Ragini's POV :

The entire scene around me felt so surreal and enchanting. Sitting on the bench, I was so immersed in admiring the beautiful garden when I felt someone’s gaze on me.

My social anxiety got the best of me and I bend down my head in hopes of avoiding the person.

“Oh no. Please don’t come here. Please don’t” I chanted this repeatedly in my head like a mantra when I heard approaching footsteps in my direction.

The footsteps came to a halt and the unknown person knelt down in front of me.

My hands shook in nervousness and I clutched my dress tightly from side afraid of the forecoming encounter. I felt someone holding my chin up and I was forced to look at the man.

I don’t know why but the moment our eyes met I felt a feeling of calmness washed over me which is strange since usually I am not so calm when it comes to meeting a stranger. He was indeed a handsome man but I felt creeped out when he continued to stare at me weirdly.

I awkwardly cleared my throat to gain his attention,  “w-who are y-you?”

I waited for his response expectantly but sadly got none. 'Maybe he didn't hear me.'

He again went back to his earlier thinking stance staring at me blinking only a couple times.

His eyes were like a storm of emotions and my tiny mind found it hard to decipher most of them.

"Umm h-hello." I greeted him politely but when he did not answered back, it really started freaking me out.

'Why is he looking at me like this. Is there something on my face? Do I look funny or weird?'

I couldn’t not help but start having second thoughts about my appearance. I really thought I looked fine for the first day.

I was busy worrying over my appearance when ending his staring session he abruptly stood up from his position and walked away giving me a last glance.

I got upset a bit since it was my chance to make a friend and I lost it.

But he could have at least replied me.

That’s when the bulb on my head lighted up . How could I be such an idiot. I thought to myself. Now I know why he didn’t answered me. I think he is mute. Poor him. He can’t even speak. I can really be stupid sometimes. But it’s okay. Next time I will apologize and ask him to be my friend. I will also give him a chocolate then he will definitely accept my friendship. After all, who can resist chocolates. 'Thinking of chocolates they are heaven. Yumm.'

I should head to my next class now since I don’t want a scolding for being late.

***//*//////////******

"Cancel all my meetings for today."

"But Sir the meetings-"

"Do as I say." With that he angrily hung up the call heading towards the only place that can comfort him.

The morning incident was still revolving in his mind.

He was confused and angry.
Confused thinking that his decision of walking away from her was right or not and angry because why the hell did she entered his life now when he  does not want anyone.

"Why now dammit!!! " He yelled frustrated banging his hand on the steering wheel.

****/*////***//

Ragini was about to sit on her desk when a petite girl with brown hair took the seat beside her.

“Hi! I’m Divya Khanna. But I go by Divs. What’s your name?” said the girl excitedly.

“H-hey. Umm m-my name is Ragini Suryavanshi. N-nice to m-meet you” replied Ragini shyly.

“Aww. You are cute”.

“T-thanks. You are really sweet” Ragini thanked her politely. The girl started giggling at that but Ragini didn’t understand what was so funny.

“Babe stop now” just then a boy put his one hand on Divya’s shoulder.

“Hi. I’m Aditya Singhania. Her boyfriend”. He said motioning his head in Divya’s direction. “Come on now. Let’s head to cafeteria. It’s lunch time”

The trio headed towards cafeteria.

Ragini was happy that she made two friends on first day itself and now she has a reason to happily come to college. It takes her time to come out of her shell considering her social anxiety and she really appreciated that Divya or Divs as she likes to go by did not force her to converse about random topics. She was hoping that they would become close friends in future.

The cafeteria was packed with students and the three of them sat down at a table in a secluded area.

“So Ragini which school have you studied from”? enquired Aditya.

Ragini who was trying to be as calm as possible seeing so much crowd answered in a low voice, “actually I have been h-home schooled. GSM correspondence”.

“Really? Well that explains it. You can’t even properly speak a word without being awkward”. Ragini looked at her friend with wide hurtful eyes and divya realising it tried to mend her mistake. “I’m sorry Ragini. I didn’t mean it that way. It just abruptly came out.”.

“It’s okay” Ragini assured trying not to stutter this time.