Ananya cried and complained: "It has been a terrible day! I cleaned all the windows, I washed all the dirty dishes and even wiped them one by one!"

Ragini rolled her eyes skywards: "Aww, so much work!" – She crossed her arms looking at Ananya mockingly.

Ananya continued the tale of her struggles: "I almost lost my ring while working and look at my nails!" – She bawled.

Sanskar pursed his lips as he stifled a laugh seeing Ragini's antics and then tried to be serious looking back at Ananya: "You know you are getting punished for what you have done, don't you?"

Ananya: "But I am not student!" – Ragini imitated Ananya while the latter was wailing – "I am not even a professor of the Mastery; how can they punish ME?!"

Ragini scoffed: "Yeah, how can they?! Why are they being so cruel to you? Tch tch tch... Poor soul."

Ananya glared at her: "Are you mocking me?!" – She yelled.

Ragini: "Yes!" – She caught Sanskar eyeing her – "I mean no! It's just that the situation is so funny!" – She chuckled – "You know what you are looking like?" – She looked at Ananya, who was wearing a black dress and a white apron on it, from top to toe.

Ananya: "What?"

Ragini: "A bad version of Cindrella!" – She laughed.

Ananya was angry: "How dare you?!"

Sanskar came between the two: "Girls, stop it!"

Ragini: "Ok ok, I should leave!" – She walked away covering her mouth with a hand to stop laughing at Ananya.

Sanskar turned to Ananya and tried saying something but she stomped away too after glaring at him since she had expected him to defend her more.

Sanskar joined his hands and looked heavenwards: "I'm asking you just a minute to breath please, nothing more."

ON THE OTHER HAND

Jai looked straight at Karan: "Let me clear it once for all. There is NOTHING between me and your girlfriend. Keep calm and stay happy!"

Karan: "I don't believe you at all since you have shown the opposite so far."

Jai: "Come on, I was just having fun. It's all a game for me." – Esha looked on – "Honestly, I have understood that I was making a mistake and could hurt someone..." – He looked at Esha.

Karan grinned: "Oh, so you aren't that bad."

Mishti: "Stop it Karan! Let him finish." – She said irritated.

Jai: "See Esha, I know you and Karan are together since long and it's good. I am sorry for all the troubles."

Esha swallowed hard before nodding and saying: "It's ok." – She wished he said something else though.

Jai: "All cleared then. Bye bye!"

He went out the classroom leaving Karan contented, Esha disappointed and Mishti perplexed. Jai accepting his mistakes and even apologizing was something she could not digest.

Keen on not believing Jai, Mishti followed him and stopped him in the corridor: "Can we talk?"

Jai turned around: "Sure, what's up?"

Mishti: "Whatever you said sounded very good..."

Jai: "Thank you."

Mishti slyly smiled: "... but not genuine. Spit out the truth now. What are you up to?"

Jai frowned: "What am I up to? What do you mean?"

Mishti: "With Esha. Didn't you want to get her?"

Jai shook his head: "No."

Mishti: "Yes! You wanted her to leave Karan for you, didn't you?"

Jai scoffed: "I am telling you I didn't. When I say no, it means no. What I said inside the classroom was the whole pure truth. I was just having fun earlier."

Mishti: "And I should believe you?!" – She raised an eyebrow.

Jai: "Believe me. If seeing me dating your friends bothers you that much, don't worry, I won't do that anymore."

Clearing that, he walked away.

Mishti was confused: "Is he being honest?" – She drew her lower lip into her teeth thinking about it.

IN THE EVENING

Sanskar and Ragini were in the kitchen. Sanskar, who was leaning against the table, looked at the list of the works Ragini had to do and ticked one.

Sanskar: "Make the dough for tomorrow's lunch... this is the last task for the day and then you'll be finally done!" – He looked up and laid his eyes upon her. He kept staring at her for few seconds.

Ragini let out a deep sigh once she was done with the dough and moved her hair strand behind her ear: "Done!"

Sanskar noticed that some flour was left on her cheek and tried indicating it to her: "You have some flour on your cheek..."

Since Ragini was struggling to get rid of it, Sanskar walked towards her and gently ran his thumb on her cheek to remove the flour from there. Ragini blushed at his touch. Sanskar smiled at her.

Their moment was interrupted when Harshid suddenly entered the kitchen: "Sanskar here you are! Do you have the dates for the volleyball tournament?"

Sanskar took few seconds before returning into reality: "Uhm..." – He slightly shook his head – "Yes. I shall have the whole schedule in my room. Come, let me show you!"

He left with Harshid while Ragini kept looking on. A corner of her lip lifted forming a slight smile.

O re manwa tu to baawra hai
Tu hi jaane tu kya sochta hai
Tu hi jaane tu kya sochta hai baawre
Kyu dikhaaye sapne tu sote jaagte

AT THE SAME TIME

Ananya was in her and Ragini's room chatting with Mahima when Rita opened the door. Ananya and Mahima looked on.

Rita: "Leave all of them here. This is her room." – she instructed three men who were carrying many bags and parcels.

A huge smile appeared on Ananya's face as she stood up and looked at the bags and parcels that the men placed on Ragini's empty bed: "Daddy must have sent new clothes for me! He has been so fast! Oh god Mahi, look at all this branded stuff!" – She said excitedly.

Rita: "Sorry to disappoint you darling but all this is not yours." – She stopped Ananya from touching the bags.

Ananya's smile faded: "What?"

"Your daddy teddy hasn't been really fast apparently." – Mishti said while entering the room.

Ananya and Mahima looked at her and then exchanged confused looks.

Rita: "Well, my work is done here. Miss Raichand, you have 30 minutes after which you must be back in your room." – Saying that she left from there followed by the men.

Ananya: "Raichand?"

Mishti stood facing Ananya: "Yeah, Mishti Raichand, daughter of Yash Raichand. You must have heard the name for sure, haven't you?"

Ananya's mouth fell open: "THAT Yash Raichand? The millionaire, owner of Raichand Industries?!"

Mishti nodded and brought ahead her hand. Ananya thought that she did that for a handshake but, as soon as she forwarded her hand, Mishti moved hers one up and stared at her nails.

Mishti: "Hmm... I need a manicure." – She looked at Ananya, who seemed fuming with anger and embarrassment, with an eye and smirked amused.

Ananya: "Look at her attitude!" – she whispered to Mahima gritting her teeth.

Mahima: "Well, she is cool, can't deny that."

Just then Ragini came in the room and was surprised to see Mishti there: "Mishti! You here?" – She looked at the bags and parcels and glared at Ananya – "You filled the room with your things again!" – She blamed her.

Mishti turned towards her and smiled: "Ragini all this is yours."

Both Ananya and Ragini's eyes widened: "WHAT?" – They said in unison.

Mishti: "Yeah! Actually, let's sort out everything for once." – She turned to Mahima – "You joined hands with Ananya and threw Ragini's clothes away because you wanted to take revenge from Ragini since you blame her for what happened in your birthday, don't you? Ragini had nothing to do with all that and I just lied to save the children who were the real culprits." – Mahima rolled her eyes and Mishti turned back to Ragini who couldn't believe what was happening – "This is a sorry from my side because Mahima would have not been against you if I hadn't lied and you would have not lost your clothes. After asking permission to Rita, I called my mother and asked her to send all this. I have seen you in jeans mostly so there are some jeans from the latest Tommy Hilfiger collection, some Michael Kors t-shirts and blouses, Dior dresses..." –Mishti wasn't a girl who liked showing off her status but she knew she had to talk Ananya's same language to irk her: she intentionally indicated all the stuff taking the names of brands in front of Ananya. In fact, the latter was burning with envy.

Mahima: "I don't believe you. I know you are just defending your sister. She is the only one who ruined my birthday."

Mishti: "Can your little brain elaborate a reason that can explain why would Ragini do that?"

Mahima: "Because she is nasty by nature. That's why she also told me such a big lie!"

Mishti frowned: "What lie?"

Ragini immediately jumped in between before Mahima could reveal anything: "Leave it Mishti! Actually it isn't Mahima's mistake. Ananya has brainwashed her."

Ananya: "How dare you accusing me like this?!" – She yelled.

Just then, Sanskar came in the room: "What is happening here? I was passing by and there is so much noise!"

Ananya: "Ragini herself lied to Mahima and now she is saying that I have poked Mahima against her!"

Sanskar looked at Ragini but she didn't let him speak: "Take your girlfriend away from here please before I say or do something to her. I am really done."

Ragini said it in a composed tone but Sanskar understood that she was losing her patience so, he just dragged Ananya out of the room while she was still ranting. Mahima followed them.

Ragini and Mishti were left alone now. They both looked down awkwardly.

Ragini: "Well... thank you for all this but... I can't accept.. I..."

Mishti: "We are sisters Ragini, this is the least I could do."

Ragini looked on a bit stunned: "Mishti... aren't you upset with me?" – Her eyes welled up.

Mishti: "Haven't I been upset for long enough?" – She had teary eyes too – "I am sorry for treating you so badly. Yes, I have been upset with you for years but then I understood that you weren't ready to escape from the orphanage because you were thinking about my and Farnaaz's safety. But I didn't know how to face you and when you suddenly came in front of me... I didn't know what to do or what to say, I wasn't ready. Please forgive me." – She held her ears.

Ragini shook her head and held Mishti's hands: "I should be sorry. I should have understood your fears... we would have not lost so many years together if we had left that orphanage..." – She held her ears too.

Mishti suddenly hugged her. Ragini didn't expect that from her but her heart got filled with joy: her sister was finally back to her after so many years. She hugged her back. Both cried happy tears. Bursting out her pain with Jai had helped Mishti realize that she couldn't hold any grudges anymore for Ragini and just needed to reconciliate with her sister so here finally the two twins were reuniting.

Rishta dilo ka tode na toote
Saanson ki dori banke na choote

Mishti broke the hug and wiped her tears: "Now enough of crying and staying separated. Now that we are together, we will also find Farnaaz and then..."

Ragini: "Farnaaz is here only Mishti." – Now that all was sorted between her and Mishti, there was no point to hide about Mahima being Farnaaz anymore. – "Mahima is our Farnaaz.."

Mishti was shocked: "WHAT?!"

Ragini: "Yes... Jai, Vikram and Rahul managed to get Farnaaz's file from the orphanage and we found out that she was adopted by Shalini Malhotra. That's why I came to the Mastery."

Mishti: "That means that Jai didn't..."

Ragini: "No... he didn't break his promise: he had not told me anything about you. In fact, I asked him to keep all this secret because Mahima literally hates me and I wanted to get close to her before telling you the truth since you wanted me to come back to you only with Farnaaz along me. The lie Mahima was talking about is this only... I told her that she is my sister but... Mahima doesn't even know she has been adopted... Tarun suggested me to go slowly with her so I just told her that I was pulling a prank on her and hid the truth but now she hates me more..."

Mishti sat on the bed stunned: "It's all my fault. All this would have not happened if I hadn't blamed you for ruining her party... I can't believe it! I ruined everything..." – She covered her face with her hands blaming herself.

Ragini sat near her: "It is not your fault. You didn't know the truth... and don't worry. We just have to hide the truth for now. I will try sorting out my problems with Mahima first and then we will tell her everything. Now that we are together, all will be fine."

Mishti looked on: "You are right. Now that we are together, nothing can go wrong."

She stood up and went to the door looking out. Sanskar and Ananya were arguing in the corridor and Mahima was with them. Mishti looked at her and recalled the moment when the nun took away Farnaaz from her and Ragini: she had a vivid memory of that instant. And now her younger sister was just in front of her after so many years, and she couldn't even hug her, thing which she was yearning to do. A tear skipped on her cheek. Ragini stood beside Mishti and placed a hand on her shoulder. Both Ragini and Mishti looked at Mahima emotionally.

Jee chahta hai gale se laga loon,
palkon mai rakh loon mein, nazar mai chupa loon
Paas hai, door hai, kitne majboor hai
Ro raha hai yeh dil, meri aankhein hai namm

Mishti shut her eyes and turned to hug Ragini tightly.

Ragini tried comforting her: "Let me handle this Mishti. I promise you, our sister will be with us very soon. Do you trust me?"

Mishti nodded while still hiding her head on Ragini's shoulder.

While Ananya was speaking, or rather shouting with her usual obnoxious volume of voice, Sanskar saw Ragini and Mishti hugging. A little smile appeared on his lips as he understood that Ragini and Mishti had sorted their issues and thought about how happy Ragini must be.

THE NEXT MORNING

Mishti entered the canteen. Vikram came there right after her and saw her alone so he went to her.

Vikram: "Hey! Do you want to have something together?"

Mishti: "Something like what?"

Vikram: "Something like a smoothie?"

Mishti: "You won't get any smoothie here."

Vikram: "Oh right... well, anything else you want."

Mishti: "Can you do me a favour?"

Vikram: "Sure."

Mishti: "Can you leave me alone?"

Vikram scoffed: "Alright... if you want to stay obsessed and keep suffering lonely for Jai..." – Mishti widened her eyes hearing that – "Oh, were you thinking that he didn't tell me?" – He smirked seeing her surprised expression.

Just then Jai came in the canteen with Rahul and smiled seeing Mishti: "Hey Mish! Ragini told me about your reconciliation, finally! I am so glad you forgot your grudges and..."

Mishti: "You are such a worthless person!" – she yelled.

Jai was confused: "Who? Me?"

Mishti: "Yes, you! Did you tell him as well?" – She eyed Rahul.

Jai looked at Rahul, who was equally confused, and then at Mishti: "What... what are you talking about Mishti?!"

Mishti: "Don't play innocent with me! You know very well what I am talking about! Now go and hang a billboard on the road, so that everyone will come to know it! Go!" – she shouted and walked away.

Jai huffed putting his hands in his hair: "I seriously can't understand this girl anymore!"

Vikram, who was silently standing aside until then, stepped towards him looking down: "Ehm... actually I told her that you told me about her feelings for you..."

Jai's eyes went round: "WHAT?! WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU DO THAT?!" – He raised his voice too.

Rahul noticed the other students looking at them: "Stop it guys! If you shout, everyone will come to know it!"

Jai tried calming himself down and then glared back at Vikram gritting his teeth: "I told you about what happened between Mishti and I but it was a secret, A SECRET DAMN IT!" – He shouted again – "Do you understand what a secret is?"

Vikram: "I just thought this could be useful!"

Jai: "Useful?! Useful for what?!" – He asked frustrated.

Rahul came between them: "Enough Jai, stop it now. Vikram, you should have not interfered. Can we change the topic?"

Vikram: "Yes, that's better."

Jai: "Clearly it's better talking about something else is convenient to you, isn't it?"

Vikram: "Listen Jai, I admit my mistake and I am sorry. What else am I supposed to do?! Why do you always overreact so much when it's about Mishti?!" – Jai kept glaring at him angrily.

Rahul: "He is right Jai. What else can he do? He asked sorry."

Jai: "Oh wow, now you are taking his side!"

Rahul: "Can we think how to bring the instruments of our band here?"

Jai: "I'll handle that. At least, we can give a surprise to Ragini."

Just when Jai took Ragini's name, she entered the canteen. As usual, she simply gave a quick smile to Jai, Rahul and Vikram since they were still pretending not to know each other and then went to sit after taking something to eat from the buffet. Sanskar came there too.

Ragini and Sanskar saw each other. He waved his hand to her smilingly. Ragini stared at him for few seconds before waving back. Sanskar took his seat in front of Ragini who was taken aback as she didn't expect him to sit at the table with her.

Sanskar: "I saw you and Mishti together yesterday. I'm glad everything is fine between you both now."

Ragini smiled: "Yeah, I am so happy." – She gave a bite to the cupcake she was holding.

Sanskar noticed that some cream was left on her mouth and wanted to tell her about it, but he couldn't utter a word as his eyes got stuck at staring her rosy lips.

"What happened?" – asked Ragini after spotting his gaze upon her – "Is there something on my face?"

Sanskar returned into reality: "Yes, you got some cream..." – he indicated the lips and was about to forward her a tissue but Ragini removed it licking her chops.

Ragini: "Fine now?"

Sanskar chuckled at her cuteness nodding in a yes. Ragini continued enjoying her cupcake while Sanskar stared at her with a little smile.

He recomposed when he saw the time on his watch: "Listen Ragini I need to go for the class now. Can we meet in the lounge during lunch break? I need to talk with you about something..."

Ragini: "Yeah sure..." – She looked down frowning, confused by what he would want to talk about but, when she looked up again, Sanskar had gone and she couldn't ask him anything.

LATER

Mishti was walking in the courtyard when Jai came there.

Jai: "Mishti, did you see Tarun? I checked the stable, but he isn't there."

Mishti: "No, I haven't." – She didn't even look at him since she was still very angry with him.

Jai nodded and was about to leave when Mishti spoke up again: "Well, maybe he is playing hide and seek." – she with a sarcastic tone and put a finger on her chin acting to think.

Jai: "How funny you are!" – He said ironically – "Have you seen him or not?"

Mishti faked a smile while looking straight at him: "Nope." – She shook her head.

Jai: "Fine."

Mishti: "Wait!" – she stopped Jai again. He turned around just to see Mishti walking around a tree.

Mishti: "Tarun! Tarun are you here? Jai is looking for you Tarun!" – She looked at Jai – "I guess he isn't here. Unfortunately, you have to search for him somewhere else.

Jai gritted his teeth: "I have to accept that you are really so good... at irking me!" – Irritating him was just what Mishti was trying to do.

Mishti: "Oh, my bad!" – she put a hand on her head pretending to worry – "You may need to talk about this issue with your psychiatrist then! Vikram... he is your psychiatrist, isn't he? That's why you share everything with him."

Jai: "You seriously are too much." – Mishti was about to leave but Jai grabbed her arm – "Wait Mishti!"

Mishti glared at him: "What?"

Jai: "If you see Tarun, can you tell him that I am looking for him please?"

Mishti nodded: "Yes, I will."

She walked away and before leaving she looked into a bush: "Tarun, are you there? Jai is looking for you!" – She smirked at Jai and then went back inside the school.

Jai gritted his teeth and hit his left palm with a fist frustrated with Mishti's irritating behaviour. He thought she would have sorted out things between them too after coming to know that he didn't break his promise as he didn't tell Ragini about her, he thought they would be friends again, but once again Mishti was being her usual weird and making him angry.

AFTER A WHILE

Jai, Rahul and Vikram walked downstairs to the basement of Tarun's house. Tarun was Mahima's stable boy, he took care of her horses. He was an orphan so, along with the job, Shalini had given him a place to stay just near the stable which was in the backyard of the Mastery. Obviously forming any kind of musical band was not allowed in the strict collegium, so Jai had asked Tarun if they could keep their instruments in his basements where they could secretly rehearse as well, and Tarun had allowed them.

Jai: "Thank you so much Tarun! You are our saviour!"

Tarun: "No mention! Anything for you guys and Ragini!"

Vikram: "Just promise us that none will enter here! All this should remain a secret otherwise we and Ragini will get into troubles!"

Tarun: "No worries! We are also far enough from the college, none will hear you when you'll rehearse."

Rahul: "Perfect! I can't wait to surprise Ragini!"

Just then, Mahesh (Ragini's stepfather) came carrying the drums: "Can I get some help please?!"

Jai, Vikram, Rahul and Tarun went to help him.

Jai: "Thanks for bringing all the instruments here uncle! We cannot move out from the Mastery! Hope no one has seen you coming here?"

Mahesh: "Don't worry, all is well! And I can do anything for my princess' happiness!"

The four boys started assembling all the instruments that Mahesh was bringing downstairs.

AFTER FEW MINUTES

Sanskar entered the lounge and saw Ragini waiting for him.

Ragini saw him too: "Sanskar..." – She walked towards him.

Sanskar went to her as well: "Ragini..."

Ragini: "What happened?"

Sanskar: "I need to talk with you..."

Ragini: "Talk... about what?"

Sanskar stared at her: "About us..." – Ragini widened her eyes – "I mean, about you, Ananya and me."

Ragini: "Ah... well yeah, of course, about us... you meant also Ananya..." – She muttered – "Is there any problem?"

Sanskar: "I'm really worried about all the problems going on between you two..."

Ragini: "Well, there is no need of worrying much."

Sanskar: "I don't think so. You both keep fighting the whole time and I am in the middle, without even knowing why."

Ragini got serious: "Even I don't know why she hates me so much."

Sanskar stepped closer to her: "The fact is that..." – He looked straight into Ragini's eyes – "Ananya thinks that you have feelings for me."

Ragini scoffed: "That's what she thinks."

Sanskar seemed a little disappointed but nodded: "Fine. So, you are sure that it's all her imagination only?"

Ragini shook her head: "No..." – She saw Sanskar looking at her with a frown – "With no I mean yes, yes I am sure." – She tried avoiding his gaze.

Sanskar grabbed Ragini by her shoulders making her look straight at him: "Ragini yes or no? I need to know the clear truth. Do you have feelings for me?"

Ragini got immersed in his eyes: "Yes..." – she smiled a bit – "I have feelings for you."

IN THE LIBRARY

Jai was reading a book when Mishti came there.

Mishti: "I was looking for you."

Jai snorted seeing her: "What's up? Do you want to argue again?" – He asked while walking towards her.

Mishti: "No. I don't want to argue anymore." – She said once they were standing face to face.

Jai: "Well, that's wise! What do you want then?"

Mishti swallowed hard before speaking up: "I want to forget you." – Jai was left taken aback by her words – "I have enough problems in my life, and I don't want more. Now I understood that there is no point in suffering, staying always angry and fighting with everyone. I want to be happy therefore I decided to sort out whatever I can. I really feel better after reconciliating with Ragini so now it's the turn to solve things between us."

Jai nodded: "That's a good decision. I'd certainly like you to forget me and whatever you said... At least, we can finally be friends again like before, right?"

Mishti shook her head: "No. No, I can't be your friend."

Jai took a deep breath to keep himself calm. Why was Mishti so difficult to understand?

Mishti: "All this is not easy for me. But it's fine, I want to forget you and I'll be able to do that. But I cannot be your friend. I just want to break all the ties with you, stop arguing, stop suffering, stop blaming you for my problems... I don't want to keep any hard feeling against you but the only way I have to forget you is to have nothing to do with you. You became my friend because you wanted me to reunite with Ragini, my sister and your best friend. That has happened. Now there is no point of our friendship also." – She sighed – "That's all. I just wanted to let you know that, for me, our cold war has ended. May you stay happy in your life and I'll be content in mine. Enough of fights, enough of making scenes in front of people, enough of Mishti vs Jai." – she smiled a little and turned around.

Jai wanted to say something but didn't know what. He certainly wanted Mishti to forget him since he didn't reciprocate her feelings, but he didn't expect her to decide to turn downright into a complete stranger for him. He wanted to stop her but wondered with what right he should do that: she clearly refused to be his friend and he couldn't be more than that. He stood still, not able to react in any way.

Mishti waited few seconds and then walked away.

IN THE MEANTIME

Sanskar: "So Ananya wasn't wrong. You really feel something for me!"

Ragini's mouth fell open when she realized what she said. She started stammering: "Er... For you? Feelings for you?" – She scoffed.

Sanskar looked at her rising his eyebrows. Ragini burst out laughing.

"I have feelings for you? Oh, please!" – She laughed looking away.

Sanskar grabbed her arm making her look back at him: "Yes Ragini, you said you have feelings for me."

Ragini: "Yes! I mean no! I mean... I didn't mean you, I..." – She tried hard to make him believe that what he heard was not what she said.

Sanskar left her arm: "Honestly I am not understanding you..."

Ragini: "Let's do one thing! Let's just rewind the tape and you know, forget this happened. Let's begin from the start."

Sanskar: "How!?"

Ragini spoke quickly: "What how? Just click a button..." – she pretended to click an invisible button – "and rewind." – she spun around acting like a tape was rewinding – "Now that we have rewound the tape, let's start from the beginning. I come and greet you. Hi Sanskar! Hi Ragini! How are you? Fine? All is well! Then you ask me have Ananya done anything to you? And I reply to me? Ananya? No, no, everything is fantastic with Ananya. Here the conversation ends, you didn't hear anything, I didn't say anything important so here I leave!"

She rushed away while Sanskar walked behind her trying to stop her: "Ragini! Stop! Ragini, you can't leave!"

But Ragini ran away: "Bye bye!"

Sanskar: "Ragini!" – But she was gone.

Sanskar put his hands on his waist looking at the direction in which she left. He was himself confused about his own feelings and now Ragini had left him with so many questions.

IN A CORRIDOR

Mishti was sitting on a bench with a book in her hands. She was staring at a picture of her and Jai which she had kept between the pages of that book. With a heavy heart, she crunched the photo together in a fist, gritting her teeth and looking ahead with wet eyes, and then, without even throwing a glance at it again, she threw it in the dustbin near her.

Aasan nehi hai magar,
Jaana nehi abh udhar

Aarush came out of a classroom and saw Mishti sitting sadly on the bench so he walked to her: "Why is my sunflower looking so sad?"

Mishti smiled at the little child.

AT THE SAME TIME

Ragini reached her room and shut the door merging her back against it. She closed her eyes and recalled what just happened. Memories of the first encounter with Sanskar, when she was struggling to open the champagne bottle and he offered help, but the cork ended up in his eye, came in her mind. She smiled remembering that incident and all those which followed. No doubt she has always been clumsy, but she became more nervous whenever she was with Sanskar. Maybe because of his charming appearance, maybe because of his gentleman tactics, between one embarrassment and the other, Ragini had started liking Sanskar. She had feelings for him: that was a fact she couldn't deny to herself. She opened her eyes and saw a photo frame of Sanskar and Ananya which the latter had hung on the wall. Ragini's smile disappeared: another fact was that Sanskar was already dating someone else and the last thing she wanted was to break a relationship.

Maloom hai jahaan dard hai
Wahin phir bhi kyu jaaye
Wohi kashmakash, wohi uljhane
Wohi tees kyu laaye

Just then someone knocked at the door. Ragini opened it and a smile appeared on her face seeing her friends Vikram and Rahul there.

Ragini: "Thank God you guys are here! You don't know what just happened!"

Jai came there too. He looked dull.

"You have no idea what just happened." – He said joining the other three.

Rahul: "Let's just keep all this aside for a while and give Ragini the surprise we planned for her!"

Ragini: "You planned a surprise for me?"

Jai put an arm around her shoulder: "Something special for a special person."

Ragini: "You three are the best!" – Her mood boosters were there and she could be nothing but happy with them.

MEANWHILE

Mishti was talking with Aarush about what happened with Jai. She had trust issues, was introvert and would never share her problems with anyone, but she had a particular bond with children, especially Aarush. She'd rather spend time with him, Ayaan or Ruhi than any student her age.

Mishti: "I expected Jai to react somehow honestly. Even if I decided to forget him, I thought he will try to stop me. But it's like he is unaffected, I don't matter to him at all..." – She huffed and then looked at Aarush who was sitting cross-legged near her and smiled – "I am sorry to bore you with talks you cannot even understand."

Aarush: "I can understand that the guy who rejected you must be blind. He is losing the most beautiful girl in the world!"

Mishti chuckled: "Thanks Aarush, you are the best."

Aarush: "Yes, I am the best... but I realize that you are getting more and more far from me. Jai is separating us Mishti!" – He pouted.

Mishti looked at him amused and laughed.

Aarush: "Do you think that you and I... is it impossible?"

Mishti pretended to be serious and nodded: "Unfortunately yes. But not because of Jai."

Aarush: "No?"

Mishti: "Nope. It's the age gap that separates us. You are too small for me!"

Aarush: "You are breaking my heart Mishti."

Mishti giggled and held his hand: "Your heart has to find other horizons little prince. I love you a lot, but as a younger brother." – She threw him a flying kiss which Aarush acted to catch with a hand and place it on his cheek. Mishti laughed.

ON THE OTHER HAND

Vikram was holding Ragini's hands walking downstairs to Tarun's basement and Jai was covering her eyes with his hands while Rahul was guiding them.

Ragini: "Please guys, let me see!"

Jai: "How curious you are! Just a moment!"

They reached downstairs and Jai finally removed his hands from Ragini's eyes. Tarun was there too. Ragini's lips curved into a huge smile seeing all the instruments there.

Ragini: "Oh my God! You have brought all the instrument of the band here!" – She jumped in excitement and then exchanged hi-fives with Jai, Rahul and Vikram.

Vikram: "The band is back!"

Ragini: "This is great! But how did you do this?"

Rahul: "Your father brought the instruments and Tarun gave us this place."

Ragini looked at Tarun gratefully and hugged him: "Thank you so much Tarun! You are the best!"

Jai: "But none should find out about this."

Rahul: "Yes, otherwise we will be in big troubles."

Ragini: "What about Mishti? Can I tell her at least? I don't feel like hiding anything from her anymore..."

Vikram: "She can know, I trust her."

Rahul: "Of course you trust your crush!" – He hit his shoulder teasing him.

Ragini widened her eyes: "Crush? Oh Gosh! Vikram and Mishti?" – She acted to give it a thought and then smiled - "I like it!" – She nodded in approval.

As Mishti's topic was brought up, Jai got silent and Ragini noticed that: "Everything ok Jai?"

Jai: "Actually..." – he stopped as he remembered how Mishti yelled at him when she came to know that he told Vikram about her feelings for him – "Yeah of course, all is good." – He decided not to tell anything to Ragini and smiled but couldn't convince Ragini who understood that there was something he was hiding.

IN MISHTI'S HOSTEL ROOM

Mishti was sobbing while sitting on the bed.

"That's a good decision. I'd certainly like you to forget me and whatever you said..."

She recalled Jai's words and how he didn't react at all after she said that she wants to break all the ties with her. She felt hurt thinking that he didn't care at all about her being or not being there in his life.

So gayi hai yeh saansein sabhi
Adhoori si hai kahaani meri

Mishti heard the noise of the squeaking of the door as Preeti entered the room and quickly wiped her tears but Preeti had noticed them already.

Preeti: "Mishti are you crying?"

Mishti looked sideways hiding her face from her: "No."

Preeti: "Yes, you are crying." – She knelt near her – "Do you want me to go to call Esha? She is your best friend so..."

Mishti wiped her face and shook her head: "No, no. I don't want to talk to her... she wouldn't understand." – she looked down.

Preeti: "Do you want to talk with me? I might not be your best friend, but I may help you..."

Mishti looked at her: "I love Jai..."

Preeti was surprised: "What?! And what about him?"

A tear skipped on Mishti's cheek as she shook her head: "No... for him we are just friends... maybe not even that." – She hugged Preeti – "I'm feeling really bad Preeti..." – She cried.

Preeti tried comforting her.

AT NIGHT

Rahul, Vikram and Jai were back in their hostel room. While Rahul and Vikram were rejoicing the return of their band, Jai was silently lying on the bed looking at the ceiling and recalling Mishti's words.

"I just want to break all the ties with you"

"You became my friend because you wanted me to reunite with Ragini, my sister and your best friend. That has happened. Now there is no point of our friendship also."

Vikram: "Hey Jai? Are you ok? You didn't say a word since we are back from the basement."

Jai sat up sighing: "Mishti told me that she wants to forget me. She doesn't want to keep any hard feeling against me, stop fighting with me... but in order to do that, she decided to have nothing to do with me... in short, she wants to behave like a stranger with me."

Vikram: "Well, isn't that good? You didn't want her to suffer for your love, did you? And you were also fed up with her fights... so now everything seems sorted out... unless, you have feelings for her as well?"

Jai: "No, there is nothing like that in my heart for Mishti." – He immediately denied – "But... it's not that she was nothing to me. I always considered her a friend and obviously I feel bad if she wants to break all the ties with me... why can't she be my friend only?"

Rahul: "Well... in such situations it's difficult to stay friends. She is right. If she wants to forget you, she has to stay away from you otherwise she will never move on. In my opinion, you shouldn't feel bad. She won't love you anymore, she won't even hate you as well. You guys won't fight anymore. No problems at all. You are still classmates; you will share a cordial relation. What else do you want?"

Jai didn't look fully convinced.

Vikram: "This means I got green light!" – Jai frowned – "Because I really like Mishti. You don't have any feelings for her, she wants to forget you, so this means I got green light.

Jai: "I don't have any problem." – He gave him a smile.

SIMULTANEOUSLY

Esha sat near Mishti who was lying on her bed hugging a pillow: "What happened Mishti?"

Mishti: "Nothing Esha..."

Esha: "Are you sure? You have such a face!"

Preeti, who was sitting on her bed and looking at them, commented: "Well, after all she has to go through..." – Mishti eyed Preeti who covered her mouth.

Esha was confused: "What?"

Mishti: "You know Preeti, she makes a novel out of a little thing. Rita scolded me and I am a little upset about that..." – She gave Esha an assuring smile – "Don't worry, I'll be fine soon."

Esha hugged her: "Remember you can always count on me Mishti."

Mishti hugged her back. She felt terrible about hiding her feelings from Esha but she knew Esha liked Jai liked too and she couldn't afford to lose the first female best friend she has ever had.

THE NEXT MORNING

Ragini stopped a taxi and then sat in it. She looked at the grocery list Rita had given her: it was the last thing she had to do for the punishment she got because of the clothes fiasco. Sanskar had to come with her since he was her supervisor but, after what happened the previous day, she avoided facing him and left alone.

However, Sanskar was in the garden when she left and saw her. She took out the list of chores Ragini had to do given by Rita and understood that she left to the market without informing him: "So you are trying to avoid me..." – He put back the list in his pocket and stopped another taxi asking the driver to follow Ragini's cab.

Mahima witnessed everything.

IN THE KITCHEN

Esha and Preeti were cutting the vegetables.

Preeti: "I'm fed up of the chores we are given daily!" – She complained.

Esha put the knife down huffing: "I don't know what happened to Mishti! She is continuously avoiding me, do you know anything?"

Preeti stammered: "Who? I? No, I know nothing."

Esha looked at her suspiciously: "But I really think you do."

Preeti: "No really."

Esha: "Ok fine. I think it's related to Jai."

Preeti: "Oh then you know it!"

Esha: "I know what?"

Preeti: "Don't act like you don't know it!"

Esha: "Yes, actually I know that..." – She left the sentence open.

Preeti: "That Mishti loves Jai." – As Esha expected, Preeti completed the sentence.

Esha widened her eyes getting shocked: "WHAT?!"

Right then, Mishti entered the kitchen. Esha glared at her: "Are you supposed to be my friend?"

Mishti looked at her confused.

IN ANANYA AND RAGINI'S ROOM

Mahima sat in front of Ananya: "I saw Ragini and your boyfriend together." – She informed Ananya.

Ananya: "What?!" – She asked shocked.

Mahima: "Yes, I was reading my book in the garden when I saw Ragini leaving in a taxi and Sanskar following her."

Ananya: "Are you sure about what you are saying?"

Mahima: "Yes, yes! Believe me, I have witnessed everything with my own eyes. I would do something at your place to be honest."

Ananya gritted her teeth: "I HATE HER!" – She wailed.

AT THE SUPERMARKET

Ragini was pushing the cart through the lanes and buying the stuff in the list when suddenly Sanskar came in front of her.

Sanskar: "Ragini!"

Ragini's eyes got round seeing him there: "Sanskar! What are you doing here?"

Sanskar: "I followed you."

Ragini: "Why did you follow me?"

Sanskar: "Because... because I wanted to tell you that I can't forget."

Ragini: "Er... I don't understand what you can't forget. Can you be clearer please?"

Sanskar: "What you told me yesterday. Is it true that you have feelings for me?"

Ragini opened her mouth to speak but she couldn't formulate any word. She backed off trying to sneak away but ended up hitting a tower of tins of chickpeas behind her and all the tins fell on the ground hitting Sanskar too.

Ragini: "I'm so sorry!" – She apologized to Sanskar embarrassed for the nth time.

Sanskar grabbed a tin that was about to fall on her and then looked at Ragini putting a fist on his waist.

AT THE MASTERY

Esha: "Why didn't you tell me anything? I thought we were friends!" – She yelled at Mishti who looked at her with guilty eyes.

Preeti understood that she made a mistake: "I messed up everything!" – She hit her head with her palm.

Mishti: "I am really sorry Esha. I swear I didn't want to hurt you or lie to you... I have been liking Jai since a long time and I could never tell about it to anyone. Please forgive me Esha, I really didn't want to hurt you."

Esha: "No, I am not forgiving you! I asked you if you liked Jai and you lied to me!"

Mishti: "But why should I have told you? To make you feel bad?"

Esha: "If you had told me I would have at least not grown any interest for him!" – She didn't notice Karan stepping inside the kitchen – "You knew that I like Jai!"

Before Mishti could speak up, Karan walked towards them clapping: "That's it! And with this confession, the story between Esha and Karan has come to an end."

Mishti, Preeti and especially Esha looked at him shocked.

Esha: "No Karan, listen to me!" – She stopped him when he was about to walk away.

Karan: "Whatever I have heard is enough. It's over Esha." – With that, he left.

Esha was shattered. Preeti and Mishti exchanged looks.

CHAPTER ENDS