ONCE IN A LIFETIME

24. THE 'NOT-SO-SUBTLE' CHANGES

Ashwadh froze for a second. He understood what she implied to ask. He silently gazed the floor, as Dhruti kept waiting for an answer. She wanted to listen to it from him.

But, Ash couldn't speak. What should he say? That numerous betrayals and dangerous scheming against him made him a different person. No one to hide behind who would stand as his shield made him a sharp tongued, self owning individual. No... he does like his newer self and knows that it is his best face for the world he resides in, but he sometimes misses the old one. The one that was filled with innocence and love.

He offered Dhruti a small smile before walking out of the place, thoughts consuming him, as Dhruti kept staring at his back.

Meera watched as Aru typed furiously. She had been watching him since an hour. He had grown more mature. The spectacles that he wore and the small stubble gave him an intense look. His hair was no longer that silky, long and flowing one. It was neatly gelled.

She went back into the past for a while as she reminisced something from their college days.

Aru, focus. You'd fail if you don't study. A frustrated Meera yelled at Aru who was again dozing off while she explained him accounts. She shook him out of his sleep two times before her patience finally wore off and pushed him off the chair.

Earthquake... save me... Meeru... he woke up. He looked at her in daze to find her glaring at him. His foggy mind cleared quickly and he gave her a sheepish smile, making her fume more.

Mr. Aarush Bedi, I am trying from past forty five minutes to get you to understand one simple concept that could atleast pass you in this subject and you are least bothered. She screamed making him close his ears and for Isha and Veda to come rushing in with scared faces.

Meeru, this is so boring. Please na let's skip this one. Pleaseeeee! He pleaded with his famous puppy eyes that would never fail to work on Meera and Isha.

But, seems like Meera was in a very bad mood that day.

You moron, if you leave this subject out, who's going to write your exam? Your grandfather? Meera fumed.

Arey, he can't write. He studied only till secondary school. Aru shrugged casually. Isha held her head, while Veda was enjoying the show without popcorn. How she wished she had them!

Meera gave him a look of disbelief. Is this guy really joking with her when she is about to burst out like a volcano?

And moreover, even if he writes my paper, I'm certain he'll fail. Why bother if result is going to be the same whoever writes it? Also, I'm tired studying for this long. I need a break. Aru said non chalantly, opening angry birds on his mobile to play.

But, in a minute all his plans for entertainment went down the drain when he felt a book on his head. He lifted his head to find Meera coming with more books to damage his bones, where Veda was helping her find more books and Isha was trying to pacify her.

Aru ran for his life, but he heard her shout before dashing out of the room.

You were in front of the book for only quarter an hour, idiot and you act as if you had been studying since hours.