Jeeva's POV

"Krishav, mujhe lagta hai ki hume ek dusre se milna ab kum kar dena chahiye," I said as I took a deep breath.

Nahi nahi, yeh sahi tarika nahi lag raha mujhe unse baat karne ka.

AHH!! Why is it so difficult?

I don't want to send him away. I like his presence around me. He doesn't distract me at all. In fact, he motivates me to study.

But, I don't want to hurt him. He does not deserve me. He is so sweet and kind. How am I supposed to hurt him?

Yaar, he will be hurt if not now, then later. Now it depends on you, either you hurt him by saying this now, Which you have been practicing for so long or otherwise, his heart will break in future because of your stupid decisions, my inner self mocked me.

I know.

"Hey!"

Someone said, bringing me back to reality.

I looked up from my notebook at the person.

Oh! He is the same man because of whom my foot twisted.

"Hi?" I said nervously.

"How is your foot?" he asked politely with concern all over his face.

"Um.. it's better now, thanks for asking," I said.

"Don't need to thank me, in fact I am sorry. Just because of my carelessness you have to bear the pain," he said as his facial expressions were serious.'

I smiled awkwardly and said, " it's okay."

"If you don't mind, can I sit here?" he asked, pointing towards the chair in front of me.

Why?

"Um.. sure,"

"Thanks," he thanked me and sat on the chair, placing his bag beside him.

I ignored him and started packing my bag since it's already 5:35 PM. Krishav must be coming.

"You must live nearby?" he asked.

"Huh?"

"Uh- I mean, I have seen you here many times, that's why I asked," he said.

"Oh, yeah I live nearby," I said as I took my phone and started scrolling instagram. At this moment, I just don't feel like talking to anyone. 

"By the way, my name is Karan," he said with a proud smile on his face.

Aur main arjun...

(myself arjun)

"Okay," I smiled and again diverted my attention towards my phone.

He cleared his throat as I looked at him when he said, raising an eyebrow "you?"

"Oh! I-myself Jeeva, "I said, smiling awkwardly.

He made an 'o' face, nodding his head he said, "nice name."

"Thanks"

Now please don't talk to me.

"By the way-"

Not again...

"Is that boy your boyfriend?" he asked as his expressions became tense.

Is he talking about Rish?

Of course dumbo, my subconscious mocked me. 

"Ye- I mean NO. He is just a friend," I said as I realized what I was going to say.

He nodded his head.

"You-"

He was going to say something when we heard a bike's horn sound.

Rish is here.

Unknowingly a smile came to my face as I stood up from the chair, taking my belongings and went out.

I came out of the library with a huge smile on my face. I don't know why I'm smiling so much but I felt relieved when I heard his bike's sound.

I have no idea whether the reason for this smile is the bike or the bike's owner.

He removed his helmet while being seated on the bike. He looked at me and smiled cutely.

Ab aesi smile wale insaan ko koi kaise apne aap se dhoor rehne ko kahe?

(Now how can one tell a person with such a smile to stay away from oneself?)

I sighed as my smile vanished thinking about things which I'm going to say to him which will, maybe hurt him.

But I have to otherwise it will be difficult for me to remain friends with him with these feelings which are erupting inside me.

I know, I can't have any other relation with him other than friendship.

And I, for sure, don't want to lose a friend like him. I have to talk to him regarding this matter even if it means we won't see each other as often.

I went to him and stood in front of him.

"Rish, mujhe tumhe kuch batana hai," I said, looking nervously at him.

(i have something to tell you)

"Mujhe bhi tumhe kuch batana hai," he said, smiling.

(I also have something to tell you.)

Why is he smiling so much today?

Ask yourself, my inner self said.

"What?" I asked, to which he replied "peeche dekho".

(look behind)

I looked behind me when he said, "Tsk, arey baba, mere peeche dekho,"

(look behind me)

I made an 'o' face and looked behind him over his shoulder.

And when I looked behind him, a broad smile spread across my face.

"Shrey Aarav" I said and ran towards them and engulfed them in a hug.

We broke the hug as Shrey asked, "kaisi hai tu?" to which i replied, "bohat sundar," flipping my hair dramatically.

(How are you?)

(very beautiful.)

He chuckled when Aarav said, "ohh sundarta ki murat, tu padhti likhti bhi hai yahan yaa fir sirf library aa jati hai apne boyfriends se milne?"

(Hello, the epitome of beauty, do you also study here or do you just come to the library to meet your boyfriends?")

I narrowed my eyes at him when we heard Rish's voice.

"Boyfriend?" he asked, looking at me confusingly.

I shook my head as I was going to say something when Aarav interrupted, "yes, boyfriend."

"I didn't know you had a b-boyfriend here?" Rish asked. His eyes showed anger and despair.

"Arey, Not only here, she has a boyfriend in Udaipur too," Aarav said suppressing his laughter.

This dumbass. I swear, someone is going to die today.

Rish looked at me with disbelief as if I betrayed him. 

"He is talking about Aaron Warner, her book boyfriend," Shrey said.

"Aaron Warner?" Rish asked as he gave me another bewildered look.

"Umm. it's a fictional character,"I admitted sheepishly.

His expressions softened slightly upon hearing this. 

"Oh didi, hum bhi hai yahan," I heard Rudra's voice coming from behind me.

(we are here too.)

I turned back and saw Anvi and Rudra were standing there, folding their hands.

I smiled and hugged them too.

"Did Kanika not come?" I inquired with Rudra.

"No, she has exams,"

"Ah, okay"

"By the way tum logo ne itna achanak se kaise plan bana liya mujhse milne aane ka?" I inquired, and Aarav answered, "tujhse milne kaun aaya hai. Hum toh indore ghumne aaye hai,"

(How did you guys plan to meet me so suddenly?)

(Who has come to meet you? We have come to visit Indore.)

"Haan toh tu jaake ghoom indore, hum jaa rahe hai basketball khelne," I said and turned to face Rish as I asked him, "basketball?"

(Yes, you go and visit Indore, we are going to play basketball.)

He nodded his head and smiled sweetly at me.

"But basketball here too?" aarav whined.

"Yes, I miss playing basketball with you guys," I said as I looked at Shrey.

I know he won't say 'no' to me.

"Ok-"

"Nahi yaar aaj toh ghumne chalenge,'' Shrey was saying okay when this aarav ka bacha interrupted him.

( today we will go outside.)

With a pleading expression and a puppy face, I said to Aarav, "Come on, Aarav! It'll be fun! Let's play basketball together!"

He gave me side eye as he said, "haan theek hai theek hai, khelte hai, aesi puppy jesi shakal mat bana,"

( let's play, don't act like a puppy.)

"Okay then, chalo chalo, late ho jayega nahi toh, mujhe padhna bhi hai," I said as I started walking towards Rish's bike, signaling him to follow me.

(Come on, you will get late otherwise I have to study too.")

Waah!! Such a bipolar I am, at first I was all confused and nervous and now I'm bold and frank.

What might he be thinking about me?

That you're on your periods, my subconscious mocked me.

I rolled my eyes and looked behind when I reached near the bike. While everyone had left on their bikes, Rish remained at his place, staring at me. 

Why does he have to smile at me like that? Why does he have to look at me with so much charm and admiration? 

 Because as I caught a sight of his adorable smile directed my way, a rush of warmth flooded my chest, sending butterflies fluttering wildly in my stomach due to his intense gaze.

 In that moment, the world seemed to slow, and everything else faded into the background as I basked in the sheer joy of his attention. My cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.

Shrugging these thoughts, I called him, "Rish!!"

Krishav's POV

"Rish!!"

I heard my brownie's sweet voice as I raised an eyebrow, staring at her honey brown eyes.

"Chalo?" she asked with a cute frown on her serene face.

(Let us go.)

I went to her and said, "Chalo,"

We sat on the bike and rode off to the basketball court.

.

.

It's been 3 hours since we were playing basketball, chattering and laughing.

Today, I saw a childish side of my Brownie when she played and laughed with her friends.

As I watched her laughing and playing with her friends, a pang of longing stirred within me. There was a carefree innocence in her demeanor, a childlike joy that seemed to radiate from her every movement.

 It was as if the weight of the world had lifted from her shoulders, leaving behind only pure, unadulterated happiness.

I couldn't help but smile as I watched her, marveling at the way she seemed to light up the room with her infectious laughter. 

There was something enchanting about the way she embraced her inner child, allowing herself to be vulnerable and free in the presence of those she trusted most.

But as I looked on, a part of me couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.

 I longed to be the one who could bring out that side of her, to be the one she felt comfortable enough to be silly and playful with. 

I yearned to see her let down her guard around me, to share those moments of unfiltered joy and spontaneity that she reserved for her childhood friends.

I wanted to be the one who could make her laugh until her sides hurt, who could chase away her worries and fears with a simple touch or a whispered word. 

I wanted to be her partner in mischief, her confidant in secrets, her safe harbor in the storm.

And so, as I watched her surrounded by her friends, I made a silent vow to myself. 

I would do whatever it took to earn her trust, to break down the walls she had built around her heart.

 I would show her that she could be herself with me, that she didn't have to hide behind a mask of adulthood and responsibility.

Because deep down, all I wanted was to see her smile the way she did when she was with them. 

And if it meant being patient, if it meant waiting for her to come to me on her own terms, then I was willing to wait.

 For she was worth every moment, every heartbeat, every breath. 

And I would do whatever it took to win her heart, one childish smile at a time.

"Control Uday, Control," Dev said, nudging me.

We had also invited Dev and Aditi for basketball because according to my brownie, 'more people, more fun'

I narrowed my eyes as I looked at him, "kya hai?"

(What happen?)

"What's got you grinning like a fool over there?" he asked with a sly smile on his face.

 "Oh, uh, nothing. Just... enjoying the view, you know?" I said casually, shrugging my shoulders

"Enjoying the view, huh? Well, I hate to break it to you, bhai, but I think you've been caught red-handed." he admitted, nodding his head.

"Caught? What do you mean?"

"I mean, I saw you staring at your 'brownie' with that cute little smile plastered on your face. You've got it bad, my friend." he said, grinning mischievously.

 "Oh, come on, it's not like that. I was just... appreciating her, you know? She's pretty great at playing basketball." I said, smiling at my sweetheart.

"Uh-huh, sure. Just 'appreciating' her. You realize you're practically drooling, right?" he asked to which I replied, rolling my eyes, "Okay, okay, maybe I was staring a bit. But can you blame me? She's like a ray of sunshine in a world full of clouds."

He chuckled and said, "Smooth, man. Real smooth. Laga reh, main toh jaa raha khelne," 

He stood up from the bench on which we were seated and ran to the court.

(Keep it up, I am going to play.)

"Oye, ruk ja saale, main bhi aa raha hoon," I said, standing up from the bench as I went to them.

(I'm also coming.)

"Guys, come on, let's play one last round. let's make two teams of 4-4 players. I'll be dividing the team members, okay?" 'she' asked cutely to which everyone nodded their heads including me but this 'kabab mein haddi' always had to interrupt my baby.

"Tu kyu karegi team divide?" he asked and my baby answered cutely narrowing her eyes, "kyuki mera idea tha basketball khelne ka"

Correct.

(Why will you divide the team?) ("Because it was my idea to play basketball.")

"Haan toh?" he argued further.

(so what?)

"Toh main hi divide karungi," she said proudly.

(So I will divide.)

Such a baby she is. My baby.

"Okay, Jeeva will divide the teams, alright?" Shrey said, putting a full stop to their banter.

"Theek hai toh, Main, Shrey, Anvi aur Dev ek team mein or Rish, Aarav, Aditi and Rudra are in one team, okay?" she asked.

Everyone Agreed and went to their positions.

"ab toh humara jeetna pakka hai," Dev whispered to me, smiling mischievously.

(Now, we'll win for sure.)

I rolled my eyes because I know why is he saying that.

Because my baby is in his team.

The game started and As I stepped onto the court with her, a rush of emotions swept over me. This wasn't just a game of basketball; it was a moment shared with the woman who meant everything to me.

As we warmed up together, passing the ball back and forth, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride swell within me. Watching her move with grace and determination, I knew there was no one else I'd rather have by my side.

As the game began, we fell into a rhythm, our movements synchronized as if we were dancing to a silent melody. With every pass, every shot, every rebound, I felt a bond forming between us, stronger than any I had ever known.

But it wasn't just about the game; it was about the moments in between. The shared laughter, the playful banter, the stolen glances that spoke volumes without a single word. In those moments, I felt a connection deeper than words could express.

And as the game drew to a close, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over me. Contentment in knowing that, win or lose, I had shared something special with her, something that would stay with me long.

But above all, I felt grateful. Grateful for the chance to play basketball with the woman I loved, to share in the joy of the game and the warmth of her presence. 

In that moment, I knew that no one can take her away from me.