Love could be that strong #YourStoryIndia

Chapter 3

*Unedited*

Rishab and Arnav stood there thinking about who Madhubala and Khushi were. Though Arnav had a notion that Khushi was that stupid girl he met yesterday but Rishab didn't have the faintest idea about who Madhubala was.

Rishab: Look, as I always say mine is life is so filmy. I even get a partner named Madhubala.

Arnav: Well I must say it is indeed a unique name.

Rishab: Of course, the girl has to be special. But the only Madhubala I know is from Mughal-e-Aazam. 

Arnav: We will surely find them in class. As far I know you won't be preparing the assignment at all. Poor girl.

Rishab: Why should I when I have Madhubala (winks) 

Madhu and Khushi also read the list. They too were trying to figure out who this Rishab Kundra and Arnav Singh Raizada were. 

Khushi : Madhu. 

Madhu : hmm...Khushi?

Khushi: Don't take me in the wrong sense but what if this Rishab Kundra is the full name of Rishab - the guy we met yesterday? 

Madhu : (giving her a stern look) NO WAY !! After what we did in Mr. Mehra's class I am sure sir will never put us together. 

Khushi: Maybe you are right.

There was still an hour left for the next class so Madhu and Khushi decided to go to the canteen but soon Khushi was called to reception as the principal sir wanted to have a word with her. When Khushi asked the receptionist she found that the peon mistakenly called her rather than Khushi Kumar. When she was about to step back she heard the receptionist calling Arnav Singh Raizada. So she decided to silently wait in the corner and find out who this Arnav Singh Raizada was. Khushi picked up the newspaper lying there and hid her face behind it. She then heard footsteps coming that way. The receptionist offered him the phone. It seemed as if it was from his family. As soon as that person spoke Khushi felt as if she had heard that voice before but couldn't put a finger to it. Then slowly the person turned around and Khushi went pale. She was thinking about all her misdeeds that must have led to this. 

Madhu was passing by the basketball court when she heard someone yelling " hey Rishab pass the ball man ". So this Rishab Kundra is here busy with basketball. But before Madhu could do something a ball came flying out of nowhere and hit her hard on the head. Being the clumsy person she was, she fell. "Sorry," someone said and offered his hand. She then looked up to see the face of that person. And she realized that the person was none other than the boy who created so much mess yesterday.

Madhu: YOU!!! 

Rishab: Not again, please. I said I am sorry. Are you going to get me detained for this too? 

Madhu stared at him. He was so good-looking and well-toned. She was sure his now sweaty t-shirt was covering some yummy abs. Wait, what!? Why was she thinking like this? She felt a strange feeling every time they met. She was trying hard not to look at him. Madhu was about to walk off but suddenly stopped remembering she had this 'Rishab Kundra' matter at hand. 

Madhu: excuse me, do you know who this Rishab Kundra is?

Rishab : (smirking) You seem to be quite smitten by him. 

Madhu: It's not like that. Tell me if you know him. 

Rishab: Yes of course I know him. He is our friend but a big jerk. I have heard that he has spent the last two years in a mental asylum. 

Rishab loved the lines of worries appearing on Madhu's face. He enjoyed this flustered Madhu.

Madhu : (worried) Is he scary?

Rishab : (pretending to sympathize with her) No it's nothing like that. He has never misbehaved with any girl. Maybe that's because he never got to be alone with any of them. One piece of personal and free advice.

Madhu : (terrified) What?? 

Rishab: Stay away from him. He is very dangerous and doesn't ask anyone about him. You see he hates being talked about.

Madhu : (unsuspectingly) Y-y-yes. 

Khushi planned to quietly sneak out of the reception. She decided to request Mr. Mehra to change her partner as she didn't want to team up with an angry young man like 'him'. But as soon as she was about to leave someone called her. The receptionist yelled her name and for the first time, she wished that she was called anything but Khushi. Arnav instantly turned around and the two froze when they saw each other. 

Receptionist: You are still here?

Khushi : (looking at Arnav) Oh...I...I just came here...because...err...I forgot my bag here. 

Receptionist: You found it? 

Khushi: No. But don't worry I will manage. 

Khushi soon ran outside and went straight to the classroom where she saw a tensed Madhu chewing on her lip. She quickly sat beside her. Soon Arnav and Rishab entered and the class started.

After the lecture

Mr. Mehra: I have decided on partners very carefully. So no one dares ask me to change their partners. Now I want all of you to come and sign this notice saying that you will submit your assignment after two weeks. Also, discuss the book you want to work on. 

Mr. Mehra started calling out their names. After some time he called Arnav Singh Raizada and Khushi Kumari Gupta. Both Arnav and Khushi came forward as Madhu and Rishab gasped. Khushi clearly saw that Arnav was not happy with all this and his expressions were totally showing his discontent over being her partner. But that doesn't matter to her. She reminded herself that she could manage this project on her own. 

Mr. Mehra : (to Arnav) I have seen your previous records and expect the best from you. 

Damn it!!! how could one expect things to be perfect when Khushi was around? 

Finally, he called Madhubala and Rishab Kundra. Madhu was terrified to face that freak but quietly rose from her seat and at the same time Rishab got up. Rishab was shocked when he realized that she was Madhubala.  He never expected her to be Madhubala. But one thing he had to admit -she sure had grace and beauty like her. Madhu felt anger burning inside her when she found that he was the real Rishab. Oh god!! How could she be so stupid enough to believe him? Rishab was first shocked but then he smirked looking at anger burnt face of Madhu. So his prank finally worked and he managed to irritate her. Little did he know that after some time he will be the one who would not be able to see pain or fear in her eyes. As soon as the bell rang Rishab ran outside the class. He knew that Madhu was following him. 

Inside the class

Khushi : Look Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada. None of us is interested to work together but have to. So please ward off these angry looks and behave normally if you want to work with me. 

Arnav: Look who's speaking about behaving normally, the one who herself is abnormal. 

Khushi : Listen you !! (points out her finger) 

Arnav : (grabs her hand and pushes her finger inwards) You listen to me. Come prepared with your topic tomorrow. We need to discuss the book. 

Outside

Madhu: Stop Rishab Kundra!!! Right now!!!

Rishab: Hi Madhubala...ahaan!! 

Madhu : (fuming) Say my name properly or keep your mouth shut if you can't. 

Rishab: Oooh!! anger. Are you always like this? 

Madhu: Shut up!! If you think I am perturbed by your stupid prank then you are wrong. I just came here to tell you to decide on the book. 

Rishab: Doesn't look so to me and by the way, I have already decided on the book on which we are going to prepare our assignment. 

Madhu : (surprised) Already?? which one?? 

Rishab : (winks) Fifty shades of grey. 

Madhu: WHAT??