It was still some time for 6 when Divya woke up. The place wasn't the best and was completely cramped up with Nandini sleeping beside her. Slowly she got out of her seat and began gathering her things, she couldn't find her blanket and nor could she remember whom she had given it to last night. With a lot of difficulty she took out her bag, her sack and attached her neck pillow to her bag and sat down.

Simran and Rahul were awake both of them in their own world as Divya gazed at Madhav's sleeping form. He wasn't any cute or heart warming. He was rather snoring, his ass up as he curled up in the blanket his I phone on the table. Divya shook her head and kept a few things on it so that it wont get stolen.

As time went by, she quickly got up and went to inform Ms.Jain that she was going to get off the train. She wondered where her junior Gauri slept and later thought to let it be, she was more nervous and sad of letting them all go, but she thought by the time they all would reach Bandra she would be back home, fresh and bathed ready to go off to sleep.

Luckily the train was going to stop at Borivali station. Divya checked it was already 5 min left for 6 and the train was on time. She went and shook Nandini bid her bye, then to Simran and Natasha and then she turned towards Madhav. She shook him once, twice, thrice but got no response irritated and heart broken. She hit him on his ass but got no response. He was sleeping like a log. Taking a long satisfying look at him, she strapped her bag and decided to go and stop at the gate. There was no one to bid her bye; it hurted her, but then she thought not to think much into it, everyone was tired and had just gone to sleep.

Yet it pained. She wished, Someone would have been there, but there was none. As the station came, with a huge breath she got down, stood at the platform for a while and began walking towards the exit. And she didn't had to be alone for long as she saw Parth and her brother standing there enjoying samosas early in the morning.

She almost ran off to them, but with the amount of luggage she was carrying it seemed impossible.

"Bhaaiiii!" Divya yelled and hugged her brother. She then looked at Parth in his shorts and wrinkled t-shirt and made a face.

"Please tell me you have at least brushed your teeth."

"Ohh I had to, mom wouldn't let me go otherwise. How was the trip?" Parth asked as he wrapped her in a bear hug.

And the feeling that Divya felt having her brother and Parth around was different, it seemed as if she was waking up from a dream and coming back to reality, and somehow it was right.

The trip that was so perfect, one that so closely resembled to the script of  the movie yeh jawani hai diwani - that almost every youth of their country wished to go on once in their life, was now over, she had to come back to her senses, she had to be in reality now.

"It was good. Ohh it was soooo fun" she smiled at her brother as the two boys looked at her weirdly.

"Alright, what would you have for breakfast?"  Dhruv asked as he took the trolly bag from her.

''To be honest I want to go to the washroom . Can we rush home?' the way he laughed made Parth curious as to what the two siblings were talking about and before he could ask Divya said, "Nothing that you should know about."

The house was just like the way she had left. Her mom yelling at her father, her grandma setting up things early in the morning, her sister walking out of her room with her haggled hair and her father nowhere to be seen.

Divya quickly dropped her things and went into the washroom to take a bath and get fresh. It was a completely different thing to be outside and not taking a bath for 3 days and to be at home with the same dirt .She totally couldn't deal with it at this time.

About an hour or so later after a hearty breakfast and giving everyone their souvenirs Divya was seated in her room replying to Madhav's messages, saying thanks for all the food that his mother had sent and asking him to let Nandini know to keep her pillow with her that had fallen off her bag. And to look out for her blanket.

"So?' Her brother's sudden arrival started Divya to the core as she smiled at the messages that she was receiving from Madhav.

"You scared me there for a moment." Divya replied.

"I am sorry, but it seems like you are quite happy, was the trip that good?"

"Yes, it was best. I didn't really want to come back, I had actually forgotten the number of days that I was there. Being independent is nice bhai, it's not easy for sure, at night I used to miss our banter over dinner, I used to miss running back to you guys when something good used to happen. But it was still nice, I understood how I can take care of myself as well, that there was so much to me when I was exploring myself."

Divya could feel her eyes dropping, her shoulders getting a bit slumbed as slowly the exhaustion was taking a toll over her.

"When did you guys get to sleep?" Dhruv questioned as he stood up and took hold of her duet signaling her to lie down in the bed.

"I guess 2 or 3 times in these 8 days. Yeah, on the first night, then we slept on the 4th day of the trip, and then at Hrishikesh, that's it"

"you need to sleep, I will listen to your stories later on." Divya nodded her head unconsciously as sleep had already taken over her being. She nuzzled into her blanket as the memories of the trip jumped around her head like a sweet hangover.

*******

The next time Divya opened her eyes, her mom was walking around the house with Incense sticks in her hand, her sister was studying at her study table. The windows were closed and it was pitch dark outside. At first Divya wondered how she came here and it was later on she realized that she was back home. Lifting off the duet, Divya slowly sat in her bed, her head was hazy and she was still feeling sleepy. But it felt good to be able to sleep in her bed. This was way better than those soft beds in those 4 star hotels.

"What time is it?" She asked.

"wake up now it's 7:30pm. For how many days have you not slept?" Mrs. Chavan enquired in her usual clipped tone as she made her way out of the room.

"Was I really sleeping for that long?"

"Yeah you were, we are about to have dinner, and yes Parth was here asking for you, do meet him." Divya's sister commented and went back to her studies. Divya on the other hand scratched her head and wondered what was she supposed to do?

Was she to brush her teeth, take a bath or just wrap her tangled hair and walk out and sit in the swing listening to the music.

However her question was answered as she yawned and left the sides of her mouth stretching with all the dried up saliva. She decided it was better to go and brush her teeth and freshen up than to sit there and contemplate what is to be done.

The house was eerily silent for Divya's liking; it seemed as if someone had died and it made her feel unsettled. Walking out in the living room, her mother was busy reading something, her grandma wasn't home she thought must have gone for a walk, her brother was missing and her dad wasn't home yet. She made her way towards the swing along with her phone, that seemed quite silent and sat down. It felt so good, so homey to be there.

The feeling that she felt at that time was different. She wondered what was better - being on the trip or coming back home and enjoying her mundane life. Her routine. It was at that moment she realized how much of a difference this swing made to her life. It was so powerful and important, the relaxation and warmth that it gave was tremendous. Divya plugged in her earphones, played her playlist and leaned back, closing her eyes. She didn't want to sleep, but she could feel as if a lot of weight was lifted off her shoulders.

"Divya, come let's have dinner." Her mother's voice rang through the empty house like a huge announcement as the doorbell rang, her sister walked into the living room and everyone set out to once again get to work. Yet another day was over, Divya couldn't believe she was once again back to the regular schedule of hers.

****

The train that she took every morning was delayed, or was it the laziness that still surrounded her?  Divya remembered walking through the station with heavy steps as she got into the train and took the seat on which she was seated.

Her phone pinged once, twice and then thrice, making her wonder who it was at that moment. None had texted her so early in the morning unless it was something related to work. And to her utmost surprise it was Madhav.

' Where are you?'

All the three words spelt separately as if it was some kind of urgency.

'Train about to get off at Charni road, you ?' Divya texted back. However she took out the bottle from her bag and took a huge gulp and stood up to get off the train.

The street of their college was as chaotic as it could have ever been. A few could be seen wearing masks, gossiping how Covid cases won't be seen here in Mumbai due to its extreme weather. The 8 days that they had been out, it seemed as if they weren't a part of this world, and now that they are back Divya realized how many things had  happened behind them.

She went off to the office canteen area which was part of the main building just situated separately. A little shelter area gave a sitting arrangement to the students who would sit there and chill, or study or have their lunch in case of desperate cases.

"Sir hello, I  need a concession form."  Divya spoke through the  counter window. The clerk, probably in his late 20s or mid 30s smiled back at her and handed her the form as she gave him 5 Rs. Earlier till school it was better she didn't really have to pay any bucks for this form. Now in college they have to pay first for the form, and if it's a first class pass that they are taking, then the railway cost would increase as well. And if second class then it's just 5 rs. That she has to spend. She smiled at the lad and turned around to find Vishnu, one of her friends and Madhav's class mate seated along with his friends.

"Hi Vishnu, how was the trip?" she asked him in Marathi. The BBI department themselves had gone on an unofficial IV .

"Amazing, how about you guys?"

"Tereffic, it was fun."

"Yeah I could see the stories." Veronica, one of Vishnu's friends, commented.

Divya smiled at her and then looked at Vishnu and said, "well even I heard a few things here and there. I am sure you could have told me about this."

"About what?" Vishnu asked.

Divya looked between Vishnu and Veronica as their third friend said, "About these two being in a relationship?"

Divya smiled brightly as Vishnu said, "Arey yaar no, it's not like that at all."

"Yeah and I am mad, you guys do look cute by the way and my source isn't wrong at all, full proof one."

"Who told you ?"

"Ohh someone from here and there. Anyway, did you get a chance to check out the old section of Gangadhar rao?"

"NO man, I really want them." Vishnu said and while the two fell into the discussion of an old Marathi comic Divya saw Madhav walking towards them with his bag hanging on his right shoulder as he waved his hands at them and wheeled towards them.

"What's up?" Madhav asked.

"He told you about us right?" Vishnu asked the moment he saw Madhav.

Divya and Madhav both shook their heads in a no as Madhav changed the subject. "Your pillow is with me."

"Even my blanket... I couldn't find it, and what about my earphones?" Divya asked.

"I don't know about us, but what about you two?" Veronica asked.

"what?"

"it seemed IV has got the two of you quite close." Divya looked at Madhav and so did he as they shrugged their shoulders and said, "It was fun."

"Yeah it seems so."

"Arey you know what we used to do, since it was cold..." Divya quickly placed her hand on his mouth and said, "Madhav don't you think Veronica and Vishnu are quite a pair?" there could have been so many things that she could have said and Divya wondered why did she had to mutter that of all the things?

"Arey yaar its really not like that, I am sure it was this Madhav right?"

"No man why would I say something like that, even I heard something like this... but if its so it's nice, you guys do look good. Anyways, Divya don't you have lectures?"

Divya looked at her watch and realized she would be late if she didn't hurry up now.  " Ohh yess."

"Let's go." Madhav took hold of her hand and pulled her along with him as she stumbled a bit. A few steps away from the group Madhav said, "Divya are you mad, how can you go and ask someone like that? "

"Vishnu is my friend and we do address matters upfront like that, what about you? Are you mad you were going to tell them that we all used to share the blankets like the way you trampled over the whole thing to Ms.Jaina and Ms, Tawadia? "

"What's wrong in that they are my friends and the professors know what we were talking about."

"well you should have looked at the way the two of them were staring at me and Nandini, they surely misunderstood it."

"ohh fuck!" 

"Yes Madhav, so now don't go about telling everyone about it." Divya shook her head and was about to leave again when someone pushed her and she was about to stumble, however balancing herself she looked at Madhav who was staring at her.

"what?"

"you shouldn't have asked Vishnu."

"Vishnu is my friend and we do ask each other things like that."

"aren't you really close to him?" Madhav smiled at her in a taunting manner. Divya shook her head and asked, " Are you seriously okay?" Madhav shrugged his shoulders and was about to say something when someone called out his name, turning around he waved at them and walked off, as Divya stood there right in the middle of the way as she wondered when did they stopped walking, and how much this looked as if a couple were arguing over stupid thing. But reality washed over her as soon as that thought came as she saw Madhav mingling with his friend, completely forgetting about her.

Divya decided it was better to go for a lecture than standing here and sulking.

An hour later when she walked out of her lecture, tired and sleepy, did she realize what a bad idea it was to sit for the lecture.

"where are you?" Divya spoke into her phone. Nandini wasnt  there yet hence she decided it was better to give her a call. 

"I am downstairs, do you know where Madhav is?"

"I don't know, I had met him before going for a lecture and then he went off with his friends."

Downstairs the scene was different, Sanket, Dhawal, Atharva and Rishi had arrived, and as Divya went and stood with them along with Nandini, Sanket asked, "Where is the Vodka?"

"Sanket behave." Divya scolded as she saw Natasha walking towards them. As Natasha stood beside her with her hand looped, Divya said, "Ohh this morning while I was coming I was listening to this podcast where they told a story behind tambaku."

"and what is it?" Natasha asked.

"So there is a folk story that says that Tamabaku was this one girl who belonged to a very rich family but was quite ugly, no man would want to look at her or marry her, with that pain she had committed suicide and then when she met god she asked him why did he made her so ugly that no one would even want to look at her. To which god told her that in her next life she would be born in such a form that whoever has one taste of hers would get addicted to her. That's why Tobacco is said to be an addictive element."

"Woahhh, that's scary,guys listen to this." And then Divya narrated it to the boys and as she did Dhawal said, "I stopped smoking the day I came from IV."

"Guys, let's go to Mohmad, Divya your pillow." Divya took it from Madhav and then turned to Dhawal and said, "where is my blanket?"

"Aree Divya the thing is, See I had it around my neck till I was in the taxi , and then even after I had got out of the Taxi but I don't remember after that."

"You lost it. Dhawaaaalll how... dude my mom will kill me."

"yaar sorry"

Divya felt as if she would cry at that very moment. That blanket had so many memories, it was so special and he lost it... she wondered what had she done wrong and why did she even hand it to him at that very moment?

Cursing herself they reached mohamaad and Rishi began taking everyone's orders when Sanket said, "I am not smoking for a few days, Divya your story has scared me to death." Divya wondered if it was scary at all, she was rather intrigued with it, amused as to how people had such folk tales.

"What story?" Rishi asked, as Divya once again narrated the story.

"well that's nothing and not really matters it's just a folk." Aman commented.

"well that's what I said."

Divya then looked at Madhav as he asked her to come closer as he whispered, "well just so you know while taking dips in ganga I had made a promise that I would smoke only in front of 10 most important people and that to one once a day."  He then showed her his cigarette and sat back on the iron stairs. Whereas Divya, she was in a fix as to what he meant to say by that.

After quite lazing around the group went back to the BTM garden and sat down to have lunch.

"Divya you are looking quite pretty in that dress." Madhav commented. And just like that Divya's heart was beating loudly while she was quite flustered as to what she would say.

"well thanks I guess."

Once the lunch was done Divya stood up to leave when she saw Gautham walking out of the college along with his brother. The two brothers greeted her with a great fervor which Divya as well reciprocated with a long hug. As she detangled and was chatting about with them from the corner of her eye she could see Aman, Atharva, Dev and Madhav staring at them. Madhav in fact shifted a few steps back as Gautham walked towards them to greet them.

Divya knew they had issues, the boys and Gautham but never had she thought that it would still be evident. Maybe certain things never change.

As Gautham made his exit, Natasha asked, "was it just me or even you felt that tension."

"I swear I did as well."

"Hii Divya!" Dev called out, he then looked at Natasha and said, "Hi vodka"  Natasha who was already pissed off with him for ignoring her all the while asked, "you talking to me? I thought I didn't exist."

All those who could hear her fell into fit of laughter as they made their way to the college canteen. Divya wanted to bid bye, but Madhav and Natasha pulled her along with them, and nor did she wish to go. The lectures she was sure she couldn't tolerate them at least she could have some fun.

However it seemed a bad idea as the boys began playing PUBG and Dev thought Divya was a better back rest than the hard wall.

"Dev you are heavy."

"Yaar Divya please." Dev muttered and went back to his game.

However the two of them had a two people who thought it would be best to entertain them as Natasha sat beside Divya and said,

"Yaar Divya this Madhav is an asshole. He just slapped me."

Divya looked at Madhav quite shocked as he said, "not my fault she shouldn't have gone all feminist on me."

"Wait, dude what?"

"You don't know what exactly happened."

"that's what I have been telling you guys if I don't know, then don't involve me into this, you sort it out." Divya said and decided to focus on her reading.

"Areey, but I am telling you this girl is an idiot."

"Ohh hello, I am no idiot."

"Alright tell me then, do you like Dev?"  Madhav asked to which Dev sat up from his position and looked at Madhav and said, "Madhav its not funny."

"Arey, Dev its okay... Natasha you tell me don't you like Dev, you even accepted it the day before yesterday."

"Madhav seriously?" Divya questioned him as Dev once again sat with his back aligned to Divya's Shoulder.

Madhav then decided to take this a step ahead as he asked everyone, "Don't you all think Natasha likes Dev?"

Much to his bad luck everyone said no, Dev smiled at him and then turned to Divya and began talking about a few things, but then Madhav once again jumped in and asked,  

"Dev you tell me if you like Natasha?" that had everyone's attention as Dev questioned back, "You tell me do you like Divya?"

A complete silence fell around them as the game was paused,  Divya sat there in between Madhav and Dev, her eyes on Natasha who was smiling goofily, Nandini herself was busy awaiting Madhav's reply when Divya heard her name being called.

"Di I am leaving, are you coming with me?" It was Divya's sister, she quickly had a look at her watch and was amused to see it was already 4, for how many hours was she here wasting her time like this? Divya took a deep breath and looked at Madhav and then at Dev and said, "stop this stupidity and get aside I need to leave."

"Are Divya wait, we are waiting for Madhav's answer." Dev commented as he took hold of her hand and stopped her. Divya looked at their intervene hands and then at Madhav who as well had his eyes on them and then at Dev.

"You can let me know later on, I need to go now. Bye. Bye Madhav, Nandu, Aman" waving at everyone, Divya sped off from there. She didn't have it in her to stay there any longer. She was scared of the answer. These games could be very dangerous for her

A/N
And the group is back to the routine.

Although how are you all doing?  I didn't knew it would take me so long to write this story... But it did. 

A little heads up within few chapters this story would come to an end and I would really love to know your views on it. 

I really love the way each of them have come along and the further chapters they make me cry,  they make me angry and laugh... My family one of these days might actually call a psychiatrist. 

Any which ways you guys tell me...
 
What do you guys think would have Madhav replied to the ultimate question?

Let me know your views in the comments section. 

Nd don't forget to Vote Comment and share the story. 
Loads of love
Yadni Bagwe