The lunch break ended and I made my way to my next class.

The next two class went well.But during the last class ,the rain began to fall heavily.

Bad luck!

When the class ended ,getting out of the room,I called Arhaan as he was supposed to drop me to my work place.His phone rang but he didn't pick up.

I waited for him and for the rain to stop ,standing under the shelter of my department building.Few more students were standing with me.They might have didn't brought the umbrella like me.

After sometime ,around 15 minutes later the rain slowed down and I decided to move as I was getting late for my work.

As I decided ,I darted through the rain
and headed towards the main exit of our college .I was planning to take a cab from there to go to my work.But when I was crossing the garden,to my bad luck I slipped and fell down on my bum.

"Aah!"I winced in pain.It was a hard fall.

Some girls who were walking past me giggled ,giving me a mockery instead of helping me.

I lowered my head and closed my eyes as a feeling of embarrassment washed over me.

"Why it happen to me always?"I groaned and wished that I could be invisible right then.It was so so embarrassing.

Suddenly the rain stopped falling on me.I couldn't feel the raindrops anymore.

Does the rain stop?

I got confused because I could still hear the pitter patter sound of the falling rain.

I opened my eyes and lifted my face to see a white totes umbrella over my head.

Someone was holding it for me .When I looked at the person I got surprised as it was the most unexpected person I could imagine at that time.It was Aabir.

"Get up."He said in his usual quite voice and held out his hand .His look was friendly.

I stared at him,being amazed by his sudden generosity.

"Do you want to sit here all day ?"He raised his brow.

My mind was spinning with confusion.So,I couldn't speak yet.I just shook my head as a reply .

"Then get up quickly.I am not gonna hold the umbrella whole day for you."He said,still holding out his hand for me.

I hesitated for a moment ,then slowly gave my hand to him .

He pulled me up,making me stand on my feet.My heart skipped a beat when I almost collided to his chest.

"Did you get hurt anywhere?"He asked,his look was concerned.

I was still in daze.But somehow I manage to utter words.

"No,I am fine."I said which was a lie.I'd got hurt on my bum but I couldn't tell him that.

"Hold it."He handed me the umbrella.

Then removed his black leather jacket from his body.

"You've got drenched .Wear it."He said , offering me that jacket.

I simply took the jacket from him without any objection as I knew it would be wise decision for me to take his offer rather than walking around uncomfortably in wet and dirty cloths.

"Thanks." I said with a demure smile ,sliding my arms into his jacket.

"Let's go."He said ,holding the umbrella over our head, mostly on mine.

We started walking together then,sloshing through the rain .Though he was maintaining a polite distance, yet his presence was influencing me.

I couldn't help but peeking at him from the corner of my eyes .He was in a white crew neck t-shirt now,it fit him snugly, emphasizing how muscular his chest was.And his hair was dripping wet, disheveled that making him more handsome and tempting .

I didn't realize that I was oggling at him shamelessly until he looked at me.

I immediately looked away, embarrassed ofcourse.My ears and cheeks got hot as I'd got caught red handed while checking him out.

I kept looking on the ground the rest of the way to the parking lot.My heart was thumping all the way.

When we reached to the parking lot ,he stopped before his car.

"Do you have your car?"He asked me.

"No."I shook my head.

Misha and Khusbu might have already gone home ,taking the car as I wasn't supposed to go with them.

"Come ,I'll drop you."He offered.

I had no reason to deny him.

"Oka.."I paused as a call echoed in the distance.

"Zara!"someone shouted and I could recognize the voice very well.

I turned around and saw Arhaan who was coming to me ,running.He was in a yellow raincoat and was holding an blue umbrella in his left hand.

"Where have you been?I was looking for you."He said, reaching us.His eyes flickered to Aabir for a moment and then get fixed on me.

"I was ....."I couldn't complete as he threw another question on me.

"What's wrong with your dress?"He asked,gazing at my clothes which was smudged with mud .

"I'd slipped and fell down."I told him,letting out a sigh.

"Are you okay?Did you get hurt?"He asked,concerned.

"I am fine.Don't worry."I said.

Again the same lie.

"I am sorry ,I came late."He apologized.

"Actually the rain has started and you'd told me during lunch that you didn't bring your umbrella.That's why I'd gone to brought this for you. And that's where I got late."he explained , showing me the umbrella that was in his hand.

"I am so sorry."He said again,his apology even more evident on his face now.

"It's okay,Arhaan.No need to be sorry.You've no fault,anyway"I said to him.

It was my fault only.I should have been more careful while walking.

Arhaan sighed,not looking convinced.

Suddenly the sky lit up with a bright flash of lightening and a loud thunder roared that made us looking up .

"Let's just go before the rain starts to pour heavily ."Arhaan said , opening the umbrella for me.

"Are you going with him?"Aabir asked me the next moment .

"Ofcourse,she is going with me.Do you have any doubt?"Arhaan scowled at him .His voice was unnecessarily harsh.

Aabir ignored him.His eyes were on me, waiting for my answer.

I found myself in a dilemma ,was confused about whom to go with.

I pursed my lips as I considered and took the decision, finally .

I chose Arhaan.

"Um... Well."I looked at Aabir and continued slowly "I think it would be better for me to go with him.Cause your house is in the opposite direction of mine.And I don't want to trouble you anymore."

He pressed his lips into a hard line,hearing me.

I didn't want to cause him unnecessary trouble.That was my only intention behind rejecting him .

But It seemed my answer has displeased him.

Arhaan was happy though.The way he was smirking at him,I could see it.

"Thank you so much for helping me."I said to him ,earnestly.

In reply,He just nodded, looking at me intently.

I gave him a warm smile , then turned at Arhaan.

"Let's go."I said to him.

"Wait!You forgot to give his jacket back to him."Arhaan reminded me .

"Ooh,yes."I realized.

"No need to give it back right now."Aabir said when I started shrugging out of his jacket.

"You're wet.Keep it to yourself.Give it back later."He added and in last sentence his voice somewhat sounded authoritative .

Anyway,I could understand why he was asking me to keep wearing it.My dress were clinging wetly to my body which was an uncomfortable thing .And his jacket was the only thing that was helping me to cover up myself.

"Thanks."I said again.

"We should go now."Arhaan said, holding the umbrella over my head.

I nodded and moved with him to his car.

"Get in."He said as he opened the door for me.

I got into the car and he closed the door behind me.

Settling myself into the seat,I gave a glance to the wing mirror in which I could see Aabir's reflection .He was standing at the same place and staring at our direction.

Arhaan hopped in driver seat and started the engine .

As our car drove away,I couldn't see him anymore in the mirror.

On the way,I called Mr.Narayan ,the owner of that book store where I work .I gave him an excuse of getting sick and told him that I wasn't gonna come for work today.

I was drenched ,my dress were dirty and in such a condition I couldn't go there.Not at all .

"Are you alright?"Arhaan asked while driving to my home.

"Yeah."I gave him an reassuring smile.

"Are you feeling cold?"He asked after another minute.

"No."I said and stared out the window .The rain was pouring heavily outside.

"Okay."He mumbled,not convinced.

Honestly ,this time I didn't lie to him.Though the environment was cold due to the rain.But I wasn't feeling cold, thanks to Aabir.I was warm enough in his jacket.

THANK YOU,MR . GRUMPY!

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See ya in next update.