AbhiGya Fiction ~ Cross Connection - Completed pg 42 (chp. 25 + epil) - Page 32

Chapter 1

5:32p.m. [Hey gorgeous! Wanna go for a movie tonight?]

5:36p.m. [What, just the two of us? Or Bhai and Behenji joins too?]

5:40p.m. [No babe, Purab doesn't join us. As for behenji, I only promised Aaliya that I will take care of her in class, not beyond. So just the two of us. Game?]

5:50p.m. [Sure, sounds like a plan! Pick me up at 9?]

5:53p.m. [Done ma'am]

Tanu smirked after reading the last message on the phone. This Abhi was a charmer, she thought. They have become friends ever since they started college last year when her cousin Purab and she ended up joining the same college for the same course - Abhi was Purab's best friend from junior school. So naturally, they were sort of a group - of course the recent addition to the group was that behenji Pragya - a total misfit thought Tanu dismissively.

Pragya was in the same class from the beginning, but they never noticed her until they started college this year. As luck would have it, Abhi's sister Aaliya had joined the same college and she was Pragya's roomie. Aaliya for some reason had become fiercely protective of Pragya seeing her docile nature and nerdy disposition - she realized Pragya must be having a difficult time in the college, hence she had made Abhi promise her, that he will befriend Pragya in class and let her hang out with them - in short taking care of Pragya was Abhi's responsibility as per Aaliya's demand. Of course, Abhi never said no to his tom-boy sister Aaliya - so there was their revised group - Abhi, Tanu, Purab and Behenji.

***

Pragya was furiously scribbling and making last minute corrections in the assignment - she couldn't believe that she herself had made so many silly mistakes in it, but of course by the time she had started working on it, it was past 3a.m. and she was really tired and sleepy - she had to learn to manage time better she thought to herself as she tried her best to drown out the constant chirpy voice of Tanu sitting in front of her - gossiping over the phone about how fantastic her movie date with Abhi went last night. She needed to concentrate and revise this before the professor came for collecting their assignments - she couldn't afford another assignment going down the drain because of her careless mistakes. She was covering her ears with her hand and rocking on her chair and reading out her assignment softly to concentrate better, when she saw a long bony finger tap her desk - she glanced up to see Abhi looking down at her with an annoyed face.

"Why my assignment already isn't placed on the professor's desk chashmish?" he asked with an annoyed expression.

"Woh..actually I was doing ---" but he cut her off.

"Oh, so this is how carelessly you do my assignment? Minutes before the professor arrives? And why have you scribbled so much on it? You're trying to screw me on purpose, right chashmish?" asked Abhi furiously.

Pragya silently turned around and dug out another file from her bag and handed it to Abhi. "This is your assignment Abhi, I finished it last night. The one I am scribbling on is mine" she replied softly not meeting his eyes.

Abhi took the file silently from her and flipped through the pages, it was neatly done and there were no scribbles. He still felt irritated, but he chose not to say anything.

"What is this yaar Abhi, at least listen to her once before venting out your anger on her. Firstly she does all your assignments and she prioritises your assignment over her's and this is how you behave?" chided an annoyed Purab from next to Pragya. Abhi turned back to face Purab after he heard his remarks and was about to say something to Pragya, when Tanu who was sitting beside him, turns around and faces Purab and Pragya too.

"What bhai, if she was done with Abhi's assignment, then why could she not go and keep his file on the desk before only? Abhi wouldn't have got irritated then" finished Tanu and smiled warmly at Abhi. Then they both turned around and started chatting, leaving Purab and Pragya to themselves.

"Pragya, I really think you should stand up for yourself sometimes. Why do you even do his assignments?" asked Purab for the millionth time, without expecting a reply. Pragya just turned to him and gave him a small smile and continued revising her assignment. Purab was her only friend in the group. The only one who stood up for her - but she couldn't leave the group either, she had her own set of reasons for that.

As the class chirped happily, the professor entered the class, and as expected, the first thing he asked for was the submission of assignments. Tanu generously offered to take Abhi's assignment along with her's to place on the professor's desk - however Abhi turned around and stole a quick glance at Pragya - she was still not done with her own assignment he remembered. But then he saw that she just finished turning the last page, with a silent relief he turned back. No one noticed this little gesture other than Pragya, and it brought a small smile in her lips.

***

[Note: Ali and he will be used in Aaliya's context sometimes - it is not a mistake or a typo]

It was past midnight, Neil knocked on the door of his best buddie's apartment, no one responded. He knocked again, this time harder - this time there was a click of locks opening and a yawning Pragya opened the door, rubbing her eyes.

"Neil? At this hour?" she asked perplexed.

"Where is Ali?" he asked ignoring her question.

"She is sleeping in her room" replied Pragya.

"HE you mean." He corrected and walked inside and knocked on his bedroom door.

"Yes yes, he I mean" murmured Pragya and locked the main door and came inside.

Neil started banging Aaliya's door now, "Oye Ali! Open the door bro!" he spoke loudly. Pragya smiled silently. In her initial days, when Aaliya had moved in to share her apartment, when these things happened, it freaked her out - now it was cool - Aaliya was a boy - so she thought herself.

Raised by her brother Abhi and tayaji in a neighbourhood full of boys, she never had any female influence in her life, so to gel with her surroundings, from a very young age she had convinced herself that she was a boy - Ali Mehra was her name - she had short cropped hair, she wore loose shirts, wore dog tags like her brother and she even used aftershave on her cheeks - she really was a boy trapped in a girls' body - that's what she had told Neil when he was five and had newly moved into their neighbourhood. And among all her friends and family, Neil was the only one who truly believed her claim.

So for Neil, it wasn't a big deal to barge in at Ali's door in the middle of the night - though he did feel awkward around Pragya, but Ali's mad family wouldn't let Ali move in with other guys and Pragya was the only girl who didn't judge Ali or question his claim.

"What the f**k is up at this hour bro?" came Ali's voice from hisroom.

"Dude we are driving down the highway for tea with Ashish, Baji and Mastan, I just came to pick you. Hurry now!"

"Cool, give me five" came his prompt reply. And sure enough he was out in five, ready with his biker's jacket and key.

Pragya stared at her, she was going to drive down the highway in the middle of the night for tea? That to with a bunch of guys? Was it safe for her? She knew she would be dead meat if she asked her that - Aaliya loved Pragya, she was the only woman who didn't judge her, but if she ever not take her masculinity seriously, Pragya knew Aaliya wouldn't spare her either.

"Ali, why drive down so far for tea? I could make it for you guys now right here you know?" she offered.

Ali and Neil laughed at her statement and muttered, "Girls" in disapproval.

Pragya tried again, "Hey Ali, do you mind if I join you guys?" she thought if she couldn't stop her from going, at least she could go along and ensure she was safe.

"Prags babe, it's a guy thing. It's not safe for girls. I will take you some other time" saying that Ali side hugged Pragya and left the apartment with Neil, as Pragya stood there and sighed wondering when the day would come when Aaliya would realize who she truly was.

***

"Tanuuu" shrieked Bulbul from the bathroom of their hostel room. Tanu freaked out and ran towards the bathroom door and banged on it. "What is it Bulbul? Is it a cockroach again?" she anticipated with baited breathe. But instead if answering, bulbul came out of the bathroom with a brilliant smile on her face.

"Sweety I lost more weight!! I lost two more kilos!! The liquid diet has worked for me!!!" she screamed in joy. Tanu looked at her haughtily.

"Well the loss isn't really visible though Bulbul" she told her, eyeing her critically.

"You're just telling because the diet failed for you and you didn't shed any weight, hain nah?" sniggered Bulbul good naturedly holding Tanu's shoulder, and then she ran out of the room to inform her other friends of her new achievement - while Tanu stomped her foot fuming. "I hate liquid diet" she muttered under her breathe.

***

It was later than half past one in the morning when her phone rang, she woke up with a start and received the call with a sleepy "Hello".

"Hi chashmish, sorry to call you this late, it's Abhi" by the mere sound of his deep voice, sleep evaded Pragya and she was wide awake, her heart was thudding treacherously loud and she prayed to God that Abhi didn't hear it. She breathed out evenly to control her senses and responded rationally.

"It's okay Abhi, I wasn't sleeping. And don't worry your assignment is ready for tomorrows submission too." She relied assuming that would be the reason for his call, usually he only called to inform her about his assignment deadlines.

"Thanks, but that's not why I called you. It's Aaliya, is she around? I tried calling her, but her phone isn't reachable"

"Oh, no she isn't at home. Oops sorry, I mean, he isn't at home, hehas gone for a drive with Neil and the other guys" she told him. To her surprise he chuckled.

"It's okay chashmish, you can call her a she in front of me, and I won't kill you for it. But why did she go so late? Didn't you try stopping her?" he asked agitated again.

"I did, but he, I mean she said girls won't understand the thrill and she left. Maybe you can try Neil's number?"

"Yes, yes I think I will call Neil. Thanks again and sorry for the late call" he reverted.

"It's no problem, goodnight" finished Pragya with a small smile, but before she hung up, he cleared his throat. "Yes?" responded Pragya with a thudding heart.

"Umm chasmish, since you're wide awake, maybe you should finish your own assignment too now, instead of goofing around. That way you won't need those last minute intense revisions."

Pragya's heart hammered inside her chest so hard in content and happiness that she felt it could choke her to death. She knew he cared, but he wouldn't show it - but maybe he cared a little bit because she was his little sister's best friend, nothing more.

"Yes Abhi, I will do it now. Thanks." And then there was a small clunk and the line got disconnected.

Pragya got up from her bed and pulled out her notes to work on her assignment, all the time blushing in the shade of crimson. Thank God Ali wasn't around to tease her right now.

Chapter 2

Purab and Abhi walked into a very busy canteen after their football practise, to see there were no vacant spots available. "Perfect, now how do we grab food before the lectures begin?" grumbled Abhi and was about to walk out, when Purab stopped them. He pointed at two people sharing a table for six. "Look bro, your brother and her boyfriend is sitting there, let's join them" laughed Purab.

"Purab! She is not my BROTHER, and he is definitely not her boyfriend!" screeched Abhi in irritation as they went to join Aaliya and Neil in their table.

"Hey Aalu, do you mind if we join?" asked Abhi casually as they reached them. "A-LI not Aa-LU bhai" he corrected Abhi with gritted teeth. Purab sniggered at that and Neil gave him a confused look. Abhi didn't say anything, they joined the table and were munching food by themselves.

"Ali did you clean the trek shoes for tomorrow mate?" asked Neil while munching on a samosa. "Yep dude, I am all set" replied Aaliya nonchalantly.

Abhi looked up and looked at the pair of them. Trek? Tomorrow morning? What? Then he remembered Pragya's word about Neil coming and picking her up in the middle of the night for a drive - he had tried Neil's number last night, but even that was unreachable - time was ripe thought Abhi, Aalu needed the talk'.

"Aaliya, we need to talk." He began, but Aaliya didn't seem to listen, he called her again, and still she pretended to not hear him. He needed her to pay heed to his words, so he decided to try it her way. "Okay Ali, bro we gotta talk. Man to man. Now" Aaliya looked up and frowned and then she said, "Sure, follow me". Abhi stood up and excused himself from Purab and Neil and walked out.

Purab noticed Neil giving a quizzical look to Aaliya's retreating figure. A smirk escaped him - Neil looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Your girl?" Purab asked motioning towards Aaliya. Neil looked startled for a second. "Girl? Ali?" then he laughed "Dude, I am not gay". Still annoyed with Purab's attitude towards Ali, Neil took out an assignment from his bag and flipped through the pages as he munched on samosa - too bad the canteen was so full, sitting with this jerk of a guy was annoying him.

***

Pragya walked into the canteen and was upset to see it so full, now how was she ever going to complete her assignment before class? True, last night she did begin working on it, but that Abhi's chuckle and concern was too much for her to handle. She couldn't concentrate on work at all, finally in the wee hours she decided to call it a night and finish her work in the canteen and go to class - that way Abhi won't know she still worked on her assignment in the last moment. But now what? She was about to walk out in disappointment, when she heard Purab call her from behind. She turned to see Purab and Neil sharing a table and quickly went to join them.

"Hi Purab, thanks! I desperately need to finish today's assignment" she smiled at him softly. Purab sighed, but he knew there was no point teling her to focus on her work before Abhi's - He knew Pragya had a soft corner for Abhi, and he tried to tell her subtly many times that Abhi had nothing for her, he liked his cousin Tanu - but Pragya wouldn't ever pay heed. So, without dweling further, he let her begin working.

Pragya on the other hand greeted Neil too. "Hi Neil? How was last night's drive? And where is Ali? I thought she..oops, I mean he left home early today!" Neil smiled at her brightly. He liked Pragya, she was soft and caring and most importantly a loving roomie to his best mate Ali - "Hey Prags! Last night was KILLER, if we ever go out with the other girls, we will get you too! And yes Ali was here, but Abhi called him to talk."

When Pragya just finished her assignment, and tallied her findings with Purab, Abhi came back to the canteen, with Tanu at his heel. They came with fresh stock of coffee and joined the table.

"Hey bhai, wanna hit Miami 69 for the Friday hitout tonight? Abhi and I have made plans!" squealed Tanu in excitement, tugging onto Abhi's hand. Purab looked up, he had a long week and there were too many assignments the whole week, he could do with a breather, so he quickly agreed. "Sure Tanu, hey Pragya, you're in right?" he asked as he turned to Pragya. Pragya looked up startled, and at the same time heard a distinct cough of disapproval from Tanu - she glanced at her and then turned to Purab, "Actually Purab, you guys carry on, I have some work" she stammered. Purab had heard the cough too, it embarrassed him to no end to acknowledge that Tanu was his cousin, when she did things like this. "No Pragya, you HAVE to come. Come for me? Please?" coaxed Purab, then he added, "Abhi, you ask her nah, if we did three assignments in a week and got tired, imagine she has done six! Three her's and three of yours!" then he gave Abhi a hard look. After that out of curtsey, Abhi didn't have a choice but to invite. "Hey chashmish, I think Purab is right, you must come" but seeing Tanu's angry look, in order to lighten the situation, he looked at Neil and said, "Hey bro, why don't you and Aalu, I mean Ali, join us too?" Neil looked up at him, "Sorry bro, Ali and I have plans, we are trekking tomorrow early morning, gotta call it an early night today" but Abhi continued, "No man, Ali has some work, he won't go trekking tomorrow, he will call you. So join?" Neil looked bewildered, but then if they weren't going, they could sure join Abhi and his gang. "Cool, count us in".

***

Pragya was very nervous, she had never been to a night club before - back at home, her mother never gave her and Bulbul permission to visit these places and after joining college, even though she secretly always wanted to visit one, no one seemed to invite her. But Bulbul of course indulged in parties ever since she joined college. Bulbul was always so popular, unlike her - short, too thin, with nerdy glasses and quiet.

Pragya sat panicking, she didn't know what to wear, should she wear a simple t-shirt with denims? Or maybe the dress that Bulbul gave her on her birthday (she hasn't found an occasion to wear it once even), or maybe try a short skirt and a halter top, like the ones Tanu wears to parties? (yes, she stalked Abhi on FB too, and he seemed to visit every part with Tanu nowadays!) - maybe she should call Bulbul, she thought - but it was too late, 9PM on a Friday night, Bulbul would probably, already be partying somewhere and her phone would be unreachable invariably. After a lot of debate, she decided on her birthday dress - it was a modest black dress that fell up to her knees, it had a plain round neck and thankfully didn't have elaborate back cuts - the back was fully covered with a zip from the base of her waist to her neck.

Now Pragya realized why Bulbul took so much time in dressing up for a part - it was a difficult task in itself! Here she was struggling for the last fifteen minutes to zip up her dress and she just couldn't reach it! Finally giving up, she shouted for Ali. Ali popped his head into her room. "Ali, can you please do me up yaar?" requested Pragya casually pointing at her zip that was for unknown reasons, stuck near the waist. Ali gasped.

"P-R-A-G-Y-A A-R-O-R-A! You're so damn shameless!" screamed Ali. Pragya got startled. "Sorry, what?" she began, but Ali cut in. "Pragya, I am a GUY and you are a GIRL and not to mention you're half NAKED! And you're calling me to help you?" shrieked Ali in disgust. Pragya just stood there baffled and amused at the same time. Then an idea struck her.

"Ali, you're a guy and I am a girl, and I am half naked and calling for you - but you don't seem turned on. Is there anything wrong with you? Are you a guy even?" asked Pragya with a crooked smile. Ali breathed fire at that. He stomped into Pragya's room and roughly pulled up her zip to the neck and hissed, "Maybe it's because I am not a CHARACTERLESS man, Pragya!" and rushed out of the room. Leaving a bewildered Pragya with a half smiling and half exasperated look on her face.

Pragya was almost ready, when the doorbell rang, it must be Neil thought Pragya - Neil was picking her and Ali in his car today. As she touched up her soft rose pink lipstick and rushed to open the door, she took two steps back to see Abhi standing there. "You" she stammered, but Abhi didn't respond, he was taking in the breath-taking sight before him.

She was in a black dress that covered till her knees. She had minimal make-up, but the highlight was her soft brown doe-eyes and soft lustrous pink lips that looked like rose petals - her skin was clear and glowing against the dark black curls of her hair that she let loose today, she looked angelic, but why was his angel looking surprised?

"Abhi, you, here?" asked Pragya again.

"Yes, I err..I didn't want Aaliya to drink and ride her bike, so I came to pick her up in my car" he paused and then sheepishly added, "You can join too". Pragya blushed, but she kept telling herself, Abhi had come for Aaliya not her, since they were going to the place, out of curtesy he had invited her. But before she responded, Ali came there.

"Bhai please stop treating me like a chic okay! I have had enough of this since morning! Fine, I agreed to not go to the trek owing to the monsoon, but this is too much! What? Now I can't drink and ride my bike too?" she screamed in frustration. A perplexed Pragya kept looking between the brother-sister duo in shock.

"Ali, I am not putting rules on you - I thought since we all are partying together, then why not drive you there - that way, without having to worry about riding back, you can drink more and have more fun you know?" argued Abhi, looking at Pragya for validation, who shook her head vehemently in support. Ali looked at her with narrow eyes, and then turned to Abhi.

"Bhai, for your information, Neil is bringing his car, he will pick us up. You don't worry. Go pick Tanu instead" she flashed.

"Purab is picking her up, guess I will have to go alone then" muttered Abhi lowly and was about to walk out. Pragya felt bad for him - he was only looking out for his sister, it wasn't wrong - but she knew she couldn't say anything - she desperately looked at Aaliya, hoping she would change her mind, but she stood there firm not ready to budge, but then she looked at Pragya with an odd smile.

"Bhai, wait. Don't go alone - we will do it this way. Since I planned with Neil, let him pick me up. You take Prags with you. See you all there then" she finished and walked back to her room, leaving a flabbergasted Pragya and an awkward Abhi behind. After a few minutes, Abhi looked at her, "Guess we should get going then chashmish".

Pragya followed Abhi out of the room quiety. Then she turned back to lock the door behind her, when Abhi turned and stood there in shock. Pragya's dress, though modest from the front, was quite scandalous for her at least, from behind. It was made of those thin chiffon fabric that were translucent, hence practically her entire back from the waist to the shoulder was semi-visible. For a moment Abhi stared at the perfect curve at her waist and the slightly protruding shoulder blades, but then she turned and he quickly turned away to hide his gaping expression from her.

***

Purab was driving down to the club with Tanu by his side, he wanted to pick up Tanu, and so he could have a word with her in private. As much as he didn't want to interfere in his cousin's life, today he had to. Pragya was a very nice girl and his friend, and he didn't like the way Tanu indirectly insulted or taunted her.

"Tanu, why do you hate Pragya thus?" asked Purab quietly.

"Bhai? What's this? Why do you ask?" replied Tanu curiously.

"Pragya has become a good friend of mine, and your attitude towards her, bother's me. That's why" replied Purab shortly.

"Wow, should I be worried? Should I inform chachi that you've found her a behenji for a bahu?" chuckled Tanu. Her words irked Purab more.

"Shut-up Tanu. It's not that. I think she is a very nice person, and your unruly behaviour towards her puts up a detrimental image of your's before others" he replied carefully. Tanu seemed to consider this one.

"By other's you mean?" she piped in.

"I mean Abhi especially." Said Purab, carefully noticing her from the corner of his eyes, he knew he had hit the nail in the head, then he continued, "You see, Abhi loves Aaliya unconditionally. And Aaliya has requested Abhi to befriend Pragya and take care of her - you like it or not and even Abhi likes it or not, he will do Aaliya's bidding - he WILL look after Pragya, how much ever he cribs - so if you don't like her, ignore her, but don't insult her - because once Abhi sees how nice a person Pragya is, more sooner than later, Abhi isn't going to like your attitude towards Pragya."

Tanu looked thoughtful. Purab figured, she wouldn't bother Pragya much from now - he heaved a relief. Pragya was too nice to take this from everyone - as it is Abhi treated her like doormat, and she couldn't do anything about it - but why Tanu too? With a satisfied smile, Purab drove on.

Chapter 3

The drive to the night club was quite silent for both Pragya and Abhi, they hardly exchanged words between them. Pragya was uncomfortable with the heavy silence and tried making small talk once in a while, but Abhi only grunted and curtly nodded in response, this made Pragya even more awkward and she kept mum for the rest of the journey. Abhi on the other hand focused straight on the road and never even spared a side glance at Pragya.

In the club, they had taken a corner booth, a little away from both the bar and the dance floor - they were a big group, and they wanted to slosh it out throughout the night, it was a tough week for all. Neil sat at one end, followed by Tanu, Abhi, Ali, Pragya and Purab, the couch was semi-circular and they all were chatting casually and having fun. Of course Ali was trying hard to ignore that suddenly flirtatious roomie of hers, who was seated right next to her, and who kept giggling seeing her uncomfortable! Women' she mentally sighed.

Tanu sat there followed Pragya with narrowed eyes as she sat chatting with Purab, her heart wanted to hurl something mean at her, for being so close to her brother, but she remembered Purab's caution and decided to keep quiet - she turned to Neil and saw he was busy fiddling with his phone, then she turned towards Abhi, with all her charm, but Abhi wasn't looking at her, in fact he seemed to be deeply engrossed in hearing Purab, Pragya and Ali's conversation. Feeling irritated, she tugged at Abhi's hand and coaxed him to join her at the dance floor - though Abhi needed some more time and a few more drinks to loosen up, he agreed seeing Tanu's adorably puppy face.

As Abhi and Tanu left for the dance floor, Ali moved closer to Neil, closing the gap between them - seeing Abhi and Tanu leave, Pragya looked at his retreating figure with a slightly disheartened look, but Purab engaged her back in conversation before she felt too bad.

Ali moved towards Neil and punched his arm casually, Neil looked up in question, "Dude, what's bugging you? You're not right hain nah?" Neil asked perceptively.

"Dude, you have fags on you? Let's smoke" replied Ali and pulled Neil up and they walked out of the club. They were standing at the parking lot and smoking, but they weren't really conversing, since Neil kept fiddling with his phone.

"Can you cut it out dude? You're behaving like a puberty hit chic, fawning over that toy of your's" muttered Ali in irritation.

"Ssup mate?" Neil enquired, he looked concerned.

Ali didn't reply immediately. He needed to think this through - what was it that he was really feeling? What made him jittery, then he slowly begun, "Dude, it's Prags. She told me something, that's bothering me."

"What? Does she want to move out now? Did you make a move at her bro?" asked Neil quickly.

"Shut the f**k up dude, it's not that" then he went on to explain how Pragya wanted him to help her with her dress and when she got annoyed, how Pragya went on to say that it's not natural for a guy to not feel attracted towards a half dressed woman. "Neil, bro I was wondering...do you think..do you think I am gay?" asked Ali in a harsh whisper. He looked confused and vulnerable.

Neil let out a laugh, "Dude get a grip. You are not gay! If you were, we'd be married by now" he laughed again, Ali felt better hearing him. Neil continued, "It's just that, I am sure you have always seen Prags like a sibling, hence you aren't attracted to her. Don't worry, when you meet the right girl, you will figure out how straight you are!" said Neil with a convinced smile.

"Bro, how are you so sure? Did you meet such a girl?" asked Ali with a frown. Neil just smiled looking at him, and then it struck Ali, andhe looked at Neil's phone accusingly. "Who's she?" he questioned, eyes shining in excitement.

"Junior from college - Purvi, she is sweet. I like her." Smiled Neil. Ali forgot his worry in thrill, his best buddy was in love! Now he needed to find a girl for himself too, that would shut that big blabber mouth Pragya for good he thought.

***

Abhi and Tanu were shaking a leg for a very long time, when Abhi thought he needed a break, and decided to go grab a drink, Tanu followed. They were at the bar counter ordering drinks, when the shrillest of shrill voice screamed behind them "Tanuuu" Abhi jerked around to see a very pretty girl hugging Tanu like she was her long lost sister. She seemed younger than them, she had a pretty but childish face, she looked innocent and seemed to have a very bubbly perona. Tanu returned the hug with an equally excited scream, "Bulbulll, babe how are you here?" she asked enthusiastically. "Partying with a few class mates babe, good to see you here, who are you with?" she asked and looked at Abhi questioningly, but before Abhi could answer, she answered her own question, "Oh, Abhi! I know you! You are our senior right? You also are a part of the college rock band nah? I LOVE your voice! Do you remember me? The girl you ragged at the beginning of the term? I was to get you coffee for free for an entire month?" she asked with a big smile on her face. "uh-huh" replied Abhi who obviously had no such memories, he remembered ragging a bunch of juniors but her face didn't stand out for him. But without paying much heed, she continued, "Tanu, are you both on a date? Am I gate crashing?" she giggled unnecessarily. Had any other girl been so overtly friendly with them, it would have annoyed Abhi, but with Bulbul he realized she was very immature and her behaviour was plain childish, he didn't mind - in fact he was liking her loud presence. Tanu looked slightly awkward at Bulbul's question, and looked at Abhi for answering - when none came, she replied back, "No no Buls, we are here with a big gang of friends, they are all sitting there" she pointed towards there table. Bulbul turned around and followed her finger and her jaw dropped. "No kidding! DI" she exclaimed and went running towards their table.

"Di?" repeated both Tanu and Abhi curiously and turned to see who Bulbul was running to.

***

Pragya and Purab were sitting for quite some time chatting. Abhi and Tanu wasn't going to return soon - that Pragya had figured. But what was taking Ali and Neil so long? As she sat their talking to Purab, she knew she was boring Purab - he was a nice guy, but unlike her, he was a fun person too - she knew out of sheer politeness, he wouldn't leave her, but she felt bad for him.

"Purab, why don't you go and hang out with Abhi and the others? I am sure you will have a few friends in the dance floor - you guys are quite regular here nah." She asked gently. Purab looked up at her, true he could see a lot of friends at the dance floor and he also had seen this really pretty girl glancing at him for long, but leaving Pragya here, uncomfortable and alone - he didn't want to do that either.

"No Pragya, I am fine - Yes I know a few people, but I can catch up later" he smiled.

"Purab, I will be okay, and I promise you that I won't be bored - everything around me is too new to be bored here Purab. You go enjoy, if I am bored, I will call you." She convinced Purab. He nodded with a smile, "Okay, but promise me if you are even slightly bored or uncomfortable. You will call me? I won't be gone for long!" With that Purab walked towards the dance floor - Pragya saw him leave, she honestly did feel a little awkward and out of place, but she was also deeply engrossed taking in her new surroundings. It was when she was feeling a little comfortable sitting there watching people laugh, drink and dance, she heard a familier shriek from behind "Diii"

She quickly turned around to see a surprised Bulbul dancing in excitement at seeing her there.

"Di! You are here? You are really here? You in a pub? That too with friends? Tanu is your friend? How come you never mentioned di? Do you come here often? How is it that I never saw you? Oh, you are wearing my birthday gift wala dress? Di you're looking sooo sexy!" she finally finished. Pragya laughed at her amused, she felt very happy seeing Bulbul there, suddenly the place seemed friendlier. But of course, knowing Bulbul, she never tried answering any of her numerous questions - Bulbul never looked for answers for her questions anyway!

Then she came sat by her and scanned the empty six-seater couch and narrowed her eyes, "Di, where are your friends? Did they ditch you?"

Pragya quickly covered up for her gang, "No no, they called me, but you know nah Bulbul, I am too shy, I figured I wanted to sit for a bit hence" but while she finished her statement, she saw Neil and Ali returning back, with relief she pointed at them and said, "Look, Ali is returning"

Bulbul looked up to see her batch mates come and join them, "Hey Ali! What's up dude? Hi Neil " she greeted them, both Ali and Neil returned her salutations, and then Ali told Neil that Bulbul was Pragya's sister. Bulbul was quite a regular visitor at Pragya's and hence she knew Ali very well, even outside class. They sat there chatting when Abhi and Tanu returned too.

Tanu looked at Bulbul curiously and asked, "This chash"" then she glanced at Abhi once and corrected, "Bulbul, Pragya is your sister? Like your own sibling?" Pragya looked at Tanu and frowned, she didn't remember the last time when Tanu called her by her name and not behenji. But Bulbul didn't notice Tanu's curiosity or Pragya's frown, she chirpily replied, "Yeah babe, meet Pragya di, my awesome sister - I didn't know you guys were friend yaar?" she asked all smiling. No one replied, and she never noticed. Soon Abhi got talking with Neil and Ali and Tanu went away to receive a phone call and the sister's were left to themselves. Bulbul didn't quite understand why they all left her di alone even while around her, and decided to ignore it - she had this once chance where her di had come pubbing, she had to make it memorable. If not her own set of friends, then her friends would do the trick. She suddenly turned to Pragya, "Hey di, why don't you come join my friends for a bit? They would start looking for me otherwise" and before Pragya could respond, Bulbul pulled her up and dragged her towards their friends. Pragya turned around to excuse herself, Ali and Neil nodded with a smile and Abhi, though silent, he looked a bit put off for some reason - Tanu wasn't around, Pragya was sure that was the reason.

Purab was having a great time with the pretty girl who was glancing towards him all evening, but at the same time he felt guilty for leaving Pragya behind - so after spending some time with Amaya, he excused himself for a bit to go check on Pragya. But when he arrived at the booth, he saw everyone but Pragya, upon enquiring Abhi had told him, "She has found other friends to hang out with" who knew why did he sound so irked. But Purab was happy for Pragya, anyways all had left her on her own - hence Purab went back to Amaya for the evening after having a quick word with Abhi.

Abhi, Ali, Neil and Tanu were casually chatting when Abhi glanced towards the booth Bulbul had taken Pragya to. His eyes narrowed taking in the sight of a Pragya who was clearly enjoying their company more than their's. She was no more, meek, she was laughing and kidding and seemed to be having a good time. Tanu noticed his gaze and shifted uncomfortably next to him and then to draw his attention, she asked him to come and dance some more, but Abhi for some reason wasn't in the mood.

***

Pragya never thought clubbing could be so much fun. Bulbul was there that evening with a few of their school friends, Pragya had known most of these guys and girls since their childhood - they would visit Bulbul at home regularly, and that evening when they saw Pragya di, there were all pleasantly surprised. Pragya was not meek around them, she was laughing, and joking and sharing their childhood stories, she felt much more welcome here, much more warm. Then suddenly one of Bulbul's friend Yash had asked her to dance with him - Pragya was taken aback, but by Yash and Bulbul and the rest of their friend's continuous insistence, she shyly gave in - a part of her wanted to dance too, for the sake of experience. She didn't know if she would ever be invited to return to such a place. So she decided to go dance. The dance floor was crowded and no one was noticing another, she felt comfortable and soon she was dancing away to happiness with Yash. Clubbing indeed was fun, she thought.

Tanu was sitting and politely chatting with Ali and Neil, though she was a little bored, she wanted to show Abhi, she bonded with Ali well - though mentally she found Ali really weird, her expressions were misleading. Abhi however wasn't noticing, he himself was a bit bored and decided to go to the bar and get himself a drink, he casually ran his eyes past the dance floor, when his mind did a double take - Pragya was dancing with some guy, she was enjoying to the tee. Suddenly Abhi pulled Tanu by the elbow and led her to the dance floor excusing themselves from Ali and Neil. Tanu, though initially startled, started smirking thinking, she must have impressed Abhi by getting along with Ali.

Soon they were in the dance floor, dancing and having fun, but Tanu couldn't help notice, that Abhi wasn't very attentive towards her, he was just casually checking the crowd, though she didn't mind, as long as behenji was away from them, she was good - then her eyes fell on Bulbul who was dancing nearby, she frowned, how did a behenji like Pragya, have such a fun loving and fashionable sister?

Abhi was dancing with Tanu, but he kept moving strategically, keeping a lookout for Pragya, that guy just didn't seem right, and since when did chashmish get all touchy with guys, he thought a little put off. Then he spotted her closeby, clearly having a good time with the guy - he moved Tanu along and placed himself in such a way that Tanu had her back towards Pragya and he could face her. Now that he was in safe distance, he decided to keep an eye on her and not intervene unless it was required. Soon Bulbul caught up with them and all were dancing crazily, when Abhi casually glanced at Pragya to check on her - what he saw, made his eyes pop out in shock.

Pragya was dancing happily with the guy and was completely unaware of the fact that the zip to her dress was opening slowly - it had come down a good few inches and she was of course oblivious to it, dancing in merriment. An unknown fury got to him, as he made his way towards her.

Pragya was dancing with Yash, when she felt a tap on her shoulder, she glanced around and her smile vanished. It was Abhi. Before she could register anything, he took her hand swiftly and started dancing with her, then he looked at Yash and gave a friendly nod. Yash nodded back and turned around to dance with the others. Now his eyes were on her, Pragya could feel her skin burning under his gaze - he looked back into his deep black eyes and was almost losing her senses, when she jerked in shock. She could suddenly feel his finger on the bare back of her skin - she became rigid and stared back her him in horror, but his expression was unreadable. She realized only then that her zip was coming off - she felt his hands searching for the zip as he twirled her around effortlessly with one arm. The she could feel he was pulling up the zip, right up till the nape of her neck, his finger then gently brushed the nape of her neck which made her tingle internally.

He then bent his face towards her ears, and whispered, making sure he wasn't looking into her eyes, "You may want to repair the zip, I think the lock is broken. It might come down again if you keep dancing" - she gasped in shock hearing it and decided to retire to the couch, she had had enough fun for one night. As she left his grip and walked back to the couch to Ali and Neil, Abhi sighed and moved to the bar for his drink, completely forgetting Tanu.

Tanu on the other hand, was standing quite close following everything along with Bulbul by her side. Then she followed him to the bar along with Bulbul - Bulbul was curious to see Abhi's behaviour towards Pragya - was there something going on? But didn't Tanu always talk about Abhi? It almost felt like they would soon be going out - if that was true than what was this she just witnessed? She thus went after Tanu, to observe Abhi more.

Tanu went to the bar and curtly told Abhi that she was having a headache, and she wanted to return home, if Abhi could drop her. Abhi had had enough too, he wanted to get away from all this, he quickly agreed and decided to go call Pragya, but Tanu interrupted saying, it made more sense if Abhi dropped her and Bulbul instead, because they stayed in the same hostel - that way Neil could drop Ali and Pragya as they stayed in the same place. Abhi quickly glanced at Bulbul, who seemed game with the idea. So soon Abhi, Bulbul and Tanu left.

Ali was getting bored with the party, he wasn't ever a party animal, but he came clubbing once in a while - but now with his worry assuming he is gay and with the news that even Neil had a girl, hewas disturbed - he wanted to get home.

"Neil, mate, lets call it a night? I am bored. And you also must have important calls to make?" she smirked. Neil gave him a coy smile and agreed. Neil asked if Pragya was to join them, but Ali told him that Abhi had brought her here, so Abhi would drop her too. He really wanted to stay away from that flirtatious roomie of his.

Pragya was sitting there for half an hour, waiting for Abhi and Tanu to return, but they just didn't come - it was getting late, she needed to return now. After waiting for another fifteen minutes, she decided to go search for her - by then even Bulbul and her friends had left she gauged seeing their booth empty. But after thoroughly searching for them for another fifteen minutes, she started panicking when she could spot no one. She knew Purab had left earlier, he had left her a text message, she had told him she was fine - she was sitting with Bulbul's friends then.

Tears of panic started leaking down her eyes when she realized her entire group had left, no one remembered her. She hurried out of the club with tears rolling down - what was her fault? Why was she so invisible? Why did no one ever remember her? Was she so insignificant? She felt contempt, despair and mostly lost - even Abhi left her? A small part of her mind questioned. She put it off with a mirthless laughter - like he would do otherwise.

***

Bulbul was removing her make-up and looking thoughtful, while Tanu came out of the washroom after changing. Bulbul looked at her and asked, "Tanu, what is going on between you, Abhi and di?" Tanu looked at her uncomfortable, "What do you mean Bul?" Bulbul asked her directly, "I think you like Abhi, but we both saw how Abhi behaved with di tonight. Don't you think he likes her?" her question was innocent, but made Tanu boil in rage. She kept quiet for a moment hatching a plan, then she smiled maliciously while looking into the mirror and combing her hair, and said, "Arre Abhi hates Pragya, he didn't even want to bring her to the party - you know he can't stand Pragya's simplicity - calls her behenji - it annoys me though, you know, I like your di, she is simple and innocent - I only invited her, and told Abhi, if she didn't come, I won't come too. So he reluctantly agreed, but I guess he got pissed for some reason, we saw how he said something rude in her ears and she abruptly left the dance floor. Don't worry Bul, I will scold him tomorrow!"

Anger inflated in Bulbul hearing Abhi's dismissive attitude towards her di, she was no more his fan, Hmph. "Like brother, like sister" she muttered thinking of Aaliya and her strange ways, as Tanu laughed darkly.

***

Ali was about to doze off when his phone rang, it was Abhi, he picked up reluctantly and greeted him in a bored voice. "Hi Aalu..oops Ali, could you ask Pragya if her hair clutch is missing, I just found one in my car" Ali frowned, "Bhai, she hasn't reached the apartment yet, give her a shout, she will come back to the gate" she mumbled. Suddenly the voice in the other end was quiet.

"Bhai?" Ali called tentatively.

"Aalu, I am at home"

"Then where did you drop her?" enquired Ali confused, and was once again met by eerie silence.

"I didn't. I thought she would return with you guys!" now he sounded a little panicked.

"BHAI. You took her right? Why did you assume she would come back with me?" Ali almost shouted on the phone. It was almost 2AM.

"Aalu, I will drive back and check. I will talk to you later." And he hung up, as Ali sprang up on his bed in tension.

***

Pragya was standing outside the pub on a deserted road. There were no public commutations anywhere I sight. She had never freaked out thus - well she was never out for this long either! And not to mention alone. She was fidgeting with her phone, not knowing whom to call - she stood there crying out of helplessness for God knows how long, when she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder, in nervousness, fear and shock, she went rigid - then slowly she turned around, and faced the person looking at him.

He was peering at her from over his specs. He was still the same in some ways. As in he still seemed stern and judging by the neat and crisp shirt even after partying till this hour, it seemed he was still the disciplinarian too. But his sense of fashion had changed drastically, he was wearing a distressed pair of denim, coupled with a black satin shirt with a Chinese collar, he must have been visiting the gym pretty regularly, judging by the slight hint of well-toned abs under his skin fit shirt. From bell-bottomed trousers reaching his chests, he has come a long way. As familiarity hit her, and a relief shot through her, she exclaimed is astonishment, "Suresh? You, in India?"

Chapter 4

Ali sat there, impatiently biting his nails, he had called Pragya some twenty times in the last half an hour, but her phone wasn't reachable. He sat there panicking, and grumbled to himself, "However, flirtatious, Prags will remain a silly fool! Why couldn't she tell me she wanted to come with us?" huffed Ali impatiently. As hesat there waiting, he got a call from Abhi, he sighed in relief hoping that his bhai must have found Prags. But on receiving the call, he was even more agitated to know that even though Abhi had reached the club, and he had checked inside out, Pragya wasn't anywhere around.

"Bhai, call up Tanu and check, maybe she has gone for a sleepover with her sister?" asked Ali hopefully.

"No, I dropped Bulbul and Tanu myself, she wasn't around" Abhi's voice was thick with tension, "But don't worry, let me drive along the area and see if she is anywhere around okay? I will keep you posted." He finished and hung up abruptly, the more he spoke with Aaliya about it, the faster he was losing his cool.

Abhi drove along all the nearby lanes and even the highway, there was no trace of chashmish anywhere, the longer it took, the more, an unknown fear was plaguing him. He drove around like a maniac in the middle of the night for another half an hour when Aaliya called. He picked up her call hopefully.

"Bhai, she is here, she reached home safely" finished Aaliya breathlessly and Abhi sighed in relief. Then an unknown fury engulfed him, how irresponsible was this chashmish? Where the hell was she all along? Couldn't she just make sure she was reachable on phone? Couldn't she inform him that she was left behind? With all these thoughts in mind, he asked through gritted teeth, "Aalu, can you pass on the phone to her?"

He heard Aalu unnecessarily clear her throat once and responded, "Maybe this is not a good time to talk bhai, and she is quite shaken"

"What do you mean?" he asked, not being able to mask his concern.

"Well, she is not really acting like herself - for the first time, she didn't reply to my questions. She just walked straight into her room and shut the door behind her." Confessed Ali uncomfortably.

If Abhi was angry at her callousness a few moments back, hearing that she was shaken by the night's event and that she wasn't talking, made him forget his fury completely. He had softened again, but he knew better, maybe she needed some lone time to get over the shock - so without much ado, he hung up. He decided to check on her the next day.

Pragya sat on her bed, finally inside the security of her room. She was still for some time and then the enormity of the situation was crashing down on her, and she started shaking vehemently as tears rolled down her eyes. What would have happened if Suresh hadn't found her there by chance? Would she still be stuck out there? She felt wounded by her friends and their behaviour towards her - maybe it was time, to realize that they weren't really her friends - if they were, wouldn't they have realized that she was missing? As she sat there, there was a text message on her phone.

3:15a.m. [Hey Pragya, hope you are feeling okay now? Please get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow : D]

3:17a.m. [Thank-You so much Suresh. I don't know where I would be, if you didn't find me today. And all the best for tomorrow, Bulbul is in for a very big surprise. Goodnight!]

Pragya smiled imagining Bulbul's expression when she saw Suresh tomorrow. Pragya and Bulbul's father and Suresh's father were best of friends, and it was in their childhood, when Suresh's mother had jokingly told their mother that they would take home Bulbul as their daughter-in-law when she grew up. Everybody had laughed at the suggestion, other than the two children who sat there in awe - the two children about whom this was said - they were about nine years old - since then it was somehow ingrained in Suresh and Bulbul's head that they were soul-mates, they were meant to be. Over the years, everybpdy had forgotten about that remark - only Bulbul and Suresh remembered it. Hence it was a big surprise when, in the teen years, Bulbul grew up to be this beautiful and attractive girl and Suresh became this overtly discipline, rigid, old fashioned uncle like figure with horrific sense of dressing - Pragya thought Bulbul would soon be over this obsession once she met new boys in her friends circle - but she was wrong of course - however weird, unfitting, silly or boring Suresh was, Bulbul looked at him like he was her prince charming. Soon, the families realized the depth of their bond, and before Suresh left for the UK for his MBA, they took a mutual decision to get them engaged once Suresh was back and Bulbul's graduation was over - everyone was happy. Pragya sighed, her sister was soon about to get her fairytale lovestory - that'swhat Suresh had told her tonight. He was back in India and he had chosen to finish his MBA's last semester of exchange programme in a college in India - in this city, so that he could get to know Bulbul better, her likes, dislikes and who she really was - he felt they really needed to understand each other before Bulbul finished graduation and they got engaged. Suresh was perfect for Bulbul, thought Pragya lovingly, as sleep took over.

***

It was 10AM in the morning and the bell rung obstinately. Ali turned in his sleep, and thought to himself, what was taking Prags so long? Why wasn't she getting the door? She always got the door. But thenhe remembered her plight from last night - maybe she was still sleeping it off - he decided to get the door. He opened the door to see Abhi standing outside, surprised he enquired about his visit.

"I came to, errr..I came to see Pragya. You said nah, that she wasn't sounding good?" muttered Abhi cautiously and for some reason didn't meet Ali's eyes. It was weird, why did Abhi put in so much effort to wake up in the morning and visit Prags? He could see how she was doing the next to next day in college itself! But then hethought, everyone was acting strangely nowadays and dismissed hisdoubt.

"Come in bhai, I will get her" replied Ali lazily and walked towards Pragya's room. He knocked the door but no-one replied, she slowly opened the door to see that her bed was neatly done, maybe she was in the shower he thought and proceeded to knock the washroom door - to his amazement the door was open - then he habitually looked at the key holder and saw her house keys weren't there - she is not at home? He thought to himself.

"Bhai, sorry she is not at home" offered Ali nonchalantly as hewalked out of her bedroom.

Abhi was surprised, it was quite early in the morning, where could she possibly go? Then a sudden uncomfortable feeling gripped him - did she return at all last night? He turned to Aaliya urgently.

"Hey Aalu, are you sure you saw her last night?" he asked urgently.

"What do you mean bhai?" Ali asked surprised.

"I mean, I know you were drunk and sleepy too - did you..err..really see her - you didn't hallucinate right? I mean she DID return last night nah Aalu?" asked Abhi frantically.

"Bhai! What do you think I have in place of eyes? Two packs of toadstool? Of course she returned, I wasn't hallucinating! She left in the morning again! If you want to check, go inside her bedroom - her dress from last night is folded neatly and kept on the bed! Such crap!" replied Ali furiously. His brother had lost it - true he had requested him to befriend her, but this much care? He thought Abhi was utilizing his brotherly possessive instinct that he had for Aalu - on Pragya now! Good for her he thought!

Abhi breathed in relief - that meant she had returned. And she was fine enough to go out again - that was good news. He wondered why he was so restless though - why did he feel uncomfortable knowing that she wasn't okay last night - he wished he could meet her once, but he guessed he had to try again in the evening. He hung around with Ali for breakfast, and then went off from there.

***

Bulbul was wondering why Pragya di wanted to meet for breakfast early on a Saturday morning, then she thought maybe she was abou to shed light on Abhi's behaviour from the night before - she was more curious after hearing Tanu's confession - true Pragya di had abruptly left the dance floor after Abhi had told her something on her ear, but she couldn't buy the fact that he was being rude, his body language spoke differently. Her curiosity made her agree to join her for breakfast at an English Breakfast joint.

When she looked up from the table, her jaw dropped. Pragya di was walking towards her for sure, but she wasn't alone. Someone was accompanying him - and could it be? Was it really him? How did he become so..so..dashing? Oh My God, she thought as they approached nearer - it was indeed HIM. Suresh. Her Suresh. She squealed in joy and excitement and forgot about the Pragya-Abhi angle. She ran towards them and jumped on to a startled Suresh and hugged him tight.
"Suresh!!! You are here??? Finally?? When did you come?? How did you contact di?? Why didn't you tell me?? How are you??? Awww I missed my baby sooo much!!" screamed Bulbul in joy, earning curious glances from people around them - Suresh turned red in embarrassment and pushed her away gently. Bulbul didn't seem to notice his embarrassment or gesture. She then turned to Pragya and squealed and hugged her too before settling down - she pushed her chair closer to Suresh and held onto his elbow possessively before continuing - Suresh was very surprised, he could only stammer a, "You haven't really changed Bulbul, have you? I thought after starting college---" but he couldn't continue, as Bulbul started talking excitedly without letting him finish.

"Arre? Why should I change? How will my Surry recognize me if I changed? I am exactly how you left me, my Surry baby" she replied with a cute smile.

Suresh smiled stiffly in return, "Suresh, please call me that".

The breakfast went on like that, Bulbul didn't budge from calling Suresh Surry' but at the end reluctantly agreed to drop the baby' and Suresh tried very hard to digest this loud, dramatic personality he would soon be engaged to. Pragya understood his discomfort and spoke to him, after carefully sending Bulbul to get more coffee.

"Don't worry Suresh, she is just very excited to see you. She has waited for you more than anybody. Give her time, she will calm down." Suresh relaxed at her assurance and understanding.

"Does she know, I will be joining the same college as her's from tomorrow?" he enquired curiously, and when Pragya replied in negative, he relaxed. He requested her to tell Bulbul this once he wasn't around, as he couldn't handle more screaming in one day, he suggested light heartedly. Pragya laughed at that and agreed.

***

It was evening, Abhi called Ali and enquired where he was, Ali was with Neil at his apartment catching a football match with beer. Abhi thought it was a good opportunity to come over - that way he could catch the match with them and also check on Pragya - when it came to guy things like sports and matches, Tanu was a bore for company - and Purab had mysteriously gone under cover for the weekend after meeting that girl in the pub last night.

Soon Abhi was at Ali's - Neil and Ali was watching the match and cursing occasionally - he joined in and was having fun - he casually kept glancing at Pragya's shut door - she would have to come out sometime for sure. But soon it was past 11PM - the match got over - still she didn't open her door. Abhi casually suggested they ordered in dinner and watched a movie - Neil readily agreed and Ali was all in favour of the dinner but not the movie - he told them he would crash early after dinner, but they could catch up and watch the movie if they wanted - Abhi took the opportunity to ask Ali to call Pragya too, so that they could have dinner together - but Ali replied that Pragya wasn't at home, she hadn't returned since morning. Abhi was surprised.

"Does she often do late night-outs?" he asked bewildered.

"No bhai, she never does. I guess she is really mad at me or something" replied Ali in a as a matter of fact voice.

"I don't blame her, especially after your erotic encounter" sniggered Neil under his breath, but Ali and Abhi caught him.

"Erotic what?" exclaimed Abhi in shock and turned to look between Ali and Neil.

Ali cursed Neil and threw a cushion on him and barked, "Shut the f**k up dude!" and added to Abhi, "It's nothing really bhai. Chill." The he left for the kitchen to get takeaway pamphlets. An unconvinced and thoroughly shocked Abhi looked at Neil for explanation, Neil muttered under his breath, "Later bro, let him go to bed." Abhi nodded. Soon Ali was back.

"Ali, don't you think you should text her once? To find out if she would return or you should save dinner?" asked Neil casually, to dull out Ali's anger at him. It worked, Ali looked thoughtful, and decided to leave her a text.

11:19PM [ Hey Prags, when are you returning? Should I save dinner?]

Then they ordered food and they all chatted jovially. Abhi kept glancing at Ali's phone to see it ringing or blinking to notify message received. But for another forty odd minutes nothing happened. Abhi was starting to feel uneasy again - he was debating if he should call her from his phone or not when Ali's phone finally beeped. Ali read the text with a frown and read it to them. It was from Pragya.

12:14AM [No thanks, don't save dinner for me. Not returning before Monday]

Abhi's jaw dropped. She had left the house on Saturday, and wasn't going to return till Monday? Where would she be for that night and the next? He felt disappointed because he wouldn't be able to see her before college - he wanted to enquire how she managed to be left back last night, and also question why she didn't call him, and maybe also scold her for letting herself get stranded out there in the middle of the night - but Monday was too far, and somehow, in college he could imagine questioning her so much in front of others - especially Tanu - she may take it wrongly. But what could he do now.

"Aalu, you won't ask where she is?" Abhi tried once more.

"No. She is old enough to manage" replied Ali curtly. It surprised Abhi. Aaliya was always over protective about Pragya, what could have happened that made her so cold towards her? He mentally noted that he will ask Neil once Ali retired to bed. Neil was Abhi and Aaliya's childhood neighbour - he was always closer to Ali, but Abhi and Neil also shared quite a comfortable space - Abhi knew he could get this information out of Neil.

Once Aaliya retired, Abhi turned casually to Neil and asked about his earlier remark. Neil let out a boyish grin and went on to tell him, how he thinks Prags was secretly hitting on Ali, and how she tried to get him to zip her up - he told Abhi, how Ali wasn't interested in her, and hence Pragya was heartbroken and avoiding Ali - even Ali was now very awkward around her. "Women" sighed Neil.

After heating this bit of information, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry in exasperation - he wanted to jerk Neil into realizing that his Aalu was a GIRL and Pragya knew that! She never considered Aaliya a guy, she just humoured him - he wanted to scream that, Pragya was genuinely asking her a casual favour of zipping her up - like any girl asks her girl friend or roomie - it wasn't a sexual innuendo! But who would explain this to these two sighed Abhi - he also realized Pragya wasn't avoiding them for this - it was because of leaving her behind last night - but trust Ali and Neil to think so twisted - he almost laughed thinking about Neil's explanation that Pragya was hitting on Aaliya - like that was possible. But he also made a mental note to talk to Aalu - she couldn't go on thinking she is a guy - she is too old for it now.

***

Pragya was sitting on Bulbul's bed hugging her. Thank God the chudail Tanu had left for a weekend trip with her friends - it worked out perfectly for her. She wanted to be away from her self centred set of so-called friends - Aaliya had hurt her the most, and Abhi too. She wanted to be away from them - and Bulbul needed her too. By the evening even Bulbul had realized that Suresh was a bit uncomfortable around her, and it broke her heart - Suresh on the other hand had requested Pragya to tell Bulbul that she didn't behave like this in the college - there he was an exchange student for a reputed college - he had an image to protect. Pragya understood Suresh was right - but she knew Bulbul was too immature to see it - she decided to be with Bulbul and gently make her understand before Monday. Here she was holding on to a teary faced Bulbul explaining it to her - to treat Suresh just like any other senior - and to not even call him "Surry" in college. Bulbul agreed, but she was very upset - her Surry had changed.

Pragya consoled her, and told her, Suresh had made plans to catch up for a movie with them - she should make tomorrow a frsh start and try and be a little more sombre and matured around him - Bulbul nodded silently with a sad smile and hugged her di.

"Thank-You di for being here, I so need you."

Chapter 7

"Hi, do you want to go for dinner tonight?" asked Bulbul cautiously over the phone.

"I don't mind" replied Suresh with a small smile. Bulbul jumped silently in delight. Suresh continued, "I will pick you up at 8 then?" - "Sure" replied Bulbul.

Suresh was walking out of college when Bulbul had called him, as he hung up, he felt a light tap on his shoulder, he turned around to see Tanu smiling at him brightly. She greeted him and engaged herself in a small talk with him. There was something about this man - Suresh - he was so matured, smart and distinguished is a certain way - someone she could flaunt with pride in her eyes - something that would make other women jealous of her - he was humorous too, but polite at the same time - he could sweep people of their feet with just a few chivalrous gestures - Tanu was smitten by him. Abhi didn't stand a chance before him. Conversing with Suresh wasn't difficult either, he could easily keep a free flow of conversation and Tanu just needed to look gorgeous. After half an hour and a cup of tea from the cafeteria, Suresh said he needed to get going. But there were dark clouds in the sky, he glanced at the sky and looked at Tanu, "Hey Tanu, do you want me to drop you? The weather seems to getting rough" Tanu flashed a glamourous smile, "Oh Suresh, how sweet of you. Actually I am very scared of thunders you know. It would be great if you could drop me." Suresh smiled, "Sure, come with me"

When they almost reached Tanu's hostel, she looked at him with a smile, "Hey Suresh, I want to thank you properly for dropping me safely. Do you want to do dinner with me tonight?

"I would love to Tanu, but you see, I have already made plans with a friend tonight. Maybe some othertime?" he replied. Tanu was slightly disheartened, but well he didn't say no, he just deferred it. "Cool" she replied.

When Suresh reached Tanu's hostel, he was surprised. Tanu and Bulbul stayed in the same hostel? He turned to Tanu and smiled, "As it so happens Tanu, the friend I have dinner plans with, she stays here too!" Tanu was surprised, "she?" did he have a girlfriend already? She decided to probe, "Here? Inmy hostel? What's her name? I may know her!"

"Bulbul Arora" he replied. Tanu gasped as understanding seeped in.

"Bul is your friend? Oh my God, such a small world. She is my roomie! We are very close you know! We are like sisters!! Oh I see, you mentioned you're Pragya's family friend right? Aah so you are bound to know Bul!" she laughed in relief - she knew Bulbul was mentally engaged to somebody since childhood, that meant Suresh was just a friend for her. Great she thought.

Suresh was taken by surprise by this revelation too. True he had agreed to dinner with Bulbul, but he didn't want to say no' that's why - he honestly felt Bulbul might take it as a date and he didn't want her to assume so early. He now had a plan, to make the dinner truly friendly, maybe he could invite Tanu too? That way all their plans would work out. Bulbul would get her dinner, and Tanu could thank him and also he could subtly make Bulbul realize that it wasn't a date - Bulbul was matured, she would take the hint.

"Hey Tanu, that's great you know! If you guys are best friends, then why don't you join us? Bulbul would love it too!" asked Suresh with a smile, and Tanu readily agreed!

As she got out of the car, Suresh called out, "I will pick you guys up at 8 okay?" Tanu smiled and walked towards the hostel, all the while dancing internally. Then she brought out her phone, and sent a text.

5:17p.m. [Hey Sexy! Sorry, too tired after all the travelling. Can we re-schedule dinner to some other time?]

In another five minutes, a reply text prompted her,

5:22p.m. [I understand sweets, some other time it is!]

***

Pragya sat by Abhi and looked straight ahead. The sky started getting steadily darker. Abhi looked at her unreadable face and sighed. He couldn't dive straight into the topic, it might get worse, so he begun,

"I didn't know you liked Marvel comics chashmish, mostly girls hate these stuff nah" he asked casually. Her eyes shine momentarily and then it went back to being dull and unreadable. "I like them since childhood. Initially I didn't, but Suresh made me read stuff like League of Shadows, Marvel stuff, and I realized I love them" Abhi's face puckered at the mention of Suresh. One day back there was no Suresh in his life, and in one day, no matter what he spoke about, Suresh's name did come up. But he was curious, "So, how do you know Suresh from childhood?" he asked cautiously. "He is a family friend" she replied curtly. "A family friend you find very attractive and had planned a movie date with tomorrow that we are incidentally gate-crashing" laughed Abhi loudly, though he could feel how hollow it sounded.

Pragya's eyes narrowed, how she wished she could tell them it was Bulbul who loved Suresh not her, but she remembered her promise to Suresh, to not reveal anything, so she kept mum, instead she remembered Tanu's friendly advances from the afternoon, "Tanu - Your partner for all intensive purposes seem to find him very attractive too." She gave back.

Abhi's hand gripped his steering tighter, both at the memory of Tanu flirting with Suresh in the afternoon and at Pragya choice of using the word - too - after her statement. Tanu too found him attractive?!?! But he kept quiet - he realized he couldn't wade in light water when he was with chashmish. It was better to get to the point.

"Chashmish, I am sorry about Friday, I didn't -----" but Pragya didn't let her complete.

"Don't bother. It was my bad that I couldn't differentiate between politeness and a genuine invitation" replied Pragya crisply. Abhi stared at her in blank incomprehension. Politeness? Well she wasn't exactly wrong, only Purab had genuinely invited her, he was only being polite, but that didn't mean he left her back on purpose. He tried again.

"Listen it was a confusion, I thought Aalu was going to get you and she thought I would. And...err..no of us got you. I am sorry."

"Don't be. And someone did get me. Suresh did. He dropped me home that night." Replied Pragya coldly. Now she was testing Abhi's patience without really realizing it. Suresh saved her? He took her home? While, him - Abhi was circling around the city like a maniac?

"Well, Suresh is quite the superhero huh? Well chashmish, were you expecting him there? I guess you were. In that case what was the fuss all about eh?" He knew he was being rude and he would regret, but he had had too much of Suresh in a day, and this had come come out - he continued, "Oh. I would imagine someone as sensible as you would at least bother to call up and let us know that you're hooking up for the night! In that case I wouldn't -----" but he stopped seeing Pragya's white face - did he really say that? He didn't mean to of course. "Listen, I didn't mean-----"

"Stop the car." She whispered hoarsely.

"Listen Pragya, I really didn't mean it" tried Abhi now panicking

"I said, stop the car. Now." there was an eerie calmness in her voice.

Abhi stopped the car. He looked to face her, "Listen Pragya, I was mad at you for not informing me that you were left behind. On that your phone was unreachable, and then we realized -----"

Pragya didn't wait for him to finish his statement, she unlocked her door and walked out into the poring rain outside. Abhi sat there stunned for a moment and then reflexively opened his door to after her. He caught up with her and grabbed her by her elbow and pulled her, but she struggled to keep walking.

"Pragya, get into the car. It's raining to hard, you cannot be out now - it's not safe - plus you're drenched."

"LEAVE ME ALONE" she screamed. Abhi stopped abruptly. From her voice he could make out she was crying, but the rain didn't let him see her tears. He felt terribly guilty. He gently held her by the shoulder and tried again.

"Pragya, listen I am sorry. I didn't mean it. And the memory of that night made me angry because you never tried to contact me for help. What if Suresh wasn't there that night? You know how worried Aalu and I got?"

"You didn't care! Don't need to lie, now even Ali doesn't expect you be my friend I guess, so there is no obligation. And Ali didn't care either - if she did, she wouldn't have refused to take me back with them" she screamed again.

"It was a confusion Pragya! Of course Aalu cares for you! She is immature! Who knows it better than you? And for me, of course I care, why do you think I drove back in the middle of the night to the club again? Can you imagine what I felt when you weren't around? You weren't taking my calls? I drove around the entire area searching for you, and I was out there searching until and unless Aalu called to tell me you reached home!" screamed Abhi desperately.

Pragya was stunned, was this true? Abhi had come to search for her? Abhi continued, "I tried meeting you the next day to clarify this but you weren't around, not even on Sunday. I asked you to come in early today, you didn't do that either, you didn't sit with me either, you didn't talk to me at all! How was I to clarify Pragya?"

"I didn't know all this" she managed to stammer. That infuriated Abhi. After hearing everything, that's what she had to offer? She didn't know? All her faults are washed off at that? Couldn't she call him? Abhi lashed out in anger once again, "How will you know? You were busy with Suresh all weekend weren't you?" then he bit his tongue again.

Pragya who was softening for a moment, didn't miss the accusing voice he used and turned stone faced again. "Thank-you for trying to help me Abhi. But I assure you, you wouldn't need to try again - because I wont hang out with you any longer. You don't have to pretend to be my friend any longer - neither you, nor Ali. You are free from your obligation now." With that she shoved his hands away from her shoulder and started walkng away, completely drenched by now.

Abhi had reached the tip of his patience. He couldn't stand it any longer. He used all his might and pulled Pragya towards the car. How much ever Pragya tried to pull away, it was futile. He pushed her into the car and put the car on child lock. He turned to Pragya and told her, he wasn't letting her travel in this weather alone - she could very well hate him and not be friends with him, but all that would prevail after he dropped her home safely. As Pragya realized there was no escape, she sat inside the car with a stubborn face and leaking eyes.

***

When Tanu reached her hostel, Bulbul was busy selecting her dress for the evening, Tanu helped her select a indigo top and told her to pair it with a beige slim-fit trouser. Bulbul sqealed in delight, she always liked Tanu's sense of dressing. Then she turned to see Tanu looking for a dress too, she asked if Tanu was going somewhere.

"Yes Buls! I am going out with you! Suresh invited me too!" she replied chirpily.

"Suresh invited you? How do you know him?" asked Bulbul confused.

"We are class mates yaar, and we hit it off quite well from the start. So he invited me" she replied happily. Bulbul's smile faltered. She thought t wold be just her and Suresh, but Suresh didn't think that way. Then Bubul tried seeing the positive, maybe Suresh wanted to form a group with her, with common friends, it definitely seemed like a good thing to do - to hang out together in the future. She smiled, though a little let down, she was happy thinking about the positive tone this brought to her relation. Then she smilingly joined Tanu in selecting her dress.

***

When Pragya reached her house, Ali opened the door. He was shocked to see how drenched his bhai and Prags were. "What the hell were you upto Prags??? You both look -----" but Pragya lashed out at Ali before she could complete. "What the hell was I up to? Why should that be any of your business Ali? Why don't you sit with you brother and imagine I was hooking up with random men out in the rain!" and before Ali could open her mouth, she ran to her room and locked it. Ali was shocked beyond her wits. Prags was never like this, she was always so timid and docile - he turned to look at Abhi questioningly. Abhi then explained everything to a stunned Aaliya and left her place shortly. Ali didn't bother Pragya for the time being. It was best that she was left alone he thought.

At night, Ali knocked at Pragya's door, there was no answer. He slowly opened the door to see she was lying on the bed with books scattered by her side. He walked inside to call her for dinner, he had had enough, he wasn't fighting with Pragya anymore. But as he approached the bed, he could feel heat waves radiate towards him. He went ahead and softly touched her forehead - she was burning with fever. He gasped, she didn't seem conscious even, should she call Bulbul? No, she would freak out, she would call daadi, she would be able to help her. Daadi told him the right kind of medication and cold water compression treatment. He sat by Prags, giving her cold water compressions, after sometime Pragya woke up. He knew this wasn't the right time to indulge in explanations - he beckoned Pragya to silently eat her food and sleep off, which she did - She didn't seem to have the energy to argue.

Coming out of her room, he called his bhai, he was drenched too.

"Hello bhai, are you okay? Do you have the fever?"

"Hi Aalu. Fever? No. Why?"

"You were also drenched nah?"

"So? Forgot daadi's magic? I made the khada and had it after coming home" smirked Abhi.

"Oh great, this Prags here - she has very high temperature, I had to give her cold compressions to bring her back to senses." Replied Ali

"Oh" Abhi's voice sounded grim. "Let me know, if she needs something" and then he hung up.

Abhi was feeling bad, had he not been so miserably mean with her, she wouldn't have walked out of the car, that chashmish he sighed, he could never figure her out.

Chapter 8

Ali walked into Pragya's room the following morning, she was still in bed, thought she did look slightly less pale. Ali felt bad. He really didn't expect things to come this far, but then again this was Prags, the gentle, fragile and soft spoken room mate of his - she couldn't have handled it better.

"Prags..?" he whispered softly.

"Hmm.." she snuggled in her sleep.

He tried again, "Prags, will you be coming to college today?" Pragya awoke with a start, but she felt very weak. She was deciding whether she would make it to college or not when Ali spoke again.

"Prags, I don't think you should go to college today, take rest and come tomorrow" Pragya looked at him uncertainly.

"Why are you being so nice to me suddenly Ali?" she asked suspiciously. Ali couldn't help but laugh.

"Because you told me, you were hooking up with other guys last evening. That puts me back on safe grounds! Hence" he laughed some more.

"What?!?" Pragya asked, further confused.

"Arre Prags, I thought you have fallen in love with me or something, you know, after the way you tried to seduce me last Friday with the dress incident!" he replied darkly glancing at her awkwardly.

"Seduce you?" piped Pragya uncertainly. Was the fever this bad? Why was her head not functioning properly? She looked confused and looked at Ali for shedding more light into the matter. Ali seemed to read her mind.

"Umm Pragya, do you mind clearing this now? Are you fit enough to have a conversation over tea?" he asked cautiously.

"Sure"

Ali got back in the room with two cups of tea, he gave Pragya one, and sipped from his cup uncertainly, gathering his thoughts.

"You were saying?" Pragya asked curiously.

"Umm..Prags, I can see that staying with me for sometime now, you seemed to have developed genuine feelings for me, but Prags, I never saw you that way - I mean I do love you, but like a sibling - it is not romantic. I got shocked, when you tried to coze up to me that night - hence I reacted badly. But later I understood, we need to talk. We cannot spoil whatever we have because of a small thing like that. Prags, you're with me in this?" he asked softly.

Pragya just stared at her in absolute shock. Then it all started slowly registering in her head, Ali really, seriously thought he was a guy? Like this seriously? All of a sudden the revelation explained her behavior completely - she wasn't upset with him anymore, in fact she found it HILARIOUS.

To Ali's surprise, suddenly Prags started shaking on the bed, and then to her amazement, she was trembling in laughter. What was so funny thought Ali in bewilderment. Did the fever muddle Prags' head? He was debating whether to call for a doctor or not, when Prags finally opened her mouth.

"Ali you really really think that I am hitting on you?" and she clutched onto the sides of her stomach laughing hard.

"What's so funny Prags?" replied Ali in irritation.

Pragya laughed some more, she was feeling tired now, after all the fever, she felt considerably weakened. Then she stopped and looked at Ali with all sincerity, and gently held her hand.

"Aaliya look at yourself properly. Notice yourself. Recognize who you truly are, appreciate your reality. You are Aaliya not Ali. Don't deny your own-self your true nature." She spoke softly looking at his eyes.

"Prags, what rubbish is this" he flinched.

"Ali, I wasn't hitting on you. I have pretended for long enough to humor you that you are a man. But I feel it's high time someone shows you who you really are." Pragya began calmly.

"You weren't hitting on me?" he murmured confused, not focusing on the other gibberish she spoke about his gender - those were nonsensical.

"Ali, you are a GIRL. I am a girl and thankfully a straight one at that! Why will I hit on you? I was simply asking for a favour - like any girl may ask girl friend. You took it all in the wrong sense Ali. I love you too, but as a sibling not in any romantic way!" Pragya replied calmly.

Ali stared at her incredulously. "She didn't hit on him, good. She looked at him as a sibling, good. But she thought he was a GIRL!?! That was not acceptable - of all the people, he knew Neil and Prags were the only ones who accepted him as he is. Then why now was Pragya challenging him?"

"Prags, all is well between us now. We are good. You rest, I need to go" he replied ignoring the gender attack.

"Aalu, listen to me, understand your self before it's late" Pragya tried again in desperation.

"Prags, I think that's enough. I don't need you to tell me who I am. I am a guy. That's my truth." Ali replied back in force. The determination in his voice further irked Pragya, she shot back with equal force,

"Fine! Believe that and live in illusion for life! Never step into reality you escapist! But for one moment also if you trust your brother's judgement if not other's - remember he calls you Aalu not Ali. He thinks you're his sister not brother - Ali if not for yourself, at least for him - open your eyes! You are a girl!"

"Shut Up now Prags! If you were anyone other than yourself, it would have been very ugly by now! But you're close to me, hence this is your last chance - what shall I do to prove it to you that I am a guy Prags? How will I convince you and bhai of my reality?" he asked in frustration.

Pragya looked at him breathing heavily, "Don't try proving you're a guy Ali, if you really want to give us proof. Prove it to us that you're not a girl. Then why only Abhi and me? Everyone will believe you"

Ali stared at her in shock. "How?" he whispered softly.

"Go close to a man, really close, get intimate, maybe kiss him? Then see, if your body reacts differently than a man's should. Then come and talk to me" replied Pragya looking straight in the eyes.

Ali shuddered, then he left.

***

Bulbul was wishfully looking out of her classroom window - she was a bit put off, God knew why - she couldn't put her finger exactly on her misery. Last night was fun - she, Tanu and Suresh had a great time. Suresh was in a jovial and fun mood - quite different from how he was in their last few interactions - he was giving both ladies equal time and attention - Tanu was enjoying, but she somewhere felt a tug in her heart. Wasn't Suresh supposed to give a tiny bit of more attention towards her? But he was strictly polite and casual towards her too. May be he didn't want to make it obvious? She tried consoling herself. She envied Tanu seeing her laugh and enjoy and be herself before Suresh, she wished she could be too - she had wanted to grab Suresh by the collar and take him to dance, but she figured that would be counted as a childish act before him - she had refrained. Then when Tanu mentioned some movie their class friends were going for and asked if I can join, before Bulbul could answer Suresh had spoken on her behalf saying she hated sci-fi's and also would get bored with their gang. Bulbul sadly agreed after that - it felt good in a way that he took a decision for her, she only wished the decision could help them be together for a while instead of distancing them. Overall they had a nice dinner and had fun too - but something was missing - she wished she knew what it was.

***

Abhi was sitting in the class with the lecturer droning about the same old things he cared the least about. He was super bored today - Purab was sitting next to him and reading a book on photography - if there was something more important to Purab than life itself, it was photography - he was passionate about it to say the least - he attended all possible workshops for it and according to Abhi, he was a fantabulous professional photographer in making. So when he was deeply engrossed in a book on the same topic, until and unless a tornado came and blew the book away, chances are that Purab Khanna wouldn't respond to anything else.

Abhi lazily turned back to look at Tanu - she was sitting on Pragya's spot today - and beside her sat Suresh, Tanu after observing that Pragya was absent had generously invited him to join her at our corner and he had obliged with a smile. And in order to make him "comfortable" she had moved to Pragya's spot leaving Purab next to him - now as he looked back at her, he saw her smiling and whispering something to Suresh. Abhi felt agitated - Tanu was his, then why was she suddenly so alien to him? He decided he would talk to her after the movie that evening - would Pragya be able to come? Well if she wanted to, he could go and pick her up. But he remembered their conversation from last evening - he'd better ask Purab to check on her.

***

Ali was sitting in the class next to Neil. He was severely disturbed. What did Prags mean? If he could prove it to her that he wasn't a girl then everybody would accept him as a guy? Was there a way to gain that unchallenged acceptance about her gender? Would he achieve it just by doing what Pragya said? Well, getting intimate and kissing a guy was repulsive, Ali shuddered at the thought, but if that was the final price, should she consider paying it?

Neil was noticing Ali since he entered class - he was not himself today, he seemed disturbed - he nudged Ali, "Hey buddy what's wrong?"

"Nothing" he grunted and looked away. He realized he was in a tough crossroad of life. It was either all or none. Ali felt a chill catch her.

Neil on the other hand just nodded and got back to his phone, he was going to ask Purvi out in a day or two! Then maybe find someone for Ali too, maybe someone from Purvi's friend circle?

***

Tanu was looking at Suresh and smiling as he sat deeply engrossed in the sum she wanted him to solve for her - he looked sexy when he was thinking deep she mused. Abhi could never solve these sums, she was sure. He would probably get it solved from behenji if she ever asked him, and then bask in his fake glory thought Tanu scornfully - how immature - she wished she knew if Suresh had a girlfriend, she thought he didn't, but one could never be so sure. Of course behenji would know, but asking her really wasn't even an option. Oh, she could ask Bul! Though not directly, Bul would then tease the life out of her she giggled. Then she saw Abhi looking at her from the seat before her - she smiled at him too.

"How are you now? Illness from last night, all gone it seems" he whispered.

Tanu looked startled, she was hoping Suresh hadn't heard that, when Suresh looked up in response to Abhi's remark. Damn! She thought.

"I am good Abhi, how sweet of you to enquire" she croaked with an unconvincing smile. Abhi frowned, why was Tanu being so formal? If he wasn't mistaken, she was a bit uncomfortable too. Before he could enquire, Suresh spoke,

"Hey Tanu, were you unwell after dinner last night?" It confused Abhi now, why did Suresh sound like he was with her last evening, but before he could question further, Purab diverted Abhi's attention as the professor was asking for assignment submissions.

Tanu heaved a sigh of relief.

***

Purab was waiting during recess for Tanu to come out of the class, Abhi had called him, but he had excused himself. Then he saw Tanu coming out of the class with Suresh.

"Hey, we er..need to talk" Purab called at Tanu.

"Hi bhai! Umm now?" she looked reluctant.

"Yes now. Suresh could you excuse her for a bit?" he asked turning to Suresh not waiting for Tanu's response. Suresh did a friendly shrug and went away. Purab pulled Tanu by the hand and took her back to the now empty classroom.

"Tanu, I know what you're up to. You like Suresh, that's fine. Don't play up with Abhi and his feelings. You know very well he likes you. I don't want him hurt okay?" began Purab

"Bhai, this is really none of your business" replied Tanu with a tight lip.

"It is Tanu. It is because Abhi is my friend and you're my cousin, your behavior with him will impact my relation with him and I don't want it tarred. I have saved you today, I wont help again. Don't mess with my friend, he is a very nice guy Tanu" finished Purab gently.

Tanu nodded in pretentious understanding and walked away. Purab stood there and sighed. Out of all his cousins, why did Tanu have to join his college?

***

Pragya was curled up in her bed and reading a book, when she received a text message.

5:47p.m. [Hi Pragya! How are you? Are you well enough for joining us for the movie tonight?]

5:49p.m. [Hey Purab, yes I am much better. I was going to come anyway! Cant miss Avengers can I? : P ]

5:50p.m. [Oh great! I will pick you up in an hour? Or would you join Neil and his soul-mate, your new found bitter enemy? Heh.]

5:52p.m. [Haha, meanie! Don't worry, Suresh is picking me up. Er..is Abhi coming too?]

5:55p.m. [Oh great then, Suresh will pick you up. And yes he is coming. Sorry cant avoid this one Pragya. But I will keep him away from you. Plus this is technically not a group hang-out, so you're not breaking rules!]

5:57p.m. [See you Purab! : ) ]

Pragya slowly got up lazily from her bed, to get ready. She was getting ready when her phone vibrated again, thinking it was one more of Purab's teasing texts, she smiled and ignored it, and continued dressing for the movie in the evening. After a long and tiring day home, she was looking forward to the evening.

Chapter 9

Tanu was sitting in her hostel room applying nail-paint. Bul was sitting on her bed with a Mills & Boons in hand, but she wasn't reading, she was absently staring at it. Tanu frowned, Bul was changing. She wasn't as bubbly as she was even a week or so back. The girl who could chatter around non-stop and even make Tanu's brain go fuzzy, nowadays the same girl remained aloof thinking all the time - who knew what ate her? It would be wrong to say that Tanu wasn't concerned, unlike the behenji, Tanu was quite fond of her roomie Buls. But right now, her curiosity about Suresh's personal life, surpassed her concern for Buls. This was the right time, she could drop in the small question and if she knew better, Bul wouldn't even notice she asked her, she would just answer in monotony.

"Oyi Buls, you okay? You seem very lost" began Tanu.

"Huh? No...no I am fi-fine" she muttered in response.

"Acha woh Suresh, doesn't he have a girlfriend?" she put in as casually as she could. But it didn't help, Bul's head snapped up at the mention of Suresh. She looked at Tanu with an uncertain hope in her eyes, something Tanu couldn't quite place. Then she asked,

"Why do you ask Tanu? Does he look like he is in love?" Bulbul asked, she didn't notice Tanu's intention behind her question, she just wanted to know about Suresh - did others see his love for her? Did she only not notice?

Tanu looked at her face, well there was no teasing coming from her tonight, it was safe.

"I don't know yaar, he seems like someone who can hide his personal life, that makes people curious. Does he have a girlfriend? Have you ever asked him?"

Bulbul lowered her head in anguish, she wanted to tell Tanu that Suresh did have a girlfriend, and a soon to be fianc too - but she remembered that Suresh wanted to hide the news, it hurt her, but she kept quite. Then an idea struck her,

"I don't know Tanu, but I can ask though" Bulbul wanted to know her worth in Suresh's life, her asking would have made Suresh feel she was immature, she didn't want that tag anymore - but Suresh seemed okay with Tanu, however she is, so she decided she could ask this question and say Tanu wanted to know - she and Tanu would both get their answers then. She cheered up a bit.

Tanu smiled, her plan had worked, she would soon know.

***

Abhi was waiting outside the apartment ringing the doorbell for five minutes now. He kept waiting, no one answered the door, he was a bit irritated now, the message was delivered all right, and then what was cooking? He waited for another fifteen minutes and then left the place in blatant irritation.

When he reached the multiplex, he saw that all of them had reached already, they were waiting for him. He eyed her with coldness, and she looked away - her indifference stung. Abhi ignored her and went ahead to chat up with Neil and Aalu. Aalu looked a bit disturbed though, he wondered why.

When they entered the seats row in the screening room, Abhi noticed Pragya jovially chatting with both Suresh and Purab, she paid him no heed. Tanu's eyes were obviously on Suresh's movements, but he had had enough - he saw Purab taking the corner most seat inside, of their row. Suresh followed him. Tanu was about to follow Suresh, but Abhi held on to her hand and gave her a hard look. Tanu obviously didn't want to be too conspicuous so she kept mum and waited with Abhi. But in Abhi's attempt to keep Tanu from Suresh, he realized, he gave a free pass to chashmish to glide in next to Suresh. An angry puff escaped his lip, and before anybody could walk in next, he did, still clutching on to Tanu's hand. After them Neil and Ali followed.

All wasn't lost, thought Abhi. Pragya and Tanu, both were on his either sides. Well the bummer was Pragya had Suresh by her other side too.

The movie began, Tanu let out a bored sigh, she wasn't interested in these movies, her object of interest wasn't near her and being stuck between psychotic Ali and her brother Abhi wasn't exactly going to help her case - especially when Abhi looked annoyed for some reason and Ali looked disturbed.

Abhi was slowly starting to forget his irritation as the title of the movie started rolling on the screen, but a slight movement on Pragya's side made him turn towards her - she was comfortably bending towards Suresh's side of the seat handle. Suresh felt it to, he turned around with a grin,

"Like old times huh Puggy?" he laughed and put his arm casually around her. She didn't flinch away or anything - in fact she was very comfortable, and together after exchanging a smile, they looked at the screen.

Abhi didn't know why he felt the need to break a few things right then. PUGGY!?!? PUG?? Really?

As it is he was having a tough time ignoring their closeness and concentrating in the movie, but within the first fifteen minutes he could hear soft and light snores coming from Tanu's side! It pissed him more. He was watching the movie, but his focus had gone for a toss - occasionally chashmish and Suresh would discuss something about the plot of the movie - of course, for that they needed to get even closer! Suddenly he heard them giggling - obviously some insider joke - but Abhi could take it anymore, he carefully placed a hand on Pragya's shoulder, the part where Suresh wasn't "touching" and pulled her towards him, a startled Pragya fell over his side and grabbed his hand for balance, he smiled internally - much better - then she looked at him with one eyebrow raised, questioning him for his action.

Abhi's irritation was back. "Why did you not reply when you weren't going to wait for me to come and pick you?" he asked all jittery.

Pragya stared at him in blank incomprehension at first, then understanding dawned, "I think you made a mistake in the side - Tanu on the other side" she replied quietly and was turning away. Abhi grabbed her elbow; he wasn't letting it off so easily.

"I am talking to the right person! I had texted you, not Tanu." He replied through gritted teeth.

"When did you text me? I didn't ---" then she produced her phone from her purse to check. Sure enough there was an unread text message in her inbox from Abhi. Oh - she exclaimed, this was the one she didn't read, assuming it was Purab's. She opened it.

6:03p.m. [Hi, I am sorry about last night. I want to sort this - without getting all worked up. Can I come and pick you up for the movie? We will get time to talk then. I know you are angry - so if you really don't want me to pick you, text back a reply. If I don't get a reply, it means you've given consent.]

She gasped, then she turned automatically to look at Abhi, with an apologetic expression.

"Did you go home to get me?" she asked softly, her tone helped in bringing down her anger considerably.

"Yes, I rang the doorbell for fifteen minutes." He replied.

"I am so sorry Abhi, I missed this text completely" she replied in concern.

"It's fine. And I am sorry too. Both about last Friday and yesterday." Abhi managed to revert. She smiled in reply, and then turned to watch the movie. Abhi smiled too, for the first time in a few days, he was feeling light.

After the movie Abhi had decided to have a word with Tanu, so he told her personally to keep herself available - Tanu agreed reluctantly. She neither wanted to crate a doubt in Suresh's mind, nor did she dare goof around right before Purab.

Pragya was hopeful, she had Abhi were in a common space after a very long time, and in all likelihood the space was not just that of acquaintances - true they weren't buddies, but they were slightly more comfortable in each other's company. She almost smiled at the thought when Abhi came to where she stood with Purab, and told them, he was not going to join them any further, as he and Tanu were doing dinner together. As he left, Pragya let out a sigh, that didn't go unnoticed by Purab.

***

Neil was noticing Ali, he wasn't quite okay, he tried asking him, but Ali avoided the topic. He thought it would pass, but Neil was wrong - Ali didn't even watch the movie properly, he was lost in his own world.

"Hey mate, wanna race down?" asked Neil cheerfully.

"No man, some other time" he replied with a sigh.

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong? This isn't solving on it's own I hope you can see it to mate" offered Neil cautiously.

"Let's go to the football field" replied Ali in instinct.

Neil had every desire to reject the idea, what was the point of driving all the way to their practice field at this hour? But clearly Ali was very disturbed, maybe he needed space? Like literally? Or fresh air?

"Lets go!" replied Neil with a smile.

***

Bulbul was hanging out with her childhood best friend Purvi. They were catching up for dinner. After a long long time, she was feeling better, because she was behaving like her ownself - Poo would never judge her.

"Hey Poo what do you want to eat? Let's order pizza? Thin crust? Oh Poo it's so good to catch up! Poo is there a new guys there? I saw you blushing while texting! I think I will not have pizza, let's order pasta? Oh Poo it feels so great to be meee" she sang. Purvi laughed, her friend hadn't changed at all. Though Bulbul was a year older than Purvi, she was always the immature one!

"How's Mr. Soulmate doing? I heard from Pragya di that he wants to keep your thing in hush hush? Why did you allow Bulbul?" she asked curiously. After a long time Bulbul felt like she could share her thoughts with someone - she told Purvi all her troubles and soon Purvi was frowning.

"Yaar Bulbul I think it's okay for Suresh to take time. After all you guys were really young when the soul-mate thing got stuck in your head nah. Its okay if Suresh has grown out of it - maybe he came here to give it a fresh shot? It may be slow, but from where I see it, that is not the problem you should be worried about - your threat is that senior who joined you both for dinner - your roomie - I am absolutely sure she has the hots for your Surry" Bulbul laughed in disbelief, Poo was such a kid, after all her worries and tension, she found this one to be an issue? She laughed and turned her head, only to notice the pair of people sitting a little far from them - it was Tanu and Abhi. She smiled. "Look Poo, my potential threat is on a date with Abhi. I told you nah, she was just innocently curious! Now you're happy?"

Purvi looked thoughtful. "Why don't you text Suresh and ask him what Tanu wants to know - see his answer - you will have an answer too." Bulbul's eyes shone at that, it was a good idea.

9:39p.m. [Hi, Tanu was asking this - if you have a girlfriend - what should I reply?]

9:42p.m. [Tell her I am single.]

Bulbul's smile faltered, "See, I told you. He wanted to keep us in the warp, this would be his answer"

"Or maybe he doesn't want Tanu to not know he is taken - can be either ways" Purvi shrugged. Bulbul stared at her in disappointment for a moment - but tonight was hers - after a long time she was herself, nothing was going to dampen her mood tonight. A dimple appeared on her face.

"Poo let's go to scoops for ice-cream after this? Please please please? What flavour will you have? Poo you have out on sooo much weight!! Have you had a chance to hang out with di? Let's book the train tickets together for going home for the summer vacation what say? Ei Poo, imagine we just have twelve more days for exams! I am shit scared!"

The rest of the evening passed happily as Bulbul found a small escape to be herself for the night.

***

Abhi was eating his food and looking at a reluctant Tanu - she was never this bad with him - it bothered him. "Is there something you want to tell me Tanu?" she looked up startled, "Huh, no Abhi, what are you talking about" she stuttered. Abhi decided to be honest about it.

"I think you have developed a thing for Suresh, is it true? You know you can be honest with me Tanu" he shrugged.

Tanu looked at Abhi, she didn't know what was the right answer, a part of her wanted to own up to this and clear off her equation with Abhi - but a tiny voice inside her asked her to wait - wait till Buls gave her the news, what if Suresh did have a girl friend? She would then lose out on both of them - that would be sad. The wiser thing to do was, wait and keep Abhi in the dark, until Buls gave her news.

"Abhi are you mad? I was just trying to make him comfortable in class you know - he is Pragya's friend and we like it or not, she is a part of the group nah? But why do you ask? Jealous huh?" she fluttered her eyes suggestively and Abhi gave a coy smile and breathed in relief - no competition here.

***

Suresh, Pragya and Purab were having dinner together, after a long time she was having fun, she was comfortable around both Suresh and Purab - maybe this was how being with friends felt like - relaxed, casual, fun and warm - she never felt these with her so called group. She smiled warmly seeing Purab and Suresh enthusiastically debate ManU vs. Chelsea. Maybe this was it - her group.

Chapter 10

Ali was sitting in the center of the football field. It was dark and deserted here at this late hour, far ahead he could see the white goal post, and there was an identical one right behind. Both had the same function, and at some point of life or the other, he has defended from both the posts - but today, when there was no match, and he was sitting right in the middle of the ground, which one was his post? The one before him, or the one behind him? He looked down and sighed, still clutching his knees to his chest - the soft grass below her were damp from the slight shower of the evening.

Ali was in the cross roads of life, he needed to make a clear choice, both his identities played out before him like the two goal posts - the one in front of him was Ali, the one behind was Aliya - until now he had chosen Ali, but after what happened an hour or so back, he wasn't sure of his choice anymore, he felt like he was literally stuck in the middle of the field and Aliya was the post right behind him - so far Aliya wasn't visible, but now she is - Ali shuddered at the realization. He shut his eyes tight and a lone tear escaped him - it brought him back to the fresh memories of an hour back, when he came here with Neil.

Flashback begins

He was sitting right here, with Neil beside him. He was very agitated, Pragya's words were eating him inside - on one side was the lucrative offer that if he proved it that he wasn't a girl, all would accept him as Ali, how he wanted things to be, but that would come only at the cost of forcing himself to be intimate with a random man? How could he bring himself to that? How could he oblige anyone? Who would understand? Wait did that mean, somewhere he had persuaded himself to go through that temporary hell? What was rape, he wondered, literally what did it mean? Wasn't it forcing someone to a sexual act without his consent? Wasn't he doing the same to himself? Wasn't he forcing himself to an act of intimacy which his heart didn't give consent to? But the dream of being accepted as who he really was, it was too powerful, it kept nagging him - how was he to go about it, he wondered.

Neil was sitting quietly next to Ali noticing him. Ali was very disturbed, much more disturbed then he could gauge, he had agreed to come to the football field with hope of some answers, but he wasn't sure how to ask them now. Ali seemed too far - too lost in his own world.

"Ali, what is it mate?" he whispered. It brought Ali back to his present; he looked back in shock to realize Neil was still beside him. He gave him an agitated look and opened his mouth to explain, but nothing came out - where was he to begin from? Neil understood the dilemma.

"Buddy, you can count on me. I will understand" he gently encouraged him. He was right, thought Ali, only Neil could come close to understanding - close to - but that was the best hope he had, after all this guy had always understood him and accepted him as he was - he fought for Ali, to instill Ali's believe in others too - that Ali was a guy! Not a girl!

Ali smiled helplessly, a little teary eyed. Neil was alarmed, in his fifteen years of friendship with Ali, he never cried, what could have possibly happened? He automatically got close to Ali and hugged him consoling him. "Hey mate, it's okay, I have your back, you know right?" he soothed him gently. Ali only hugged him tighter, holding him tightly in his embrace, Neil held on, though admittedly he felt a little strange - Ali was feeling different today, he couldn't quite place how. Ali on the other hand was silently holding onto him like he was his strongest pillar, Ali opened his eyes to see her face was near Neil's neck, the posture felt oddly comforting. He had never hugged Neil like this before - admittedly it was different from a man-hug. Ali smiled, but Neil had always been a strong source of comfort for him. He was such kind of a man.

Wait - Neil is a MAN. How did he not realize this? He always knew, and he was straight, and he understood Ali the most! Surely he would understand! Surely he would help! Hadn't he always helped? Ali knew this was asking to much, but he knew Neil wouldn't be too mad at him for long, if he didn't ask for it, technically speaking. Asking would probably freak him out, and he would run away for a while - eventually Neil would have agreed anyway- that Ali was confident, but it would delay the process and Ali wasn't ready to wait.

Ali broke Neil's embrace and moved slightly back to face him, Neil looked at him with a comforting smile - seeing his ignorance, a wicked smile flashed in Ali's face.

Neil saw his smile, it looked different from Ali's usual sly grin - it looked softer, his eyes looked warmer, her cheeks there was a slight tinge of a well hidden shade of pink, and her lips..WAIT! HER!?! This was Ali, Ali was him!! He forced himself to notice her cropped hair, the undone eyebrows and the un-pierced ears, but there was a tinge of felinity in even those, maybe he had never noticed Ali before, not this up close - her face was a masque trying very hard to hide someone, but who? Neil took in a deep breath and decided to move away from this embrace, it was doing funny things to him - this was his buddy Ali! And Ali would probably castrate him, if he knew what was going on in Neil's mind. He was just about to pull away when Ali pulled him closer, and before he could understand what was going on, his lips were on Neil's. Initially it was plain shock that paralyzed Neil, as he stayed numb while his lips touched his.

Ali in a moment of calculative overdrive, did push forward to kiss him, but once he touched his lip, Ali realized, he was stuck - what to do next? Lick Neil's lip? Bite it? Push his tongue through his tight lip? What if he didn't open his mouth? Should he punch him in the gut so he opened his mouth to say Oww? But then his thoughts were evading him slowly, as all his senses for directed to his lips that were on Neil's. It felt strange he thought - good strange! Warm and soft, he unconsciously nibbled them a little.

Neil had no idea what took over his senses when he felt Ali nibble at his lips, yes the shock did fade, and he could move - but instead of moving away from him, he moved closer to Ali - he softly took in his lower lip - they were soft and delicious - maybe it was sheer biology, but soon they both were actively responding to each other's move. Neil slowly took his hands near Ali's waist and put his hand under his lose tee-shirt, as his hand circled on the skin of his well toned waist, Neil gently nudged his tongue into entering Ali's mouth, The kiss was getting passionate - but Ali could feel the familiar smell of fags - Ali's clove scented fags, and the waist, though the curve was perfect, it wasn't soft, it was tough and muscular, like a man's who played football, like Ali's thought Neil with a soft laugh - it was this laugh that brought them out of the trance and they both opened there eyes in outrageous shock. "ALI" Neil screamed out in realization and jerked away in shock. Ali was staring back at Neil in equal shock - wasn't this going to be rape-like for him? "Neil" he stammered. As he saw Neil struggle to stand up on his feet.

"What the hell was----" Neil chocked, he couldn't finish his statement as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Ali" "Guy?!?" were the only audible words Ali could catch. Then before almost running away, Neil looked back at Ali, rage clear in his eyes, "See you around mate - in another billion years or more maybe" he said through gritted teeth and made a dash from there, staggering at the memory of how attracted he was to a guy all of a sudden.

As he watched Neil run for life, Ali stared at his retreating figure, he was amused, shocked, enraged, and dumbfounded to say the least.

Flashback ends

Ali opened his eyes and realized he was still sitting in the same place he was ever since Neil left. A lot of thoughts aroused in him ever since - the most dominating one was a fleeting thought of a line Pragya had told him,

"Go close to a man, really close, get intimate, maybe kiss him? Then see, if your body reacts differently than a man's should. Then come and talk to me"

Was Pragya right? NO, she isn't, Ali was a guy. He thought this was going to clear the doubts in other's mind that he was a guy, never could he imagine that this could actually instill a tiny doubt in his own head - is he a guy? Is the existence of Aliya a possibility he was too stubborn to acknowledge? Ali was clearly facing an identity crises - Pragya's plan had horrendously gone wrong on him - he was a boy he screamed inside his head, but he couldn't deny that he loved the sensation of Neil's lip on his - ugh - but true, there was simply no point denying that.

It was an internal conflict like no other Ali had faced so far - his reality, his perception and his understanding about his true nature felt shaken, and he was not ready to accept it - his brain was working super fast, in order to come up with a suitable solution to accept his behavior, given the ground that he was a guy, but so far none came.

As he slowly got up and decided to go home, it struck him like lightening - the perfect reasoning that justified his behavior. He stood there amazed at the realization, it was massive in itself, but when compared to the identity crises he was slipping into, this seemed easier to accept. Ali heaved a sigh of relief, "So, I am gay."

***

Neil was sitting in his bedroom with a bottle of beer in his hand, he was still in shock - holy cow! How the f**k did it happen? Why did Ali kiss him? Why did he kiss him back? Crap crap crap!! This was surely to complicate things - why the hell did he take his hand under his tee-shirt? YUCK. What was he thinking? Was he possessed?!?! Damn it!

How couldn't meet Ali in the eye now. Neither could. He wouldn't want to face him ever - ever in his life - FREAK

Chapter 11

Pragya entered the classroom and she was about to go to her new spot beside Suresh at the other end of the room. She knew Purab couldn't sit with them even if he wanted to, Abhi was a very close friend of his and Tanu was his cousin - it was fine, she would still have Suresh! But as she headed towards her spot she heard Suresh calling her from the other side, "Hey Pragya! I am here, join us here nah" she turned around to see Suresh and Tanu sitting side by side, in the spot that was usually her and Purab's. Now Purab was sitting next to Abhi, where Tanu sat. So they all were a group now, and each one had their partner, why did Suresh call him anyway, where would she sit? "Err..Pragya, what are you thinking, come nah!" repeated Suresh. But Pragya wasn't going to go back to their group, not again, "No Suresh, you carry on. I will need to take notes of yesterdays lecture from Aakash, so I will sit with her. Aakash and Pragya were competitors in class, either of them would always top their batch, but the competition they had was healthy, and neither tried to excel by hampering the other. So Pragya knew if she wanted the correct notes, Aakash would surely provide her. She sat next to a jovial Aakash and exchanged polite words for a few minutes, then Aakash pulled out his notebook and Pragya furiously started taking notes.

Abhi had followed every word of Pragya's since she entered the classroom. He was happy to see that chashmish had refused to take Suresh's offer, but he was also unhappy to see that, it meant chashmish wasn't sitting with them at all. He kept glancing at Pragya as she went about smiling and talking with that Aakash guy. He silently put his notebook inside his bag, what was the use of it? It's not like he ever took down notes, and the only time he did take it, that was the day before - he knew chashmish had missed class and she would require them - but of course Aakash's notes were bound to be better.

Soon the professor came in and went about returning their assignment sheets from the day before, after grading them. Pragya sighed, she had missed this submission, her grades would fall again, looked like Aakash was going to beat her this semester. She shot a nervous glance at Abhi, if she hadn't been able to submit her assignment, it meant Abhi's was not submitted too - now again she had to apologize she thought - the more she tried avoiding him, the more he comes closer she thought miserably.

As she sat their consumed in her thought, she saw the professor hand her an assignment, she took it with a confused face and looked at it, surely it was a mistake, she must have mistakenly got someone elses sheet. She peered into the paper, but it had her name written on it in a different handwriting, she furrowed her brows in confusion and checked the grade, it was a B+ that she had got, not bad she thought, but she still couldn't figure out how did an assignment miraculously reach her professor that she didn't submit - she debated whether to bring it to the professor or not, she finally decided on telling him, there must be a confusion somewhere. The moment she raised her hand to call for the professor's attention, Abhi seemed to go into a particularly bad coughing fit, her attention got diverted towards him, he was looking at her and making some mute communication which she failed to understand, then he enacted that he was texting her. Pragya quietly waited for the text.

11:27a.m. [Can't you be happy that you didn't miss your submission? Why does prof need to know?]

11:29a.m. [What if someone else's assignment got submitted with my name misprinted on it? Someone who worked hard would score a duck then Abhi, I must tell prof.]

11:32a.m. [No one is scoring a duck. That's your assignment all right. I submitted it]

Pragya stared at the text message, Abhi had submitted her assignment on her behalf? Didn't she always do it for him? Wasn't he so busy that he didn't get the time to do his own one? Then today...Pragya had no words, she was too surprised.

11:40a.m. [You did my assignment? But why?]

11:42a.m. [Because in a group, we look out for each other. You have always done my assignments neglecting yours.]

Pragya read the message and smiled, Abhi saw her smiling and he didn't know why, but he felt a little happy inside, just slightly and it was very momentary.

11:45a.m. [Thank-You Abhi. I owe you one.]

11:47a.m. [Yes, you do owe me, and to return my favour, join us back this side. Purab misses you]

Suddenly it seemed like such a bright and sunny day thought Pragya, she was feeling warm and light - so deep down somewhere, they were a group indeed and who better to prove it than Abhi himself?

11:50a.m. [If I leave mid-way, Aakash will feel bad, from tomorrow I will join you guys. By the way, I hope you submitted your assignment too?]

11:55a.m. [Fine, join us post lunch then. Aakash is going for goal-keeping trials today for our team - post lunch. Yes, I have submitted mine, landed with a C- this time : (]

11:57a.m. [Oh, okay. Don't worry your grades will pick up pace from the next assignment, I promise. By the way, I got a B+ so, thanks! : )]

***

Purab was standing all most at the edge of the cliff, with his hands on his waist, breathing hard - the climb up the cliff was definitely tough, but it was worth it, this was the best place to try the new trick he learnt about capturing photographs of twilight - there was no one to disturb him, the huge sky before him was unobstructed, spreading streaks of fast diffusing orange into pinkish purple - he had about fifteen minutes to try his trick, before the dark evening engulfed the scene before him. As he paced up and went further close to the cliff to set up his tripod, he thought he heard a sniff from below the small cliff that overlooked the city in the distance. He was done setting the camera, but before he could focus on a frame, he heard another sniff - he was surprised, was some small animal caught in the hedges sprouting from below the cliff? He moved closer and found a small trail from the side, leading near the hedges, he followed the trail, that is when he was close enough to detect the source of the sniff.

"God ji please! Please please please don't make it painful okay? I know it's not right, but this is all I can do now! After all I am heart broken! Isnt this what Juliet had done? Except, my Romeo isn't like really dead, just metaphorically you know. But God ji, you know I gave this a lot of thought, like I thought about it all the time I was having my last red velvet cheesecake at Love & Cheesecake' for this life time. This is it, then, I guess I should jump..." Purab was shocked out of his wit, there stood the prettiest girl he had ever set his eyes on, and when did he meet her? When she was ending her life? As Purab was about to run towards the depressed damsel fearing she would jump before he reached her, the girl seemed to be in no hurry, she spoke aloud again.

"Okay okay Godji, wait, I forgot to cross check the to-do list I made before jumping. Two mins hmm?"

To-do list before jumping?' Purab thought and scratched his head, as the girl pulled out a piece of paper from her denims pocket and mumbled on.

"Returned Poo her leather jacket - check

Told di the date of my Amazon delivery - check

Took back my straightener from Tanu - check

Confessed to Godji - " and she exclaimed - "what Godji, I forgot to confess to my crimes before jumping only! No No, Greek God's in heaven wont date me if I missed this!"

A small chuckle escaped Purab as he heard this. He was relaxed now, this girl wasn't jumping so easily.

"God ji, I have been a very bad girl, I have dark sins to confess to" she sighed. "You know when I was little, and ma had scolded di for not feeding fishytishy in time because of which he died? Well, di did put the food in time God ji, but fishytishy was dead way before eating it - I err..I had forgotten to turn on the aquarium light before switching off the light in the room the night before. Sorry! And the other time when I when I was on a crash diet last month? Well, I had broken it and eaten muffins too - God ji I even lied to Tanu about my weight! I never lost two kilos, I just wanted to make her jealous. I am so so horrible. And when I told Tanu she looks slim in green and made her buy that cocktail dress? God ji, actually she looks like a fat mushroom in it, I was jealous. I have been a bad bad girl, but I promise I will be a good fairy - please send me to heaven when I fall okay? And one last request Godji, please don't make the make-up smear on my dead body when they come to collect it okay? And incase my lipstick rubs off, please punish the makeup company owners for false promises to a dying soul - they are supposed to give 12 hours cover and its smudge proof." Finally the girl finished and sighed, now she was getting ready for the dive.

"Maybe you should postpone your dive miss. It's dark now, even if your Godji, plans to send you to heaven, you sure you will find your way in the dark?" asked Purab from behind.

Bulbul jumped in alarm, "God, you scared me to death crazy man!"

"Well you were dying anyway" responded Purab with a tight lip.

"Hi, I am Purab. Purab Khanna"

"Bulbul Arora, soon to be Lt. Bulbul Arora"

"Hi, soon to be Lt. Bulbul Arora, do you want a ride home for the time being? You can always come back tomorrow, now that your checklist is exhausted, all you gotta do is not waste time and jump during day-light!"

Chapter 12

Pragya was sitting in her room and working on Abhi's assignment, for this week she had not only taken up his assignments, but had also taken to getting him proxy attendance. Abhi was hardly ever in class, his audition was due the next day, and he was practicing with his heart and soul. Now that he and Pragya had become somewhat friends over text messages (they were still awkward in front of each other) he had generously invited her to his practice sessions when she was free, but thanks to the approaching finals and truckload oh her and Abhi's assignments, she never managed the time. Also at the back of her mind was Ali, he had been acting strange ever since the day they had gone for the movie - Pragya though things were okay between them, if so, then why was Ali always in his room? Why hadn't Neil turned up even once in the entire week? She initially though she should give her time, she would open up by herself, but its was almost a week now, and still no trace of Ali opening up - Pragya decided to talk to her that night, after she was done with her assignments.

As Pragya entered Ali's room quietly, she saw Ali notice her and suddenly grab a handful of things and shoved it in his drawer before turning to her - clearly he was hiding something.

"Ali, what's wrong, you're not behaving right somehow" whispered Pragya.

"No, er..no I am fine, could you please excuse me for sometime?" she replied. Pragya was taken aback and decided not to intervene, in fact she was just walking out of the door, when Ali got up to lock the door behind her - it was then Pragya noticed something that made the ground below her shake in astonishment.

"ALI!!!!! You are wearing a SKIRT????????" she almost shrieked and to her surprise Ali gulped air unnecessarily and mumbled something like, "found..wardrobe..clothes for wash". Pragya knew there was something wrong, she barged back inside and demanded to know what it was, and Ali having ben caught off hand, couldn't come up with an excuse that was convincing enough, so she confessed to her the truth.

"Prags, I er..know now - the truth"

"What truth Ali?"

Ali looked at Pragya for a long time before replying, "Aaliyah's truth"

Pragya stared at her for a while, before the meaning of the statement hit her.

"You mean...!?!?! How??" she asked breathlessly. Ali sighed once and went about telling her everything that happened that fateful night in the football field. Pragya's jaw dropped in shock. Even when she gave him the advice, she never thought Ali would take it so damn seriously!

"Now?" she asked him, still in shock.

"Now what? Neil hasn't spoken to me ever since - he has avoided my messages and my calls, the one day I went to class after that, he pretended he couldn't see me."

Pragya felt guilty now, of course she wanted him to realize his true identity, but she never understood how important it was for Ali to be recognized as a guy by all - it was so important, that he didn't think twice before even kissing a man? His best friend? Now because of her, his best friend was avoiding him. The guilt brought tears in her eyes.

"Ali, I am so sorry Ali, I never wanted to push you this hard to prove that you're a man, because of me you lost Neil, I am so sorry, I will talk to Neil, I will tell him, you are a man alright, it was my doing and he should punish me" whimpered Pragya, as Ali looked at her in shock - Prags had got it all wrong of course! That was not why she was lamenting of course!

"Prags, listen to me, calm down. You got it all wrong. I am not upset because Neil recognizes me as a girl now. I am upset because he still doesn't! I am not Ali, Prags. I am Aaliyah - I have understood myself for the first time in ages - I enjoyed kissing him Prags. You were right, my body did things, I never thought I was capable of doing. I cant be gay, because my mind and body both seeks a guy, so I have to be normal right? Which means I am Aaliyah not Ali. And I want Neil back" she finished.

Pragya stared at her in numb disbelief. Did Ali just say all that? Oh that explained him wearing the skirt - he was trying to accept Aaliyah. Pragya took a deep breath and asked her, "Who wants Neil back? Ali or Aaliyah?"

"Prags ever since that night, after arousal of those feelings, Aaliyah seems to predominantly overshadow Ali. I want Neil back. And I am Aaliyah" she replied not meeting her eyes.

Pragya smiled, Ali never realized himself how deep her bond with Neil was, but now that the mess in her head was clear, she would make sure, Ali got what she desired - Neil.

"I will help you Aaliyah" she promised.

"You will?" she asked hopefully, "Then I have one month for study leave before our exams, help me mould into a girl before I see Neil next?" she pleaded. Pragya looked at her for a second, and nodded her head, "I promise I will help you Aaliyah" and hugged her tight.

***

Neil was sitting in his living rom couch and watching football, gosh it was no fun without Ali - but the moment he thought of him, he changed the channel and diverted his mind. He was straight, he explained to himself the nth time this week. Maybe he did enjoy kissing a man sometime back, but it was only momentary, he wasn't gay or anything - he was with Purvi, and e enjoyed her company, so he was straight. True Purvi was no fun during watching a football match, in fact she had innocently asked him only the other day, "Baby, these players they are so rich, cant they buy one football each and be happy? Why so many of them need to run after one football?" Neil felt like jumping off his terrace hearing it - his instinct told him to call Ali and crack up over it, but no, he couldn't, did he forget the incident at the football field? He considered that maybe Ali had a rationale for doing this, he could give him the benefit of doubt, but not to himself, he couldn't lie to himself that he enjoyed their intimacy and couldn't help notice that beneath the shirt, Ali was filled up in all the right places, umm wrong places - there was something wrong with him, hence getting in touch with Ali seemed risky - He was sure, he wasn't gay. He was sure right?

***

When Pragya returned to her room, she found her cell phone lying on the bed, she picked it up to see a lot of new messages, she was surprised. She read them one by one and with each one her jaw dropped.

PURAB: "Hey Pragya! Guess what I have two good news for you. 1 - I have found someone, and you will be surprised to know whom. 2 - Abhi and Tanu aren't ever going to be together now, you have free pass - CONGRATULATIONS!"

SURESH: "Hey Puggie, please don't be mad at me. Bulbul must have told you? Listen, it wasn't going to work out between us anyway, we were young and silly when we wanted this - I want the best for her as well as me. I have found what I was looking for - Tanu. Lets still be friends, I don't want to lose you. Please?"

BULBUL: "Err..di, Surry and I are history. Don't worry I am not upset, you study well. I can take care of myself you know nah? Even Poo is here along with another friend. I am happy. Gosh di, lots to tell you, finish you exams soon! Xoxo"

ABHI: "Chashmish, needed a little bit of your help. I plan to propose to Tanu tomorrow, just before I go in for auditions. Can you arrange for her to be at the venue? Mind you she doesn't know anything about the audition. Thanks! If all goes well, I owe you a massive treat chashmish! And thanks for everything!"

Pragya stared at the phone for a while, for the life of her, she didn't know how to react. Bulbul was okay with her and Suresh's break-up. Infact she was cheerful. Suresh dumped her for Tanu. Tanu was Bulbul's roomie. Purab has found someone and Abhi wants to propose to Tanu amidst all this, that to before his audition tomorrow - Oh Dear.

She slowly typed a reply to each.

ABHI: "Abhi, I don't think it's a good idea, why don't you wait till your auditions are over? I mean, Tanu isn't exactly running away is she?"

BULBUL: "Bul, I don't know what you're upto, but forget him, there are better fishes in the see. I will come to see you as soon as I can. I am sorry to hear it baby. Here's a hug from me."

SURESH: "I don't know what to say Suresh. I hope you know what you're doing. Just never ever even think of returning to my Buls. All the best and yes, friendship between us may take time to resurrect."

PURAB: "CONGRATULATIONS PURAB!! Who is the lucky girl? When do I get to meet her? And why does Abhi not know that Tanu is with Suresh? He plans to propose to her tomorrow."

Only Abhi and Purab replied to her instantly.

ABHI: "Guess I expected too much from you chashmish. Anyway, don't bother, I will manage to get her here, with or without your help"

PURAB: "Thanks Pragya! And I haven't told him that's why he doesn't know. Let him propose to her and get rejected - only then he will never ever think of going after her - it makes life easier for you! And I am doing this because, I don't think anyone can love or understand Abhi more than you. All the best Pragya!"

As much as Pragya was dejected at Abhi's cold message, she was more alarmed at Purab's idea - true, Purab was only looking out for her in the first place, but it could affect Abhi in the wrong-est way! Winning the talent hunt was Abhi's age old dream, it shouldn't be affected by Tanu's whimsical behavior or her liking for him! She couldn't blame Purab, after all he didn't know about the talent hunt at all, btu how could she save Abhi from being affected before the auditons? She had to do something, anything - but what?

She thought for a while and decided to approach the matter in the only way possible - she wasn't sure it would work, but it was worth a try. She texted Tanu.

12:57a.m. [Hi Tanu, Congrats! Suresh just told me about you guys. But I guess Abhi doesn't know about all this? He wants you to be there at Imera Auditorium tomorrow at 11a.m. Please be there? He will propose to you - it's an important day for him - for the sake of his friendship, just say yes to him? You can tell him the truth by evening. But please bear with him in the morning? He is you friend, you can do this right? It would mean the world to him]

1:05a.m. [Thanks. Sorry babe, I have a movie date with Suresh tomorrow. Why don't you tell him about us?]

1:07a.m. [Tanu, it's a big day for him. Please don't ruin it, do it for the sake of friendship? Please don't tell him about you both till evening and accept him in the morning?]

1:12a.m. [Not happening babe. I don't care if it's an important day for him. It's my and Suresh's first movie date after we got together]

Pragya was furious, how horrible could Tanu be? Until and unless Suresh was around, she would fawn over Abhi like a bee, now that he was around, even a crises couldn't melt her to help Abhi? No she wasn't going to let this selfish woman ruin Abhi's dream.

1:23a.m. [Tanu, this is not a request. If you don't turn up tomorrow and say yes to him in the morning, I will tell Suresh all about how you hovered around Abhi all this while - I will tell him you were almost two-timing. And guess what, Suresh will believe me. We are best friends from childhood, he knows that I don't lie. Think, what is important, a healthy relation with Suresh or a movie date?]

Pragya felt guilty for blackmailing Tanu thus - she somewhere deserved it for breaking Bulbul and Abhi's heart - the two people she loved the most - but even then, if Tanu had agreed to her request, she could have saved herself from doing this - but right now she was desperate. She couldn't let anything come between Abhi and his dream.

1:32a.m. [Fine, I will be there in the morning, and pretend, so that whatever important he has, it doesn't get affected. But you don't open your mouth before Suresh. Deal. And yes, I wont be there to explain things to him later - you do that."

1:33a.m. [I wont open my mouth before Suresh. Deal. And thanks.]

Pragya smiled with satisfaction. Now at least his audition wont be affected. True he would be hurt later, but that was still manageable - she would be by him. She smiled in peace and texted Abhi before going to bed.

1:40a.m. [Okay don't breathe out fire on me now. It's done. She will be there and I will be there too, and all the best.]

Pragya smiled, true she will be hurt seeing Abhi proposing to Tanu, but she had to be there to ensure, Tanu kept her part of the bargain and to ensure that nothing went wrong - she felt bad thinking she will herald the bad news to Abhi in the evening, but at least his performance will be done by then. She sighed and went to sleep when Abhi replied back.

1:46a.m. [PRAGS YOU'RE THE BEST - LOVE YOU!!]

Chapter 13

Pragya fidgeted with her phone as she stood outside Imera auditorium. Abhi was waiting for her and Tanu inside, but Tanu hadn't shown up yet. As many times Pragya called, her phone seemed unreachable. She was there with Abhi all day, she queued with him to collect his docket number, she went and saved a small practice room for him, as he went to fetch his guitar, she even got a box of first aid, lest Abhi cut his finger while practicing or had a itchy throat. Now that all was settled and he was waiting for his turn to perform before the judges in another half an hour, she had excused herself and come out to check on Tanu - even though he wasn't voicing it, she knew he was silently waiting for Tanu. She felt upset seeing the hope and anxiety with which he was waiting for her to come and it broke her heart to think how short-lived his happiness was - right now, even though it would mean a massive heart break for her, she so wished Tanu would genuinely accept him - just for Abhi's sake she wished.

She checked her watch again, Abhi was due to go for audition in another fifteen minutes, and she knew if he didn't speak his heart out to Tanu before that, it was sure to have an impact on his music. She shut her eyes and murmured a prayer for Tanu to arrive, when she heard a voice behind her.

"Hey Pragya, I am here - why Imera though? Has he planned something super filmy for me? I hope not, I will only be too embarrassed considering I know I don't see Abhi that way anymore" she replied in a matter-of-fact voice which irritated Pragya to the core, but she chose to ignore it and think of Abhi instead. She showed Tanu the way inside.

"Err..Pragya, what is going on here? Is there an event? Is he going to propose me live or something? Will this be casted on national television? Oh My God, then Suresh will get to know!! Pragya I cant do this! Gosh Abhi! He is SO STUPID" said Tanu stamping her feet in dismay.

"Abhi isn't stupid. And he isn't doing any public display of affection so be assured. Just play on with the plan" replied Pragya through gritted teeth.

As Tanu entered the auditorium and turned towards Abhi's practice area, Abhi's name was called, he was next on queue. Tanu was startled hearing the announcement - Abhi was auditioning for this talent hunt? As far as she knew, he was very good with music, what were the chances he could crack this one? While she mused on her thoughts, Pragya rushed past her and dashed towards Abhi.

"Okay Abhi you are next - Tanu is also here, but she can wait - you go in and rock it tonight. You have a very bright career Abhi, go take your first step" she told him breathlessly, she had for once forgotten to be shy around him and hugged him tight.

Abhi was puzzled seeing Pragya's enthusiasm. True he never shared about this audition with anyone, but he also knew no one would have felt as involved or excited, for a moment Abhi forgot he was going for the audition, it felt like Pragya was going herself - Abhi smiled.

"Chashmish, your enthusiasm and optimisim is infectious! I feel positive too. But I will catch you later, because I know Tanu can wait, but I don't want her too, I wanna tell her how I feel before going!! Wish me luck chashmish!" with that he sprinted towards Tanu, leaving a suddenly quiet and tearful Pragya behind.

Abhi walked towards Tanu, she saw him coming and smiled in her usual friendly way, Abhi smiled back his most charming smile, he sure knew she would be having butterflies in her stomach now - but she was lucky thought Abhi, cause she would get to keep those butterflies in her stomach for life, as he planned to stay with her for life.

"Abhi, what did you have to say? And cheater, you never told me about this audition, I would have supported you nah? Okay go now and all the best!" she said with her sweetest smile.

Abhi stood there before her, and was about to say something when one of the crew-member came to him, to pull him near the stage. While being dragged, he motioned the crew to give him a moment, as he pulled out of his grip, he ran to Tanu, she gave him a surprised look when he just grabbed her hand and spoke.

"Tanu, you're the most beautiful girl I have ever set my eyes on - I want to be with you, I think I love you. I wish this could be more romantic for you, but I guess this is the most romantic it could get for me, a future in music and the hands I want to hold in the future - both with me under the same roof." He finished, and then again the crew was back to pull him away, as he was walking away he kept looking towards Tanu. Tanu smiled and called out,

"Go rock the show Rockstar, and come back and see, how I accept your proposal" she had a twinkle in her eye, that Abhi held on before his eyes while he went away finally.

***

Pragya was waiting in the practice room, she somehow didn't feel like going out, her heart was ripped knowing how much Abhi loved Tanu and it was bleeding further thinking of the impending disaster on Abhi, for now she just wished he would perform well, but she never had the guts to go before them - she knew he would be singing for her - his Tanu.

After half an hour a somber looking Abhi had walked back to the practice room - Pragya's heart thudded loudly seeing his expression - did he, did he not?

"Where were you? Why weren't you around when they announced the result? And why were you dreamily smiling at me from the front row through out the time I sang?"

Pragya stared, he had lost her there, she was dreamily staring at him from the front row? Why but she never left the practice room - could that mean he was imagining her? No. Of course not! Why would he? In such an important moment in life, he was thinking of Tanu for sure, and whom he mistook to be her, must be a similar looking chashmish she thought. All chashmish's looked the same she thought, and all people noticed were their specs - how would they know that behind the specs theor faces differed. She ignored the sigh that was about to escape her, now there were more pressing matters to think of - she had to break the news of Tanu, but before that she needed to know if he made it to the next round.

"Abhi, all this we can discuss later! First say if the results are out!" she asked breathlessly.

Abhi's face twitched from somber to a broad smile, "YES baby!! I made it to the next round!!" he smiled and hugged her tight. It was Pragya's best moment in life, being hugged by the man she had secretly loved for what seems like forever now! But then Tanu's face came flashing in her memory - well, all was well, Abhi had made it, now she could tell him - she knew it might affect his exams, but she was there to take care of that - as for the next round, there was still sometime - she would make him come round by then.

"Abhi..err..I err wanted to talk about Tanu" she began, and Abhi;s expression changed.

"Oyi Tanu! Yes her, how could I forget about her! She is waiting for me in the car, says she has a surprise date planned for me! Imagine she arranged for everything in these thirty minutes I was on stage! Chashmish how can I ever thank you for all that you've done for me? Well maybe if I become a singing sensation someday, I will appoint you as my manager for life!" with that he hugged an utterly confused Pragya and walked away.

She stood there in dismay - Tanu planned a date for him? But wasn't she...Wait, did that mean they were together now?

Before she could comprehend further, she received a text.

7:16p.m. [Oh My God Pragya, I am such a fool. After breaking up with Bulbul, when I realized I wont see her again, the feeling slowly creeped in. I realize, I am as much in love with her today! I am such a fool! What have I done Puggie! I have to get her back in my life - I love her Puggie. I hope I am not too late!!]

7:18p.m. [What about Tanu?]

7:21p.m. [She is nobody - she was a mistake Puggie]

***

"For the last time Pragya, tell me what is wrong, else I will have to call your mom now!" screamed Aaliya in frustration, as Pragya sat on the couch and silently massaged her scalp with almond oil (Aaliya wanted to grow her hair now and was impatient at the rate at which her hair was growing).

"Nothing Ali, I mean Aaliya. I am just a little upset about life in general" she replied, rubbing her ever flowing tears with the back of her palm.

"Cut it out Prags! You were with bhai nah? Did he say something? Damn it, he is not even picking up my call right now!" she responded in anger.
"No Aaliya, it's not him, its me. I am upset over Bul's breakup with Suresh, I am upset because I haven't prepared enough for my exams and also I am upset because I miss my daadi and ma very much" and with that she began uncontrollably weeping - for the life of her, she couldn't stop herself from imagining Abhi hugging Tanu, kissing her forehead, holding hands, sharing eyelocks - each image burned her insides and scorched her, but she had no place for solace.

"Aah, you're having a panic attack Prags, and you're homesick too - take it from me dude, don't study tonight - just keep it light - go visit Bulbul for the night"

Pragya so wanted to be at Bulbul's tonight - maybe in consoling her sister she would forget her grief? But no, Tanu stayed there too, and she didn't want to be near them to hear a first hand account of their love saga.

"No thanks, I think I will go to bed. Goodnight"

***

9:45p.m. [Hey Bulbul, Aliya here. Is it a good time to talk?]

9:48p.m. [Who Aaliya?]

9:49p.m. [Er..Ali. Your batchmate? Prag's roomie?]

9:55p.m. [Right, sorry. Yes err.. Ali. Sure, what is it?]

9:57p.m. [I think you should call Prags over, she is really homesick, but she doesn't want to bug you I think]

***

10:04p.m. [ Diii, I miss you!!! I miss telling you everything. I am loneeely. Tanu is also out for the night with a guy other than Surry! Imagine! Haha. Come over nah, I cant wait till the end of your exams!! Come NOW]

Oh so Tanu and Abhi were spending the night together are they? Now that Suresh has dumped Tanu, of course she had to go to Abhi - her heart went out for Abhi, his niceness and his sincere love for Tanu. She wished Tanu was a little more deserving of it. But if her Bulbul needed her, she would definitely go.

Bulbul wondered whether she should tell her sister about Purab just yet - not that there was something to hide, but di didn't seem to be in the right frame of mind, she was upset - and this sudden news would make her anxious, Bulbul thought it was better to wait. Tonight she would just be with her sister and make her feel better. She was waiting for Pragya to come when she received a text message.

11:10p.m. [Hey Bulbul, how are you? I am missing you - Your Surry]

***

Abhi and Tanu were still sitting at the beach caf, it was dark and windy and added to that was the continuous sound of waves lashing on the shore. It was beautiful. Sitting there holding Tanu's hand, Abhi felt complete.

"You know Tanu, chashmish is no silly, she kept smiling at me in such a weird way through out the time I sang from the front row, and then disappeared."

"Abhi, I was there, in the front row - I didn't see her there."

"Arre, you were too engrossed seeing me, so you didn't notice. She was wearing this strange smile - she looked nice.."

"Abhi, when I was busy looking at you, why were you busy looking at her?"

"Arre Tanu she was in my direct line of vision...bunk her you say, did you like my voice today?"

"Yes Abhi, you were very melodious...infact.."

"Guess what? Every time I hummed something in front of chashmish, she said it was noise for her and shrunk her nose this way..see..silly chashmish" he laughed.

"Abhi..er..---"

"And the onetime I did her assignment for her? The silly fool, she was going to tell on herself! You should have seen her expression when I stopped her"

"What? You did her assignement??"

"Why yes, in fact she had scored a B- in it. In fact had it not been for her proxy, I would not have been granted to sit for the finals - infact without her notes, ..."

Tanu sat there and looked at Abhi curiously, he was too close to Pragya for her liking. What if Pragya told him about Suresh? In fact, Suresh was her best friend, if she knew she dumped Suresh for the about-to-be famous Abhi, she would definitely tell on her. She would rather tell her that Suresh had dumped her, just like he had dumped Bulbul - yes, this would gain her sympathy and keep her out of harms way. And also, from now on, she had to ensure that Abhi and that behenji weren't great friends anymore.

Chapter 14

"Uffo di, I know it is not the exam pressure or homesickness that is worrying you. Unlike that Ali, I know you well. Spill it out - NOW" commanded Bulbul with hands on her waist.

Pragya looked at her for a moment, and couldn't take it any longer, she dashed to hug her sister and weeped on her shoulder. Bulbul was too alarmed to speak, she had never seen her di break down this bad - must was terribly wrong.

"Bulbul, I love him Bulbul, I really do. But he doesn't love me Bulbul. He thinks I am his best friend and that's all - he loves someone else - why is it always me? Can't snerdy people who have specs fall in love? Can't they be happy Bulbul? I can live without him, but I cant live when he is with someone else - I just got to know Bulbul he is going out with her" she breathed. Bulbul stood scandalized - her di was in love? This was matter's of the heart? Really?

"Di who is it di?" she asked her soothingly.

Pragya was about to answer when she realized she couldn't tell her about Abhi and Tanu, she wanted Suresh to be the one to come and tell her that he has left Tanu for her - that was what would make Bulbul happy - no she couldn't give her names, not right now anyway.

"Bulbul, you know him. But I cant give names right now. Please trust me, I will tell you later" although Bulbul wanted to, she didn't press the matter further, her di was upset anyway - she didn't want to aggravate her misery.

"Okay, okay you needn't tell me di, but calm down, and if he doesn't love you it's his loss not your's - unlucky man he is di"

"Bacha promise me you will keep this to yourself? I don't want anyone knowing about it okay"

***

As Abhi and Tanu entered the classroom, Abhi's eyes flashed towards their corner, but chashmish wasn't there. Uff this chashmish he thought, yesterday he couldn't talk to her because he was in a hurry and today she disappeared. He tried calling her, but her phone was switched off. He called Aaliya, but she said Pragya was at her sister's last night - she even mentioned how panic stricken and home sick she was the other night and Abhi was troubled hearing about it - she seemed absolutely fine until evening, then what could have happened. He tried calling her again and again her phone was switched off. In the mean time, a whole bunch of his classmates came and congratulated him on clearing the first audition of the talent show - a surprised Abhi turned to face Tanu - how on earth did they know? Tanu hissed back, "I am sure Pragya must have told everyone, such an idiot she is." But Abhi dismissed the idea, "No Tanu, Pragya wouldn't ever do this, she knew about this all along, she knew I wanted privacy. Are you sure you haven't spilt it out unintentionally?" Tanu had indeed told everyone and had played her cards to blame Pragya, but seeing Abhi's faith in her, she got further agitated - who thought that hopeless behenji could be competition?

Abhi turned around and asked Purab if he knew where Pragya was, but he replied in negative. And for some reason Purab seemed a bit off at him - well he was dating his sister afterall, as a brother he was allowed to be a bit protective Abhi mused.

***

Pragya was sitting with Aakash in the library and revising, when she felt a gentle tap on her shoulder, she looked up to see a very concerned Purab peering down at her. He whispered and motioned her to come out with him. She silently followed him and he led her to the caf opposite to their college. He didn't ask her anything, he just looked at her gravely and that was enough to bring her down to tears.

"Purab, trust me Purab I wanted to tell on Tanu. I wanted to tell him that she was a gold-digger, but I couldn't. It doesn't matter that I love him, it doesn't even matter that Tanu doesn't - what matters is that he loves her and wants to be with her. I know if I have hidden it from him today, Tanu can leave him tomorrow and it would hurt him. But I am depending on Tanu's selfish nature Purab. If Abhi wins the talent hunt, he will be a celebrity overnight! And then Tanu would never leave him - And I know my Abhi will win it, he is so so good Purab! And then at least he would get to be with the love of his life. That's why I kept quiet Purab - I know he doesn't love me." She finished breathlessly.

Purab nodded silently and sighed, so much for love - Abhi was a fool, he couldn't have got a better girl than Pragya. He soothingly hugged Pragya, and for once in her life, Pragya felt what a brother's love might feel like - she felt loved, cared for and protected. She clutched his tee and weeped on his shoulder as Purab gently patted her on her shoulder.

Abhi while entering inside the sae caf with Tanu, happened to notice Purab hugging a girl, he instantly put on his lopsided smile and thought of catching him off guard - he vaguely remembered him telling him that he had found someone, but due to auditions and the pressure it had escaped his mind - as he proceeded with tanu at his toes, he stopped dead on his track when the girl raised her head and broke the hug - it couldn't be - it was chashmish. Chashmish and Purab? Abhi stood there motionless for a second and caught Tanu by her wrist and walked out unnoticed by Purab and Pragya. He didn't know what infuriated him, why was he feeling revolted, but he was.

As Abhi silently walked back to their campus, the rational part of him argued, why not? Afterall Purab had always sided Pragya, he had been her sole support when all of them were ignoring her, he was a nice guy, so it wasn't wrong of Pragya to like him, but then why was he bothered? Why didn't he like it? Maybe because he had told chashmish he loved Tanu but chashmish didn't confide in him? Could that be? Surely it was that.

Tanu on the other hand was silent too, so behenji had finally played some trick on her bhai - this was what she feared, having to be associated with the behenji - seriously, bhai had such bad taste in women? But on the other hand maybe it was not such a bad thing after all - she was getting annoyed Abhi's closeness with Pragya, this could take care of all that - Abhi would know his limits, even if he felt for her, and that was enough for her.

"Abhiii I am so happy for them - bhai and Pragya look so cute together nah!!" she squealed and Abhi grunted only half-heartedly. Coming to think of it, this Tanu was so damn noisy!

***

Bulbul was sitting outside her classroom when Suresh came and sat next to her. She was surprised, ever since Suresh had joined college, he had never acknowledged the fact that they knew each other, let alone sit next to each other. But today he came on his own and startled her. She didn't say anything and got up to leave when he suddenly caught her wrist and motioned her to sit down - not wanting to create a scene, she sat down silently.

"I am sorry Bulbul. I really am. My mind was clouded with useless concerns and I thought I could leave you because you would be mine anyway - I took you for granted, you love is valuable, but I disrespected it - I am sorry Boo. Please give me a chance, I will never disappoint you again."

Bulbul's eyes moistened at "Boo" that was what Surry use to call her, but that Surry had died long since - and this was an invader in his body. She loved Purab, he came into her life at a time when she had lost all faith, he reinstilled life in her, she was reborn, and she was now Purab's for life. But she wasn't going to explain all this to him, he wouldn't understand anyway - but she had the mind of telling him something indeed.

"You know what Suresh, I hate cappuccino, and I hate cumin cookies too. Oh, I love red velvet cakes and chocolash - the ones kids have? I like to embarrass people around me with my childish antics and I love Disney movies. And you know what Suresh, people still love me for who I am, people still want to be around me and they don't do it as a favour - the Bulbul you met on the first day was the real Bulbul Suresh, after that whatever she was, she was constructed and customized for you - but you know what, now I know one thing for sure, Suresh you're not worth it after all." She tossed her head and left with that, leaving a stunned Suresh behind.

Bulbul was sitting in her room and doing an assignment when Tanu danced inside, they were having a cold war now, ever since Suresh and Tanu were going out - but today after a long time, Tanu flashed her smile at Bulbul. She hugged Bulbul and told her that she had no idea that Suresh was Bulbul's when they started, but then it was too late when she knew - she said she wasn't with Suresh anymore, and their's was nothing more than a friendly fling - she wished to have her friend back. Bulbul looked at her calmly for a moment, true she wouldn't ever trust tanu again, but even she had to make amends with her eventually. After all she was Purab's cousin. So she smiled and returned the hug.

"Awww Buls it's so good to be back together isn't it. I missed you!! And oh, welcome to the family yaar!!" she jumped in joy leaving Bulbul puzzled. "family" did Purab tell her about them? Why didn't he tell her then?

"Family?" she mouthed.

"Arre don't tell me she's hidden it from you too! Arre your sister loves Purab!! So she will soon be family right? And you as her sister is extended family!"

Time seemed to have stopped for Bulbul. Di loved PURAB? Purab is the man who didn't reciprocate to di's feelings because he loved "someone else" - and she was the someone else? She was the reason, her di had cried to sleep? Of course di didn't know she was dating Purab, she had told him to wait till se confided in her herself, and so far she hadn't.

Bulbul's world collapsed before her very own eyes. And Purab? He loved her not her di - what could she do to change that?

***

7:37p.m. [Hey Pragya, Bulbul has decided to give me a chance. I guess we were always meant to be]

Pragya stared at Suresh's text in disbelief. She knew Bulbul would eventually forgive him, but so abruptly? Well she was Bulbul, there was no telling!

"What happened Pragya, why do you look so zapped?" asked Purab, while having dinner. Ever since after noon Purab had spent the rest of the day with Pragya, to ensure that she didn't feel low.

"It's, my sister Bulbul, her abruptness still manages to catch me off guard." She replied. Purab stiffened. How much he wished he could confide in Pragya, but Bulbul had made him promise that he needed to wait till she thought it was the right time. So he asked as nonchalantly as possible,

"Why what did she do?"

"She was about to be engaged to a guy, who had previously gone ahead and dumped her, but now when he realized his mistake, she has forgiven him just like that..imagine, no frill, no anger, just plain acceptance." She mused.

Purab's world crashed to his feet.