Today both the girls Aanya and Tanya came together.

  “Good morning.” said Tanya.

  “Good morning.” I replied and also I said good morning to Aanya, She also wished me back with a soft gentle voice.

  “So Aanya here you come to see our Mr. football, remember what I told you yesterday.” Tanya said

  “Oh so he is the one, then I could be more Frank with him. Nice meeting you Mr. footballer.” Aanya said and both the girls giggled.

  “How many times do I tell you Tanya that I do have a name.” I said.

  “I know but this nickname is better. ” Tanya said.

  I smiled but my muscles twitched in such a way that it was a horrible smile.

  “Please have a seat.” I said to both of the girls.

  “ Yes of course we will. But not here we are going to sit on our seats as only 5 minutes are left for the lecture so bye see you in the break.” Tanya said.

  Both the girls smiled at me and moved from there. I also gave a smile in return.

  A sound of huge laughter came from the door of the hall. By even not looking at it I could tell that was Aarav. Now they came in the hall and they were directing towards me. Their devil faces cleared and I could swear that they were not coming with good intentions.

  “Hey Harsh. What are you doing here.” Aarav said.

  “Means? I should be here it's our class.” I said.

  “Let's bunk today.” Tanay said.

  “No of course not.” I said.

  “Yes you would.” Aarav said.

  “No I will not.” I said.

  After the lot of yes and no. Lot of promises made and lot of fight finally I lost and I had to bunk with them. I was used to of it, as already told it was a common word for me, but first time in my life I felt guilty and afraid of it. Not because of the lecture but for the reason that what impact would it leave on Aanya. I knew I had no image in her eyes till now and even she wouldn't care enough to even notice that I am missing from the class then also I was afraid.

  Chapter 11

  Outside the class we were not able to decide what to do and where to go to pass our time.

  “Let’s move out and do some site seeing we have not been anywhere together. Let Delhi know who we are.” Aarav said.

  We went to Lotus Temple and you know when friends are with you nothing could be left or saved from the commenting zone.

  “Is this a lotus temple.” Aarav said.

  “Where’s the Lotus.” He again said.

  “It has its design like it an that’s why it is called Lotus temple.” I said.

  “Oh my god I didn’t notice that.” He teased.

  “Oh! What useless you are talking.” I said.

  “No I’m not talking useless they are making world useless.” Aarav said.

  “Whatever just keep quiet and enjoy.” I said. Then we went to Aakshardham temple.

  “Are we here to only visit temples.” Aarav said.

  “There’s nothing more here.” Shashwat said.

  “Let’s hang out move here and there see some real part of the Delhi.” Aarav said.

  “There’s no time left we have our next class and the break time is also about to get over in half an hour.” I said.

  “Who said that we are going to attend the next class.” Aarav said.

  “Don’t be a fool.” I said.

  “Please we got only one day. Today let's enjoy completely.” Aarav said.

  Tanay and Shashwat also nodded. Then how could I oppose. It was fun being with them. After roaming here and there we went to a garden to relax. Being to the red fort was the funny part of all. Aarav stood on the top floor of the fort and was reciting dialogues of some super heroes. The people seeing the scene reported to the police as they thought he was attempting suicide. They left us all with a warning. Then we went to a park and decided to talk about our past.

  “So Aarav you are the biggest entertainer and the best in our group you should start I think.” I said.

  “Yes yes of course you should.” Tanay said.

  “Me there's nothing in my past you will take no interest in it so leave.” Aarav said.

  “No still we want to know.” Shashwat said.

  “What should I tell I don't know from where to begin I was born in Punjab but was grown up in Delhi. I never got love of my parents, I don't know why but from my childhood they both were busy in their jobs and handed me to a babysitter, as I grown up a little they sent me here in a Boarding school and since then I'm here, I have been searching for the answer of this question for a long time but I never got it , that why they did this to me and now I have also lost the hope. I always make everyone burst into laughter and got love from everyone, friends, teachers and all, but never from my family. Actually I don't even understand the meaning of the family. Every year everyone's parents came in the parent’s meet but not mine. They called me once a week and even in months to know whether I am alive on not. I miss the meaning of real love, I feel like crying when somebody talk of their parents that how much they care for them how much they love them. There's a smile always on my face but deep inside my heart cries.”

  I had never imagined Aarav to be so serious as he was now, his eyes were almost filled with tears and hardly he could speak anymore. Seeing his condition and listening how much pain he had suffered in life even I wanted to cry. I promised myself that I will try my best and one day will give the real happiness and the real smile back on his face. But for now there was a need of change of mood as all of us went in silent mode, so I tried to change the situation.

  “We are always with you Aarav. Never feel alone.” I said.

  “Tanay now your turn no need to tell about your past rather I will ask you a question.” I said and signaled him that I'm doing this to change the mood of Aarav.

  “Which question.” Tanay said.

  “Are you sure I should ask. It will reveal your all secrets.” I said.

  “I have no secret.” He said.

  “So what your heart says about Tanya. See the destiny, how good names you both have.” I said.

  Everybody in our group knew about what feelings Shashwat had for Tanya though he didn’t spoke anything about it to us.

  “No, not yet. I haven’t thought about her but of course I could.” Tanay said.

  “What.” Shashwat said.

  Everyone looked at his shocking face, he was horrified, surprised as well as shocked. His face looked like that anybody had just told him that he has failed in the examination. We controlled our laughter.

  “Do you have any problem with that.” Tanay said.

  “Of course I do have.” Shashwat said.

  “What” I said.

  “You all know everything then also you are teasing me just for fun. Right, I will kill you all.” Shashwat said.

  We all laughed and there was a big smile on Aarav’s face too.

  “So finally something is out of your mouth about Tanya. Would you tell some more.” Tanay said.

  “What more, no nothing . let's move back, we are getting late.” He stood and started walking back.

  “Wait!. Wait let us join.”

  We moved back to the hostel. We were very late and very tired too, so we just slept without any talk we had done enough talks on the way. This was such a nice day that can be counted as one of the best day of my life, it was filled with all the emotions happiness, fun, excitement and some sadness too.

  Chapter 12

  My alarm beeped. It was fifth time it was beeping at the interval of 5 minutes. Again as usual I was going to postpone it in my sleep but then I realized that I was late.

  “Oh shit.” I got up from my bed and shouted. Looking here and there a aI realized that not only me but all the other three boys were sleeping.

  “Hurry hurry.” I shouted in their ears they all woke up.

  “We are late.” I said.

  “Oh shit.” All of them said together.

  We got ready in less tha
n 10 minutes and reached the class just with the professor. Tanya looked at me like she was saying “meet me later I will show you girl power.” After the class we met in canteen. We sat and discussed how late we were and the two girls then joined us. Tanya thumped at my back.

  “Ouch it hurts.” I said.

  “From yesterday you all have disappeared without any prior information and even didn’t replied to my calls and messages. “She sounded angry.

  “Oh I forgot my phone at home.” I said.

  “I don’t care. Where were you? ” She asked.

  I told her the whole thing about the day passed and then she cooled down. I was happy that at least someone noticed that I missed the class, and I was even sure that Tanya would, because in less than a month we became good friends, and we shared everything. No secret was a rule for us. I was quite lucky to have her in my life. I could expect nothing better than her.

  “Oh then its ok but you should had told any of us or should had asked us to join. Right Aanya” She said to involve Aanya in our conversation as she was sitting quite.

  “Hmm…Yes of course they should.” Aanya said.

  “We didn’t got time to inform. They just took me directly from the class.” I said.

  “Ok for this time but from next time remember.” Tanya said.

  “Err…”

  “Please feel free to speak anything.” I said as Aanya opened her mouth to speak something but she didn’t.

  “No nothing.” She said.

  “Sure?” I said.

  “Ya sure.” She said.

  Though our group was of six but we had some more friends. Actually it was not some, but many. Living in boys hostel how could we ignore our neighbors, and you know guys never keep a secret about love stories if they are not shy, so everyone knew that each beautiful girl was already booked and even the condition was that three or more boys were behind one girl and these three boys knowingly that they loved the same girl lived very happily with each other. This is very good and rare quality of sharing and spreading the love. So everyone knew that I liked Aanya and Shashwat liked Tanya and the news was spreading like wild fire. Thank God that this fire only limited. to boys hostel and not the girls one.

  For few weeks this fun continued. Everyday we talked in the break had fun and then went back for the class. Our friendship was deepening day by day. I and Tanya chatted and shared thing a lot. We chatted at night as we didn’t get time in the day to share all our thoughts. She told me that she had started giving some signal to Aanya that I liked her but hadn’t said anything directly, but soon she would and it would be ‘yes’ she always guaranteed. I had also talked to Tanya about Shashwat without informing him. She denied in a very polite way and said “ I don’t want anything now, you know better how and what type of girl am I. I don’t have feelings for anyone, also I can’t try and take a risk. I haven't thought about him in this way. Of course he would be my friend forever but not something more than that.” I never told Shashwat about her reply as he would of course get hurt and also he would kill me that why I asked her so early and that also without informing him. Rest of all was running normal. Aanya was becoming a good friend of mine as I told every love story should start with the friendship, so we were just friends till now. I got her number and tried to chat with her. Though we chatted but it was very less as she always slept early, this could result in slow progression of my love story, nothing else. But I compensated for this less talk by talking to her face to face in the hall early morning. Frankly speaking I was more comfortable to talk in chats rather than directly as everything always vanished from my mind when I saw her. I didn't know what to speak next and always we ended in looking at each other’s' face which created an awkward situation. The condition was so worst that I think she spoke more than me. Whatever it was, I only cared that yes we were becoming good friends. Talking about Tanay, Shashwat and Aarav, they were already my best buddies. I enjoyed a lot with them, their company was awesome and you couldn't expect any more from any of them.

  Chapter 13

  After 2 months

  Again I was the second one to reach the hall waiting for the girls there. It had become my daily routine. Opening books and looking at the doorway. Also Abhishek was now clear about my aim to come early. Today I had called the two girls much before than usual time just for fun and was waiting anxiously for them, but as expected they were late. My anger was getting out of my control. I stood and started moving towards the doorway to cool myself down. Bhmmm!! I collided with someone and the next moment I opened my eyes I realized the beauty of the scene and desired that it always remained in front of my eyes. Tanya and Aanya were also coming from the other side hurriedly as they were late and by chance we ( I and Aanya) collided and the next moment I opened my eyes I realized that she was in my arms. This was a moment I wanted to capture in my heart, how lucky I would be if she lived there forever, only me and her. Our eyes met and her cuteness was adorable. Her scarlet cheeks due to shyness won my heart. Soon I realized that we were in the class and not for a romantic film shoot so I have to leave her from my arms.

  “Are you okay.” I said.

  “Yes I am. Sorry.” She said.

  “No, I am sorry.” I said.

  “You both shouldn’t be sorry. It’s the destiny and not your fault.” Tanya said and started laughing. She was examining this all from a distance and was enjoying the drama.

  “So tell us why you called us early today?” Aanya asked.

  “Just for fun.” I said.

  “What sort of fun do you want to have Harsh.” Tanya said.

  “I have a plan.” Aanya said.

  At the same time. The three boys came.

  “What plan?” Shashwat inquired.

  “Are we going to attack the whole college or hi jack the whole hall if it is it, then I am dying to do that.” Aarav said.

  Tanay said nothing as he was very afraid and was busy examining that the ‘ lub you’ girl was near him or not. From few days that girl had been following him and now he was afraid that one day definitely she would eat him.

  “Wait at least listen to her.” I said.

  “So I am here to enjoy the life my main aim is not to study but to have fun and I agree that we are having fun but it could be more.

  “What a college life is if you haven't yet bunked.” Aanya said.

  “That’s my girl.” I thought.

  No one had expected such a dialogue from her and everyone was surprised.

  “Wow what a plan.” Aarav was so happy that he couldn’t stop himself from clapping.

  “Thank you…Thank you.” Aanya said.

  “Then why waste time here. Let's move out and have some fun.” I said.

  I was so much happy, that now I will get a full day to spend with her and couldn’t control my excitement inside me and started behaving wild.

  Out of the class

  “ So what to do next.” I said.

  Everybody started giving their ideas.

  “Wait! Wait. Its plan of Aanya so she is the boss today, let her decide.” I said.

  She smiled.

  “I don’t know much about visiting places here. You guys tell where to move next. I just want to have fun that's all.” She said.

  “Tanya you.” I asked her for any ideas.

  “Take me anywhere except the temples, I already had been there and don’t want to visit them again.” Tanya said.

  I tried to interact more with Aanya during this whole trip. We talked enjoyed and had fun.

  “So any boyfriend yet.” I said to Aanya as we were alone for some time. What a damn silly question to ask to a girl why would she tell me even she had one.

  “No not yet”, the expected reply came. “Actually I don't believe on this time passing things I want my true love one who loves my soul not my beauty. One who cares for me during my whole life I got many proposals and is still counting but none suited me. I want only the one right guy who lives with me forever, who
feels my pain as his and always remain beside me whatever the situation is.” She said and examining my face she continued.

  “Sorry I think I’m being more serious. You don’t mind just tell me what about you.”

  “No no good thought. I like your thinking about love and all.” I said.

  She smiled.

  “What about you Mr..” She asked.

  What should I tell her, I love you I wanted to say her but didn't as the result could be drastic.

  “Just in the search of the true love.” I said.

  “What are you both talking about. Something private or may I join.” Tanya came.

  “No of course you can.” I said.

  “We were exchanging our thinking about love, nothing more you tell what do you think what love is for you.” Aanya said.

  She smiled took a deep breath and then begin.

  “For me Love is an untamed force, you can’t explain the real love till you are in it. For me love is one which I got many years ago and after that I only got a disappointment in return love is which I forgot so hardly and now again life made me stand there on its edge. I don't know what I'm saying, I don't know what love is but I do know what the pain of separation is.” She said.

  “It seems that there's a great past behind you. Some secret, Right. You are breaking our promise.” I said.

  “No.no.. I am just remembering this famous dialogue for fun. I thought you would laugh.” She said pretending to laugh.

  “I know you better than you yourself do. Now tell me the truth.” I said.

  “This is the truth.” She said.

  “Stop fighting you both. She would tell whenever she would like to.” Aanya said.

  I was disappointed from Tanya, it hurt me that she had kept a secret from me and it felt like one of the most close one of mine has cheated me. But as Aanya said so I went away from there.

 
Harsh Kumar's Novels