Maurvi's POV

" Ok, now tell me exactly what they did? Maurvi, I can help you and her but only if I know everything, please tell me. I want to understand the whole situation then only I will be able to come out with a good solution. "

" We were about to buy tickets when Naman came there with his 6 friends and told Prachi that they also wanted to watch the movie but they didn't have a single rupee. That stupid girl bought tickets and snacks for everyone. She asked me if I had money? Which ofcourse, I had. I said I have money only for my ticket and snacks. But that Naman was smirking at me. I could not take it anymore and came back. He is taking advantage of her good nature. I can't see my friend falling in a ditch, right in front of me."

" But if they did not have money, why did they go to see movie? "

" I don't know, I said the same to her but she just bought 7 tickets for them as well. You tell me how can a 27 year old man do that? Doesn't he have a self respect? I would never do that. Imagine none of the 7 of them had money. It is not about money. I am scared that he is taking advantage of her. He seemed to have control over her. "

" I can just think of only one reason of him doing so. He must have been showing off to his friends that a girl is so crazy about him that she ready to pay anything. " he said

" Yes, I was thinking exactly that.  What could be the other reason? "

" Ok listen just calm down. Let's go and eat something, I am really hungry. "

" No, please I don't want to go, if you want to eat something, I will make something for you. "

" No, I want to go out with my girlfriend, why are you having a problem?  Are you jealous? "

" What? You are confusing me." I said and he calmly held my hand and said, " Let's just go somewhere. "

" Ok, where are we going ? "

" Somewhere, calm and nice where we can relax. "

" Great, do I need to change for where we are going? "

" No sweetheart you are perfect for that. "

We had to go for a long drive to reach there. It was a picnic spot with an artificial lake and lots of trees. And a beautiful path was made for people to stroll and some beautiful settings for those who wanted to sit and enjoy nature. It was a lovely place, I loved it.

We bought something to eat,  took a walk for some time then sat down at a beautiful serene place.

" Wow!! it is a nice place. Thanks for bringing me here. I am loving it. "

" Welcome, I also like this place a lot. Let's eat now, I am really very hungry."

" Me too. But this place is amazing. "

We kept sitting there, enjoying each other for company. He told me some of his childhood and college stories and then I shared mine. We laughed at them together. Then all of a sudden he became a bit serious.

" Maurvi did you never fell in love? " he was looking at me.

Why did he ask that?

" No... And you? " I asked him.

" Not till now? "

Thank God he said that.

" How many crushes have you had? "

" Don't know, never counted , let me count now......I think 5. How about you. "

" Just 2,  the first one was not a crush actually.. A guy in my class had some kind of feelings for me. He never said anything to me but even a blind could see that. He was just very protective.  He was a nice boy. I started liking him gradually.  "

" So what happened ? "

"  What was supposed to happen? We were just 14 at that time. Then dad got posted somewhere  else. "

" Second one? " he asked the question which I would not like to answer.

Oh no... Please don't ask that.

" I would rather not talk about it.. "

" Someone in your class? "

" No , let us not talk about it please. "

" You still have a crush on him"

" Hmmm ... I think so? " I said and his Adam apple moved.

" At least tell me what you like in him. Is he very handsome? Someone your age? "

" He is elder then me... "

" I hope he is not Naman " he said and I closed my eyes with disgust.

" Do you know swimming? " I asked him.

" What?? "

" Tell me, do you know swimming?

" Yes why? "

" Because I want to push you in that water for asking that question. I don't want you to drown though. I swear, I never had any kind of feelings for him and now I literally hate him. He is not my type. He doesn't have a single quality which may appeal to me. Infact he is just the exact opposite. "

" Ok, but if you push me in water, I will hold your hand when you push me. We both will fall in water. "

" But I can't swim. I will drown." I smiled at him.

" I will save you. I can't let you drown.  But first you tell me his qualities."

Oh God what do I do now? He is really after my crush. I tried to change the subject but he comes back to it..

" He is elder than me , though I don't care much about the looks but he is quite handsome, smart, intelligent, mature, caring, independent, dependable. "

" So does he know about it? "

" No.. "

" But why? You must tell him. "

" No .. Let's talk about something else. "

" Are you in love with him? "

" I don't think so... What about you? "

" Well don't know... I have never been in love. But recently, I have been feeling that I may fall for someone. "

Oh shit no....

" What is she like? "

" She is tall, beautiful, bubbly, sweet, innocent, witty.... "

Oh god!! so many qualities, I can never compete with her.

" Oh! So did you tell her ? "

" Not till now. "

" Why ?? "

" I am scared that she might get angry with me. "

" But why would she get angry? She must be mad if does that. You must tell her. "

"  May be the same reason you are not telling him. "

" I think we must go now. It was a  beautiful place. I loved it. I would love to come here again. "

" Hmmm sure. "

We were coming back and the FM on his radio was playing the song

Yeh Lamhe, yeh pal hum

Barson yaad karenge.

Yeh mausam  chale gaye to

Hum fariyaad karenge.

I kept looking out of the window. I could cry at the drop of the hat. He said he may fall for someone. I wish it was me. I love each and every minute I spend with him. What would I do when he won't need me to be with him.

I changed the radio station to avoid that thought. But I regretted that. As one of my favourite gazal just started there.

Socha nahin achcha bura

Dekha suna Kutch bhi nahin,

Maanga khuda se raat din

Tere siva Kutch bhi nahin.

Dekha tujhe, socha tujhe

Chaha tujhe, Pooja tujhe

Meri khata, meri wafa

Teri khata Kutch bhi nahin

Maanga khuda se raat din

Tere siva Kutch bhi nahin.

Ek shaam ki dahleez per

Baithe rahe woh der tak

Aankhon se ki batain bahut

Moonh se kaha Kutch bhi nahin

Maanga khuda se raat din

Tere siva Kutch bhi nahin.

Jis per hamari aankh ne

Moti lutaye raat bhar

Bheja wohi kagaz tujhe

Hamne likha Kutch bhi nahin

Maanga khuda se raat din

Tere siva Kutch bhi nahin.

This was the last straw and I could not control my tears... They started flowing non stop. He stopped the car abruptly.

" Oh God !! Maurvi why are you crying? What happened ? Did I say something? Please stop crying. "

" Oh I just  became emotional after hearing that gazal. I am sorry. I am an emotional fool. " I tried to Smile.

"No you are extremely sweet and the gazal was beautiful.  What is bothering you? Any person would be happy to have you in his life. He has to be an idiot if he doesn't like you. Please don't cry. " he said so sweetly that I smiled. I was falling...

Gautam's POV

I was feeling bad since we came back from that beautiful place. It has been three days and I am trying to avoid her.

Her parents had called that day when we came back. They must have called earlier at their residence phone number. She didn't pick up as she was not there. She told them that we had gone to eat out. Her parents requested me to take very good care.

" Hello, Gautam Beta... how are you and your parents? Beta thanks a lot, to you for taking care of her in our absence. Though She is young and naive, yet we are not so worried about her as you are so mature and responsible. God bless you. " Her dad said to me. I was feeling very guilty about it since then, as they trust me so much with their daughter and I was developing some kind of feelings for her while she had a crush on someone else.

I was so confused and irritated as I didn't know how to behave.

Should I stay away from her? But how and why??

What would she say if she gets to know my growing feelings for her? What would her parents or my parents would react?

I just couldn't stop thinking about her. I always thought her as a child. But no, she is a young girl.

I wish she had a crush on me. I also have most of the qualities she said that he possesses. I can't stop thinking about her. Vikram likes Sandhya and is fighting to have her in his life, though she hates him. Maurvi doesn't hate me atleast, I need to win her heart too.

I was still thinking about all this when my doorbell rang. I opened the door and saw that the helper who comes to do work for Maurvi on alternate days was standing there.

" Yes "

" Bhaiya ji aap didi ki gaadi ko dekh lenge, start nahin ho rahi." ( Can you please come and check Maurvi's car. It is not getting started. )

" Ok main aata hoon. Aap chalo." ( Ok you go. I am coming. )

I went out and looked towards her car. She was there... my feet got rooted to ground. My mouth opened and my jaw must have touched the ground. She was looking absolutely stunning in a beautiful saree. Her saree accentuated every curve of her body. She was definitely not a child. She looked so elegant, classy, hot and... Out of the world.

Where was she going dressed like that? I can't let her go alone. Her long, black, straight hair reached till her lower waist. Her eyes looked more beautiful adorned with liner. Her lips were painted and were drawing my attention towards them.

No Gautam, don't even think about them...

" Hi, can you please, have a look at it. It is not getting started. " I heard her saying to me and I came back to my senses.

" Yyya s-sure. Are you going somewhere? You are looking very .... different today. "

How stupid me saying are you going somewhere.... Of course she is. Looking different?? I am definitely losing touch or going crazy about this sultry beauty. She can't go alone, what if she meets her crush? What if he propose to her? I can't let her go alone.

" Yes... We have our farewell today I am getting late and this stupid car is not getting started."

I love this car of yours sweetheart.

" Oh it will take time to check it. Come, I will drop you. " I said looking at her beautiful face. She was wearing a beautiful and delicate diamond pendant set.

She looked more like a beautiful young woman. She was not looking like a child.

Shut up, idiot... stop saying that you already said that 3 times.

Yes but she is a woman not a child.

4 times. Idiot.

" No, but how would I come back? Please look at the car. " I opened the car to check it and closed it again.

" Maurvi, it will take time. I will drop you there and then get it done. Then just give me a call when you are free, I will come to pick you up. "

" You are not going to hospital today?"

" No, I have an off today. Now come with me. " I got my keys and took out my car.

She sat in my car and a very pleasant and light floral fragrance filled the car. Oh god please keep me sane.

" So who all would be there?"

" All the girls from my college and lecturers. Why are you asking? "

" That's all ?? Wow !! thank God. I mean that's good. "

" What is so good about it? " She asked.

" Let it be.. "

" Just give me a call when you are free. " She nodded.

I drove out of her college but remained nearby. Why am I behaving like an obsessed man? I parked my car in a parking and went to have coffee in a coffee shop.

I took a sip and went down the memory lane. All the moments were coming to my mind when I felt a tug towards her. The way she smiles, can brighten up anyone's day. The way she looks downwards when she blushes, when she tries to hide her smile and press her lips, Her banters with her sister, Her smart answers to my dad's funny jokes or questions, When her black beautiful eyes sparkle with a mischief, everything was driving me crazy.

On a diwali, I was lighting diyas ( earthen lamps) at my place. And saw her holding a big thali ( platter) full of lit diyas. She was placing them on the edge of her terrace. I could not take my eyes off her. She was looking like a young goddess with the heavenly glow on her face. Her beautiful hair framing her angelic face and a cute diamond bindi sparkling between her perfect eyebrows drawing my attention to her, though she was totally oblivious of the fact that I was also there.

I kept ogling her and realised that when all of a sudden her father came out of the house and wished happy diwali to me. I was talking to him but my eyes kept going towards her. Then she saw me talking to her father and smiled at me. That smile haunted me for months.

She was looking so pretty but, was like a forbidden fruit for me. I felt guilty for having such feelings for her. She was just a child as compared to me, as at that time she was 18 and I was 24. I avoided looking at her for days. I thought that I suppressed my feelings for her.

When I saw her talking to her friend Prachi that day and came to about her whole situation, I was tempted to act as her fake boyfriend. I knew it would solve that problem of hers and one of my problems. But in my heart I knew that I was inviting trouble. My suppressed feelings were coming back.

All I could think is about her. I loved it when she scolded me for letting Aditi hold my hand. She looked possessive over me. I loved the way she threatened Aditi to keep her hands off me. How I wished it was really. Then she ran away towards outside and when I followed her, I saw her shaking. She was laughing so hard. I could not resist kissing her on her cheek at least....

I was falling for her but she had a serious crush on someone. I swear I want to punch that stupid someone. He seemed to be good as per her description, he could get any girl... But must not be my Maurvi.... God you can't do that to me. I want her...

My phone buzzed and I looked at the number. It was Maurvi, I picked up the call.

" Hi, can you please come and pick me as I can't take lift from Prachi as Naman is here to pick her. "

" What?? I will be there in 5 minutes. Please don't talk to him. Just go inside. Don't be anywhere near him, just be with some lecturer. " I said to her.

" Yes, I didn't go outside when I saw him. Don't worry just come. " she sounded as if she was about to cry.

I started my car and drove to her college. he can't be there while I am not. He proposed her once, he must not look at her today.