Veer smiled to himself as he realized that the boy was indeed a good player and would be apt for his basketball team, i.e the college basketball team of which he was the captain. Veer clapped in applause and admiration for the boy's skills which finally made the boy to turn back to him. The boy was tall, strong built and quite handsome with jet black eyes, well no match to Veer offcourse but yes he really could be called handsome.

Both the boys smiled at each other and walked to each other and extended hands.

Veer: "Hey! Veer. Veer Singhania."

The boy: "Hi! Abhinav Shergil."

They both shook hands.

Veer: "Wow man! Quite a big name. Abhi bulao toh chalega?"

Abhi chuckled: "Daurega."

Veer laughed at the response. He instictively knew that the guy was quite cordial.

Veer: "So newcomer right? Waise tum bahut accha khel lete ho basketball. I was thinking if you could join the college team."

Abhi: "Ya just joined the college today. Wow that's awesome. I would love to."

Veer: "Gr8. Isbar selection ke waqt ek jagah khali reh gaya tha. Lagta hain tumhare liye hi wo jagah vacant reh gaya tha. So come on buddy. Lets introduce you to our crazy gang." (Saying this he winked at him)

Abhi laughed and then the two guys made their way towards the canteen.

*******************************************************************

(canteen)

The whole gang was sitting in their usual place, chatting with and teasing each other when Veer entered alongwith Abhi.

Veer: "hey guys! Look here. This is Abhinav. You can call him Abhi. And Abhi this is my crazy gang. These are Rahul, Soniya, Riya, Soham, Arnav and.... Hey where is she?"

Veer looked around the table and frowned as Ananya was not there.

Riya: "pata nehi yaar. Abhi aayi bolke gayi aur dus minute ho gaye."

Veer: "Main dekhta hu."

Soham: "oye ruk! Kya dekhta hu? Wo koi bacchi hain kya? Aur yeh koi kumbh ka mela hain kya jo wo gum ho jayegi? Tu baith who aa jayegi. Usko bhi thora space de yaar. Tu na bilkul wo possessive, obsessive lover ke tarah behave karta hain yaar."

Veer was about to reply when a voice came from behind him: "Oye Soham! Prince ko kuch mat bol haan."

Veer and Abhi turned back only to see Ananya standing there.

Soniya chuckled: "Yeh lo aa gayi prince ki princess!"

Soham: "Maaf kar de meri maa. Galti ho gayi. Aainda se tere prince ko kuch nehi bolunga."

Ananya giggled: "That's better. (Then she turned to Soniya) Oye maine bola tha na Prince ko prince mere alawa aur koi nehi bulaega."

Soniya smiled and shook her head and then she hold her ears: "Sorry!"

Ananya chuckled alongwith Veer: "Better."

Abhinav, on the other hand, was mesmerized by Ananya's beauty and charm. Well no one could really blame him nor give him any credit for that as who could resist getting mesmerised by the epitome of beauty standing in front of him.

Veer turned to Abhi: "Well and this is Pari. I mean Ananya."

Abhi: "Hi Pari. It's a gr8 pleasure meeting you."

Veer raised his eyebrows: "Excuse me?"

Abhi looked at him confused while the rest, including Ananya burst out into fits of laughter which however increased Abhi's confusion even more.

Rahul: "Don't stress yourself dude. I'll tell you what's wrong. You know you should consider yourself lucky to be still alive even after you have called Anu pari."

Abhi was confused even more: "isnt that's her name?"

Now its Riya's turn to speak: "Well offcourse it is. But only our Veer here have the copyright to use it and noone else. You call her by that name and the next moment your bones would lie in a heap next to you. I think Veer didn't do anything as you didn't know that. For everyone else, Ananya is either Ananya or Anu or Ani but she is Pari or angel or princess only for Veer."

A cloud of dissapointment veiled Abhi's handsome face as if something very precious had been snatched away from him.

He said in a low voice: "Oh I didn't know she is your girlfriend Veer."

Veer: "What? Offcourse she is not. She is my best friend and not girl friend."

For some unknown reason, Ananya felt bad as he said that. However, Abhi's face, on the other hand, brightened up as he heard that.

Abhi: "Oh maine socha ki..."

Veer smiled: "Sab yehi sochte hain."

Riya muttered to Rahul: "Haan sabko dikhta hain bus in dono idiots ke alawa."

Ananya: "kya kaha Ri?"

Riya smiled sheepishly: " kuch nehi"

Abhi extended his hand towards Ananya: "Hi Ananya."

Anaya took his hand and shook it: "hey Abhi."

Abhi immediately got lost in her eyes and didn't even realise that he had been holding her hand for quite sometime now. His trance was broken by an impatient and stern voice:

"What do you think you are doing?"

Before he could comprehend anything his hand lost contact with Ananya's by a forceful jerk. He looked up to see Veer standing in front of him with a stern expression. Veer raised his eyebrows.

Abhi fumbled with words as he was very much embarassed at the sudden turns of events: "Wo...sorry...it was unintentional...main kuch soch raha tha isliye dhyan nehi gaya."

Veer was about to reply when Ananya silenced him: "Its okay prince. Let it go. Never mind. He apologised na."

Veer: "Fine. If you say so. Lets sit then."

As usual Veer and Ananya sat beside each other while Abhi sat on the other side of Ananya.

Veer: "Okay Abhi this is our basketball team too. And guys Abhi wil join us from now on."

The gang: "Hey that's gr8. Welcome Abhi."

Abhi: "thanx guys. Umm...Ananya... you must be a very good player isnt that?"

Ananya smiled while Veer replied: "Yeh toh aaj tumhein saam ko basketball court mein hi pata chal jayega. Aaj practise hain. Sharp at 6 okay?"

All: "Okay."

Ananya: "chalo guys humein class ke liye bhi jaana hain."

Veer: "yup lets go."

They all left the canteen and headed for their class.

As they were about to enter the class, someone tapped on Veer's shoulder. He turned back to see one of his friends. He asked his gang to go ahead and walked away with the boy.

As they entered the class, Ananya took her usual seat but instead of Veer it was Abhi who sat beside her.

Abhi: "Ananya tumse thik se baatein nehi ho payi. So u like this class?""

Ananya smiled: " yup."

Soon Ananya became comfortable with Abhi and both began to chat about random things.

When they were chatting with each other, Ananya's eyes were still searching for someone but then she was again forced to look back at Abhi as he was saying something. Just at that moment Veer entered the class room but he frowned as soon as his gaze fall on Ananya and Abhi. For some weird and unknown reason, he felt a strange anger and discomfort surging through him. He didn't know why he was feeling like that and what exactly he was feeling as never before had he felt anything remotely as that. But today when he saw Ananya and Abhi chatting and laughing he felt a sudden anger but the wierdest thing was that with the anger there was this sudden fear and restlessness which he just couldn't pinpoint as to what exactly was it.

Veer (in his mind): "Yeh mujhe kya ho raha hain? Kyun mujhe ajeeb sa restlessness feel ho raha hain agar pari Abhi ke saath baat kar rahi hain toh? But then how can he talk and laugh like that with my Pari? What? But why cant he? He's also our friend. Lekin Pari meri best friend hain aur main usko kisi aur ke saath share nehi kar sakta. Huh! Share her? Par aisa maine socha bhi kyun? Oh God! What the hell is happening to me? Urgh!"

However, he decided to leave the confusing thoughts there only and do what the present moment needed. He walked straight to the place where Ananya and Abhi were sitting and chatting. Suddenly Abhi felt a tap on his shoulder and he looked up only to see Veer standing right beside him.

Veer forced a smile: "Hey Abhi! Sorry dude! But this is my place. You have to move. Kyunki jo mera hain wo toh sirf mera hain aur jo mera hain wo kisi aur ko nehi mil sakta." (Saying this he winked at him)

Abhi was surprised as he registered the barely concealed sternness in Veer's voice : "Oh...um...sorry. I didn't know it is your place."

Veer: "The place beside Ananya always belongs to me. Hope you remember that from the next time."

Abhi: "Oh! I'll remember it. Bye Veer, bye Anu. I'll leave."

He got up and walked to Arnav who was sitting beside alone behind Rahul and riya who were, in turn, sitting behind Veer and Ananya and sat beside him gloomily.

Veer, on the other hand, sat there with an angry expression beside a surprised Ananya who was even more taken aback as he didn't talk to her even after 5 minutes of taking his seat beside her which was highly unusual. She knew that he was angry and hence was in the mute mode. She, therefore, decided to probe him to break the ice wall.

Ananya : "kya hua? Baat kyun nehi kar rahe ho?"

Veer: "bas yu hi. Mann nehi hain."

Ananya: "Wo hi toh pooch rahi hu. Mann kyun nehi hain?"

Veer: "Bas nehi hain. Kaha na. Pareshaan mat karo."

Ananya: "Aur bhi jyada karungi pareshaan agar nehi bataya ki kya hua."

Veer was silent.

Ananya: "Dekho ab tum mujhe gussa dila rahe ho okay. Seedhi tarike se batao ki hua kya hain?"

Veer snapped back: "Haan ab toh tumko meri baatein gussa dilwayengi hi na. Uski hasi majak jo itna miss kar rahi ho. Kaho toh usko wapas yehi bhej du?"

Ananya was genuinely taken aback at his sharp retort: "kiski baat kar rahe ho?"

Veer (through gritted teeth): "Abhinav naam ki us langoor ki aur kiski."

Ananya : "Abhi? Par wo toh sirf baat kar raha tha."

Veer: "Haan dikh raha tha mujhe. Aur Anu? Usne tumhein Anu kyun kaha?"

Ananya: "Kyunki mere saare dost mujhe yehi bulate hain. Isliye jab usne poocha ki kya wo muhjhe Anu bula sakta hain toh maine..."

Veer: "toh tumne immediately haan keh diya, hain na?"

Ananya was even more surprised now: "Haan. Kuch galat kiya kya?"

Veer retorted angrily: "nehi tumne kuch galat nehi kiya. Galat toh main hu."

Ananya: "Par tum aise kyun..."

But she was interrupted as the professor chose just that precise moment to enter the class and after the general greeting as the class began it silenced both Veer and Ananya. Ananya kept stealing glances at Veer throughout the class but Veer seemed to be in no mood to cool down and much detrmined not to look at his direction.

As the bell rang indicating, the end of the class, Veer got up and just walked out of the class without saying anything, leaving behind a taken aback and dejected Ananya as she was totally clueless about what happened that could make him this much angry. Yes she knew that he was quite a short tempered person but he didn't usually walk away from her even in the wierdest of his moods without informing her about his whereabouts. She was genuinely upset. She got up and alongwith her friends walked out of the class.

*******************************************************************

(canteen)

Soham and Soniya were busy stealing glances of each other while rahul, Arnav and Abhi were engrossed in a conversation regarding sports while Ananya was sitting gloomily. Riya who was sitting on one side of Ananya finally could no longer tolerate her quietness and tapped her shoulder as she seemed to be much lost in her own thoughts. However, Ananya was brought back to reality by riya finally.

Riya: "Kya hua Anu? Tu itni sad kyun lag rahi hain? Aur yeh Veer kaha hain?"

Ananya (in a sad tone): "Pata nehi yaar kaha gaya hain. Class mein bas yu hi bharak gaya mujhpe. Mujhe toh samajh hi nehi aaya ki aakhir maine aisa kiya kya jo usko itna gussa aa gaya."

Riya : "Hua kya tha?"

Ananya: "Pata nehi yaar. Main Abhi se baat kar rahi thi. Fir Abhi ne mujhko Anu kaha. Toh shayad yahi Prince ko accha nehi laga. Lekin mere baaki dost bhi toh Anu kehte hain na mujhe toh fir problem kya hain. Mujhe toh kuch samajh nehi aa raha."

Riya giggled and then smacked her palm on her forehead: "Hey bhagwan in dono ka kuch nehi ho sakta."

Ananya was even more confused: "matlab?"

Riya was about to reply but was cut in by Arnav: "mujhe toh bahut bhook lagi hain. Main sabke liye khana leke aata hu. Thik hain na?"

All except Ananya agreed.

Rahul: "Ani tera wo as usual boring chinese hain na? Aur yeh humara captain sahab achanak se kaha gayab ho gaye. Uske liye pizza le lete hain."

Rahul expected Ananya to retort back as usual at being mocked on her taste but she was unusually quiet and didn't even bother to contradict him which surprised everyone except Riya who knew the reason for her morose behaviour.

Ananya: "mujhe bhook nehi hain. Pata nehi kaha gaya hoga. (then almost to herself though totally audible) Subah bhi thik se nehi khaya tha. Aur ab lunch ke waqt bhi gayab hain. Ab agar tabiyat kharab ho gaya toh!"

Rahul: "Don't worry Ani. Wo aa jayega. Tuhe pata hain na poori college ko uski jarurat parti rehti hain. Kahi fas gaya hoga. Chal hum lunch kar lete hain. Wo aa gaya toh uske liye le aayenge."

Ananya: " nehi Rahul. Mujhe bilkul bhi bhook nehi hain. Tum log kha lo."

Abhi, now, Abhi tried to persuade her: "Anu please kha lo. Veer aa jayega toh kha lega."

Saying this, he gestured Arnav to bring food for Ananya also and Arnav left.

Ananya: " Please Abhi mera bilkul mann nehi hain aur mujhe bhook bhi nehi hain."

Soniya: "Par tum ne bhi toh subah thik se kuch nehi khaya tha. Bhook kaise nehi hain. Chupchaap kha lo chalo."

By that time Arnav was back with a large tray full of their lunch and placed it on the table.

Ananya looked at it disinterestedly but then turned her face away.

Ananya: "Jidd mat karna Soniya. Tum log khao. Mujhe bhook nehi hain."

She was looking out of the window on the opposite side when someone tapped on her shoulder. Knowing that it was either of her irritating friends, she began to reply while turning back: "Maine kaha na mujhe bhook nehi ha... (she stopped abruptly as she saw Veer sitting beside her and smiling) Oh! Tum ho."

Veer took a spoonfull of noodles and forwarded it to her mouth but she refused to open her mouth and turned away again.

Veer: "kha lo."

Ananya: "bhook nehi hai."

Veer: "Bilkul hain. Chalo muh kholo."

Ananya was still facing away. Veer smiled and shook his head.

Veer: "Accha baba sorry. Mujhe waise bin wajah tum pe gussa nehi hona chahiye tha. Ab ki baar aisa nehi karunga. Promise. Ab kha lo na Pari. Dekho Angel jab tak tum nehi khaogi main bhi nehi kha paonga aur mujhe bhook lagi hain. Do you wanna starve this poor, little, innocent boy." (Saying this he made a cute puppy face)

Everyone laughed at his antic and even Ananya couldn't help but smiled. Veer chuckled and then forwarded the spoon once again and this time Ananya didn't decline. He kept on feeding her till she was full and then concentrated on his own food which was brought at the meanwhile by Rahul. Everyone was chatting when Veer noticed while eating and chatting that Ananya was feeling a little fatigued. He smiled and then hit her lightly on her shoulder with his head and when she turned to look at him, he simply gestured towards his shoulder. Ananya smiled as she understood the unspoken gesture and edging closer, she put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes peacefully. Their friends looked at them and smiled and then turned their attention back to their chatting session as they were quite used to such sweet scenes when it would come to Veer and Ananya.