Arresting Hearts: Unexpected Bonds Of Love.

Chapter 13

This chapter is dedicated to Saniya Tureshi.
Thank you so much for your interest in the story. ❤

°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Avani's Pov:

The value of true friends is understood when you are at your lowest. Since the day I fell sick, my friends have been around me, taking care of my every single need without even being asked. Suru, Rohail, and Tanya, in their shining armor-which consisted of gleaming packets of medicines and plain water-have made me realize that I am indeed surrounded by the best people on the entire planet.

Under their meticulous care, my fever improved. It wasn't completely gone, but it was better enough for me to carry out my daily duties, including coming to college. My friends didn't even let me move a finger the entire day. From carrying my backpack , bringing me food to forcing those nasty smelling medicines down my throat, they took care of everything.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that Sujay has been suspiciously absent from the lectures for a few days. In one corner of my brain, I was certain that all of this was Rohail's doing but then again, no one messes with his sister- his words not mine.

I do have great friends, don't I?

I sat in the college cafeteria, my eyes fixed on the bowl of bland broth in front of me. The steam rising from it carried no appetizing aroma whatsoever, and I couldn't help but wrinkle my nose. My gaze drifted to my friends, Suru and Rohail, who were happily slurping up their noodles. Just the sight made my mouth water.

"You guys have no shame, do you?" I grumbled, trying my best to avert my gaze.

Rohail looked up, his cheeks puffed out like a balloon. "Waff?" he mumbled through a mouthful of noodles, bits of sauce clinging to the corners of his mouth.

I rolled my eyes. "You're sitting there with your delicious, cheesy noodles while I'm stuck with this..." I stirred my spoon in the watery broth, watching the pale vegetables swirl around. "This tasteless excuse for soup."

Suru reached for the ketchup bottle, squirting a generous amount onto her noodles. The tangy smell hit my nose, making my stomach growl. "Avi, you're still recovering," she said, twirling her fork in the heavenly noodles. "Even if we gave you our food, it wouldn't taste any better to you right now."

I licked my lips, watching as she took a big bite. The noodles disappeared into her mouth, and I could almost hear the hum of satisfaction. Meanwhile, my bowl of broth sat there, effortlessly bringing out my disgust.

So tasteless, so bland. Just looking like... yuck.

"But I want to eat tasty noodles, not this disgusting stuff," I whined, pushing my bowl away, clearly displeased with the injustice being done to my poor, sweet self.

Rohail and Suru exchanged a look, eyebrows raised. Then, with an exaggerated sigh, Rohail slid his plate towards me. Before I could grab it, he leaned over and stole a forkful from Suru's plate.

"Hey!" Suru protested, but there was a smile tugging at her lips.

So tasty. Yum...

I didn't waste any time. I snatched Rohail's fork, twirled a huge bite of noodles around it, and shoved it into my mouth. I closed my eyes, waiting for the explosion of flavors...

But it never came.

Instead, my taste buds were hit with a flavor worse than boiled cardboard. The noodles felt like rubber bands, and the sauce might as well have been water.

"Ugh!" I groaned, somehow managing to swallow. I shoved the plate away. "That's disgusting!"

Rohail didn't hesitate. He pulled the plate back and dug in, clearly unbothered by my rejection of his meal. He seemed to be enjoying my predicament a little too much.