Chapter 11-Chapter 15

 

            Chapter 11

           

It has been about a week since Prachi had declared her love to Neev. That was the last conversation they had. Neev and Prachi are successfully avoiding each other. They just don't know what to say to each other. Neev feels really stupid for never noticing that Prachi was been in love with him. Prachi feels really embarrassed and humiliated. They have been making excuses not to go over to the other's house because they just need time to sort out their feelings, or at least Neev did. He is still in utter shock and it has not sunk in his thick headed brain that Prachi is in love with him.

Kavya has been ignoring Anjali for the whole week now and it is driving her crazy. The problem is that she didn't know if this is some kind of new trick or approach to make her angry because if it is well it is working! Kavya is getting a little wrapped up in all the girls at college and constantly flirting with them as well. Anjali could have sworn that he is doing this to irritate her, but if she is wrong boy would she look stupid. She couldn't ask him either because this is supposedly what she had always wanted, for him to quit messing with her. She just didn't understand why she isn't enjoying this liberation.

 

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            Today Angad has come over to the Sharma House because he and Kripa are going to workout at the gym. Angad is just sitting on her bed in her bedroom, while Kripa is changing in the bathroom. Suddenly Angad hears a ring tone sound and he notices it's Kripa's cell phone. Angad and Kripa always answer each other's phones when the other isn't there, so this situation is no different. Without looking at who is on the line, Angad answers the phone, "Hello?" Angad hears a guy's voice, thinking it sounds familiar and asks, "Who is this?" the guy replies, "Umm this is Prem, who is this?" Angad gets a little irritated and bitterly replies, "Angad." Prem awkwardly replies, "Oh, umm well where is Kripa?" Angad replies, "She's in the bathroom" Prem just says to Angad for Kripa to call him back and Angad replies that he will pass on the message. Angad looks back at the cell phone when Kripa walks in the room asking, "What's wrong?" Angad is lost in his thoughts and snaps back, "Oh nothing…Ready?" Kripa walks towards the door, "Lets go!" Angad now forgets about the message and even when he does remember, he doesn't feel like telling Kripa. Angad had actually deleted the record of the call from Kripa's phone. He doesn't really know why he did what he did, but Angad feels like Prem is on his turf and that he should step off.

            Angad and Kripa go to the gym and start running on the track. While Kripa is running she suddenly has this great idea and a mischievous grin appears. While running, Angad in lost in his train of thoughts so Kripa take her water bottle and sprays Angad with water on his sweat pants in the crotch area. It really looks like he soiled himself. Kripa starts laughing and is practically on the floor pointing with one hand and grabbing her stomach with the other. She says, "Whoa Angad your having a pool party in your pants!!! HAHAHA!" Well the laughter brings Angad back from la-la land in a jiffy. He looks at Kripa weirdly as she is on the floor grabbing her stomach and pointing and laughing at him. He senses something wet and looks down. Kripa gets ready to run for her life. As soon as he sees what Kripa did he runs even faster and picks her up with one arm and then seconds later drops her on the ground with a thud. Now it's Angad who has to escape from Kripa's clutches who is now running with a limp looking like a horse galloping. After a while Angad went into the boxing room and started to pound the hanging bag thinking it is Prem. It's not like he planned on it being Prem's face, just happens to be him. Now this is really creeping out Angad because he has always been a decent and nice enough guy. What really bother him is that he barely knows Prem yet couldn't stand the sight of him and doesn't hold back on pounding him either.

After Angad found Kripa they went back to the Sharma House and Surya insists that Angad stay for dinner. They all had dinner in silence, Angad actually found it really odd that neither Neev nor Anjali are at the Sharma House for some reason or another. Then again he knows that Prachi and Neev had some sort of argument and Kavya and Anjali are barely talking anymore. Angad figures that Kavya decided to give Anjali some space since he is always harassing her. Angad thinks about how there are so many problems with Neev-Prachi, Kavya-Anjali, and soon even himself and Kripa. He just knows an argument is coming their way. Recently, he is so angry most of the time it is astonishing to even him. When Angad goes home, he begins thinking about whether or not he should have told Kripa about the call. He begins thinking maybe he should not have butt into Kripa's personal life and invade her space. These thoughts are cut short when Kripa calls him, to his delight. They begin talking for hours about random stuff and Angad completely forgets about Prem and the call.

            Next day Kripa has found out about Prem calling and he tells her he a message with Angad. Kripa gets really pissed off because she had told Angad she likes Prem so why would he possibly not tell her. She is mad that he didn't even try to tell her. Kripa rushes to the cafeteria where she finds Angad. She pulls him outside where there aren't people around. She begins yelling, "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME PREM CALLED??" Angad is dumbfounded because he was planning to tell her, but after she called he had forgotten. He yells, "YOUR YELLING AT ME FOR HIM! I DON'T LIKE HIM, HE'S NOT RIGHT FOR YOU! AS FOR THE DAM* CALL, I FORGOT!!!" Kripa continues to yell, "HOW COULD YOU FORGET? YOU KNEW I LIKED HIM ANGAD! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO ANSWER MY PHONE IF YOU CAN'T EVEN GIVE ME THE DA** MESSAGE!!! AM I NOT ENTITLED TO HAVE MY OWN PRIVACY? AND WHO ARE YOU TO DECIDE WHO I SHOULD TALK TO AND NOT TALK TO? WHAT RIGHT DO YOU HAVE?? YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME, BUT YOU DIDN'T EVEN TRY! DON'T TALK TO ME!" Kripa then left, Angad is fuming. He feels shattered and heartbroken. He feels like he doesn't mean anything to her, that she doesn't need him in her life. He is even more angry at Prem because Kripa for the first time in her life yelled at Angad. She had never raised her voice that high before on anyone, but she did on Angad, that too for Prem. That's what hurt him the most, that for a stranger she would forget who her best friend is…was.

 

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            Two weeks pass by and the Khanna kids are still very hurt by the actions of the Sharma kids. Neev and Prachi haven't talked because Prachi keeps avoiding Neev and he just doesn't know what to say to her to make it better because he is still confused over his own feelings. Kavya has been avoiding and ignoring Anjali for the past week as well, but always makes a point to make her jealous somehow, which in turn makes Anjali really upset and sad—she starts feeling really lonely. Kripa had said lots of things to Angad that day, which was their last conversation in the past two weeks. They don't even sit by each other in class anymore, Kripa regrets saying so much to him. Kripa basically said anything that came to her mind. Angad feels internally wounded by Kripa and felt like he isn't important to her. Kripa keeps trying to talk to Angad, but he would ignore her completely or give her looks full of anger and hate mixed with his hurt. However the girls are talking to each other and the guys are still talking as well, so all hope isn't lost. There was still some hope for them.

Chapter 12

           

            Angad and Kripa are still not in speaking terms. Kripa and Prem have become quite good friends, but obviously he could never replace Angad in her life. Kripa feels this emptiness in her heart, Prem would keep her occupied, but there is a difference between occupied and happy. Angad has always kept her happy. Angad on the other hand has stopped caring in general and became more of a player. He feels like the one person he truly cared for, didn't care about him so he figured why waste time with trivial things like feelings and emotions. And on more occasions than one he could have sworn Prem was smirking at him, the kind of look that said 'she picked me over you', which gave Angad even more of a reason to hate on the guy. Angad has started dating around, changing girlfriends like changing his clothes.

As for Neev and Prachi, well Neev is still confused about his feelings towards Prachi.  They haven't spoken for about three weeks and Prachi is beginning to feel really depressed. Prachi spends most of her time at home with Kripa just talking about the Khanna boys and how wrong they are. Neev did the same thing with Angad, talk about the Sharma girls and how wrong they are. But as for Kavya and Anjali well that's a different story…

 

Kavya and Anjali

 

            Kavya and Anjali have barely talked in a total of three long weeks. By now Kavya is on the verge of breaking the promise he made to himself, which is to stay away from Anjali at all costs. This is a temporary situation and he knows to reach the end result he wanted, it would take some time and patience. The thing is that Angad and Kripa, Neev and Prachi actually know what they are fighting about, but Anjali has no clue. It is confusing the heck out of her. They would occasionally talk, but it would be surprisingly formal and small talk. This isn't the Kavya she has known for 20 years, her whole life. Every day he would make sure she is irritated, even if she is sick, he would come over to bother her. If she went on vacation he would call her on the phone just to annoy her some more, or through the internet—every day for the past 20 years. But now there is no more irritating Kavya. There is no more annoyed Anjali. It is really odd and Anjali just has to get to the bottom of it or this is going to end up killing her. All these questions lay unanswered and the only one that has the answers is, Kavya Sharma.

            Anjali begins questioning whether she did anything, which of course she didn't so obviously she doesn't find her answer. Kavya is actually just really curious as to what would happen if he stopped annoying her for a while. He wants to know her reaction, whether she would be happy, confused, or angry. He just wants to test what importance he has in her life. He has always been this consistent guy in her life, he just really wants to know what he means to her. For the past couple weeks, Kavya had kept an eye on Anjali and he is enjoying the fact that Anjali is so worried and lost in her thoughts periodically. He is definitely sure she cares for him, he is her friend, he really is because on occasions she would tell him things, just random things that popped into her mind. Things she wouldn't tell anyone else. Secrets. It is because they were friends, but disguised as people who can't stand to be together. They don't openly admit their friendship to anyone, not even to themselves, but it still exists. The truth is that Kavya had fell in love with Anjali years ago.

Flashback

            It was when Kavya was 7 years old and Anjali was 6, when the Khanna's and Sharma's had went on a picnic at the zoo. The kids were wandering around and Anjali had drifted from their group. She stood alone in the midst of the crowd. She cried violently as crowds of people rushed past the poor child pushing and shoving her in all directions. Kavya was the first to notice that Anjali was missing. He left the group too and looked around. He frantically searched the area screaming her name. He had tears in his eyes from being worried sick about how she was, hoping she was okay. He wouldn't stop until he found her. He finally spotted a girl sitting on a rock, looking very scared and sobbing uncontrollably. The moment Kavya saw her, he felt heartbroken…he fell in love. Of course he didn't know at the time, but he knew enough to know that this was the girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life, wiping her tears away and annoying her to no end. He quickly ran to her and screamed her name. When she looked up and saw Kavya, she ran right into his open arms where she felt safe and secure in his arms. They were both sort of lost, but they both knew that nothing would happen if they stayed together. Eventually they were found by their parents and siblings.  

End of Flashback

            Ever since then Kavya had made sure he would be there for her at all times, annoying Anjali, bothering her, talking to her, etc. But now he wouldn't because now he had to test his friendship and his love. He just has to know where he stood with her, what place he has in her heart, what he means to her. He has always hid the fact that he loves her because he knew she would never understand at such a young age, but he did. Now he just has to get her to realize her feelings and this isn't easy. He figured he would first ignore her and along with that he would also date and flirt, just to get her jealous. He would also have to stop annoying her, but he knows she loves it. The ignoring part is actually working because she is getting really curious and that's when he decided to step it up a notch by making her jealous as well. He makes it a point to flaunt the fact that other girls actually enjoyed his so called "irritating" behavior.

            By now Anjali is huffing and puffing when the school day is over. Today she would find out that the heck is going on, once and for all. Kavya is laughing silently and smirking, thinking about the kind of power he possesses over her. Anjali is passing by and Kavya starts speaking loudly to another girl so it is audible for Anjali to hear as well, "Babe how about you and me go to the Lover's Point Drive In Theater at 7!" Anjali's eyes grow wide in horror because this drive in is known for its excessive make out sessions. The thought is disturbing her about Kavya and that girl. She gets home and feels really uneasy and suddenly jumps up and grabs her car keys and dashes out. Anjali drives to Lover's Point and sees Kavya's car. She is about to open the door when she realizes what she is doing. The she se that Kavya is at a safe distance from her, but then sees him put his arm around the girl and start leaning in closer. The girl is looking like she would gladly pounce on him at any second. Anjali sees them getting way to close and Anjali basically runs to Kavya's car.

            Kavya had actually seen Anjali's car and decided to get the ball rolling. That's when Kavya starts leaning in closer, closer, closer, closer….KNOCK KNOCK Kavya turns around acting like he had no idea Anjali was there, "Oh hey Anju! What brings you to Lover's Point?" Anjali cursed under her breath, because she forgot to come up with an alibi so on the spot, "Uhhh I umm I..I..I OH umm I was driving by and I saw you car!" Kavya smiles, "You were driving through a forest preserve… at night…" Anjali nervously responds, "Uhh yea doesn't everybody…" cursing herself again for her lame comment. Kavya replies," Ritee…Ok umm hi then, actually me and Simi were kind of in the middle of something, uhh did you need something?" Anjali was trying to think of a reason to get him out the car, but couldn't so she says, "Umm Kavya I need to talk to you, (glares at Simi)…urgently." Kavya replies, "Hmm ok" and gets out the car. They walk off at a distance and Anjali doesn't know what she's doing and realizes her mistake and says, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come and I just seemed to have bothered you. I don't know what came over me, maybe jealousy, but I hate being avoided…Sorry for interrupting" and beings to walk off.

            Kavya sees her walking off and screams, "Anju!" Anjali stops walking and Kavya  comes closer and says, "So your jealous… (Anju is quiet) You cant see me with another girl, troubling her the way I used to trouble you, touching her the way I touch you, following her, talking to her, looking at her… but why does it matter to you anyway… why?" Anjali doesn't turn towards him, just stays silent because she is at a loss of words. Kavya is frustrated with her and screams, "JUST ADMIT IT! YOU ARE IN LOVE WITH ME ANJU!" Anjali silently says, "no" still refusing to look at him. Kavya replies, "Then say it to my face" and he turns her around making her look him in the eyes. Still no answer. Kavya says, "Then say that you hate me" Anjali shuddered and replies, "I…I…cant" Kavya was even more mad, "WHY NOT HUH? WHY NOT?" Anjali softly replies, "Kavya I do…I do love you!" with her eyes welled up. Kavya pulls her into a hug and mumbles, "I love you too Anju, I love you too!" He holds her tight, tears shinning in both their eyes, but now they are tears of joy that flow so freely. They walk around the drive in hand in hand and sit by a cliff, which overlooks the pure midnight sky with stars shinning ever so brightly. Anjali leans on Kavya while his arms encircle her petite figure. Anjali looks up to see Kavya lost in the beauty of the sky. She begins to stare and Kavya notices her gaze and looks back. Anjali leans in pulling Kavya's face closer. Their lips meet and brush over each other lightly and gently. It is a very soft and tender kiss expressing their love, which soon turns into a passionate kiss expressing how much they have longed for this very moment, to be wrapped in each other's arms knowing they would be together through everything.

            Luckily Anjali's car refused to start so Kavya gives her a ride. Kavya has told Anjali his plan to make her realize her love and she laughed smacking him lightly saying, "Your just lucky it worked!" Kavya grins at this. As for the girlfriend in the car well she isn't one to stick around too long so she had left a while back.

Now they are both thinking about their families current situation, mainly with their siblings. Angad and Kripa haven't spoken in two weeks and Neev and Prachi haven't spoken for three. Kavya and Anjali know that they have to somehow get their brothers and sisters to patch up with their best friends. It is quite ironic that the two sets of best friends are super angry with each other and ones that were formerly known as enemies are in love. Their siblings' differences are going to help Kavya and Anjali's new relationship so then took up the responsibility to solve the differences between Neev and Prachi, along with Angad and Kripa.

           

Chapter 13

 

Kavya and Anjali know they can't let their group fall apart. Their friends are having problems with their own best friends, so someone has to interfere. It is a little less than a month, since the arguments had taken place. Both Kavya and Anjali don't know the details of what went wrong with Angad-Kripa and Neev-Prachi. They just know they have to fix this, or at least persuade them to do something and not throw their friendships away for such stupid reasons. This isn't the only problem though, Kavya and Anjali are forced to stay away from each other, since no one knows about their love and new relationship. They aren't able to spend any time together without drawing attention to themselves. It is also depressing that their siblings would just mope around rather than be their cheery selves. Everyone is changing and it isn't for the better. Everyone is hurting. And it is time to end this once and for all. Have no fear KAVYA AND ANJALI ARE HERE!!!

Kavya goes to the Khanna House and finds Angad and Neev playing video games, the only problem is they look like they are umm…bored? This is not the Angad and Neev that Kavya have known. Playing video games with the guys was always a fun activity yet somehow they are looking really uninterested. There is no cheering or noise just silence and this makes Kavya want to flip out!! WHO THE HECK PLAYS VIDEO GAMES QUIETLY, Kavya thinks to himself. Kavya turns off the television, and not so much as a peep comes out of their mouths. He sits down and begins his questioning about what is going on with them. Well after a while Kavya gets both Angad and Neev to spill.

Anjali goes into the Sharma House and sees that Kripa and Prachi are in Kripa's room with clothes spread everywhere. Kripa has a tendency to shop a lot to clear her head, whereas Prachi would go for walks. It just so happens that Kripa had persuaded Prachi to take her walk inside the mall and they both had spent their day there trying to keep their minds off their former best friends. Anjali asks them what is going on and well both of them being girls just started spilling as well over bowls of ice cream.

Now Kavya and Anjali collaborate both sides of their stories together, sitting in a little caf. They find that Neev and Prachi's relationship is the most complicated since Prachi is in love with Neev. Now it is apparent from Neev's recent behavioral changes that he is also in love with Prachi, yet he hasn't figured it out himself. That becomes their first task at hand, to make Neev and Prachi realize their love—there is one thing for sure, that Neev and Prachi can't go back words, meaning Prachi would not stop loving Neev so the only way to patch them up would be to hook them up. By hook or by crook.

Their second and final job would be to knock some sense into Angad and Kripa to become their old selves again. This is also not exactly an easy task since, behavior wise they have changed in a span of two weeks. Angad has become this Casanova, known for being a handsome heartbreaker, but that doesn't stop girls from falling for his charms. Angad is trying to replace Kripa in his life to lessen the pain to being away from her. He has started dating new girls every day and this is not softening Kripa at all, in fact his behavior is making it worse because she finds it disgusting.

Kripa is now dating Prem, who is the sole reason for Angad's attitude change. Angad actually holds Prem responsible for causing problems between them. Now Kripa actually has no clue that Angad is acting the way he is because of Prem. Kripa is totally clueless, but then again they haven't talked in the past three weeks. They give each other dirty looks in the halls. Even in the college people have heard of the fallouts between the group. Everyone has noticed that they rarely would see the group hang out together. If they see anything it is the girls or guys together, but never as a whole.

It is time to get Neev to realize his love, so Kavya does exactly what Kripa and Anjali did to Prachi. Ambush Neev with questions and leave him to ponder over the answer until it became obvious. Kavya calls Neev to a pizza place, which is the optimum place for guys to discuss their problems in general. Toss a pizza their way and they start babbling like crazy. Kavya says to Neev, why have you become so depressed? Why do Prachi's tears affect you so much? Why can't you stand seeing her cry? Why do you have tears in your eyes when you think about Prachi's tears? How can this only be friendship? How can this not be love Neev, how?" Neev can't seem to conjure up an answer to any of Kavya's questions. Neev stays silent, while Kavya gets a call on his cell phone. Kavya answers, "Hey babe…yea I'm working on it… okay I'll talk to you later sweetie…love you too." Now Kavya says he has to rush before letting Neev dwell on who the girl was from the phone call Kavya says, "Neev think about what I said." These last words are enough to send him back into his thoughts of Prachi. All the thoughts of Prachi replay in his mind like movie replaying his major life events. He had known her since childhood since he was 5 and she was 4. She was everything Neev had been looking for. She was his other half and without her he felt incomplete.  He remembers the first time he met her…

Flashback

The Sharmas' had found out that Dilip's brother and his wife had passed away and had attended the ceremonies following their deaths. The kids weren't allowed to be present, however Neev had performed the last rights on his parents. Neev didn't exactly know what was happening, but he knew enough to know that he would never see his parents again. He was now living in the Khanna Mansion. Neev was very quiet when he came, would keep to himself. Angad and Anjali couldn't even cheer him up. Neev would spend his time in the yard and sit on this tree stump, holding his head in his hands and that's when he met Prachi. Prachi saw a little boy, who looked lonely. Prachi too felt that way when with Angad and Kripa, and Kavya and Anjali. She felt like the outsider, without her own pair. Now sat this boy, completely broken and all she wanted to do was prevent his dried tears from ever entering his eyes again. She quietly sat next to him and watched him with tear filled eyes. She didn't know what made her cry, but looking at this boy made her so sad. He looked up and saw tears in her eyes, that too for him. Neev quickly wiped her tears before they were able to fall. Prachi requested teary eyed, "Kabhi mat rona…kabhi nahin." Neev just nodded saying "Tum bhi mat rona, achi nahin lagti." Prachi asked innocent and longingly, "Mere best friend banoge?" Neev smiles widely and says, "Haan, hamesa ke liye, ab se no more rona okay" Prachi nods cutely and wipes his tears…

End of Flashback

Neev has tears in his own eyes and holds his hand out to stop Prachi's hand from wiping his tears, soon realizing that she is no where to be found. He has broken his promise to her of never crying and she has broken her own even before him. They are both miserable, but now Neev knows what he has to do to fix it. He has to make her his because…because well he loved her. Yes, Neev Khanna was in love with Prachi Sharma. He never realized what she meant to him until he lost her. He knows now what he has to do. He just hopes she would accept his love, it took him time to realize it but now that he would do anything for her forgiveness. He knows he put her thorough hell these past few weeks and now he would fix this. It is definitely time to get to work, Neev thinks to himself. He smiles brainstorming for the perfect way to make Prachi his.

            Next day at school Neev is waiting for Kavya's car to arrive since for the past three weeks Kavya and Prachi come together in one car and Kripa in another. As soon as Kavya's car comes into view, Prachi comes out and she looks breathtaking to Neev. The wind blowing only adds to her simplistic beauty. The sound of her payal makes Neev's heart beat a bit faster, knowing that she is approaching, closer and closer and closer, but then she walks past him. Not even looking up once. Neev smiles sadly and also makes his way to class, following his lover.

When he enters the class he finds Kripa and Prem sitting together, across from Kripa and Prem in the next row is Angad and probably his latest girlfriend, who are getting a little too cozy in each other's arms. Kavya and Anjali are sitting together arguing about something in front of Angad and the girlfriend. Now Prachi sits on the bench in front of Kripa and Prem. Neev smiles and makes his way next to her. Prachi looks up stunned that he is sitting next to her, yet her face remains expressionless. It is like she is dead from inside and this hurts Neev, deeply. Neev tears a piece of paper from his notebook and writes something, then passes it to Prachi. She looks back annoyed and rips it in half without reading. Neev smiles wider at this because Prachi isn't going to make this easy on him. He loves to annoy her. He is hoping he could get her back to being her old cheery self.

      Neev resorts to tricks. He takes Prachi's pink pen and writes on another piece of paper, crushes the piece of paper into a ball. Then he slings back his arm and launches the ball of paper at full speed ahead, nailing the target— their professor's head. The professor's head whips around and sees the paper on the floor. The professor picks the crumpled paper up and opens it. Prachi is watching Neev sit back amused glancing at Prachi occasionally. The professor reads the note out loud,

"–-  Who let this BANDUR teach our class, he looks like a

      GEEK with a capital G, look at his suspenders,

      It's like he has something to hide, but then again

      It's better to be safe then sorry, poor guy must

      have experience with his pants falling off that must

      be why he wear's suspenders.

  –- Your talking about his pants, look at his hair,

      he looks like a champu mixed bred with

      a poodle and he smells like a bhudda…

GRRRRRR!! WHO ARE THE TWO WHO WROTE THIS LETTER!!"

The professor looks around the room and sees that Prachi has a PINK PEN! Then he sees Neev next to her and it all makes sense, as to who the two are that are responsible. He bellows, "NEEV AND PRACHI YOU GET A DETENTION!!" Prachi looks horrified and Kavya is hitting his forehead thinking he is stupid enough to let Neev decide how he would handle the Prachi situation. Neev winks at Kavya and he just hopes that Neev has a plan to go along with this stupidity.

            They both sit in detention and Prachi looks really nervous while Neev is chilling out, well obviously he would since the guys-Angad, Kavya, Neev- would get detention quite often for some reason or another.  The teacher has actually left the room to grade papers for other classes, which leaves Neev and Prachi alone. Neev is sitting next to her and Prachi is aware he is gazing at her intently. Neev keeps moving, sliding closer on the bench to Prachi, which is pissing her off even more than the staring. She falls off the bench with a loud thump. Neev is acting like he didn't do anything. The professor opens the door. Prachi leaps off the floor and jumps at her bench practically in Neev's lap. Neev just sits there laughing while Prachi is totally enraged. When the detention is over, Prachi is waiting for Kavya to come pick her up, but no one is there yet. Neev drives off towards the Khanna House unaware that Prachi is still there, waiting.

            Prachi decides to walk and hails a taxi on the way. She walks along a quiet rode, it's empty and dark. She begins to feel uneasy and anxious. Suddenly she sees a black car and hopes to be able to get a ride. The car stops and violently pulls Prachi inside. She screams, "Neev!! Neev help!!" but no reply. The car then drives off into the distance.

 

Chapter 14

     

      The black car stops in middle of an area surrounded by trees and plants. There is fog everywhere making it all the creepier and the night's sky, pitch black, making the place seem that much scarier. The door opens and someone pulls out a struggling Prachi, who is wearing a blindfold and has her hands tied behind her back. Her screaming for Neev, has died down in soft whimpers. She hopes Neev would come and save her, but feels she may never live to see him again. The man is dragging a struggling Prachi, but his face isn't visible since he is wearing a black ski mask. He ties Prachi to a tree with rope and from the car calls another man on the cell phone saying, "Your work is done!" and drives off. Now she is weeping and horrified by the deafening silence, which is followed by the chirping sounds of crickets. The smell makes it seem like a forested area with lots of plants and trees. She is confused about her whereabouts. Anxiety clogs Prachi's mind and she is panicking. She hastily rubs the knot against the course tree to liberate herself from restraints. She is able to loosen the hold of the rope on her hands and rips it off of her. She runs quickly taking off her blindfold. She is just happy to be free and doesn't want to stick around waiting for whoever that man is talking to on the phone to show up. She hunts for a path to lead her away from the darkness. Looking around gives her, the chills because if the trees are not blinding enough, the fog is making it all the more worse. She finally stumbles onto an area and is shocked.

      It looks simply beautiful. The place is extravagantly decorated. She sees a little white tent with candles lit and flowers all over. There are rose petals leading the way to the tent, which out looks a serene lake. The moon's glowing reflection could be seen in the still lake. She finds herself gazing at the midnight sky filled with stars. It is enchanting. On the table were two dinner plates and wine glasses along with a wine in the center. She stands there in admiration. She feels someone approaching and the anxious feelings come rushing back. She doesn't dare turn, hoping it would disappear. But now this person stood right behind her breathing heavily, scaring Prachi to bits. Oh how she wishes that Neev would come and save her, but she knows that wouldn't happen because she had seen him leave for home. The man begins to speak in a gentle whisper, "Ab nahi bhagogi? By the way surprise kaisa laga?" and she freezes. The voice is familiar, so familiar that she launches herself in the man's arms.

      It is her Neev. She sobs so violently in his arms that even he gets worried. He just hugs her, letting her feel his presence. After a while she pulls back and looks at him and started beating him senseless. Neev laughs in pain while she beat him and yells, "NEEV!! HOW COULD YOU? I THOUGHT I WAS GONNA DIE YOU… you… IDIOT!!!" She stops hitting him now tiresome and just sits on the grass, while Neev lies on the floor next to her. Prachi had actually realized what she was doing and she is still not supposed to be talking to him. There is something that she just has to know. She asks getting up, "Why did you bring me here?" Neev gets up and taking her hand and leads her towards to a huge rock from where the lake looks gorgeous.

      He makes her sit down and he looks towards the lake and has his back towards her. He says, "Prachi, these past three weeks, only I know how I have spent them. But it gave me time to think, about everything, our first meeting, our past, our present and most importantly our future. You are so very important for me Prachi. You know that you have become my…aadat. I just know that I can't live without you, without you being by my side. These past weeks have shown me what life is like without you and I never want to face that again, I CANT GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN!" Neev turns to Prachi and levels with her because she is sitting on the rock and continues, "Prachi, I'm madly in love with you, I love you with all my heart and I hope you can forgive this idiot for giving you so much pain…I know I hurt you a lot (Neev chokes up)…" Prachi placed her finger on his lips, with tears in her eyes says, "Only I can call you an idiot… I love you idiot, I love you" Neev pulls Prachi into a hug and both cry in happiness. Neev says to her, "Prachi…" She says questioningly, "Yea…" Neev whines, "I'm hungry can we please eat or you want to cry the whole night…your such a wuss!" Prachi looks up at Neev and she starts slapping him again while Neev just hugs her tighter.

      They finally make their way to the tent and have a nice dinner, while occasionally Neev grabs her hand leaving Prachi to only blush. They both gaze into each other's eyes, a pool of love in which both seem to be drowning. Neev adoringly gestures for a dance and Prachi hesitantly agrees. She is getting really nervous under his intense gaze.  She knows he loves her, but it was overwhelming to see how much he loves her. His gaze is so powerful and the love clearly visible, it scares her to think that she might wake up. She pushes all these thoughts aside thinking she just got her happiness and now no one would take Neev away from her, never.

      Neev and Prachi dance romantically to Hey Shona from Ta Ra Rum Pum. Neev and Prachi sway with the rhythm and looking intently in each other's eyes.

hey hey ey ey ey ey hey hey hey hey......tumhe pata toh hoga, tumhi pe main fida hoontumhe hai jabse chaaha, hawaaon mein udata hoontumhi mere har pal mein, tum aaj mein, tum kal meinhey shona, hey shona, hey shona, hey shona....tumhe pata toh hoga ke mere dil mein kya haichalo kahe deti hoon, kabhi nahi jo kahaan haitumhi mere har pal mein, tum aaj mein, tum kal meinhey shona, hey shona, hey shona, hey shona....

Neev and Prachi listen to the song thinking how it reflects both their feelings. Their eyes

communicate their feelings. It is so blissful and the song made the moment all the more perfect dancing in each other's arms.

tum jo ghussa bhi karo toh mujhe pyaar lagata hai jaane kyunmain toh jo bhi kahu tumhe ikraar lagata hai jaane kyunchhodo bhi ye ada, paas aake jara, baat dil ki koi keh do nahey shona, hey shona, hey shona, hey shona....Neev grins thinking that the song is saying everything in his heart. Prachi looks away shyly as he turns her and brings her close to his own body. saari duniya ko chhodake maine chaaha hai ik tumhemaine jindagi se maanga hai toh sirf maanga hai ik tumheabb isi chaah mein, abb isi raah mein, jindagibhar mere tum ho nahey shona, hey shona, hey shona, hey shona....Prachi thinks about how her life was without Neev, before she met him and after thefight. She knows that no matter what Neev would always be there for her as he always has been. She looks back into those passionate eyes.tumhe pata toh hoga, tumhi pe main fida hoontumhe hai jabse chaaha, hawaaon mein udata hoontumhi mere har pal mein, tum aaj mein, tum kal meinhey shona, hey shona, hey shona, hey shona....shona, hey shona, hey shona, hey shona.......hey hey ey ey ey ey hey hey hey hey......Neev gives Prachi a kiss on the forehead and just sway listening to the beatings of each other's hearts.

 

They eventually went home in Neev's car and he says his good bye to Prachi at her door. She leans over and kisses his cheek whispering, "Bye Neev!" while Neev is in a daze holding his cheek and blushing as he watches her go inside.

 

Chapter 15

 

      Neev has called Prachi last night to tell her who the guy in the car was that "kidnapped" her. IT WAS KAVYA! Prachi drops the phone on her bed and sprints to Kavya's room with a glass of water and sees him sleeping so carelessly. Prachi grins thinking, "Bhai mauhahah…Time to wake up" She walks closer to him and throws it on his face waking him with a start. Before he can see who it is, Prachi is gone. Kavya sits there rubbing his eyes, "OMG WHERE IS THE ROOF….OH…WHAT THE HECK!!! GRRRR!". Neev and Kavya have joined forces to reunite Angad and Kripa, since they are the only two still facing problems. Neev and Prachi still don't know about Kavya and Anjali's love. Neev and Prachi just think that these two enemies joined together for a common purpose, their subordinate goal, to bring their group together again.

            Next day at school. Kavya and Anjali are sitting next to each other. In front of them is, the oh so happy couple, Neev and Prachi. Angad sits behind Kavya. Prem sits in the same aisle as Angad, but next row. And that's when Kripa walks. She walks down the aisle between Angad and Prem noticing the seat next to Angad is empty, but so is the one next to Prem. Crap, she thinks to herself. She has to choose between Prem, her boyfriend and Angad, her best friend…or was anyways. Kripa has been trying to talk to Angad for so long now, but her attempts have been in vain. Angad and Prem look at each other, noticing Kripa in her predicament. Angad feels even more enraged seeing Prem's slight smirk. Angad thinks that Prem assumes Kripa would sit next to him over her best friend. But Kripa chose to sit next to Angad leaving both guys in complete surprise. Angad's eyes grew wide in shock, his face expresses irritation, his heart is overjoyed. Angad smirks back at Prem victoriously in the "You're a Loser" type of manner. Angad still wouldn't act normal with her all throughout class. Kripa passes him a note saying—"I have to talk to you before the assembly next period." Angad writes back—"What's left to talk about?" Kripa scribbles—"US" Angad writes, "No". He didn't want this fight to go on any longer, but he couldn't help being upset. He knows he is wrong for not telling her about the call, but she was more at fault than he was. What she said really hurt him. Even Kripa regretted what she had said that day and doesn't want this argument to go any longer than this.

            The bell rang and Angad gets up to leave, but Kripa holds his hand, holding him back. Prem looks at Kripa stunned. Kripa would fix her friendship and nothing would stop her, not even her boyfriend Prem. Kripa glances at Prem who is looking at both Angad and Kripa and then just left angrily. They hear the door shut and Angad and Kripa turn to each other. Angad says, "What do you want to say, make it quick…" Kripa looks down and says, "Angad please just listen, I want to apol..." Angad completes, "APOLIGIZE? After what you said! Do you know how much that hurt! I thought I was your best friend, but I was wrong, You don't even know what friendship means! Forget this!" Angad walks in a huff towards the door. He turns the knob but it's…locked? LOCKED! Angad starts struggling with the door, but nothing. He knows they are screwed, since the assembly is for 2 whole hours and the whole school would be there, meaning no one would come save them for 2 hours. Angad thinks to use his cell phone but it turns out there is no network.

Kripa walks over to him and asks what happened. Angad starts yelling, "WHAT'S HAPPENED?? THE F****** door won't open and I'm stuck with YOU! CRAAAAAP!!" Kripa mumbles, "Good!" Angad retorts, "what?" Kripa replies sweetly, "nothing, listen let's just talk ok" Angad walks to the other side of the room and coldly says, "About?" Kripa pleadingly on the verge of tears, "Please Angad we need to talk about US…Please Angad, I… I can't have you mad at me anymore, You're really important to me and I never meant any of the things I said to you. I just was so frustrated and I took it out on you! I'm sorry! You mean the world to me, no guy is more important for me than you! You are and always will be my best friend. You have your special place in my heart and right now that place is hurting… I can't live like this seeing you, but not being able to talk to you. And seeing you like this, it…it really hurts. Angad I know that I deserve you ignoring me because I said so much crap to you, but I never meant. You have to believe me when I say that no one is as special as you. Angad I know you are hurting just as much as I am… Please Angad I'm sorry…" Kripa now has broken down into violent sobs sitting on her knees.

Angad finds her sitting on the floor completely broken, she looks like what he feels within. Angad walks towards her and bends down sitting beside her as she weeps holding her face in her palms. He pulls her into a hug and lets her cry. She throws her arms around him repeating, "I'm sorry" over and over again. While Angad presses her into his chest letting her calm down. He always knows how to take care of her, she was Kavya's sister, but he always took responsibility for her.

            Angad wipes her tears and helps her up. Angad walks ahead when Kripa tugs at his arm. Angad looks at Kripa questioningly and she replies, "We are okay rite?" Angad replies, "Mhmm and now you better not cry again because you know I can't stand tears in your eyes, now come on cheer up Krips" Kripa smiles widely through her tears, "You have no idea how long I've waited to hear that name from you deep hot sexy voice" Angad grins, "Well you have no idea for how long I wanted to call you that! Now stop with the sucking up, come on we gotta get out of here!" They both start frantically searching for something to open the door with. They start opening all the drawers looking for something to pick the lock with. They look through all the drawers and nothing. They find a picture of their professor flexing his arm. Angad and Kripa break out into laughter, because first off there was barely anything to flex and second he had a weird afro looking crow's nest for hair. After a while Angad seems to have gotten an idea. He takes out his credit card wondering if that would get them out of trouble. Credit cards or money always seemed to get Angad out of trouble so why not this, rite. He walks towards the door and jams it in between the door and wall and slides down. Surprisingly it opens and he says, "WOW What cheap doors!" He screams for Kripa and she jumps on Angad's back screaming in delight for getting them out. She gets off and goes towards the chalk board and scribbles—'Professor smells like butt" Kripa laughs evilly, "MUAHAHAHA" Angad looks bewildered and says, "What are you four?" Kripa whines "Angad!" She jumps on his back and they runs out the door, out the school, to their cars and drive off home, but they have no clue they were being watched the whole time by Kavya, Anjali, Neev and Prachi. It was actually their plan to lock Angad and Kripa in a room to get them to talk and sort out their problems. Angad and Kripa were stubborn people, they would never listen to reason, so the only way to get them to solve their problems would be locking them up in a room and have them figure it out themselves.

            That same night Angad and Kripa talk on the phone and decide to keep their personal relationships separate from each others. They promise each other to never stop talking or being friends with each other no matter what happened in the future. After they hang up the phone, Angad starts to think back over the three weeks they spent apart. Every night he would drink some alcohol trying to deal with her betrayal of their friendship. Every night he would think back to her harsh words, cutting through his heart. He thinks back to all the blissful moments they shared. He closes his eyes and sees Kripa's tearful face, that he had seen today. It hurt him to see her upset. It was hurting Angad to stay away from her, he is so attached to her. He is dependent on her. He doesn't even remember a single day, a single memory he treasured that didn't have Kripa. She is his happiness, and Angad is starting to realize she might his true LOVE. Angad is trying to tell himself that there is no reason to be jealous of Prem. Prem is just a substitute for Angad, Angad was everything Prem could never be. This is Angad and Kripa's love story, not Prem and Kripa's.