Present - Few days later

It was Ayush's first day at college, and I was hella nervous because I was the one who had persuaded him to join the same college as mine. There were a lot of reasons for me to keep him in sight: the major one being his safety. I knew that everything would be fine as long as I took care that no one troubled him, but there was one huge problem.

Sandhya.

If I had known that she was back, I wouldn't have asked Ayush to join my college. I didn't know how it turned out like that, but my best friend always got sad and zoned out whenever her name came up in our conversations. I doubted the exact reason and was sure that he avoided her topic because it reminded him of our childhood days — and that incident.

"Stop frowning. I will be okay," Ayush said.

"Please call me if you run in any kind of trouble," I said.

"Come on, bro. I am a grown up now. How long are you gonna babysit me?"

"It is not babysitting, okay? You are my best friend, and I will take care of you even when we are on our deathbeds."

Ayush sighed. "Sorry for being a nuisance."

I braced his shoulder with my left palm and gave it a gentle squeeze. "No negative thoughts. It is your first day, so put on a smile."

He nodded, and I ruffled his hair. He complained about his hairstyle and adjusted his specs. I parked my car in the parking lot and guided him to the staff room to introduce him to the professors. After that, we went to meet Dean Sir, who was already aware of Ayush's medical condition and assured us that he would make sure that there would be no problem.

I left for my basketball practice after leaving Ayush in his class and settling him with the other students. I was really worried, but as Parth was with him in the same lecture, I had less to worry about. I turned my head around and thought of going back to check on him, but I stopped when I received a text message.

Ayush: Don't you come back again. I am fine.

Me: Take care.

Ayush: 🤘

I shook my head, scolding myself for overthinking. I decided to let Ayush get a hang of it and fastened my pace when I realized that I was going to be late for the practice session. I spotted Nikhil on the way, and just like me, he was also in a rush.

"Got late?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said, and we fist-pumped.

"By the way, I won't be able to come to play squash today in the free period," he added.

"Why not?"

"Going to play volleyball with the Sports club." He grinned. "Sandhya invited me today."

I narrowed my eyes at him. I didn't say anything as he seemed in a merry mood. We managed to get to the basketball court on time and got mixed with our teammates. While we were playing one on one, I noticed Nikhil checking his phone and snickering continuously.

"Bro, what are you doing? We are supposed to practice. You are the Vice Captain, man," I complained.

He nodded absentmindedly, and I went to see what he was doing exactly. Because of him, other players were also being lethargic. I peeked in his phone and saw that he was checking out some memes.

"You could have done that later too," I said.

Nikhil shrugged and switched off his phone. "Sandhya sent me these memes, and they are lit. I will tell her to give me her entire collection and imagine them whenever Mom scolds me again."

"Yeah, do that, but practice for now." I threw the basketball towards him.

He shot a few baskets and went back to check his phone. I shook my head and focused my attention on my other teammates. Even after the practice got over, my friend was still stuck to his electronic girlfriend like glue, and I hit him behind the head when I saw him chatting with Sandhya.

"What the hell, bro? I mistyped because of you," he retorted.

"Why did you befriend her?" I asked.

"Why not? She is cool, shares memes, and isn't grumpy like you."

I grabbed his neck when he said the last part. He enjoyed making fun of me and said that I was jealous. I punched him on the back and pushed him forward. He crashed into the girl, who had just rounded the corner.

Oh, great. Look who it was.

"Hey, Sandhya." Nikhil beamed.

"Yo!" She smiled.

"You didn't get hurt, right?"

"Nope. I am pretty strong, you know," she boasted and glanced at me.

I knew that look - she was mocking me. She shifted closer to Nikhil and mumbled something in a low voice. Nikhil burst out laughing, and Sandhya smirked. She wiggled her eyebrows at me as her eyes shone with amusement.

She had managed to get Nikhil on her side too. And to know that my friend was the one who approached her first made the matters even worse. I was aware of how righteous Nikhil was, but he was still my friend.

"How was your basketball practice?" she asked him.

"Okayish," Nikhil said.

"You are the Vice-captain, right?"

Nikhil nodded, and Sandhya thought for a minute. She gave him a glance over and then looked at me.

"I think you deserve to be the Captain, Nikhil. The current one seems too arrogant," she said while looking at me.

Nikhil shook his head vigorously. "No, man. I can't defeat Ved. His skill and experience level is too high. I am happy with my current position."

"Why are underestimating yourself?" she complained. "Are you afraid of losing to this guy if you competed?"

Excuse me, I am right here.

"Why don't you shut up when you don't know anything about basketball, dimwit?" I snapped.

"So what? Nikhil will teach me everything."

I looked at Nikhil in accusation when he nodded; he avoided my gaze. When Sandhya forced him to show his true potential and not be afraid of challenging me, I told her to back off. She still didn't listen, and it was getting on my nerves that she was ignoring me as if I wasn't present there.

"You can also become the captain, Nikhil. If Ved can do it, then you can too," she said.

Nikhil looked hesitant and waved her off with an awkward smile. "It ain't happening. We are on the same team; we are supposed to work together, not against each other."

"I know that, but you can at least try."

"Why are you being so persistent? Don't you have anything else to do?" I inquired in annoyance.

"Not talking to you," she stated. "I am trying to boost my friend's spirit, that's it."

Sandhya gave Nikhil an assuring smile and told him that she would cheer for him. His face glowed, and when he looked at me, his eyes sparked with a new determination.

"Bro, be careful. I will be working hard to become the Captain, so get ready for a tough competition," he challenged me.

He fist-bumped with Sandhya, who gave him some chocolates from her bag. I rolled my eyes when she teased me by putting five candies in her mouth at same time and told me that she wouldn't give me any.

"Are you sure you wanna be friends with her?" I asked Nikhil.

He chuckled at her antics and told me to chill. Sandhya gave Nikhil a small tip for whenever he was feeling down and thought that he wouldn't be able to defeat me. After hearing her tip, Nikhil widened his eyes in shock and refused.

"Scaredy cat," Sandhya commented.

"There's no way I am calling Ved a 'loser'. I love my life." Nikhil backed away.

I clenched my fists when Sandhya shot me a mischievous look. She took her stance, and I prepared myself to throw her in the air if she really did what she was planning.

"Ved is a loser~" she sang. "See, it isn't that difficult. Sing with me. Ved is a loser~"

Nikhil facepalmed and dragged her behind him before I grabbed her. He told me to calm down, while Sandhya stuck out her tongue at me. I moved my hand over Nikhil's shoulder and grabbed a chunk of her hair.

"Ow! Leave my hair!" she shouted.

"Ved, what did I say about not bullying her?" Nikhil reminded.

"Then tell her to stop making fun of me. Can't you see her fault?" I complained.

Nikhil sighed and told Sandhya to stop calling me a loser. She listened to him and stopped; I also let her go after pulling her hair and flicking her on the forehead. Nikhil sent Sandhya off, but she stomped on my foot before leaving. I shot her a glare, and she zoomed off.

"Man, I feel like I am in a kindergartem when I am with you two," Nikhil commented.

I ignored him and headed towards the soccer ground as I had already gotten late for my lecture. Nikhil followed me, but I didn't look at him. I spotted Ayush on the ground with his new team mates and sighed in relief on seeing him unharmed.

"Bro, I am talking to you," Nikhil said.

"I don't know you," I grumbled.

"What?"

"Go and play volleyball with your friend Sandhya."

He opened his mouth like a fish and closed it back. I sat down on the corridor wall and observed the soccer team play. Ayush was doing well, and I thanked Parth once their game was over. I asked Ayush about his day, and he replied in positive. I felt good when he mentioned that he liked the college and how everyone was kind and welcoming.

"How about we go to the cafeteria?" Nikhil suggested.

"Sure." Ayush nodded.

"Ayush and I will go together. You go by yourself or invite that special friend of yours," I told Nikhil.

"Are you for real, Ved? Don't tell me you are still mad about what happened earlier?" he complained.

I shrugged, and Parth asked us why we were fighting. Nikhil opened his mouth and was about to take Sandhya's name, but I elbowed him in the stomach, making my friends faces ashen in shock.

"What the hell?" Nikhil yelled and kicked me.

"What a bunch of weirdos." Parth laughed.

Nikhil and I fought with each other till we reached the cafeteria. We took our spots and ordered food. Nikhil had forgotten about what we were arguing about and was now busy in a conversation with Parth and the rest of the guys.

I turned to look at Ayush, and he was staring at something with squinted eyes. I followed his gaze, and instantly tapped his shoulder when I saw his eyes set on Sandy Pandy.

"Um... what happened, bro?" I asked.

He shook his head. "Nothing. I thought I saw someone familiar."

I nodded and diverted his attention. I glanced at Sandhya and confirmed that she hadn't yet noticed her favourite person from the elementary school. I didn't know if my interference was justifiable or not, but I had to do everything to keep Ayush from getting triggered.

What if he slipped back into depression?

During almost every one of his episodes, he talked about Sandhya, so I wondered whether reuniting with her was going to be good or bad. He was doing well, so I thought that it would be better for him not to get reminded of his past days.

If they do eventually meet, then how will they react? Will Sandhya treat him the same way she did me? Will she ignore him too or not?

Why was I getting a weird feeling suddenly? Hope that idiot Sandhya doesn't do anything again.