(Aditi and Ashish kissed each other. Suddenly she heard A/B's voice. His voice seemed to echo from everywhere. She felt the feel of Ashish's lips lessen. She opened her eyes and the scene melted. Everything, the kiss, Aditi going to his place, had been only a dream. She was in her room and A/B was waking her up.)

A/B: Tu kya kar rahi thhi🤨🤨🤨?

Aditi: Dikhai nai deta kya? So rahi thhi😑😑.

A/B: Arrey woh pata hai lekin neend mei hass rahi thhi, beech mei tu apne pillow ko kiss kar rahi thhi. Kya chal raha hai? Aur kal raat kaha thhi?

Aditi: Kya matlab? Ghar par hi thhi.

A/B: Mai kal raat ko 1 baje tere room mei aaya thha. Toh tu nahi thhi yaha.

Aditi: Woh Ashu ke saath ghum rahi thhi.

A/B: Itni raat ko?

Aditi: Haa😅😅😅

A/B: Aur pillow ko kiss kyu kar rahi thhi😏😏😏😏?

Aditi: Wohh... kuch nahi😁😁😅😅.

A/B:Yaar tu mujhse baatein mat chhupa. Bata bata😏😏😏.

Aditi: I dreamt Ashu proposed me😁😅😁😅.

A/B: Aur tuney haa kardi and you guys kissed?

Aditi: Haa😳😳

A/B: You have a crush on him, right?

Aditi: Haa😅😳.

A/B: And you think he has a crush on you?

Aditi: I don't think so.

A/B: Why?

Aditi: He is a celebrity. Have you seen his fan following? He won't love me. He deserves someone better.

A/B: Dekh Ady, mujhe pyaar ke baare mei zyada toh nahi pata, lekin agar woh tujhse pyaar karta hai, toh tera saath tu chahke bhi nahi chhodega. Aur isse yaad aaya ke Ashish jiju ka call aaya thha. Baat karlo unse.

Aditi: Shut up Bhaiyya😳😳😳. Aur kahi ye sapna toh nahi na??

A/B: (pinches her) Nahi😂😂.

Aditi: Ouch!!😐😐

A/B: 😂😂😂😂 chal jaldi ready hoja. Dohper ho gayi hai. Lunch bana ke rakha hai. Mai kaam se bahar jaa raha hu. Raat ko aaunga. Khaana garam karke khaana.

Aditi: Ok byee😘😘

A/B: Byee siso😊.

(Aditi takes her phone and sees 4 missed calls from Ashish. She immediately calls him.)

Ashish: Aur princess? Ho gayi good morning?

Aditi: Haanji Mr. Raunak. Ho gayi good morning. Aapne phone kiya thha kya?

Ashish: Yaar aaj milne aana.

Aditi: Kaha?

Ashish: Wahi. Starbucks.

Aditi: Ohhh. Kitne baje?

Ashish: 5'o clock.

Aditi: Ok. I'll be there😊.

Ashish: And ya, the entire ACV Team is gonna be there.

Aditi: Matlab kon kon?

Ashish: Simran, Kunal, Jadoo, Tanish, Jashan, Anmol, Rohit, Muskan. Bas yahi.

Aditi: But...

Ashish: Aditi I know you are a little uncomfortable but I think its time my friends got to know you. You are my best friend and so are they. I am thinking about making a part of the Team.

Aditi: Really??😳😳

Ashish: Yes.

Aditi: Ashish, its really a very big thing for me. I have a been a huge fan of you guys and now I am your bestfriend and I am about meet the best team in the world. I still can't believe it.

Ashish: Chillax Princess. Its gonna be great after adding you in the group.

Aditi: Ok byee.

Ashish: Byee.

(Aditi ended the call and squealed in delight. She quickly freshened up, had her lunch, and watched the T.V. Suddenly Ashu called her.)

Aditi: (eyes glued to the T.V.) Hello?

Ashish: Oye. Mai 5 min teko pickup karne aa raha hu.

Aditi: What?!

Ashish: Itz 4:30.

Aditi: Haa aaja. Mai tabtak ready hoti hu.

Ashish: Ok princess.

(She hung up the call and wore her favourite outfit.)

(Aditi's phone rang. It was Ashu. She answered it.)

Aditi: Haa Ashish.

Ashish: Below your building waiting for you. Come quickly.

Aditi: Sure. 2 mins.

(She went down. She saw Ashish waiting for her, a fan taking a selfie with him. After they finished, Aditi went towards him. Ashish kept on looking at her. He was stunned by her beauty. Aditi approached him and patted his shoulder. Ashish still kept his eyes glued on her. Aditi snapped her fingers in front of his face. He came back to his senses.)

Aditi: Achhi nahi lag rahi kya😕?

Ashish: Princess you are looking beautiful😍😍. Seriously.

Aditi: Aww thank you. Chalo chale nahi toh late ho jayenge.

Ashish: Yes.

(They sat in the car and headed towards Starbucks. Aditi was a little anxious. Will she be able to blend in? Will she make things awkward or will the team like her? A million thoughts ran through her mind. Ashish seemed to read her thoughts. He kept his hand on hers and gave it a tight squeeze.)

Ashish: Oyee. Tu shaant ho ja. Itna nervous kyu ho rahi hai? Tu mere dosto se mil rahi hai, mere parents se nahi. Teko khaa nahi jayenge woh.

Aditi: I think you are right. I should stop worrying. Lekin tujhe kaise pata ki mai kya soch rahi thhi?

Ashish: Arre teri shakal se pata chal gaya.

Aditi: Ohh.

(Ashish's hand was still on hers. Aditi could only focus on the softness of his hand. She wished to hold that hand for the rest of her life. She caressed it with her other hand. Soon they reached. The café was almost empty. There were a couple sitting in the corner, and then she spotted the team sitting on corner long table. 2 seats were spared for Aditi and Ashish. She was extremely nervous to meet them. Ashish seemed to read her mind. He kept his hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. Aditi felt her nervousness melt when she saw his cute smile. They went over to them. The team got up on seeing Ashish approaching them with a girl. They hugged him.)

Simran: Hii Ashu.

Ashish: Heyy guys!

Rohit: Apni dost se toh introduce kara humko.

Ashish: Ohh ya sorry.

(He introduces Aditi to everyone. They sit on their chairs, talking about random topics. Aditi sat between Ashish and Simran, not speaking much. They talked among themselves but she did not feel left out. They even talked to her.)

Rohit: Guys! How about we go on a trip?

Kunal: Idea accha hai. Lekin jayenge kaha?

Tanish: How about Maldives?

Muski: Nai.

Simran: Aditi u suggest something na. Kabse chup hi hai tu.

Aditi: Mai kya bolu? Kahi bhi chalo😬.

Ashish: (whispers to her) Princess are u still uncomfortable?

Aditi: No. I am all ok.

Simran: Kya baate kar rahe ho?🤨.

Aditi: Kuch nai😅😅.

Ashish: Haa... Kuch bhi toh nai😁😅. Hum kya baat kar rahe thhe? Haa trip ka na?

Aditi: Haa🙂.

Tanish: How about Seoul? Lage haath BTS se bhi mil lenge😁.

Aditi and Ashish: (together) No!.

(Everyone laughed. Ashish and Aditi looked at each other, with red cheeks.)

Aditi: (pulling his cheeks) Tamatar!!!😂😂😂😂🍅🍅.

Ashish: Oww!!! Dheere gaal khich😐.

Aditi: 😂😂😂.

Rohit: Aise hi zor se keech. Mere taraf se do aur minute kheech.

Tanish: Vaccine wale video mei mujhe boht maara thha isne. Meri taraf se bhi.

Ashish: (mimicking Nana Patekar) Aagaye sab meri maut ka tamasha dekhne😵😵.

Everyone: 🤣🤣🤣.

Aditi: Guys!! Tum mei se koi Amritsar gaya hai kya?

Jadoo: Nai.

Aditi: Lets go there na. My friend is a travel agent. Woh humari help kar sakta hai bookings and all mei. With discounts😁😁.

Jashan: Nice idea.

Muski: Amritsar......😕😕

Ashish: Haa saalo ek kaam karte samne sapna garden mei chalte hai waha chal ke kulfi khate hai wahi aukat apni.😒😒

Aditi: 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Muski: Puri baat sunle Ashu!!!

Ashish: Kya?

Muski: Apni ek dost rehti hai waha par.

Ashish: Kon?

Muski: Hum sab usse jaante hai.

Ashish: Including Aditi?

Muski: Excluding her!

Jashan: Ohh haa!! Yaad aya! Anaya Malhotra!!!

Muski: Yess😌

Simran: Anaya lives in Amritsar?

Tanish: Waha shift ho gayi.

Ashish: Ohh haa!!! Apne college ki sabse hot ladki!!😂😂. Yaad aaya!

Jadoo: Ashish usse kitna flirt karta thha.

Ashish: Atleast woh mujhe bhaav toh deti thii. Tujhe 'bhai' bola thha usne.

Jadoo: I am trying to forget it😒😒.

Ashish: Aur tujhe ye bhi yaad hoga ke usne Simran ko bola thha ke ke usko mai cute lagta hu.

Aditi: Ohooii!!! Looks like someone has a crush on Anaya😏😏.

(She said it with a smirk even though she was hurt. She was sure that Ashish liked her, whoever she was.)

Jadoo: (Looking at Aditi) Is someone jealous?😏😏.

Aditi: NO!!!🙂

Ashish: Ok Enough!!! Both of you! Chale Amritsar?

Anmol: Chalo fir!! Done! Lekin jayenge kab?

Ashish: 3 days later. Aaj date hai 27th September. We will go on 30th.

Aditi: Done!!

Everyone: Ok!!

Kunal: Ek kaam karte hai. Breakfast ke liye yaha milenge around 9'o clock. 11'o clock ki flight hogi. Yaha se breakfast karke niklenge. What say??

Aditi: Pehle check karo na. Agar 11'o clock ki flight hogi toh theek hai.

Kunal: Abhi check kiya.

Aditi: Oho!! Wahh!!

Kunal: Purey team ka scholar mei hi hu.

Anmol: Chup re pagal!!

Rohit: Anyways just forgot to tell you. You look really good in baby pink.

Aditi: Thanks. And you look cool in your jacket.

Ashish: (Wraps his hand on Aditi's shoulder) Hogaya tera?? Ab trip ki baat kar.😐😐😑.

Rohit: Haa bhai!!!

Aditi: Rohit toh dekho kitna busy hota hai. Compliment dena hi bhul gaya😂😂.

Rohit: I was just lost in your beauty, Aditi😚.

Aditi: 🤨🤨😳

Ashish: Rohit chup hoja.

Rohit: Haa baba!! Mai bas tere maje le raha thha n I loved your reaction.😂😂

(Aditi's phone rings. It was an unknown number.)

Ashish: Kon call kar raha hai?

Aditi: Pata nai. Unknown hai. I'll just answer it and come. Excuse me.

(Aditi gets up but Ashish pulls her back in chair. He grips her hand. The whole team continued looking at them.)

Aditi: Kya hua?

Ashish: Unknown number hai. Koi fraud ho sakta hai. Yahi baitho.

Aditi: (Receives the call) Ok.

●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●
Harsh: Aditi's ex-classmate and bestfriend.
●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●

Caller: Hello!

Aditi: Kon bol raha hai?

Caller: Hey babe!!! I hv been missing you!!

Aditi: Kon bol rahe ho aap?

Caller: Tuney meri aawaj nai pehchani meri jaan🥺🥺🥺??

Aditi: Arrey aap koi Darshan Raval thodi naa ho ke aapke aawaj se aapko pehchan lungi😐. Kon bol raha hai?

Caller: Teri jaan Anu!!!

Aditi: ( After a pause) Bada hi waahiyad prank thha yeh Harshu😑😑.

Harsh: 🤣🤣 Kyu Anu? Maza nai aaya😆😆?

Aditi: NAI!!!

(Ashish continued looking at Aditi, wondering what conversation she was having that caller while everyone enjoyed the jealous look of Ashish. He gripped her hand tighter, trying to get her attention. But Aditi was busy talking to person on call whom she had called Harsh moments ago.)

Harsh: I was the famous prankster of our school. Yaad hai?

Aditi: And your pranks always got in my nerves.

Harsh: By the way you look cute af in pink.

Aditi: (Looks around) Kaha hai tu?

Harsh: Starbucks ke bahar toh aa.

(Ashish was still staring at her, his eyes awaiting to meet hers. He felt heartbroken when Aditi yanked her hand out of his and got up and went out of the café, looking around as if searching for someone. He kept looking at heras she went out of the café. Suddenly a boy came from behind her as she looked in the opposite direction. He covered her eyes with his hands. Aditi turned and hugged him tightly. Ashish felt tears welling up in his eyes. Jealousy and anger ran through his every vein. He felt a strong urge to punch the guy for touching his girl. He breathed sharply. Everyone sensed his jealousy but they were shocked as Ashish had never felt anything like that when his other female friends had shown with their male friends. Ashish was actually that kind of guy who would flirt with a girl but hated the very thought of love. This reaction of his confused evryone.)

Simran: (holding Ashu's hand) Ashu!! Kya hua?

Ashish: Kuch bhi toh nai🙂. Everything's fine!!

Muski: Everything is not fine.

Ashish: Muski, no!!

Muski: Ashu u r confused. Tu usko batade before its too late.

Kunal: What are you guys talking about?

(Muskan narrates everythimg while Ashish hung his head. He looked at Aditi and Harsh. His anger fuelled when he saw Harsh getting closer to her. Aditi pulled Harsh's cheeks and they both laughed. Ashish couldn't hold it anymore, but he had to.)

Tanish: Bhai tuney hume bataya kyu nahi??

Ashish: Let me clear things. I am NOT in love with her. Mujhe kuch nai hua hai. Love at first sight sirf chutiya giri hoti hai. I am absolutely fine.

Muskan: Then why are you jealous of Harsh? Why were you angry when they hugged? Why did you lash out when Rohit complimented her?? Tu mujhse jhooth bol sakta hai, lekin apne aap se nahi.

Ashish: OK. Chalo maan liya mai usse pyaar karta hu. Kya guarantee hai ki woh mujhse pyaar karti hai? How do I know whether she loves me or whether she will reciprocate my feelings?

Muski: Yaar woh kitna pyaar karti hai tujhse!! Woh humse milne mai thodi uncomfortable thhi. Lekin tere ek plz bolne pe woh jhat se maan gayi!

Ashish: I don't wanna talk about this!

(Meanwhile with Aditi and Harsh)

Aditi: You remember? Tu aur mei class bunk karte thhe aur pani puri khaane jaate thhe?

Harsh: Phir tu apni diary mei kuch likhti thhi😃😃😃.

Aditi: Waise tu yaha kya kar raha hai?

Harsh: Starbucks ka membership lene aaya thha😅.

Aditi: Chal fir.

(They went inside. Ashish saw them going to the counter. Harsh said something to the person there and again began talking to Aditi.)

Harsh: Teri woh diary abhi bhi hogi na tere pass??

Aditi: Nai woh kho gayi😔🙁.

Harsh: Kho toh gayi thhi. Lekin woh diary itne saalo se mere pass hai.

Aditi: Toh leke kyu nai aaya abhi?

Harsh: Mujhe nai pata thha ke tu mujhe aaj milegi😐.

Aditi: (embarrassed) Tuney meri diary padhi?

Harsh: Nahi!! Trust me!

Aditi: Haa baba.

(The waiter comes and gives him the membership card.)

Harsh: So I should leave. Bye.

Aditi: (hugs him) Byee.

(Harsh leaves and Aditi returns to the table.)

Aditi: I am soo sry I went like that😅😅. That was actually my ex classmate.

Anmol: Ohh! Bestfriend?

Aditi: Yahh😃😃.

Ashish: Guys!! We should go home now. Itz anyways late. Aditi I'll drop you.

Aditi: I'll go home on my own.

Ashish: (gets up angrily) NO!!!! Mujhe gaadi ke yaha milo.

(Ashish gets up and goes out. Jashan pays the bill while Aditi looks at Muskan for explanation)

Aditi: Ashu ko kya hua?

Muskan: Kuch nai. Woh bas aisa hi hai. Moody af.

Aditi: Ohh!!

(Aditi goes out towards the car and sits in the car. There was dead silence as Ashu drove her to her home. When they reached, Aditi got out of the car and waved a goodbye to Ashish. But Ashish got out of the car and hugged Aditi tightly. Maybe it was her imagination but the hug seemed tighter than usual. Ashish broke the hug. His eyes were red. He got back in the car and drove back to his home, leaving Aditi staring at him. She turned and saw....)

What did Aditi see??
Next part will be out ONLY when wovenword publishes the next part of her story....😂😏