Chapter - 14

Vibha had finally stopped whimpering and went to sleep. She wanted to let go what Arnay had said. Her relation with him was important than such useless fights. Vibha feared leaving Arnav for

unknown reasons. Nash sat there in bed thinking how weird Arnav had become.

  "I think he's a psychopath' Natasha wanted to warn Vibha. But Vibha was already into a deep slumber.

  The next day was of importance to Nash. The whole day she had to go hunting for a gift. The day after was Vibha's birthday. Mayank and Nash were looking for ideas to gift Vibha. They wanted it to be just perfect! Natasha wanted at least this day to be flawless.

  It  was just one day before Vibha's birthday She didn't expect Armav to do anything for her. Yet felt he would at least come to meet her.

  "Hey! We are planning a nice surprise for Vibha. We want you to come." Nash had called Arnav.

  "Not possible. Am already on my way to Goa." he replied.

  "Man! Goa? That's important for you? Than her?" Nash was surprised by his reluctance.

  "Bookings are done. Can't help." Arnav replied and disconnected the phone.

  Natasha shook her head and continued shopping. She had bought a set of books Vibha had always wanted. Then she went to get some really dark chocolates. Finally, the cake shop was her final stop. She ordered a themed cake. The instructions were given quite preciously. The theme was about a

girl with a book on the front part. And few famous fictional  characters at the back.

  It was 11.58 and Vibha was sitting at her favorite spot, the balcony. She was writing and was totally consumed into it. Mayank was here and he had got the cake.

"Happy birthday!" They shouted in unison. Vibha had expected them to do something. But that cake! She absolutely loved it. She cut the cake

and fed both Mayank and Nash. Then came the gifts time. Vibha's mind was completely blown away when she saw the set of books.

  "Oh my God! So sweet of you guys!" She hugged both. Just then, the door bell rang. Vibha's heart Leaped. Arnav?

  She rushed to open the door to find Dhruv standing with another beautiful cake in his hand. He wished her and the cake was cut. They sat talking in

the balcony. Where Dhruv dropped a hint that he had another surprise for her. They insisted on telling him but he said only after the college is over they

have to meet him at their regular restaurant.

  Vibha looked at her phone. It was 1, still Arnay hadn't called. Natasha told her he was in Goa.

Vibha's phone rang. It was Arnav calling. She immediately signaled Dhruv to stop talking at once.

  "Happy birthday." Arnav said in a drunken voice.

  "Thanks baby!" Vibha chirped blushing pink.

  "I was busy. We were at a club. Am in Goa" he blabbered.

  "Okay " Vibha was little sad.

Vibha could hear Arnav's friend call him.

"Arnav! There you are! How was Rosy? I hope you had fun with that chick. "

Vibha's heart twitched. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Collapsing to the floor she could hear Arnav shooing away his friend.

"What Rosy? Who is that?" She could hardly hear herself. Her body felt suddenly weak and she was in cold sweat. Natasha, Mayank, Dhruv gathered around her gesturing and asking her what was happening.

Everyone looked at her trying to figure out what was happening

  "Hello? Who's this?" A male voice was on the phone now, it sure was not Arnav.

  "Aaa...Vi....Vibha" She replied.

  "Your friend, Arnav, just passed out! I I I am the manager of the hotel"

  She gathered courage to ask, "Who is Rosy?"

  "Oh! That's one of the premium girl escort here. She was damn good!" He too seemed drunk.

  "What did she do with Arnav?" She asked further.

  "What do you think call girls do, Ma'am?" He let out a wicked laugh.

She didn't know what to say. She was sweating and could feel her body shiver. She hung up the call

and sat there in shock.

  "What? Who was it?" Mayank could not bear the suspense anymore.

  It was 4 in the morning and Vibha was still crying rivers. Dhruv had cancelled his plan to return home. He wanted Vibha to know that he was there

for her. He simply hugged her and let her weep in his arms. Natasha was continuously trying Arnav's phone and pacing around in the balcony. Mayank

was arguing it might be a prank.

"Arnav! Vibha needs to talk" She handed over  the phone to Vibha. She mimed to tell her to put the  phone on speaker.

  "Who is Rosy?" She demanded.

  "No one. Just a new friend here."

  "Or a friend with benefits?" Vibha wanted sound sarcastic and strong.

  "Okay. So you heard it. Look, am sorry. It was just one time. I didn't even like her. I....I swear I imagined you in her." He was in a hangover.

"WHAT?" she shouted and was about to cut the call.

  "Nothing serious...Am sorry. Just..Oh! And happy birt..." Vibha disconnected.

Mayank and Dhruv went silent. They didn't know what to say. Natasha was cursing him bad. But none of it mattered to Vibha. Only what she could think was Rosy and Arnav. Looking at the sky, Vibha kept her mouth shut. But a storm was inside her. Feelings wanted to burst out. She had sat there since 1. The sun had come out now. She stood

up. Washed her face and came back to the balcony.

  "Guys, it's 8. You all must be hungry. I wil.."Vibha had talked finally.

  "No. You relax. I will make something."

Mayank said

  "No, bhai. Let me help you. I need to distract myself." Both started preparing a meal. Mayank didn't let her do much work. While Natasha wanted to take a short nap. Dhruv sat on the chair still and was lost in his own world. They sat down in the living to have food. Vibha

still felt numb. But felt better after eating. Dhruv needed to go home. He hugged Vibha again.

"Am sorry for what happened. But now you have to let go and be on your own. Be strong." He kissed her forehead and reached for the door.