Love Is The Last Option
A/N:The longest chapter. Hope you make it to the end.XD
************************************Nia's POV"Plain Jane, what are you doing here?"Vishakha shot me a scrutinising gaze."I could ask you same question. But I wouldn't,since I am not interested in knowing that."I said while glaring at Aaruj. He soon looked away as if my gaze had burned him. Now he doesn't even want to look at me and I would be totally lying if I say it didn't hurt me at all. "Don't try to act smart. Why are you even here? Wasn't getting Aaruj suspended from college enough? Your dramatics are not gonna work with Aaruj again."She spat venomously. I am trying hard to keep anger at bay
But it's inevitable in Vishakha's case. Take a few deep breaths Nia. Don't let anger take over your senses.I managed to reply her in a calm tone"I don't think I owe any explanation to you. And I am seriously bored watching your face for so longer in college. So if you will excuse me. I am here to talk to Aaruj."with this I was about walk towards him. He looked uncomfortable as he noticed me nearing him.Wow. He is uncomfortable with me but he was okay being shirtless in front of Vishakha. That hypocrite. What was
he doing with her anyway?As I started making my way towards the sofa he stood by, I was yanked back. I shot Vishakha a warning look as she held me by wrist. I fidgetated in her grip but her fingers were wrapped around my wrist firmly. "Hey Nice bracelet, Nia. I saw exactly the same in 'Oyster Bay'. I wonder how could you afford it."she continued her nonsensical talks" Have you heard of the story where a crow wanted to become as beautiful as the peacock.So he stuck peacock feathers in his tail, assuming he would look as beautiful as him. You know what's so funny? That crow reminds me of you darling."Then she smirked at me. Like always, her words didn't get to me. But still I was hurt. I was hurt because Aaruj didn't look bothered about Vishakha's scornful remarks about me. Expectations are self destructive. I had two options:First, Running away and never look back again. OrStaying strong and getting done with what I had come here for,i.e. talking to Aaruj. First option surely looked easy. But it would have cost me my self respect. I was done running away from problems. I was done being a person who could easily get hurt. I was done with people treating me falsely. "Vishakha, leave my hand."I hissed in anger. She looked startled with my sudden change in demeanour. Soon she dropped my hand. As she turned on her heels, I left a sigh of relief. I , Nia Subhash can actually fight back without even letting the tears come out from my eyes. I deserve debutant of the year award in 'Not-Crying-While-being-angry-at-someone' category.While I had indulged myself, in celebrating my win against Vishakha, she stopped in her tracks and turned around"Btw, you guys didn't qualify for the competition. Being the judge, I think your flashmob was unsyncronized, stupid and downright pathetic. Also it lacked what you call it....oh my bad. How would you even know it since you don't have it.CLASS...It lacked class". She talked in a hush tone, so that only I could hear it.Then she disappeared from my sight,closing or should I say slamming the door behind her. I could hear the clicking of her heels on the floor and soon the sound grew faint.My first reaction after she had gone was,"Crap she knows it. But how?" I murmured under my breath."Are you talking to me?"I heard Aaruj's voice bringing me back from my analysing state. I turned around and stared at his now relaxed figure. He had sprawled his body on the sofa and was watching cricket. What bothered me most was, his eyes still being fixed at the screen.
I realised he was avoiding to meet my gaze. I made my way to the fluffy chair beside the sofa. I sat down and readied myself to start a conversation, placing the bouquet on my lap.
But nothing came out as I opened my mouth to speak. What was I even going to speak?Aaruj didn't bother to talk either. We remained silent for a while. This silence scared me cause we always had something to talk. If not something to talk, then we would be fighting. But silence, it never was an option in our case. "So did your cable got disconnected or something ,due to a bad signal?"he finally asked breaking the silence between us."Huh? What? "I shot him a confused look as I met his eyes, which were already fixed on me. And surprisingly it felt so lucky to be the object of his concern for even a smallest bit of time."Don't you have ESPN in your subscription. Because you are surely watching cricket rather than talking to me."he whined. And he looked cute while doing that. I swear I felt like pulling his cheeks so badly. This guy will be the death of me."Oh, nope. I am here to talk to you and also to enquire about your health. I heard you injured your leg while practising. How are you now?"I asked fidgetating with laces tied around the bouquet.Just when he started answering my question, my eyes flew to the TV screen again, as I heard a commentrator announcing a name."Michelle Johnson".I gazed at the handsome player who had appeared on screen. I sighed looking at him. If Rishabh was my real life crush, Rajiv Khadelwal was my reel life crush, then Michelle Johnson was my sports quota crush. Did that even make sense? It did to me. "Wow! I can literally count your teeth from here. Oh!and is there a cavity I see. "Aaruj commented sarcastically. I closed my mouth hastily in embarrassment and gave him one of my deadliest scornful looks. He returned the same look to me."If you wanted to ogle at Michelle Johnson you could have stayed home, rather than bothering yourself to travel this far,just to check on my health. ""Are you crazy? "I asked then raised my hand in objection"Dont even answer that Aaruj. It's a rhetorical question.""And yes I was ogling at him. And you shouldn't be the one to judge because you were doing, god knows what. ..."I stopped myself from talking as I couldn't even think of what Vishakha and Aaruj could be doing together. "I was doing what?"he asked scrunching his eyebrows in confusion. "I don't want to talk about it,Aaruj."I said looking away from him as the memories flew back to my mind making me angrier."No. Let's talk about it. I should know what is your verdict about my behaviour this time."he said raising his voice."Well. If you so want to know then here is the truth. I think you are confusing, stupid and stubborn guy. You never want to listen to anyone. You always do things without thinking. And it lands you in trouble. And your mood keeps changing like some chameleon changing colour that I sometimes feel like pulling my hair."He looked taken aback by my words. "So I am a disappoint to you?"he asked looking hurt."Not like that okay."I immediately corrected myself but it was too late. He was hurt and I was the reason behind it.He looked away and stared at the tv screen for a while."I sometimes feel like I will never be good enough for you. No matter how hard I try to make things good I end up letting you down." Not good enough for me? Is he kidding me? I should be the one asking him that."I think you should leave now. There is nothing else to talk about. Thanks for your concern about my health."he said in a formal manner. Then he got up and was about to go to his room. But I grabbed his arm, making him turn around. Now I was looking into his eyes."That's what I am talking about. You always decide what's good for everyone. You think you know everything but Aaruj Singh Rathore you are wrong. You didn't need to beat Kairav. He was my problem. You wouldn't have got suspended if you had not gotten yourself involved in this. Was it so hard to understand?"I said in huff manner.My words seemed to have infuriated him. He grabbed me by elbows pulling me closer to him. As I collided onto his chest, his gaze kept burning holes on my face."What did you say?""I said you don't need to bother about my problems. They are mine. Not yours."I retorted in anger as I stared straight into his angry eyes."Nia Subhash, call me stupid, jerk, idiot, bully or any other thousand bad names. I wouldn't mind it. But don't ever say your problems aren't mine. Because they are."As he finished the sentence I saw a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features. My heart thumped against my chest, not only because of our proximity but because of what he had said. He said my problems were his. And he was angry because I told him to not get involved in any of them. And here I was assuming, he was furious because I called him all those names.Will there be any time when this guy wouldn't make me feel insane and lovely at the same time. It becomes so difficult to stay angry at him when he does that. It feels like my mind and heart are playing tug-of-war with my thinking. But soon I stiffened in his hold as Vishakha's thought crossed my mind. I jerked away from him. He looked confused. "Aaruj, don't talk to me like that."I blinked back the tears. "I will. Because I care for you."he said cupping my face in his hands. That touch was mesmerising enough to melt the facade of anger I had pulled around my face currently. As I met his beautiful eyes, They looked genuine. But then appearances could be deceiving. "Don't say you care when you don't. Because it would hurt so much when you would stop this pretence of yours. Don't lead me to the path that will make me gullible. I wouldn't find my way back ever if I get lost."I said, not caring anymore if the tears were now rolling down my cheeks."Why don't you belive me when I say I care for you?"he dropped his hands to his sides and I felt an overgrowing urge of being close to him again, not in any creepiest way. but just so I could capture every tiny emotion playing on his face while he talked.But then I shrugged off the thought and came up with a rude reply instead."Because when I walked into your apartment. I found you shirtless while that Vishakha was still here. And then you didn't even bother to acknowledge my presence. And to top it all you kept quite while she was talking nonsense about me. And I hate myself so much that her insult didn't get to me at all. It was your careless attitude towards me while she did that."He shot me an amusing infectious smile in response. And I tried hard to not break into a grin. I mean,girl ,you have already embarrassed yourself with your recent confession. Now don't let your leftover self respect succumb to his charming smile. Keep up the angry face."You are jealous."he stepped closer to me, watching my face with beatific expressions. "Jealous. Hell no. I don't care about what happened between you two."I lied crossing my arms as I looked away."But what if I say, you need not be jealous of anything that happened between us. Cause nothing happened."he assured taking my hand in his."Belive me. I could care less if you were performing on the song'Oh oh Jane Jana' for that Vishakha or doing any other stuff."I said while scrunching my nose in disgust.He broke into a fits of laughter after hearing my comment. Then suddenly seriousness took over his expressions."Nia, for the last time I am saying this. Vishakha never mattered to me. And she won't make any difference to me in the future as well. I wasn't even expecting her, until I saw her at the door of my apartment. She came uninvited like usual. Then she troubled Vimala Aunty in making a stupid sugarfree latte while she was leaving for the day. But Vimala aunty being so kind agreed to make her one. While Vishakha was drinking her latte, the cup slipped from her hand, spilling the coffee everywhere expect on her. Even my shirt got dirty. So I went inside to change, just when I heard a doorbell ring. And you know the rest of the story.""Is that really what happened?"I asked.He bobbed his head, up and down."Nia,I am sorry that I didn't stood by you when Vishakha was insulting you. I so wanted to but then I stopped myself. I was fearing if I would say or do anything bad to her, you will be disappointed in me again. Sounds selfish but I didn't want to face it anyhow."he looked guiltily at the floor as he revealed it. I slid my hands under his chin, to make him look at me."I am sorry too. I always jump to conclusions. I judge you all the time. I lash at you almost every now and then. But I promise I will trust you from now on."I shot him a sheepish look while he chuckled at me."Nia, so now that you are not mad at me anymore. Can I have the flowers you got for me?"he said while grinning from ear to ear.I was about to hand him the bouquet, I had placed on the coffee table. But an evil thought crossed my mind."These are not for you. What made you think like that?"His smile had now dropped and he looked serious. "And who they are for? May I know." I saw curiosity peeking out from his eyes."They are for someone, about whom I care a lot."I said looking affectionately at the flowers as I picked them up from the table."Do I know him?"he asked trying to dig out more information. But I wasn't going to give him any, that easily. "No. He is someone who is very very special to me."I said plopping on the couch."Do I know him?"he questioned. "Yes, you do."I replied."What's his name?"he now looked a bit frustrated to me."He has a nice name but I prefer calling him pinky."I smirked as I looked at the scowl on his face. Was he jealous? "I am gonna find out that pinky and wait....You nicknamed me pinky."he said as the realisation dawned on him. In the next instant, bouquet was snatched from my hand by him. He looked at the flowers while his smile kept growing wider and wider."I hope you liked them. I couldn't by you anything fancy on such short notice."I said examining his face."I love it. Thank you."he replied in excited manner. He inhaled the scent of flowers, bringing it closer to his nose."I am so sorry I didn't even ask if you would like to have anything. What would you have?"he asked suddenly.You. I would love to have you by my side for the rest of my life. Cliché isn't it?"No thanks. I should leave now. I am late."I told him. He shot me a sad look in response."I thought I would eat choco-chip-oreo ice-cream tub with you."He said shooting me an innocent look.I follow three things very religiously.1. Don't sacrifice your sleep. 2. Don't answer violence with violence. And3. Don't ever say no to ice-cream when someone offers it to you. It's very rude thing to do.Paap lagta hain yaar."Okay. I will stay to eat the ice-cream and then I leave."I stated in decisive manner.He shook his head vigorously in agreement and hastily made his way to refrigerator in his open kitchen.I gazed at the clock which showed the time as seven past forty five. Veena aunty already knew I was busy with the fest preparations so she wouldn't be worrying about me. Still I called her to inform that I was at my friend's place and it would take me some more time to return home. As I ended up the call, Aaruj came out from the kitchen area, holding the big tub in his hand. He sat on the sofa beside me. He opened the ice cream tub, offering me a spoon. Soon we started devouring the dessert. I was eating mostly while he kept taking very small amount of ice-cream on his spoon and rarely touched it to his lips. I could tell he wasn't big fan of ice-creams from the way he was eating it. "Don't laugh at me."I warned him angrily as I caught him staring at me with a wide smile."You are literally wolfing down that ice-cream. I can't help but laugh."he said through faint chuckles."Don't laugh or the goddess of ice-creams would be so infuriated by you."I warned him faking seriousness."Oh really. I didn't know there was one in the first place. And how do it is a goddess and not god." He asked curiously. "Cause I am a girl and I worship ice-cream and there must be plenty of other girls too. So there has to be an ice-cream goddess and not god because most of the boys don't like ice-cream."I enlightened Aaruj."You and your imagination, Miss Tantrum."he taunted me mischievously, earning himself a glare."So tell me do you like ice-cream?"I questioned trying to prove my point. "No."he admitted."Then why do you have it in your refrigerator?"I asked him out of curiosity. "It is Warren's."he answered nonchalantly. I almost choked on the ice-cream I was eating. I looked at the tub which was now almost empty. I felt guilty. Soon I snapped at Aaruj"Why didn't you tell mai fisssdst?" "What did you say?"he shot me a confused look."Ma tongue has frazzzen due to ice-cdeam."I tried talking normal but I hardly could. I shouldn't have ate it so chilled.He laughed at my situation while I blabbered about how aweful I felt after almost finishing poor warren's ice-cream."We had gone to groccery shopping the other day, whole gang. As Vimala aunty wasn't well and couldn't go herself to buy groceries. So we bought all the household items for me. Warren bought this Ice-cream tub. He forgot to take it home. So it has been in the refrigerator for a week now."he talked in a very casual way.This made me angry. I kept staring at him till he got tired of my gaze."For god's sake Nia. We are talking about Warren here. He must have forgotten about the ice-cream by now. What's the big deal?"I looked away while crossing my arms. Soon he gave up"Fine, I will buy him another ice-cream tub.""Good boy."I commented and placed spoonful of the remaining ice-cream on his nose. It dripped down from his nose to his chin. He glared at me, while wiping the ice-cream with his t-shirt sleeve.I sprang to my feet and ran away from him as far as possible. He was now chasing me around. My stomach started hurting so much due to the running and laughing. However I didn't stop. I kept running around the sofa. But soon I was trapped in the corner of room as I couldn't match his stamina. He was a sportsman after all.He neared me in two big strides. I kept looking for my enroute to escape while he closed the distance between us. He was about to grab me by arms. But I bent down and escaped away. He groaned in disappointment. I stuck out my tongue at him, as I stood on the vacant place between sofa and nearby wall.He again started chasing me and we kept circling the sofa, round and round. Suddenly Aaruj yelped in pain"Aah! Damn sofa."His voice made me stop in my tracks. I saw him clutching his right leg with his hand. He looked in utter pain as he kept wincing every now and then.I ran upto him and placed my hand on his shoulder."Did you hurt the same leg again?"He looked up at me. He had a devilish grin plastered on his face. "This was a trick. You cheater."I accused him."Wow.You are so clever but now it's too late. Ha ha ha." He laughed dramatically. He held my wrist and extended his other free arm by my side to tickle me. And soon a childish idea crossed my mind. I bit his hand, the one that was clutching my wrist. He was caught offguard due to my unexpected attack. He looked taken aback for a while, he let go of my hand."Gawd! What are you?a kid? You bit me."I shot him a sheepish smile and replied"Duffer, I didn't bite you I made you a watch. Ta
Da... Look this is a dial."
I pointed at the circular mark my teeth had left on his wrist.He shot me a disbelieving look."Are you nuts?""You are so ungrateful. I made you a watch and you are not even thanking me."I pouted looking at him.He shot me a full glare in response. This made me burst into fits of laughter. I guess it was enough to make him more angry. He took advanced steps in my direction and I kept stepping back till my back touched the wall. Now I was trapped between him and the wall. He placed his hands on the wall, making sure I don't escape away again.When I saw his angry face, I broke into a fits of laughter again. He scowled at me"What's so funny?""You so remind me of Sam right now. He had the same expressions on his face when Nikki and I...."I couldn't complete the sentence as I chuckled at my own story."Did you bit him too? Poor him."Aaruj sympathised. "He isn't innocent. He started it. One day when we were playing in Samar's backyard, he told us he had learnt a new magic trick. He could produce a
watch from thin air. We were so curious to see him doing that. He instructed Nikki and me to close our eyes. When we did what he had asked for,he bit our hands one by one. So we took our revenge by doing the same to him. He started crying like a baby after that."I told him with smile creeping across my face. "Oh! So Samar is the one behind your abnormal behaviour."he concluded. I slapped his arm and fidgetated in his hold"Aaruj, let me go.""Not until I get my revenge."he stated stubbornly. Finally I gave in,"Fine. Here is my hand. Bite it. And we will be even". I stuck out my hand in front of him. He held it and brought it closer to his mouth. As he opened it,looking up at me. I closed my eyes shut, expecting his teeth to penetrate my hand. However I felt something soft brush my knuckles. I opened my eyes instantly. I saw him planting another kiss on my knuckles. I blushed furiously at his gesture. My body was trembling due to his touch. My heart was another story. It kept pounding back and forth like a swing.He closed the gap between us. Now our faces were inches apart. He leaned in and whispered something in my ear which made my breath hitch"You are too cute to harm." I felt a rush of shiver passing down my spine when his breath fanned on my neck.He pulled away a little,though his gaze was still fixed on my face. My reflection never looked so pretty before as it looked in his beautiful eyes. It felt like a dream. Everything was perfect. Soon he spoke again breaking the comfortable silence between us."I wanted to tell you something since a long time.""What?"I asked in desperate voice. "I ....."he was cut off by the sound of door bell.However he didn't pay any attention to his visitor on the other side of door. He took a deep breath and spoke again"I can't keep it inside me anymore. I wanted to tell...."The continuous sound of bell interrupted his talk. He groaned looking at the door. While I did the same mentally.Now the person at the door was banging loudly. Aaruj yelled in frustration."you jerk. Wait up. I am gonna open the door. Stop banging it or I will bang your head on the same door.""You better hurry up, lover boy or I will break it."a familiar voice boomed through faint chuckles. I gaped in horror as I realised who it was standing behind the door of Aaruj's apartment. It was Rehan.
When Aaruj was reaching for the doorknob, I stopped him. He shot me a confused look. He was about to protest but I gestured him to keep quite."Let me hide first."I whispered to him.
"Why?"he questioned while looking at me like I had grown another head. "He was going to come in the afternoon to meet you. He had asked if I would accompany him to visit you.
I refused telling him that I was busy. What is he doing here at this hour?"I talked in the lowest possible tone."He didn't show up in the noon."Aaruj whispered back.I slammed my forhead."Oh freak! I need to hide. If he sees me here, at your house, he will tease me for eternity." I examined the living room for a better place to hide. Soon I found one. I told Aaruj to open the door when I was out of his sight. He reached for the doorknob again .
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Aaruj's POVI reached for the door as the impatient Rehan kept banging it continously. However before opening the door, I looked over my shoulder, to check on Nia. She was
Gone. What is she a super girl? May be she is one because she managed to kindle love in my stone heart. Only a supergirl can do that.I was brought back from my thought by another loud bang on the door."Damn you crazy shayar(poet)."I cursed as I opened the door. Rehan punched my arm. Then he entered inside pushing me back."What took you so long?"he asked flopping down on sofa. "I was changing."I lied. "Are you sure? Because I see an ice-cream tub here."he smirked. Then he suddenly exclaimed as he realised something."Holly molly!you ate warren's ice-cream, didn't you?" He was smiling like an idiot now."So?"I asked nonchalantly. "So. Aaruj you can eat whatever you want that belongs to Warren. But you don't eat his ice-cream. He is gonna throw a full fledged tantrum. Man!It's gonna be so entertaining."he chuckled to himself."Rehan, cut the crap. He is Warren. He would have forgotten about it by now."I spoke in confident manner. He was just acting like Nia had acted earlier. Like I had done some serious crime and I deserved the worst punishment ever."Janab, ye mehej ek ice-cream nahi Warren ki Jaan thi. (it's not just mere ice-cream it's Warren's life.) He said dramatically. "Rehan, if you want to live longer and not get murdered brutally by an aspring cricketer. You need to stop that crap shayari of yours."I warned him fisting my hand in a bowl."You won't do that. Because I know you want to know about Ni..."I cut him off before he could spill any beans, in case Nia was hiding in an earshot distance."Tu chai lega ya coffee, kamine.(what will you have tea or coffee?"I asked trying to divert the subject."Since you insist so much I will have glass of water."he smirked placing his hands under his head as he leaned back on sofa."Okay."I hurriedly turned on my heels and went to kitchen. I grabbed a bottle of cold water from the fridge.I didn't even bother to pour the water in glass and made my way to the sofa in the living.Rehan was now staring at the two spoons in his hands. Crap! I shouldn't have left the ice-tub on coffee table."Why there are two spoons when you were eating the ice cream alone?"He shot me a suspicious look. "Meri marji. (My wish)"I came up with a lame excuse. "You are acting so weird."he commented. Soon I heard a sneezing sound. It surely came from somewhere close. No way. Did she hid herself in store room? Gawd! It was so dusty.I met Rehan's eyes which were widened in confusion."Did you hear that?"he asked. "What?"I pretended to be naive. "Someone snizzed. And it felt like the sound came from somewhere close. Like in the next room."he pointed at the store room.I was nervous for a bit but then I covered it with veil of humour. "Don't daydream so much. See now you are hallucinating.""I heard it Aaruj and it was for real."He said."Whatever."I flopped on the bin bag and accompanied him in watching cricket. While our eyes were glued to the TV screen, another sneezing sound echoed in the apartment. Rehan snapped his head in my direction."Now don't say Aaruj you didn't hear that.""It was the commentrator."I came up with another stupid excuse. "You are hiding something from me,buddy. But soon I will figure out what is it."he stated with a smirk."Fine. It was me."Another lie escaped from my mouth. But he didn't look convinced with it either. "Do I have a word stupid 'inked' on my forhead?"he asked."Kuch batein likhe bina padhi ja sakati hain,dil ki ankhon se.(Somethings doesn't required words to express, Pal)"I said dramatically. He punched my arm and said"That was so lame.You better tell me the truth this moment or be ready to get punched when I find it out myself.""I was fooling around. Here is the truth. The person who just sneezed is Mr.Jha. He lives next door. And he has some terrible allergies due to which he keeps sneezing every now and then. Poor him."I sympathised towards my imaginary neighbour."Okay."he said, buying my lame excuse.Soon a loud cry filled the silence in the living room. It had come from the store room. Before I could even react, the door of store room was flung open, revealing Nia's trembling figure.She ran upto me and flung her arms around my shoulder. Her body was still trembling. I wrapped my arms around her. I rubbed her back, trying to comfort her.I heard a coughing sound. Nia jerked away from me. Her cheeks looked tomato red,making the embarrassment evident on her face. "Mr.Jha, what made you scream?"Rehan smirked while looking at Nia."There was a lizard on an old dusty drawer,I stood by."She revealed. Soon Rehan went inside the store room, leaving me and Nia alone.I took this opportunity to talk to her" Chipkali hi to thi, kaunsa dinosaur tha jo tumhe kha jata. (It was just a Lizard. Not some dinosaur who could have eaten you.)""I would prefer hundred encounters with the dinosaur than a single with Lizard."she replied, scrunching her nose in disgust. "Nia, meet your best friend. Give her some kisses and hugs."Rehan's voice interrupted us.He was holding the lizard by it's tail and had extended his hand in front of Nia. She stepped back, screaming on top of her lungs. Soon I realised something. This lizard in Rehan's hand looked familiar. It belonged to Jay. He had bought this rubber lizard long back, just to scare me. It didn't end up as he had planned since I had figured out it was fake. I didn't know it was still in the store room."Nia, it's not real. Look it's not even moving. Come here."I extended out my hand in her direction."He is lying Nia. It's real."Rehan tried playing around, earning himself a glare from me."Do you believe me? I asked her. She looked between me and Rehan. He still was scaring her with the rubber lizard in his hand. She looked away and thought for a while. Then meeting my eyes she said"I belive you." She held my hand, stepping closer to me. Her fragile hand fitted perfectly in mine stronger one."It's not real."she realised as she had a closer look at Rehan's hand.She shot Rehan a deathly glare. Then she picked up one of the cushions from Sofa and started beating Rehan brutally. He chuckled and tried dodging her attack but he couldn't. I laughed at the duo in front of me. They always got along really well. But then suddenly, I felt something unusual churning my stomach. I felt an urge of being closer to Nia. I suddenly felt bad at the way these two got along so well.what was this feeling?"Nia, aren't you getting late?"I reminded her trying to look normal."Oh yes!I am."she exclaimed looking at the clock on the wall."Come on Nia. We just met and you are talking about leaving. Spend some time with me, I mean us."he stole a glance at me as he talked to her. What is he upto? "I can't stay. I won't get any autoriksaw or taxi if I get late."she replied. I shot Rehan a victorious look. He soon opened his mouth again"Nia, how could you even think I will let you go home on your own. What are friends for. I am going to drop you home on my scooter."She took a while to think over what Rehan had said while he waited for her answer. I was shipping her not to go with him. But the worst happened, she agreed. Making Rehan shoot a victorious look at me again. Now he will rub it in my face. Some best friend he is.Don't get me wrong. I like Rehan. He is one of my best friend but then he sometimes takes advantage of it and gets on my nerve. Like right now.I stole a glance at Rehan and Nia who were now sitting on the sofa and talking to each other about the college fest. As I sat on the fluffy chair, I tried to listen to their conversation. They were now talking about the poetry competition in which Rehan was going to participate the next day. I tried to stir a conversation but soon failed as the topic they discussed was not my cup of tea."Have you read that shayari(poem) from Ghalib. What was the starting. ...ummm. phir dil hai bekarar....how can I forget?"Nia stressed on her memory but gave up soon."I remember it. It's my favourite."Rehan smirked. "Really?"Nia asked with a glint in her eyes.You know how I am feeling right now? like some dumb person trapped between two very intelligent people. Why the heck I don't know anything about this Ghalib fellow or any of his works either. Soon Rehan started saying a poem, which had many words that didn't register on my mind as they looked so alien to me-
Once more, my heart a restless rhythm beats
Once more, my bosom fresh wounds seekOld wounds begin to run red a new
To lend this spring's flower their hueThis heart yearns for that torment once more
That life, long past, calls an encoreThis blissful state, Ghalib, some hidden cause implies
There must be something that undisclosed lies.]"And that one which is something like this -
It's only my heart, not a stone or brick
Why shouldn't it overcome with pain
I will cry thousand times
Why should one torment(stop) me.]She stated in her melodious voice.I hate poems. I can never relate to any. But when Nia dictated it, it felt so nice."What happened Aaruj? Why are you so quiet."Nia asked bringing me back from my train of thoughts."Nothing. Can you say any others poem of Ghalib. I am really intrigued."I said giving her a small smile. "Wah yaar. Tune mujhe to kabhi shayari sunane ko nahi kaha meri. (Wow. You never insisted on hearing any shayari from me.)"Rehan said sarcastically. "Because your poems are horrible."with this,I did what I always did. I pulled out the hairband from his hair, making his silky hair fall on his shoulder. He shot me a full glare, while I laughed at him."Your hair are really nice."Nia complimented him. He shot her a cheeky smile in response. "Look they are so soft."he reached out to grab her hand. She looked startled for a bit but then let him hold it. He was now holding her hand, making her touch his hair. I glowered at Rehan while he pretended to be the most innocent person on the earth."Your hair is pretty too. Keep them open. You look so beautiful in them."Rehan complimented her, making her smile. That was totally my line. I was going to tell her that right after I gather some courage to tell her how much I love her. Rehan had to come and spoil my chance. "Don't you guys have any better topics to dicuss?"I said in an irated manner.This earned me a questioning look from both of them."Oh! We are so sorry. I know you have short hair like some school kid. You must be jealous."Rehan spoke in a mock serious tone."Go to hell, Rehan."I yelled at him in frustration.Rehan bent closer to Nia and whispered something in her ear. She shook her head for no, while bursting into fits of laughter. "C'mon. It would be so much fun."Rehan added with a mischievous
smile. In the next instant, Rehan got up and looked at me."Kya aap apne balo se naraj hain?(Are you unhappy with the way your hair are?)" He was talking like some struggling model cum tele-represantative. Those commercial are so idiotic. He continued his drama"Agar haaan, toh dosto aap ke liye hum ek chamatkari tel leker aaye hain. Jiska naam hain'Baal baal ugaye'(If yes. We have brought a miraculous oil for you called'Baal baal ugaye')". He smiled and then gestured at Nia to join him. Unsurprisingly she joined him in his stupid act."Humare darshak aaj studio mein maujood hain. Inse puchenge ke inhe humara tel kaisa laga.(One of our customer is present in the studio. Let's ask her how our product has changed her life.) "he faked seriousness as he signaled Nia to talk. But she was busy in laughing at my irated face. It's so easy to get lost in the sound of her melodious laugh. Her smile is the best thing in the world, so natural and pure.Finally she decided to speak"Ye product toh kamal hain. Jabse maine isse lagaya hain,meri zindagi hi badal gayi hain. Mere baal itne chamkile ho gaye hain ke muze log durse hi pehchan lete hain. Meri zindagi ab assan Ho gayi hain. Ab mein char deewaro me chup kar nahi baithti.(This oil is so magical. My life has changed drastically the moment I started using it. My hair has become so shiny that people recognise me from miles away. I don't have to hide anymore from social events.)"I kept staring at them with a scowl on my face. Out of all the people in the world, I get to deal with the most dramatic bunch of people.I sighed and looked at the two drama queens in front of me. While they kept singing some stupid jingle, Rehan had made.
"Baal baal ugaye Lambe baal dilaye.Baal itne pyare Ho ke sab jal-bhun jaye Ye to kammal hain."
[ Translation:It grows hair. It makes them longer. Your hair become so beautiful that everyone becomes jealous. This works wonders.]************************************
Nia's POVRehan and I rolled in laughter after watching Aaruj's priceless expression. Our stupid commercial had definitely ticked him off. He was pulling his hair as we kept singing the jingle again and again. After our mouth started hurting so much, we decided to leave Aaruj's place.He opened the door for us and let us out of the apartment. Rehan was the first one to walk out. Just when I was about to follow his suit, Aaruj stopped me."Nia, I want to tell you something."he looked into my eyes. "What?"I asked impatiently. "I missed you."he replied with a smile."That's so bad because I didn't."I lied throwing him a monalisa smile.He reached out for something in my hair. Soon he removed the small clutcher from my hair, letting my loose them fall on my shoulder. "Rehan is right. You do look beautiful in open hair."he added with a smirk. "What is taking you so long Nia? Are you guys kissing?"Rehan yelled as he waited for me near the elevator. I blushed furiously at the mention of a kiss while Aaruj stood awkwardly, looking at the floor.Rehan's voice again echoed outside the apartment"Ishq par jor nahin hai ye wo aatish Ghalib, jo lagaye na lage, bujhaye na bujhe.(love can't be controlled, it's that wildfire which can neither start up easily nor stop.)""Crazy shayar."we both remarked in unison.
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A/N: The title credit of the chapter and the first two poems (shayari) and sher at the end belong to Ghalib. I do not own the copyrights of any of his work mentioned in chappy.Ever read Ghalib's work? They are so great. some of the shers are also used in movies.How was the chapter? You might feel,'is she crazy' while reading the it and that's okay cause my ideas wander off to crazyland sometimes.:p Anyone here scared of lizard?I hate them. No offense to any animal lovers.xD.Ever made watch on anyone's wrist? My
brother used to do it when we were kids. Siblings I tell ya.Can anyone suggest me what kinda cake should I order for my nephew's birthday. Cause my lil darling has given this opportunity to me. Since he likes fish I was thinking of ordering Nimo cake. (:p It's not only his wish. ...I sort of love that movie.xD)
But if you have any other good suggestion, feel free to share.
*Sorry the chappy is unedited.*
Thanks a ton for supporting LITLO by those awesome comments and votes. I love you guys so much.
Don't forget to vote/comment cause it makes me happy happy happy. :)
☆¤¤¤¤Happy holidays if you have any coming your way.¤¤¤¤☆
For me, it's all work no play:(
Ciao.
~daydreamero9~
************************************Nia's POV"Plain Jane, what are you doing here?"Vishakha shot me a scrutinising gaze."I could ask you same question. But I wouldn't,since I am not interested in knowing that."I said while glaring at Aaruj. He soon looked away as if my gaze had burned him. Now he doesn't even want to look at me and I would be totally lying if I say it didn't hurt me at all. "Don't try to act smart. Why are you even here? Wasn't getting Aaruj suspended from college enough? Your dramatics are not gonna work with Aaruj again."She spat venomously. I am trying hard to keep anger at bay
But it's inevitable in Vishakha's case. Take a few deep breaths Nia. Don't let anger take over your senses.I managed to reply her in a calm tone"I don't think I owe any explanation to you. And I am seriously bored watching your face for so longer in college. So if you will excuse me. I am here to talk to Aaruj."with this I was about walk towards him. He looked uncomfortable as he noticed me nearing him.Wow. He is uncomfortable with me but he was okay being shirtless in front of Vishakha. That hypocrite. What was
he doing with her anyway?As I started making my way towards the sofa he stood by, I was yanked back. I shot Vishakha a warning look as she held me by wrist. I fidgetated in her grip but her fingers were wrapped around my wrist firmly. "Hey Nice bracelet, Nia. I saw exactly the same in 'Oyster Bay'. I wonder how could you afford it."she continued her nonsensical talks" Have you heard of the story where a crow wanted to become as beautiful as the peacock.So he stuck peacock feathers in his tail, assuming he would look as beautiful as him. You know what's so funny? That crow reminds me of you darling."Then she smirked at me. Like always, her words didn't get to me. But still I was hurt. I was hurt because Aaruj didn't look bothered about Vishakha's scornful remarks about me. Expectations are self destructive. I had two options:First, Running away and never look back again. OrStaying strong and getting done with what I had come here for,i.e. talking to Aaruj. First option surely looked easy. But it would have cost me my self respect. I was done running away from problems. I was done being a person who could easily get hurt. I was done with people treating me falsely. "Vishakha, leave my hand."I hissed in anger. She looked startled with my sudden change in demeanour. Soon she dropped my hand. As she turned on her heels, I left a sigh of relief. I , Nia Subhash can actually fight back without even letting the tears come out from my eyes. I deserve debutant of the year award in 'Not-Crying-While-being-angry-at-someone' category.While I had indulged myself, in celebrating my win against Vishakha, she stopped in her tracks and turned around"Btw, you guys didn't qualify for the competition. Being the judge, I think your flashmob was unsyncronized, stupid and downright pathetic. Also it lacked what you call it....oh my bad. How would you even know it since you don't have it.CLASS...It lacked class". She talked in a hush tone, so that only I could hear it.Then she disappeared from my sight,closing or should I say slamming the door behind her. I could hear the clicking of her heels on the floor and soon the sound grew faint.My first reaction after she had gone was,"Crap she knows it. But how?" I murmured under my breath."Are you talking to me?"I heard Aaruj's voice bringing me back from my analysing state. I turned around and stared at his now relaxed figure. He had sprawled his body on the sofa and was watching cricket. What bothered me most was, his eyes still being fixed at the screen.
I realised he was avoiding to meet my gaze. I made my way to the fluffy chair beside the sofa. I sat down and readied myself to start a conversation, placing the bouquet on my lap.
But nothing came out as I opened my mouth to speak. What was I even going to speak?Aaruj didn't bother to talk either. We remained silent for a while. This silence scared me cause we always had something to talk. If not something to talk, then we would be fighting. But silence, it never was an option in our case. "So did your cable got disconnected or something ,due to a bad signal?"he finally asked breaking the silence between us."Huh? What? "I shot him a confused look as I met his eyes, which were already fixed on me. And surprisingly it felt so lucky to be the object of his concern for even a smallest bit of time."Don't you have ESPN in your subscription. Because you are surely watching cricket rather than talking to me."he whined. And he looked cute while doing that. I swear I felt like pulling his cheeks so badly. This guy will be the death of me."Oh, nope. I am here to talk to you and also to enquire about your health. I heard you injured your leg while practising. How are you now?"I asked fidgetating with laces tied around the bouquet.Just when he started answering my question, my eyes flew to the TV screen again, as I heard a commentrator announcing a name."Michelle Johnson".I gazed at the handsome player who had appeared on screen. I sighed looking at him. If Rishabh was my real life crush, Rajiv Khadelwal was my reel life crush, then Michelle Johnson was my sports quota crush. Did that even make sense? It did to me. "Wow! I can literally count your teeth from here. Oh!and is there a cavity I see. "Aaruj commented sarcastically. I closed my mouth hastily in embarrassment and gave him one of my deadliest scornful looks. He returned the same look to me."If you wanted to ogle at Michelle Johnson you could have stayed home, rather than bothering yourself to travel this far,just to check on my health. ""Are you crazy? "I asked then raised my hand in objection"Dont even answer that Aaruj. It's a rhetorical question.""And yes I was ogling at him. And you shouldn't be the one to judge because you were doing, god knows what. ..."I stopped myself from talking as I couldn't even think of what Vishakha and Aaruj could be doing together. "I was doing what?"he asked scrunching his eyebrows in confusion. "I don't want to talk about it,Aaruj."I said looking away from him as the memories flew back to my mind making me angrier."No. Let's talk about it. I should know what is your verdict about my behaviour this time."he said raising his voice."Well. If you so want to know then here is the truth. I think you are confusing, stupid and stubborn guy. You never want to listen to anyone. You always do things without thinking. And it lands you in trouble. And your mood keeps changing like some chameleon changing colour that I sometimes feel like pulling my hair."He looked taken aback by my words. "So I am a disappoint to you?"he asked looking hurt."Not like that okay."I immediately corrected myself but it was too late. He was hurt and I was the reason behind it.He looked away and stared at the tv screen for a while."I sometimes feel like I will never be good enough for you. No matter how hard I try to make things good I end up letting you down." Not good enough for me? Is he kidding me? I should be the one asking him that."I think you should leave now. There is nothing else to talk about. Thanks for your concern about my health."he said in a formal manner. Then he got up and was about to go to his room. But I grabbed his arm, making him turn around. Now I was looking into his eyes."That's what I am talking about. You always decide what's good for everyone. You think you know everything but Aaruj Singh Rathore you are wrong. You didn't need to beat Kairav. He was my problem. You wouldn't have got suspended if you had not gotten yourself involved in this. Was it so hard to understand?"I said in huff manner.My words seemed to have infuriated him. He grabbed me by elbows pulling me closer to him. As I collided onto his chest, his gaze kept burning holes on my face."What did you say?""I said you don't need to bother about my problems. They are mine. Not yours."I retorted in anger as I stared straight into his angry eyes."Nia Subhash, call me stupid, jerk, idiot, bully or any other thousand bad names. I wouldn't mind it. But don't ever say your problems aren't mine. Because they are."As he finished the sentence I saw a flicker of vulnerability crossing his features. My heart thumped against my chest, not only because of our proximity but because of what he had said. He said my problems were his. And he was angry because I told him to not get involved in any of them. And here I was assuming, he was furious because I called him all those names.Will there be any time when this guy wouldn't make me feel insane and lovely at the same time. It becomes so difficult to stay angry at him when he does that. It feels like my mind and heart are playing tug-of-war with my thinking. But soon I stiffened in his hold as Vishakha's thought crossed my mind. I jerked away from him. He looked confused. "Aaruj, don't talk to me like that."I blinked back the tears. "I will. Because I care for you."he said cupping my face in his hands. That touch was mesmerising enough to melt the facade of anger I had pulled around my face currently. As I met his beautiful eyes, They looked genuine. But then appearances could be deceiving. "Don't say you care when you don't. Because it would hurt so much when you would stop this pretence of yours. Don't lead me to the path that will make me gullible. I wouldn't find my way back ever if I get lost."I said, not caring anymore if the tears were now rolling down my cheeks."Why don't you belive me when I say I care for you?"he dropped his hands to his sides and I felt an overgrowing urge of being close to him again, not in any creepiest way. but just so I could capture every tiny emotion playing on his face while he talked.But then I shrugged off the thought and came up with a rude reply instead."Because when I walked into your apartment. I found you shirtless while that Vishakha was still here. And then you didn't even bother to acknowledge my presence. And to top it all you kept quite while she was talking nonsense about me. And I hate myself so much that her insult didn't get to me at all. It was your careless attitude towards me while she did that."He shot me an amusing infectious smile in response. And I tried hard to not break into a grin. I mean,girl ,you have already embarrassed yourself with your recent confession. Now don't let your leftover self respect succumb to his charming smile. Keep up the angry face."You are jealous."he stepped closer to me, watching my face with beatific expressions. "Jealous. Hell no. I don't care about what happened between you two."I lied crossing my arms as I looked away."But what if I say, you need not be jealous of anything that happened between us. Cause nothing happened."he assured taking my hand in his."Belive me. I could care less if you were performing on the song'Oh oh Jane Jana' for that Vishakha or doing any other stuff."I said while scrunching my nose in disgust.He broke into a fits of laughter after hearing my comment. Then suddenly seriousness took over his expressions."Nia, for the last time I am saying this. Vishakha never mattered to me. And she won't make any difference to me in the future as well. I wasn't even expecting her, until I saw her at the door of my apartment. She came uninvited like usual. Then she troubled Vimala Aunty in making a stupid sugarfree latte while she was leaving for the day. But Vimala aunty being so kind agreed to make her one. While Vishakha was drinking her latte, the cup slipped from her hand, spilling the coffee everywhere expect on her. Even my shirt got dirty. So I went inside to change, just when I heard a doorbell ring. And you know the rest of the story.""Is that really what happened?"I asked.He bobbed his head, up and down."Nia,I am sorry that I didn't stood by you when Vishakha was insulting you. I so wanted to but then I stopped myself. I was fearing if I would say or do anything bad to her, you will be disappointed in me again. Sounds selfish but I didn't want to face it anyhow."he looked guiltily at the floor as he revealed it. I slid my hands under his chin, to make him look at me."I am sorry too. I always jump to conclusions. I judge you all the time. I lash at you almost every now and then. But I promise I will trust you from now on."I shot him a sheepish look while he chuckled at me."Nia, so now that you are not mad at me anymore. Can I have the flowers you got for me?"he said while grinning from ear to ear.I was about to hand him the bouquet, I had placed on the coffee table. But an evil thought crossed my mind."These are not for you. What made you think like that?"His smile had now dropped and he looked serious. "And who they are for? May I know." I saw curiosity peeking out from his eyes."They are for someone, about whom I care a lot."I said looking affectionately at the flowers as I picked them up from the table."Do I know him?"he asked trying to dig out more information. But I wasn't going to give him any, that easily. "No. He is someone who is very very special to me."I said plopping on the couch."Do I know him?"he questioned. "Yes, you do."I replied."What's his name?"he now looked a bit frustrated to me."He has a nice name but I prefer calling him pinky."I smirked as I looked at the scowl on his face. Was he jealous? "I am gonna find out that pinky and wait....You nicknamed me pinky."he said as the realisation dawned on him. In the next instant, bouquet was snatched from my hand by him. He looked at the flowers while his smile kept growing wider and wider."I hope you liked them. I couldn't by you anything fancy on such short notice."I said examining his face."I love it. Thank you."he replied in excited manner. He inhaled the scent of flowers, bringing it closer to his nose."I am so sorry I didn't even ask if you would like to have anything. What would you have?"he asked suddenly.You. I would love to have you by my side for the rest of my life. Cliché isn't it?"No thanks. I should leave now. I am late."I told him. He shot me a sad look in response."I thought I would eat choco-chip-oreo ice-cream tub with you."He said shooting me an innocent look.I follow three things very religiously.1. Don't sacrifice your sleep. 2. Don't answer violence with violence. And3. Don't ever say no to ice-cream when someone offers it to you. It's very rude thing to do.Paap lagta hain yaar."Okay. I will stay to eat the ice-cream and then I leave."I stated in decisive manner.He shook his head vigorously in agreement and hastily made his way to refrigerator in his open kitchen.I gazed at the clock which showed the time as seven past forty five. Veena aunty already knew I was busy with the fest preparations so she wouldn't be worrying about me. Still I called her to inform that I was at my friend's place and it would take me some more time to return home. As I ended up the call, Aaruj came out from the kitchen area, holding the big tub in his hand. He sat on the sofa beside me. He opened the ice cream tub, offering me a spoon. Soon we started devouring the dessert. I was eating mostly while he kept taking very small amount of ice-cream on his spoon and rarely touched it to his lips. I could tell he wasn't big fan of ice-creams from the way he was eating it. "Don't laugh at me."I warned him angrily as I caught him staring at me with a wide smile."You are literally wolfing down that ice-cream. I can't help but laugh."he said through faint chuckles."Don't laugh or the goddess of ice-creams would be so infuriated by you."I warned him faking seriousness."Oh really. I didn't know there was one in the first place. And how do it is a goddess and not god." He asked curiously. "Cause I am a girl and I worship ice-cream and there must be plenty of other girls too. So there has to be an ice-cream goddess and not god because most of the boys don't like ice-cream."I enlightened Aaruj."You and your imagination, Miss Tantrum."he taunted me mischievously, earning himself a glare."So tell me do you like ice-cream?"I questioned trying to prove my point. "No."he admitted."Then why do you have it in your refrigerator?"I asked him out of curiosity. "It is Warren's."he answered nonchalantly. I almost choked on the ice-cream I was eating. I looked at the tub which was now almost empty. I felt guilty. Soon I snapped at Aaruj"Why didn't you tell mai fisssdst?" "What did you say?"he shot me a confused look."Ma tongue has frazzzen due to ice-cdeam."I tried talking normal but I hardly could. I shouldn't have ate it so chilled.He laughed at my situation while I blabbered about how aweful I felt after almost finishing poor warren's ice-cream."We had gone to groccery shopping the other day, whole gang. As Vimala aunty wasn't well and couldn't go herself to buy groceries. So we bought all the household items for me. Warren bought this Ice-cream tub. He forgot to take it home. So it has been in the refrigerator for a week now."he talked in a very casual way.This made me angry. I kept staring at him till he got tired of my gaze."For god's sake Nia. We are talking about Warren here. He must have forgotten about the ice-cream by now. What's the big deal?"I looked away while crossing my arms. Soon he gave up"Fine, I will buy him another ice-cream tub.""Good boy."I commented and placed spoonful of the remaining ice-cream on his nose. It dripped down from his nose to his chin. He glared at me, while wiping the ice-cream with his t-shirt sleeve.I sprang to my feet and ran away from him as far as possible. He was now chasing me around. My stomach started hurting so much due to the running and laughing. However I didn't stop. I kept running around the sofa. But soon I was trapped in the corner of room as I couldn't match his stamina. He was a sportsman after all.He neared me in two big strides. I kept looking for my enroute to escape while he closed the distance between us. He was about to grab me by arms. But I bent down and escaped away. He groaned in disappointment. I stuck out my tongue at him, as I stood on the vacant place between sofa and nearby wall.He again started chasing me and we kept circling the sofa, round and round. Suddenly Aaruj yelped in pain"Aah! Damn sofa."His voice made me stop in my tracks. I saw him clutching his right leg with his hand. He looked in utter pain as he kept wincing every now and then.I ran upto him and placed my hand on his shoulder."Did you hurt the same leg again?"He looked up at me. He had a devilish grin plastered on his face. "This was a trick. You cheater."I accused him."Wow.You are so clever but now it's too late. Ha ha ha." He laughed dramatically. He held my wrist and extended his other free arm by my side to tickle me. And soon a childish idea crossed my mind. I bit his hand, the one that was clutching my wrist. He was caught offguard due to my unexpected attack. He looked taken aback for a while, he let go of my hand."Gawd! What are you?a kid? You bit me."I shot him a sheepish smile and replied"Duffer, I didn't bite you I made you a watch. Ta
Da... Look this is a dial."
I pointed at the circular mark my teeth had left on his wrist.He shot me a disbelieving look."Are you nuts?""You are so ungrateful. I made you a watch and you are not even thanking me."I pouted looking at him.He shot me a full glare in response. This made me burst into fits of laughter. I guess it was enough to make him more angry. He took advanced steps in my direction and I kept stepping back till my back touched the wall. Now I was trapped between him and the wall. He placed his hands on the wall, making sure I don't escape away again.When I saw his angry face, I broke into a fits of laughter again. He scowled at me"What's so funny?""You so remind me of Sam right now. He had the same expressions on his face when Nikki and I...."I couldn't complete the sentence as I chuckled at my own story."Did you bit him too? Poor him."Aaruj sympathised. "He isn't innocent. He started it. One day when we were playing in Samar's backyard, he told us he had learnt a new magic trick. He could produce a
watch from thin air. We were so curious to see him doing that. He instructed Nikki and me to close our eyes. When we did what he had asked for,he bit our hands one by one. So we took our revenge by doing the same to him. He started crying like a baby after that."I told him with smile creeping across my face. "Oh! So Samar is the one behind your abnormal behaviour."he concluded. I slapped his arm and fidgetated in his hold"Aaruj, let me go.""Not until I get my revenge."he stated stubbornly. Finally I gave in,"Fine. Here is my hand. Bite it. And we will be even". I stuck out my hand in front of him. He held it and brought it closer to his mouth. As he opened it,looking up at me. I closed my eyes shut, expecting his teeth to penetrate my hand. However I felt something soft brush my knuckles. I opened my eyes instantly. I saw him planting another kiss on my knuckles. I blushed furiously at his gesture. My body was trembling due to his touch. My heart was another story. It kept pounding back and forth like a swing.He closed the gap between us. Now our faces were inches apart. He leaned in and whispered something in my ear which made my breath hitch"You are too cute to harm." I felt a rush of shiver passing down my spine when his breath fanned on my neck.He pulled away a little,though his gaze was still fixed on my face. My reflection never looked so pretty before as it looked in his beautiful eyes. It felt like a dream. Everything was perfect. Soon he spoke again breaking the comfortable silence between us."I wanted to tell you something since a long time.""What?"I asked in desperate voice. "I ....."he was cut off by the sound of door bell.However he didn't pay any attention to his visitor on the other side of door. He took a deep breath and spoke again"I can't keep it inside me anymore. I wanted to tell...."The continuous sound of bell interrupted his talk. He groaned looking at the door. While I did the same mentally.Now the person at the door was banging loudly. Aaruj yelled in frustration."you jerk. Wait up. I am gonna open the door. Stop banging it or I will bang your head on the same door.""You better hurry up, lover boy or I will break it."a familiar voice boomed through faint chuckles. I gaped in horror as I realised who it was standing behind the door of Aaruj's apartment. It was Rehan.
When Aaruj was reaching for the doorknob, I stopped him. He shot me a confused look. He was about to protest but I gestured him to keep quite."Let me hide first."I whispered to him.
"Why?"he questioned while looking at me like I had grown another head. "He was going to come in the afternoon to meet you. He had asked if I would accompany him to visit you.
I refused telling him that I was busy. What is he doing here at this hour?"I talked in the lowest possible tone."He didn't show up in the noon."Aaruj whispered back.I slammed my forhead."Oh freak! I need to hide. If he sees me here, at your house, he will tease me for eternity." I examined the living room for a better place to hide. Soon I found one. I told Aaruj to open the door when I was out of his sight. He reached for the doorknob again .
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Aaruj's POVI reached for the door as the impatient Rehan kept banging it continously. However before opening the door, I looked over my shoulder, to check on Nia. She was
Gone. What is she a super girl? May be she is one because she managed to kindle love in my stone heart. Only a supergirl can do that.I was brought back from my thought by another loud bang on the door."Damn you crazy shayar(poet)."I cursed as I opened the door. Rehan punched my arm. Then he entered inside pushing me back."What took you so long?"he asked flopping down on sofa. "I was changing."I lied. "Are you sure? Because I see an ice-cream tub here."he smirked. Then he suddenly exclaimed as he realised something."Holly molly!you ate warren's ice-cream, didn't you?" He was smiling like an idiot now."So?"I asked nonchalantly. "So. Aaruj you can eat whatever you want that belongs to Warren. But you don't eat his ice-cream. He is gonna throw a full fledged tantrum. Man!It's gonna be so entertaining."he chuckled to himself."Rehan, cut the crap. He is Warren. He would have forgotten about it by now."I spoke in confident manner. He was just acting like Nia had acted earlier. Like I had done some serious crime and I deserved the worst punishment ever."Janab, ye mehej ek ice-cream nahi Warren ki Jaan thi. (it's not just mere ice-cream it's Warren's life.) He said dramatically. "Rehan, if you want to live longer and not get murdered brutally by an aspring cricketer. You need to stop that crap shayari of yours."I warned him fisting my hand in a bowl."You won't do that. Because I know you want to know about Ni..."I cut him off before he could spill any beans, in case Nia was hiding in an earshot distance."Tu chai lega ya coffee, kamine.(what will you have tea or coffee?"I asked trying to divert the subject."Since you insist so much I will have glass of water."he smirked placing his hands under his head as he leaned back on sofa."Okay."I hurriedly turned on my heels and went to kitchen. I grabbed a bottle of cold water from the fridge.I didn't even bother to pour the water in glass and made my way to the sofa in the living.Rehan was now staring at the two spoons in his hands. Crap! I shouldn't have left the ice-tub on coffee table."Why there are two spoons when you were eating the ice cream alone?"He shot me a suspicious look. "Meri marji. (My wish)"I came up with a lame excuse. "You are acting so weird."he commented. Soon I heard a sneezing sound. It surely came from somewhere close. No way. Did she hid herself in store room? Gawd! It was so dusty.I met Rehan's eyes which were widened in confusion."Did you hear that?"he asked. "What?"I pretended to be naive. "Someone snizzed. And it felt like the sound came from somewhere close. Like in the next room."he pointed at the store room.I was nervous for a bit but then I covered it with veil of humour. "Don't daydream so much. See now you are hallucinating.""I heard it Aaruj and it was for real."He said."Whatever."I flopped on the bin bag and accompanied him in watching cricket. While our eyes were glued to the TV screen, another sneezing sound echoed in the apartment. Rehan snapped his head in my direction."Now don't say Aaruj you didn't hear that.""It was the commentrator."I came up with another stupid excuse. "You are hiding something from me,buddy. But soon I will figure out what is it."he stated with a smirk."Fine. It was me."Another lie escaped from my mouth. But he didn't look convinced with it either. "Do I have a word stupid 'inked' on my forhead?"he asked."Kuch batein likhe bina padhi ja sakati hain,dil ki ankhon se.(Somethings doesn't required words to express, Pal)"I said dramatically. He punched my arm and said"That was so lame.You better tell me the truth this moment or be ready to get punched when I find it out myself.""I was fooling around. Here is the truth. The person who just sneezed is Mr.Jha. He lives next door. And he has some terrible allergies due to which he keeps sneezing every now and then. Poor him."I sympathised towards my imaginary neighbour."Okay."he said, buying my lame excuse.Soon a loud cry filled the silence in the living room. It had come from the store room. Before I could even react, the door of store room was flung open, revealing Nia's trembling figure.She ran upto me and flung her arms around my shoulder. Her body was still trembling. I wrapped my arms around her. I rubbed her back, trying to comfort her.I heard a coughing sound. Nia jerked away from me. Her cheeks looked tomato red,making the embarrassment evident on her face. "Mr.Jha, what made you scream?"Rehan smirked while looking at Nia."There was a lizard on an old dusty drawer,I stood by."She revealed. Soon Rehan went inside the store room, leaving me and Nia alone.I took this opportunity to talk to her" Chipkali hi to thi, kaunsa dinosaur tha jo tumhe kha jata. (It was just a Lizard. Not some dinosaur who could have eaten you.)""I would prefer hundred encounters with the dinosaur than a single with Lizard."she replied, scrunching her nose in disgust. "Nia, meet your best friend. Give her some kisses and hugs."Rehan's voice interrupted us.He was holding the lizard by it's tail and had extended his hand in front of Nia. She stepped back, screaming on top of her lungs. Soon I realised something. This lizard in Rehan's hand looked familiar. It belonged to Jay. He had bought this rubber lizard long back, just to scare me. It didn't end up as he had planned since I had figured out it was fake. I didn't know it was still in the store room."Nia, it's not real. Look it's not even moving. Come here."I extended out my hand in her direction."He is lying Nia. It's real."Rehan tried playing around, earning himself a glare from me."Do you believe me? I asked her. She looked between me and Rehan. He still was scaring her with the rubber lizard in his hand. She looked away and thought for a while. Then meeting my eyes she said"I belive you." She held my hand, stepping closer to me. Her fragile hand fitted perfectly in mine stronger one."It's not real."she realised as she had a closer look at Rehan's hand.She shot Rehan a deathly glare. Then she picked up one of the cushions from Sofa and started beating Rehan brutally. He chuckled and tried dodging her attack but he couldn't. I laughed at the duo in front of me. They always got along really well. But then suddenly, I felt something unusual churning my stomach. I felt an urge of being closer to Nia. I suddenly felt bad at the way these two got along so well.what was this feeling?"Nia, aren't you getting late?"I reminded her trying to look normal."Oh yes!I am."she exclaimed looking at the clock on the wall."Come on Nia. We just met and you are talking about leaving. Spend some time with me, I mean us."he stole a glance at me as he talked to her. What is he upto? "I can't stay. I won't get any autoriksaw or taxi if I get late."she replied. I shot Rehan a victorious look. He soon opened his mouth again"Nia, how could you even think I will let you go home on your own. What are friends for. I am going to drop you home on my scooter."She took a while to think over what Rehan had said while he waited for her answer. I was shipping her not to go with him. But the worst happened, she agreed. Making Rehan shoot a victorious look at me again. Now he will rub it in my face. Some best friend he is.Don't get me wrong. I like Rehan. He is one of my best friend but then he sometimes takes advantage of it and gets on my nerve. Like right now.I stole a glance at Rehan and Nia who were now sitting on the sofa and talking to each other about the college fest. As I sat on the fluffy chair, I tried to listen to their conversation. They were now talking about the poetry competition in which Rehan was going to participate the next day. I tried to stir a conversation but soon failed as the topic they discussed was not my cup of tea."Have you read that shayari(poem) from Ghalib. What was the starting. ...ummm. phir dil hai bekarar....how can I forget?"Nia stressed on her memory but gave up soon."I remember it. It's my favourite."Rehan smirked. "Really?"Nia asked with a glint in her eyes.You know how I am feeling right now? like some dumb person trapped between two very intelligent people. Why the heck I don't know anything about this Ghalib fellow or any of his works either. Soon Rehan started saying a poem, which had many words that didn't register on my mind as they looked so alien to me-
"Phir kuch is Dil ko bekarari hain
Sina zoya-e-zakhm-e-kari hai
Phir jigar khodne laga nakhun
Amad-e-fasal-e-lalkari hain
Phir usi bewafa pe marte hain
Phir wohi jindagi humari hain
Bekhudi besabab nahi Ghalib
Kuch toh hain jis ki pardadari hain"
Once more, my heart a restless rhythm beats
Once more, my bosom fresh wounds seekOld wounds begin to run red a new
To lend this spring's flower their hueThis heart yearns for that torment once more
That life, long past, calls an encoreThis blissful state, Ghalib, some hidden cause implies
There must be something that undisclosed lies.]"And that one which is something like this -
Dil hi to hain, na Sang-o-khist
Dard se bhar aye na kyun
Royenge hum hazar baar
Koi hume sataye kyun"
It's only my heart, not a stone or brick
Why shouldn't it overcome with pain
I will cry thousand times
Why should one torment(stop) me.]She stated in her melodious voice.I hate poems. I can never relate to any. But when Nia dictated it, it felt so nice."What happened Aaruj? Why are you so quiet."Nia asked bringing me back from my train of thoughts."Nothing. Can you say any others poem of Ghalib. I am really intrigued."I said giving her a small smile. "Wah yaar. Tune mujhe to kabhi shayari sunane ko nahi kaha meri. (Wow. You never insisted on hearing any shayari from me.)"Rehan said sarcastically. "Because your poems are horrible."with this,I did what I always did. I pulled out the hairband from his hair, making his silky hair fall on his shoulder. He shot me a full glare, while I laughed at him."Your hair are really nice."Nia complimented him. He shot her a cheeky smile in response. "Look they are so soft."he reached out to grab her hand. She looked startled for a bit but then let him hold it. He was now holding her hand, making her touch his hair. I glowered at Rehan while he pretended to be the most innocent person on the earth."Your hair is pretty too. Keep them open. You look so beautiful in them."Rehan complimented her, making her smile. That was totally my line. I was going to tell her that right after I gather some courage to tell her how much I love her. Rehan had to come and spoil my chance. "Don't you guys have any better topics to dicuss?"I said in an irated manner.This earned me a questioning look from both of them."Oh! We are so sorry. I know you have short hair like some school kid. You must be jealous."Rehan spoke in a mock serious tone."Go to hell, Rehan."I yelled at him in frustration.Rehan bent closer to Nia and whispered something in her ear. She shook her head for no, while bursting into fits of laughter. "C'mon. It would be so much fun."Rehan added with a mischievous
smile. In the next instant, Rehan got up and looked at me."Kya aap apne balo se naraj hain?(Are you unhappy with the way your hair are?)" He was talking like some struggling model cum tele-represantative. Those commercial are so idiotic. He continued his drama"Agar haaan, toh dosto aap ke liye hum ek chamatkari tel leker aaye hain. Jiska naam hain'Baal baal ugaye'(If yes. We have brought a miraculous oil for you called'Baal baal ugaye')". He smiled and then gestured at Nia to join him. Unsurprisingly she joined him in his stupid act."Humare darshak aaj studio mein maujood hain. Inse puchenge ke inhe humara tel kaisa laga.(One of our customer is present in the studio. Let's ask her how our product has changed her life.) "he faked seriousness as he signaled Nia to talk. But she was busy in laughing at my irated face. It's so easy to get lost in the sound of her melodious laugh. Her smile is the best thing in the world, so natural and pure.Finally she decided to speak"Ye product toh kamal hain. Jabse maine isse lagaya hain,meri zindagi hi badal gayi hain. Mere baal itne chamkile ho gaye hain ke muze log durse hi pehchan lete hain. Meri zindagi ab assan Ho gayi hain. Ab mein char deewaro me chup kar nahi baithti.(This oil is so magical. My life has changed drastically the moment I started using it. My hair has become so shiny that people recognise me from miles away. I don't have to hide anymore from social events.)"I kept staring at them with a scowl on my face. Out of all the people in the world, I get to deal with the most dramatic bunch of people.I sighed and looked at the two drama queens in front of me. While they kept singing some stupid jingle, Rehan had made.
"Baal baal ugaye Lambe baal dilaye.Baal itne pyare Ho ke sab jal-bhun jaye Ye to kammal hain."
[ Translation:It grows hair. It makes them longer. Your hair become so beautiful that everyone becomes jealous. This works wonders.]************************************
Nia's POVRehan and I rolled in laughter after watching Aaruj's priceless expression. Our stupid commercial had definitely ticked him off. He was pulling his hair as we kept singing the jingle again and again. After our mouth started hurting so much, we decided to leave Aaruj's place.He opened the door for us and let us out of the apartment. Rehan was the first one to walk out. Just when I was about to follow his suit, Aaruj stopped me."Nia, I want to tell you something."he looked into my eyes. "What?"I asked impatiently. "I missed you."he replied with a smile."That's so bad because I didn't."I lied throwing him a monalisa smile.He reached out for something in my hair. Soon he removed the small clutcher from my hair, letting my loose them fall on my shoulder. "Rehan is right. You do look beautiful in open hair."he added with a smirk. "What is taking you so long Nia? Are you guys kissing?"Rehan yelled as he waited for me near the elevator. I blushed furiously at the mention of a kiss while Aaruj stood awkwardly, looking at the floor.Rehan's voice again echoed outside the apartment"Ishq par jor nahin hai ye wo aatish Ghalib, jo lagaye na lage, bujhaye na bujhe.(love can't be controlled, it's that wildfire which can neither start up easily nor stop.)""Crazy shayar."we both remarked in unison.
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A/N: The title credit of the chapter and the first two poems (shayari) and sher at the end belong to Ghalib. I do not own the copyrights of any of his work mentioned in chappy.Ever read Ghalib's work? They are so great. some of the shers are also used in movies.How was the chapter? You might feel,'is she crazy' while reading the it and that's okay cause my ideas wander off to crazyland sometimes.:p Anyone here scared of lizard?I hate them. No offense to any animal lovers.xD.Ever made watch on anyone's wrist? My
brother used to do it when we were kids. Siblings I tell ya.Can anyone suggest me what kinda cake should I order for my nephew's birthday. Cause my lil darling has given this opportunity to me. Since he likes fish I was thinking of ordering Nimo cake. (:p It's not only his wish. ...I sort of love that movie.xD)
But if you have any other good suggestion, feel free to share.
*Sorry the chappy is unedited.*
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☆¤¤¤¤Happy holidays if you have any coming your way.¤¤¤¤☆
For me, it's all work no play:(
Ciao.
~daydreamero9~
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