Ruhaan's happiness held no bounds that moment. He wrapped his arms around Tapasya and smiled widely. He had been waiting for this moment for a long long time. And today it had finally happened.

They broke off from the hug and looked at each other shyly. When suddenly,

Tapasya: But Ru, you have to promise me that this is going to remain between us. And just us.

Ruhaan was a little suprised. All he wanted to do at that moment was scream to the world that he loved Tapasya and Tapasya loved him.

Ruhaan: But why?

Tapasya: Because I just don't wanna jinx it . You know, this is so important for me. I want to at least  savour each moment myself first and then others. Do you understand?

Ruhaan nodded slightly disappointed. Tapasya noticed.

Tapasya: Look Ru, I promise once everything settles down, we will tell everyone, including my and your parents. But till then, could you keep this a secret? Please? For me?

She made a puppy face. Ruhaan found himself agreeing to her pleas.

Ruhaan: You know I cannot resist that face.

Tapasya smiled widely and hugged him again.

Taps: I love you!

Ruhaan: I love you too!

Breaking off from the hug, Ruhaan asked,

Ruhaan: Wait , so we won't even tell Adi?

Taps: Especially not Adi. You know he sucks at keeping secrets.

Ruhaan: Point.

Taps: So secret lover-boy , won't you bring me some food? I'm hungry as hell!

Ruhaan: (trying to be sexy voice) So is that my new name huh?

Taps: You suck at being sexy, Ru. Leave that to me and bring me some food.

Ruhaan giggled, nodded and stood up.

Ruhaan: Whatever you want , your highness!

He bowed and Tapasya laughed.

Sush, it is then!

                                             ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mitali and Adi rejoined the others standing outside Tapasya's room.As Ruhaan came out , smiling and giggling, the others looked at each other.

Mitali: Vah bhai Ruhaan! Aisa kya hua , ki tu itna has raha hai?

Adi: Ha vahi to. Tapasya ne I love you keh diya kya?

Ruhaan's smile immediately lessened and he tried to cover it up quick.

Ruhaan: Kya bakwas kar raha Adi? Aur voh bhi itni zor se! Tapasya ne sun liya to?

Adi: To tu itna has kyu raha hai?

Ruhaan: Voh to bas isliye kyunki mai khush hu ki Tapasya ko kuch hua nahi.

The others nodded while Mitali looked at Ruhaan suspiciously.

" Dusro ko buddhu bana sakte ho, Ruhaan. Mujhe nahi", Mitali thought but said nothing.

Ruhaan: Acha guys listen. Tapasya abhi thik hai par use abhi discharge nahi karne vale. So jab tak voh discharge nahi hoti mai uske sath yahi reh jata hu. Meanwhile, tum log jakar college ki situation sambhalo. Pata nahi kya ho raha hoga vaha?

Shanu: I think Ruhaan sahi bol raha . Hume college jakar situation dekna chahiye .

The others nodded agreeing.

Adi: Okay the, Ru , kuch bhi problem ho, immediate much call karna, alright?

Ruhaan: Yeah, of course!

The others bade him goodbye and left for the college. Mitali and Adi went by his bike and the others boarded two autos.  Reaching college , they witnessed the chaos around. Making way through the crowd , they went to the principal.

Sahil: Dad! Are you okay?

The dean ignored his question and asked,

Dean: Where were you guys? You're supposed to be in-charge of the fest. And when this whole fiasco started , you just fled and disappeared! What kind of responsibility is this?!

Sahil balled his fist and stepped back. 

"For once he couldn't act like he cared for me!", Sahil thought but said nothing.

Dean: The fire brigade took so long to arrive. The auditorium is  in a very bad condition.

Mitali: Sir, Tapasya collapsed when the fire started. We had to take her to the hospital. She's still there.

Dean: What happened to her?

Adi: Sir, she had an asthma attack.

Dean: Oh my God! Is she okay?

"Wow , so he's worried about Tapasya. But not his own son! Great!", Sahil thought and tightened his fist even more. Shanu looked at him with a worried expression.

Dean: Anyways, I have decided to cancel the fest. A bad beginning is always a bad omen.

The others looked at each other worriedly.

Mitali: But sir, think about the amount of money and preparations that will go in vain! We can't let that happen! We've worked for months!

Dean: Well, do you see any other option?

The others shrugged but Mitali said,

Mitali: Sir, there is one. Only you would have to cooperate with us.

Everyone looked at her with suprise.

Dean: What?

Mitali: If you can postpone the fest for a while , I'm sure we can fix this . All we will need is a fresh batch of paint and some new curtains.

Dean: How are so sure that you can?

Mitali: Well, I have experience.

Dean: Well, then, I think I can postpone the fest for two days. Can you complete the work by then? 

Mitali: Yeah , I think we can. But also if you let us work at night. 

Dean: I can't allow that! No students are allowed after 6.

Mitali: Sir, do you or don't you want the fest to happen?

The dean thought for a while and said,

Dean: Okay , you can work at night. But the security guard will be with you so that you stay in discipline.

Mitali: Okay, sir. We promise to maintain discipline.

Dean: Alright then. Don't disappoint me, Miss Gupta.

Mitali smiled and said,

Mitali: I never disappoint sir.

The dean nodded and strode back to his office.

Ananya(turning to Mitali): Hum kya karne vale hai, Mitali?

Mitali: Guys, mai sab batati hu. Pehle change karke kuch khane chalte hai. Mujhe bohot bhukh lag rahi hai. And I'm sure tum logo ko bhi lag rahi hai. So....

Adi: Tum bohot hi zyada confusing ho.

Mitali winked and said,

Mitali: Kuch naya bhi kaha karo!

The others smiled and went back to their respective dorms. 

~Half an hour later~

The boys waited for the girls outside the girls hostel. 

Adi: Yeh ladkiya change karne mein bhi itna time lagati hai! Baap re!

Daksh smiled while Sahil was lost in his thoughts. The girls soon joined them and they left for Janet's. 

After ordering the necessities, they began chatting.

Anu: Aaj ka din itna hectic gaya hai na?

Shanu: Sach mein yaar. Mai to bohot thak gayi hu.

Daksh: Isliye to coffee mangayi hai. Sara stress dur ho jayega!

Ananya smiled while Shayantani noticed Sahil lost in his thoughts.

Shanu: Sahil, are you alright?

Sahil: Uh......yeah.

Shanu: Sure?

Sahil nodded slightly. Shayantani wasn't convinced. But she thought of confronting him later.

Anu: Vaise Mitali ab batayegi bhi! Humein karna kya hoga?

Mitali: Oh ha! Listen guys, mujhe pata hai ki tum log bohot hi tired ho lekin mujhe tumhari help chahiye. Humein in do dino mein auditorium ko ache se paint karke naya jaisa bana na padega. Aur jaise ki maine kaha, kuch new curtains aur decoratives se , hum asani se isko ek naya look de payenge. Mujhe tab yeh ek hi rasta dikha iss fest ko bachane ka. Come on, guys, humne teen mahine itni mehnat ki hai. Bas do din aur mehnat karenge to I am sure hum kuch na kuch zaroor manage kar payenge.

The rest looked at each other.

Adi: Kyu na hum kisi painter ko hi bula le? Voh humse iss kam mein jyada tez hoga , right?

Mitali: Adi, maine bhi yahi socha tha lekin itne short notice mein koi bhi painter razi nahi hota. Aur vaise bhi auditorium k sirf do hi walls jyada damage huye hai. Hum itne saare milke khud hi kar payenge. 

Anu: I think tu sahi keh rahi. Vaise bhi raat ko collge mein rehne ka maza hi kuch aur hoga!

Mitali grinned and asked,

Mitali: So are you guys with me?

The rest nodded and chorused," Yes!"

She smiled and looked at them.

Anu: Vaise, mitali, tujhe darr nahi laga ? I mean meri toh aag dekh k hi buri halat ho gayi thi.

Shanu: Same here. Main to kuch bol hi nahi pa rahi thi. Itne log yaha se vaha dor rahe the! Baap re! Par tune itni calmly situation ko handle kiya. How?

Mitali's smile lessened. She hesitated before speaking.

Mitali: Um.....let's say it's not my first time dealing with fire.

Adi: Matlab?

Mitali: When I was 11, the house in which me and my family lived caught fire. That fire ruined the whole house. Before I was rescued , my mom and dad were trapped in the next room over from me. They were.........pushing and pounding on the door........trying to get to me......But it was too hot...........When the firemen finally found them........the skin on their hands...............had melted down to the bones.

There were no tears in her face. She just looked sad.

Anu:(cupping her mouth) Oh My God!

Shanu: I'm......so......so.....sorry.....

Adi looked at Mitali and placed his hand on top of hers. She looked at him and smiled slightly.

Mitali: I'm fine, guys. I swear. It's okay.

Ananya got up from her seat and side hugged her. So did Shanu. Mitali looked at Adi and  he smiled.

Mitali: Chalo abhi...Itna pyaar mujhe hazam nahi hoga!

And they all laughed!

                                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Phew! 1487 words! Gosh , I think I've made up for the two month break.

Guys, please vote and do comment! I am dying to talk to you and listen to your views!

Much love,

Bosedisha.

(Target:  If I get 30 votes on this one , I will update the next chapter tomorrow!)