"And you will spend the rest of your remaining days on this earth chasing shadows of love that look like mine"

Arshita's Pov

Things between my mom and I have been always complicated, but they were never quite as complicated as this.

We developed this unspoked system between us since years. I used to do well in school and college ans stayed out of her way and she engrossed herself in her work. She always said this was for our betterment but we were not in much need for money. Her job paid us well enough. I guess she just wanted to do something to keep her mind off things.

I understood that because I had relied on the same strategy since dad left, I didn't imersed myself in work but tried to stay more and more away from our too empty house and stayed with Siddharth or Aditi.

We might have been distant, but we were never like this, we were never truly mad at each other.

Not until now.

I wasn't sure what to eclxpect after the last night had turned out. I was surprised to see that she still left my allowance on the table, I thought she would just leave like but she didn't.

Shubman was late today so we didn't talked to each other on the first period and the day was spent like that but he once again was waiting for me outside my classroom for lunch.

I was still pissed about yesterday and it would have been evident from my face because as soon as I reached near Shubman he said "I guess, the talk between you and your mom didn't went well" and I nodded.

"Are you grounded" He asked.

"Jaise mai Unko krne dungi" I said and he chuckled and we made our way towards the cafeteria. At this point I didn't even bothered to stay away from them because I really needed a distraction. And Shubman was right when he said  eating with him would make rumors go all over the campus.

Like any girl was not seen with Shubman for more than one or two days and then suddenly this nobody was seen eating with him and his friends on a daily basis.

"So you're free on Saturday" he asked as we were walking to the canteen.

I didn't know what was this about so I asked "why?"

"Mujhe bhi nhi pata" he said as we entered the canteen "Chlo pata krte hai"

We reached our table and Manjot, Nagar and Ayushi were again engrossed in their joking world and Shriya was giggling at something Abhay said. As soon as we reached and Shriya saw us she squeeled happily asking, "You're coming on Saturday right!"

Her beautiful smile was enough to make me smile after this bad day.

I looked at Shubman confused and he shrugged giving 'even I don't know' look.

I took a seat asking "Ye Saturday ki kya mystery hai?"

"Saturday ki ye mystery hai ki hafte me chaar shanivaar hone chaiye" Mandy said making me chuckle.

"Shut up" Shubman said sandwich in his mouth.

"Surprise hai" Shriya said happily "You'll love it"

"Kaisa surprise, actually I hate surprises" I said.

"You hate everything" Shubman said nudging my shoulder.

"Aur tu unme se ek hai" Abhay said and we giggled and he gave me a high - five.

"You, you're enjoying my misery?" Shubman asked pointing his finger at me.

"Yess Mr. Gill" I said and intertwined my finger with his and he laughed shaking his head.

"I don't care, tu chahe Arshu ko utha ke lana, prr lana warna mai tujhe chodungi nhi" Shriya said actually warned Shubman.

"Yes ma'am" Shubman said joining his hands.

"Utha ke laane me toh Shub will enjoy" Nagar said and Shubman hitted his head.

The conversation kept going on and I felt myself fully relaxing there and mixing up with their talks. It feels as of I'm a part of this and found myself thanking Shubman for bringing me here with him.
___

The college hours were finished but I stayed in the library pouring myself in book just to take my mind off everything and because I didn't wanted to go home and face mom right now.

After two-three hours the librarian threw me out cuz it was time to close the college, I lazily went home and as soon as I reached I headed to my room and closed the door so I don't run into mom.

It was now 7:30 in the evening and I was just laying on my bed watching a video on youtube when I received a text.

It was Shubman.

Shub😎:
Have you eaten?🤔

                                            Me:
                                        Not yet😶

Shub😎:
Good ☺️

                                            Me:
                                       Why? 🙄

Shub😎:
I'm standing outside
your house, have dinner
with me. 😉😉

                                       
I nearly feel off my bed in hurry to the window. I opened it to get a better view of the front yard and sure enough, Shubman was standing there leaning against his car. He waved up at me grinning.

"What are you doing here" I yelled from the window.

"I was in the neighbourhood" he replied, his voice came well up here, "Tumhari mom ki car nhi thi toh socha tum phir muh banake baithi hogi ki tumhare sath koi khane wala nhi hai" he said smirking.

"Shut up, aisa kuch nhi hai" I said, "Tum sach me aas paas the yaa aise hi bol re ho" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"Don't flatter yourself, Arora" He replied putting his hands in his pockets, "Mom ke kaam se aya tha"

"Toh tum aa rhi ho yaa mujhe upar aakar kheech kr lana padega" he said wiggling his eyebrows.

I looked at him for a second and realized he wasn't joking so I said "I'll be there in a minute"

He grinned, "Great"

I was, still in my same college outfit so I didn't bothered changing. I just took a look in the mirror and made a high ponytail and rushed downstairs.

I walked upto where he was leaning against his car "Hey" he said and didn't noticed the hesitant look I was giving him. "Come on"

He even opened the door for me. I stayed still at my spot and looked at the passenger seat and then at him asking "Why are you doing this?"

"Eating alone is never fun" He replied smiling.

I watched him carefully, studying his face and trying not to think too much of this situation, but I couldn't help it. The fact was that he was standing here holding the car door open for me in front of my house just because h knew that I would be alone.

I erased all the thoughts shaking my head and kindly sat in the car without another word.

He came and sat on the driver's seat after shutting my door and connected his phone to the speaker playing his favourite to-do list.

I looked at him and asked as he started the car, "Why were you in the neighborhood?"

"Mom ko kuch samaan chaiye tha toh wahi lene aya tha" he said and I nodded.

I recalled what he told me about his mother and her relationship with his father, how they grew apart when his father was too much engrossed in his work life. I never met his mother but I couldn't imagine what would she feel like.

As like he read my mind he said "You know it's really hard" My head snapped to his direction "Apne parents ko aise ek dusre se doorr dekhna"

I looked at his face and it was blank, it didn't showed any type of emotion and so I asked "Why don't you talk to your dad about this?"

"She said that she want to do it herself" he said softly.

I kept staring at him and I knew, right then, that how much this was eating him inside, I wanted to help him but I couldn't because even I didn't know what I would have done I were to be in his place.

"I want to tell him everything" he said, "I pick up my phone everydayto talk to him, but I just couldn't"

I looked away keeping myself in his shoes not knowing what could I say to make him feel better.

The rest of the ride was silent and we entered a chinese restaurant and took a seat. I guess he noticed the change in my behavior as he looked at me giving a too bright smile, "Are you excited about saturday?" he asked.

"I'm not really sure" I said.

"You'll love it" he said grinning, "Btw you're free on Friday right? It's Shriya's birthday party" he asked turning to me.

The word party was enough to scare me off but the mention of Shriya's birthday made it easier for me consider this one. "Usko invite krna hoga toh vo khud krlegi" I said casually.

"It's a surprise" he said chuckling, "It was Abhay's idea"

As he mentioned this I thought of how Shriya and Abhishek interacted, it was like there was something different about the two of them, so I found myself asking "Are Shriya and Abhay dating?"

"They want to" he said focusing on his food. "Heinnn mtlb?" I asked.

"Mtlb dono Pagal hai ek no. ke" he said looking up, "Dono marte hai ek dusre pe lekin darte hai ki friendship na kharab ho jaye" He said and sighed.

"Areyy kyu jb dono same feel krte hai toh sath hona chaiye na" I asked in disbelief.

"Ha, dont worry he's going to propose her on Friday, sala pagla gya hai uske pyaar me" he said chuckling.

"They both are really cute, they'll make a best couple" I said grinning.

Shubman looked at me and smirk came over to his lips and asked raising an eyebrow "And what about us? Aren't we cute too" he said in a girly tone.

I looked at him keeping my hands under my chin and burst out laughing at his expressions. He also started laughing.

"Hum log ka toh pta nhi" I said controlling my laugh, "But abhi jo tumne kiya wo bhut cute tha" I said pulling his cheeks and then he winked at me.

"Mai toh paida hi cute hua tha" He said and we laughed. "Ha ha thk hai ab khana khao" I said and we finished our dinner and left for home.
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Heyys guyss!

So here's the another update, hope you all like it and if you do, don't forget to shower your love.
💖💖💖