(Thank you so much buddies for all your love and support. Today the story has crossed 3k reads. This part is for this happy occasion. Hope you all like this part.)

Prachi was walking down the corridor absentmidedly, clutching the lunch box that she had forgotten to bring to the college. Her mother had to come to the college to give it to her. 

She was pondering over the unusual sombreness of her usually amiable mother. For some reason, her mother was angry. Making a mental note to ask her the reason, Prachi trotted off. 

Lost in her own thoughts, Prachi failed to notice the boy coming towards her from the opposite direction. Ranbir, too, didn't notice her as his eyes were wandering around, searching for her. 

Speak of irony. The object of his quest was right in front of him but he was busy looking around for her. 

As a consequence, the inevitable happened. Prachi and Ranbir bumped into each other. Prachi was about to fall back due to the force of the collision when a pair of strong arms wound around her waist, preventing her from falling backwards.

Ranbir looked down to see the exquisite beauty in his arms. More than her beauty, it was her innate innocence that touched him. Prachi had her eyes shut tightly, bracing herself for the fall. 

When the hard ground and the ensuing pain never came, she opened her eyes slowly. Her eyes met a pair of brown eyes. The emotions swirling in their depth pulled her in and she drowned in their depth, becomine oblivious to her immediate surroundings.

For them, at that moment, only the two of them existed. Noone and nothing else mattered. They stood there in each other's arms, lost in each other's eyes.

It was in that position that Rhea discovered them. Rhea, who was terribly hurt after being chastised by Pragya and feeling as if she had lost everything now,  was striding down the corridor. She was wiping the tears off her cheeks roughly when she witnessed the scene.

Rhea stopped short and her pretty features contorted into a furious scowl. She curled her hands into tight fishts, digging her nails painfully in her flesh, to contain the bubbling rage within her. 

Unable to stand the sight of Prachi and Ranbir's absolute absorption in each other, Rhea stomped away from the spot.

Ranbir and Prachi were still very much lost in each other's eyes when a fake cough followed by a giggle brought them out of their reverie.

Embarassed, they immediately straightened up and stepped back from each other and looked towards the source of the noise.

Aryan was grinning widely while Sahana was still giggling.

"So, Romeo and Juliet, are you both back yet or shall we have to blast a bomb to bring you both back from the depths of each other's eyes where you had lost yourselves?" Sahana giggled.

Prachi looked away blushing furiously but immediately turned back to Ranbir on hearing his words.

"I can never be back as I have drowned forever in the depth of her eyes." Ranbir sighed dramatically, bumping his shoulder against Prachi's.

Prachi slapped his arm, still not quite meeting his eyes, making Aryan and Sahana laugh again.

"Are you done? Let's go to the cafe guys." Prachi dragged Sahana along while the two guys followed them, laughing and pulling each other's legs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cafeteria

"By the way, Prachi, I owe my life to you. How can I repay you? Come out on a date with me as a form of repayment." Ranbir flirted openly.

"You wish." Prachi giggled, rolling her eyes.

"Of course I do. so are you going to fulfil it?" Ranbir deliberately misunderstood her and looked at her hopefully.

"No way" Prachi giggled again.

"Yes way" Ranbir frowned in mock anger, making Prachi giggle even more.

Her happy laughter brought about a sweet smile on his lips too. It had been days since he had seen her laughing happily. 

Aryan and Sahana smiled happily seeing the adorable couple. The only thought that came to their mind seeing Prachi and Ranbir was that they make a perfect couple.

Prachi is such a sweet person. Benevolent, amiable, helpful. And yet, mom and Rhea are after her for God knows what reason. They even stooped as low as conspiring with petty ruffians like Sanju to trap Prachi in false cases. They didn't think twice before trying to spoil the whole life of an innocent girl. 

Aryan sighed as he mused over the grave sins committed by his mother and cousin sister.

Sahana looked towards Aryan with a wide grin but her grin faltered and finally faded away, seeing the sombreness on his visage.

"Aryan, are you alright? What are you thinking?" Sahana mumbled, leaning closer.

"Just that how can my mother and Rhea do this to Prachi? Look at her Sahana. She is so innocent. Such an amazing person. Why can't my mother and Rhea see that when I can so clearly?" Aryan muttered, dejected.

Understanding his state of mind, Sahana placed her hand over his hand which was resting on his thigh. 

"Because you are a good person yourself Aryan. And only a good person is able to see good in others. As they say, we see the world as we are ourselves." Sahana smiled at him reassuringly.

Smiling gratefully at her, Aryan nodded. Realizing what she was doing, Sahana instantly snatched her hand back and turned towards the adorable couple.

"Prachi" Aryan called out tentatively.

Prachi, who was busy bickering with Ranbir, turned to him questioningly.

"I...I want to apologize. For my mother's and sister's deeds." Aryan looked down on his entwined fingers.

"Aryan, please, you don't need to apologize for their behaviour. You are not them. You are a very good person. You have always been to me the brother I never had. You have always helped me and supported me. So, please don't feel bad." Prachi smiled sweetly at Aryan.

"Prachi is right, Aryan. You were never at fault. So, there is no need for you to apologize."  Ranbir corroborated Prachi's opinion.

"Thanks guys." Aryan smiled gratefully.

"You are thanking friends, you idiot?" Ranbir reached across the table and hit Aryan's head lightly.

All four of them laughed heartily.

Soon, Ranbir's phone started buzzing and it cut their laughter short. Ranbir fished his mobile out of his pocket and checked the caller id and then accepted the call.

"Yeah, mom?" Ranbir frowned slightly as his mother rarely called him at this time. 

"Ranbir, there's a good news. Temporary, but good news alright." Pallavi's voice sounded excited. 

"Temporary good news? What's that?" Ranbir looked around at the other three, bemused.

"Maya had fallen down the stairs and her ankle bone sustained injury. So, now the wedding will take place after three months." Pallavi informed excitedly.

"That's a great news, mom. Why didn't she break her neck? That would have been an even greater news and a permanent solution to this headache. Anyways, bye mom. Let me inform others." Ranbir grinned excitedly.

"What happened Ranbir?" Prachi raised her brows questioningly seeing his excited grin.

"Maya injured her ankle bone and therfore, the marriage has been postponed for 3 months." Ranbir informed her, grinning stupidly.

All three of them rejoiced hearing the news and soon Ranbir joined in too. 

As they made their way back to their classes together, someone called out to them.

"Guys, princi asked all of us to assemble in the congregation hall. he has some announcements to make." The boy informed them and strode away.

Looking at each other, Pranbir and Arhana made their way towards the hall. All four of them were curious to know about the announcements.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Congregation Hall

As the students filed into the spacious room, there was a general buzz of curiosity among the students. Soon, the Principal walked in, followed by other professors.

The principal walked straight up to the podium and took his place behind the mike.

"I know that you all must be wondering why I have called you all here and what are the announcements that I am going to make. I won't make you wait any longer. So here are the announcements. Firstly, if you remember we have talked about college fashion show. It's going to take place after 4 days. So, I wants to ask the participants to start preparing from now. Secondly, after the fashion show, we will go for a college trip. Thirdly, after the college trip you will want to study hard as we are going to conduct final exams soon after. Fourthly, after the exams, the final year batches will have their farewell party. That's all. Have a nice day everyone." The Principal finshed his announcements amidst cheers and groans.

"I know you will be the one to win this fashion show." Ranbir intertwined his fingers with Prachi's and smiled down at her with full confidence.

"I hope you are right." Prachi smiled back at him, albeit nervously.

They were unaware of a pair of eyes burning with jealousy.

"Oh no, Prachi. You won't. You can't win everytime. I won't let you. You have snatched everyone away from me, everyone whom I love. First dad, then Ranbir and now your mom. I will be the one to win this fashion show and show you that I, too, can win over you." Rhea vowed.

"Don't worry, Rhea. we know you will win and not that geek. She doesn't know the F of fashion." Dimpy sniggered while Saina nodded.