Hai Tujhe Bhi Izazat

Chapter 28: During the holidays

"I don't know. I just feel a connection between us. It's not like she is the most beautiful girl I've ever seen but in a room full of other beautiful girls my eyes search only for her," Abhi said looking at her pic.

"Oh my god, man! Who are you? What are you talking about?" Pritam asked.

"It's the truth. I like her a lot. Maybe I love her," Abhi said looking at his friend.

"She looks so innocent. You are serious, right?" Pritam asked. He doesn't know why but he doesn't want his friend to just play with this girl's emotions.

"Much more serious than my studies," Abhi answered. Pritam smiled. If Pritam has seen Abhi serious for anything then it was his studies. And if he was more serious about her than his studies that means he feels something for this girl.

"I can't wait to meet her," Pritam smiled.

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Anuj has never seen his mother this happy in his life. She has filed for divorce already and looked satisfied with her life.

"I already had four, Ma. I don't want more," he said taking his plate away from her. She was determined to increase his weight this time. She has been feeding him with her delicious food from the time he arrived here.

"Just one more chapati. I promise this is the last one," she said forcefully keeping it on his plate.

He did not protest and are whatever she gave him. These were the best holidays of his life. Without any fights, without his mother getting abused, without him crying because of his helplessness. He prayed everything remains the same.

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Teena regretted coming back to her house. She would have stayed in her flat in Varanasi. Ansh's mother has taken her to numerous Pandits till now and made her perform many rituals to ensure the safety of her son after the marriage.

"Ansh wants your engagement to take place before your college reopens," her mother informed her during the dinner.

"Ok," Teena said eating her food. She knows it has to happen one day. She has no energy to protest.

"Mom," she called when her mother got up to leave.

"Yes?" she answered.

"Can you please ask them not to pressurise me for marriage before the completion of my studies? I want to settle before getting married. Engagement is fine," Teena said hopefully.

"I'll try," her mother said leaving the dining hall.

Her mother turned to look at her daughter. She could not see her face but she can feel Teena crying. Guilt filled her. She never gave her the love she deserved. But she can't force herself to love someone. After her son's death, she became so unattached from everyone that she forgot what giving love felt like. The least she can do is ensure her daughter's small wish. She will let her complete her study before her marriage, at any cost.

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"What do you want, Aaradhya?" Siya asked after patiently listening to everything.

"I don't know," Aaradhya answered.

"You have to know. It's your life, for god's sake," Siya said.

"I don't want to break my parents' trust," Aaradhya said.

"You know that I am always with you, right? Even if you want to run away from your home or you want to stay here, I will support you. But the decision will be yours. If you have the confidence to fight your family and go against them then it's fine. But if you don't want to do anything like this, finish whatever you have with Abhi. It will hurt more if you get more attached. It's not fair to him if you keep giving him hope only to give up at last," Siya said gently but seriously.

She can't give false hopes to her friend. This is not a movie where everything becomes fine at last. Aaradhya has to make her decision. No one can do that for her. The most they would do is support her.

"It's final then. I went there to study and I'll do the same. I don't deserve him, Siya. I don't." Aaradhya said controlling her tears.

"You deserve everything you want, Aaradhya. But sometimes we meet the right person at the wrong time. Just focus on your career for now. We both know how your father is. He will make you leave your college if he comes to know about this and you will not be able to do anything about it. So do what you feel is right. I am there for you in whatever you decide," Siya said.

"I know," Aaradhya said hugging her.

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The next few days passed with Aaradhya ignoring all the messages sent by Abhi. She has made up her mind. She doesn't want to hurt him and herself. He can get any girl he wants. She will make everything clear when she reaches there. He will hate her for this, she knows that. But there is no other option.

She knows about Aunt Rekha. Her father destroyed the life of the boy she loved and made her marry someone else. She can't risk anything. She doesn't want her father to do anything of that sort with Abhi and her. It's for the best that they stop whatever progress they were making in their friendship or relationship. And this time, that was final. Only a week was left in the reopening of their college. She doesn't want it to end. But she can't control time, can she?

And the day they all had to return to the hostel came. Everyone was sad about leaving their family and moving away again but happy and excited about meeting their friends again. But Aaradhya felt no happiness or excitement while going back. All she felt was the grief and fear of facing Abhi again.

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A/N

Don't be a silent reader, guys. Do vote and comment. It helps me know your views and write further.

And be ready for a heartbreak now 🙂