Beyond the Beats

Chapter 79. Not a fairytale

⚠️ Long chapter ahead ⚠️

I entered the classroom and took a seat. I sensed Arushi looking at me, but I ignored her, just like I was doing for the past days.

I hadn't yet forgotten about our fight, and I had confirmed the reason about her outburst that day. I couldn't believe she was feeling insecure about my friendship with Kshitij.

It reminded me of how Suhana was jealous, but Suhana had apologized to me about it. As for Arushi, she was just trying to talk to me and wasn't mentioning the real reason.

Therefore, I also stayed away from her and sat by myself during lectures. Akshay was outstation for the elimination rounds of the national breakdancing competition, but whenever he was in the same lectures as us, he would avoid getting in trouble and would sit with the boys.

He tried to patch up things between me and Arushi, but I failed all of his attempts. Unlike earlier, I paid full attention in my class, and when the bell rang, I left the classroom.

It was lunch break, and I was heading towards the cafeteria as I was craving samosas, but Arushi stopped me.

"Bhoomi, can you please stop acting like I don't exist?" she complained.

I turned my head in other direction. "You are the one who is insecure with me being around you, so why are you putting all blame on me?"

"I am really sorry for my behaviour that day. I have apologized so many times, but you are still being so harsh on me. What should I do to convince you that I am genuinely sorry?"

I gave her a fake smile. "You know what it is."

Her lips turned down. "It is not like that, Bhoomi."

I nodded. "It definitely is. I know you don't like it whenever KD and I are together. I don't know why you would even doubt that, but seriously, I didn't expect it from you. You are the smartest among our group, and yet you thought like that about me?"

Arushi's eyes became glazed. "I am sorry. I thought you liked KD, and he is also very attentive and playful with you. Both of you are dancers, while I am just good at studies. I can only meet him in college, and even after so much time, I still can't believe that he is interested in me. It all feels like a dream."

"Did he say anything to you?" I queried.

"He hasn't said anything directly yet, but he keeps dropping hints. I am afraid that I am not the right person for him. He is too good - why would someone like him even think of me that way?" she mumbled.

I kicked her. She tried to pinch me but stopped as her eyes widened.

"Why wouldn't I like you, Arushi?" KD questioned seriously as he arrived.

Arushi glanced at me and panicked. She was unable to say anything, while KD was staring holes into her. He looked hurt, and I wondered how much of our conversation he had heard.

"Did you hear everything?" I asked him.

"Almost," he replied.

"I guess it is good then," I said. "Why don't both of you solve this yourselves? I don't want to be a third wheel."

"Bhoomi," Arushi called and looked at me for help.

"Aru, I am not that smart, remember?" I taunted.

She pouted. I told Kshitij to take care of her and scolded Arushi for trying to stop me there.

"When you guys are done, we will have a proper talk, okay?" I warned her.

She nodded, and I left towards the cafeteria. Behind me, I heard KD's complaining voice, and when I looked over my shoulder, I saw him holding Arushi's hand, while my best friend was looking at him like a child caught stealing candies.