Paakhi POV

After giving an excuse for not eating and Them believing us. I sighed in relief but then,

Then something unimaginable happened...

Maanu's stomach growled And It growled like a dying hyena.

I looked at her baffled and She went beetroot red.
I wanted to laugh out loud but controlled myself because as a best friend I can't further embarrass her.

"UMM!!" Maanu embarrassedly voiced out..."I guess I didn't realize that I was hungry."

I glanced at her with a 'are you serious' look and she just shrugged and gazed at me with 'I don't have anything better to say' look.

"Then I should probably fill your little tummy with food." Arhaan cooed.

Yes, he literally cooed. How cute right?

"What the-" came a deep voice from across me.
"Did you just cooed?" Mr. Khadoos asked disdainfully.

"He actually did," Shaurya said amused.
"What? She is my girlfriend. I have full right to coo or to flirt with her." Arhaan declared.

I smiled at how protective he is.
"Stop smiling like a fool." That deep rich voice repeated.

I'm really angry with him. He said we are now best friends and then never contacted me.

'What do you want him to do? Send you flowers? Or text you good morning just like Arhaan does to Maanu?' My conscience commented.

I don't know what I want, but...I do know what I have to do!

So I just ignored him.yes, this is my master plan.

"Hello?" He said to gain my attention but I just resume skimming through the menu.

"Bhai, I guess this lady is ignoring you. The great Viren Singh." Mr.Shaurya boomed with laughter.

"Miss. Paakhi, " Mr.Shaurya called.
I looked at him and he immediately grabbed my hand and said "where were you all my life? I was looking for you everywhere. The one who can say no to Viren Singh is My cinderella!" He babbled and kissed my hand.
I looked at him stunned and literally, for a second I thought I'seeing my overdramatic Adi.

"Ouch!" I heard a shriek from Mr.Shaurya and looked up to see him rubbing his head and glaring at Mr.Khadoos.

"Beautiful, ignore these idiots and tell me what will you have?" Arhaan said to Maanu ignoring the glare battle in front.

I glanced from Viren to Shaurya to Viren, they didn't even blink for a second but resume their glaring battle.

"I will have a club sandwich and a cold coffee," Maanu said.
I immediately skimmed the menu and saw it is actually the most reasonable item on the menu.

So I decided to order myself a sandwich too because I don't want the same experience of a grumbling stomach as Maanu.

After everybody ordered their dishes, I peeked at Mr.Khadoos to see him staring at me.
I instantly looked away and huffed, so that he knows I'm angry with him.

Buzz...

My phone vibrated in my pocket.
I grabbed it to see a message from Mr.Khadoos.

Stop Ignoring Me.
-Mr.Khadoos.

Stop Ordering Me.
-Paakhi

What happened?
-Mr.Khadoos

You!
-Paakhi

Me? What did I do?
-Mr.Khadoos

Nothing, and that's the problem.
-Paakhi

You are confusing!
-Mr.Khadoos

So don't talk to me!
-Paakhi

Are you on your periods?
-Mr.Khadoos

Did he just asked me that?! This infuriating man.

I got so angry that I booted his leg under the table rendering him to jerk and his coffee to topple over him.
"Damn it." Mr.Khadoos bestowed and glared at me.

I just passed him a cheeky smile and casually sipped my water.

"What was that?" Maanu asked skeptically.
I just made an innocent face and shrugged.
"You are the best!" Shaurya said hugging me and followed Viren supposedly to the washroom.

This guy is a humorist.

"I'm sorry girls, those two are fools, Leave them and tell me what are you guys shopping for?" Arhaan asked leaning back and draping his arm around Maanu's chair.
Maanu cuddled into his side and I instantly smiled looking at them and prayed to God to always keep them together.

"Janamashtami celebration" Maanu replied in a duh tone.
Looking at his expression We can see he is confused.

"You do know there is a celebration at your house tomorrow, Right?"Maanu pried.

"What? And why was I not informed about it?"Arhaan exclaimed sadly.
Maanu got busy coddling him So I started devouring the cookies settled on the table.

__________________________________

Viren Pov

Looking at this black stain on my white shirt infuriates me.
I don't know what's up with that crazy girl!

I was so happy to see her here and then she ignored me, she bloody ignored me.
And when I asked her what's the problem she said 'you', I mean you what? What did I do? As much as I remember she was so happy two days ago when I dropped her off. Then what happened?

I was cleaning that stain mark on my shirt when I heard a chuckle beside me.
I glanced towards my side to See Shaurya leaning on the sink, arms fold, and chuckling.

" Stop smiling before I smash your teeth!" I proclaimed.

"Bro, she is something right? I mean look at you, another stain on your shirt by the same woman."

When he mentioned that, I immediately recalled our meeting at Pari's bday party and how she stained my shirt then too.

"Why are you so interested in her?" I asked casually, remembering how he knuckle kissed Paakhi.

Casually?!Right! My conscience mocked.

"I like her bro!" He said fondly.

Rippppp......
A ripping sound resonated in the room making me look at the torn shirt in my hand.

"Shit!" I exclaimed.

"Too much pressure you used on that lifeless material." Shaurya teased.

"No, I didn't, this fabric is poor." I rendered back.
"Oh okay, for a second I thought you were angry with me!" Shaurya said scared.

"Why would I be angry with you?" I asked him while tossing the shirt in the bin.

"Because I confessed my feelings for Paakhi." He said removing his overshirt and tossing it at my face.

I grabbed it and wore it and left top buttons unbuttoned.

"Do you really like her?" I asked enviously.

I mean because she is my new best friend.

Ya, right! My conscience interjected.

I as always ignored it and waited for Shaurya''s Reply.

"Yes, Man! Madly, insanely in love with her." He replied spontaneously.

"Love? But you said like!" I asked perplexed.
"Did I say like? Nah man it's love at first sight." He said captivated.
"What?" I shouted." what attracted you to her?" I asked agitated.

"Her beautiful sensuous lips and her big round butt and her curveou-" before he could complete his sentence my hand unconsciously hit him.

"Ouch Man!" Shaurya shrieked clasping his jaw.
"I was just joking. No need to be possessive." He said assessing his jaw in the mirror.

"Man, look you destroyed my gorgeous face." He whined like a girl.
"Shut up! And listen to me carefully, Never talk about her like that. Understood!" I conveyed.
"Jeez Man, I was just playing with you. I know Maanya and Paakhi are off-limits. They are my sister-in-law." Shaurya surrendered.

"I don't know about Maanya but Paakhi is just my friend," I confessed.

"Just a friend? When did you start making friends? And that too with a girl you despised?" Arhaan asked surprised.

"What is there to be surprised about?" I asked skeptically.

"You! You Mr.Viren Singh made a friend after 4 years. This is surprising." Shaurya said pressing his jaw.

"A friend who is angry with me and I don't know why?" I asked him confessed.

"Angry? what did you do? I mean there are unlimited possibilities of you irritating someone but this time what is it?" He said thoughtfully.

"I'm not irritating!" I exclaimed.

We were still talking when my phone pinged with an upcoming message from Arhaan stating 'where are you?'

I looked at Shaurya to see him viewing the same message as Arhaan texted it in our brother's group chat.
"It's been 40 minutes. I never thought I would spend as much time in a washroom with you and not with a girl!" Shaurya exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes at him and walked back to our table to see Arhaan sitting alone at the table.
"Where are the girls?" I asked taking my seat.
"They had to leave," Arhaan answered busily eating his pasta salad.

Damn, now how will I know what is the problem?! I thought when,

"By the way, What is it with you and Paakhi?" He asked questioningly.
"What do you mean? There is nothing between us." I answered back casually munching on my sandwich.

"Really, As if I didn't see her ignoring you or giving you stink eyes," Arhaan exclaimed.

"They are new best friends," Shaurya interjected.

Hack Hack Hack... Arhaan coughed, choked on his food.

"What? Viren and Paakhi are friends? You mean friends-friends?" Arhaan asked flabbergasted.

"Ya, Why is it so surprising and what are friends -friends?" I asked irritated.

I mean it's not that difficult for me to have a friend.
"No, it's not friends-friends. It's more than that." Shaurya again interjected. "And the best thing is he already upset her." Shaurya laughed out loud.
"Shut up before I break your nose too." I gritted back.

"Really! What did you do?" Arhaan asked disappointed?
"Why do you think that I did something?" I asked irritated glancing at her texts on my phone.

"Umm.Maybe because I know Paakhi is a very mature kinda person." Arhaan declared.
"And I'm?" I further pried.

"Irritating!" Shaurya yelled.

I immediately punched him in the nose and saw him clutching it tightly.
"I warned you, bro!" I shrugged.

He glared at me and asked the waiter for an ice pack.

"By the way, there is news." Arhaan prompted.
I raised a questioning brow and chewed on the last bite of my sandwich.
"Did you guys knew we have a celebration at our house?" He asked agitated.
Both Shaurya and I shook our heads So Arhaan continued "Janmashtami celebrations at our house tomorrow and the theme is Indian ethnic." He announced.
"So what's the deal?" Shaurya asked nonchalantly.

"The deal is that Maanya will wear ethnic wear and I won't be able to see her." Arhaan angrily exclaimed.

"Woah man, I'm sorry. But what do you want us to do?" Shaurya waived.

"I want you guys to accompany me to the Celebration." He pleaded.

"What?! We never go to these festive you know!" Shaurya exclaimed back.

"Really? Think about those beautiful girls in Sarees..." Arhaan said knowing Shaurya's vulnerable threshold.

I chuckled seeing Arhaan pursuing Shaurya.

But my thoughts Immediately drifted to my crazy girl and how she'll look in ethnic wear.

One way to find out!

"I'll come with you!" I proclaimed.

"Of course you will!" Both Arhaan and Shaurya screeched embarrassingly.

I glared at both of them and waived for our cheque.

"But how do we get invited? I mean mom would know something is up when out of the blue we agree to participate in that festive."Arhaan questioned.

" let's go home and try our best to pursue mom to invite us."Shaurya declared.

"Look at us, Planning and plotting against our family to get ourselves invited in our home! What a life." I chuckled at the irony of the situation.

"Sir here's your cheque." The waiter said.

I looked down to see only 4 items listed down.

"I guess we ordered 3 more items," I asked confused.

"What happened?" Arhaan asked.
"Look, they have missed girls' orders," I said pointing towards the items listed which were missing two club sandwiches and a cold coffee.

"Sor the ladies with you paid for their order before they left." He announced.

I looked at Arhaan to see him smiling to himself.
I paid for our food and asked him about him smiling.
"I just admire how these girls are so self-dependent and strong. They don't need a man in their lives to look after them but they actually need a man who would just pamper them."

I immediately recalled how Paakhi told me about her past and how strong she looked from outside but her eyes. Her eyes were filled with fear and anxiousness just like a child.

"Let's move. We have a mission to accomplish." Arhaan said standing up and retrieving his phone and car keys.

We followed suit and exited the restaurant.
"Let's meet at home," Arhaan said and sauntered towards his car.
"So bro, what are you gonna do about my Cinderella?" Shaurya said seating in the passenger seat.

"Don't call her Cinderella."

"Why?!"

"Because she is my crazy girl."

"Your?!" Shaurya teased.

"I mean Cinderella is awkward," I explained.

"Okay then, My crazy girl, It is." He announced.

"No!" I yelled. "Only I get to call her Crazy girl," I stressed.

"Geez man, you're possessive." Shaurya's teased.

I glared at him and swiftly took a turn.
"But seriously, What are you going to do about her," Shaurya asked.

"I don't know man. Because I don't know why she is angry with me." I confessed.

"Okay tell me everything from the start and I will tell you what it is." He said.

I agreed to him and told him an overview of our so-called date.
"hmm..maybe she's angry because you didn't kiss her goodnight." He replied back very seriously.

"Not everyone thinks with their dick" I bestowed.

He just shrugged and plugged in his phone to my speakers and honey Singh songs blasted from them.

When we reached the Mansion doors I saw Aarhan's car parked on the driveway and I too Parked my car beside his and excited the car.

We walked in together but then I remembered I left my phone in the car. So I turned back to walk to my car when I heard a girl sobbing, it was faint. But it was still there.
So I followed the source and saw Dhruv my driver and Maira talking.
Maira was sobbing and Dhruv was saying something which I didn't hear.

"Maira!" I called her.
Both of them turned towards me and Dhruv took three steps back.
"Bhai?" She sounded scared.
She looked at Dhruv and then towards me.
"What are you guys doing here?" I demanded.
"I was talking to my friend and she recently broke up with her boyfriend, so I was consoling her," she replied.
I looked at Dhruv to see him maintaining his same expressionless posture and asked him "And what were you doing here?"

He slightly bowed and said, "I -I was.."

"He heard my sobs just like you and came to check up on me." Maira Interrupted.

"By the way bhai, You have a very loyal dog." She said glaring at Dhruv and walked away.

I looked him over and he squirmed under my scrutinizing gaze making me contempt.

After grabbing my phone from the car, I went inside to see Mom and My brothers in the living room.
"Viren?" My mom asked surprised.
Pretty much because I vowed not to come home till Sana is here. But that crazy girl made me forgot all about it and now here I'm.
"What a pleasant surprise. I missed you, my son." My mom said kissing my cheeks.

"Mom you do know we are adults now. So don't kiss us on our cheeks like a little boy." Shaurya joked.

"It doesn't matter, for me, you'll always be my Babies." Mom cooed.
I kissed her on her head and sat down beside Arhaan.

"So what will you guys have?" She instantly asked.
"Nothing mom, just come here and talk to us," Shaurya said cuddling her.
"Oh my my, what happened to my sons? They want to talk to me?" Mom replied dramatically.

"What is it? Did you impregnated a girl?" Mom scolded Shaurya.

Hearing her Arhaan and I cackled out loud.

"Momm!!" Shaurya whined.
"If that news comes, it would probably be from Arhaan bhai."

"And why would that be?" She queried.

Before he could reply, Arhaan lunged forward and shut his mouth.
They both started hustling around but at the end Shaurya Won and declared openly "because he has a girlfriend."

Arhaan glared at him and looked at mom like a scared puppy.
"Really! And who is that girl?" She asked excitedly.

"Ma-" Shaurya opened his mouth but Arhaan chucked a fistful of cashews in his mouth.

"Ma, I'll tell you soon. Just give us some time please." He pleaded.

Mom nodded in understanding and started her favorite topic.
"So Viren my son! What about your girlfriend?" Before replying to mom I discreetly implied my fist to Shaurya warning him that if he even utters a word about Paakhi...
"No mom, please! Can we talk about something else?" I pleaded.

"Sure but what?" She asked back.

"How about the Janamashtami celebration at our house?" Arhaan pried.
"Ya, what about it?" She asked confused.

" why were we not informed about it?" Arhaan asked dejectedly.

I shook my head at his overdramatic execution and leaned back to enjoy the show.

"Because you guys were never interested in these Pooja's and festivals." Mom said in Duh tone.

Internally I chuckled seeing my mom acting all clueless.
"Ya...but it's Janmashtami My favorite festival," Arhaan exclaimed excitedly.

My mom instantly nudged forth and touched Aarhan's forehead.

"Your temperature is fine, Then why are you raving?" she questioned.

Hearing her, both Shaurya and I rolled over in laughter.

Arhaan immediately sat straight and embarrassedly smiled.
"Mom? I was just asking you know, I just want to be a part of this festival."

"But why out of the blue and this festival only?" Mom asked suspiciously.

"Is it because you like one of the girls?"Mom asked excitedly.

" Is it Paakhi? I mean I love that girl.  Such a responsible and sweet girl she is."mom rambled.

Arhaan looked perplexed at mom and before he could deny that it is Not Paakhi but Maanya instead. She scampered off from there clapping "Palak, Palak...Arhaan likes Paakhi."

I looked amusingly at Arhaan to see him clutching his head.
"What a day! Now Paakhi is your girlfriend instead of his."Shaurya said to Arhaan pointing towards me.

" your girlfriend?" Arhaan yelled out. "But you said it is friendship."

I rolled my eyes at them and walked towards my room with Paakhi's thoughts in my mind.

In my room, I changed into my casual wear and sauntered towards my bed to complete some work on my laptop.

Knock....knockk...

I was disturbed by someone on the other side of the door.
Before I could let them in, Shaurya arrived and hopped on my bed with shoes on.

"Move your fat butt off my bed," I instructed.
"Hey, I don't have Kardashian butt" he fired back.
I laughed at that and a few seconds later, Arhaan entered my room with a maid behind him.

"Just set it in the balcony." He instructed her.

"Bro dinner is ready," Arhaan called walking in my ensuite and a few seconds later came back
Towel drying his hands.

"But why are you guys up here? Don't you often eat with the whole family?" I enquired.

"Bro we know you won't come down because of Sana, So we thought about eating here with you." He said understandingly.

Times like these, I thank God for giving me, my brothers. Arhaan being a twin often understands me well but Shaurya being a goofy, irresponsible one he too understands me and I know they will always be there for me.

"So what about the game parlor you were thinking of opening...." Our diner mostly consisted of us talking about Shaurya's ideas. After Dinner, they departed into their own rooms and I too laid down on my cozy king-size bed with a certain angry cute Best friend on my mind.

__________________________________

The next morning I woke up with some thrashing and furniture shifting from here to there noises.
I tugged towards my side table to retrieve my mobile phone to see the time but I came up empty-handed.

I looked towards the wall clock to see it's 11:30 am.
I was surprised out of my mind because I always wake up around 6:30 -7 am because of my alarm. But where is my mobile phone?

I searched everywhere in my room but couldn't find it but my stomach was begging me to eat, So I left my room in my nightclothes to witness the most chaotic atmosphere I have ever encountered, People were fleeing here and there, some were carrying flowers, some were lugging lights.

I slowly and carefully carved my way out of the chaos to come at the edge of the stairs.
I was about to take a step down when I saw Shaurya holding a Rose.

Before I could ask him anything, he just passed me that flower and dashed upstairs.
For a second I was speechless and confused about what just happened but I just ignored it because it is Shaurya we are talking about, He often does his nuisance acts.

I walked downstairs in a gym stringer and a loose bottom with my nerdy specs and to top it all I have a rose in my hand.

I was looking at the decorations when it felt like time stood still and I was wrapped up in bliss.
Paakhi was standing in front of me adoring a sea-green suit talking to a group of people.
Her hair was swaying with the breeze forging a curtain between us.
Her smile often sends a shiver down my spine because her smile reaches her eyes and expresses her true emotions.

I was admiring her beauty when I saw her walking towards me.
"Oh my God, you were actually serious!" she laughed bashfully.

I looked at her confused because as much as I remember she was angry with me, then what changed today?

'Maybe she was actually on her periods yesterday.'My conscience interjected

"I was so surprised when you texted me, I never expected you, 'The great Viren Singh' can sweet talk." She blushed.

Texted her? Apologized? sweet talk? Who? me?!

I'm so confused right now, As much as I remember I went to sleep immediately after dinner with my brothers. Then when did I did all those above-mentioned things?

"This is so sweet." She said nudging forward to take that rose from me.
I nodded at her and passed her the rose.

She scented it and her smile grew even wider.
Looking at her, and feeling her happiness I did something that I never thought I would, I hugged her.

"Now do you forgive me?" I asked dramatically.
Ya, I took the advantage of the situation and breathed in her Wild cologne. The cologne that signifies my Crazy girl.

Shortly, she pulled back and looked around timidly. I tugged her hand and walked her in the direction of the kitchen to see nobody was around.

I heaved a sigh of relief and turned to ask her for breakfast.
"Oh, no, no, today is my fast. you know Janmashtami vrat..." I nodded in acknowledgment and Grabbed a granola bar and took a bite.

"You are not having that for breakfast. Are you? She asked concerned.

" ya, I'm"

"But this isn't healthy, The first meal of the day should be heavy and healthy," she instructed.

I looked at her amused and said "what do you want me to do?".

" I want you to eat healthily!" she again demanded.

I called for our cook and asked for a 'healthy breakfast'.
We were silent for a second gasping how easy it is to be around each other.

When she was angry with me, it was as if World was gloomy or upset but when She's her cheery self world seems to be a happy place.

Ya, Such a friendship bond we developed.

"Okay then, I'll leave you to your breakfast." She said and left from there.

Eating my breakfast I was thinking about those messages, that I obviously didn't send, then who?

I was on the last bite when Shaurya entered with a goofy mischievous smile and said "So? Something special happened this morning?"

I stared at him oddly and said "Where is it?"

"what?" he asked innocently.

"My mobile phone, " I asserted.

"Why would I have your Mobile phone?" He asked nonchalantly.

"Because I know only one person in my life who interferes in people's lives without consulting them." I deadpanned.

"Hey, you can't be angry about it. I saw that hug by the way." He teased.

"But why didn't you ask me to message her?" I questioned.

"Maybe because everybody knows what an obnoxious person you are, and I can't let such a beautiful and lovely bhabhi leave." He stressed on obnoxious and Bhabhi.

"She is just a friend." I implied.

"Of course, she is. By the way, I had fun texting her yesterday." He said and left my phone on the table.

I instantly grabbed it and saw their Texting.

The first message was from my side at 10:25 pm.

Who does that? Who messages a girl this late? I was tallying Shaurya's mistake so that I can punch him as many times.

Hi
-Viren

Yes?
-crazy girl 👸

The first thing I noticed was this emoji after her name and the second was her blunt reply.

I just wanna apologize to you.
- Viren

So far so good.

I'm listening! I mean reading.
-crazy girl👸

I chuckled at her pun but read further.

I'm a dick, and I always destroy the best things that happen to me. Just, for instance, I don't value my brothers enough and don't show them, love.
But you, You, my crazy girl is different.
You are a friend that I like.
-Viren

Like?
-crazy girl 👸

What the hell?! This guy literally called me a dick and said I like her.
And this girl too focused on that like part only.
I dreadfully read further...

Ya, as a friend. You are such a lovely person. I can't lose you.
Not now, not forever.
-Viren

I never knew you are such a sweet talker. I can't really believe you apologized and even called yourself a d**k.
-crazy girl👸

I laughed at her putting two asterisks in the word dick and can't believe Shaurya actually said those cheesy things.

I'm, just give me some time. I really liked your company and want you as my friend always.
-Viren

Okay, now I can't say no to you, because you introduced me to this sweet Viren:-)
-crazy girl👸

Really thank you! I feel so blessed right now.
-Viren

Oh please, now you are over exaggerating this...B-)
-Crazy girl👸

I agree, why is he texting totally opposite of how I do. Doesn't text being someone else, you should try to copy them?!

No, I'm not exaggerating, I mean look at my life, my brother Shaurya got all the good looks and I'm so ugly :-(
-Viren

What the hell is wrong with this guy!

Hey, stop joking. I know you just want me to boost your ego.
-crazy girl👸

 
Oh ya, I know how handsome, great, intelligent, good looking,  I'm.
-Viren

Did you text me to boost yourself?
-crazy girl👸

Okay, sorry, and Thankyou for still being my Friend.
-Viren

Always <3
-crazy girl👸

Seeing that heart emoji, my body twitched. I don't know what it is but this girl drives me in, But I can't repeat my past mistakes...

_________________________________
I know a very long chapter but was it worth it?!

And what do you think 👸 this emoji signifies after Paakhi's name...

Thank you for reading...
Please
VOTE
SHARE
COMMENT