Chapter 34: Chapter 34

*Haritha Pov*

“She just asked me to pick me up. Why is everyone here?” Abhilash frowned looking at us as her friends are here but also her two lecturers.

“She is my student and I deserve to be here unlike you who is just a friend like them.” Swapnil commented and I hit on his shoulder hearing those words.

“Sir!” Abhilash mumbled frowning at him while his friends were laughing after hearing those words.

However, when there was an announcement he walked away from us to reach the point where there will be no railing after she crosses.

Mihira waved at us the moment she found us and stared at us with a surprised look but then that turned into confusion as her eyes kept on searching for someone.

“See? That’s why he deserves it not us.” I pointed out as she just waved at us and her excitement reduced when she didn’t find Abhilash with us.

However, when she saw him near the other end, she rushed towards him with her luggage before hugging him tightly while he lifted her up with a big smile covering their faces.

“What are those both friends doing, Vikesh?” Rekha asked sighing.

“They? They are just pretending to be friends as usual. Why did none of us hug you like that last week, Rekha?” Vikesh asked in return.

“You go and do the same and I am sure he will kill you.” I laughed hearing that and they smiled at me.

“Everything is nothing but a pretense for them for the past five years. Let them me!” Kalyan mumbled while messaging someone.

“You just be busy with your fiancé. I can’t believe you are going to have an arranged marriage while the two couples are still dating.” Rakesh commented shaking his head.

“Why didn’t you propose your five-year girlfriend until now?” Rekha asked smirking at him.

“Just because you returned with a boyfriend doesn’t make you an expert, Rekha.” Rakesh retorted while she glared at him.

“Maam! Give those two some sense so that they can stop making fools out of themselves like this.” Kavitha asked looking at me while pointing those both who are still hugging each other.

“I can’t do that work when the person I am dating is your Swapnil Sir.” I mumbled and they all burst out laughing.

“What does that mean?” he asked turning to stare at me while I just shrugged.

“I missed everyone so much.” Mihira commented reaching us even though she is still hugging Abhilash with her hands while he is pushing her luggage.

“Yeah! We can see that.” I mumbled nodding and she smiled walking closer to me before hugging me after everyone.

“By the way, we both are getting married next week.” Swapnil suddenly announced making everyone stare at us in shock.

“Why are you informing them here? Can’t you wait until we at least move from this place?” I asked him frowning while sighing not knowing what to do with him.

“You told me to inform them after she returns and she did.” He pointed out while others started congratulating me while ignoring him.

“I am actually here to scold you for not marrying Maam until now. Should I just return?” Mihira asked smiling at us.

“He wants you to attend our marriage and that’s why he waited until you informed your return date to propose even though he already asked my parents long back.” I explained and she immediately glanced at him.

“Sir! I missed you too.” She mumbled hugging him while he awkwardly patted her while glaring at me for sharing that information and I just shrugged.

After they all got into their respective vehicles, we both started moving as we need to take care of more preparations even though he asked me to conduct the marriage in my home town only.

“Isn’t it amazing that she returned with a job offer? A few of the staff there were praising her too and wished for her to work there itself.” He commented proudly.

“Why didn’t you show the same expression near her?” I asked him frowning but he just shrugged.

“But she wanted to work for the government, right? Is she fine with this job offer?” I asked remembering her dream when she told me in the beginning.

“She said this is more interesting and she can still do outsourcing for them if she wants to.” He explained and I nodded feeling happy for them.

“I would have scolded her if she hadn’t return this month for sure. I had to postpone my wedding because of her.” He added frowning and I shook my head.

“She is important for you and that’s why you postponed. You could have just told her.” I pointed out but he ignored that as usual.

I smiled leaning back while thinking even she is important for me and not just for him. It’s been a year since she graduated from college but he still couldn’t find another student to guide and I had to take that job as he needs time to get over from being Mihira’s mentor.

*Mihira Pov*

“It’s been so long and everyone changed so much.” I mumbled staring at them.

“Just a year, Mihira.” Kavitha pointed out while passing the cooldrink bottle to my hands so that I can pour some into my glass.

“When will your parents return?” Vikesh asked looking at me.

“They went on a trip with his parents. They didn’t want to cancel while scolding me for not telling them ahead and I told them to just enjoy as they will return within two weeks.” I replied and he nodded before glancing at Abhi.

“Two weeks, Abhi! You both have two weeks of freedom.” Vikesh commented and I threw a pillow over his head with the suggestive tone he is using while others laughed.

“Kalyan is going to get married within two months and even Swapnil Sir is going to get married within a week while you are breaking up with your girlfriends without taking a break.” I pointed out glaring at him.

“I think I need to follow Kalyan and just go for an arranged marriage.” He mumbled sighing.

“I feel sad for her already.” I mumbled and he threw back the pillow.

“When will you join for work?” Rekha asked looking at me.

“Tomorrow! Aren’t they too much?” I asked shaking my head.

“By the way, why didn’t you call your boyfriend to join us? I want to meet him and your fiancé, Kalyan.” I added looking at them.

“There is still time and you returned just today.” Rekha said chuckling at my questions.

“Do you like him?” I asked her smiling.

“You see! We are just friends.” She replied folding her arms.

“Even I am friends with my fiancé.” Kalyan joined.

“We both are best friends, Mihira.” Kavitha added holding Rakesh hand.

“I need to find a friend soon I think.” Vikesh mumbled while I stared at all of them before glancing at Abhi who is behaving like nothing is happening here.

“I am glad for everyone and please continue to be with your friends forever.” I mumbled glaring at them before reaching for the snacks feeling hungry.

They left my place after some time but Abhi stayed back to help with my luggage as I need to take it to my room.

“What should we do about dinner, Abhi?” I asked him frowning when we finished unpacking everything.

“I will prepare it for you.” He assured me and I stared at him in shock.

“You? Dinner?” I asked to make sure and he sighed looking at me.

“Didn’t Mom tell you that I was learning how to cook near her during this whole year?” He asked and I slowly nodded.

“I am an expert now. Unlike you who still can’t prepare except for normal curries even after learning from her.” He added while I frowned at him.

“I was concentrating on cutting the vegetable.” I pointed out yawning.

“Take a bath and go to sleep. I will wake you up for dinner as I have other things to do.” He mumbled and I nodded while he left my room.

I smiled at his back before following his instructions and was able to drift off into sleep immediately feeling comfortable on the bed I am used to, unlike the ones I slept for a whole year.

“Mihi!” he whispered patting my hand and I slowly opened my eyes to find him standing there with a smile.

“We need to have dinner.” He mumbled and I smiled shifting a bit before patting on the bed.

He stared at me for a second before laying down beside me and I shifted closer to his body while he hugged me back without hesitating anymore.

“I missed you, Abhi.” I mumbled closing my eyes.

“I missed you too.” He whispered rubbing my back like he used to.

“Is everything fine with you?” I asked leaning back and he nodded.

“You know that I will tell you first if something comes out of the check-up.” He pointed out and I know he will.

I trust him to inform me first if anything happens from a small thing to a huge one and he will never break it.

And I already know he will do that not because I am his friend or something else but because it’s me. I smiled hugging him again before we both left my room to have the dinner he just prepared.

“Abhi! You wasted all this time by not cooking.” I scolded him before taking another bite.

“I heard you met my cousin last month.” He mumbled and I nodded at his question.

“Yeah! I even went to the city he is staying as he had to return immediately and visited his restaurant. It’s amazing, Abhi.” I said smiling while he nodded.

“What? Remembering that you wished for me to be with him?” I asked leaning forward and he sighed.

“He teased me saying that he still likes you and wants to try again.” He mumbled and I chuckled hearing those words.

“He is dating someone right now and is completely in love with her.” I explained and he stared at me in surprise.

“Jealous?” I asked to which he shrugged.

“I don’t want to lose my friend.” He mumbled lifting his eyes to stare at me and I stared back until he returned his eyes to the plate and we both finished our dinner silently.

****

“I want to run away.” I mumbled unlocking the door finally returning home after two days.

I can’t believe they are this strict but as we have to deal with the security issues I understand. Still, I am tired and I really want to run away even though it’s been just a week since I started working.

After reaching my room, I messaged Abhi that I returned home as he asked me to before trying to catch up on the sleep I missed.

“Mihi!” I groaned opening my eyes and found him standing near my bed holding a tray filled with food.

“What are you doing here?” I asked sitting up properly.

“I was waiting for you to return as I know you must have skipped dinner and it’s past midnight.” He mumbled arranging the tray properly before gesturing me to eat.

“I am lucky that you learned how to cook otherwise I would have starved myself.” I mumbled and he chuckled.

“I learned to cook because of you, Mihi. I want to take care of you and I remember that you wish to be with someone who knows how to cook. It was nothing important to me when we were dating first but now I want to do everything that can being the closest candidate you want to spend your whole life with.” He mumbled and I just stared at him hearing those words while feeling each word struck on my heart.

“You had dinner?” I asked and he nodded smiling before I finished everything he prepared and left the room to place them in the kitchen.

I returned to my room and stood near the door while he is taking the things I threw on the bed to place them properly on the table and I calmly entered the washroom without saying a word.

When I returned, he smiled at me while saying he will go now as it’s late and will prepare breakfast for us tomorrow as it’s weekend and he need not go to work but in the evening we need to go for Sir’s marriage together with our friends.

“Abhi!” I called him before he can walk towards the door and slowly approached him.

“What is it? Is something wrong?” he asked frowning.

“Can you forgive me for being stupid?” I asked clearing my throat.

“What?” he asked in a confused tone.

“I love you, Abhi. I love you so much and it’s stupid to think I want to be just your friend. I got lost myself into the worries and decided that approach. So, will you forgive me?” I asked placing my hands over his cheeks while he just stared at me.

“What?” he asked after a few seconds.

“I love you!” I whispered pecking his lips.

“Be my boyfriend!” I added pecking his lips again.

“And a lover!” this time when I reached to peck his lips, he finally reacted before pulling me into his arms and kissed me with full force.

“I love you!” he whispered between his kisses and he sat down on the bed without stopping to kiss me but pulled me with his body and made me sit on his lap.

“You are sure, right?” He asked holding my face while I held on to him so that I will not fall right now.

“Yes! Let’s stop pretending to be just friends as I know we never acted just as friends all this time.” I replied and he smiled before kissing me again and pressed kisses over my jaw while caressing my back with his hands.

I bit my lip not knowing how to react as I don’t want to push him away but I don’t know whether we should be doing this right now.

“Don’t worry!” he whispered looking at my expression before turning me around so that we both can lay down on the bed properly.

“I will stay here? Is it fine?” he asked holding me in his arms without letting me go and I nodded smiling.

****

“The friends are here.” Vikesh commented when we reached the vehicle they hired to go to the marriage ceremony as we need to go to another town.

“He is my boyfriend!” I mumbled sitting properly and everyone stayed silent after hearing that.

“Finally! God! I thought I will be old before that happens.” Kavitha commented and I glared at her.

“Here!” Rekha mumbled adjusting my attire a bit before gesturing my neck.

“It is not covering at all.” I mumbled and she chuckled taking out a foundation pack before applying a bit there while everyone asked Abhi about who is the first one to propose.

“It’s me!” I replied and they stared at me with surprised looks.

“Poor Abhi! He finally passed the test and can be a boyfriend now.” Rakesh teased him.

“By the way, Vikesh is going to an arranged date tomorrow.” Kalyan commented changing the topic when I pleaded with him.

“He called me to ask the tips yesterday. So, let’s send positive energy to him.” He added and we all laughed hearing those words.

“I shouldn’t have called you.” Vikesh mumbled and I smiled leaning back.

After we reached the venue, Sir messaged me to bring everyone to his side where he is getting ready and we all went there.

“Feeling nervous, Sir?” I asked looking at his expression.

“No! Why would I?” he asked clearing his throat and I smiled looking at him.

The ceremony was simple but very special to look at. He kept on looking at us in between making us chuckle a bit but it felt too emotional when he introduced me to everyone as his favorite student. This feels too special and I missed seeing them like this. I hope we can be like this all the time and just be there for each other.

“I need my name to be used for your first child.” I stated while congratulating them.

“You are enough for us and we don’t want part 2 of you.” That’s what he commented making me glare at him but I felt tears in my eyes.

“Don’t cry!” Abhi whispered from my side and I controlled my best but ended up crying after returning home.

“You wanted this, Mihi.” Abhi mumbled while chuckling at my crying.

“I know! I feel happy.” I explained and stopped crying after a few minutes.

He shook his head while helping me to remove the jewelry I had to use today before turning towards me.

“You need not got to the office tomorrow, right?” I asked placing my hands on his shirt buttons before removing them.

“No!” he mumbled while removing the braid from my hair.

“Then can you stay here for today also?” I asked looking at his face.

“Sure! But I need my reward.” He whispered shrugging while passing his fingers through my hair.

“Okay!” I mumbled opening my arms and he smiled leaning forward while placing his arms over my waist to push me back on the bed.