Ishq Junooniyat (Book 3)

7. Listen Rano

"You are being an Asshole Arush" Aarchi complained to Arush as she wrapped up her day.

"So I've been told that before too" Arush said arranging the snacks he asked Ridhima for in a suitcase.

"I don't need a babysitter" She looked at her phone with a frown aware that he won't be able to see it.

"First of all you force me to go to this camp, snatch my opportunity to watch you bawl your eyes out and now you've got a problem with what I do. Great!" Arush said being overly dramatic making Aarchi sigh in defeat.

"You both brothers have chosen the wrong profession. You both should have gone for drama, atleast we won't have to justify your dramatic actions and can blame it on your professional needs" She said crossing her arms at her chest glaring at the phone that was on speaker.

"If I didn't know better I'd take that as an offence" Arush joked with her annoying her.

"You all are treating me as if I went through something major" She sat on a chair puffing her cheeks in anger.

"Its not everyday you break your heart Ari. Heart break phase ki baat kuch aur hoti hai, I am not saying that you don't look good in your 'I'm In love stage' but this one hits different" He sat down on the bed and explained to her.

"Are you a secret writer or something of the sort? Why are talking so poetically with me?" Aarchi asked rolling her eyes. She wrapped up her daily earlier than usual wanting to see off Aarush before he left. She remembered that Vihaan didn't have a car so asked at the reception to make a call to him since she didn't have his number.

"Hello" Vihaan replied in a professional manner.

"Uhh hey. Aarchi this side. I wanted to see off Arush before he left so I am leaving now, whenever you are ready give me a call 20 minutes before, I'll come pick you up" She whispered into the phone not wanting anyone to hear her conversation.

"Don't leave yet, I was just wrapping my things too. Give me 10 more minutes" Vihaan said removing the stethoscope from around his neck and streching his neck.

"Great... I'll be by the car" She replied. He hummed and she kept the call and walked to her car. She leaned onto the car and was rummaging through her purse when she felt something soft on her fingertips.

She pulled it out and saw it was the red rose which Gautam had given her just a day back. Her eyes whelmed with emotions and a tear slid down her cheek remembering all those moments. Before she could wipe the tear from her cheek she felt a hand wiping it.

"Hayee... Itni soni ankhiyan hai te tu avein ro ro ke phula deni hai" Vihaan stood infront of her and wiped away her tear.

"Huh?" Aarchi ran her hand over her cheek and rubbed her eyes so there was no trace of her crying.

"You have such beautiful eyes but you make them red and puffy by crying so much" Vihaan translated for her. She nodded and looked down at the rose.

"Is it the one he gave you yesterday?" Vihaan asked taking the rose from her hand which instantly made her fight for it.

"Then there you go" He returned her the rose but also handed her a lighter in the other hand. She looked at him confused.

"Burn it" He said in no-nonsense tone. She tried to hand him back the lighter but he held her hand firmly.

"Ari!" He closed her fingers around the lighter and looked at her with hope.

"I... Uggh. Stop looking at me like that" She said hitting his chest playfully.

"You can do this... Go...Go" Vihaan cheered her as she flicked open the cigarette lighter and waited for the flame. She turned to Vihaan when there was no flame for a long time. He helped her with the flame and continued cheering her. Aarchi took a deep breathe and set the flower on fire.