CHAPTER - 6

Days were going on, and this new friendship of ours was developing into a beautiful relationship. We all used to spend more and more of our free time with our complete gang of friends, especially lunch breaks being the most relaxing moments.

She was more and more smiling and behaving comfortable around us, and that was making me even more content, as the others were mostly teasing me whenever they get the opportunity.

"Hmmm, sir looks damn happier nowadays.", Rahul looked up at me then his cards. "Anything that you are hiding from us ?", he swallowed a mouthful of his beer bottle.
"What do you want Rahul ?", I continued playing my turn.
"Nothing... You look damn happy. You keep smiling, that's why I was curious."
"Can't I?", he was literally pissing my mind off.
"Of course you can. But even when she friend-zoned you, you look happy as you got gifted a teddybear."
"What the hell Rahul ? I am not a kid. And I am very happy because Naina has accepted my friendship. And for now, that's just more than enough."
"But you still love her right ?", Shakti followed having a little but of his own drink.
"Of course, more than everything. More and more everyday.", I smiled looking back at my game.
"Yeah so you're basically getting closer to her by love, while she just considers you as a friend. And you don't mind her being only a friend. Wow man, what a love story !", Rahul ended sarcastically.

All of them, even Naina deep inside, still knew my feelings towards her were much more than 'just friendship'. It was true that I couldn't see her just as a friend, she was more than that for me. But her company was the biggest gift, and that was priceless. And I would never want to lose it for anything, not even my uncontrollable feelings.

"Friendship is the first step to love. And her friendship is the most beautiful thing that could have happened to me.", I looked up at them, smiling with pride.
"Still be careful Karan. Life is never predictable. She might never accept you."
"Then I will happily remain by her side as her friend.", I winked at him.

I knew he was right. Naina might never accept to be more than just a friend to me. She was not ready for it for some particular reason, which I hadn't figured out. Yet I had to keep myself positive, because 'life is never predictable.' And someday, some miracle might certainly happen.

Gautam patted on my shoulder and I smiled at him, before having a mouthful of my juice can.

"Are you sure you don't want beer ?", Rahul looked at the remaining beer can on the floor.
"Nope, I am fine."
"Rahul, you are allowed to drink his bottle. Karan is never going to have it.", Gautam answered for me. "Because someone there doesn't like alcohol.", his smirking tone made me smile blushingly.
"Yes you are right. And I won't do anything she hates. So I need to practice myself.
"Oh Karan, this is so romantic.", Rahul's drama faking tears suddenly started.

I threw the sofa cushion on his face and we all kept playing and laughing all together, in Shakti's house. Of course, beers and fun were strictly prohibited in dorms, and Shakti was staying alone along with his elder sister. That was our place whenever Aparna di was no home.

My friends were my life and happiness when distant from my home. And it was a fact I often missed my mother's caring laps, on which I used to lay, even today, and sleep under her caressing hands. My Daadu, listening to his young days stories and sharing our own ones along with bhai, listening to his life advice and lessons, and we always following his steps. Papa has always been busy with office work since I even started to understand things, but I never missed father love being with Kunal bhai and Daadu. Of course, Papa never let my wishes unfulfilled, my Delhi journey wouldn't have been a success if he would have not agreed. Then came my favorite dishes mom specially makes for me, whenever I used to go stay there. It's like her handmade food would be waiting for my presence there also. I was the littlest one, and her most favorite - which irritates bhai a lot. He still might not worry, as papa still loved him more than me. (groans) Papa always tried to make up to build beautiful memories with his kids, but there have been days where we both would have wished to spend more time with him. I miss them all. And lastly, maasi mah. Mah's childhood friend, and a mother-like bonding of mine and bhai. She always pampered us as kids, and she still supported our decisions first. And even here, I was more advantaged than bhai. How much I miss his tantrums!

"Mah! How are you all being there ?", I received her sudden call.
"We are all fine. How are you beta ? How are your studies going on ? Is everything going well there ?"
"Mah mah...", her sounding so excited brought a smile on my lips. "Everything is going good her mah. There is no need to get tensed."
"Now don't mock at your worried mother."
"Mah, I know how much worried you will always be since I am not even in front of you but relax."
"Fine I will, happy?"
"How are the others then ? Is Daadu having his medicines? And papa, is he also taking care of his health? I believe he must get busy with office work."
"Look who asks me not to get hyper.", she chuckled. "And I think you know your father well."
"That's accurate.", we laughed.
"And.. you tell. What about that girl. How is she ? What's her name? Oh yeah... Naina."

How did sh...

"Mah, w-what are you talking about ? Who N-Naina ?", I stammered at her.
"There is no need to hide anything. Your brother has already told me everything.", she smirked.
"Bhai!", my irked tone made her chuckle.
"Tell na. How is she doing ?"
"Mah... she is fine mah. But it's not what you think. We are.. we are just friends."
"Yeah right, just friends. You're lying so well huh?", my mother knew me so well. Even distant, she was able to detail my current state of mind thoroughly. "You really thought to hide it from your mother, right ?"
"No mah, I just... wanted... to t..."
"Alright, fine. Don't blush now.", that's stupefying how she saw me miles away far from here, literally.

After all, I was her heartbeat.

"Oe Karuuu!"
"Bhai, please. Stop calling me like that.", the way he loved making me look childish next to him arghh!
"Girls used to call you so right ?", teasing me again. "Oh maybe you prefer the way Naina calls you."
"First of all, she has no particular name.", I chuckled. "And second, why did you tell mah about this ?"
"I didn't do that. I just got caught by mah hearing us.", a cheeky smile appearing on his face. "Don't worry, mah is very happy for you."
"But that will be the last time I will tell you anything."
"How mean!", he rolled his eyes.
"Karan are you coming ?", Gautam neared suddenly, along with the boys.
"Yeah coming.", I looked at Gautam before replying on the phone. "Alright bhai, time to go to college. Will talk to you later."
"Have a good day. Love you!"
"Missing you all also.", I smiled and hung up the call.

We reached the main gate and parked our two wheelers when we heard someone calling.

"Hi guys.", Naina walked to us along with her friends towards us.

Hearing her voice was a good starting of the day. I just smiled and turned back my head to face her.

"Hi!",
"Hi girls. All good ?", Gautam joined.
"Yeah fantastic. Tiring days yet fun.", Kajal sighed.

We were walking towards the building talking to each other, while some eyes kept cursing the happiness on her face.

"I am not gonna leave this stupid girl get my Karan so easily.", Ruchi gritted her teeth.
"What are you planning to do ?", her friends asked.

She smirked and stood there.

"Ok girls, see you at lunch-break.", we were to part ways to our respective classrooms.
"See you bhai's.", Preet said.
"Why are you calling everyone bhai ?", Rahul got annoyed.
"Why ? Any problem ?"
"He finds it hard to hear it from any girl.", we laughed.
"Then you will have to be used to, Rahul BHAIYAA.", Preeth was attitude.

Girls went into their classroom laughing while we went upstairs. I had to admit, I started loving college moments more and more. Each time spent with my friends, and more especially her, was a beautiful memory. I often used to lose focus on lectures, and look out of windows. I also used to get scolded by professors, and I just replied them with a stupid smile. And I could hear my boys yelling at me for behaving so stupidly. Well I just don't care about anyone when it comes to her. I just love her.

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End of Chapter 6

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L  E  T  '  S    H  A  V  E    S  O  M  E    F  U  N   !

A very  H A P P Y  N E W  Y E A R  to all of you here. May this new year bring you loads of happiness, success, prosperity, fun, adventures, beautiful memories. ♥️🍾🎇

Any resolutions for 2018 ? I think I should be more punctual. I have planned to post this as a Christmas gift. Anyhow... *facepalms* But as usual, resolutions are useless. I have never been able to follow them.

Ok the chapter may sound crappy, not at all interesting. It was just a filler chapter, and I will certainly try to come up with better ideas. Nowadays I am just having new ideas of new os and none has been completed, like my notes app is filled with numerous os notes but nothing is done properly. Telling so, I may come back -nothing is sure with me- with new os, if one day I get able to complete them.

QOTD : Since it's the end of the year, tell me how your year 2017 had been.
ME : I think memorable thanks to Swabhimaan but otherwise, I just felt it so quick and nothing else made it special. I just successfully passed a 2-year course in accounting before continuing with my studies. And I just keep praying for the better future. *fingers crossed*

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