Two weeks passed in a blur

Nikunj went back to his hostel but he makes sure to call Nikhila everyday to check whether she's alright or not

Nikhila was not talking until it was necessary and also took her mother's scoldings silently but her father retorted at her mother's comments supporting her silently which leads to their arguments at the end of the day

Anitha and Deepika also decided that they'll be staying in Deepika's apartment near the university

Deepika's parents agreed with this

Anitha's parents also agreed but her grandmother didn't but they didn't care

They both called Nikhila to inform this

"Nikku, our parents agreed to let us stay in my/Deepika's apartment" Both Deepika and Anitha exclaimed happily

"Woww girls that's fantastic" Nikhila voices beam will happiness

"We want you to ask your father too" Anitha and Deepika

"I'll try if he agrees then I'll stay if not I've to stay in hostel" Nikhila says her voice dulls a little

"All the best, Nikku" Anitha and Deepika say softly and hang up the call

Nikhila looks at her mobile and sighs softly. She walks out of the room looking at her parents

Her mother, Nalini is chopping vegetables already and looks frustrated about something she then looks at her father, Naman who was checking his emails from his work

"Papa" Nikhila calls her father her voice is soft and nervous

"What is it, Nikhila" Her father, Naman asked his voice is less stern when compared to other time

"Papa, Anitha and Deepika won't be staying in university hostel" She starts nervously

"So?" He raised his eyebrows in a questioning gaze

"They both are staying in Deepika's apartment near the university so can I stay with them please" Nikhila asks him nervously looking down feeling scared of his reaction

Before Naman can react, Nalini's voice comes "No way you're staying with them. Don't know what they've done since then you're not even listening to us properly" Her tone is angry

"One more word against my friends things won't end good maa. Remember that."

"Tell me when I didn't listen -- just because I chose guitar classes over science projects at the age of seven you're still taunting me for that."

"You taunted me, made me feel guilty like I committed some crime."

"You made me stop playing guitar after your hand injury"

Can I ask you something maa"

Nikhila asks her voice breaks at the end but she doesn't let them notice and matches her mother's intense look

Nalini was taken aback by her daughter's sudden outburst nods silently signalling her to ask the question

"Is your injury an accident or did you deliberately make that happen so that I can stop playing guitar" Nikhila asks sternly

Seeing her questioning gaze Nalini gulps down nervously meanwhile Naman was clearly enjoying his wife's nervousness

"Answer me maa. I've asked you something"

"Fine leave it"

"Tell me when I haven't listened to you since your hand injury"

Nikhila asks her tone sensing resignation from all the drama she has witnessed and faced all her childhood

"You're doing too much and being dramatic. I've every right to decide what's good and bad for you." Nalini retorts back and glares at her

"Fine think as you want" Nikhila says resigning knowing her mother's behaviour. She then looks at her father and asks softly "Papa, Can I stay with Ani and Deep please"

"Yes, you can" Naman replies

"Thank you, papa" Nikhila says softly

"Nikhila" Naman calls her out

"What happened papa" Nikhila asks softly

"Here, take this and buy the things you need" Naman says giving his credit card and gives her the pin written on a stick note

Nikhila nodded gratefully before she utters something her mobile buzzed with her younger brother, Nikunj's call

Her parents stared at her like she was going to cheat on them with another set of parents

"It's Nikunj call" Nikhila says and rushed into her room

She answered the call "I've to tell you something" Nikunj said without any pleasantries

"What is it, Kunj" Nikhila asked him being confused because her brother always starts the conversation with "How are you"

"I had a fight with my seniors" Nikunj confessed

"Why did you get into a fight" Nikhila asked softly making him feel at ease as she knows how he must be feeling -- guilty for breaking the promise he made to her before leaving for the hostel

"Those seniors.. They teased an 8th standard girl because she has a period stain on her skirt. I got angry and hit them. I know I promised you but their teasing made the girl cry" Nikunj said

"I understand they did wrong. What happened next. Did the issue reach the principal" Nikhila asks

"Someone saw and complained to the principal. You know what, Nikku. Everyone saw the seniors teasing the girl but none did dare to come forward to defend her when I did they complained to the principal like I committed some crime" Nikunj says his tone laces pure rage at others

"People like to watch the drama. Everyone wants to be a hero but no one does things like that. What about the principal. What she said" Nikhila sighs and leans back on her bed

"After telling what exactly happened she scolded everyone for staying like statues. Those seniors were suspended till weekend and the girl was sent back to her house as it's her first period" Nikunj says

"Good" Nikhila says and adds "Papa agreed to stay with Ani and Deep"

"Really, congratulations Nikku" Nikunj says like she won some noble prize

"When's your study hours then" Nikhila asks

"No study hours because on Sunday we've foundation day of the school" Nikunj says excitedly

"Fine, enjoy. I've to go out" Nikhila says

"How are you, Nikku" Nikunj asks being concerned about his sister's well being

"I'm fine" Nikhila replies softly

"Okay, bye. Love you, Nikku" Nikunj says and hang up the call

Nikhila sighs softly and goes downstairs. She looks at her father watching TV and her mother cooking dinner muttering something to herself angrily

"Papa, can I go out with Ani and Deep this evening" Nikhila asks

"Yes you can go just try to come back soon" Naman says

"Thank you papa" Nikhila says and goes to her room to get ready

After going to the room, Nikhila called Anitha and Deepika

"Ani, Deep guess what papa has agreed to stay with you both" Nikhila exclaims happily

"That's fantabulous, Nikku. Let's go shopping" Deepika beams excitedly

"That's perfect" Anitha and Nikhila jump in excitement

"What are you wearing then" Deepika asks

"Clothes" Both Anitha and Nikhila say sarcastically

"What clothes. I'm wearing a shirt and jeans" Deepika asks annoying

"I don't know" Nikhila exclaims

"Tshirt and jeans" Anitha says

"Fine then I'll wear a top and jeans" Nikhila says

"Fine then get ready" Anitha says hang up the call

Nikhila takes out a white top and blue jeans gets a quick shower and comes out wearing the chosen outfit

Anitha selected a white oversized tshirt and blue jeans and gets ready quickly

Deepika selected a white shirt and blue jeans and put on the dress quickly

Three of them look dashing in their respective outfits. They inform their parents and come out of their houses. Deepika drives to Anitha's house and picks her up first

"What happened why you look like a sulking kid now" She asked Anitha

"Let's Nikku join. I'll tell you both at once" Anitha says

"As you wish then" Deepika drives her car towards Nikhila's house

As they reach Nikhila's house she was already standing out of the house waiting for them

She hops into the backseat of the car and looks at Anitha who is sulking "What happened, Ani" She asks softly

"You know I'm going to plan a murder" Anitha scoffs feeling frustrated

"Of whom. Your Paati (grandmother)" Nikhila and Deepika retorts

"Exactly why the hell she has to decide what I can wear. I know she's a bit narrow minded but that doesn't mean I've to wear churidar all the time" Anitha says and punched the dashboard hard

"Oye, if you want I'll buy you a punching bag don't punch my dashboard" Deepika says

"What she said now" Nikhila asks Anitha softly

"She's telling me that I should stay home and learn how to cook when I already know how to cook and I shouldn't wear a t-shirt and jeans like it's some kind of murder" Anitha says irritatingly

"Just take this" Deepika says and gives her favourite badam milk

"I lashed out" Nikhila says calmly as if she's discussing some menu in the restaurant

"Ohh... Wait... What did you say -- Did you just lash out" Deepika and Anitha looks at her best friend like she's someone who came from Jupiter

"Yes" Nikhila shrugs nonchalantly

Deepika stops the car abruptly at the mall and parks the car in the parking lot

Both Nikhila and Anitha get down the car and stumble back as Deepika jumps on both of them

"Congratulations, Nikku. You finally proved that you're my best friend" Deepika says being proud and Anitha nods as if agreeing with Deepika has said

Three of them separated as they heard a car honk

"Idiot" Deepika mutters under her breath

"Watch your tongue, Ms. Saviour" A familiar voice makes her turn to the owner of the voice

"Mr. Stranger" The man raised his eyebrows "I mean, Vaishnav" She runs to him and takes Cherry from him and Cherry immediately snuggles into her

"What's happening here" Anitha and Nikhila exclaim in confusion

"Exactly what's happening, bhai" Shashank exclaims coming to him

"Shashank/Anitha" Anitha and Shashank exclaims looking at each other

"What the hell is happening here" Nikhila asks sitting on the car bonnet feeling utterly irritated by the sudden meeting

"He's the one who saved me in the temple" Anitha says softly

"She's the one who saved me from the getting hit by truck" Vaishnav adds looking at Deepika playing with Cherry

"Gentleman, I'm Nikhila Chaturvedi, kindly introduce yourself" Nikhila says clearing her throat

"Subhash Agnihotri here" Subhash joined Shashank and Vaishnav. He immediately gets shocked seeing Nikhila by composed himself

"Myself Shashank Agnihotri" Shashank says

"Myself Anitha Nair" Anitha says

Everyone looks at Vaishnav and Deepika who are busy playing with Cherry

Subhash clears his throat roughly making them know his presence

Vaishnav and Deepika looked at everyone and smiled sheepishly

"We're sorry" They both said at the same time

"I'm Vaishnav Raichand" Vaishnav says playfully

"I'm Deepika Mehta" Deepika says

Everyone nods but Nikhila accidentally steps back feeling scared of seeing Cherry and Subhash held her arm and steadies her

"Calm down" He whispers softly which made her nod immediately

Shashank and Anitha looked at them in shock as if the ghost had fallen on them

"Since when bhai started speaking softly" Shashank whispers in low voice

"Since when Nikku started listening to boys" Anitha whispers in the same voice

Both looked at each other and confusion clearly etched on their faces

"Are we going to stay here all evening" Subhash asks getting annoyed

"Let's go" Vaishnav says and walks with Subhash and Shashank

Nikhila, Anitha and Deepika too entered inside the mall and started browsing the clothes

Nikhila and Anitha were searching for tshirts and looked clearly annoyed by the sizes

"Let's go to the men's section and take the small size" Nikhila suggests

"That's cool but what if people watch then" Anitha asks

"They're not paying our bill, Ani. So don't worry. Let's go and take something" Nikhila says texting Deepika about going to the men's section

Both go to the men's section and select five tshirts

Nikhila walks towards Anitha but bumps into Subhash

"I'm sorry" She says clutching the tshirts

"What are you doing here" He asks softly

"Shopping" She says causally

"In the men's section" He asks her

"Yeah. Why can't I shop here" She says

"Nikku, how are these" Anitha comes holding the tshirt she chose and looks at them

"Bhai, how are these" Shashank comes holding the shirts he chose and looks at them

"Perfect" Subhash and Nikhila exclaim at Shashank and Anitha who stood side by side but didn't notice each other

"What happened to you both" Shashank and Anitha ask at the same time and look at each other

Everyone turned back hearing familiar voices hitting their ears

"I saw this first" Deepika says

"I selected this first" Vaishanav remarks

"Whatever I'll take it" Deepika says

"No I'll take" Vaishnav says

Cherry darts her eyes between Vaishnav and Deepika cutely

Anitha and Shashank clearly enjoy the banter between them

Meanwhile Subhash looks annoyed and Nikhila face palms internally

Anitha silently went to them and snatched the tshirt from them before they both tear the poor tshirt with their tug of war

"Why you both are fighting like kids" Subhash asks sternly

Vaishnav and Deepika look like they both were caught by their strict father while doing some mischief thing

"We're sorry" They both say at the same time

"You can find another tshirt of the same pattern right" Anitha remarks

"This is the last one" Deepika pouts

"No one is getting this" Nikhila says

"Yeah, both of you aren't going to buy this tshirt" Shashank says

"Why" Both Vaishnav and Deepika exclaims which makes everyone glare at them both which made them nod like obedient kids

"Let's finish it quick" Subhash says and walks towards the sneakers area

Nikhila goes downstairs and takes some jeans, kurtis and plazo

Anitha takes some shirts and kurtis

Deepika takes some jeans and shirts

Subhash, Vaishnav and Shashank buy some shirts, jeans and three pairs of sneakers too

Everyone pays their bill and goes to the exit of the shop

"What next" Deepika asks

"Go home, eat and sleep" Nikhila says nonchalantly

"Why soon it's just 7.30 pm. Why so rush" Subhash asks her curiously

"N... Nothing much just my parents are waiting for me" Nikhila says nervously but was scared internally as she lashed out at her mother and her mother gets another reason to be mad at her

Anitha and Deepika understand her inner turmoil

"It's fine" They whispered to Nikhila softly and made her feel at ease

"Let's go to the food court. I'm so hungry" Vaishnav says diverting everyone

"You and your love for junk food. It's never ending" Subhash and Shashank exclaims dramatically making everyone laugh

Nikhila flinches back as Cherry licks her arm and pats her back to control herself

Deepika looks at her flinch and takes Cherry from Vaishnav and adds "She's afraid of pets"

The men nod at Deepika understandingly

"It's cute but I'm scared of pets" Nikhila says softly

Anitha rubs her shoulder softly and adds "It's fine, Nikku. Let's go and eat something"

Nikhila nods and asks Subhash, Shashank and Vaishnav "Will you three join us or do you have any other plans"

Three of them look at each other and nod "We don't have any plans. Let's go. I'm damn hungry" Vaishnav exclaims dramatically

"Your hunger will never die" Deepika and Subhash retorts at him

"Why are you teasing my bhai" Nikhila asks looking at both of them

"Wait... What -- when did he become your bhai" Deepika asks looking at her best friend in shock

"See I don't have an older brother so can I call you bhai" Nikhila asks Vaishnav and adds "Only if you're comfortable with that"

Vaishnav goes to Nikhila and gives her a brotherly hug "From today, you're my younger sister no matter what others say. Okay" He asks her softly

Nikhila nods and Anitha asks "What about me then. I too never had an older brother"

"Fine you're also my younger sister now" Vaishnav says joining Anitha in the group hug

"So can I call you Anna" Anitha asks him

"What's Anna now" Vaishnav asks looking at Anitha in confusion

"Anna means older brother in Tamil" Anitha says confirming his doubt

"So you're from Tamilnadu" Shashank exclaims while walking towards the food court

"Yupp but shifted to Mumbai when I was two years old" Anitha says

"Ohh okay" Shashank says

"Let's order something" Deepika says

"I'll have a chicken pizza" Vaishnav says

"I'll have pasta" Subhash says

"I'll have double egg noodles" Anitha says

"I'll have a chicken roll" Nikhila says

"You and your obsession with chicken anyways I'll have a chicken burger" Deepika says

"I'll have chicken noodles" Shashank says

Everyone gives their orders and waits for their orders to get ready

"So what you three are doing" Vaishnav asks the girls

"Going to join the college from the next Monday" Anitha says

"Which college" Shashank asks

"St. Xavier's" Nikhila says

"Which branch" Subhash asks

"Computer science" Deepika says

"I'll go and bring the food" Deepika says giving Cherry to Vaishnav

"I'll also come" Anitha says and both went to the counter

"What about you three" Nikhila asks the men

"You'll find out soon" Subhash says shrugging his shoulder

"Are you working as professors or what" Nikhila blurts out which makes the men eyes go wide with her blunt guess

"How did you guess" Vaishnav exclaims and Shashank stomps his foot under table

"It's a wild guess. Are you really working as professors" Nikhila asks suspiciously

That's it for now... 

Guess what they answered... 

As mentioned in the introduction Nikhila can be deadly when the matter is about her loved ones that's the reason she lashed out at her mother

You'll see more of her boldness or whatever you say in future chapters

She's also scared of pets no matter how big or small they're

Many people still tease and watch silently if a girl gets periods they still treat it as taboo... I don't say everyone gets into fights like Nikunj but if the bullies won't listen then there's nothing wrong in fighting with those people

But what's the gain for saying something to foolish people it's only our loss we'll be tired that's it

Anitha's grandmother (Arundhati) she's so strict and traditional like in 1970s and 1980s so she never lets Anitha and Ashitha do what anything they like but the sisters they don't even care

Kindly ignore the grammatical mistakes...

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Love you all 💖💖💖