you my chemistry notes. I know you also sucks in chemistry like me. My nothes will help you in your exams." He said while handing me the notebook which he was holding. I took the notebook from him and muttered a thankyou.

"I will see you later. My bus is about to leave." We both took our leave after wishing a 'all the best' for next exam.

........................................................................

I hope you like the chapter.

What do you think about Raghav and Divya.

Did Divya really moved on from him or still like him?

What do you think about Dhruv and Priya?

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