New ArHi FF: Dare to Save | A/N Pg1 | Mar 28 '18 - Page 3

I was in bed just staring up at my ceiling. For the longest, I didn't have the heart for anything. If I wasn't studying, I wasn't doing anything. Listening to music and watching tv or movies for entertainment seemed pointless. Carrying any hobby was meaningless when it offered no peace or fun. The screams in my head wouldn't stop. The despair at life only continued with no light I could see in the near future.

Armaan and Riddhima were my only means of solace. If not for them, I wouldn't smile even occasionally.

I eyed the papers he held in his hand, "What have you got there?"

"University application," he informed nudging me to the other side so he could get in bed too.

"Ah, yours?"

"For you." He flipped them around for me to read. At the top was the name printed clearly with the school symbol.

I glanced up in confusion, "University of Melbourne?"

"It's in Australia."

I narrow my eyes for stating the obvious, "I know where Melbourne is, genius. My geography is not that weak. Why'd you print these?"

"I want you to fill them out."

I argue, "Armaan, you're joking, right? Australia is another country. Another continent!"

He breathes out a sigh before voicing his concerns, "Doll, take this as a fresh start. It kills me to see you like this day in and out. It pisses me to no end that I can do nothing about it. Riddhima and I were talking and we think, maybe, getting away from here would be a good thing."

"No matter where I go, Armaan, people will be people."

He continued to insist, "I can't change that but I refuse to sit by and let you turn away from life like this! We can't change what happened. I wish, wish, I could but I can't. I'm your brother. I'm supposed to protect you from all harm and I couldn't. They took your smile that was always on your lips, your mischief always sparkling in your eyes... you were so full of life and now... Even when they're gone, they're taking you from me every day, sis. Please, do this? For me. For mom and dad? If this goes on, eventually they will notice something is wrong and if they ask..."

With panic in my voice, I remind him. "They can't find out. You promised!"

"I did," he agreed but continued to clarify, "I promised to hide this from them but if they ask, don't ask me to lie to them, Khushi."

I can't have them find out. It would kill them. "Okay! Okay, I'll fill this out. Just... they can't ever find out."

He nodded in agreement and I exhale in relief.

There was something about those deep brown eyes that wouldn't let me blink away. Even though they were amused at the second, there was a distant look. A haunted look that I should recognize.

Once he cleared his throat, eyes still locked with mines, he said with his voice barely a whisper. I could still hear it loud and clear with him standing only two feet away. "Uh... I'm looking for Kripa."

And I'm looking for my clothes.

"I see that."

"Hey, towel girl. Right?"

I faked ignorance, "Sorry, do I know you?"

He rolled his eyes though that smirk remained. "Maybe it's time I visit you again when you're just in a towel. That should ring a bell or two, hmm?"

I glared at him, shocked. How could he even say that so carelessly? That too loud enough. People walking by were giving looks, having heard it and some even snickered.

"Just seeing him makes me want to punch somebody."

He laughed softly, "What'd that poor fella ever do to you?"

I gaped at his words, "Poor fella? Hello! You cannot sympathize with the enemy. All he ever does is irritate me." As my brother, by default, he is to be on my side.

He, however, points out the facts I don't want him to, "Doll, if I have listened properly in our conversations, and I have, then the guy barely talks to you."

"And when he does, he is just..."

He is quick to cut me off, "Okay, point noted. What did he say this time?"

"More like what he observed?" I answered knowing he wasn't going to like this, "He figured out my so-called tell for when I lie."

"Seriously? Punch him for me. That's just so not fair. I, being your brother, still can't figure it out. How the hell did he do it in just four months, that too with barely ever talking to you?" He went off on his own rampage which somewhere made me smile. Looks like I just gave him his very first reason to dislike Arnav.

This is NOT the entire chapter. This is a preview.