Feigned to Real

Chapter 7

Maurvi's POV

I got up and went to college. I had to submit my assignment. Thank God! it was Saturday, I would be free soon. I attended all my classes and then I wanted to go home and sleep but Prachi said she would come and stay at my place.

I would have been very happy a few days ago, but today it did not look like such a good idea. Though I was happy that she was talking to me again, the fact that she trusts Naman more than she trusts me was irritating me.

I drove into my garage and was about to unlock my house. When I heard the sound of opening the door. I saw Gautam coming out of his house.

" Hello, girlfriend, how was your day? "

I smiled and said, " Good But I am really feeling very sleepy. "
" Why ? " he asked with a smile.

" Because I didn't sleep last night. " I opened the door and went inside and he followed me.

" Aww... you were so excited about being my girlfriend that you could not sleep. How cute. "  He was smirking at me.

" See I am too tired to be witty at this moment. I did not sleep as I was working on my assignment. Prachi called up, she said that she would stay at my place tonight. Means I will not be able to sleep till late. "

" Why do you think she is coming to stay with you when she was avoiding you till yesterday evening? "

" Oh, she would talk about you and ask me how it all happened and will try to convince me that I was wrong about Naman," I said while drinking water.

" So I will be a hot topic for you tonight. What will you tell her? "

" I don't know, my mind is really tired. I don't want her to come today. I can't take that much stress. Will you have coffee? " I asked and he nodded. I started making coffee.

"Why don't you tell her to come later if you are so tired? "

" She would think that I am avoiding her. I don't want that... Though I am still angry with her, I want her to stay away from him. I need to convince her." I prepared coffee and gave one mug to him.

" I suggest that you should not say anything about him tonight let's see what she says. Hey, by the way, aunty was right, you make the best coffee in the world. " He smiled at me and I smiled back.

" Oh Maurvi, I almost forgot to tell you, Mehul has invited me to the inauguration ceremony of their showrooms tomorrow. Mehul is opening his jewellery showroom where you can get any kind of design or style under one roof. And Megha is opening her interior designing office and handicrafts showroom. So I think it is a good time for me to introduce you to my friends. I am really eager for that as I hate those awkward moments when we meet. "

" Yes, I understand. Did you have feelings for her, I mean Megha? "

" Oh no, I just liked her and wanted to know her better. I never had feelings for her. I just asked her if she was single and Mehul replied instead of her that, No she is not. Then he said that she was his wife. I was feeling bad that I ever approached her. "

" Ok "

" So, you will come with me tomorrow and pretend to be my girlfriend? " he asked in a slow husky voice.

" Ok, I would come. What time are we supposed to go? "

" The inauguration is at 11 AM. So we would go accordingly. The dress code is ethnic wear. "

" Sure, I will be ready. " Just then my phone started ringing.

It was from Prachi. I picked it up, " Hi Prachi.. "

" Hi, I just called to say that I will not be able to come tonight as my maasi is coming. Will come some other time. "

" It's ok, doesn't matter. You enjoy yourself. Bye. " I disconnected the call and took a deep breath.

" You look relieved, what did she say?" He asked me.

" Her maasi ( maternal aunt ) is coming to her place so she can't come today. Thank God I will sleep now. I was a bit tense about not sleeping for two consecutive nights. It is really scary for me. "

" Scary? I think you are exaggerating a bit. Aren't you?"  He was laughing.

" Not at all... You know, if I don't sleep for two nights then the third day I can even sleep while standing. "

" This is too much, you are kidding me. "

" Trust me, If I sleep all of a sudden under that condition and if anyone asks me anything, I start behaving as if I am drugged or given the medicine so that I can only speak the truth. I would even admit that I murdered someone, if I really had. I mean to say that I lose control over my mind. And the funniest part is, that I won't remember anything about it when I get up. " he was looking at me with surprise and then he burst out laughing.

" You are very cute and I would love to ask you about your secrets if I find you sleeping like that. " He winked at me.

" I don't have many and I have not murdered anyone till now." I smiled and said.

" Let me ask that from you when you are talking while sleeping. I have a suggestion that we must not sleep tonight and test this theory of yours. I want to know what little things you are hiding. " He smiled mischievously and my cheeks started getting hot.

" Ok, but what if I sleep during the inauguration tomorrow? I will not be able to pretend anything. " I smiled at him with a raised eyebrow.

He smiled and said, " Ok, you are right, we will try it some other time. But it seems that you are a mysterious girl not as simple and sweet as you look and I would like to solve all the mysteries. " he said with a different kind of expression in his eyes.

" Let's see... But I am happy that she is not coming today. I am still upset with her. Naman challenged her that he would break our friendship and she still likes him. I did not want to talk to her tonight. I am irritated with her. For god's sake, is she blind? What happened to her? I don't know what she likes in him. If she would have come today, I am sure I would have said all these things. "

" It's ok,  just calm down. It happens. "

" No I am sorry but I am frustrated with them. Imagine that out of 24 hours I was spending at least 10 hours with her and still, she can have a doubt about me. I tell her even if I sneeze. Doesn't it occur to her that if I ever had a crush or any feelings for him, I would have told her? I swear I am missing her a lot but I don't want to see her face too. I want to slap her hard but want to keep her away and safe from Naman." I was really angry with her.

" You are an angel, Maurvi. You are a true friend. You want to protect your friend and are fighting for it. It is ok to get angry sometimes as it is she is not taking you seriously so cool down and take your time. I will help you and if you miss your friend, just come to me and give me a hug. I won't make mind. " He smiled and winked at the last sentence.

" Thanks for the offer, I may consider it. " I smiled.

" Good. Now let me tell you that my friends can ask many questions. So be ready, they may tease us mercilessly. We need to look like a normal couple. Will you be able to do it? "

" I am good at acting so don't worry. Just don't look at me while I am telling a lie. I may get conscious otherwise. Most importantly, just don't touch me as I am very ticklish. I am not used to anyone touching me so I usually get a jerk. " He smiled mischievously and nodded.

" Ok, so I will take your leave. Oh,  mom and dad are going to Mumbai tomorrow in the morning so come and meet them. They would be coming home anytime soon. " I nodded at that.