Chapter - 3

The party was now over and people were gathering near the main gate for a group picture.

  There was where Vibha caught hold of Natash's phone. She called her boyfriend.

  "Vibha! Where the hell have you been? You parents are worried about you. They tried calling your number a thousand times! When do you leave?" demanded her boyfriend.

   "Mom is still awake? How do they know?" she asked.

"I called your mom. Your phone has been out of coverage since ages! What would have I done?"

   He questioned back. "Now call your parents soon. Your mom's B.P has been shooting because of you. Your dad is furious at you. I told you be safe."

"I am safe!" She shouted back.

  Vibha was almost in tears now. With trembling fingers she dialed her mom's number.

    "It's 1 in the night! Where are you?" Dad was on the phone.

    "Dad, I was at a party I told you about last time. Am almost leaving." replied Vibha.

    "Ok, get to your room soon and call me back" now Dad seemed relieved.. But the situation at home was not as fiery as what her boyfriend had

described.

    As soon as they got into the car, Nash tossed her phone to Vibha rolling her eyes.

   "He's calling you" Vibha looked at the screen, it was her boyfriend again. With a scowl Vibha answered the call.

   "Yes. Am leaving" Vibha blabbered into the phone without hearing him.

    "Are you sure? I can send you cops if you have no one to drop you back" he said.

  "No! Don't create scene! Am fine and going home" she replied disconnecting the phone.

  She was now mentally exhausted. Just then a junior, Dhruv came knocking at the window.

    Dhruv, a multi talented, hot looking guy. His love for adventure made him famous in college. All the students brought their cars and fancy bikes while he got his hot gear. Cyclist,

photographer and a humble person. He had been friends with Vibha for two years now. Both were deeply connected on psychological level. Whole college knew about their friendship. Natasha wanted Dhruv and Vibha to be together since she had seen Vibha's  boyfriend getting worst. She had always disapproved Arnav for Vibha. She had seen Vibha go from women in power to a slave for Arnav. She always kept asking Vibha as to why not let Arnay go. Which always went unanswered.

   "Vibha, are you alright? I got to know he called your parents" Dhruv asked with concern.

  "I think so" She answered managing

a light smile.

    "Good, I see you guys have a vacancy in the car. Please drop me."Dhruv sat next to Vibha at the rear seat. He knew she was about to cry. He put his arm around her to let her know she wasn't alone. This made Vibha feel warm and better. She knew she could count on him. After all, he was her best friend apart from Natasha. He could always hear Vibha crying over Arnav and wondered why she was being this way. He knew how beautiful her soul was.

   Arnav, smart ass boy, waiting for his major breakthrough, a ticket to America. He was determined. Least interested in outdoor activities but a Google of all problems! Cunning yet sweet, dominating yet caring. This was the personal profile of Vibha's boyfriend. She was madly in love and this made her a slave. His personal labor. He controlled most of the decisions for her. Telling her he cared for her and that he accepted her as she was. The reality soon had stuck in her head though. He was trying to mould Vibha into a person he wanted.

   Disrespecting her love for art and books. Not letting her meet her own friends. And spying for he didn't trust her. He had been like this for about three years. Before which he had been too good with Vibha.

    Waking up from a deep slumber, Vibha was setting some eggs for breakfast. The aroma filled whole of the kitchen. Natasha felt more hungry. Vibha's phone rang. It was Dhruv

calling. She smiled and answered the call.

   "Hey! Morning. How you doing today?" he asked with concern.

   "Good, thanks, Dhruv" she knew he would be Tensed for her.

  "Yeah, I could see how good your boyfriend made you feel yesterday" he chuckled.

  "He was being protective."

  "Yes, very sweet of him...Making his girlfriend cry. And he hates me"

   "Sure he does" She teased laughing.

  "Well, honestly, I didn't expect a zombie at the party! I mean you were totally being the weird self"

   "Thanks! Am feeling a lot better about myself now!" enthusiastic reply from Vibha.

   "See, you are blooming. You are finally getting to know the uniqueness of yourself. Am happy for you." And he hung up saying he would meet her at

college.

   These words from Dhruv kept resonating to Vibha that day. Apart from the lectures she attended, it was her being happy about herself. She could feel less of the burden and days of freedom were about to turn her days positively. She constantly feared she wasn't good enough. And would lose track as to what she wanted to do in her life. Her mood swings had become worst. The uneasy ocean of her mind was encountered with fearful storms. Those made her unsettled and uneasy.