Chapter 28

Priya and Anurag come into the canteen.

Priya: so that was him and the other guy is dead

Anurag: yeah

Priya: so she changed his face to look like his, so no one would suspect her. (Grabbing a chair)

Anurag: yup (grabbing a chair)

Priya: (sitting down) interesting.

Mitesh: What's interesting?

Anurag: the novel.

Pritem: the novel where she changes his face to look like his, so no one would suspect. (Pauses) you a movie like that came out on DVD, it called Yakeen* [there is no book like the movie Yakeen, and if there is I don't know]

Priya: Cool! I'm going to watch. (Talking to Anurag) Are you coming?

Anurag: I'll be busy. I got plans.

Mitesh: you're busy with what?

Anurag: with things

Mitesh: like what?

Anurag: (rudely) look I don't have to tell you everything.

Mitesh: damn chill. I was just asking.

Anurag: sorry.

Manisha comes in running and hugs Anurag's neck, moving side to side.

Manisha: (happy) I'm so happy.

Arjun: we can see that but what happen.

Manisha: you know that designer contest I sent my designs to.

Mitesh: yeah

Manisha: (screaming) it's been selected.

Everyone: congratz

Manisha: (bowing) Thank you thank you. (Stops bowing) and you know what I'm going to be sent to America to present my designs.

Mitesh: hey that's great.

Arjun: but when did you find this out. I didn't hear about this, this morning.

Manisha: before coming here mom called me and told me that they called and they have selected me.

Pritem: so when are you going?

Manisha: they don't know when but they said next month, maybe.

Pritem: (his heart breaking into a thousands piece) you can't

Anurag: yeah Pritem's right you can't

Manisha: why not?

Anurag: cause what are we going to do with out you.

Pritem: yeah

Priya: but you usually don't get these chances again

Arjun: yeah she's right.

Pritem: (mad) but her father owns a fashion company. She could present her clothes at her father fashion show, anytime she wants.

Mitesh: damn man! Chill out! You're mad like your losing something.

Pritem: (thinking) Tum kya jano

Anurag: ok just wait two month before making any decision, just two months.

Manisha: fine!

After a minute or two

Mitesh: does anyone want any thing to drink.

Anurag: yeah soda

Arjun: nothing.

Pritem: nothing

Priya: water

Manisha: nothing

Mitesh walks up to the counter.

Mitesh: yeah two sodas and a bottle of water.

Mitesh turns to look at everyone but while turning to look he bumps into a girl and drops her books. Mitesh and the girl bend down to pick up her books.

Mitesh: (picking up her books) I'm so sorry, I should have looked.

Jyoti: (grabbing her book, looking up) It's o (pauses) k

Jyoti looks up at Mitesh like if cupid had struck her with his arrow; Mitesh looks up, looking at her the same way. Priya looks up at them.

Priya: (pointing at Mitesh) hey guys look.

Mitesh: (looking up) here you g (pauses) o

Jyoti: (getting up) thanks

Mitesh: you welcome.

Mitesh turns to get the soda and water. Jyoti walks pass him. While paying for the sodas, Mitesh turns to look at Jyoti. Jyoti while walking to let her friend looks back at Mitesh. Mitesh and Jyoti give each other a blushing smile. Jyoti sits down with her friend.

Girl #1: finally you came to the canteen or else you're always in the library.

Jyoti: ok yell at me later. But can you tell me who is he (pointing to Mitesh. Who walking to his table)

Friend: oh yeah, how would you know you're always in the library. Well anyways, he is Mitesh, You heard of Anurag right… Mitesh is his friend.

Jyoti: does he have a girlfriend.

Girl #1: (shocked) Jyoti!

Jyoti: what he's cute.

Jyoti and her friends begin to laugh. Mitesh sits down.

Mitesh: here's your soda and here's your water.

Priya: Kuch hua?

Mitesh: Kya?

Manisha: lub hua?

Mitesh: what are you guys trying to say?

Manisha: what was that thing over there? (Pointing to the counter)

Mitesh: Don't beat around the bush. Come clean.

Manisha: who was the girl you were picking up books for.

Mitesh: oh her! I don't know her but when I was turning and I accidentally pushed her and dropped her books.

Priya: what was that blushing smile you gave her?

Mitesh: she smiled at me then I smiled at her.

Manisha: when should we call the pandit?

Mitesh: pandit? Why do you want to call him? Wait

Anurag: these two (slapping Priya and Manisha on the head, lightly) are trying to say that you like her and that they can't wait till she becomes their bhabhi.

Mitesh: First I don't like her. I don't even know her and you guys could forget of getting a bhabhi because I'm not getting married.

Manisha and Priya: (shocked) why not

Mitesh: I just don't, not in this lifetime and hopefully in the next.

Jyoti hears everything that Mitesh said.

Jyoti: (thinking) if I don't change your mind about me and marriage then mere naam Jyoti nahin.

Girl #1: (snapping her fingers in front of Jyoti) hello! What happen?

Jyoti: Nothing

Girl #1: then help me. How do you do this? (Pointing to a math problem)

Jyoti: first multiple 38 and 17

Everyone continues on. The bell rings everyone gets up to leave.

Pritem: you guys go; I have to ask Anurag something.

Mitesh: ok

Mitesh, Priya, Manisha, and Arjun leave.

Anurag: what did you want to talk about?

Pritam: what do you have planned that will make Manisha stay?

Anurag: (smiling) something, but you have to wait 2 months

Anurag leaves. Pritem stands there heartbroken.

Pritem: oh God, Let Anurag plan work.

School ends and Anurag drops Priya home. Priya walks inside

Priya: (taking off her bag) Mom I'm home.

Kiran: (yelling) we're upstairs in our room.

Priya runs upstairs. Kiran and Anil are packing.

Priya: where are you guys going?

Anil: London

Priya: why?

Anil and Kiran looks at each other.

Priya: what's wrong?

Kiran walks up to Priya and holds on to her hand.

Kiran: Priya your Nanni

Priya: Nanni! What happen to her?

Kiran: momma had a heart attack

Priya: (tears begin to come out of her eyes) what?

Priya lays her head on her mom's shoulder.

Kiran: we have to be with her. So your dad and I are going.

Priya: (about to rush out) I go pack my bags

Anil: you're not going

Priya: (turning at the door) what? Why not?

Anil: your studies haven't finished yet.

Priya: So!

Anil: lower your voice.

Priya: sorry

Anil: I already called up Manisha parents you'll be staying with them till we get back.

Priya: but papa-

Anil: no buts! Pack your bag we leaving in 30 mins.

Anil leaves the room.

Priya: (crying) but mom Nanni

Kiran: (hugging her) I know beta. Your dad would have let you come, but your final tests are coming up and it's important you keep your mind on your studies. Your Nanni would be alright. It was a minor heart attack. Now go get ready.

Priya leaves to her room, to pack. Later they leave to Manisha's house.

Anil: (taking to Vikram) If it wasn't an emergency, we wouldn't have bugged you.

Vikram: It's nothing like that. We love to have Priya over.

Anil: (getting up) we should be going. Thanks again.

Vikram: kya Thanks you. Priya is like our child. Best wish to your mother.

Kiran: thank you.

Anil and Kiran turn to leave.

Priya: (sad) papa!

Anil: (stop in his tracks and turns to walk to Priya and kisses her on her forehead) She'll be ok. And we'll be back soon. Take care ok.

Priya: (nodding) bye

Anil: bye

Anil and Kiran leave. Priya runs into Manisha room, crying. Manisha runs behind her. Arjun stands against the wall, depressed.

Arjun: (thinking) I'm sorry for everything. I wish I could tell you how I feel but you won't even look twice at me. How will I tell you…?

Arjun puts his head against his wall and remembers what happen over the break. A tear falls out of Arjun's eye.