chapter 9

    Aarushi walked ahead leaving the two to quarrel behind.  Her gaze was fixed on stairs when a chocolate appeared in front of her . She looked at it bewildered and then to side realising who it was.  Vibha gestured her to take it but Aru as of yet had no intentions of doing so. " Don't worry. I won't drug you. " , she joked earning a frown from the other.  " You seemed quite pissed off so I thought you'd like it." Vibha teased. " Don't want?" She was about to put it back but it was snatched from her hand. Vibha smiled satisfied as she watched the other struggle with the wrapper like some child. " Give here. "that only received an unsure stare. " Aish. I won't eat. Don't worry. ", she teased making the other literally thrust it into her hand.           " Why so angry today?", Vibha was literally in for teasing . " Where were you?" " Oh my. Is it because you didn't see me today?", Vibha asked dramatically. " Shut up."" I was in the lab but we had the table at far end. " Aarushi just hummed in acknowledgement. " Anyways. Come with me. I have got to show you something. "  " What?" " Just come !" " Lectures?" " It's just maths . Bunk one day. It's fine. " poor girl couldn't even protest further before she was dragged upstairs.    " Where are we going?", Aru's suspicion only grew as they walked between the empty hallways. The classrooms were broken and it seemed they had been abondoned for quite a long. They took a turn that lead to another hallway. It had a few research labs which two were under construction. " I haven't been to this side before. " " There's a lot you haven't seen. " Vibha remarked. She  analysed her surrounding at the best of her abilities trying to understand what exactly could be worth showing in such a place.      Another staircase approached. Aru  stared at Vibha to confirm if they really had to go further up. She smiled extending her hand to the other who hesitated at first but took it nevertheless. Vibha led the way until they approached an old broken wooden door. The dust everywhere besides the handle indicated it had very few visitors . Aru stepped back and vibha sensed the fear in other's eyes. " Don't worry I won't push you down from here. ", she joked earning a glare from the other.         She pushed open the door which made the usual creeking sound giving off its poor condition. Vibha stepped in and Aru followed after. " A terrace?", she asked and Vibha nodded. " Come here. Take a look.", she said as she lead the girl to the other side of the terrace. " Woah. " , The city view with back boundary of half green hills had Aru mesmerized. The view for now wasn't at it's best but she believed it would be breathtaking during rains. When the nature would be all dressed up for a new beginning. Add to the idea a beautiful rainbow .      " If fate permits let's come here during monsoon. It would be one of the best views to behold. ", Vibha put her thoughts to words as if she had read the other's mind or maybe she felt the same. Because who won't ? Vibha walked ahead near the small pile of wooden sticks which were messily scattered between the slanting planks . Aru still stood her ground taking a few pictures of the view in her phone. The breeze was a bit chill despite of it not being early nor late hours of the day. She looked around once again , few strands of hairs disturbing her view but making her look like the most beautiful view.      " The view is so beautiful from here. ", she commented. " It indeed is. ", came the reply and she turned to look at Vibha who stood with her phone in hand , camera pointing in her  direction. " What?" "The view is indeed beautiful you know?" " Why you-" Aru ran to snatch the phone from her hand which the other easily dodged , the slight height difference benefiting her in it." Why did you click that?" " The view was so beautiful you know?" " Shut up! " " They really came out good !! See?" Vibha made her stop showing her the pictures. " Send me!" Vibha grinned as she opened the contacts and handed out her phone to the other. " Your number." Aru entered it with her name and surname and returned the phone.     " You are good at clicking pictures."" Yeah. I love photography. " "Can you get me a good pic of the view here. "  " What will I get in return?" that question caught Aru off-guard. " How much do you charge for one pic?" " Depends "." Depends on?" " Who I am clicking it for?" " So how much?" Aru asked nervously feeling seriously small under the sudden changed tone and mischievous grin with teasing gaze. " How about... one kiss?"  Aru froze at that. Her face simply turned pale though her body didn't show any other defensive measure as stepping back or perhaps slapping the girl right there.      Vibha burst into laughter while Aru looked at her still holding the ghost witnessing expression. " Don't tell me you actually thought I would do something like that .", Vibha spoke in between her laughs. Aru came out of her daze and immediately slapped Vibha's arm who wasn't showing any signs of stopping. With great efforts she managed to take a pause . Once again stepping dangerously close to the other she whispered in her ears," Or did you wish I'd say that? " This time Aru  pushed her a bit and that only earned her another roar of laughter from the girl who could hardly maintain her balance after laughing so much.        " Aishh. My stomach hurts. " Vibha complained while trying to stop herself from laughing before Aru could beat her up with one of the sticks laying around. " Okay sorry . Sorry. " Vibha finally stood properly taking out her phone. " Let's go to canteen later. " she said as she clicked a few pictures. " Send me. " " Hmm. "  Aru looked around a bit then back at Vibha who stood there whistling. Her attention was caught by a sudden movement near the sticks and then a little black puppy came out running followed by a two more.       She stepped back a bit , while her hands reached for the straps of her bag as she looked at the approaching creature. " Afraid of dogs , are we?" " Kind of " " Don't worry these are just puppies. They won't bite. " Vibha assured as she sat there to play with them. Aru  stood a slight behind not really convinced. " Where's the last one?". Vibha mumbled getting up and heading to the pile , the three pups following behind her with their tiny legs. She turned around holding one more puppy while the three ran in between her legs. Seems the last one was least excited about having a visitor. She had probably disturbed his mid noon nap.       Aru once again took a few steps back as they approached her. " Aish. I told you they won't bite." Vibha put the puppy down and dragged the scared girl to sit besides her. " Come on. They won't do anything. You'll like them" she said picking up one and placing it on Aru's lap . She let him be there . He snuggled closer to her , making himself comfortable and going back to taking nap. " He liked you. " , Vibha cheered. Liked me? He just looks too tired to care. Aru  though hesitating at first , ran her hand through its back . Realising the little creature had nothing against it she continued petting it.      Vibha watched her with a smile. Yet another pup tried climbing on her  lap, scaring her a bit. " Looks like he too wants some love. ", Vibha commented with a pout.  Aru at first didn't move but noticing it struggle she helped him up and petted him as well. She was too engrossed with the two on her lap when she felt weight on her shoulder. " I too am at lack of love ". Aru swore she would have pushed the girl off if not for the two little pups on her lap. She knew it was annoying to be disturbed while sleeping so no way she'd do that to it.      The playful one jumped down making its way to the other two playing around . Vibha took the opportunity to grap Aru's hand and place it on her head instead. " What?" " I too need some attention pweaseee ?" Aru knew this argument would lead her nowhere so she just let Vibha do whatever she wanted. She sat there quietly observing the three pups play around. They looked so cute and carefree. Nothing in the world bothered them . How she wished she could be this carefree.        " Let's get going. The next lecture will begin."