"Zara,You got really sick yesterday.Why don't you take a leave and rest at home?"Aunty said to me at the dining table while we all were having our breakfast.

I paused with the spoon half way to my lips .

"She is right.There's no need to go college today.Stay back home and take rest."Uncle said , soon after her.

A long sigh escaped from my lips as I put the spoon down and looked towards them.

"It was just a minor headache.I am absolutely fine now.I don't need rest."I said.

Uncle shook his head .It seemed he didn't buy my words.

"Beside I've an important practical class today.I can't miss it."I added this point instantly, hoping that he would agree now.

Uncle seemed thoughtful.

"Mom,dad !if Zara is saying that she is fine then don't force her to stay home .Let her go"Farhaan bhai spoke then.

I passed him a smile for taking my side and tilted my head towards uncle again ,waited for his reply.

"Umm..Okay,go then "Uncle said after a moment of thought.

My face brim with a smile.

"But you won't stress yourself.And if you experience headache again, call me or Farhan instantly,Okay? "he added.

"Okay ."I nodded .

I tilted my head at my left side to see Farhan Bhai.

"Thank you, bhai."I whispered to him.I was lucky that I'd a brother like him to count on.

He smiled in response.

I quickly finished my food then and went to my room to get my bag and phone.

By the time, I came downstairs again ,everyone had their breakfast .Uncle and Farhaan bhai already left for the office,aunty was in the kitchen,perhaps.Misha and Khusbu was still sitting on a dining table ,were talking to eachother.

"Bye, guys.See you in the evening ."I said to them.

They both turned to me.

"See ya."Misha mumbled,waving her hand at me.

"Have a nice day."Khusbu said,smilingly.

"Same to you."I smiled and walked out of the house through the main entrance.

I got into the car and drove to the college , listening soft music all the way.When I got out of my car in the parking lot,I noticed Aabir's black BMW5 car,three cars down from me.A smile slowly formed in my lips as I realised he had already come in the college.

Since yesterday,I couldn't stop thinking about him.And if I was being honest with myself, I knew I was eager to get to college not because of my classes.I was eager because I would see Aabir.I shouldn't be at all anxious to see him.But I couldn't help myself and that was really ....really stupid of me.

My first two class went well . Before the third class we had a 20 minutes break.So Jazz,Zainab and I decided to get something to eat from the cafeteria and headed towards there.

Oh,I forget to tell about Zainab.She was one of my classmate and my newly made friend.I had given her a nick name..'Gossip queen'.Because one would get to hear every kind of gossip and romours from her.From the wardrobe malfunction of a bollywood actress to who was dating whom at the college, she knew everything.I couldn't understand how she got to know whenever anything interesting happen at the college.

Right now She was telling us a latest romours that she heard recently about Professor Bakshi .I wasn't paying much attention to what she was saying as I had no interest to know about others life.I was just silently walking by their side, pretending to be attentive.

"Hey,look over there ."Jazz nudged me by her elbow,breaking my train of thoughts.

We'd got out of the campus by then.My head snapped up and followed her gaze to see a commotion on the other side of the road,in front of the cafeteria.

"What's going on there?"Jazz mused,staring at that direction.

Zainab and I shrugged.

"Let's go and find out."Zainab said curiously,marching towards the crowd,dragging Jazz and me with her.

Crossing the road, we came near the crowd and pushed the people out of the way to see what was happening.

My eyes wide opened when it landed on Arhaan.He was tussiling with a guy and most surprisingly that guy was one of his friends.His name was Tanmay if I remember correctly.I was literally shocked as I had never seen Arhaan fighting with his friends.

Arhaan and Tanmay were grabbing eachother collars while snarling and glaring at eachother angrily.Another friend of them, trying to separate them but failing miserably .

Suddenly I noticed Tanmay mouthed something to Arhaan,just to make things wrose.Whatever he said,made Arhaan more furious.Arhaan clenched his jaw and punched him on the face.Tanmay stumbled on the ground .Recovering from the impact ,he got up and punched Arhaan on his stomach,making him bow down a little before retraing back .They pulled each other down on ground and a nasty fight started between them.

That's enough.I couldn't just stand and watch their fight like an audience anymore.I had to stop them ....stop Arhaan before things turn worse.

"Arhaan,Stop!"I shouted amidst the cries and squeaks of students and ran to him.

"What are you doing?Leave him."I cried out while trying to pull him away.

But Arhaan didn't budge.He shrugged off my hand and continued tussling with his friend.

"You two are friends and friends don't fight .Stop both of you please."I pleaded to them but it went to deaf ears .Neither Arhaan or his friend budge or back away.Rather I got pushed by Tanmay and almost stumbled to fall. Somehow,I managed to maintain my balance and tried again to pull Arhaan away but invain.

"Zara,step back."a husky voice came from behind me just then.

I turned around to see the owner of the voice.It was Kabeer and Umang trailing behind him.A relief washed over me.I gave him a nod and moved aside .

Kabeer and Umang flung himself on them.

"Arhaan,just stop it."Kabeer yelled ,pulling him roughly,rendering the guy to be released from his grasp.

"You believe it or not.Whatever I said is gonna come true,Arhaan ."Tanmay yelled.

Does he have a death wish?Why is he provoking him again?

"Mark my words,You won't be able to do anything."He snickered.His gaze shifted to me for a moment and then back to Arhaan.

I looked at Arhaan and visibly shrank with fear.His eyes were red again,fuming with rage.He clenched his jaw and marched towards him.

Arhaan would've definitely killed his friend if Kabeer and Umang didn't held him back .

"Arhaan, don't... let's just go from here."I requested him,holding his arms who wasn't ready to let go and yelling at Kabeer and Umang to let him go.

He looked at me and his demeanor suddenly changed.

"Please Arhaan!"I whispered.

He closed his eyes and exhaled sharply and after a moment when he opened his eyes ,he looked calm and composed.

"Let's go from here."I said.

He gave me a nod and I smiled in relief.

When I was getting out of there along with Arhaan,Umang and Kabeer,my eyes landed on Aabir who was standing amidst the crowd.He was staring at us..to be more precise ,I felt he was glaring at me ,an edge of anger and frustration were visible in his eyes. I got confused as I didn't understand the reason of his glaring at me that way.

..........

"What the hell was that?"Kabeer said to Arhaan, annoyed enough.

Arhaan was sitting on a bench near the pond which situated between both campus.The whole area surrounding with green trees.To me,It was the most beautiful place in the whole campus.

Arhaan didn't say anything,his eyes were closed and expression severe.

I sighed and sat beside him.

"Arhaan,he is your friend.You shouldn't have fight with him"I said.

"I didn't want to hit him." he spoke, sounding mad at himself.

"But you did."I snapped.

"What was the reason behind this fight?What did he do?"Kabeer asked , crossing his arms across his chest,leaning against a tree.

"He said something which he shouldn't."Arhaan said through his teeth, closing his eyes.

"What did he say exactly?About what?"I demanded.

He snapped his eyes open and looked at me.

"He said that y..."He paused .

I waited but he didn't continue.He just kept looking at me,his eyes were full of emotions that I couldn't comprehend.

"I am waiting."I reminded him.

"I can't tell you."He mumbled,looking away from me.

"Why?"I frowned.

"Its between him and me. You don't need to know ."He said in a sharp tone.

I glared defiantly at him.

"Okay,fine.Don't tell me" I said each word slowly,controlling my frustration .

I wanted to know but if he wasn't ready to tell me , I couldn't force him .

I noticed red bruises on the knuckles of his right hand then.

"Look at your hand .You got hurt."I panicked, taking his hand onto mine.

"I am fine."saying this sharply ,he pulled his hand back with a jerk.

My temper flared .It was too much now.

"Well,Kabeer I'm going. "I jumped to my feet."I have an important class to attend.And I'm already late for it."I added.

Though my eyes were on Kabeer, I could feel Arhaan staring at me but I didn't directly look at him.

"Okay.See you at the lunch "he said .

I nodded at him and walked away .

I half ran to my class as I was already late.

By the time,I reached to my class,Mr.Waqif , he'd already started the lecture.

"May I come in,Sir?"I asked,standing outside the door.

Mr.Waqif nodded,giving me a dark look.I entered into the room.

"You're late."He reminded me.

"Sorry,Sir.It won't happen again"I said while walking to my seat, lowering my head.

I settled quickly into my seat, aware that both Jazz and Zainab were staring at me intently.

Mr.Waqif began talking again.I let out a deep breath ,relaxing myself and trying to focus on what he was teaching.

........

When the lunch time came,I walked into the cafeteria and spotted Aabir already seated at our usual table,alone. As usual he seemed busy with his phone.

I pulled the chair making a noise and slowly sat down across him, expecting him to turn towards me. But he showed no sign that he realized I was there.

Two minutes passed but he didn't look up at me for once.I sighed and decided to break the silence.

"Hi, Aabir ."I said pleasantly.

He looked up at me for just a friction of second, nodded once, and then looked down again at his mobile.

"What are you doing?"I asked though I could guess he was playing game on his phone.

"Playing pubG"He answered.

"Ooh!"I let it drop.

I waited to hear something from his side.But he didn't utter a single word.

"Hey,Zara!Where is Arhaan?"a male voice asked suddenly.

I looked up to see a boy .He was tall,curly hair,big muscled like a serious weight lifter.I had seen him before but couldn't remember his name at that time.

"I don't know."I replied to his answer.

I saw, from the corner of my eye, Aabir's head tilt reflexively in my direction.

"I didn't see him after his fight with Tanmay.He didn't even attend last two classes.I was hoping that you may know his whereabout "He muttered the last part almost to himself.

"I also didn't see him since then"I said .

I wondered where Arhaan could be.

"Well ...Why did he get into a fight with Tanmay?Do you have any idea?"He asked.

"I don't know."I responded."He didn't tell me."I said ,trying to suppress my irritation.

This was the sixth time someone asking me the same question.It was getting on my nerves now.I didn't understand what made everyone think that I would know why the hell he did fight with someone.

"Oh!"his face fell.

I guessed I again disappointed him.

He walked away then.I sighed in relief and returned my focused on Aabir.He was still with his goddamn phone .

"Did you order something for lunch?"I asked.

He simply shook his head, didn't bother to answer from his mouth.

"Well, I'm going to get something for me to eat.If you want I can bring something for..."I cut off by him.

"You know what , I'm trying to clear a level.But you're not letting me concentrate in the game."He said, looking up at me.He didn't look friendly at all.

"Don't dusturb me and let me concentrate."He said in a stern voice.

"I didn't mean to disturb you."I said ,trying to push the anger that filled me.

"I was just asking....."my voice trailed off as I saw him pressed the bud of the earphone into his ears.

I sat frozen for a minute, staring at him blankly.The way he behaved with me was so mean.I felt so insulted .I was in fear that my eyes would tear up as I usually cry when I get too much angry, a humiliating tendency.

Yesterday,when he helped me and behaved nicely enough ,I thought he was gonna change his attitude towards me.From now on,Everything would be normal between us. But he cleared my misconception.He'd gone back to the cold, indifferent person I'd known for the last one and a half month.

I decided to leave the cafeteria as I was feeling suffocated .I stood and turned around only to bump into Simi.

"Sorry,I didn't notice you."I said in a low voice

"It's okay."She gave me a smile.

Kabeer and Umang came by the time and sat on a table next to that rude person.

"By the way,Where are you going?"She asked ,narrowing her eyes

"To the library."I lied.I didn't thought yet where I would go from here.

"Won't you have lunch?"Kabeer asked.

"Actually, I am not hungry now" I said.

My appetite had gone ,all thanks to Aabir.

I stared down at Aabir.He was sitting unchanged.

"What's wrong,Zara?" Umang asked suspiciously.His eyes following my stare .

"Nothing. " I answered.

He examined my face, clearly not convince with my response.

"Well,You guys carry on.I'll catch you later "I gave them a fake smile and turned on my heel to disappeared out the door.

...........

I walked alone to the parking lot when the college hour ended.I got myself into the car and threw my bag at the back seat.

I started the engine and looked around to make sure it was clear to get the car out of here. That's when I noticed Aabir.He was leaning against the front door of his car,talking with Kabeer.My anger flared again as I recalled how he behaved with me at the cafeteria.

I swiftly looked away and threw the car into reverse, almost hitting a red car in my haste. Luckily, I stomped on the brake in time and saved myself from a big trouble .

I let out a sigh resting my forhead on the steering wheel .And then took a deep breath and cautiously pulled out the car and drove to my work place slowly, carefully, muttering to myself the whole way.

When I reached home from the work,it was almost 7 pm.And my mood was still off.

I directly went upstairs to my room.I threw my bag on the study table and myself on the bed.

I kept lying on bed, closing my eyes .After a time I heard a footsteps coming close to the room.

"When did you come?"I heard Khusbu's voice then .

My eyes flew open.She was standing at the foot of the bed.

I sat on bed,crossing my legs.

"Just a while ago."I replied

"Ooh!"She mumbled.

"How was your day?"She asked, smilingly

"Awful ."I huffed.

"Why?What happened?"she asked as she moved to sit on the edge of the bed, facing me.

I sighed deeply.

"Its a long story.I'll tell you later."I assured her sullenly .

"Okay."she mumbled.

I had decided to tell her only about the fight topic..not about Aabir.I didn't want to embarrasse myself by letting her know how someone insulted me.

I stepped into the washroom for freshen up.After freshen up and having some light food,I did my study.

At night,One of the servent called us in when the dinner was ready.Misha ,Khusbu and I went downstairs and joined others at the dinning table.

We ate in silence for a few moments.Then uncle started a conversation.Others soon joined into it except me.I felt left out in the whole conversation as I didn't understand what they were talking about.Hearing their discussion,it seemed they were making a plan to go somewhere next day.

"Are we going somewhere ?"I asked finally.

Everyone's eye turned on me .

"Oops..We forget to inform her."Khusbu smiled shipishly

"About what?"I frowned.

"Well.."Misha paused as her eyes flickered to Farhan bhai for a moment and then back to me "Tomorrow,we're going to meet our would be sister-in-law and her family officially."Misha broke the news, grinning widely

"Really!!"My face brighted with a smile.

"That's a great news." my voice was bright and enthusiastic.

I looked at my brother who was sitting across me .His eyes on his plate and a smile was playing at the corner of his lips .He was literally blushing.

It was the only good thing that happened throughout the day.And it lightened my mood to some extent.
.......

At night before going to the bed I sat in the balcony ,eyes closed , listening to music on headphone.

Music was my stress buster.Listening to music have a tremendously relaxing effect on my minds and body, especially slow, quiet classical music.
It always helped me to relieve my stress and anxiety.But it wasn't giving me much relief today.

My mind was busy thinking about today's happening..specially about Aabir. I wanted to confront him and demanded to know what his problem was.I wanted to know what made him hate me so much.I wanted to know what have I done to him in the past.But I doubt ,I would get any answer from him.

*****************

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