PF to BF

Chapter 13 - Memorable Gift

Arya reached Kavya's house at around 10:30pm after sending a text message to her dad about the same.

As if he really cares. She thought to herself, but prevention is better than cure and she didn't want any problems later on. So, she unwillingly decided to inform her whereabouts to her dad.

Kavya was busy watching her favourite sitcom 'Friends' but paused it and let Arya come in her room. By looking at Arya's mood, she understood that her best friend had cried and was upset. She knew Arya was not a puppet kind of a girl who loved being controlled by her father.

In order to lighten Arya's mood, she gave her Aryan's letter and a gift which she had collected on Arya's behalf. Arya felt a bit relaxed after reading the familiar handwriting of her beloved pen friend. She opened the gift after reading Aryan's letter.

Aryan gave a photo frame to Arya which had her candid photo holding a guitar. She looked very happy while performing on stage.

Kavya was also extremely happy to see her bestie's beautiful smile. The photo frame also had a beautiful message which said 'Stars shine brightest when the night is darkest.' (Message credit - Kim Namjoon, leader of BTS).

Flashback

Saturday Morning (Arts Festival day or the next day after music festival).
Venue: Aryan's bedroom

Aryan got up and shouted loudly after looking at the wall clock in his room.

"What the hell! It's already 11:00 am. Why didn't anybody wake me up?"

He quickly got ready and checked his mobile phone. He had received the pictures of yesterday's music festival. He decided to check them later but stopped at one photo.

It was Arya's photo who looked very happy with an attractive smile while playing guitar.

She looks so pretty and lovely with the guitar. Aryan was lost in his thoughts and was brought back to reality when his mother knocked the door.

"Aryan. Get up. It will be lunch time soon."

 He got off the bed and rushed towards bathroom. After having a shower, he came out and got ready. He realised he haven't told his mom about going to the Arts festival today.

I will have to come up with some believable excuse or else this mother cum detective will bombard me with innumerable questions. Aryan thought to himself while picking up his necessary things like wallet, mobile phone etc. and came down in the living room.

"Oh! You remember we have to go to your Uncle's house after lunch. Very good. Let's quickly have our lunch and go." Aryan's mother thought that her dutiful son had put on his favourite shirt and jacket to go with her. Little did she know that these SPECIAL EFFORTS were for someone else. 😜

"Ma. I won't be able to come with you and daadi. Please manage for today. I have to go and help Sid with his assignment. You know how dumb he is. So, I have to go and help him."

Aryan realised that his mother is about to ask him something and so he decided to run out of the house before his mother's next round of investigation begins.

He was on his way to the University. While the bus was waiting at a traffic signal, he saw a shop selling customised articles. He saw a cute photo frame among the displayed articles and decided to get down and take a closer look.

When he went into the shop, he saw many photo frames and as the shop was newly opened they were giving a special offer.

'Any customised item available at 10% discount and ready to gift within 3 hours'.

Aryan had liked the cute photo frame which had a special place for writing a customised message. He decided to customise it especially for his pen friend as a return gift. He explained the shopkeeper as to how he wants the gift to be customised and then, he left for the University.

It took him another hour to reach the University. Without wasting any time he headed for the Fine Arts department stall.

While he was having lunch with Arya, he got a call from the shopkeeper who told him that his photo frame was ready. He then went to the shop after dropping Arya at her department's stall.

(Hope you remember the sweet moment between Arya and Aryan during their lunch at cafeteria wherein Arya got a bit jealous and curious to know who was Aryan talking to on phone and assuring that he will be there in sometime)

After collecting the gift for Arya, Aryan came to the University again and went to her post box. He kept the gift there along with a letter and texted her.

Aryan (PF) (7:00 pm) : Don't forget to check your post box before you leave the campus. Even though we have met each other in person, let us not give up our pen friendship. 🙂

Flashback ends here.

Present time (Arya is back from the boring party after an emotional turmoil).
Venue: Kavya's room.

There was a broad smile on Arya's face. She went to Kavya's balcony. Kavya didn't go after her and decided to give her bestie some lone time. Arya took out her phone and messaged Aryan.

Arya (PF) (10:40 pm) : Thank you my pen friend for the memorable gift. It just made my worst day into a happy one. 💜

She hugged Kavya before saying good bye to her and then reached her own house. She went to her room and took a hot shower. She changed into her comfortable night dress, lied down on her bed and checked her mobile phone.

She had received two messages.

Papa (10:45 pm) : Tomorrow is Sunday. Don't forget your CSR. Driver will pick you up at 9:00 am sharp from our house. Be ready.

Aryan (PF) (11:00 pm) : M glad u loved it.💜

Wowww! What a melange of reality and fantasy! Arya thought to herself and closed her eyes with a sincere attempt to sleep.

P.S. - CSR refers to Corporate Social Responsibility, wherein business enterprises take up initiatives for the benefit of society.

Arya's world is complicated but Aryan has brought a ray of hope in her dark and unhappy world. Let us see how these two proceed towards something which they had not dreamt about or rather were willing to dream about.

As usual, please vote, share and comment if you have enjoyed this chapter. Suggestions for improvement are always welcome.