28. Hangout

Author's POV

"Finally! It's just the three of us. It's been so long since we got any alone time because of the boys.", Ruhi said, flopping on Radhika's bed.

Aditi and Radhika flopped on either side of Ruhi.

"Yeah. I mean, no complaints about them, but I miss when it was just us.", Radhika added.

Ruhi said, "Speak for yourself. I toh have lots of complaints."

Aditi sighed, "There she goes again with her Siddharth obsession."

Ruhi narrowed her eyes, "I am not obsessed with anyone. But you sure are, Naman paglu. It feels like you've forgotten us since he came back."

Aditi smirked, "I have no problem in being called Naman paglu. And I have all the rights to be obsessed with him and spend time with him. But you don't even have anything to do with Siddharth and still he is the one always on your tongue."

Both Radhika and Ruhi scrunched their faces at the same time, "Eww!"

Aditi groaned, "Eww to you two! Dirty minded people!"

They both giggled, and I couldn't help but join too.

Ruhi sighed, "Jokes apart, but you don't know how annoyed I am due to that guy."

Radhika nodded, "Yeah, let's talk about everything one by one."

"Finally, some peace. It's always so chaotic around them.", Siddharth sighed as he sat down on the cafe chair along with Naman and Rishi.

Naman scowled, "Hey, don't say anything about them. They're fun to be with."

Siddharth scoffed, "Look at him, Rishi. He hasn't even gotten into a relationship with Aditi and he is already on their side."

"But I think he is right, they're a great company. And I myself like being with them.", Rishi said.

Siddharth rolled his eyes, "Oh God, both of you! I never said they're a bad company or something. Don't make me sound like a villain. I just said they're chaotic."

Naman nodded, "And that's what we like about our group. We're all chaotic."

Siddharth raised his hands, "I have no plans of being chaotic. I am happy living a peaceful life."

Rishi smirked, "Don't worry, Ruhi will surely bring your chaotic side out."

Siddharth frowned, "What was the need to even bring her in this conversation? You spoiled my whole mood, Rishi!"

Naman rolled his eyes, "When will you guys stop fighting?"

"I don't intend to befriend someone as irritating as her."

Rishi gasped dramatically, "Do you find us irritating too? Do you hate us too? We're even more chaotic than them, do you find our company bad too?"

Naman nodded, "Yeah, answer carefully."

Siddharth ran a hand through his hair, "Shut up, both of you! You know I can never think something like that. You guys are...exceptions."

He paused for a second, his voice dropping, "My best friends."

Rishi and Naman looked at him with puppy eyes, "Awww!"

Siddharth waved them off, looking away, "Yeah, just don't... Ever 'aww' me again."

Rishi and Naman chuckled while he himself couldn't hold back a smile.

"By the way, the theme for the college fest is going to be Disneyland.", Rishi said, a smile forming on his face, "You know, Radhika suggested that theme!"

"Aww! You'd be so proud of your dear honey!", Naman teased.

Rishi's smile only widened, "Of course I am! She was so nervous to speak up but then she did and everyone loved her idea!"

Siddharth scoffed, "You're so gone, Rishi!"

Rishi frowned, "What?"

"You like her, don't you?", Siddharth asked.

Rishi's eyes widened, "What? No way! What are you even talking about?! Radhika is just a very good friend.", he paused.

Naman leaned back in his chair, "I used to say the same thing. Look at me now."

"Your case is different! Me flirting with her doesn't mean I like her. Have you not seen me flirting with other girls too?"

"Not since you became friends with Radhika.", Siddharth pointed out.

Naman nodded, "Exactly! You even became happy because she got jealous. And let's not forget about your sudden interest in guitar!"

"That- I told you that was for my career!", Rishi stuttered.

Siddharth rolled his eyes, "Career, my foot!"

Rishi stayed quiet after that as he stared at practically nothing with a small frown on his face.

Naman sighed, "You have to admit it sooner or later."

"Okay, I admit it!"

Ruhi grinned, "Finally! I knew it!"

Radhika rolled her eyes, "Yeah, of course. You know everything."

"So, what are you going to do now?", Aditi asked.

Radhika shrugged, "Nothing."

"What? Why not?"

Radhika shook her head, "I just can't do it. What if I ruin our friendship?"

Ruhi placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, "It's better to regret doing something than regret not doing something."

"Wow! Where did that come from?", Aditi asked.

Ruhi blinked, trying to recall, "I guess I heard it in a K drama. What was the name-"

"Even if you shower me with hundreds of such quotes, I still won't ever tell Rishi that I like him.", Radhika announced.

"What are you going to do then?"

"I value our friendship a lot, and I am happy being just his good friend.", Radhika said with a small smile.

"We won't force you, Radhika. But I think Rishi is worth the risk.", Ruhi said.

Radhika just shook her head, letting out a soft sigh.

"Okay, forget that! Tell me about the college fest!", Aditi changed the topic.

"Oh yeah! I am so excited for the fest! What did you guys talk about during the meeting?", Ruhi inquired.

Radhika sat up straight, "They selected the idea I gave and now the theme for the fest is Disneyland! It's going to be a five-day fest and there are going to be so many things! Fireworks, treasure hunt, masquerade night and so many more things are being planned!"

Ruhi's jaw dropped, "No way! A masquerade night? I am going to live every reader's dream!"

Aditi nodded, "I know, right? And treasure hunts have always been my favorite!"

"Yes. And there are going to be various stalls. You can put up a painting stall or something too, Aditi!", Radhika suggested.

"OMG yes! I am going to put a face painting stall!", Aditi announced excitedly.

Radhika smiled, "Yeah, and I'll be busy managing the event with Rishi by my side."

Ruhi sighed, "What will I do without both of you?"

"I am sure Naman will put up a food stall too.", Aditi said.

Ruhi's eyes widened, "So, you are telling me I'll be alone with that monster?"

"It's alright. Maybe you both will finally get along.", Radhika said.

Aditi agreed, "Exactly. I still don't understand why you both keep fighting."

"Why we keep fighting? Did you even see him today? That guy is treating me like I am invisible! And the ego boost he got today after he topped? Yeah, no thanks.", Ruhi joined her hands.

Aditi asked, "Why is he ignoring you again?"

"Ask him only! I don't understand that guy! Do you guys know how frustrated I am by his behavior? If you hate me then at least fight with me! Why would you suddenly just stop even looking at me when literally nothing even happened!", Ruhi ranted.

Radhika and Aditi stared at her for a second before Radhika placed a hand on her arm, "Bro, relax. Why are you getting so worked up?"

"Radhika, you don't understand! I am not worked up! I am irritated because he is messing with my brain!"

"You give him the same treatment then.", Aditi suggested.

Ruhi shook her head, "No. In fact, he will be happy if I don't talk to him. I have to do something that would leave impact!"

Radhika sighed, "Right now, you're the one being a little too impacted by his cold shoulder. Why does it even bother you so much?"

"Because... because I am not used to this, Radhika! He is always there, fighting, arguing, irritating-"

"And now he's not.", Aditi finished.

Ruhi nodded, "Exactly. And that's because he knows how to affect me, he knows I will gladly argue with him all day if I have to but won't be able to digest this silent fight! And I hate that he knows me so well!"

"Act indifferent."

"I am trying to do exactly that, but it's not working.", Ruhi said.

"I have never seen you like this, Ruhi.", Radhika stated.

Aditi narrowed her eyes, "Yes. And that's exactly why we are going to help you get back at him."

Ruhi's irritation dissolved, a small smirk forming on the corner of her lips, "Yes, you are."

"No, we are not!"

"You can't back out now! We had a bet and I won!", Siddharth said.

"Yes, but I am not going to do that!", Naman raised his hands.

"I wasn't even involved in the bet then why are you dragging me into this?", Rishi asked.

Siddharth scoffed, "And I thought you guys were my best friends."

"Don't blackmail us emotionally now! Ruhi will kill us if we broke her heels!"

"And what about when she broke my back with those heels?"

"And that's not the only thing you're telling us to do!"

"I know, right? I am not even sure if Ruhi would leave us alive to do the other things."

Siddharth rolled his eyes, "Why are you guys so scared of her?"

Naman crossed his arms, "We are not scared of her. We just don't want to get caught in whatever is going on between you two."

Rishi added, "Exactly. This is not even a fight, this is... something else."

Siddharth frowned, "What is 'something else'?"

Naman shrugged, "How would we know that? You tell us."

Rishi nodded, "Yes, tell us why you are ignoring her."

"I am not ignoring her. I am just choosing not to engage.", Siddharth replied.

"Wow. What an answer!", Rishi clapped his hands sarcastically.

"Why are you both bothered so much, huh? Didn't all of you wanted us to stop fighting in the first place?", Siddharth asked.

"We wanted you to stop fighting once and for all, but you both started this cold war instead.", Naman said.

"Are you going to complete your end of the bet or not, Naman?", Siddharth asked, bored by the argument.

"Only if you tell us what exactly is going on in your head."

Siddharth ran a hand down his face, "See, you both know how Ruhi is a little too much. Because of her constant nagging in my life, I can't focus on anything, and I got tired of that, so I simply stopped talking to her for the peace of both of our minds."

"And somehow peace is still far away from your mind.", Rishi stated.

Siddharth leaned back in his seat, "That's exactly why I want to take my revenge."

Naman sighed, "All the best, Ruhi."
  

"Don't wish me luck, it's Siddharth who needs it more."

"Are you sure this will work?", Radhika asked.

Ruhi smirked, "Of course. No one can save him from me now."

Aditi snorted, "You have a devil's brain, Ruhi."

"You need one when the opposition himself is a monster. Anyway, enough of Siddharth talks now. Change the topic.", Ruhi said, sharing a glance with Radhika.

Radhika cleared her throat, "Aditi, what's up with you?"

Aditi frowned, "What is up with me?"

"What is up, what is up, kya bol rhe hai sab log? Emiway Bantai, maalum hai na? Machayenge- okay, I am sorry, I just couldn't stop myself." Ruhi raised her hands in surrender.

Both Radhika and Aditi rolled her eyes as Ruhi smiled sheepishly.

"Coming back to the point, what's the progress?", Radhika asked.

Aditi sighed, "Nothing."

"What? Why won't you guys take a step forward?!", Ruhi asked.

Aditi shrugged, "I don't know. I thought he was going to propose after diwali, but we've barely spent any time together after that."

Ruhi rolled her eyes, "You say it first then! Where is it written that only boys can make the first move?"

Radhika nodded encouragingly, "Exactly. If you both are sure and you know it-"

"Clap your hands!", Ruhi said, proceeding to clap her hands.

Aditi and Radhika stared at her for a second, processing what she just said, while Ruhi just gave them a cheeky grin.

"Ruhi, we're trying to be serious here!", Radhika said, but she herself looked amused.

"It just happens! I swear, I'm not doing this on purpose!", Ruhi defended herself.

Aditi shook her head, "Whatever. But yeah, I am also tired of waiting. I think I only have to take the first step."

"I think college fest will be the perfect time to propose. Everything will be so whimsical at that time, and it would look straight out of a movie proposal if you do it the right way.", Ruhi said dreamily.

"College fest it is, then!", Aditi said, determined.

"Are you sure you want to do it during the fest?"

Naman nodded, "Yes. I don't think I'll find any better moments than the fest."

Siddharth looked skeptical, "Won't it be too crowded and chaotic?"

Rishi agreed, "Yeah. You should never propose in front of a crowd. And you both are already too shy."

"I am not going to declare it to the whole world. It will be just us, of course. I will propose to her in a quiet and serene way. But it has to be the fest. I can't postpone it any longer.", Naman said.

"We will help you then.", Rishi said.

Naman smiled, "Thanks. I just hope everything goes perfectly."

Siddharth leaned in, "What if she proposes first?"

Rishi hummed, "Possible. Especially after looking at Naman's progress, I think Aditi will be fed up with waiting and propose first."

Naman smiled shyly, "You think she will?"

Rishi laughed, "Look at this lover boy! I can see his eyes twinkling at the thought of it!"

Naman waved him off, "I... I was just thinking about the possibilities."

"I don't believe it when you say you were mischievous in school, you're the most shy among us.", Siddharth said.

Rishi jumped into agreement, "I was thinking the same too! How did you get this shy?"

Naman shrugged, "I don't know either. Maybe it was Aditi who made me a little soft."

"Aww! So, tell me, how are you going to make it special?", Rishi asked.

Naman fiddled with his fingers, "Even the thought of confessing makes me nervous. One wrong move and I won't just lose my love, I'll lose my best friend!"

Siddharth placed a hand on his shoulder, "Don't overthink it. I never believed in relationships but seeing you both, I can say that you were made for each other."

Rishi grinned, "You know, you and Aditi are like two shy pigeons, always gutar gu-ing with each other."

Naman chuckled, "You have a weird imagination, do you know that?"

Rishi smirked, "Thanks for the compliment."

"It wasn't exactly a compliment.", Naman made a face.

Rishi dramatically brushed invisible dust off his shoulder instead of replying.

Suddenly, Rishi's phone chimed with a notification.

"Oh God! I totally forgot about this!"

"What is it?", Ruhi asked as she watched Radhika check her phone.

Radhika sighed, "I have to go to the college. We need to finalize some posters, and they believe in getting everyone's opinions."

Aditi asked, "Can't they just share it online?"

"Seems like they can't- shit! I don't even have enough fuel in my scooter to reach the college!", Radhika exclaimed.

"I can drop you.", Ruhi suggested.

Aditi nodded, "Yeah, me too."

"Aditi, you drop me. It will just take five to ten minutes max, and then we can come back. Ruhi lives on the other end, it would be a lot of work for her.", Radhika said.

"Okay, let's go."

"I'll go home too then.", Ruhi said as they all stood up to leave.

"Thanks for the ride, Naman.", Rishi said from the back of the bike.

"Anytime, man- wait, isn't that Aditi's scooter?", he asked, parking his bike beside the scooter.

"Rishi!", they heard someone shout.

Turning around, they found Aditi and Radhika standing near the college gate. Both Rishi and Naman grinned ear to ear as they rushed towards them.

"What are you doing here?", Naman asked.

"I am here to drop Radhika.", Aditi replied.

"Okay, you guys wait for us, we will be back soon.", Rishi said, "Come on, honey."

Rishi and Radhika left for the poster selection, leaving Naman and Aditi alone.

Aditi suddenly steps closer, raising her hand. Naman went still for a second, not knowing what she was going to do. She simply straightened his collar, her fingers slightly brushing his neck, sending sparks that both of them pretended they don't feel.

She stepped back, clearing her throat, "Let's wait near the vehicles.

Naman blinked, "Y-yeah, let's go.", he said, unconsciously touching his collar.

They lean against his bike, their shoulders brushing occasionally. 

Aditi pulled out her wired earphones, connecting it to her phone and giving one end to Naman, she clicked on shuffle playlist, and the song that played was 'Zaalima'. She looked at him, and he just nodded.

Both of them stood silently, not even looking at each other, but the song alone spoke volumes about their feelings.

The next song was 'Har kisi ko', and the lyrics hit at all the right spots. Their shoulders brushed again, and none of them made an effort to move this time.

By the time Radhika and Rishi came back, the songs like 'Shayad', 'Dil ka jo haal hai' and 'Keh doon tumhe' were already played, as if the universe itself was hinting them to just say it.

But them being them, chose to remain silent.

Aditi glanced at Naman, her lips parting, as if she wanted to say something. Naman looked down at her, waiting.

But before she could say anything, Naman felt a smack on his head.

He turned around to find Rishi and Radhika standing there with a bored expression.

"Have you both gone deaf? We called you so many times!", Rishi complained.

Aditi blinked, "You did?"

Radhika rolled her eyes, "Forget it. Let's just go."

As they all settled in their respective vehicles, Aditi turned to the guys, "What are you guys up to now?"

Rishi shrugged, "We will go home, I guess. After leaving from honey's house we went out to eat."

Radhika narrowed her eyes, "Without us?"

"You guys were also gossiping without us, weren't you?", Naman wiggled his eye brows.

Aditi nodded, "Yeah, we were. But half of the time, it was Ruhi ranting about Siddharth."

"Siddharth was doing the same thing!", Rishi exclaimed.

"He was? What did he say?", Radhika asked.

"I shouldn't tell you guys, but he is planning to take revenge?", Naman said.

Aditi gasped, "Revenge for what? What did Ruhi even do?"

"Beat him up with her heels.", Rishi stated.

"Wasn't that because he deserved it.", Radhika raised an eye brow.

"We should never resort to violence.", Naman said.

"Well, I shouldn't say it too, but Ruhi is planning to take revenge too.", Aditi said.

"Why her now?", Rishi asked.

"Have you not seen how he is treating her? She is really annoyed by him, that's why.", Radhika replied.

Naman shook his head in disbelief, "Both of them act so mature but behave so childish around each other."

Aditi leaned in conspiratorially, "Ruhi is planning to puncture his bike's tyre."

Rishi shook his head, "That's nothing! Siddharth wants to destroy her heels!"

Radhika gasped, "That's so cruel! Ruhi is planning to set his phone's ringtone to Dreamum Wakepum!

Naman laughed, "That's actually funny! But wait- Siddharth wants to change the language on Ruhi's phone to Chinese!"

Aditi sighed, "They are going to declare war!"

Rishi nodded, "We have to do something."

"But what?", Radhika asked.

Naman smirked, "UNO reverse."