chapter 38

[ Vibha's p.o.v ]       " What are you even thinking?" ,I flinched so bad at the voice. " What? Nothing.", I replied bluntly. He raised an eyebrow eyeing me with his ' sure. Nothing ' gaze.  " You were hugging the pillow with the broadest grin I had ever seen on your face and you tell me it's nothing. All that giggling surely doesn't say nothing.", he didn't have to point that out but he did. I kicked the pillow aside. Stupid shit. " What's the sunshine all about?", he asked again settling besides me .       What is it about? Well really nothing. I mean it was just me daydreaming, not something that actually happened to be narrated. " Nothing Dad. ", I kept my tone straight. " As you say. Though I'd like to meet the reason , ofcourse whenever you feel like it though but sooner the better. ", he winked and left . " Why do you think -" " I have been your age  once princess. I know the different kinds of smiles reserved for different situations and these surely are symptoms of lovestruck heart.",he enlightened me with his knowledge on ' smiles'.    I faked a smile. " Anything else?" " Sure. But if only you want to know." " No thanks I don't. " " Very well then . But know that- your dad was the most sought after coach of love. I was the -" " I have heard that more than morning prayers now please don't start again." " Fine fine. But let me know if you need any help. I am always in ! " I laughed at his silly gestures while departing my room .       He ain't lying though. He knows better than me about what I deserve. He was never so happy about my previous date though he didn't interfere. He usually only listened and told me if asked that he didn't feel Abhijit was the right one for me and it was just a mild distraction, heck not even attraction and it wouldn't be forever thing. Yet, never once did he show so infront of him , despite the fact that Abhijit was always awkward to come home but he never treated him inferior. After our breakup , he seemed more of relieved than sad for me. All he said was ' what happened was for the best. ' He'd put it as ' I don't dislike him; I am just not really excited about his existence.'     That time I had straight up brought Abhijit home and introduced as my boyfriend. He had only observed the guy and just allowed me. But this time, I haven't even said anything to him but he's already in to help me without even bothering to know who or what. Weird. Is it because he feels bad for me due to previous breakup? Or about what happened a few days ago? But what's to even bother about? Like I ain't dating anyone or hitting on anyone I just -    ' So will you be my girlfriend?' I straight up asked her to be my girlfriend and I - . I felt embarassment creep up in my nerves. Even if I ask him what am I even going to tell? That I wanted revenge on my ex so I started hitting on his crush and then out of nowhere I straight up asked her to be my girlfriend, not even proposed. And now that she thought it's a prank and didn't agree , I am not talking to her but I want her to come talk to me? Or that my stupid brain was daydreaming about holding her in my arms and - What the hell!   I feel like I have gone mad.     " Incase if you feel your head might explode, we can go for a walk. It will help. I also have stuff to buy.", he popped up again and now I was hitting the same pillow. Okay , this even more embarassing. " Whatever." " You coming?" . I didn't answer but grabbed my phone and walked out. I can't be more embarrassed than this. I heard him chuckle but I ain't bothering about it. I am already bothered by a lot. [ Aru's p.o.v ]    She ignored me entire day and now I don't know why despite knowing that she's the one being unreasonable I still feel guilty. Should I go appologise to her? But for what? I haven't even done anything wrong! Should I try talking and buttering her ? Make it upto her? But it's not even my fault in the first place! I keep spining my phone waking it up and then locking it back again.     " If you have something on your mind but can't decide wether to do it because of the fear of consequences do it afraid.", Granny advised out of nowhere and I tossed my phone aside. " What?"  " I was just reading a line from the book . What?", she replied, looking at me from above the thick reading glasses that sat on her high nose bridge.     I shook my head and picked up my books to study. Hours passed with me doing absolutely nothing worthy rather than sneaking glances at my phone. " Aarushi , want to go out for a walk with me?" , dad called and I chose to use it to free my mind. " Where to?" " Just to buy some incense sticks and worshipping materials for your granny. Also some vegetables for tomorrow and - what am I forgetting?" I chuckled at his memory as I stepped out slipping into my sandals. " I wasn't told anything. I don't know.", I yelled from out as he went back in to ask mom again and she thrusted a written list in his hand.     " How's college?" , he asked . " Umm . All good. Nothing new. I only usually go for practicals; lectures, well nobody much attends them these days. ", I summarised it , my underlying message being , I don't either. " You used to right?" " I don't have a company. It gets lonely till end of the day. " " What about Malini and Neeta?" " They never sit. " " And your new friend? What was her name again? Vibha-vari something?" " Oh- well umm, she does sometimes. Not always." " Why don't you attend with her then? Ask her when she's going and go along?" , he suggested and I only nodded.     " She seemed pretty good and well off to me. You can ask her to accompany you. Where does she stay?" I don't see why is he so much interested in her . " A few lanes ahead. Near the bakery that bunglow you know? " " Oh- she's the daughter of Mr. Mahajan?" , he said that with so much enthusiasm that I am sure he knows her father . " I don't know her surname.", I mumbled. " Ask her then. If she's his daughter then I am sure she's good for you. " Good for me? Like what? I coughed and looked away. Thanks to that one sentence this idiot girl said I can't think of what dad said in normal context. Stupid her!     " Who's Mr. Mahajan?" , I tried to shift topic away from her before he chooses to brag about a girl he has not met in real life yet. " He's my boss. A very dignified and respectable man . But still down to earth and always kind -" dad went on with his praises for his boss. Not like I haven't heard of how nice his boss is before , I just didn't know he was called Mr. Mahajan nor that he is Vibha's father. Possibly. I don't know if we are talking about the same person though.    Dad was busy buying stuff he needed while I stood outside the shop. I was into my phone when I stepped onto someone's foot. " I am sorry",I looked up only to find  Vibha giving me a flat look. " What are you doing here?" , I asked her and she kept staring at me. So she finds it unnecessary to even answer me now? I was going to complain before I noticed her phone pointing towards the shop. I realised it was her dad , chatting with my dad? So she really is- " Are you-"           " My daughter Aarushi.", my dad introduced before I could even ask her . I smiled at uncle not sure how else to react. " Oh we have met before. She came home to return something if I remember it right.", he smiled at me. He surely is friendly, just as dad says. I skipped onto it last time I guess. " She's my daughter. Vibhavari.", he introduced and despite her gloomy mood she composed her posture and pulled up a greeting smile.     " Nice to meet you child . Your sketch was really amazing. We are going to have it framed. ", he didn't have to say that. I saw her smile genuinely. " I am glad you liked it." ,she replied. Her tone was soft. So now she's not going to act all ice queen? " You attend lectures right?", dad , why did he have to ask her that. " Some days. " " Tell Aarushi as well whenever you do. She said she doesn't have a company and so she doesn't." " Sure uncle. These days I just wasn't feeling that good so I didn't. But we can sure go together hereafter."     Her dad bit back his laugh and I saw her glare at him though my dad didn't catch on them. I know that look ' Don't you dare.'  I am sure he had something to taunt her about but he too seems afraid of her. " Such a lovely daughter. I am so glad Aarushi has a friend like you. ", even mom doesn't butter so much. " You are exaggerating uncle." Look at this actress now! " So you girls go ahead we will be behind you. ", her dad pushed us ahead and now I am stuck with her.      We were at a pretty good distance from them  so I shifted closer to her . " You still mad?" " Hmm" " Why?" She didn't respond to that only pulled out her phone and scrolled through her insta. " Rude." , I mimicked her tone and if I wasn't hallucinating, I did see corners of her lips rise a bit before immediately restoring to thin line. So she's going to be stubborn about it? I will too then! I don't need someone to accompany me , I am almost 17 now. Dad didn't have to plead this arrogant -     " Tomorrow 12:30" , she informed bluntly and walked into her home. She's mad but she's going to come with me? What exactly she's upto?