" I am Arjun."

" I am Yaazhini," and that's how the story started.

"You should be a little careful, and please get a TT as soon as possible! That too it's all dirty here..;" Yaazhini said as she closed the first-aid box.

" Is it necessary? Just a small cut..." Arjun shrugged.

" Yeah, yeah, it's a small cut, but you see, the Clostridium tetani doesn't discriminate small or big, white or black like us; we are all equal to it. So beta, get yourself a TT!" She said the last verse like a mother. That made him chuckle.

"Sure, I will get it! Thank you anyway." He thanked again.

Alan's and Jeevan's voices ran over her thoughts.

He is arrogant? I don't see any attitude. Huh!

She zoned out for a minute, but her thoughts were broken by Jeevan's voice.

"Yazhu..." he called, as he was behind Arjun.

Arjun blinked at them, not able to understand what was going on there.

" You guys know each other?" Arjun asked, surprised.

"Yeah, we live together," Jeevan said casually.

"Huh? I thought Andrea was your girl friend..."

Andrea hit him on the head slightly.

" You and your choice of words!" She rolled her eyes, while he smiled sheepishly.

Yaazhini laughed and continued, "He meant to say that, we are roommates."

" Oh, I see..." He nodded his head.

"Should we leave? Arjun asked Jeevan, who looked at Yaazhini who was already looking at him suspiciously.

" Oh, yeah. We can!" Jeevan said while Yaazhini interrupted, " Where are you guys going? You were supposed to come with me..." Yazhini whined.

" Yes, you are coming with me, and we are taking him with us!" He declared.

" No offense, Arjun. But Jeevs, why are we taking him?"

"Ahh! Even he wanted to shop for some traditional wear, and he was searching for a company, so I called him!" Jeevan shrugged as he felt Yaazhini's suspicious eyes.

" Okay, then. Let's go! And Alan will kill you if he finds out about this!" She whispered the last part in his ears.

" I just wanted to prove that he isn't bad!" Jeevan whined as he knew the consequences.

" Don't worry, I won't tell him." She laughed as they walked out.

" You came by car?" Jeevan asked Arjun.

"Yeah?" Arjun was unsure.

"Okay, then. Take Yaazhini with you," he said, scratching his head.

" I understand it, man!" Arjun laughed and asked Yaazhini to follow him.

"What are you trying? To be the god of love?" Yaazhini rolled her eyes at him.

"Just make him your friend. That is all!" Jeevan said that and walked to their car.

Here, Arjun ignited the car as she got settled in the passenger seat.

"You know where the shop is?" Yaazhini asked, taking her phone.

"Yeah, I've been to the shop already..."

" That's great!" Yaazhini muttered and started playing with her phone.

"Pal bhar Theher jaao

dil ye sambhal jaaye
kaise tumhe roka karoon
meri taraf aata
har gham phisal jaaye
aankhon mein tumko bharoon,
bin bole baatein tumse karoon,
gar tum saath ho,
agar tum saath ho.."

(TRANSLATION:

stop for a moment,

let this heart get stable
how should I stop you..
every sorrow coming towards me
would slip away..
I'll fill you in my eyes
I'll talk to you without speaking,
if you are with me
if you are with me..)

Yaazhini sang the song silently, but it didn't go unheard by him in the silent environment.

"Wow! You sing beautifully!" Arjun really liked her voice.

" Thank you!" She blinked her eyes.

"Can you please sing a song for me? I loved your voice!" Arjun asked, shocking her.

"What song would you like to hear?" She laughed.

"Do you know Tere Naal?" He was excited.

" Of course!"

" Saans Leti Hoon To
Tera Hi Ehsaas Hota Hai
Ehsaas Hota Hai
Door Hoke Bhi Har Lamha
Tu Mere Paas Hota Hai
Mere Paas Hota Hai

Tere Bin Ek Din Na Ghuzre
Kaise Baetenge Na Jaane Yeh Saal
Hai Dil Ka Yeh Haal

Tere Na....."

Arjun cursed as they were interrupted by a phone call.

" Yeah, Jeevan. We are almost there. Yeah, okay!" Yaazhini ended the call and laughed at his frustrated.

" You just stopped at my favorite part..." He literally whined as he parked the car.

" Haha! I will sing it some other time..." She laughed at him,

"You could just finish the song, you know?" He narrowed his eyes at him.

"But it's kinda fun looking at you like this..." She said smiling.

" Yeah, yeah it would be..."

Then they entered the store and looked for dresses and accessories they wanted. Jeevan and Arjun were selecting theirs, while Andrea and Yaazhini were getting theirs.

AT THE BILL COUNTER:

"What, president, what's special for this Diwali?" Yaazhini asked Arjun, who was in front of her in the queue.

" What special do you need?" Arjun asked as he was billing.

" Well, I asked in general..." Yaazhini shrugged.

" In general, we have an Indian-style party with foods from all over India. We are also going to have fun by dancing and singing, and you are going to sing my favorite song there..." He said that and grinned at her.

" What?! No way! I am not going to do that!" She said, having a horrified look on her face.

After paying for everything, they were ready to leave.

" Can I get your number?" Arjun asked, and then they exchanged their numbers.

Then they left the place in their respective cars.

"It looks like someone has a new friend." Jeevan smirked.

"I really don't know Jeevs, he behaved very normally, like any other person would. I didn't see an ounce of arrogance in him. Uhh, I don't know... But he looks cute, though..." She laughed.

" Yeah, yeah..." Jeevan smiled, and he was relieved that Arjun behaved well with her. Though he knew Arjun wouldn't hurt her, he was still skeptical about it.

Weeks passed with Arjun and Yaazhini's friendship growing. Yaazhini was the childish one, but in their friendship, Arjun was the childish one, as he whined about everything and anything while she pacified the kid in him.

Though Jeevan expected their friendship, he did not expect the closeness they had in these weeks, which he couldn't in these years.

"Yaazhini, I know I was the one who introduced him, but please maintain a distance with him. I am very sorry to say this, but though he is a good man, people around him are not. I am afraid he will hurt you; if something like that happens, I wouldn't be able to face you and especially Alan." He said it in a worried tone.

" Nothing like that is going to happen, Jeevan! I feel he is genuine. With the way he speaks, I think he just needs someone who will love him and pamper him he yearns for it. Don't worry, nothing will go wrong!" She hugged Jeevan, assuring him that nothing bad was going to happen.

" As you say..." He smiled and patted her head.

" Yaaliiiii!" It was Alan, who had just returned from his shift.

The week passed in a ziffy, and it was the day of diwali.

The Diwali morning went with Yaazhini cooking special food, and they enjoyed it and played some games.

Alan was the happiest; it was his first time celebrating Diwali. Yaazhini had given him a dhothi, a shirt, and a kada, while Yaazhini wore a lehenga. He jumped all over the house, posting his pictures on social media as they visited the temple.

(Yaazhini's gift to Alan)

(Yaazhini's lehenga for the morning)

After a very happy morning, Jeevan and Yaazhini got ready for the Diwali party. Jeevan wore his Dhothi shirt, while Yaazhini wore her saree and matching accessories.

" How do I look, Jeevan?" Yaazhini asked as she twirled around.

" You look very pretty." Jeevan pinched her nose.

" Let's go, I am excited!!" Yaazhini excitedly wore her sandals and skipped outside.

Jeevan had a worried expression.

They reached the venue where the party was arranged, as they entered the venue they could smell the ghee.

But Yaazhini's eyes were searching for someone.

"Come, let's go there. I will introduce you some people..." Jeevan dragged to a gang of Indians lauhing and talking about something.

Yaazhini was waiting patiently for Arjun, but she couldn't find him.

"Jeevan, I will go drink some water and will join in a few..." She excused herself and walked aimlessly searching for Arjun.

After a lot of trails she found him, with a group of people.

He looked amazing, as she started walking towards him they had an eye contact, he was awestruck.

(Arjun's outfit)

(Yaazhini's outfit)

As she reached the group, she called him softly.

"Arjun..." Even before he could react, a girl interrupted her.

" Who are you?" The girl asked narrowing her eyes.

" I am his friend!" Yaazhini smiled and tried to touch his hand.

Even before anyone could digest her words and actions the girl pushed Yaazhini's hand, she stumbled a bit but balanced herself.

"You? His friend? I know girls like you, trying to seduce rich men. Have you seen yourself in mirror, you look pathetic in that ugly cheap saree! Arjun would never even look at a cheap girl like you let alone befriend you..." The girl said with a smirk playing on her lips.

Yaazhini tried to take step closer but resulted on the floor as the girl pushed her by her shoulder.

"Arjun, why are you silent?" Yaazhini asked as tears formed in her eyes.

"What does he needs to speak, bitch? Get lost from here. Arjun you don't know her right?" The girl asked Arjun who was looking at Yaazhini.

Yaahini was eagerly waitimg for his answer, she could feel people watching, she was embarrased.

"No, I don't think I've seen her..." Arjun muttered slowly.

************************************

Hello there peopleeee....
I am back, how was your diwali? Mine went in a jiffy.
Sorry for late update, i had already written half just after the exam but couldn't complete. So, here it is.
Hope you enjoyed it!

Please do vote and comment down your thoughts, i will be glad!!

Thank you for reading

Byeeeee