Edited on May 23rd, 2018.

| . . . C H A P T E R . . . 1. 2 3 . 1 : D O U B L E - D A T E . . . |

Final exams ended and I've never felt this relief before. Such pressure off my back. I know I'll say the same thing when the finals for next semester end and the semester after that but it needs to be said.

Now, I can look forward to summer breaks in peace.

I had thought of going home to India but then decided better. Dad was already worried over the business and having to declare bankruptcy. Finances needed to be controlled.

I'd even asked Kripa to help me scour for summer jobs.

Kripa questioned the second I entered the apartment, "How'd it go?"

She was more nervous about my exam than I was given she had helped me study for majority of it. I commented, "If business fails for you, you have a future in being a teacher."

She fell back on the couch in utter relief. "Oh, thank God. You won't fail because of me."

I laughed at her antics and walked to the kitchen for water.

She continued, "This calls for a celebration."

I suggested, "Let Ridzzi's last exam end."

Kripa frowned and threw a glare at Abhi and Riddhima who were studying at the dining table, "Ri, shoot your professor for me. Who keeps a final on a Friday? Three more days!!"

Riddhima grumbled back, "Oh, shut up, business major."

Kripa was quick to chuckle. She was the first of us to be done with her semester as she only had one final Monday midmorning. All her other classes had finals as optional and only to be taken for those who needed to drop one of their exams and replace the grade. Kripa, fortunately, had an A in those classes and she wasn't going to give an exam and try to aim for an A+. A was more than good enough for her and I'd agree.

I announced, "I'm going to take a nap. Do not disturb."

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Even then, Kripa deemed it proper to wake me up about two hours later with the excuse, "I'm bored."

I slapped her arm, "Krispy, you know proper sleep comes rarely for me. Why do you do this to me?"

She slapped me back making me hiss and rub my arm, "I've told you not to call me Krispy! If you're so hungry, eat, but do not call me food-names."

I raised a brow in glare, "Are you done? Then shoo. Make yourself useful someplace else. Go bother your boyfriend."

I turned my back to her in an attempt to try and sleep again but she stayed. "Speaking of boyfriend, I need a favor."

I groaned, "I'm not covering for you again."

"I have a date with Aaron tonight."

"Good."

"Not so easy!" She exclaimed. "You seem to be forgetting the biggest obstacle in my love life."

"Brace up and tell him you have a boyfriend." By him, I meant Arnav but I refused to say his name aloud.

She ignored me and continued with pouring out her problems, "See, I didn't tell him about tonight but somehow, he still found out. Now, he's tagging along."

I couldn't help from laughing. Arnav being a third wheel. Now that is hilarious.

"Don't laugh! Help me out here!"

I sobered up and offered, "Turn it into a double date. Shouldn't be hard for him to find a date - even if last minute."

"I'm glad you suggested that. So you'll come?"

I turned to face her at once, my eyes snapping wide open. 'Excuse me?!"

She begged, "Please! I can't suggest it to him. I can't tolerate anyone he might bring. But if you come, I won't be spending the entire time trying to stop myself from clawing out that girl's face."

"You've gone mental." I bluntly said and got out of bed. No way I can sleep now.

She blocked my only path of getting out of the room, "Please, please, please! You owe me, remember? I'm not asking for much anyway. Just keep him occupied. You're an expert at pulling an argument with him."

I countered, "Contrary to popular belief, I don't enjoy arguing - with him or anyone else."

I am having a strong déjà vu to when I had disliked one of the girls Armaan had flirted with I had said the same things to Riddhima, forcing her into pulling a fake fight with him. Unfortunately, it had turned into a real fight with hurtful things said but I had also made up for it by making sure they'd patch up.

Now, I see karma was at play, making me pay for it via Kripa.

"Do you have no heart or hear the number of times I've said 'please'?" She challenged my friendship, "Do you want Aaron to get tired of all of this and break up with me?"

"Kripa..." I said her name in defeat. How could I explain to her why I didn't want to be around Arnav? We had worked well this past month staying out of each other's path.

"Khushi, come on, it's my first relationship. Do you want it to fail? Just distract him enough so Aaron and I can actually have some time alone else Arnie will hover over us the entire time. It's just for a few hours. If Riddhima didn't have exams, I wouldn't bother you."

I rolled my eyes seeing I was her second and last option. "Gee, I feel the love."

She bobbed her head to the side, "You know what I mean."

I exhaled and set the rules. "Just once, okay?"

She grinned and leapt over to hug me tightly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

I had to grin along at her excitement. She was starting to really like Aaron. "Are you going to let him know?"

She denied after parting, "You kidding? Hell no. It needs to be a shock for him so he knows to not pull another stunt like this on me again."

"Remind me to never get on your bad side."

She laughed before informing, "Alright, you've got an hour to get ready." She left for her room to get ready herself.

What did I just get myself into?

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| . . . C H A P T E R . . . 1. 2 3 . 2 : T H I R D - W H E E L . . . |

I admit, the awkwardness in the atmosphere is thick enough to be sliced with a knife. Kripa and Aaron were seated towards the inside of the booth across from each other. Arnav sat next to her and I understand he did that so he could stare daggers at Aaron. Across the table, Kripa pleaded.

It had been only five minutes since we'd been seated and the waiter had yet to come take our orders.

What was I supposed to do? She brought me here to keep Arnav occupied but he seemed least fazed by my presence. He was too busy glaring at Aaron.

God, he was being such an annoying brother to Kripa right now. This was the extent to all the overprotective shit he had pulled on her in the past especially given how Aaron was different than the other guys who might have showed interest in Kripa.

Scooting out of the booth and getting on my feet, I ordered. "Get up." All eyes turned to me, including Arnav's. I added looking straight into his, "I am talking to you." As if it wasn't clear before.

He dared to answer, though with a bit of uncertainty that made it sound like a question. "No?"

Irritated, I crossed my arms over my chest. "I'm serious, Raizada. Get up." He was ruining Kripa's date and that was not okay. "Don't make me angrier than I already am."

I must have hit a chord for his eyes softened. He had to know I would still be pissed at him for the other things that almost made me feel as if we were strangers right now. He listened.

I instructed, "We are going to go sit at the booth at the other end of the restaurant..." he started to object but I didn't give him a speaking space, "and you are going to let the two of them be. Or so God help me, Raizada, I am going to go bat shit crazy on you. Seriously, there is a limit to everything!"

Even Armaan never did this to me and he was super protective as well - it was a different matter that I wouldn't go on a date now. Arnav, right now, was simply being petty.

Not waiting for him to agree or disagree, I walked past him to the other end of the restaurant. If he knew what was best, he would decide to follow. I didn't hear him behind me but by the time I got to the empty booth, he was starting to walk towards me.

Good.

After taking a seat across from me, he cleared his throat. He almost looked nervous at my anger. I narrowed my eyes, arms still crossed over. "What is the matter with you? Weren't you the one who said you weren't going to interfere in her dating life because you can't control everything? Or were they just empty words too?"

I knew he got the underlying meaning of my words on breaking all his promises to me for he flinched slightly. This time, he didn't bother to explain or prove otherwise. He looked away, "That was before," and opened the menu.

"Before what?" I challenged refusing to let him dismiss this by focusing on the menu when he had already ordered.

He snapped in response, "She's my sister, okay? You don't get to tell me what I should and should not do when it comes to her."

I had to admit, his tone hurt me a little. We've argued before. I've snapped at him so many times. But, I don't think he's ever used this tone with me or his eyes had seemed this cold towards me as if he's angry with me about something when it should be the other way around.

I quietly answered, "She is my friend too and what you are doing is not okay. Even Armaan never did this to me."

He scoffed bitterly, "I bet he would do it now."

"No." I whispered back in argument trying not to let his behavior get to me. Why was he so... bitter?

"That's a lie."

I shook my head, inhaling to compose myself, and kept my hands atop of the table. "No, Arnav. He is a bit more protective now but he still wouldn't do this. If he knew I liked someone and they had asked me out, he'd let me go. Sure, he'd first make sure the guy was decent but he wouldn't do what you are. He'd want me to be happy."

"I am happy!"

I ignored his argument for his actions did not back up his words, "You already know Aaron. You have no reason for doing this so stop making her life difficult when it doesn't need to be."

His voice quietens in his own defense, "I'm only trying to protect her."

"From what?"

"I would just rather see her with an Indian guy."

I scoffed at his mentality that I did not think he could possess, "You cannot be that narrowminded!"

He rolled his eyes before questioning, "Honestly, do you think this relationship is going to last? My uncle is never going to let her marry a guy that is not Indian and by keeping this up, she is only going to be hurting herself. If you were her friend, you wouldn't be encouraging her only to end up in an eventual heartbreak."

If I saw his way, maybe I'd understand he was trying to protect her. I had heard slight things about how strict her father was but I still held a different ideology. "Just because something might not have a future doesn't mean you don't enjoy the present, Arnav."

"Khushi, to protect my sisters from everything my uncle is capable of, I would do anything."

After running in a circle, we end up on the same thing. His belief that he is doing this to protect Kripa.

I challenged, "Even if you end up losing them in the process?"

He was quiet, but only for a second. In that second, I thought he would see sense. Alas, he didn't. "Even then. They'd hate me but atleast they'd still have some life left."

I saw in that moment just how strongly he felt about this. Gaining their hatred was a sacrifice he was willing to make... but for what? I doubt his uncle is that bad.

The conversation came to an end for he couldn't convince me otherwise and neither would he allow me to get through to him.

Why did I think it would work anyway?

He's always only proved he doesn't listen to others and does only what he wants. Why did I hope it would be different this time? There was no point in talking to Arnav.

I glanced at the menu quickly deciding on what to order before unlocking my phone and messaging Angad.

Khushi: Wakey wakey.

It was 7:17 in India and I knew for a fact he'd be asleep.

When he didn't answer right away, I shoot him another message.

Khushi: Khanna, get up and face the bright and beautiful day!!

I grinned when I saw him come online and seconds later, he was typing.

Angad: How did you know I meant to text you today?

Khushi: We have a cosmic connection.

Angad: Haha. What's up?

Khushi: Rescuing a friend from an unwelcomed third wheel so she can enjoy her date.

Angad: That flat mate of yours?

Khushi: yup.

Angad: Why won't you tell me her name?

Khushi: Because you'll do what you always do. Not happening on my watch.

Angad: I have no interest in your friend!!

Liar.

Khushi: That's why every time she comes up in our talks, you try to get me to tell you her name?

Angad: General knowledge, smiley! So, I'll know the names of people you're hanging out with. It'll come in handy if something happens to you and I need to track them down.

Khushi: Rest assured, I don't hang out with shady characters, present company excluded.

Angad: Have you met yourself?

I rolled my eyes at his taunt.

Khushi: Eff you. Go fix your hangover. My food is here."

As I picked up my spoon, I see my phone blink up with his reply.

Angad: I'm not hung over and no 'eff you'. You couldn't handle me.

I rolled my eyes and let the message me, not dignifying it with a response, and chose to focus on eating. He's definitely hung over and being cocky.

While I am busy eating, Arnav spoke up minutes later, "How are you, baby?"

I glanced up, shocked, and ready to snap at him when I saw his phone was to his ear.

Oh.

He wasn't talking to me.

His eyes caught mine for a second before he blinked back to his plate. "Aww, don't give La a hard time, okay?"

It made me wonder who he was talking to. His tone hinted as if he is talking to a child, with a higher pitch and slow. It's the kind of voice a parent would use with their little child to get them to listen.

"Hmm, yes. I'll be home when you wake up in morning. Go to bed now, okay?" There must have been an answer and phone being passed since he spoke next in his normal voice, "Hey Lavanya. How is he now?"

Lavanya. I do remember that name.

He laughed softly, his expression so subtle and all the bitterness from our conversation long gone as he talked to her. "Well, whose kid is he after all? It's payback time, dear mommy."

Mommy? Lavanya has a child?

"Okay, okay. I'll stop teasing you but honestly, are you okay? I can come home if you need help. I know it isn't easy to handle him when he's sick... you sure?... It's not at home?... oh, I'll swing by campus then. Be there soon."

He stopped eating, only having finished half, before he called for the waiter and spoke to him. "I have to go. Coming or staying?"

I twisted my body around to glance back at the booth where Kripa and Aaron are. She was laughing at something he said. I figured it would be best to leave too - truly give them the chance for a proper date. I put my spoon down and had a sip of water.

He got the hint and the waiter appeared with the bill and asked if we wanted take-out boxes. He looked at me to make my choice but I noticed he seemed to be in a hurry so I declined. When I reached for my wallet, he stopped me. "Don't bother. You're here because of me."

My mouth opened to argue but he dropped two bills, one a twenty and one a five, while getting up. I suppose he didn't want to give his credit card and wait for them to bring it back. Biting back my protest, I followed him out. I'll just have to pay him back later.

Arnav stopped by the booth to inform Kripa, "Aarav's not well and won't go to bed without his favorite PJs. It's at my dorm room so we're going to go."

Pajamas? Really? He is this worried because of some pajamas?!

Kripa asked in concern, "Is he okay?"

He nodded, "Yeah, just under the weather. Nothing to worry about."

"Okay," she answered and looked at me to ensure I was okay with that. I offered her a smile in return before we left the restaurant.

Tonight, I understood what Kripa had meant once when she said he drove rashly. I was holding on to my seatbelt even though it was secured around me as if my dear life depended on it. The whole 15-minute ride back to campus, I was stiff and biting back my comments such as slow down, break, yellow light, careful. My heart must have leapt in its cage atleast 20 times.

He didn't have a life or death plane to catch that he was driving this rashly.

Pulling into an empty spot in front of his dorms, he asked. "Will you wait in my room for 10 minutes? I'll drop you to the apartment afterwards."

I understood why he asked that. His dorms were on an entirely different campus and if I tried to walk to my apartment, it'd take me half hour easily. I figured 10 minutes waiting and then having him drop me was better than physical exercise of 30 minutes.

So, I unbuckled and gave him his answer thus.

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| . . . A U T H O R - N O T E . . . |

One more chapter and then the conclusion of book one! Thank you for each and every comment & vote, my dearies! It's all so wonderful. <3 More and more silent readers are coming out and voting, commenting, adding to reading lists, and it makes me very happy. I hope it continues :D 

Leave your thoughts on this chapter! Looking forward <3