She, me and her

Chapter 4

"What you love Arjun sir? Not a bad choice" Alisha let out a squeal. Divya put a hand on her mouth and said "Shut up, why are you shouting. He is really cool and is not so boring as he appears. He beat three men because they were teasing me. Wow that's awesome. Don't know why his ex left such a cool guy."

They both go to their classes. After few classes it's Arjun's class. He enters the class. He looked upset. Though he taught the lesson, it didn't have life in it and even he felt dull. After class Divya noticed him go in the opposite direction of staff room. She goes behind him. He goes to the back of the college.

Divya observes tears in Arjun's eyes. She thinks whether to go and console him or not. She decides to go. She goes and stands beside him. He notices her and wipes his tears and puts his spectacles back.

Divya doesn't talk anything. Arjun says "You can ask, I don't mind. At least I will feel better."

He looks into her eyes. Through the spectacles she notices the pain in his eyes. She says "If I am not wrong you wear those spectacles to hide that pain in your eyes, isn't it?" He nods in a yes.

After a minute of silence he says "Her name is Meghana, my first love. I loved her more than myself. She was my classmate. She was the most clever student of the class, just like me. Her innocence was her gift. We both were friends and always used to discuss question paper after exams, lessons after the class. We were the typical nerds who only talked about studies. Slowly we started talking about things beyond studies and one day I proposed her. After some time she to agreed and we became a pair. We dated for about nine months. But..."

He turns calm. Divya says "It's O.k, you no need to continue if you feel bad. It's O.k". Arjun says "No let me tell I will feel better after telling. But she didn't have the guts to tell her father about me as I was not yet settled. I was still in job trails in some good consultancy service. But the match her father brought was far better than me. He had a good job and was well settled. So she couldn't ask her father for a person like me and got married to her father's choice. And me, I went to her marriage and wished the bride and groom a happy married life."

Now Arjun was totally broken. He sank to the ground. He continued "Today is her birthday. Last year I gave her a surprise party. This birthday she must be celebrating with her husband."

I say "I am so sorry". Just then the final bell rings and everybody start moving. Divya asks "Will you come with me today?"

"Where?"

Divya says "We will go to a club.I have a party tonight, maybe it will distract you if you come with me". Arjun smiles and says "Well O.k. That seems to be a good idea."

*********

Divya and Arjun go to Millenium club. She has membership in the club. Divya says "Sir there is a library in the second floor. It has many books, you can go there or you can even go to the billiards room and play. Tell the membership number 2697 and they will allow you. It is a girls party so I think you won't like it."

Arjun nods and says "Ya, I will go to the library first."

Divya agrees and goes towards the party room. She meets Priya and Alisha there. Their friend Naina is getting married soon, so she hosted a party for all her friends. Divya asks "Where is the bride?"

Priya replies "Oh she is sitting there". she points to a girl sitting in a couch. Divya goes to her and sits beside her. Naina says "Oh Divya when did you come, I didn't notice you."

Divya pokes her and says "I came just now girl". Naina looks at Divya and asks "You didn't get ready properly? You are the most fashionable in all of us and today you look so boring in the same dress you wore to college."

"Hmm...It's a long story. I had to bring even Arjun sir here."

"Arjun sir? Are you out of your mind, how can you bring a professor to a bachelor party?"Naina let out a shout. Divya puts a hand on Naina and says "Relax Naina. He is in the library. Actually today is his ex's birthday and he is depressed with her memories. I couldn't leave him like that, so I brought him here. That is why I couldn't go home to change my dress."

Naina nods her head and says "Poor Arjun sir. Maybe that's why he looked lost today."

They all go onto the dance floor and start dancing. They have some cocktail and Alisha says "This is for the new bride Naina". Everybody start clapping.They start telling what will they do after their marriage. It's Divya turn and she says "Hmm...If I get married I will be the best wife in the world and treat my husband the same way he treats me. If he is good I will be good and if he is bad I will be worse."

Everybody start clapping. Suddenly Divya gets a call. She picks it up. It is from the club management. They say "Divyakshi mam your friend drank too much. After paying the bill and coming out he knocked onto something and fell unconscious, we request you to come and take him with you."

Divya cuts the call and runs towards the bar. Seeing her go Alisha and Priya follow her. She reaches the bar and sees two men helping Arjun onto a couch. She goes to them and says "I am Divyakshi. He is my friend."

One of the men says "Mam can you take him or shall we help you till your vehicle."

Divya looks at Alisha and Priya and says "I...I and Arjun sir came on a scooty. How can I take him home?"

Alisha says "I will drop you in my car and Priya will get your scooty because she too came with me."

Divya smiles and says "Thanks Alisha and Priya."

Alisha nudges Divya and says "You don't need to tell thank you". All the three girls helped Arjun into Alisha's car. Divya sits in the back seat with Arjun. She gives her scooty keys to Priya and says "Tell Naina that we had to leave."

They start driving home and Priya keeps following them. Even at 9.30 Mumbai roads were bustling with traffic. Divya says "Glad that it's Sunday tomorrow."

Alisha says "True."

They reach Divya's home. Priya too reaches with them. Alisha and Divya help Arjun into Divya's house. They take Arjun inside Divya's room and make him sleep there. He makes some sounds trying to tell something but gives up.

Alisha and Priya leave. While Divya is setting up her bed in the sofa the calling bell rings. It's Honey. She comes in and sees Divya setting up her bed in the sofa and asks "Why are you sleeping here?"

Divya says "Arjun sir drank too much and passed out. That's why I brought him here."

Honey laughs and says "Nice. Your crush is sleeping in your bedroom."

Divya smiles and says "Yup, true."