Page 196 - The World's Best Boyfriend

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Dhruv intended to bring Raghuvir back to college. But as they drove out of the

college, with Aranya clinging on to him for dear life, his resolve started to melt
away.
‘You better not brake and try something stupid. I have seen it in the movies.’
‘I wish I could have. I feel like I’m driving with a blue whale clinging to my

back. It’s a surprise the front tyre is still on the ground.’
‘With your bike, it’s a surprise it’s still running,’ snapped Aranya.

‘We could go on and you would lose.’
‘Try me.’
Dhruv liked that in her, that fight to have the last word. She could lose some
weight though. One month of HIIT would take off the cellulite from her jiggly

vibrating arms. Post that an intensive three-month weight training schedule
could make sure her stomach was taut and hard and indestructible.

‘Why are you smiling?’
‘I imagined you running.’
‘It’s like imagining you studying.’
‘I actually did study. You can check my answer sheets,’ said Dhruv.

‘. . .’
‘. . .’

The ease of conversation, the possibility of rekindling an old relationship, the
prospect of him straying, made him queasy, a bit disgusted, and he revved the
old engine to its limit. The engine groaned and in the noise, Dhruv came to

analyse what he felt.
The mere thought of Raghuvir and Aranya in the same room gave him nausea.
Then why the fuck was he taking her there? Why the hell would he want them to

be close again? She was sad and she would get over it.
Reasons and feelings and the beating of his heart muddled up his head and he
concentrated on the road instead. At this time of the night, highways were

dangerous. Also terribly romantic, with the long stretches of darkness punctuated
with light from distant houses, little stars if you could find some, and silence.
But he reminded himself that he was with her, Aranya, not with the girl he had

promised to love and be committed to. How would he be any different from his