Two weeks later,

Aashi waved good bye to her Dad and walked through the gate leading to Rishabh's home. Tomorrow is an important test and like always the two have planned for group studies.

Aashi greeted the Khuranas happily and climbed upstairs. She checked if she has gotten all the study material required for the preps. She stopped when she heard Rishabh speaking to someone on phone. She didn't mean to eavesdrop but the way he was talking in whispers she doubted he is talking to one of their friends.

'I know, Laila.' Aashi froze, her palm resting on the door.

Laila? He is talking to her. They have exchanged numbers. When? Aashi is baffled and for some reason also hurt.

She took a deep breath and pushed the door open. Rishabh looked at her wide-eyed.

'Aashi.' He quickly cut the call. Aashi noticed his expression change from a confused one to a frightened one to a happy one.

'Come.' He said walking towards the door. As she sat beside his chair at the study table, Rishabh closed the door. Aashi pretended like she didn't hear him and he too relaxed. Though they were fully focused on the subject, Aashi's mind was wandering. What was he talking to her about? And how come they exchanged numbers and she doesn't know? No one has Laila's number, not even she then why Rishabh? Why only Rishabh?

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

Next day after the exams, Aashi made way towards Art's department. She looked around and quickly spotted Jeet. He stood there talking to his friends, he had the question paper in his hand. Aashi felt slightly nervous as she walked towards him. She isn't very good at striking with strangers, except of course Suchitra and Kajal, she knew something about them.

Jeet looked away from his friends and at her when she cleared her throat.

'Jeet Arora?' Aashi asked she tried her best to not make her nervousness look evident.

He nodded. 'Yes.'

Aashi then asked if they could talk for a second, he nodded again, - 'Sure.'

They walked up to a corner away from his friends. As they stood Jeet looked on calmly. Aashi felt nervous, how to start the conversation? Suddenly, it felt awkward.

'Jeet...I wanted to ask you something about Laila?' she noticed the color drain from his face.

He frowned and replied darkly, - 'What about her? I don't want to talk about her.'

He was about to go when Aashi interrupted him, - 'Listen, it is important. I know there is something wrong with that girl...I just...she is...trying to.... you know... trying to trap my friend, Rishabh. I want him to stay away from her...she is trouble and you know better....so please, help me here.' Aashi said, her voice pleaded him.

Jeet's expression softened.

'Laila and I, we started dating since the tenth std. Initially, everything was fine and then coming to College things went downhill. She always had huge expectations from me, to excel in studies, to be the College team captain, to be perfect. So that she could flaunt me in front of the class. Laila never had a friend, it is because of her nature. And when something doesn't go her way, she plays the victim card to gain sympathy and attention. She was very keen for me to get into college football team and when I didn't qualify she just broke up with me and gave no reason.' Jeet finished with an exasperated sigh. He shook his head.

Aashi frowned as she processed everything Jeet said and then something struck her about Laila.

'I think she wants to be with Rishabh because he is College football captain, also good in studies.' Jeet echoed her thoughts. Aashi looked at Jeet and nodded. Aashi recollected Laila wasn't even interested in Rishabh until he got selected in the football team.

Everything made sense now. Suddenly, she felt uneasy. She must protect her friend.

Rishabh is a very emotional person, he gets attached to things and people very easily and his heart breaks are worse. He goes into a sad, lonely, miserable cocoon. Aashi is afraid that if he gets into a serious relationship with Laila and then later when he can't meet her expectations, she will break his heart. And Aashi is determined, she won't let it happen. Not at any cost.

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

For the next one-week, Aashi tried her best to keep Rishabh away from Laila during College hours. But not during the nights. Aashi became restless, the only thing going in her head was what if Rishabh was talking to Laila. She seemed obsessed with Laila.

And then one day, the results of their tests were out and,

'10? So, bad? Aashi, we didn't expect this from you.' Mr. Verma said. He didn't scold her, he wasn't harsh but the disappointment in his voice made Aashi cry badly. She stood in front of her parents with her head held low. She is ashamed.

Aashi had been Rank 3 in entrance Exam, rank 2 in the first year and in the monthly test she got bad results.

'Don't worry dear, you will be 1 in the exams. This is just a monthly test.' Mrs. Verma said softly. But Aashi was hurt. She shook her head and ran into her room, all the while crying her eyes out.

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

In the later hours of the night, Aashi kept crying. In her madness to stop Rishabh from breaking his heart she couldn't give her hundred percent in this one test and so, she scored miserable marks, according to her, and now she is regretting.

No matter how hard she tried, Rishabh kept getting pulled towards Laila and if he is hell-bent to have his heart broken, what can she do?

Aashi buried her head in her pillow and kept crying.

KNOCK...KNOCK....

Aashi looked up when she heard someone knock at her window. At first, she thought it to be wind but then someone knocked again, this time slightly louder. She turned around and found Rishabh's face pressed against the window pane. Looking at his face, she felt angry again.

'Aashi.' His sound came muffled from behind the window. He knocked again. Aashi sighed and quickly climbed down the bed. She adjusted her PJs and opened the window.

'Hey.' He smiled

'What do you want?' She interrupted him rudely.

'I knew you would be torturing yourself like this.' He moved his hand and touched her cheek. He picked up a teardrop and looked at it for a second and then at her. The way he looked at her melted her anger, a little.

She stepped aside, and he climbed in, - 'Chill, ya it was just a test. Also, it was very tough.' Rishabh said. His last line made Aashi smile.

'But one thing I don't understand, how a genius like you got 10th rank.' He said placing his arm on her shoulder.

Aashi jerked his hand away as she suddenly remembered the reason for the debacle.

'You!'

'Me?' Rishabh looked visibly shocked and confused.

Aashi sighed and walked towards her bed, Rishabh followed. They sat silently at the edge of the bed for a while and then Aashi said, - 'Promise, you will listen to me and not interrupt me and take me seriously.'

Rishabh nodded. And just like how he promised, he didn't interrupt her. She narrated him everything Jeet said and everything she did to help him stay away from Laila.

'Rishabh,' - She held his palms in between hers, - 'that girl is trouble. Promise me, you will stay away from her. Promise.' She said seriously. Aashi stared into his eyes. Slowly, she felt his grip tightened around her palm.

He nodded, - 'If my staying away from Laila means so much to you, that you keep your academics at risk then I promise...I will stay away from her.'

As he said this, Aashi felt a heavy weight lift off her chest. She looked visibly relieved and a happy smile appeared on her lips. She leaned and hugged him. Rishabh hugged her back, albeit hesitantly.