chapter 6

    Aarushi had been speedwalking entire way home not knowing what even was wrong with her. If not for busy life prevailing in the area many might have already considered the case to be some bunch of roadside creeps following her or stuff. "You are back early sakhu?", her granny broke her daze as she looked at the old figure giving her one of the most affectionate smiles as the wrinkled weak hands held onto the Pooja thali , indicating she was just back from temple.    " Yeah - lectures are cancelled.", she informed and went in. The panick on her face didn't go unnoticed. Worried by it , granny followed her in her room. Knocking wasn't her thing so she went and sat besides the tensed girl placing a hand on her shoulder in a comforting way. " Your mom and dad ain't home. You can tell me. I promise it's going to be a secret.", granny assured and Aarushi couldn't help resist the small smile.     This was her usual way of letting the girl open up. And she had kept her word ever since Aarushi had learnt talking or even back when she spoke inhuman languages. Her secrets were safe she knew. Also her granny would be the last person to judge but very first to take her side no matter what. Though she'd correct her later in person but never hesitated to defend her in public or even in front of her own parents. She often got blamed for spoiling her granddaughter so much which she proudly accepted and boasted about.     " There's a girl in our class. She is weird. ", she said and let herself fall into the comforting embrace of her granny who struggled with all her strength to keep the girl from falling of the bed. " What's weird?" " She !" " How?" " Nothing but her looks are maintained. " " She acts as if she owns everyone and everything. "  " That's called being confident.", Granny corrected. " Over", she added. " Okay okay. Continue." " She pops out of nowhere and acts as if we are diaper days besties." " Maybe not from diaper days but perhaps you could be besties till grey hairs days?", Granny asked and Aarushi frowned. " Ain't she the one who drew your sketch?" Granny asked as she ruffled the other's hairs lovingly . That only earned her a nod in response.      " What's her name again?" , Granny asked and Aarushi hissed in annoyance. Why does everyone want me to say that name again and again ? " Vibhavari...", Aarushi hated how her tone lowered and she sounded nervous while saying it. " What?" " Vibhavari." " Gauri? " " VIBHAVARI!" " Pari?" " Vi-bha-va-ri!!!" Aarushi was annoyed already, " Stop it ! I know you are doing it on purpose!" " Aigooo why will I? My old ears are just not functioning properly.", Granny laughed at her own lie as Aarushi frowned and walked out.     " Aigoo! Don't be angry ! Sakhu! Come back! I will make you your favourite puran poli! "     she went out and sat on the stairs besides her home, right besides the Tulsi vrindavan her mom had planted. Her phone dinged earning her attention. She checked the notification and realised it was a number. She opened the chat nevertheless as the curiousity took the best of her. xxxxxxxxxxx:Hey !I am Abhijeet The one you bumped into today.         Aarushi frowned at the screen. What a creep. Why would he message me to tell me that? Or did he break a bone or two ? xxxxxxxxxxx:I guess this is yours* Insert pic*You dropped it .        Aarushi touched her ears realising she had actually dropped one.Aarushi:Yes . Sorry about that xxxxxxxxxxx:No it's completely fine. Well, how can I return it?    Aarushi blinked at the screen as she had no answer to it. No way she was calling a stranger all the way home to return it nor was she intrested in going to his place. Aarushi:You are from same college right?xxxxxxxxxxx:Yes Aarushi:If it's not a  trouble can you return it at the main gate tomorrow? xxxxxxxxxxx:No worries. What time?Aarushi:Around 9:30? If that's not too early?xxxxxxxxxxx:Sure. ByeTake care Seen        Aarushi kept the phone aside slightly unsure of her decision. It's just an earring. Also it's the main gate. It has to be safe. Once I get my earring back I am blocking him. How did he even have my number in the first place?  She frowned at her own thoughts. Should I ask dad to drop me off for a day? No but he has office and also it's just one earring. Damn it!  What kind of day is today? All weird things are happening with me only! Maybe am just overthinking a small matter . [ Meanwhile ]     " So are we going to bully her like those TV serials?" " Murder?" " Are you planning to make her an outcast?" " Lonely?" " Scare her?" " Threaten?"  All kind of options were put in front of an uninterested Vibha who responded to none and just focused on her phone while taking a bite of her food. . " Come on! Tell us . What are you planning to do? " " We gave you the options. " " None "" Then?" " What are you planning to do? Be her bestfriend and convince her that Abhijeet is a bad guy and she shouldn't be with him?" Lilly asked sarcastically. All the bored eyes widened when Vibha smirked at that. " I have a better plan." " You- what?"    " Be her girlfriend and take her from right under his nose!"   Â