chapter 85

     The days passed with the friends discussing their plans for the trip, despite a bit of bickering and disagreement between Prisha and Niharika she had agreed to let the girl join their group.       Finally a night before the trip Arushi sat there with her entire wardrobe spilled on the floor while she couldn’t decide what she wanted to wear. Vibha wasn’t much of picky with her clothes. She had finished packing within half an hour while Arushi still struggled with her options.     “Vibha I don’t have clothes to wear!”, she complained sitting in between the piles of clothes frustrated at the mess she made.    “Wear mine.”, Vibha calmly replied lazing around the bed with her phone.     “No. I am still to try my new dresses I bought.”    “Then wear them.”     “But I don’t know which one to.”    “Just wear anything love. You look beautiful in everything, love.”,    “NO! You tell! This one this one?”, Arushi held two kurtis . Vibha glanced up and gestured at the red one.     “But I think grey would look better on me.”, Arushi said as she once again deciding back and forth between the two pieces of cloth she held in each of her hands.     “Yes. So Grey one it is.”, she exclaimed and put it in her bag.    Vibha kept her phone aside giving her glares of betrayal, “Why did you even bother asking me then?”   “Just for fun.”, Arushi replied giggling.    “Fun huh? Let me show you what fun is.”, Vibha said and pounced on her trapping her in a hug and tickling her.       “Vibha stop!!!”, Arushi yelled between her giggles as she tried to push Vibha away who only hugged her closer and attacked her with smooches.     “Vibha we need to pack, clear this mess and go to sleep as well.”, Arushi said pulling away a bit and again locking her arms around Vibha’s neck.    “We?”, Vibha raised an eyebrow at the word. And Arushi gave her a persuading smile with affirmation , “We.”     So now what began as Arushi’s trip packing had turned into Vibha’s wardrobe arranging duty. While Arushi moved around the room packing her trip essentials. Vibha sat on the floor folding the clothes quietly .    “I regret my life decisions.”, she mumbled.     “Regret asking me to be your girlfriend?”,  Arushi who despite standing on the other side of the bed heard it and asked with a what Vibha liked to call ‘ Angry kitty’ face.     “Regret interrupting your packing. Don’t start an argument over nothing now.”, Vibha replied already irritated with the task at hand.    “So now am the one who argues? Ofcourse. Everything I say must sound like an argument right. Now that-“, Arushi came over rambling only to be suddenly pulled down by Vibha on her lap. Without giving her a chance to protest she kissed her girlfriend who was too stunned to react. Only when she felt the other needed to breathe she let go off her.    “What-“     “I know you love arguing with me but right now I have neither mood nor energy to argue. So unless you don’t want to waddle like a penguin on the trip tomorrow I suggest you quietly pack your bag and go to sleep like a good little princess. Understand my love? ”, Vibha’s serious yet calm tone was enough of a warning for Arushi and she immediately got off her and rushed to her bag. Vibha smirked as she shamelessly stared at her flustered girlfriend.      Finally past human hours Arushi was already passed out on the bed by the time Vibha was done setting her wardrobe. Vibha didn't supress the warm smile that crept up her lips when she saw her love fast asleep while hugging the pillow .     She walked over to her side and placed a kiss on her forehead brushing away the hairs disturbing her view and gently tying them into a loose pony tail so Arushi won’t be disturbed by them in her sleep.Then walked back to switch off the lights before slipping into the blanket besides her. She pulled the girl into a hug and whispered in a soft voice “Good night my love.”    Arushi stirred in her sleep and as a matter of habit turned around to hug Vibha who welcomed her in her arms adjusting the blanket.      For a very hyper excited Arushi the day begun before even the alarm could announce it. She was already dressed up and ready at 5:30 for the bus that was supposed to depart at 8. If it wasn’t enough she had even forcefully pulled Vibha out of the bed and made her get ready.     While Arushi looked like and excited school kid on trip, Vibha resembled an half dead uninterested cat who just wanted- no desperately needed a nap.    With Arushi’s ' better early than rushed ' protest they were at the university gate 30 minutes earlier to the allotted time. To Vibha’s surprise they weren’t the only ones doing so. Sneha and Niharika walked over to join them at the first step near the bus. Prisha as expected by Vibha wouldn’t arrive before the bus was already on its wheels.      While the three chatted and discussed their plans to enjoy the trip Vibha silently sat in a corner waiting for a chance to simply doze off.     Sadly she didn’t get one until they boarded the bus. Not even with getting on bus . As Prisha who had managed to be late as always phoned her asking to make the bus wait for another 5 minutes. Which she cursed at the girl for but did it anyways.  Prisha joined soon after receiving lecture from professor , a few angry glares from the driver and dozen curses from Vibha.      The bus had three seats in one row and two in the other. Since it was five of them, they decided to settle for the third last seats side by side. Arushi and Vibha got into the two seats with Arushi sitting by the window looking out like a little happy kid while the three there sat with Niharika in the window to keep herself cool, Sneha in between to prevent any unnecessary cat fights and Prisha at the outer most end – for reasons; she arrived late and that kept her within range of Vibha’s kick if she decided to do something stupid.     Vibha took out airpods passing one to Arushi before she leaned on her shoulder  to sleep. Arushi smiled as the songs played. She hadn’t expected Vibha’s playlist to be soft or romantic either. But again when it came to romance her girlfriend never failed to surprise her.    “That could be us but someone here is too stingy to even share their airpods with me.”, Prisha complained eyeing the girl besides window who appeared to be staring out.   “The only thing I would be loving to have a share is your property in your death will.”, Niharika retorted without turning her head to face Prisha.   “So you are willing to marry me for my property? How sweet.”, Prisha pushed her luck teasing the girl more.    “How the hell did you even get that from what I said!?”, Niharika snapped at her giving her a horrified look.    “I know better of the disguised love, darling.”, she teased enjoying the irritated expression of the latter’s face. So used to their bickering Sneha didn’t even bat an eye while munching on the packet of chips in her hand.   “You are crazy!”, Niharika accused with a most disgusted expression on her face.    “Crazy for you, love.”, Prisha continued. “Oww what the hell Vibha!?”,she screamed as she felt a sharp kick on her leg.     Vibha didn’t bother replying. She only adjusted her head on Arushi’s shoulder and gently slid her hand Arushi’s waist holding her.  That only made Arushi blush and shake her head at the gesture.   Finally the city buildings were long gone and they had entered Ghat area with valley on one side and mountain and trees on the other. Arushi would definitely aid their beauty to justify her preference for mountains and countryside over city towers. The professor announced they would arrive within 10 minutes and all those who were slept were woken up.     Vibha opened her eyes to Arushi looking at her with a smile. “The view is indeed beautiful.”, she said sleepily staring at Arushi with a broad grin. That made Arushi go so red   that she had to look away.   “Babe~”, Vibha called out to her.    “Get up and take the bags down.”, Arushi pushed her away and Vibha reluctantly obeyed standing up to get the bag down which she found wasn’t as easy task as putting it up there.    She felt another hand besides her taking it down handing to her.    “Here.”