Srishti was on a video call with her friends. She owed them all an explanation. For the things happened. They were angry on her for hiding such an important thing from them. When the pictures of srishti with jai leaked. Her friends were truly astonished and wanted to know everything. As soon as possible.

"That's it guys. I've already told everything. Theres nothing more"she said.

"I'm sure there's more. See srishtu if you're planning to hide any more from us. We're gonna end this friendship right here"Riya said

"For god's sake. I'm saying the truth. He came with his mother. Talked to Amma appa and then left. That's it"she said.

"Did he say that he'll meet you again?"kajal asked. Srishti recalled the way he said 'Ill see you around'. Her lips stretched into a smile.

"She's smiling. She's definitely gonna meet him again. Tell me when? Can I come along. Please"Riya pouted.

"God no. I don't know whether we'll meet again. He said let's remain friends. That's it. I'm not even sure that I'm gonna meet him"srishti said

"Of course you'll meet him babe. My intuition is that he's already in love with you"nidhi said making srishti scoff.

"Yeah right"

"You don't believe me?"

"He's a superstar nidhi. He don't have time for people like us"srishti said

"Oh okay. Didn't he come to your house and made you a godamn sandwich? Which celebrity does that?"nidhi asked making srishti mum

"Oh god it's so exciting. Just imagine you marrying him and having kids"riya said excitedly.

"You know what. I'm done. Now go to hell you'all. I'm going bye"srishti disconnected the call and lay on bed.

Her phone was overpouring with messages. She didn't care to check. She wondered how she'll go back to college tommorow. And face everyone.

Bhoomi walked in and saw srishti. Lost in thoughts. She wondered if she should talk to her. Or let it be like her mother said.

"What?"srishti asked when she saw bhoomi staring at her.

"Nothing"bhoomi shaked her head.

"So much is happening bhoomi. I can't take"she sighed closing her eyes.

"Yeah well..okay"she rushed to srishti and sat next to her.

"I'm saying this because if i don't I'm gonna be mad. Not because I love you that much. Also I'm angry at you for hiding everything from me"bhoomi said making srishti frown.

"What are you talking about?"srishti asked.

"Akka....Jais mom.She kind of put forward a proposal"Bhoomi said. Srishti was startled. So she sat up.

"What proposal?"

"About....your marriage. With jai"she said.

Srishti froze. It took her few seconds to realise what it actually meant.

"Marriage?"

"Yes akka. She asked Amma and appa to think about it. But she really did say it"

"Bhoomi if you're kidding I'm gonna kick the hell out of you"srishti said.

"Akka I'm not kidding. I was there and i heard it"bhoomi said. Srishti tried to remain calm as possible.

"Did...did he know about it?"she asked.

"I have no idea"

Sristi gulped down water. Taking it from the stand

"Did amma and appa say something ?"she asked. After composing herself.

"Amma did. About 'I won't let it happen' stuff. I'm saying. She's gonna be big trouble in your love life akka"bhoomi said.

"Oh god. Everything is messed up. This is why I kept it away from them"srishti sqeeezed her head.

"Are you gonna marry him?"bhoomi asked after a pause. Srishti glared at her.

"No bhoomi. And i think its crap. I can't marry him. He's a celebrity. Moreover why would his mother want me as his wife? We're normal middle class family. Something is wrong"srishti said.

"What if he already likes you?"bhoomi asked.

"Bhoomi. We've only met few times. And... marriage? It's a big step. I can't even think about it"srishti said. Massaging her head.

"So it's a no from you?"bhoomi was disappointed.

"A big no. I'm not marrying him. I think I will talk to Kumari madam by myself. If this topic pops up again. That's gonna make it right"srishti said.

Bhoomi just nodded. Hoping the best to happen with her sister. Srishti on the other side. Wanted her fairy tale to end soon. Because she knew things were getting serious. When their families started getting involved.
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On the way back to his mansion. From Srishtis house. Jai and Kumari didn't utter a single word to each other. He was shocked when he came to know that his mother had put forward. A marriage proposal for Srishti in front of her family. Even before asking him.

He felt terrible thinking that he won't be able to face srishti anymore. Deep inside he wondered if she would take it wrong. He was angry and hurt. So many emotions passed through him.

They reached their house. Krishna and jais grandmother was waiting for them in the hall.

Seeing jai angry his grandmother knew something was wrong.

"Raju. Ganesh just called and informed me that you'll be leaving tomorrow morning to Patna"Krishna said. Making Kumari shocked.

"Yes. I told him to book tickets. We have our next schedule there uncle"jai said

"But you said you'll be shooting here for this month"Kumari said making him shake his head.

"I asked them to shift"he said.

"But why suddenly Raju?"

He turned towards his mother.

"You know it well than me ma. What you've done today is horrible. You didn't even ask me once before putting forward the proposal. Did I ever tell you that I'm ready for marriage? Why can't you people give me some space for god's sake"he almost shouted.

"Why are you yelling now?"kumari glared at him. He tried to control his anger.

"You said you liked her jai. You're never gonna get someone like srishti"Kumari said.

"Maa I can't take it anymore. Please. I don't want to get married now. Not to Srishti. Not to somebody else. I don't even know how to face srishti now. She's a normal girl from a middle class family. You've met her parents. That doesn't mean that you'll go forward with a proposal. I'm the one who should get married ma. Before marriage. I need to know the person I'm getting married to. Her likes. Dislikes. Hobbies. The same goes for her. And for srishti....every time we talk she's nervous. She would need time. This is not normal for her. So all we need is time. I'm not rejecting the idea of getting married. I'm just saying that you went too fast without even letting me know that. I have all the rights to be angry"he said making them surprised.

They've never seen jai this angry for anything. He was always calm. If anything that would make him angry. Would have bothered him that much.

"Raju I..."Kumari started.

"I'm tired. Good night"he walked away before anyone could say anything.

Kumari was hurt and tears rolled down her eyes. Krishna consoled her.

"He's right. You shouldn't have hurried into this. He would need time. You should give him that"Krishna said.

"I always chose the best for him anna. I don't want to miss someone like srishti for him. He'll realise it by himself soon. If he needs time. We'll give him that. But I don't know for how long"she sighed and wiped her tears.

The next morning. Jai got ready to leave for sets. He walked downstairs while his helpers carried his luggages inside the car. He saw his family gathered in the living room. To bid him bye. Kumari stood in a corner without talking to anyone. He first walked to his mother. Knowing that he was harsh on her the previous day. She turned her face away when she saw him. Making him sigh.

"Won't you talk to me now?"he asked. She kept mum.

"Ma I'm sorry. I know yesterday I was rude to you. But I was already so messed up thinking about srishti. And her family"he said.

"If you want I can go and apologize to them"Kumari said.

"No don't do that. I'll fix it okay. We just need to wait"

She nodded making him smile. And hug her. He took blessings from elders and bid bye to the kids. Shruthi had to leave early for class so he texted her. That he's leaving.
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One month passed by. The investigation of jais case has been going on. Jai on the other side kept himself busy with shoots. He didn't had time to indulge in any other things.

Srishti on the other side. Experienced a world so different from hers. Everyone started giving her attention. And treated her like a celebrity. Even though Jai cleared all the relationship rumours. People of her college still believed that she's his girlfriend. That made her irked. She didn't like her college anymore. Her friends felt bad for srishti. She was full of life before. Now she barely talked with anyone. She was also bullied at times.

One random day. Srishti was sitting in the canteen. Lost in thoughts. A group of boys approached her.

"Hey srishti. Heard that you're the hot topic of college now"one of them said.

"Are you his girlfriend for real?"another one asked.

"Hey how's he like in person? Is he handsome or is it just make up?"

"Have you both slept with each other?"another one asked. Everyone bursted into laugh. Srishti felt disgusted. With their talks. Her eyes filled with tears. She got up to leave. But one of them held her hand. Stopping her.

"Leave me"she struggled to get rid of the hold.

"Why so hurry madam? We're your fans. Give us some consideration"

Everyone laughed at her again. Making her cry. Suddenly the boy who held her. Fell down with a tight slap on his face. Sristhti raised her head to look at arjun. Who was furious. He kicked the boy who stood nearby and slapped the other. Who came by.

"Arjun stop. What are you doing?"srishti tried to stop him.

"If you touch her again. I'm gonna kill you bastards"arjun shouted.

The boys stood up and fled. Arjun held Srishtis hand and walked outside the canteen. Making her follow him meekly. He was angry and she could sense it.

He took her to the lovers point. In the college where most of the couple's used to hang out. During break and lunch. He made her sit under a large tree and glared at her.

"What?"she pouted.

"When they try to harass you. You react sristi. Crying won't make things right"he said. She smiled at him.

"Why do I need to react? I have a superhero friend to rescue" she smiled.

"This is not funny. If I wouldn't have come there today...."he sighed. She held his hand and made him sit next to her.

"I know. I'm sorry. But I just got used to it. You know"she said

"But how long are you planning to endure this?"he asked. Making her sigh and lean to his shoulder.

"Calm down no?"

"I can't. I feel like killing everyone who had dared to hurt you"he said. Making her giggle.

"You seem like a protective and possesive boyfriend to me"she said. He kept mum. Which made her frown.

"Arjun......."

"I don't like this srishti"

"Don't like what?"

"This. People making stories about you. Harassing you. Just because of those stupid pictures that came outside"he said.

"I know arjun. But I can't do anything about it"her face fell.

"Why didn't you tell me about all these?"he asked. Making her sigh.

"I thought no one would ever believe"she said.

"You thought I wouldn't believe?"

"I didn't wanted to make a deal out of it arjun. Besides. Everytime I met him I believed it would be the last time. But...I don't know"she trailed off.

"If I ask you something. Will you answer me honestly?"he asked. Making her nod

"Is any of this true?"he asked making her shut her eyes.

"No. Theres nothing true about it. But.."she trailed off.

"But what?"he asked.

"I told you know that his mother had come to visit my parents?"she asked and he nodded.

"She...kind of said that. She wants me to get married to him. My parents. they were so shocked and didn't knew how to respond"she said. Arjun was silent for few seconds.

"What did your parents say?"he asked.

"Amma said no ofcourse. After that I haven't heard from him. Neither his mother. And it didn't make any sense to me"she said.

"Do you want to get married to him?"Arjun asked. Srishti frowned.

"No"

"Why not. You're his biggest fan. You like him a lot in person. You also said that he's the best human being. Not every girl will get a chance like this. Why wouldn't you want to marry him?"

"Because....he's a celebrity arjun. His world is far away from mine. I can't fit into it. It's too complicated. I don't want to get involved with him again. Yes he's a great person. I like him a lot and i was lucky enough to meet him as his fan. But the moment it started affecting my family and my personal life. I didn't wanted it anymore. I don't want to meet him again and indulge in his life"she said. Making him smile and held her hand.

"Im I doing right?"she asked.

"You're following your heart. Which is always right"he said. Making her lean to his shoulder again.

"Thank you for being there for me arjun"

"Srishti...."

"Yes?"

"I've been wanting to tell you something for so long"he said making her look at him. They were still holding hands.

"What's it?"she asked.

"Don't get mad at me"

"You're making me tensed arjun"

He looked at her. Into her eyes.

"You know me more than anyone else. Just like I know you. You know my family. It's just grandma and me. But ever since I've met you. I haven't felt like I'm alone. And i don't have my parents"he said making her smile.

"When Im with you. I'm my own self. I'm happy and...and I feel complete. I just want this to be the same. Forever"he said.

"Arjun. I'm gonna be with you forever. You know it"she said. Making him shake his head.

"Srishti...I think..I'm in love with you"he said making her freeze. She looked at him all shocked.

"It started with a small crush. But everytime I look at you. I knew you mean a lot more to me. When these rumours came out. I feared for a second that it might be true. But I knew that you were not someone like that. When I heard these from you. All I'm feeling is relief. Sristi....I want to be with you"he finished.

He stopped. Tears brimmed in her eyes.

"I want to hold you like this forever. Also I want to be your superhero friend forever. Would you mind spending your life with me?"he asked.

"Arjun...I...I don't know"her throat tightened. In fear.

"I know it's too much and its sudden. I want you to take your time and think. I'll wait. But please...if its a no from you. I want us to be friends again. If that's okay"he said.

She sat still. Not knowing what to say. Arjun having feelings for her. Is never something she expected.

"I have to leave srishti. Bye. I'll see you tomorrow"he smiled and walked away. Leaving her in a pool of dilemma.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Precap : Jais birthday, Srishtis plan to wish him

♡ Nila ♡