CHAPTER 24 - VIRTUAL DATE

दुनिया को हर वक्त खुशी चाहिए,

लेकिन मुझे हर खुशी में सिर्फ़ एक तू चाहिए।

~•GEET's POV•~

Time 11.50pm

January 23

"More 10 minutes"

"Just 10 minutes for him to turn 20"

"Let me check the message"

"Perfect"

I murmured to myself looking in the mirror.  I don't know   Why I was so excited for his birthday though I  never found myself  so excited on my own day.

I won't make him a call because his best friend would be sleeping nearby , I don't want to disturb his sleep,  okay to be honest,  I don't want him to tease my Book Magnet that

Geetanjali wished you first etc.

I checked it was 11.53pm. Why was time passing so slowly like a tortoise? I  want myself to be the first one to wish him.  What if someone wished him  before me like his family or his best friend?

Give him a missed call and ask him to stay online till it turns 12 midnight.  I called him and disconnected the first ring itself.

I went to our chat and texted him

"Are you awake? "

He checked the message at the same time and he started typing.  Only 4 minutes Geet. Copy the message you have typed  for him.

"Yes. I was half asleep. What happened? I waited for you for the last 2 hrs but there was no response from your side." He replied

I started typing and sent him the reason

"I was busy with my studies. I have a test tomorrow in international economics. Sorry, I forgot to check my mobile"

"It's okay. And all the best" He wished me and it was just 1 min for January 24.

~•DHRUV's POV•~

Why did she call me ? I checked the date and realized it was my birthday in the next  2 minutes.

I checked Garv and he was sleeping, hiding inside the blanket, covering his body because it was cold.

Suddenly a paragraph caught my attention and the time was 12 midnight.

"Happy Birthday to that special person in my life who made me believe in love. A girl who never thought in her dreams that she will be blessed with someone who will love her for her soul rather than her outer appearance.  I know you will say Rainbow, you are the most beautiful girl I have ever met. You know, the journey from Ms.Shaktawat to Rainbow to your Geetanjali has made me realize that one should love themselves along with loving your partner.  I never told you but I was a girl who used to hate herself for not fitting in society's standards. But the day you entered my life made me aware about the concept of self love. You don't know about it but I can feel those changes in myself as you have healed me unknowingly.  Just a few more years and we will be together sharing our lives, our happiness ,our problems , our tantrums and most importantly our love. Thank-you for coming into my life and changing it drastically. Happy Birthday once again Book Magnet, happy 20 My Dhruvpratap!  I love you and I am missing you so much. Muahhh"

How should I react?  My heart was full at that time. I read her message and I never knew I made her fall in love with herself. I was short of words. I felt like my heart was flowing in the deep ocean and finding my hands unable to type anything

Again,  I noticed her typing something.

"Say something. Don't you know how to reply to a birthday wish? "

Isn't she a small child? She is so cute. I love her.

"Thank-you So much Rainbow. I love you too and I am bad at expressing it  but you know very well how much I love you. "

I sent her. And she saw the message without any delay.

"Okay fine. Tomorrow we have a virtual date through VC.  Timing is 10.30pm. Don't worry about your best friend, I will inform him."

***Time skip***

College canteen  -1pm

"Happy Birthday Dhruv"

"Happy Birthday Handsome"

The wishes were flooding one by one since morning as soon as I entered the college. Garv wished me in the morning already.

My parents and my sisters wished me just now and I was excited to meet her on our virtual date. Who says girls can't do anything for their men?  Look at my Rainbow, she is raising the bars.

"Dhruv, why are you blushing?" Vihaan asked and checked my cheeks with his hand.

"No not at all"I denied as I didn't want him to know.

"Really Dhruv? Garv asked, passing a naughty smile .

"Yes Gaurav"I giggled and tried hiding my smile.

"Should I call you Book magnet?" He whispered, pulling my chair.

I grew nervous as Vihaan doesn't know about this whole story. Should I inform him?  He is my best friend too and she is his sister.

"Vihaan woh… ."  I started saying,  I know I am hesitating.

"What? You want something" He asked, keeping his books in the bag.

"Actually first promise me, you won't be surprised" I mentioned and looked at Garv.

Garv was silent and looked at me as if he understood what I was trying to do.

'Tell na "

"Promise?" I asked again to be on the safer side.

"Okay promise tell me. "He replied, moving a little close.

"ActuallyIloveMs.shaktawat" I said in one breath without giving a pause.

"What?" Vihaan asked as he wasn't able to catch my words.

"Dhruv, you are telling him about that!?" Garv asked with his eyes widening, realizing what I spoke.

I nodded.

"Wait,  that means Garv knows it already. This is not fair yaar! " Vihaan expressed with disappointment.

"Tell me properly Dhruv . I want to know, "he continued.

I took a breath,  a deep breath.

"I love …… " I stopped.

"You love what? " He asked.

"I love Ms. Shaktawat and Garv has a crush on Avantika," I announced.

He looked at me then at Garv. Again Garv and again me.

"Dhruv, why did you tell him about me? "Garv asked,pulling my shirt sleeves.

"Mai q maar khau akele usse,  tu mera best friend hai  pata hai na" I replied , removing his hands from my sleeves.

(Why should I be alone to bear his hit, you know that you are my best friend)

"How long has it been Dhruv and Garv? "He asked like a school principal.

Garv and I looked at each other as he would feel that we didn't inform him of anything till now. We both told him everything.

He sat silently, listening to us and drank his coffee without uttering a single word. I was scared as I was clueless how he would react to it?

"I am so happy for you Dhruv. Well,  I already felt that you both like each other. I mean there is something between you and her . Garv, I know you like Avantika " He smiled and we both were in complete shock.

"How do you know? "Garv enquired leaning towards him.

"If I talk about Dhruv, the way they were looking at each other during truth and dare was enough for me to understand that they are in love. I wasn't aware about their confession until today. I am not hurt that you inform me so late

Because you both were waiting for the right time. That's fine as you both are childhood friends" He replied,  putting his ID card in his bag.

"What about him, Vihaan?"I asked to clear the doubt.

"Garv, the way you were nervous around Avantika, I understood you have something in your heart for her. Simple" He shrugged.

We both were relieved as we expected Vihaan to be angry with us for hiding it from him.

***Time skip***

Hostel room

Around 9pm

I was sitting on my bed and I didn't inform him of the virtual date nor he told me anything about her call. I was reading a book and he was busy in his cupboard.

My eyes were staring at him. How could I inform him that I have a date with her? I know he would understand it but still it is awkwards to let him know.

"Dhruv, take this shirt and wear it" He stood near the bed and handed me a shirt.

"What? "I asked, looking at the shirt.

"what. You have a date with her at 10.30pm. She texted me in the evening.I have charged the laptop.  You are wearing this black shirt" He informed me and he was way more excited than me.

"Are you going to be a third wheel between us? " I asked him keeping my book aside and taking the shirt from his  hand.

"I know the term privacy. I will be sleeping today in my classmate's room.  I told him that you have some literature club and you won't let me sleep with the light on" He informed me and I was surprised looking at his response.

"You are my bhai. " I hugged him.

"Leave this hug. I will go once you  wear this and she has sent something for you. It is in the cupboard" He mentioned,  pointing towards the cupboard.

Wait, when did she send it?  I opened the cupboard  and found a box covered with a gift wrapper.  I removed the wrapper and opened it.

I hide the box from him and look at a note.

"Happy Birthday Dear Book Magnet"

And then I found 2 books, an artificial rose and a diary. She knows that I love  penning  down my thoughts.

I smiled and admired looking at them. She never leaves a chance to surprise me .

I kept it again in the cupboard and my best friend was sitting on the bed, checking his phone. I wore the shirt which was selected  by him.

"Najar na lge mere dhruv ko" He said, applying a fake kaala teeka below my ear.

(Evil eyes off from my Dhruv)

He wished me all the best and he exited  the room.

My heartbeat wasn't normal, I could feel butterflies in my stomach. It was our  first video call afterall. The time was passing slowly. It was 10pm. I checked my phone for her message but there was no sign from her side. Did she sleep?  She is an expert when it comes to sleeping when she has to be awake.

I sent her a text and waited for her reply.

~•GEET's POV•~

10pm. Just half an hour for our first video call. I already informed his best friend  about his outfit. I decided to wear that which I bought when I went shopping that day with Anaya.  I thought of decorating my room but Kavya and Avanti were present since the evening.

It was a struggle to send them out of the room so I could get ready. I checked once in my home  and everyone was sleeping, thankfully. I regretted that my plan didn't execute as I wanted.

I changed myself into a red dress which my friend made me buy but I never thought in my dreams that I would be wearing it on our date.

It had a sweetheart neckline with sleeves upto elbow and the height of knee length.

I paired it with white stone locket and earrings of the same design. I did my makeup as well. Not so heavy but to match the vibe of the dress.

I wore that bracelet too which he gifted. I checked my laptop to see its battery status. It was charged. I placed my laptop on my study table and locked my door. I cleaned my bed as I don't want him to see my untidy room.

I checked my phone only to find his message.

"Don't say you are sleeping?"

And I got a message from his best friend too

"He is ready. Have a great time!"

I called Dhruv and he accepted without making me wait.

"Hello. Thank God you are not sleeping." He said with relief .

" Seriously? Why would I?  Leave this. Happy Birthday to you. Happy 20. Happy Birthday

Mr.Dhruvpratap Singh Deora" I wished him.

" Thank-you for your wish and thank-you for your gifts as well." he replied.

"Well,  shall we go on our virtual date?  I am coming to pick you.  Make sure you have a good data connection"

" Pick me? You mean you are the one who will call me? "

"Yeah.  Don't waste time"

I hung up my phone and sat on my chair. I switched on my laptop and went to facetime. I sent him an invite to accept in order to begin.

I was nervous honestly. I unsend it, checked myself in the mirror. Perfect.

I repeated the steps again and sent him an invitation to accept.

Please please please hurry up.

I switched off my camera as I don't want him to see me so nervous. I connected my earpod and wore it in my ears.

Where is he?  Why isn't he picking up?

Suddenly I saw him on the screen, adjusting the laptop screen.  He looked so handsome in that black shirt.

"Rainbow,  switch on your camera" He asked.

I closed my eyes and opened it. I turned on my camera. The first thing I did as soon as I showed myself was looking away from him.

"Hello. Look here. I am not on your right side"He mentioned making me look at him.

My hands were cold as ice. I didn't say anything.

'Are you okay? "He asked, moving closer to the screen.

Why is he giving me butterflies even though it is a virtual date?

I nodded.  He made a hand gesture asking me to speak something. Geet why are you so nervous?

"Say something?" He requested again,  with a smile.

"Can I drink some water?" I asked which I was not supposed to ask such lame questions.

"Ofcourse, there is no need to ask, " He said,  placing his left hand on his left cheek.

He will be the reason for my death. I stood, took a deep breath and walked on the right side to get my bottle which was actually on my bed. I realized he  could see me. I moved away from the camera and drank my water. I noticed him smiling like a small baby on my actions.

I came back and placed my bottle on the table near my laptop and gave him a smile.

"When did you buy this? "He asked, pointing towards the dress.

" two years back…  sorry two days back" I replied , while my  right hand made a way to get a pen from the pen stand.

"For this virtual date? "He asked, trying to hide his smile.

O God. For the world he might be quiet but for me he comes up with several questions.

"No. Anaya suggested that I should buy it. "

"Okay. Anaya the one who told you about that CUTE BOOK" he winked.

Did he wink looking at me? I buried my face on the table, Geet , who told you to organize a virtual date.

"Hello. Look here. It's my birthday wish me now" hearing these words, I raised my head and looked at him.

"Happy Birthday Dhruv " I wished while my right hand was tapping the pen on the table due to nervousness.

"Thankyou Geetanjali. Wait,  is something in your hand" He questioned me.

I said no with my head movement side by side.

"Come closer "He told me, asking me to bring the laptop screen a little closer.  I did according to his words.

" You are looking beautiful in this." He complimented  ,  with an ear to ear smile  on his face.

I was blushing and looked down on the table. Suddenly I realized my hair strands touching my face and I placed it behind my ear with my hand.

"Isi adaa par ham marte hai Geetanjali Kanwar Shaktawat"

As soon as I heard this,  I was shocked. What should I say?  I never imagined him to be so romantic.  Dig the ground and hide yourself Geet.

I sat silently with my cheeks turned pink. I didn't even try to maintain eye contact with him. His eyes were placed on me and I was feeling so shy at that time.

"Rainbow"

"Hm"

"Mujhe nahi pata tha ishq ke izhaar se kisika bolna band ho jayega '' His words were soft as if he was standing near me and expressing it, making me closer to himself.

(I knew never that someone will stop talking after declaring the love)

"There is nothing like that To be honest t" I replied.

"Really. It has been 45 minutes. You have hardly said 45 words . I am not talking about sentences, I am talking about the words. " He started mentioning it.

He was right,  all I did was sit silently and blush.

"I don't know why am I nervous?" I expressed.

"Look at me first. There is nothing to be so silent about. If you are not comfortable, no issues we will end it" He assured me with his words.

"No. I will try to behave normal" Saying this I took a deep breath.

"Shall we do a quiz?  Like kind of knowing each other more" he suggested.

"If you don't mind,  we can do one thing. You can ask me questions about you and I will answer it. And the same will follow during my round as well" I advised .

"Done. Do you have anything  to eat like snacks in your room ?"

"Maybe chips," I answered.

"Great.  I will bring some from my cupboard.  See you in 2 minutes"

We stood and I returned with a packet of chips and he came with  biscuits .

With this we began our quiz and I was the one to ask him first  about myself.

"What's my favorite color?" I asked, opening the chips packet.

"Pink" He answered, running his hand over his hair.

"Why pink?" I asked for the reason.

"Because you wear that color the most" He replied, eating the biscuit.

He was right,  my closet is filled with pink color.  I smiled and he understood.

"See.  I know. Okay My turn. How did I meet Garv for the first time?" He asked, adjusting the top button of his shirt.

"Maybe In primary classes?"I answered with a doubt  as he never said anything about this.

"I asked about how not when. Okay,  my mistake. I never told you about this. Actually Garv's papa is an officer in the department of income tax. He was transferred to Sirohi when Garv was 3 years old. " he started narrating.

"Then? " I asked curiously.

"He selected the same school as mine for his admission. I joined that KG class before him . I have been someone who doesn't talk much. Garv, on the other hand, was someone who would mingle with everyone.  He noticed me sitting in a corner seat,  busy with my own world. "Saying this,  he smiled remembering  his school days.

"Then he came and started talking to you?" I asked.

He nodded and started speaking " You know what, I still remember the first sentence he ever spoke to me.  Don't you like us or you don't know how to speak?"

As soon as he completed his sentence,  we laughed.  Evil eyes off from him and his best friend.

"Next question Rainbow"

"It is not about me, it is about us. If we have to give ourselves a song what would it be? " I asked, adjusting the bracelet on my left hand.

"Let me bring the guitar" He informed me and I noticed him taking a guitar which was placed near a bed.

He sat again and looked at me.

"If we had a song, it would be Saari ki Saari 2.0. If you listen to the lyrics , you will understand how it defines us and our Crushship" He mentioned, while playing the guitar.

"This is for you Rainbow" He declared which made me feel so special. Is he going to sing a song for me? I wish I could hug him.

Door hoke bhi paas mere ho

Sapnon se aage ab tum

Haqeeqat ban chuke ho

Door hoke bhi paas mere ho

Sapnon se aage ab tum

Haqeeqat ban chuke ho

Yeh dard hain jo tere

Tu karde unko mere

Meri har dua mein tu

Par Haqeekat mein kahan

Saari ki saari meri hai tu

Tujhko kabhi na main baatun

Haara dil haara tujhpe main aise

Behoshi ke aalam hon jaise

I felt tears in my eyes rolling down on my cheeks. He stopped singing, noticing me.

"Don't cry. I told you already I want to be the reason for your smile. I will meet you soon. Please Rainbow, stop crying." He started consoling me.

I wiped my tears and the time was 12.30am.  I informed him to sleep otherwise he will be late for his lectures the next day. He accepted my words and with this our virtual date came to an end.

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VOTE TARGET -195?

Good news!! We have crossed 1k followers on instagram and we are close to 50k reads on our book. YIPEEEEEEE.  From chapter 1 to chapter 24, a beautiful journey we all have traveled together.  So from the next chapter, there will be a leap of around 2 years and you will meet your Book Magnet and his Rainbow as a student pursuing their masters. There will be many changes which will be informed at the beginning of Chapter 25. I hope everyone is excited  to meet them and their family after this shift in the time.  Drop your messages in the comment section for them.

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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 🌼🎊🐣