**PRC Crazy Land 2** ||INVITES ONLY|| - Page 30

She was anything but shocked...........of all the places on Earth...she had to meet him here................ Was there no other place where he could go..............??????? Was this a coincidence....she was not ready to believe it...... it was too much of a chance........ she could not accept it........... God...!!! Why was this happening to her.......??? Hadn't she tried to keep herself away just for this reason..... It seemed even the stars wanted to test her resolution.........

She was oblivious to the calls of her friend as she sat there on her seat staring into nothingness. The class had got over and they all were sitting in the garden enjoying the cool breeze of the evening. It was then that she had seen him there.... and she had been completely shocked.........

"Don't you want to have your evening snacks dear...???" she didn't realize when Purvi nudged her out of her thoughts.

"Uhh...ohh yes....Let's go..." Trying to calm her jostled senses, she stood up trying hard to control her shaky knees and followed her friends to the cafeteria. But she was unusually quiet, subdued. She tried hard to behave and act normally, but somehow her smile didn't reach up to her eyes. Not that she was very much talkative...but she did enjoy the company of a few close friends that she had... But she was too good at concealing her true emotions......she was a good actress....time had made her one....and today also nobody knew that she was rattled. Nobody ever guessed whether she was sad or happy.....nobody but he....................

Not Again..........Not Again..............she was sick of trying to get him out of her mind and heart.............she had been trying for the last five years.............but she hadn't been successful......Oh hell...!!! It was so difficult....why was it so difficult!!! Why did she have to face all of this??? Why was she chosen??? Oh why??? Why??? WHY?????????

She felt like screaming her lungs out.....she desperately wanted to be alone. Her senses were indulged in a tug of war which was tearing her apart........tearing through her senses...pulling on to the strings of her heart.... scorching her very being.........No...she couldn't stay here anymore....she had to go away from here...at any cost......

Hastily she gulped down her coffee in one go and rose hurriedly.

"What happened???" Asked a surprised Apoorvaa.

"Nothing...I just remembered that I had some work in the library....catch up with you guys later..." And without waiting for an answer she rushed out of the cafeteria.

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"Nandini...come on...how do you manage to do this???" He asked in surprise.

"Manage to do what???" she asked a trifle confused.

"How do you manage to read me so well?"

"Oh come on...I didn't do anything great." She protested with a smile.

"How did you know that I was hungry?" he asked her with a smile as he helped himself to the dish that she had brought for him.

She smiled at that. "You are forgetting something Prithvi....we are supposed to be childhood friends....right...???"

"Right...!!!" He smiled in affirmative.

They were the best of buddies.... as different as chalk and cheese...yet inseparable.... While he was more of an introvert, she was a happy go lucky girl who liked fun and frolic in life. He was reserved, she was friendly. He was serious, she was peppy... But there were a few similarities between them as well.... both shared a common passion for adventure sports especially trekking...

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Life is not a bed of roses.....and it had proved it to her on every possible occasion. Life had never been fare with her...but instead of complaining she had learnt to cope up with it....accept the hardships and the problems it inflicted on her with a smile............until........ until it inflicted this heartbreak on her............it was too much for her to bear............her already fragile self control completely snapped under the emotional turmoil that she was experiencing..............and perhaps for the first time in her life, instead of fighting........she turned her back.............. She fled from the problem instead of facing it...............with a fervent hope that she won't have to face it ever again....she won't have to face him ever again..................!!!

But how wrong she was............. She should have known...... Life never had any mercy on her.......... whatever she thought, whatever she hoped for... she always had to face the stark opposite of that... It was exactly the same this time as well.... she had to face him..... she had to face him.....

"Bhaag jana chahti ho na yahan se kahin dur.... yahi chahti ho na ki sab kuch jhuth saabit ho... inn sab ka koi namo nishan nahi ho.... "

Very slowly, she turned around to look at him. Immediately he gripped her with the intensity of his eyes.... oh...what a state he was in.... his face was drawn and bore every marks of tiredness.... he eyes were sunk in... his body had grown frail.... thin.... but none of it had been able to diminish his charm and beauty.... he still looked as handsome as ever.... If anything else, the hardships had only added to his positivity.... She felt powerless in front of him.... How would she be able to resist him if she fell weak at this juncture..........???

"Tumhari shakal bata rahi hai kit um kitni kamzor ho..... khud se kitna ladh rahi ho.... kitni pareshan ho.... kitna thak chuki ho.....lekin tumhari zidd to dekho...tum ab bhi ye manne ko raazi nahi ho ki............."

No.....she cannot hear it anymore....she would become extremely weak if she does so..... she had to control herself in one way or the other....she had to fight back....she cannot afford to lose at this juncture.

"Prithvi...stop it...Band karo apni bakwas..." she managed to control herself and ordered him in an ice cold voice.

But he was too sharp to be convinced. "Mai bakwas kar raha haun.....??? Ye bolne se pehle ek baar apni shakal to dekh leti....."

"Kyun aaye ho yahan....kya chahte ho mujhse..... dur chale jao Prithvi....please dur chale jao yahan se...."

"Mujhe khud se dur jaane se pehle ek baar apne dil se puch to leti ki wo kya chahta hai.... ek baar....sirf ek baar apne dil ki baat sunn ke to dekho .......tum khud apni baat badal logi Nandini."

"Bas Prithvi..." She turned her back towards him afraid of how much she had given away and how much more would he be able to decipher if she kept on looking at him... He had the ability to read her mind accurately without a moment's delay . "Mai aur koi bakwas nahi sunna chahti....dafa ho jao yahan se..."

She couldn't see the half smile which lit up his face when she turned her back. He knew that he still affected her... and that too in more ways than one. He knew the effect he was having on her. She was not looking at him because it would weaken her already shaken resolve...AS it is his presence had shaken her nerves and it was evident from her face. She looked so ill at ease... yet so curious... she badly wanted to know what he was doing her... how long he was going to stay... but she didn't want to ask him. He laughed to himself at her predicament... it was all so simple... how much she had complicated it...!!!

"Dafe to mai yahan se ho nahi sakta Nandini... kyunki ab mera transfer iss college me ho gaya hai...so mai yahin padhne wala hun."

She turned to look at him with a shock on her face. "Yahin par....." she asked weakly. "Kab tak...?"

"Arey....... kab tak ka kya matlab hai... jab tak ye course pura nahi ho jata...matlab ki agle 2 saal tak..." he smiled at her.

Her face still remained blank... expressionless...she was too shocked to react.

"Kya hua....tum mere yahan aane se khush nahi ho?" he feigned ignorance.

"Tum yahan kyun aaye ho Prithvi? Mai aur nahi ladh sakti...thak chuki hun mai..."

"To maine kab kaha ki mai tumse ladhne aaya hun....wo to tum hi humesha mujhse ladti rehti ho..."

"Stop it Prithvi..." she tried to walk away from there, fearing all the time that he will stop her. But as she walked past him, he didn't even try to stop her... he just let her pass. Relieved she walked a few more steps before his voice stopped her.

"Ab yahan se bhagne ka plan bana rahi ho?"

"Kya matlab?" she immediately flared up...because that was actually what she was thinking.

"Nahi...mujhe pata hai kit um yahan se dur jane ka plan bana rahi ho...after all situations se bhagna tumhari purani aadat hai...ab mai jo yahan aa gaya hun...tum mujhe roz apne saamne dekhkar khud ko rok nahi paogi...mujhse pyaar karne lagogi...so tum yahan se bhag jana chahti ho....... After all..."

"Bahut badi galatfehmi paal rakhi hai aapne Mr. Prithvi..... let me clear it...you don't affect me in any way...... but I affect you...tabhi tum mere piche yahan aye ho...aur mai kahin bhi bhagne ka plan nahi bana rahi hun.... mai yahin rahungi...jana to tumhe padega....huh..." she had walked upto him in her anger. Now as she turned and tried to walk away, his hand shot out and held her wrist arresting her movement. He pulled her hard and losing her balance she fell straight on his broad chest.

Nandini closed her eyes as she crashed against his chest. It brought back a flood of memories. The smell of his aftershave coupled with that of the perfume rekindled the thoughts of a few sweet moments... thoughts which she had kept hidden in some dark deep corner of her heart. She lost the ability to move away from him. Keeping her eyes tightly shut, she remained in that position with her head resting on his chest.

His arm moved up to curl around her slender waist to hold her in her position. He had almost crushed her to himself. She didn't feel uncomfortable.... instead a strange feeling of peace settled on her. She felt warm, protected... safe from the whole world. Oh...how much she had missed these sweet moments...these beautiful feelings........how much she had missed him....

He let his other hand move on her back...making every effort to relax her. He knew she was getting breathless... so was he...but if he lost control now...he wouldn't be able to control her.

"Nandini................." he whispered after what seemed to be an eternity. Her one hand was imprisoned in his grip where as the free hand was resting on his arms. Immediately her hand shot up to cover his lips making him stop in his speech. He kissed the softness of his palm knowing pretty well that she wouldn't withdraw... she didn't... instead her hand travelled round and curled around his neck pulling him a little closer so that his head was resting on her shoulders now. He toot ightened his grip pulling her into a proper hug...almost crushing her against himself...

"You affect me sweet heart... you affect me like hell..." he whispered in her ears. He could feel her smiling against his chest.

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"Tum mujhe aaj yahan kyun lekar aaye ho Prithvi?" Nandini was perplexed at his choice of destination.

"Kyun??? Tumhe achha nahi laga?" he wanted to know.

"Arey nahi....ye bhahut achha hai...par...tumhari taste se match nahi karta. Tum aur roses ke bagiche me.... impossible..."

"Kabhi kabhi zindagi me aisa bhi mod aata hai jab impossible si cheez bhi possible ho jaati hai.... I guess mere saath bhi aisa hi hua hai..." he smiled at her.

"Kya matlab? Aisa kya hua hai tumhare saath?" she wanted to know.

"Kuch nahi...tum baitho to sahi." He indicated her towards the chair. She sat down feeling a little confused at his changed behavior. Prithvi was not in his usual. He was more gallant than usual... he was hesitant...which was something very strange, very unusual for Prithvi.

He had ordered dinner for two taking care to have all her favourite dishes. She tried asking him many times, but he always evaded the topic. Finally she could no longer hold her impatience and burst out on him. "Kya baat hai Prithvi.... tum batate kyun nahi??? Mujhe aisi chupi chupayi baatein nahi achhi lagti...jante ho na tum???"

"Kuch bhi to chippa nahi hai Nandini...bas tumne janne ki koshish nahi ki kabhi...!" He replied in a quiet tone.

"Kya matlab?" she was truly intrigued.

He got up from his chair and went and stood next to her. He slowly put out his hand in front of her. She looked at him in confusion for a few minutes before placing her soft hand in his palms which he gripped tightly. Very softly he pulled her up so that she stood in front of him, face to face, her eyes swarming with confusions and questions...all at the same time.

He led her towards a corner of the garden and there she could see some sort of decoration. As she neared the table, she saw a beautiful chocolate cake kept on it. Quite a lot of cards were kept all over the table but what attracted her attention was a huge red coloured card which was standing on the table just behind the cake.

Automatically she stretched out her hand to pick it up and opened it. Music flowed out of it making her heart stop beating for quite some time. Then very slowly she turned towards him.

"Ye kya hai Prithvi...???" she asked him wide eyed.

"Wahi jo tumne suna....." he returned in a somber way.

"Matlab...?"

"Matlab samajh nahi aaya tumhe..... sidhi sadhi angrezi to thi............ I love You.... and as simple as that..."

She had tears in her eyes. "Tum....tumne..... kaise keh diya Prithvi?"

He was a bit shocked. Had he misinterpreted her feelings? "Nandini....mai..."

"Itni der kyun kar di tumne ye baat bolne me Prithvi... kyun itni der kar di....?"

It had been the most beautiful day of their life.... or so they seemed to think. But future had some thing else in store for them. It didn't turn out to be a smooth sailing as they had envisaged. The peace and happiness lasted just for a couple of months before all hell broke loose.

When Antara, the daughter of the closest friend of Mr Singhania, Prithvi's father came to know of their relationship, she raised a hue and cry insulting Nandini in front of the whole college. Prithvi was absent at that time. As Nandini faced the onslaught all alone, she was left shaking from within. Feeling very guilty about being the source of trouble for everyone, Nandini decided to leave the city and the college for ever. She didn't want to bring further embarrasement on her family.

She tried to meet Prithvi once before leaving, but somehow Antara managed to put a stop to all her trials and managed to conveince her that Prithvi was playing with her and her sentiments. Heart broken and devastated, Nandini left the city and college for good. That had been in her 11^th grade. Now almost three years later, when she was in the second year of her MBBS, he again stood in front of her. WHY...?????

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When Prithvi came back from the business trip with his father, he was surprised to know about Nandini's departure. As Antara tries to spoil his mind regarding Nandini, Prithvi ends up getting confused but not for a moment is he ready to believe that Nandini had ditched him.

When his father notices the sorry state of his son, he vows to find out the reason for this. Being a man of sharp wit and experience he soon is able to find out what Antara had done. He confronts her and brings out the truth in front of Prithvi.

"Mai soch bhi nahi sakta tha kit um itni gir sakti ho Antara.... I am really ashamed of you.... tumse meri mulakat hui kyun???" Prithvi turned his face away from her.

"Mai to soch bhi nahi sakta tha ki meri beti aisa bhi kuch karegi." Antara was derided by her own parents as well.

As she stood there shaking from fear and remorse, Mr. Singhania came to her rescue asking her to help them in finding Nandini. But Nandini remained untraceable. And being an orphan, she had no one to whom he could turn for help.

Prithvi went ahead and got into the famous medical college of the city, a college where they had dreamt of studying together... but which was unfortunately not to be. But he knew with the steady heart of a lover that Nandini would be following this line only wherever she might be.... He knew his beloved very well.

And suddenly after two years, his father told him that he had made arrangements to get him transferred to the medical college in this far away city. He didn't give any more reasons... Prithvi didn't ask for either. Every place was same for him without Nandini. He came her e following his father's wishes.... and finally saw HER here.... in the cafeteria...........

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"Kyun aaye ho Prithvi yahan par...?" she tried to pull away but he didn't allow her.

"Ek baar tumhe apne se dur jaane dene ki galti kar chukka hun Nandini.... ab dubara nahi..."

"Prithvi...jane do mujhe...wapas laut jao..." her voice was seeped in pain giving away the heartache which she had bottled up inside her.

'Tum kisse chupaogi Nandini....tum ab bhi mujhse pyaar karti ho..."

"Tumhare liye mere dil me ab koi feelings nahi hai Prithvi...jane do mujhe..."

"Achha...look me in the eyes and say that...and I mught believe it...." he challenged her softly.

She did look into his eyes, but no word came out.... as she averted her eyes and tried to speak...he put his finger on her lips to stop her from saying anything.

With his thumb and index finger, he held her chin and raised her face towards him. "Jab jhuth bolna nahi aata...to bolti kyun ho???"

It somehow drilled into her dormant temper and she burst out... "Fine...nahi aata mujhe jhuth bolna...maantihun mai....par sach kyun bolun mai.... jhuth bola hai tumne mujhse Prithvi... dhokha diya hai tumne mujhe.... mai hi bewakuf thi jo tumhare mazak ko sach samajh baithi...tum ne achha khael khela mere saath.... kya samjha tha maine tumhe.... kya nikle tum.... how could you Prithvi...how could you play with my emotions...how could you...???" Angry, hot tears were welling up in her eyes.

"Tumhe meri sachhai mazak lagi aur Antara ka jhuth.... wo tumhe sach nazar aaya Nandini.... arey ek baar.... sirf ek baar mera intezaar to kar leti.... mujhse puch to leti.... tumhare liye to mai kuch bhi kar jata...." The pain in his voice hit a nerve centre and Nandini stopped shouting at him.

"Matlab?" she couldn't stop herself from asking.

As Prithvi narrated the entire incidents she couldn't help but feel guilty about it.

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They sat on a rock side by side with her head resting on his shoulders. "M sorry Prithvi...m very sorry...mai samjah......"

His fingers came up to stop her speech.

"Bahut bolti ho tum...kitni baar kaha hai tumhe ki tumhari koi galti nahi hai...par tumho ki maanti hi nahi ho..."

"Mai khud ko maaf nahi kar paa rahi hun...mujhe to saza milni chahiye iss baat ki..... mai tumhare layak nahi hun.........."

"Shut up...just shut up...." He flared up. "Tumhe saza chahiye na...wo mai den eke liye taiyar hun...par fir kabhi aisa mat kehna."

"Thik hai...nahi bolungi...kya hai meri saza?" she enquired with a smiling face.

He looked at her for a long time. Then slowly his gead dropped over her until their foreheads were touching each other. He cupped her face in his palms and tilted it upwards... making her look into his eyes. She immediately knew what he was trying to do and closed her eyes in anticipation. He had expected thi reaction... and he knew this was a symbol of her assent.

Very slowly he bent forward and placed his lips on her. Electricity jolted through her veins and she clutched at him tightly fearing to fall down any moment.

"I Love You Nandini...bahut pyaar karta hun mai tumse... mujhe please kabhi chodkar dur mat jaana..."

"Kabhi nahi Prithvi...kabhi nahi..." she muttered and he sealed the promise with a kiss.