Destined to be (Completed)

Part 21

It took them a long time to reach the picnic spot. The place was situated in the lap of nature, surrounded with lush greenery as far as vision could reach. Flanked by mountain on all three sides, the spot was a visual treat for nature lovers. 

Since Prachi was an ardent lover of nature, as soon as she disembarked from the bus, she walked a few feet away and twirled around, taking in the beauty of the spot. 

Ranbir smiled lovingly seeing her so happy and playful. He made his way towards her.

"This is so beautiful, isn't it?" Prachi gushed.

"Yes, very beautiful. I have known since forever." Ranbir was staring at the enchanting beauty in front of him and not the surroundings.

"Since forever? Have you come here before then?" Prachi frowned slightly as his words and the tone in which he said them bemused her.

"Come where before?" Now it was Ranbir's turn to be puzzled.

"Ranbir! Just now you said that you have known this place is beautiful since forever. What was that?" Prachi rounded on him.

"This place? Who was talking about this place?" Ranbir rolled his eyes.

"Then what were you talking about? I was talking about the beauty of this place." Prachi stared at him with innocent confusion clouding her beautiful eyes.

"And I was talking about the beauty of the girl standing right in front of me at the moment." Ranbir smiled.

The cloud of confusion dissipated from her eyes only to be replaced with shyness as she looked down and then away. A hoarse voice made her turn around and her eyes met the hilarious scene of one of their lady professors taking a boy to task. With a mischievous smirk, Prachi turned around.

"Ranbir, you never said. I didn't know that..." Prachi trailed away deliberately.

"Never said what? You didn't know what? What are you talking about?" Ranbir looked at her, befuddled.

"That you find our professor, Mrs. Mehta, so beautiful. Her husband is national champion in boxing you know. Just a word of warning. Not someone to mess with." Prachi shrugged innocently, her lips twitching.

It took Ranbir a second to realize that she was teasing him. He narrowed his eyes.

"Then I am fortunate that the girl I was actually talking about isn't committed. Don't you think so?" Ranbir smirked.

"And what if she does have a boyfriend?" Prachi challenged playfully.

"Then I am ready to mess with him anytime, no matter how powerful he is. I am ready to fight the whole world only to have her by my side." Ranbir's eyes displayed a strange determination.

Prachi stared at him in silence. Her playfulness was replaced by a myriad of emotions swirling in her eyes and chasing each other on her visage.

"You really mean that, don't you?" Prachi asked quietly.

"I do." Ranbir's words sounded very much like a vow, which it probably was.

Sudden hurried footsteps made them look around and the scenario that met their eyes made them chuckle. Dimpy and Saina were walking towards them but as soon as they saw them, especially Ranbir, they immediately changed their direction and walked away, giving them a wide berth.

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Soon, it was time for the arrangements to be made if they were to stay in that place as it was an open plain land in the midst of hills. The students were asked to set up their respective tents in which they would live for the two days of the trip.