After few weeks

It was the final day of examination. Everyone came out of the exam halls. Excited. Thinking about their future. A part of their lives was ending. The excitement soon turned into sadness. When the realisation of their college life coming into an end. Hit them. Everyone hugged each other. Reminiscing the best days of their lives. Which they spent around the campus.

And for srishti. A big part of her life was ending.

"I'm seriously gonna cry"nidhi said. Eyeing her classmates.

"Arey. Why do you have to be such a cry baby all the time?"kajal asked.

"Why? I'm I not supposed to get emotional? We're not going to hang around everyday guys. No more class bunking. No more sleepovers. No more outings"nidhi said. Grabbing srishtis stole to wipe her tears.

"Who said we are not going do all these? We are gonna be friends forever. No matter whatever happens. Right srishtu?"riya asked to srishti. Who was lost in thoughts.

"Srishtu are you even listening?"Kajal asked. Shaking her. Srishti came back to her sense.

"I'm gonna miss you guys"she said suddenly. Making three of them smile.

"I don't know how I would have survived this last year with everything that happened. And im really gonna miss us"srishti said. And Nidhi bursted out crying. Hugging srishti tightly. She hugged her back. While tears rolled down her eyes too. Seeing them. Kajal and riya too joined in their hug.

Her group of friends had been her pillar of strength. Ever since the rumours. And the marriage happened. They gave srishti time to accept things. And never forced her to talk about Jai. Knowing that she still needs a lot of time.

"Enough guys. Don't make me cry now. My makeup is gonna get spoiled"kajal said. Making three of them chuckle.

"Let's go to the canteen and have some food. Instead of getting emotional like this. This is gonna be our last evening together in the college"riya suggested.

"Good idea"nidhi agreed.

Srishti hesitated as she always avoided going to the canteen. Knowing that it would be too crowded. She didn't wanted to draw attention. Ever since the marriage happened. She avoided talking to people around college.

"But...."

"No no. Not gonna listen to your excuses srishtu.
Come"kajal said. Dragging srishti by her hand.

As soon as srishti entered the canteen. She could feel all eyes on her. She kept looking at the ground and quietly followed her friends. They took a corner table and ordered food.

While they were busy chatting. Srishti saw Arjun walking inside the canteen with his friends. His eyes fell on her too. But he quickly looked away. Which hurt her again.

Her eyes followed him when he walked upto the counter. To place the order.

"You guys carry on. I'll join you soon"srishti excused herself and got up from the chair.

"Where are you going?"kajal asked. But before she finished. Srishti had already walked away. Towards Arjun.

His back facing her. She stood behind him. Tensing up. She made up her mind to talk to him today. If not now. Then never. She knew it.

"Arjun"she called him softly.

He stilled for few seconds. Before turning towards her.

"What?"he asked coldly. Without any expression

"Can we.....talk?"she asked. Feeling her throat tightening.

"Talk? What's there to talk about srishti?"

"Arjun please"srishti said. Trying to hold her tears.

"I don't want to hear anything from you srishti. Whatever it is. I have moved on from you. So please don't try to get back to my life"he said and tried to walk away. But she quickly blocked his away. He sighed in anger.

"I know you're angry. And you can blame me all you want. If that lessens your anger. I don't justify what I did Arjun. But have you ever tried to think it from my side? You know me Arjun. We were best friends. Have you ever thought why this marriage happened overnight? You thought I chose him over you just because I was his fan? You know me Arjun. You know I would never do that. You deserve to know what happened and I've been trying to tell you everything. I'm not asking you to forgive me. I'm just asking you to hear me out for one last time. You can either trust me or not trust me at all. Its your choice. But please. Give me one chance to explain"she said.

He looked on. Seeing her eyes moist. It made his chest feel heavy.

"Fine"

The canteen was filled with loud laughters. Everyone was enjoying their last evening together. Srishti and Arjun sat on one corner table. He waited her to speak. While she was making herself strong enough. Not to breakdown in front of him. She felt random stares on her. From everyone. But she chose to ignore them.

"Srishti. Please don't waste my time. Tell me. What do you want to say?" he insisted

"Are you.....still angry with me?"she asked instead. He sighed calmly.

"I'm not. And I never was. I was broken. When I thought I lost you. I couldn't handle myself. I didn't knew what to do. I was running away from you. Because I know if I don't. I'll ending up hurting myself"he said. Her eyes brimmed with tears.

She held his hand and squeezed it.

"I didn't choose this life Arjun. I don't want it even now. But. But I'm stuck. I don't know what to do"she said. He looked at her. Confused

"What do you mean Srishti?"

She found herself. Telling him everything from the day she met jai. To the last conversation she had with him. She told him about his family. About Sanjay. About how their marriage happened. And everything. Arjun sat frozen. Hearing her. Everything she said. Shocked him to the core.

"I don't know what to do. I can't go anywhere. Because everyone in that family. Loves and takes care of me as if I'm their own. I can't leave them behind. But I also know I shouldn't stay there anymore. He deserves a better life with someone much better. And I'm no match for him. We can't have a normal life Arjun. To be frank this entire thing was a big mistake. A huge one"she said. Holding back her tears.

"I'm sorry arjun. I know I hurt you. And I know this sorry is not going to change anything. I don't know what else I'm supposed to say. I'm really sorry for everything arjun"she said. Looking at the table. As tears rolled down her eyes.

He sighed and gripped her hand.

"Srishti"

She looked up. To see his eyes welled up.

"I....I feel terrible. I feel so damn terrible. I left when you needed me the most. I didn't even try to reach out to you. I was so consumed with my pain. That I didn't even think that I knew you. And you would never do this to hurt me"he said

"It's not your fault arjun"srishti said.

"Yes it is. I'm really sorry srishti. I'm really sorry I was being such a jerk. But this is just enough. You can still leave him. You have a life on your own srishti"he said.

"I...I can't Arjun. Atleast not now. I'm trying to figure things out. And I need time. Until then. I have to be there"she said.

He nodded his head and held her hand more tightly.

"I understand. And I want you to know that whatever decision you take. I'm gonna be there with you"he said. She smiled with tears and nodded her head.

They hugged each other. Before bidding bye. Srishti felt a big weight being lifted from her chest. When she shared everything with him. She felt a lot better. He dropped her back home. And they promised to keep in touch.

A few more days passed by.

Shruthi still couldn't face Srishti after she'd told her the truth. Feeling guilty each time when she saw her. She knew she can only put this to an end only after Jais return.

Jai had tightly packed schedules. His team was trying to wrap up the shoot soon. Due to snowfall. He didn't get time to check on srishti again. Whenever he did get some time. He called his mother. And enquired about everything. The shoot kept him so busy.

Srishti on the other side had plenty of time to spend with the kids and the family. After letting Arjun know about everything. She was hugely relieved. She also made shruthi understand that. Whatever she did. Was for her brother.

A Farwell party was organized by srishtis classmates. For all the outgoing students. Everyone was so excited for the party. Including srishtis friends. Srishti had no interest in such stuffs so she decided no to go for the party. But her friends kept on forcing her to come. Kumari also insisted her to go.

"Things like a farewell party will come only once in our life Srishti. You are going and that's final"kumari had said when she got to know about srishtis party.

Finally srishti had to agree to it. Shruthi helped her in picking up a simple. Yet an elegant farewell outfit.

Srishti reached the party venue. Joining her friends at the entrance. Since it was an outdoor programme her guards were around her. Making sure that she was okay. Earlier she didn't like being watched all the time. But now she was used to it.

Loud music kept reverberating in the air. People danced in one corner. While others were busy with drinks and food. Srishti and her friends occupied a futon.

They ordered drinks for themselves. Srishti settled for a lime while others ordered wine.

"Come on guys. Let's dance"kajal got up excitedly after having few drinks.

"Yup. Srishtu come on"nidhi said.

"You guys carry on. I'm not in the mood"srishti said.

"It's our party Srishtu. Let's enjoy no?"riya said.

"I'll be fine. Please?"

"Fine"others sighed. And went to join the dance floor.

Srishti kept eyeing her friends with a smile. Who were dancing with some random boys.

"Boo"someone said catching her shoulders from behind. Making her jump in scare.

"Arjun? You scared me idiot"she hit his shoulder and he laughed. Sitting next to her

"I thought you wouldn't come"he said.

"Trust me. I didn't want to come. They blackmailed me"she said. Looking at her friends.

"Bored?"he asked. She nodded sadly

"Come on. Let's dance then"he insisted.

"Since when do you dance?"she giggled.

"Since today. We will pair up so that I will be the less terrible dancer"he said.

"Haha very funny"she mocked.

"Come on Srishtu"her friends kept calling her to join them. But she shaked her head. Denying them.

"I'm just scared of being watched by other people now"she said looking ahead. Blankly.

"Why do you care what others think?"he asked.

"Because I have to"she said. Without saying further. Arjun understood that she was hinting about Jai. He held her hand. And she looked at him.

"Come with me"

"Where?"

"Just come"he grabbed her wrist.

"I can't Arjun. My guards are outside"she resisted.

"I know and I don't care madam"he said.

"Please Arjun. I can't go anywhere now. It will only create more problems"she said.

"Fine. We will take the back door then"he said.

"But...."

Before she completes. He dragged her outside. Srishti sighed and followed him.

He took her away from the crowd. Once they came outside the bar. He kept walking holding her hand. It was dark and she was scared. But for some reason she also felt safe with him.

"Arjun....where are you taking me?"she asked after five minutes of walking

"Almost there"

He finally stopped near a bench. Srishti looked ahead to see a beauty river. Which sparkled under the moonlight. The chill breeze brushed against her face. The place was empty. Calm and peaceful. She smiled and folded her arms across her chest. With her eyes closed. Enjoying the silence. Arjun smiled eyeing her.

He sat on the bench. She opened her eyes to look at him. He tapped besides him and she smiled. Taking seat next to him.

"Better?"he asked.

"Better"she replied smiling. But soon her face tensed.

"My guards. They will be searching for me right?"she asked.

"Relax. They'll think that you're still at the party"

"I don't know. I'm tensed. And if they find you here with me....."she trailed off.

"Hello? Im not afraid of anyone okay"he said and she chuckled

"I know that. Have you seen their sizes. Just one punch and you're dead"she said.

"I'm also not bad"he said making her laugh. He smiled and held her hand. Her laugh slowed down.

"I missed that"he said. While she looked at him.

"Your laugh"he added.

Srishti smiled and stared ahead.

"Did you talk to your parents?"he asked. Her face dropped and she shaked her head.

"But why srishti? You know they are not at fault. Even they didn't have any option right. Just like Jai. You have to forgive them. They are your parents"he said. Her eyes welled up hearing him.

"I know Arjun. But I don't know if I'm ready to accept that they let this marriage happen. I don't know if I'm angry. But I kind of feel that. Everyone is responsible for this. No one was there with me. No one. All of them were too desparate to keep me safe. But none of them cared about my feelings. Only he did. And he still do. I miss my parents Arjun. I miss bhoomi. I miss home and I miss everything about my life. But there's nothing I can do. Nothing"she said and broke into tears.

Arjun sighed and put his arms across her shoulder. He held her hand with his other. And let her cry.

"It's okay. Everything will be fine"he said. She nodded and wiped her tears. His eyes fell on her fingers. She wore the ring which he gifted her. On her wedding day. His lips curved into a wide smile seeing that.

"Can I ask you something?"he asked. And she nodded. Wiping her tears.

"Do you still love me?"

Srishti looked at him shocked. And surprised.

"Wh...at?"she asked

"Do you still love me srishti?"he asked.

She left his hold and got up. Feeling her insides churn. She didn't knew what to say. Her heart pounded hard. He got up as well and stood behind her.

"I know that you loved me. But you never got a chance to say it. I deserve to know it now. Whatever it is"he said.

"Arjun. Let's....let's go back. It's late"she wiped her tears and tried to walk away when he held her wrist and stopped her. Srishti clutched her dress. In tension.

"Give me a clear answer srishti. Just forget all the mess that's been inside your head and just tell me the truth. Do you still have feelings for me?"he asked.

"Arjun please"she said. He pulled her closer. Her eyes widened in shock. He held her hand and looked down. She followed his gaze. Which fell upon the ring.

"I think I got my answer"he smiled.

Srishti gulped from her throat. Feeling his gaze. She looked up into his eyes. He stared at her deeply and inched closer to her. She closed her eyes and clutched his shirt.

"I love you Srishti"he whispered.

She felt as if everything had just stopped. He inched forward to kiss her. She felt his breath on her face and reality hit her.

The moment she opened her eyes. She saw Jai. She felt as if she was being in his arms. And he was inching closer. To kiss her.

"Jai"she slowly mouthed it.

Arjun opened his eyes and looked at her. Srishti came back to her sense. She couldn't believe what was about to happen. She moved back in shock. He kept looking at her blankly. Before he could say anything she ran away from there. Leaving him alone.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Precap - Jai returns , Srishti ignoring Jai

♡ Nila ♡