#23--- Finally!!! ...

Alas! It was Aashritha.

Arjun's heart skipped a beat for a second and then recovered. He was surprised to find the person who didn't attend him when he was sick but appeared when he was fine. Even though his mind bugged him to ask her the reason for her absence all these days, his heart was dignified enough not to hurt her with any of his words. 

He let it be, thinking that, 'why the hell should she come and meet me when I have a leg broken? Is she my lover or what? Stop thinking all this sh**. Go and greet her with a smile.'

He said, "Hey Aashritha, Long time no see? How are you madam?". 

Aashritha was shocked to find him talking to her in a pleasing and sweet tone rather than going all guns blazing on her. She smiled and said," Hey Arjun, how's your leg? I'm sorry, I wasn't available at your place during your times of pain and agony. I guess, you would have cursed me for not even visiting you?"

"It doesn't matter now, I'm perfectly alright. And, by the way, I haven't cursed you. So, how about the coffee that I missed some while ago?" questioned Arjun.
 He was not going to miss any chance of her being with him when she herself has come along with Neeraja to meet him.

"Sure. So you are not cross on me? That's very humble of you to forgive someone who's responsible for your pain". Aashritha wasn't letting Arjun to divert the topic instead she was feeling guilty for not meeting Arjun.

"Okay Nihal, you come along with Neeraja on your bike. I'll be coming with Aashritha. So that you two could also have your own privacy", Arjun was making the situation lighter for everybody present there.

{Aashritha's scooter:

Arjun: You know what's second to the happiness you get when riding your own vehicle?

Aashritha: Naah! You should probably know the answer.

Arjun: It's sitting behind a girl, you like talking to, and having an interesting conversation. That should be it coz this situation now has made me to have butterflies in my stomach.

Aashritha: Hehehe. I too feel the same each and every time I talk to you.

}

{CAFE- Neatly seated and waiting for their respective coffee...

Aashritha: Hey both of you are cordially invited to our college's fest being conducted by us. I'm gonna kill you guys if you're not available that day. I've got special surprise for you, Arjun.

Arjun: Sure then, I won't be missing the surprise, no matter what Nihal has to say.

Neeraja: Okay then. Let's meet up again on that day. It's getting late, my parents go crazy at me if I get 

Arjun: Ok then, That's fine buddy. You guys leave. And I promise you we'll be there for your fest and more importantly for your surprise Aashritha.

Aashritha: I won't be talking to you, if you are gonna break the promise. Mind You Arjun.

"Ok, fine baaba... I'll be there, don't worry", he gives them a send-off and gets back to Nihal.
"So, yeah, are you coming on that day Nihal?"

"Naah, negative! Neeraja and I have a date fixed on that day, so you should be the one who's gonna entertain your girl all day long that day. So, don't miss out on the opportunity", Nihal replied.

"Chalo it's getting late. We'll think about it later", said Arjun.

[The moment he entered his room, his mobile phone beeped in his pocket, he pulled it out and was smiling at the message which said .......

{TO BE CONTINUED...}