Just then Samantha had successfully tied a Rakhi to Arjun, with no hassles inside the classroom. John, Senthil and Harini had witnessed it too and everyone was getting back to what they were doing before the distraction of Arjun's branding. Senthil again called out to Harini, it was like those two boys were on a mission and wouldn't sit down quietly like Dennis the Menace, until their mission was accomplished.

Senthil raised both his eyebrows and said, " So?? ... You saw Samantha and Arjun right? Sam also doesn't celebrate Raksha Bandhan, but see she did it, to stop the rumors because it was irritating her."

Moving her head disappointingly from left to right for three or four times, she said, "You guys are not going to give up it looks like!" Before they could give any reply, she turned herself fully to face them and the confidence with which she did it, it showed she had something up her sleeves.

Harini questioned them with a twinkle in her eye and naughtiness in her voice, "I'm willingly to tie the Rakhi, if you guys tell me why you are so keen on me tying Rakhi to Aman. Do you have feelings for ME or AMAN?

Both of them gave a sarcastic laugh and Senthil moving his index finger replied, "Don't try to change the topic. We, over here are doing social service only and trying to make things clear for everyone. Who knows someone might have real feelings for either you or Aman, but because of these strong rumors, might not convey their feelings ".

"Ha ha ha, Social service it seems!! Who only told girls gossip more than boys, here it's totally opposite", damned Harini.

                 She saw how innocently Senthil had claimed his curiosity as a matter of good will he was doing for Aman and her; crushes or lovers-to-be. Harini gave up and knew the only way to end it was to tie a Rakhi. She hadn't decided to do it under those two boy's compulsion; she had given it a moment of thought. She herself was getting tired of hearing those rumors, not that it affected her in anyway but everywhere she goes, everyone she meets, everything she does; somehow people connect it to Aman or bring him into the picture. She was literally sick of hearing the word "AMAN", and not the stories that were being broadcasted as rumors. She told herself, "Yes let's do it. Once and for all everyone's mouth will be zipped". The last comment of Senthil's social service had hit the right place, as she thought if nothing is there between Aman and her and if tying Rakhi helps in paving the path for either of their's romantic future, it's all for the good. She couldn't see any downside of doing it.

Harini said, "Ok, I'll do it; but I don't have a Rakhi. You guys arrange for it, then I'll do it."

The boys looked at each other and smiled. "We don't have one, but we'll arrange it. Some girls will have a spare one, you can ask them also", John said.

"That and all I don't know, you guys suggested me to do it, you'll only arrange it. Anyways, I doubt at this point of the day anyone will have a spare Rakhi, as half the day is over. Good luck boys!" challenged Harini to Senthil and John. Now Harini had thrown the ball into their court, she chuckled in her mind and turned around.

After five minutes, Senthil excitedly shouted, "Here Harini, we found one", waving the Rakhi in the air, as if it was a medal won after a tough competition.

                  Harini was surprised that they had got one so soon, but she didn't want to read between the lines. She shrugged and told them to pass it on to her.

                 John and Senthil were so excited like toddlers who was going to get their toy after throwing so much of tantrums. After it reached Harini's hand, they didn't want her to waste time, so they kept on chanting "Come on, do it! Do it now!" Harini had to literally make them calm down so as to not to attract too much attention from the other students in the classroom.

Senthil said, "See Aman has come to his seat now. Perfect time, come on go tie it to him, before the class teacher enters the class". Both of them were hurrying Harini up, she also felt, the faster it's done, the better it is.

She called out to Aman, who was seated at the corner of his desk just one row apart from her. He had just reached his desk and turned immediately.

Harini took a deep breath and told, "Can you extend your hand? ...... I want to tie a Rakhi to you."

(To be continued... Check out the next post to see Aman's reaction:))