Eternal secret crush

Purely Impure

Vidhi

I lay on my bed while Esha and Kiara went to the kitchen to make midnight snacks. My mind was twisted with thoughts of Arnav, and after a long day, they wanted to lighten my mood. They refused to let me enter the kitchen, insisting I rest. We girls had planned a sleepover at my house and to go to college together the next day. However, we were all left with "what the fuck" expressions after our encounter with the great Arnav Arasu at UB City. That man is out of his mind.

First, he didn’t contact me after getting my number. Second, he paid for my purchases and dining anonymously. And third, he had the audacity to reject my attempt to pay him back, indirectly refusing to give me his number. What kind of sick games is he playing with me? Ugh, I can't with this man. But I must admit, the way he was dressed in that formal business navy grey suit was simply dashing.

My best friends entered the room with a glass tray containing chocolate-covered strawberries. My lips formed into a big smile. I jumped up and hugged them. "You guys made this for me?"

Esha and Kiara giggled at my excited, happy face. "Of course, Sweetie," they replied.

These girls know how to uplift my spirits. "I love you guys; you both are the best," I said.

"We love you more," Kiara said.

"And yeah, we are the best," Esha finished.

I took the tray and placed it on the corner coffee table, surrounded by a mini couch set and two bean bags. Esha and I occupied the bean bags while Kiara laid back on the couch. We all dug into the strawberries.

"Yum, tastes so good," I said, wiggling in a happy dance as I ate.

My phone buzzed. I checked to see an unknown number calling. I declined, thinking it was spam, but it rang again. I thought it might be an emergency, so I picked it up this time. "Hello?"

Silence from the other side.

‘Who is it?’ Kiara mouthed.

I mouthed back, ‘Don't know.’
“Hello, who is this?" Silence again.

"It might be a wrong call," Esha said loudly.

"Yeah, I guess so," I said, about to cut the call when I heard a soft, husky voice call my name. "Vidhi?"

I froze. Did I hear right? I knew who it was but needed confirmation. "May I know who this is?"

"Did you forget my voice that soon, cupcake?"

"Arnav? What—I mean, why are you calling me at 12:30 in the middle of the night?"

"You were awake, so I thought I'd call."

My heart raced. How did he know? "How do you know I’m awake? Are you stalking me?"

He chuckled slightly. "You have a big brain, cupcake. I just saw your WhatsApp status online."

I fumed with anger. He refused to accept money earlier, and now he contacted me. "Okay, Arnav, hold on. I'll send the money to this number's account."
After a while, I said, "Arnav, why can't I send the money?"

"You really are persistent, aren't you? I made it request access payments only."

"What the fuck?"

"Language, little one."

I calmed myself down. "So, why did you call now?"

"There's a Satyanarayan Puja tomorrow at my house. Your parents have been invited. It would be nice if you joined them."