Janhavi was lost in questions about what Agastya wanted and why he was behaving the way he was. Just then her message tone beeped. It was from Arjun.

"Hey there? Passing through a close by lane. Are you home? Come down for a coffee? I'll be there in 10. What say?"

She typed, "Sure. Will meet you downstairs then. I actually do need a coffee and more so, a bit of your company. See ya."

She touched the send button, only to be lost in thoughts about how everytime she was troubled or in pain or just in a confused state, this man had always been there somehow, by her side.

---- 7 years ago ----

The college introduction and then the freshers' party was the start of Janhavi's bond with Arjun. At that time, little did she know he would become such an important part of her life.

Being studious was a common base for their bonding. Both, Janhavi and Arjun would often bump into each other in the library until they actually started to schedule their studies and would go on breaks together. Their batch had already started to talk about them, about how they made a sizzling couple for the college to be in aww of or get jealous about.

When asked, they would often say they were just friends and that would raise more eyebrows since their chemistry couldn't be denied. Girls were jealous of Janhavi as they never got a chance with the handsome hunk that Arjun was. Similar was the case with guys who had a crush on the smartest and most beautiful girl in the class, Janhavi.

It was near the end of 2nd semester, Janhavi and Arjun were going strong as really close friends. Janhavi could confide in him and had gradually found comfort in sharing her mind and heart with Arjun who was always a patient listener and a wise adviser to her.

Over the period, Arjun naturally inclined towards Janhavi and would often spend all his college time exclusively with her. They were out for one of their usual Sunday evening coffee strolls in the campus, when Arjun showed up with a pink lilies and white orchid bouquet. Those were Janhavi's favourite flowers and she couldn't understand what special occasion it was for him to get those flowers. As Arjun approached, Janhavi couldn't wait for him to tell what was this all about. She jumped

"Arjunnnn! Now what's this about? What's the occasion? Who's the lucky girl? Why don't I know all about her already? I'm gonna be sad, why was I not aware about all this? Huh?" She blurted all that came to her mind in a blink and Arjun sushed her.

"Ohh God! Janhavi! Take a breath! For God's sake." He thought for a moment and decided how to answer her.

"Well, The occasion..umm I don't know.. And, aren't these your favourite? Saw them while on my way here and thought to get them for you. Here.." and he stretched his arms to offer the bouquet to her.

"Oh thank you bestie! These are indeed my favourite! But there's no flower shop or stall on your way to my hostel. Its a surprise someone thought to set theirs up today. So that really makes today a special day this way. Thanks for the flowers Arjun! I love them."

Arjun had to take a pause to rethink what he was doing and if it was worth it. He shrugged off his initial plan and said, "Flowers to mil gaye jisko milne chahiye.. ab mujh gareeb ko coffee mil jati to achha hota.."

Janhavi giggled at his dramatic comment on the coffee that was being delayed, "Haha.. very funny! Come on, let's go! Looks like you really need that coffee, well that pale face needs coffee for some warmth, I guess."

And that's when Arjun realised his mental state was reflecting on his face. But the next moment, he grabbed Janhavi by her shoulder and dragged her gently, "Yes! You do know I came with an expectation of sipping a nice warm coffee with you. So yes! I need it. Chalo ab."

Arjun wasn't being his 100% self at the coffee shop and kept smiling awkwardly on and off. Janhavi wasn't very clear on what was in his mind but she noticed something different. After the coffee Arjun dropped her at the hostel gate, bid her bye with a hug and wished her good night.

Next few days were not exactly the same. Arjun was busy with his assignment that was due by the end of the week and his meetings with Janhavi had therefore reduced. It was Friday afternoon when his phone rang, the screen displayed Janhavi's name.

She spoke on the other end "Hello! Where the hell are you these days? Why aren't you around? Where's your friendship when I need you?" She said all this in a single breathe.

Arjun knew she was upset and might have cried, listening to her nasal tone. He got worried, "What's the matter darling? Tum royi ho?? Hua kya? I'm so sorry. Where are you? Hostel? Mai abhi aata hu. Hold on."

"See you at the cafe in 20." She said as she disconnected the call.
Her voice conveyed she meant 'business'. Arjun had reached the cafe and shortly Janhavi too had arrived. He side hugged her almost smiling. She took a seat across his sofa. Their order had arrived and just when the silence started growing uncomfortable, Janhavi looked at Arjun

"So? Done with your assignment submissions?"

"Yeah. Just submitted in the afternoon. Umm.. are you alright?" He said not looking at her when she spoke casually

"Do you know the gossip that's surrounding us doing rounds in the college? Like you and me?"

He cocked his brows "Umm.. what gossip?"

"That checkered guy.. the tall one who always is in his checkered shirts and black-red big sunnies, he..he had proposed me few days ago that I obviously turned down. Now they all are gossiping that we both were a couple and have now broken up probably. I heard someone say ki kuch dino se ignore kar raha hai Janhavi ko, poor girl has lost the charm. They have broken up."

Arjun being little pensive just could say "Ohh."

Janhavi now was angered a bit
"So, will you take the pain of telling me why the hell are you ignoring me since a few days? Dare you give me assignment's excuse. It is so bothersome, your changed and distant behavior. Come on dude! Spill the beans. NOW"

Arjun huffed straightening himself as he braced himself to tell her

"I am sorry for putting you through this darling. Lekin mere liye bhi mushkil hai bahut. You remember last Sunday, when we were out for our coffee? I had gathered all my courage over the last few weeks to finally confess how I felt for you. I went all the way to the most famous flower seller I had heard about, to get your favourite flowers with their perfect freshness. I had decided in favour of finally telling you that I have had feelings for you. But I didn't know how you felt and I genuinely loved the warmth of our friendship. And when I gave you the bouquet and you replied with a cheerful "Thank you bestie", my mind when into spirals contemplating if my confession will jeopardise the lovely bond of the truest friendship I have ever formed in my life. And so I gave up the idea and was dealing with all that overthinking during the last week when you felt I was distant. I was just sorting my mind and heart Janhavi!"

Listening to this, Janhavi got teary eyed and couldn't say anything but gave Arjun time to finish what he held in his heart.

He continued, "It is so tough to keep on pretending. I can't do that anymore. Yes, I had fallen for you since the day I had seen you that you couldn't notice. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do. Isiliye thoda time le raha tha. Sorry if it has bothered you."

The penny had dropped for Janhavi. She had toned down as she held his hand in hers and smiled through the tears. She felt his dilemma and understood his pain very well now. How couldn't she? She had been through similar situation.

"I'm so so sorry you had to go through this emotion. And I exactly know how it feels. But you know what helped me survive that ugly emotional phase?" Janhavi asked and Arjun was confused. He asked, "What are you referring to? Who helped you?"

Janhavi looked straight into his eyes and responded, "It was you Arjun! You wouldn't know how you had unknowingly helped me and saved me at large from that emotional distress to an extent. I have been through similar situation. I really loved my childhood best friend but things didn't turn the way I had thought. He started ignoring me and we grew so distant that I got to know he was leaving the country for higher studies just a week before his departure. I was heart broken, cursed my stars for making me fall so deep for him that return to life looked like impossible. But then I met Poorvi and got to know you. Slowly I started confiding in you. You made me feel safe and comfortable to be myself again. Arjun! I like you, a lot! But the hurt is so deep, that I couldn't move on from it, move away from him."

And Janhavi broke into sobs. Arjun took her out of the cafe, paying the bill. He had held her hand in his warm ones and it was nothing but comfortable for her. Although she now knew that Arjun loved her, his proximity didn't bother her otherwise.
He wiped her tears gently and smiled at her. She could see something similar in his eyes, probably that longing to be loved back as she too felt the same for her Gusty.

"I am sorry Arjun. I just can't think of anyone in that way as I've felt for him." She still cried and Arjun spoke calmly

"Janhavi! Tu mere itne close hote hue mere baare me nahi soch paa rahi hai to aage to aur launde tujhpe try maarenge. You will get hurt every damn time, linking your past to it. Why are you inflicting so much of pain my dear?"

Arjun assured Janhavi that he will never cross the limit and be there for her no matter what. Because she was very important to him, be it in any role. He had made peace with his heart knowing his love will always be one sided but atleast he had found a genuine loving friend in Janhavi. And he didn't want to loose a great friend like her ever.

Hence, they mutually decided to pretend as a couple for the college and people who presumed they were together. This way no other guy would try to hit on her.

Janhavi said this will be his loss too. But Arjun reassured her that if he ever felt for any other girl, he would tell her and they will break their arrangement.
She had given in to the idea and that was how they have been together through all the years. Their relationship had no secrets and no lies. Arjun still loved her but never pressured her to be his partner. They both had found a confidante in each other and as the years passed, they grew even closer emotionally. Their friendship was strong as a rock.

Somehow, they both had one-sided love story and Janhavi once even exclaimed

"I feel, I would never be able to love anyone. And it will be unjust for the one even if I tried. Hence I didn't even give hope to you too saying I would try. It would have brought more pain with the expectation and me being stuck at him. But I'm so glad and thankful to God that I found you as my closest friend. Socho itne close ho tum ki mere bestest friend ko bhi nahi pata that I love him, but you know. Thank you Arjun for giving me a gift of your friendship. I value it way too much that I think I turned selfish and could not let you go."

Arjun had hugged his bestie with a smile and happy tears "Thank you my darling! Just keep smiling. Well! You lost on the hottest lot of the college. But I promise you I will be by your side through thick and thin, no matter what. You are very precious."

--------------------
Suddenly her phone buzzed bringing her back from the beautiful memories of the most special bond. It was Arjun on call. Janhavi wiped her moist eyes. It was Arjun on call

"Janhaviiii! Aa na neeche.. I'm already here. You told me to meet downstairs. Yaad hai or got into some work?"

Janhavi felt like she time travelled in thoughts and was now back. Realising she had to be downstairs by now, she started to tie her hair into a messy bun while putting on her floaters and grabbing her bag, "Haan haan, bas aa hi gayi. Entering into the lift."

And just like she said, she was there infront of him. Too casual and natural. She hugged him a warm hello and they headed to their favourite coffee house. Over coffee, Arjun heard all the dilemma of thoughts Janhavi had because of all that Agastya had been doing and saying on and off in the office. After hearing her out, Arjun spoke

"Listen! I'm not sure about him but I know you and what you've gone through all these years. So all I would now suggest knowing the history involved is, do not try to decipher hidden meanings and do not read between the lines. Time will show what he means. I have avoided forming an opinion about him till date and I would stick to it, for your sake. All I want you to do is, protect yourself from unwanted hurt. You get what I mean, right?"

Janhavi nodded in a yes and just then, her phone rang. The screen flashed "Aai aunty calling." She turned  the screen to Arjun, hinting him to make a move out of the cafe, while she picked up the call and Naina spoke from the other end

"Hello beta! How are you?"

Janhavi smiled greeting her "Hi aai aunty. I am good. Aap kaise ho?"

Naina had a smile listening to her sweet voice. She didn't know that Agastya was listening her side of the conversation rather eves dropping to be precise.

"I am great too beta. Achha sun, I am sure, Siya must have told you. Your Sana chachi had called me to convey that we all have planned a family get together for Siya's 18th birthday at their Lonavala farm villa for the weekend. Tu hamare sath hi chal. We shall pick you up on Thursday evening between 6:30-7:00. Okay?"

Janhavi said something and Naina could only say

"Ohh! Okay beta. Koi baat nahi. Theek hai chal bye. You take care."

Agastya heard what Naina had said and her 'ohh' felt disappointing to him. His heart felt sad and now he was in dilemma if he should attend the get together. His mind had already started thinking of appropriate excuses.
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