In the quaint little area named Araville, a girls' hostel stood like a watchful guardian, its walls echoing with whispers and laughter. Nestled between a fast food outlet and a quaint little coffee shop, this hostel was largely comfortable for its residents.
Payal inhaled deeply as she watched the hostel.
"And your total is Rs 350, madame!" The rickshaw driver said as she finished unloading two hefty bags.
Payal met the warden and was ushered inside by some girls, one of who was Tanya.
"Come on in, girl. Make yourself comfortable!" She said.
"Sure!" Payal said, settling on her bed. "Please tell me about this place."
As night gave way to morning, Payal heard a gentle purr of a motorbike in front of the hostel. Her window being closest, she was able to hear the sounds of traffic from outside better than others. Wondering who would come to their hostel so early, being a Saturday, she peeked out. The first rays of the sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, and a lovely red bike stood coolly by the shade. A tall, young man with dark hair and a clean-shaven face stood casually by the bike. There was something about his calm and composed smile. He wore a green shirt with stripes and cream pants. And as the watchman noticed him, he nodded with a smile.
"Payal? What's wrong?" Tanya asked suddenly, noticing her by the window.
"Who is he?" Payal asked.
Tanya looked outside, "Oh, him?
"Yeah. Who is he?" Payal asked.
"Shh! First, watch him and the head girl closely!" Tanya said. Payal watched as a confident-looking girl stepped out and promptly took her seat behind the boy as he zoomed off. The hostel residents had begun peeking through curtains and over balconies as the bike disappeared around the corner.
"Riya and Aarav!" Tanya gave an exaggerated sigh, her eyes wide as saucers. "The mysterious couple of our college! He doesn't study at our college, and we know nothing about him!"
"Why don't you ask Riya?" Payal enquired. "I assume that's how you know the boy's name?"
"That's the funny part, isn't it?" Yukti stepped in, "Sorry for bothering you, Tanya. I just need your towel."
"Go on. What are friends for?" Tanya said.
"What's funny?" Payal asked Yukti.
"What? Oh, that? Riya meets Aarav only on Saturdays. She does not bring him up on other days. We hear her calling his name when they meet. He does not study in our coll..." Yukti's voice was cut off as her phone buzzed.
"Uh, oh. Catch up with you later." She said and left.
"Maybe when he comes tomorrow, we can find out?" Payal asked.
"We never see him on any other day - only Saturdays!" Tanya said. "Leave that. Let's take you to this cafe today! Get dressed soon!"
As the setting sun cast long shadows over the road, Payal swiped through the selfies on her phone that they had taken at the cafe when she heard the gentle purr of a motorbike in front of the hostel again. She walked over to her window to see Riya getting down from the bike. It seemed like Aarav nodded as Tanya waved at him.
"There! I can see them!!" She said excitedly before Tanya could stop her.
Riya looked up, embarrassed.
Aarav, on the other hand, coolly waved at the window and went away.
As Payal made new friends, she could hear one common whisper—the forbidden romance between Riya and Aarav. Swirling like autumn leaves in the wind and fluttering like butterflies, everyone seemed interested in what Riya and Aarav did on Saturdays and why they dedicated a whole day to being with each other while not talking about each other on other days.
Each conspiracy theory was wilder than the next.
"Maybe she and Aarav are secretly engaged!" Meera said to the amusement of her cronies.
"But why only Saturdays?" Praveen questioned.
"Who knows, buddy? Maybe he gets time off only on Saturdays?" Abhay shrugged.
Payal stared as everyone kept coming up with the wildest of fillers to explain the obvious gaps - ranging from speculating about Riya and Aarav's activities on Saturdays to whether they were pretending not to be in a relationship. It wasn't difficult for Payal to believe them as well.
________________________________________
Payal's college stood as a beacon of dreams and youthful aspirations, not in Araville, but in Lexingville - the neighbouring area. As the new academic year wore on, the students were faced with assignments and exams.
A week before the exams began, Praveen had a nervous breakdown. He dropped his bag and books and began sobbing, "Please! Let me go home!!"
It wasn't until Abhay and a few others made him sit and breathe deeply that he calmed down. Mr. Sooraj suggested that he drink some water and lie down for some time. While Praveen began getting hyper, Abhay agreed with the teacher and took Praveen to the boys' hostel. This entire incident had taken up half of the period, and the sighing teacher dismissed the class.
As Payal walked with Navya, Meera, and Tanya to the girls' hostel, a rickshaw stood in front of the hostel. Being the tallest of the lot, Tanya looked ahead to see who it was.
"What happened, Tanya?" Navya asked.
"Shh! For the first time, Aarav is inside our hostel!!" Tanya said with wide eyes.
"What?!" Payal exclaimed.
Radhika stepped out of the hostel just as the rickshaw left, and the girls cornered her.
"I saw everything, obviously!" Radhika confirmed as if the other girls were dimwits. Using her photographic memory and a way of exaggerating stories, Radhika sighed, "You know, he came over in a rickshaw and carried her in his arms all the way into her room!! Come, let's see what they're up to!"
And so, the girls quickly moved to the door of Riya's room. Payal peeked through the keyhole as Meera claimed the slightly open door. Payal could see Riya's head against Aarav's chest as he laid her on the bed.
"Do you - do you mind staying for a while?" Payal heard Riya's weak voice.
"Your friends are talking behind your back. You always said you don't like..." Payal could hear Aarav for the first time.
"I don't care this time!! I need someone - and you're a better choice than a lot of them!" Riya said, and suddenly exclaimed loud and clear, "WHO'S THERE?"
"Ouch!" Payal rubbed her nose.
"Sorry! But Riya found out that we were listening. So, I shut the door with a snap!" Navya apologized. "Did you see how he gently placed her on the bed?"
"What are the odds that they're kissing behind the shut doors?" Meera said.
Tanya giggled, "Completely agree!! There was a letter hidden in Riya's library book yesterday!"
"Really? And you didn't even tell us!" Navya said, astonished.
"I didn't think much of it until now." Tanya shrugged.
It wasn't until an hour later before Aarav left in the midst of curious and silent onlookers.
________________________________________
The doctor had advised Praveen to take up meditation as a way to calm his nerves. Suggestions included them playing cricket as well as having a drink in the middle of the night with them.
"Listen to music!" Gaurav said.
"Metal music!!" Vikram declared.
"Hell no! I mean soft, melodious tunes!!" Gaurav's retort was sharp.
"Guys, he just needs a distraction!" Meera suddenly declared. "Do you think Riya and Aarav would've proposed by now?"
"Eh?" Praveen looked confused. "You mean that guy who comes to your hostel every Saturday?"
"That's him!" Navya confirmed. "Oh, you don't know. He had come into our hostel the other day!"
And the story of the previous day travelled like wildfire across the college.
________________________________________
The end of the theory exams in the first semester of the academic year brought a sense of relief to the college. It being a Friday evening, Payal accompanied Kavya, a senior, along with some other girls to the famous temple of the area. The fragrance of incense delighted their nostrils.
"This is the temple!" Kavya said.
"Why was Meera so adamant about me going this evening, though?" Payal wondered amidst the soft murmur of prayers.
"Because this deity is said to give special blessings on Friday evenings! And we usually have classes on most Fridays, so we don't come here every Friday." Kavya explained as the temple bells tolled, echoing through the serene dusk.
As Payal shut her eyes to concentrate on prayer, another girl from their group squealed suddenly, "Look!"
Irritated, Kavya turned to rebuke her but stood still instead. The sudden silence made Payal open her eyes in curiosity as she beheld Riya ahead of the queue. She stood side by side with none other than Aarav! From Payal's viewpoint, it seemed like Aarav had bent and taken vermilion from the Aarathi plate. But, he seemed to pause momentarily and look back at Riya. Payal heard giggles from her gang as Aarav took vermilion and put some of it on Riya's forehead.
Riya opened her eyes and made to move when she slipped. But before gravity could claim its due, Aarav's steady arms caught her. The moment their eyes met, time seemed to pause, and the girls watching couldn't help but flee, unable to contain the excitement.
"So sweet! They're deepening their bond in the sanctity of the temple!" Kavya sighed.
"God bless them! I can't wait to hear of the wedding!" Another girl said.
"Wedding?" Payal asked the girl, surprised.
"It's inevitable at this point!" She giggled.
When she returned, Riya spoke to nobody. The following morning, she emerged from her room looking morose. The boy and his bike were conspicuously absent.
"Alas! What kind of twist!" Meera sighed.
"You sure they did not break up or something at the temple?" Radhika asked, worry etched on her forehead.
Navya came in with Kavya just then, "She is muttering to herself in her room - Riya. Something has happened to... him."
Sure enough, Riya paced her room, her heart heavy with worry. Her hands fidgeted, and her mind raced as she muttered anxiously, "God! I hope he is okay! Hope nothing has happened!"
"Aarav is ill!" Tanya declared.
"Impossible! We saw him at the temple last evening! He was fit as a fiddle!" Kavya said.
"That doesn't mean he can't fall ill soon after!" Navya protested.
"He must be terribly injured." Payal chimed in. A solemn silence followed. The hostel was rife with speculation. Concerned faces peeked from behind doors, questions hung in the air, unanswered. The Saturday that had always brought joy and anticipation now brought a cloud of uncertainty.
The whole weekend went by with no news as Riya paced the walls up and down, even breaking down once.
It wasn't until Wednesday afternoon, a half day for the students, that Aarav turned up by the hostel gates again. Riya, who hadn't left her room since morning even to attend college, ran out and gave him a fierce hug.
"Is everything okay?" Aarav asked as he and Riya broke apart.
"Yes, now it is!!" Riya cried, swiping at her eyes.
As the sun set on a day marked by silence and whispers, Riya seemed to talk tirelessly with Aarav under the boughs of the old banyan tree.
"Finally!" Navya exclaimed.
"The two hearts that reunited after a trial of separation!" Anagha swiped at a faked tear running down her cheek.
Riya took Aarav away from the sight of the hostel inmates by then, so they reluctantly dispersed from their spots for the evening.
"Guys, let's go for dinner." Kavya came in, only for Meera to say, "That stuff was spicier than the bland hostel food!"
"What are your plans for the New Year?" Payal asked, changing the topic as the girls went to their rooms.
________________________________________
Come February, Lexingville's much-awaited annual fest was held amid a spectacle of lights and laughter. Rehearsals had begun in late January itself. Students were more interested in choosing outfits to wear for the fest than the actual classes, and even the teachers preferred marking important topics rather than fruitlessly trying to discipline or teach.
With their exams in early April, this fest was a last chance for teachers and students alike to let down their hair and have a break from the routine revision. The entire college was decorated in a kaleidoscope of colours for this fest.
Having done her shopping over the weekend, Payal walked in with grace on the day of the event. Just as she was about to get into the quadrangle, a pair of hands grabbed her away from the centre.
"Make way for the grand pair!!" Somebody hissed at a frightened Payal. When she turned, she saw Aarav and Riya, dressed in vibrant red, making their way into the college and, subsequently, the quadrangle. They entered the venue hand in hand. None of the colours or the extravagance seemed to interest Aarav more than Riya's stunning face. Riya seemed to forget her teachers and fellow students as she got lost in Aarav's wide eyes.
"I told you they've proposed!!" Meera punched the air as though she had just won Gold for the nation.
"I agree! Look how they only have eyes for each other!" Tanya whispered.
The nerd from the library, who was never part of any of the gossip groups, looked on with wonder, "The red they wear is not just a color—it is a statement, a declaration of passion!!"
This made Meera giggle and jump excitedly, "I am not the Queen-of-gossip girl of the college for nothing!"
Meanwhile, being unaware of anything but enjoying the performances as the night unfolded, with music and laughter filling the air, Riya and Aarav approached the chairs.
"Make yourself comfortable, Aarav." Riya said, taking her seat.
"I have to admit, I was nervous about coming here, but this... this is something else." Aarav sat beside her. Someone whistled behind them.
"Uh, what was that? Anyways, the music's already got my foot tapping!" Aarav said.
Riya chuckled with delight, "Tonight's about enjoying all the fest has to offer."
A group of students performed a popular play, another student performed a break-dance, and a third student entertained them with a trendy song.
Meera walked up onto stage just then, amidst fresh cheers and applause.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Let's make this a memorable night, shall we?" Meera declared as though signing an execution warrant.
"I don't think Meera is the stage host!" Riya's eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"Who cares! Let's just take a break." Aarav yawned. He was too relaxed for Riya to try and investigate.
"Are you telling me you wish to sleep?" Riya laughed at Aarav.
Aarav made a mock, angry face as Meera cleared her throat on the mike. Everybody's attention was on her.
"I will call you at random, and you'll come over to the stage and dance!" Meera said with a twinkle in her eyes.
The applause and cheers reverberated around the walls, shaking the very foundation of the college building.
"Tanmay and Radhika!!" Meera called the first couple.
Scores of people cheered and jumped. With a blush, Radhika led the introverted Tanmay onto the stage as Meera got ready to call the next couple.
"Krissh and Janaki!!" Meera winked at the second couple.
Janaki, the introvert, buried her face in her hands. With a laugh, Krissh took her onto the stage and looked around eagerly. Janaki overcame her shyness and stood beaming.
"Hmm, let's see! Some of you have brought in new faces today!" Meera said, causing Riya's heart to skip a beat.
But before she could do anything, Meera bellowed into the mike, "Here comes RIYA AND..."
Riya was shocked, but it wasn't the end. The crowd completed the sentence with a loud voice, cheers, and applause, "AARAV!!"
Taken aback, Aarav sunk deeper into his chair, wishing he could just vanish into thin air. Riya looked outraged as she tried to soothe him.
"Aarav, it will be fine. There's been a mistake, that is all!" Riya assured him, but her own voice seemed to lack conviction.
Now, even Tanmay, Radhika, Janaki, and Krissh were staring and pointing at them. Riya knew Aarav was scared. She herself was feeling sorry and embarrassed.
A pale-faced Aarav stared at an increasingly reddening Riya as the crowd got to its feet - patting Aarav's back and prodding him forward, and holding Riya's hand and back and ushering her onto the stage, as Meera continued announcing into the mike "RIYA AND AARAV!!"
As she and Aarav got onto the stage, Riya found the perfect opportunity to confront Meera.
"Why would you do this?" Riya growled.
Meera laughed, "Oops! Did the head girl think her scandal won't get exposed?"
"You wait until I... Hey, come back here!! Where are you going?" Riya growled as Meera shifted to the sidelines. Riya could hear Aarav and the others on the stage now.
"It will be okay. Just look into her eyes, and you'll forget everything, buddy. Welcome to our college!" Tanmay winked.
"Go on, Riya!! We all knew it! You two!!" Janaki cheered.
A pale-faced Aarav and a red-faced Riya could only grunt helplessly as the crowd roared, "AARAV AND RIYA! AARAV AND RIYA!"
"Maybe it isn't that bad." Krissh said. "Everyone is encouraging you, buddy. No one is your enemy here."
"We start after you and Aarav!!" Radhika prodded Riya's back.
As the evening wore on, Aarav and Riya held hands and performed a few steps out of obligation. This made the day of the entire college, even though Aarav was shivering and stumbling, while Riya was trying to hide most of the errors from the audience.
"I - I have to leave!" Aarav said as the fest had wound down to a close.
"Just like that?" Riya questioned, the echoes of music and laughter fading into the night.
"Y - Yes!" Aarav gulped heavily.
"Please, don't leave on an empty stomach! Eat! You will feel better!" Riya's concern outweighed any embarrassment she felt due to the events of the evening. She watched satisfactorily as Aarav took a plate of food.
"You can see her holding his hand!" Payal pointed out from where she, Meera, and some others were standing in the shadows.
"They'll spend the rest of the evening together!!" Meera rubbed her hands in delight.
Barely ten minutes later, Aarav rushed to the college gates. Riya caught up with him, her eyes brimming with tears. They stood under the stars, oblivious to the world around them.
"Aarav, I have no idea when, where, how, and who started all this!! I am so sorry!"
Aarav took a few deep breaths as a first-year passed by. "I don't like crowds, Riya. I don't blame you, obviously, but tonight is unforgettable."
From the shadows, a hurried voice called out to the first-year, unheard by Aarav and Riya.
He paused, confused. When he located the source of the whispers, he hurried to stand in front of Vani.
"What are those two talking about, Rahul?" Vani prodded in a hushed voice.
With wide and innocent eyes, having heard only half of what Aarav had said, Rahul opened up, "The guy tells the head girl that the night is unforgettable."
"Okay, okay, now you go." Tanya said.
"Meera, look!" Vani pointed out as Tanya dismissed Rahul.
Meera and her cohorts turned back to witness a scene straight out of a romance novel—an expression of forbidden love.
"Please tell me what I can do to make this better." Riya sobbed. "The guilt is killing me!"
"No, don't beat yourself up!" Aarav said.
Meera and the others celebrated until late that night. Hundreds of snaps were taken, and thousands of mouths began speaking of a non-existent love story. Or did it exist all along, just hidden?
________________________________________
When the whispers of a 'forbidden love' between Riya and Aarav reached the ears of their families via social media and from college and hostel authorities, a wave of concern and curiosity swept through both sets of parents. In the distinctly noisy cafe, sitting in a private corner, the two apprehensive families assembled. The air was tense with unspoken fears and worries. Pleasantries were exchanged but in a business-like way amidst the clinking of coffee cups and the murmur of conversations.
"Please, sit down."
"After you, please."
An awkward pause was interrupted by Riya's mother, her voice sharp as a knife's edge. "We've been hearing stories, Riya. Stories that don't befit the daughter we raised. What kind of company are you keeping?"
"Our son was raised well. We should be asking what kind of company he has been keeping instead!" Aarav's mother stepped in.
"We've done nothing wrong, Mom." Aarav began.
Aarav's father held up a hand, "Since when did you begin attending fests, Aarav? You've never shown any interest in college fests before."
"Aarav has never been to a college fest party, until recently, Uncle. For which I asked him to dress in his best clothes and enjoy looking around!" Riya clarified.
"But to go dressed in matching colors? It sends a certain message, doesn't it?" Aarav's mother questioned.
"That is on me, Aunty. I suggested the color theme." Riya said.
"We decided to wear red for the event as friends. We just wanted to enjoy the festivity as friends." Aarav said.
"What had happened that day when Riya was injured? The hostel warden said that this boy had gone into the hostel!" Riya's mother demanded.
"My ankle had swollen because I had suffered a terrible fall. Aarav here was kind enough to help me settle in my room!" Riya protested.
"I was just helping her, that's all. Fetching things from the top cupboard for the children is always challenging! Such accidents are bound to happen! But, I assure you, nothing else happened that day!" Aarav promised.
"Helping her into her room? In a girls' hostel? What will people think?" Riya's father was red in the face.
"How could you let this happen, Riya?" Riya's mother demanded.
"Oh, God! I told you not to send my son so far away! You never listen to me!!" Aarav's mother began sobbing. "My baby has gotten into so much trouble!"
"He will have to run our family business in the future! Getting practical experience away from home is a good idea! That is why I sent him here! How would I know... this would happen?" Aarav's father demanded.
"I trust only a few people, Mom, Dad. Aarav is one of those few!" Riya said. "Aunty, please don't cry. Your son has never done anything that should upset you."
"Nor has your daughter, Aunty." Aarav promised.
Riya's father seemed to be in fury, and Riya's mother shook her head.
"Really, there's nothing inappropriate about my friendship with Aarav, Dad! Our Saturdays at the orphanage are about helping others, not... whatever people are saying." Riya chimed in.
"We share a common purpose - to help the less fortunate souls. Nothing else." Aarav explained.
"We are friends, Mom. Like you and Rukmini Aunty!" Riya implored.
"Rukmini and I have been friends for years!!" Riya's mother defended.
"Exactly! Aarav and I have been friends ever since we met at the orphanage while doing community service." Riya said.
"Your mother and Rukmini are both women." Riya's father frowned.
"That has nothing to do with Aarav's and my friendship, Dad." Riya said.
"So be it! But shouldn't the two of you have thought about how your actions look to others?" Aarav's father said, rubbing his temple. "Aarav, you cannot simply walk into a ladies' hostel!"
"Exactly, you should have called one of your friends from outside! You could've thanked Aarav and sent him home while your friends took you inside!" Riya's mother said.
"And if such is the case, why the secrecy?" Riya's father demanded. "And what's with your choices of Saturdays?"
"Aarav, you were sent to the city for some hands-on experience in sales. Do not forget that you have a company back home to run!"
Riya sighed, "Dad, it's not secrecy. It's about privacy. We wanted to do something meaningful without drawing attention."
"I am not wasting my time in the city, Dad. I spend five days a week gaining on-the-floor sales experience. It is on the weekend that I have free time. And Saturdays happen to be the only days the orphanage needs volunteers. I dedicate Sundays to taking rest."
"Exactly. I finish my assignments on Sundays only." Riya said. "Some assignments get carried away into the weekend."
"Apparently, you both keep missing each other!! Your warden says you were particularly upset back in December because Aarav wasn't home!" Riya's father had been thinking deeply.
"December? That was an urgent family matter, and I'm afraid that's personal!" Aarav's father said.
Riya's parents looked at each other and heaved a sigh of relief.
"My absence had nothing to do with Riya. I didn't even know about her, or..." Aarav paused, unsure of whether to continue.
"You- you were suffering from high fever, Dad! Aarav had no idea of this. How could I not be worried and upset? Don't you trust me?" Riya said, her eyes filling up.
"I trust my daughter and her judgment, dear. But do think of what people have been saying!" Riya's father shook his head.
"People are talking rubbish behind our backs!" Riya's mother said, exchanging looks with Aarav's mother. "We might believe you! But people have gone to the extent of creating non-existent things just for drama!"
There was a heavy silence as the shadows cast by the setting sun grew longer. More and more customers entered and exited as the waiters made haste to collect orders.
"Bill, please." Aarav's father said. "Divide it into two."
"Anything else, sir?" The waiter asked.
"No, get the bills soon." Riya's father said, followed by silence as the waiter hurried.
Aarav's father broke the silence in a firm voice, "Aarav, hand in your resignation for the sales job right away. It's time you take over the family business back in our native!"
Aarav lifted his head, eyes widening. "Dad?"
Aara began imploring, "This city is amazing, Dad. I still haven't visited the Grand Lake. I've been saving money to go there once..."
"With my daughter?" Riya's father cut across. "No way!! Riya will not go with you anywhere!"
"No! I wanted to go alone!" Aarav protested.
"You can go there anytime you want. But for now, you will come with us!" Aarav's father said in a tone of finality. Aarav bent his head amid Riya's sniffles.
Looking across the table, Aarav's father proudly said, "CrimsonFox Solutions boasts a huge turnover annually with over 200 employees!"
"That's wonderful!" Riya's father nodded and patted Riya's back softly, "And you, Riya, we've been looking for a groom, and we've found one."
Riya looked up in shock. Aarav stared in surprise.
"Your study here is almost over anyway. You will write your exam and come straight home." Riya's mother nodded.
"But, Mom! I was looking..." Riya started.
"My son won't be in town, dear. You'd better listen to your parents. Let's go, Aarav!" Aarav's dad said.
"Yes, yes. We will also leave now. Come, Riya! No excuses!" Riya's mother held her arm.
Riya and Aarav met eyes.
Their fates were sealed—Aarav and Riya had never anticipated such separation, much less that this was the only solution they could collectively come up with to stay away from the town's gossip.
"Can Riya and I have a word before we leave?" Aarav asked.
"We are not that heartless, son. Take your time." Aarav's father said softly, as Aarav's mother nodded encouragingly.
"By all means. We trust Riya." Riya's mother glanced at her. "Do not keep us waiting."
Riya's father checked his watch, "Hurry up."
As Aarav and Riya moved over to the side of the cafe, hidden from the view of their parents and the world, they took in each other's faces in detail for one last time.
"Hey, don't cry. I'm sure your parents would've found a nice guy for you." Aarav wiped away Riya's tears. She shook her head, "It is not that, Aarav. Why doesn't the world understand our friendship? Why are we being punished for others' sake?"
Aarav's eyes were bloodshot, as he shook his head and spoke with a thick voice, "I just know that even if we mind our business, people won't mind theirs."
"This is it, then? The end of a lovely friendship between you and me? Remember that one time you saved me from that Rahul?" Riya said, brushing away tears from Aarav's face.
"That guy who was stalking you? He wanted to date you." Aarav reminisced with a sniffle.
"Exactly! I'm not interested in relationships, and you've always stood by my side making sure no boys approach me! I still remember him pissing in his pants after you thrashed him for stalking me! You're so kind and gentle! Aarav, I'd have fallen in love with you if I was eager about dating and relationships. Lucky would be the girl who becomes your wife!" Riya wept.
"Lucky would be the man who becomes your husband, Riya. You see beyond superficial things in people and are very genuine. Frankly enough, being around you has taught me how to be around girls. I used to be very shy and awkward around girls." Aarav shrugged in an attempt to be casual.
"I don't want us to separate! You're my best friend!! How cruelly can they do this to us...?" Riya choked with tears.
Aarav pulled her closer with a sigh. Being over a head taller than her. he could easily fit her in his arms. "I know, Riya. It's just as hard and unbelievable for me to lose an amazing friend like you! I've never had a friend as close as you are to me! If I was interested in getting into a relationship, I'm sure I'd pursue no girl other than you!" He said, over her muffled sobs.
As Riya lifted her head from Aarav's chest, their eyes met. With that silent exchange, they joined their respective parents and parted ways that night.
________________________________________
As the summer holidays drew to a close, Yukti and Tanya met Payal in the hostel.
"You know, the last time anyone from the college or the hostel had seen Aarav was during the fest." Yukti said.
"And Riya was never seen after the final exam." Tanya said.
"But Riya is getting married! Her parents said that when they had come to pick Riya up on the last day of her exam!" Payal said.
"What are the odds that it is Riya and Aarav?" Meera winked as everybody giggled, completely oblivious to the full reality.
________________________________________
The End
Comments