Shubh's POV

I was feeling bad from within, I could not sleep a wink for the whole night. I was upset with what happened, kept thinking about the events of the day.

I was watching over both girls doing shopping. And after they did shopping to their heart's content, we went to the food court of that mall.

All of a sudden, I realised that Sandy would be getting married soon and then she would go away. I had always been a bit introvert. I couldn't get comfortable easily with others. Sandy was my first cousin but I always treated her my real sister.

I always took care of her. She used to complain that I was overprotective but I didn't bother. I knew I was, but I had to take care of her. I loved her a lot and didn't want her to face any problem.

But now she was getting married. I won't have to take care of her, Vikram Ji would be there for her. But I would miss taking care of her.  I was getting very sad and emotional.

Then that idiot man irritated me, somehow, I feel that I knew him. I had seen him somewhere but could not recollect. He was flirting with Vidhi. I wanted to break his jaw, but Vidhi said that he was not flirting. And even if he was, she could handle it.

I got so irritated and frustrated, I wanted to come back as soon as Vikram Ji came there, but he insisted that I stay.

I didn't want to create a scene and hurt him and Sandy. I didn't want to talk to anyone and I came here.

I was irritated with myself. Was I overreacting? That man was flirting with her and I could not take it lightly.

She smiled back at him and said he was so cute and cool. I was getting uneasy. I couldn't see her smiling at him.

What was happening to me??

Just then someone knocked on my door. I opened to see Vidhi standing there with a serious expression on her face.

" Yes ?? " I said. Though I knew why she had come.

" Shubh, I am really sorry. I didn't want to hurt or annoy you. "  She said.

" I am fine... Please don't bother. " I said somewhat rudely. I just wanted her to go away.

" I am going back home tomorrow... " She said.

I felt some kind of tightness in my chest. But I kept my face expressionless.

" Ok, have a nice journey. Bye, good night. " I said and closed the door.

I was feeling very bad, but I had to stop myself from getting too involved with Vidhi. We were different from each other. I wouldn't understand her point of view and she wouldn't understand me.

She was very friendly even with strangers. I went mad with rage. As it is she was forbidden for me. I should not nurture my feelings for her. There was no future for us, so it was better that I should finish it right now.

We were not meant for each other.

******

Next day, Mamaji and Mamiji were going back to Jodhpur. Vikram Ji came to drop Vidhi so that she could go back as well. I was comfortable that she didn't have to go alone.

I tried not to look at her or feel

anything for her. She smiled at everyone, even hugged my mom and Sandhya but didn't even look at me once. She went away with them.

I felt disappointed when she did not even look at me. I was feeling sorry for being so rude. She looked hurt, but I guess this was better than more severe pain in the heart.

Vidhi's POV

It has been around 15 days since I came back. Holi was in 2 days and  as Bhai was planning to have a Holi party, so I came to Delhi.

I had always loved holi, so I was very excited about it. Even my best friend Shruti was in Delhi at that time, so she said that she would come to this party. She stayed the day before Holi with me.

We did all the arrangements with Bhai. I was over-excited for holi. Though bhai's wedding was within 10 days I was not bothered about my skin and all. I was not the bride. So I had planned to chill and enjoy.

We reached the place where the party was organised.  There were three very big kids pool which were filled with different coloured water. Big platters, which were full of all colours of Gulal,  were placed everywhere. All kind of finger food and traditional holi snacks were available.

The whole atmosphere was filled with holi feel. Most famous Holi songs were flowing in the air.

Sandhya bhabhi and Shubh reached shortly. I had already decided to ignore Shubh. So I went near them and hugged bhabhi.

She was delighted to see me. But she said she didn't want to play Holi. As she is not very fond of playing Holi. Moreover, her pre-bridal beauty sessions are on and as the marriage is in 10 days she didn't want to take any risk with her skin.

I introduced her to Shruti. Bhabhi was very happy to meet her and told us to enjoy.

She was standing with my Bhai and that arrogant man. I was feeling very bad for my Bhai as he loved playing Holi just like me but he could not play with bhabhi and could not even get romantic as her brother was standing there.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw that he was looking at me. But I would not give him a single look. He was very rude to me.

Just then we saw Gautam Bhai coming with his younger brother, Siddharth and 3 more people. They were coming to the party. One of the girls seemed to be Gautam Bhai's girlfriend as he was holding her hand possessively. She was very pretty and cute.

Bhai hugged him very hard and smiled at Gautam Bhai's girlfriend and wished her happy Holi. She smiled at him and applied colour on his face. He did the same and then side hugged her and placed a kissed on her head and whispered something. She nodded and smiled at him.

She then hugged and applied a small dot of colour on  Sandhya Bhabhi's face as she didn't want any colour on her.

Sid applied lots of colour on Vikram bhai's face and he smiled at Sid. We used to play together as children in vacations. So they were like friends.

Another girl who had come with Gautam Bhai and Sid got a small bucket full of green water and threw it on them. Sid laughed and snatched the bucket from her and went to refill it. Who was she?? Was she Sid's girlfriend??

Maybe not... The other man who came with them was being over-possessive about her.

We all looked like small kids who were given a chance to experience the world of colours. We all looked colourful.

I again looked at Shubh, he was standing there with bhabhi, but his eyes kept following me. He was frowning at us.

Idiot...  He didn't even know how to enjoy.

I threw green water on Sid, he laughed and applied colour on my face and hugged me. He was 3 years older than me and was a good friend of mine, more like a brother.

I wanted him to meet all my friends and cousins but I could not find them.

Sid threw a bucket full of purple water on Gautam Bhai and laughed at his expression. He ran after Sid and Sid was running ahead with full speed when he collided with someone and they both lost their balance and fell into the pink coloured water pool.

We all stopped where we were and saw them falling and then they got up unsteadily. They were coughing and then after a minute or so they became normal and took deep breaths.

Oh !!  it was Shruti.

They looked at each other. Both Sid and Shruti looked shocked. She was glaring at Sid and Sid was ogling at her.

" What are you doing here? " Sid asked her.

" Who are you to ask that? Are you following me? Why are you here?  "

" Oh hello, why would I follow you?... "

And they kept arguing with each other like young kids.

She looked as if she wanted to kill  Sid while he looked very amused. I knew he was teasing her.

" Wait for minute guys... What is going on? Chill yaar it is not a battleground. It is a Holi party. Cooldown Shruti...  He is my brother's best friend's brother.  What's wrong with both of you? Do you know each other?" I said.

" Yes," Sid said.

" NO," Shruti said.

What was that???

She pushed him again in water and walked away.

" What was that Sid?? " I asked him?

" Nothing important leave that... let's enjoy the party. " Shruti didn't even look at him while Sid kept looking at her. Something was going on between them. But what ??

He took a fist full of colour and applied it on my face. I smiled and did the same. Then I  dragged him to introduce him to my all friends.

I saw someone glaring at us, he was looking furious.

But why?? What happened to him now?? Anyway... I didn't care.

Shubh's POV

Vikram ji had invited us for the Holi party. I don't like Holi much, but Sandhya had to be here so I had to come with her. 

Vikram Ji was so happy once we reached there. I was surprised to see Vidhi here. I thought she was in Jodhpur.

It seemed that she was still angry with me and she didn't even spare me a look.

As usual, she looked beautiful and full of life. She was friendly to everyone. Especially that guy whom everyone was addressing as Sid.

They were laughing, applied colour and threw coloured water on each other. He even hugged her and still, she was smiling as if nothing happened.

Ugghhh... Why didn't she react?

I was burning inside, I wanted her with me. I wanted to play Holi with her. I wanted her to smile at me as she used to...

But I had planned to stay away from her. I just couldn't tell her my feelings and at the same time, could not even see her with anyone else.

I was going insane... I didn't even know, what I wanted...

I tried to distract my mind away. Sandy asked me to go and play Holi but I refused.

The party was going very well. Everyone was enjoying, playing Holi like kids.

The food was served, Everone was hungry now so we all decided to have food. There were so many dishes and snacks. Thandai, Kanji, juices and soft drinks were being served since the beginning.

Some traditional snacks which are usually eaten on holi like Namakpare, Pakoras, Gujiya, small matar Samosa, Dahi vada, Kanji Wada, Sandwiches etc were also served. Then there were Chhole bhature, Kachori Subji and the regular food. Everyone was eating, the food looked awesome. Even though my favourite food items were here, I could not eat anything.

Vikram Ji and his friends kept teasing each other.

They all had thandai. Vikram Ji came to me and Sandhya and offered it to us. Sandhya just had one. But Vikram Ji made me drink three glasses.

I felt that something was wrong after having that thandai. I was losing control of my mind a bit.

Vidhi's POV

We were engrossed in playing Holi. Gautam Bhai called Sid, he switched on the speakerphone as his face was colourful. " Sid, why don't you come near food stalls, have food and Vikram needs a bit of help from you. "

We went there with my friends and cousins.

" Can you please involve and distract Sandhya's brother, so that Vikram can spend some time with Sandhya? He is sulking. " Gautam Bhai asked Sid and he smiled at Vikram Bhai and nodded.

" Sure Bhai, anything for you," Sid said and we smiled devilishly.

" But you don't know how he is.... he won't come with us easily. " I said.

" We will find some way. " Sid said.

We all went to meet Sandhya bhabhi as Shubh was standing nearby.

Bhai was dying to play Holi with bhabhi but that bodyguard was there. He would not have stopped bhabhi but she was getting shy in his presence.

Gautam Bhai gave bhai an idea to play with plain water as it would not cause any allergy. Bhai was very happy.

I didn't want to talk to Shubh but I wanted Bhai and bhabhi to enjoy this beautiful festival of colours. I asked him to join us. But he frowned and refused.

Irritating, arrogant, frowning man...

Bhai had also come by now. He told Shubh to go and enjoy as he was there with bhabhi now.

I asked him again to join us but he didn't agree. I got annoyed at his arrogance. Sid said, " let it be Vidhi, maybe he is scared of colours or playing Holi. I want to enjoy this festival. Let's play Holi...Hey !! Happy Holi " 

Shubh was glaring at us. Shruti also seemed annoyed...

He applied more colour on my face. I also applied lots of colour on his face.

Shubh was almost panting now. What was his problem? 

He was behaving irritatingly. I caught Sid's hand and pulled him for the dance.

The holi songs were playing and people had started dancing. We started dancing and enjoying.

I didn't know, why I kept thinking about Shubh. I wanted to throw him out of my mind. He was so boring, stubborn and irritating. So I planned to enjoy dancing. I closed my eyes and started enjoying my dance.

All of a sudden I felt a strong arm around my waist. I opened my eyes and saw a furious face of Shubh.

I looked around, Sid was trying to talk to Shruti.

I looked at Shubh again. He pulled me on the other side of the dance area.

" You wanted to play Holi with me? " He asked.

" No, I don't want. Go and guard my bhabhi. That is all you can do. You don't know, how to live life." I said as I was annoyed with him.

" I am here now... " He took me towards a platter of colour and took a fist full of colour.

" I don't want to force you to play Holi. I guess, Sid was right, you are scared of Holi colours. "

" I am not scared of Holi. I am scared of something else. Just don't mess with me, Vidhi. Please... " he said and caught my hand, pulling me closer to him.

Just then I saw Sid, calling me. I nodded. I turned to go but he was still holding my hand. I looked at our joined hands and then at him.

He was looking at me continuously. He pulled me even closer to him and was bending his head towards me. My heartbeat increased manifolds.

" Shubh... My friend is calling me. " I got a bit tensed with his behaviour.

" Don't go ... Please. "

 Was I dreaming??  Someone, please pinch me. I was going to have a heart attack. He was way different than his usual self.

Sid came near me and said, "Vidhi, I need to talk to you. "

" No, get lost before I punch you. " Shubh said to him still looking at me.

What is wrong with him??

"  I need to talk to you. " Shruti also came and said.

" Shruti listen... You can ask her if you want. " Sid was saying to her.

" But I don't want to talk to you. Get lost Dr Jindal. " Shruti glared at him.

He caught her hand and pulled her towards him.

" What is going on? " I asked.

" Nothing... tell him, I don't want to talk to him.  " Shruti said.

" No, tell your friend that I need to talk to her. " Sid said.

" No, I need to talk to her, she is not going anywhere... Go and solve your problem on your own. " Shubh said in an angry mode. He was glaring at Sid.

Sid ignored him and pulled Shruti with him and went away.

Shubh was about to apply colour on me when I held his hand.

" I don't even want to talk to you. Go away... You are so rude and arrogant."  I saw hurt in his eyes.

" So whom do you want to talk to?? That Sid?? " he said clenching his teeth.

" Yes, Of course, I like him. He is cool and funny.  "

" And what about me?? "

" What about you?? "

" Do you like me?? " he asked all of a sudden, looking into my eyes.  I was shocked.

" Shubh !!! " I tried to get away from him but he pulled me by even closer to him.

" Tell me..." he probed me looking into my eyes. He was taking me aside away from others. No one was there as most of the people were either dancing or having lunch.

" Shubh what are you doing??"

" I... Want to be with you," he said looking deeply into my eyes.

" What's wrong with you?? You are behaving strangely. "

" I don't know... But I like you... A lot..."

" What?? "

" Happy Holi !!! "  He said and applied colour or my face and neck. I felt tingles where ever he touched me.

" H.. happy Holi... " I said.

" Just Happy Holi?? Won't you apply colour on me? " He asked me looking into my eyes. His eyes had so many emotions in them. He was being arrogant earlier.

What happened to him all of a sudden?

I took some colour and applied it to his face. His eyes were smiling. He caught my hand in his large rough one and kissed it.

Oh my God !!!

Was I dreaming?? What happened to Shubh?? He was still looking at me lovingly. I was getting lost in his eyes.