CHAPTER 12 - THE FRIENDS DATE

"आँखों से आँखे मिलाकर तो देखो,

हमारे दिल से दिल मिलाकर तो देखो,

सारे जहां की खुशियां तेरे दामन में लाकर रख देंगे,

हमसे प्यार का इज़हार कर के तो देखो।"

Time 7.30am

~•Dhruv's POV•~

Standing in the parking area, I was scrolling through my phone , waiting for her so we could go to the event. I wore a sky blue shirt  paired with royal blue pants.

I heard footsteps. . I turned back only to find her walking through the parking area in a beautiful white south Indian Saree adding sparkles to her. The pink border on it matched her blushes on her cheeks. Twinning with her border of the saree, she paired the blouse of the same design making it more enchanting.

" Chale?? " She snapped her fingers to bring me back to reality.

(Let's  go?)

"Huh? Kya"

(What)

"I think we should leave now, " asked , taking the keys from her bag.

I followed her, we reached near a car and I asked when I saw her opening the door and sitting in the driver seat.

"Aapko car drive karni aati hai? "

(You can drive a car?)

"Yeah!  Should I show you my license?" asking me to sit in the car . Before I could open back seat gate

"Book magnet, piche nahi, yaha aage aao"

she ordered, adjusting her seat belt.

(Book magnet,Not at the back seat, come front!)

I followed her words like an obedient student and sat on the passenger seat.

"Actually Aapsa asked me to take the car today as it might rain . There are chances of the event ending late and I thought you won't be comfortable sitting behind me on the activa," she informed, starting the car.

The destination is 20-25 mins away and Anaya will reach directly to the college. Hash, we would be alone.

"How are you feeling Book Magnet, I mean as a Passenger Seat Prince?" she asked while driving.

"As if I am in a fictional world"  I replied looking at her earring,which was on swing to and fro.

"wese ache lag rahe ho and acha hua aapka maine daant nahi toda ." she joked , hiding her smile , taking a left turn.

(Well, you are looking good. It's good that I haven't broke your teeth)

I would not deny but today I can't stop myself from hiding it. She looked more beautiful than the fictional women I had ever imagined in my whole life . I couldn't stop my eyes falling on her bindi, her gajra complementing her hair, the saree blending with her skin tone. Ofcourse, how could I forget her smile,  adding details to her lips painted with light pink lipstick.

"If you don't mind, can I ask you something, do you need kajal?"

She stopped the car and looked at me, her eyebrows joining with doubts ,was clearly visible on her face and asked

"What do you mean?"

"Kaala teeka lagalo, Warna poore india  ki nazar lagegi"

(You should apply black mark (kaala teeka) otherwise you will get caught by evil eyes from whole India)

She blushed and pointed back

"Fir woh piche bag se kajal nikalo"

(Then take the kajal out of the bag which is  kept at back)

I opened the front chain of her bag and gave her a kajal.

She applied kaala teeka below her ear with the help of her phone's front camera .

She turned her head towards me and showed me kajal asking me if I need kaala teeka as well?

"As you wish, if you want to safeguard me from the girls today".  I replied looking into her eyes.

There was a pin drop silence between us. She came closer to me and I could feel her though she didn't touch me. She asked me to look on the other side and she applied kaala teeka as well below my ear .

The kajal slipped from her hand , we removed the seat belt and bent simultaneously to pick it, making our hands brushed together. We looked at each other and realized There was a little distance between our faces. We came a little closer and we were able to feel our breath.

I closed my eyes and tried bridging the gap between us. And then

"I guess hame late ho jaega" I heard her moving back to  buckle her seat belt.

"I am sorry I didn't have that intention" I apologize for what happened a few moments back.

Without saying a word, she started driving. We reached college ,parked our car. We were in the registration area and she called someone.

"Naina, he is Dhruv, one of the participants for the conclave.  Register his details and we are running late so make sure every registration is done before the event starts ". She instructed her and informed me that she will meet me in the auditorium.

She left me with Naina . I followed her to the desk and she asked to inform her about the details.  I did as per the request.

"Thank-you Dhruv, the auditorium is on the right side of Block A"

"Thankyou Naina, this side right? " I reconfirmed because I don't want to get lost on this campus.

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📍Auditorium

I sat in the fourth row because I wanted to see my rainbow on stage.

She came on the podium I guess to make an announcement.  Wait, who's the guy who is standing nearby. She is talking with him. Dhruv don't be jealous!!

The guy who  was talking with her , came on the stage and announced

"Good morning everyone who is present over here. This is Mohit, your host of the day .Sorry for delaying the event as the chief guest has not yet arrived .if anyone want to showcase their talent, the stage is all yours "

I heard Rainbow taking over the mike  "Firstly , happy morning to all of you. Why don't we start with Mohit . Yes he is a pianist. So Get ready for an amazing performance and please welcome him with a huge round of applause"

Everyone cheered and she was making him perform on the stage. The piano was set on the stage. Mohit started performing the piano  and I can't see her cheering  for him.

Dhruv control , DEEP BREATH IN AND OUT.

~•GEET's POV•~

We were delaying our event as the chief guest was on the way.  Mohit played the piano. I was constantly looking at Book Magnet in between.

Suddenly, he stood from his chair and came near the stage and asked if we had a guitar . Taani , standing close to the stairs , gave him one from the college band.

He made his way on the stage .He checked the guitar and mike and looked at me . I was trying not to look at him.

"This song is dedicated to someone special. I hope she could hear me singing it. "

Before he could complete it , the whole auditorium was filled with cheers and whistles.

He started with the guitar strings and I was stunned as I was clueless of him being a singer.

क्यूँ आज-कल नींद कम ख्वाब ज़्यादा है

लगता खुदा का कोई नेक इरादा है

कल था फ़कीर, आज दिल शेह्ज़ादा है

लगता खुदा का कोई नेक इरादा है

(He was looking at me as if he was trying to convey something through this song)

क्या मुझे प्यार है आ

कैसा ख़ुमार है आ

क्या मुझे प्यार है आ

कैसा ख़ुमार है आ

(Few students who were in backstage joined him )

पत्थर के इन रास्तों पे

फूलों की एक चादर है

जबसे मिले हो हमको

बदला हर इक मंज़र है

देखूँ जहाँ में नीले नीले आसमान तले

(Asking me to come on the stage and join him but I denied )

रंग नए नए हैं जैसे घुलते हुए

सोये से ख्वाब मेरे जागे तेरे वास्ते

तेरे खयालों से हैं भीगे मेरे रास्ते

क्या मुझे प्यार है आ

कैसा ख़ुमार है आ

क्या मुझे प्यार है आ

कैसा ख़ुमार है आ

The whole crowd was cheering for him and clapping along with the beat of the song.

I was amazed that he has such a good voice. And the guitar was a cherry on the top. I smiled throughout the song and we kept making eye contact. He handed me the guitar and whispered into my ears

"Don't smile . This song is dedicated for my girlfriends who are in Jaipur"

This boy!  So obsessed with the books. I thought of ignoring him but then I switched on the mike and walked on the stage

"Mr. Dhruv pratap Singh Deora, Thank-you for your wonderful performance and I will make sure to send this video to the right person" I announced looking at him and he blushed, running his hand through his hair.

In the meanwhile, the chief guest arrived and the event finally began officially.

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***Time skip ***

Evening time ⌛

Day 1 ended peacefully with less drama .

I was in the parking area waiting for him so we could go back home. I saw him talking with Taani near the gate.

What is he doing with her?

Smiling ,Oh A Big smile.

He looked at me and waved . I gave no response. Geet you can't let him talk with the girl you hate.

I kept my bag in the car and headed towards them

"Hey Geetanjali, it is your duty to introduce your friend to us" Taani said , with a fake smile and me usually ignoring her blunders.

"Dhruv, you know we have been really good friends since class 7." saying this, she wrapped her hand on my shoulder to give a side hug.

"oh really, tell me when is my birthday? Wait, you know what we are so good friends that I don't remember when was the last time we have talked peacefully" I

smiled and removed her hand.

He was confused about what was going on. "Ms. Shaktawat , I guess we should go home now. It might rain! " he pointed at the watch showing me the time.

"Taani, you are the one handling the decoration? There is something missing in it." I asked

"Yes Geetanjali,but what is missing in it ?" She asked with a big smile looking at Dhruv.

Will she stop looking at him? I can't allow her to look at my BOOK MAGNET. He is my friend.

"Your beautiful eyes! If I find you being close to him,  I will make sure to include your eyes on the stage decoration to make it look more attractive. So make sure you stay 2 feet away from him "I warned her and gave him a stare , making him follow me to the parking lot.

~•Dhruv's POV•~

Rainbow, I never knew her " look at him and you die " side.  We were in the car and I was astonished. I realized Kavya was right when she informed me about her anger.

I gave her a water bottle and asked "Are you okay?"

"Aap kisi se bhi baat karo, uss chipkali se nahi",She punched her hand to the steering wheel.

(You can talk with anyone, but stay away from that lizard)

OMG. I should be careful. Kuldevi Maa meri raksha karna. I guessed I did something which I shouldn't have done.  Then I made a plan in my mind.

"Panipuri khane chale? "I asked slowly.

(Shall we go and have Panipuri?)

She looked at me and smiled.  "Daro mat, mai aapke saath ya aapke aankho ke saath aisa kuch nahi karungi" and we laughed hearing this.

"Par Aapko Pani Puri pasand nahi hai?"she asked me with a look of disappointment on her face.

(But you don't like Panipuri ?)

"There is nothing wrong with trying new things"I replied and she smiled as soon as she heard these words.

She started driving the car and we reached her favorite Panipuri stall.

" Book Magnet,  This is my favorite place.

It is like a ritual for me to come and have At Least once a week " pointing towards the stall.

We got out of the car and I noticed her pallu touching the ground. Without her knowledge,  I lifted the pallu a little and she turned back, removing it from my hand.

"Book Magnet,  we are friends, pr log kuch aur sochege, leave this "

(We are friends, but people will think something else )

"Let them think because I don't give attention to them " * all my attention is for you was silent*

We went near to the stall and she asked me whether I was comfortable with eating spicy food.

I nodded.

" You know what, I have never been on a date, "  I said and she giggled hearing my words.

"So we are before time, why don't we go on a friend's date, I mean a date as a friend " she suggested eating the first Panipuri.

"Done. Let's start with the Panipuri date" I replied, beginning with her cheering for Panipuri.

She made me eat two plates of it, though I was resisting.

"Khaiye na, meri taraf se hai date." forcing me to eat one more.

(Please have it,  it's a date from my side)

"It is a treat from my side " as I don't want her to pay for it by herself.

"Save these formalities when I visit Jaipur or Sirohi.you are in my place, it's my duty book magnet to make your trip memorable one" saying that she paid even though I was stopping her to do it.

We went back to the car and she asked me "Next? "

I didn't understand what she was trying to ask.

"Book store chalein? Par usse pehle mujhe chai peeni padegi"She pouted.

(Shall we go to book store?)

She is so cute. I have read books where fictional men pamper their ladylove. But here, the situation is totally opposite. We are friends but still she is treating me the best even without asking anything in return.

I am so lucky to have her (as a friend). We were on the way and she narrated why she hates Taani.

I asked her to stop the car and went outside to get her a cup of tea.

I returned with two and we enjoyed our evening tea with some funny incidents.

"I think you should call Garv banna ,he might be missing you " She said in between narrowing her eyes.

"I will make a call after we reach home" I replied as I know if he got to know we are on a friend's date he would leave no chance to make me embarrassed.

We had our tea and we reached a bookstore. We got out of the car and I was living a dream. She had no idea she is unknowingly fulfilling my wishes one by one.

~•GEET's POV•~

The main reason why I suggested this friend's date was that we won't get time to talk at home as Kavya and Avantika would not leave him alone.

We reached the book store and he started scanning all the books like a scanner.

Today is one of the best days of my life as I have him by my side. He was taking books one by one and started telling me the plot of it . He has read too many books and I was listening to him  even though I had no idea of different genres.

He selected four books after hunting more than 30 books (not an exact figure) . He wanted to pay the bill but as usual I denied his request and told him to pay for me when I visit his place.

He kept all the books aside, giving reasons why he doesn't want to buy it now but me being me convinced him to take it as a gift from me.

We were on the way and I got a call from Kavya asking us where we were. I gave him my phone and he informed her that we would be back in 20 mins and there is nothing to worry about.

We were one corner away from my home and he asked me to stop the car .

"What happened ?"

Without saying anything, he opened his bag and took a box out covered with a gift wrapper.

"I know last night you must be wondering why haven't I bought anything for you " he said, giving the box in my hand asking me to open it.

I was curious to know what was inside of it. I removed the wrapper and opened the box and I found 4 beautiful pairs of earrings.

"Jhumke!!" happiness was clearly visible in my eyes .

(Earrings)

"Thank-you so much Book magnet , it is so beautiful. I am gonna wear one tomorrow"he was smiling widely looking at me.

"I  have something for you, " I said, opening the chain of my bag and giving him a box.

" Aapne bahut kar liya mere liye, iski kya jarurat hai rainbow"  giving me back the box in my hand.

(You have done so much for me already, what is the need of it)

"Dekho pehle kya hai" I said , returning the box in his hand.

(First check what is it?)

He opened the box and he gave him a look as if I did something wrong .

"What was the need to gift me a watch?I can't accept this, you have already gifted me books " He said, closing the box .

" Rakho, warna mai gussa ho jaogi. And this watch will remind you to have your food on time, complete your work and most important it will remind you to message me as well"

(Keep this otherwise I will be angry)

And finally, he accepted it and we reached home.

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Note - I will correct the errors soon.

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THANK-YOU FOR 2K+ READS AND 300+VOTES!! LOVE YOU ALL😻

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VOTE TARGET - 22??

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THANK-YOU  naina0908 FOR FILLING THE REGISTRATION DETAILS OF DHRUV. 😁

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You can follow me on instagram @avinaphile for more updates and spoilers.

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Hope you enjoy reading it and don't forget to vote and comment down below.

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Take care and lots of love ❤

See you soon in the next chapter

Avina,

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THANK-YOU FOR READING 🌼🎊🐣