chapter 11

     Shocked by the unexpected gesture Aru froze on the spot. " Home is where the heart is....", Vibha whispered in her ear and within a split second  she was thrown off . The sudden push caused Vibha to fall back on the ground . " I - i am sorry." , Aru ran away without sparing her even a single glance . She ran as fast as she could until at a turn her steps came to halt the moment she crashed into someone. " I - i am sorry." she appologised trying to leave without trouble but she felt the person grab her arm .     " Are you okay?", the voice contradicting the grip was gentle. She looked at its owner and nodded. Why do I always land up straight in fire when I think I had escaped from the boiling vessel. Ughh . " You don't seem so. What's wrong? Is anyone bothering you?" " No. I just . I was in hurry that's why I didn't see. I am sorry. " she appologised and walked past . Abhi didn't push the matter further. He stared at her walk away. He wished he could run upto her and ask her but he knew she for now didn't trust him enough to answer anything.     He walked his way only to see Vibha walk in from her main gate. I knew it. " Vibhavari!" he called out and despite her back facing him , he was pretty sure the other only offered an eye roll. She lazily turned around and looked at him as if judging something very disappointing. " What?" " What did you do?" " What?" " Didn't I warn you already?" " And do you think I care?"" You better stay in your limits. Or else?" " Or else?" Vibha folded her hands in front of her chest, her eyes staring straight into Abhi's. Challenging him to say something that he'd regret.  " You won't want to know that. " Abhi stormed away living a completely pissed off Vibha standing at the gate .     She walked in and left the gate to slam shut . " Oh my bachha is back home? How was your day Princess?" her father asked , he seemed to have been just back from his office a few minutes ago . " Oh , doesn't seem good. " he placed his bag there and walked till the stairs only here another door slam shut. He walked back down realising it was better to not disturb her for a while. [ Meanwhile ]     Aru had reached home and walked straight to the bedroom . " Sakhu . You are back? " , her granny asked and she hummed with a smile. She placed the book in her hand aside as she patted the place besides her. Aru made her way there placing the bag aside . " What happened?" " Nothing"" Is it about her?" "Her?" "Vibhavari?" " Why do you think it's her?" " Besides those annoying adds in midst of your favourite songs and dramas only she seems to have the ability to ruin your mood." granny's joke only earned her a frown.     " Okay. Okay . Tell me , what happened?" " She is weird." " And why? " " She hugged me out of nowhere." that came out timidly and Aru didn't know why it made her feel small. " So ?" " So?" " I mean it's normal to hug your friend?" " None of my friends ever did." " Huh? "  " I mean we are just classmates and we are supposed to only help each other in academics and other activities and perhaps hang out at times just to -" " Is that how you think friends should be?" " Yeah?" she realised her granny didn't support it considering the change in expression.    " Then I hope she changes your belief." [ Meanwhile]     " Princess" " Vibhu" " Sweetie" Vibha placed her phone aside as she heard a knock on the door. " May I come in my Lady?" she took a deep breath calming herself " Yeah." " Your highness, here I present you daddy special mini cupcakes." he placed the tray in front of her. His habbit of doing cute things to make her smile had never changed in 17 years since her birth. She stared at those pastries with weird shapes which her dad claimed to be moons and stars and some even animals. Vibha rather classified them as microbes maybe amoeba.     " Thanks " she picked up one and ate it with a faked smile. Her dad pouted as he settled besides her. " What's wrong?" " Nothing." " Did that Abhijeet do something to you?" " What can he ? " " I mean did he hurt you in any way. " " How weak do you think your daughter is?" " Ayy. No way! I know my daughter is a warrior! My warrior princess! I just meant if you still have-" " Nope. I am over him. He was useless in the first place. I just wasted my time . If only I knew since start . ....."       " See princess. It would be no fun if you know everything since start. You need to see the darkest of nights to appreciate moon. You have to withstand storm to see rainbow. Only when you fall you know the joy of flying. And it's same for love. You won't appreciate the right one if you haven't met the fake ones. " " But how would I even trust the right one if all I have met are fake ones?" " You'll know that when you meet them." " You and your fairytales. " Vibha rolled her eyes and got off the bed storming out to the balcony.       Vibha stared out of the window as her dad came up to her and stood besides her. " Why do you think fairytales don't exist?" " So what do you expect? A prince charming to come sitting on horse and take you along? A perfect human full of all qualities loving you unconditionally?" " I don't expect that. I was that . " Vibha stared at him speechless. He wasn't lying. She had heard her dad was one of the most popular and handsome guys at his time. Also how romantic he was but at same time equally loyal. He had met her mom in his college days and been in love with her forever. Even after her death. He still talked about her like describing the most beautiful angel. Vibha had never actually seen her mom beyond a few poor quality photos but his description made her believe she looked breathtaking in reality.     " If your mom were here trust me she'd say I was her Prince Charming. And that's what matters. How your story looks to others isn't your concern but how you make your partner feel is more important."" So you are telling me , to be what I expect?" " Yes." Vibha stood there silent . " I believed fairytales exist and so I created one for your mom.I am pretty sure she'd be boasting about it even in heaven. " Vibha chuckled at that. " Come on. Now have dinner. My stomach is growling. Rawwrrrrr" he mimicked a roar making Vibha smile at his antiques. [ Meanwhile ]Xxxxxxxxxxx:Hey       Aru looked at the notification and she frowned. Xxxxxxxxxxx:Are you okay?      She turned her phone off. She laid down besides her granny who was still reading a book.  Her phone kept on annoying her so she sat up straight. I am going to block this idiot. She opened her phone but realised it was a different number.**********:* Insert pics *       Her eyes lit up as she scrolled through the pics. " What is it?" granny placed her book aside . She showed her the phone. " Woah. Such a beautiful view. Aigoo look at my sakhu. So beautiful. Where did you go?" " Umm....school terrace?" " With?" " Vibha...." , Suddenly the excited expressions faded as she called out the name in very low voice. " Oh. So she clicked these?" " Yeah..." " She is so talented. First the sketch, now the photos. She is really something." " Yeah yeah. " she took her phone back saving the number . [ On text ] Vibha ( Clg ):I hope you like them .Me:They are beautiful.I loved them. Even my granny did. Thank you so much.Seen    She  frowned at lack of response but let it slide convincing herself the other was busy .  Her phone dinged and she immediately rushed to check it. " And you say she is weird. " , her granny teased making Aru  glare at her. Xxxxxxxxxxx:Did Vibhavari do something to you?       Aru frowned at the question. Why does he know her? Why does he know me? And why does he think she'd do something to me? Xxxxxxxxxxx:Are you asleep?     No dead Xxxxxxxxxxx:Good nightSweet dreams      She didn't even open the messages. She slid the notification bar aside and went to bed. Again sat up picked up her phone and opened the photos. She went through one by one analysing each one . They somehow made her recall those moments. Her finger lingered on the one she has secretly clicked while the other was asleep. She stared at it and unintentionally her lips curled upwards. " Sakhu" and poor phone fell face flat as Aru immediately slid inside the blanket. " Sakhu....slept already?" Granny turned the lights off and placed her phone aside . She too went to bed.    Damn this girl is going to be the death of me.    Â