chapter 12

    " And that's how the whole plot-" " Are you even hearing?" " Aruuu?" " Oh hello!!!" " Shook shook!" , they were on their way to the lecture as Malini was narrating her the story of her recent favourite serial and she was done with Aru zoning out and looking around for only she knew whom. " A to the U to the reality!" Malini shook her and Aru flinched. " What?" " Exactly. What?" , Aru faked a smile as she realised she had paid no attention to whatever the other said . " What's wrong? You look a lot disturbed nowadays." " I - it's nothing. Just. "     " Wassup guys!" Neeta stole the attention as she walked in looking a whole clown. The two burst into laughter watching her. " What?" " Why the heck are you in two pony tails , messed up lipstick and oversized earrings? " "You know you look like an idiot? " " Ofcourse those yellow shoes don't go with pink top and red jeans. " " What were you even trying to do? " Neeta took a deep breath to calm herself down as her two besties showed no sign of stopping with their mocking comments and laughters." Oh please. This is the latest fashion." Neeta defended herself. Aru gave her a done look,  judging her from head to toe. " Which idiot did you loose to , to get such a dare or punishment?" " Netra. " " I knew. " Neeta sighed hiding behind her palms. " This is embarrasing." Neeta rested her head on Aru's shoulder. " It's okay kiddo. " ,She patted her head while the other fake sobbed.      " Hey Arushiii!!" the trio turned around to Aru's name being called out like a chant. " This creep again?", Aru mumbled. " What do you mean by again?" , Malini asked surprised. " Hey. How are you?" , he asked while still struggling with regulating his breath. " Umm good.", she answered with an akward smile. " Actually. I didn't get to catch up with you yesterday. You looked a bit -" " It's nothing. Please don't bother. " , She cut him off and nudged Neeta who failed to understand the gesture.    " No I mean I saw Vibhavari and -" " We just had a little fight. Don't worry. We'll be good soon. " ,Aru wasn't willing to let him speak and wanted to escape which was clearly visible to everyone accept the one who was the problem. To her aid, the phone rang giving her a chance to excuse herself. " Meet me at canteen." , the call ended with all the eyes fixed on her. " I have to go . I am sorry. I will catch up with you two later. ", she left in hurry not bothering to say anything to the bewildered guy.     She speedwalked in the direction of canteen . She wasn't sure if she was happy for the call or was she tensed about it. Meet me at the canteen. A simple sentence without much to analyse but still she found herself pondering over it. Her tone sounded normal not excited . Was it rude? Disappointed. Her thoughts were interrupted by sudden crashing into a person at the turning. She didn't bump straight into them but was held back by her shoulders, as if were expected.    " Sorry -" she looked up and was met by a blank stare. " Oh-, Vibha , I actually was coming to canteen as you called , I-" " No need. " " Huh?" " I saw you with that idiot and I thought you needed an escape. " , Aru didn't need further explanation. " So you - umm we ain't going to canteen?" Vibha shook her head negatively. " You said you wanted to-". " But now I don't". Irritation was clearly visible in her voice. For a moment Aru felt hurt but the next for some reason she felt her anger take over herself.     She grabbed Vibha by her wrist and dragged her along " But now I want to !"