I got late again. How was I supposed to reach college in time like this? I was positive those bus drivers were in a group like Illuminati and their main purpose was to get me late everyday.

I reached college just before the bell rang and cursed when I almost tripped myself. I haven't gotten my sandal repaired yet. How much will you procrastinate Sandhya? I couldn't wear shoes on this kurti and couldn't steal mom's. She was possessive about her footwear.

(Sandhya's outfit👆)

"When are you planning to get it repaired?" Surbhi asked and I shrugged. I didn't know. Maybe when I actually fell down and broke my nose. We got in the classroom and took our seats. Mehta sir came and began with the lecture.

"Next week will be a surprise test. So be prepared," he announced. We all groaned.

A surprise test? We had just started with the first year. I even had to prepare for that science competition. Add to that other club activities. I banged my head on the desk and he told me not to damage the college's property.

"What chapters do we need to read?" I asked.

"It's a surprise test, Sandhya. I am not telling you." He smiled evilly and went out of the classroom as the bell rang. I banged my head again. I thought college life would be more fun but it was getting tiring day by day.

Next lecture was hell of boring. So many assignments! Did they want to kill us or what? I had been running around since morning and would snap any minute.

"Chill dude. We have lunch break now. Here have some chips." Surbhi offered and I gladly accepted. I took a handful and shoved it in my mouth.

"Don't you have some manners?" Ved made a disgusted face as he walked beside us.

"Waft ish yurt pahwblem?" I asked and shoved more chips in my mouth. I crunched louder to annoy him.

"Happy?" I said and took more from the bag. Some chips fell down from my hands and he caught them before they hit the ground. He put them in his mouth and I glared at him. How dare he steal my chips? He winked and left before I could hit him.

Surbhi shook her head and gave me the whole packet. I gave her a toothy grin and munched on the remaining ones while cursing Ved. I was really in a bad mood today.

First, I couldn't get the letters to reach Shreyas, then I got late this morning, almost tripped because of my broken sandal, Mehta sir announced a surprise test and most importantly, Ved stole my chips!

I sighed in relief as I took my seat at the cafeteria. It had that homely feeling to it. I could spend my whole life here eating and playing games on my phone. I ordered a small size pizza and coke. Delicious. I would open a pizza factory when I became rich.

"Hey guys!" Divya greeted as she took a seat, and Tanya and Rashi followed. They took out their lunch boxes and I emptied most of them. I get more hungry when I am angry. While eating I kept thinking about how to give those letters to Shreyas.

Shreyas! What was he doing in the cafeteria? I had never seen him here before. He was always lurking in the shadows like an assassin. Wait a minute. Was it possible that he could be one? What if he was part of a secret society and was under cover as a college student? That would be so cool!

"What got you so excited?" Rashi pulled me out of my imagination. I looked at her and told her about what I was thinking. She blinked rapidly.

"You are watching too much action movies. As far as I know he is just a normal kid like us. I haven't come across a dead body so far," she said and everyone started laughing. I asked her if she was friends with him. Maybe she could help me. They were classmates so I could try.

"I have tried talking to him few times but he just nods his head and keeps his distance. He is a lone wolf I guess. He doesn't even like if someone accidentally touches him. This one time a girl bumped into him. It was intentional or not, I don't know but Shreyas looked at her like she had committed a crime. It was hilarious," she recounted and I told them about how I met him.

"Told ya. He likes to be alone. The girls try to hit on him but he just ignores all of them. All of them. Even that Farah from economics class."

"Who's Farah?" I asked and Divya told me her whole bio-data. We talked about everything and the bell rang.

"Let's continue this next time," Rashi said as we all got up for our lectures. We loved gossips. They were so much fun. All four of them went to their classes and I made my way to the library.

"It's not good to talk about people behind their backs." I sensed someone beside me. I turned my head and Shreyas appeared out of the shadows. He was wearing all black, with a mysterious aura around him.

"You almost scared me. It's not good to eavesdrop either." I smiled cheekily and he tilted his head. Why was he talking to me? Wasn't he afraid of me or something?

Letters! I could give those to him now but I didn't want to reveal my identity. What if he got more scared and thought I was stalking him? I would just talk with him sweetly and when he was not looking, sneak them in his bag. Great idea but how would I execute it?

"Shreyas! What's up?" Ved called him and he turned around. I quickly ducked behind him, my mind working at a lightening speed. For once I was thankful to Ved. I wouldn't tell him though. With the skill of a thief, I stealthily put the papers inside his bag's front pocket.

Ved approached him and narrowed his eyes when he saw me. I gave him a tight lipped smile and Shreyas looked at me and then at his bag.

"Bye Shreyas and have a nice day." I turned around and went towards my class. I could sense their stares on my back. Mission complete. I fist pumped and my mood went from zero to hundred.

"Are you that happy to teach me?" Nikhil smiled cheekily as I entered the library. I rolled my eyes and told him to prepare himself for my wrath. We began the study session and he complained I should have warned him about my short temper.

After making him study three chapters and making notes, I allowed him to take a break.

"Are you always this ruthless? You are even worse than our coach." He took a sip from his water bottle and stretched his arms.

"I appreciate your gratitude." I bowed and my forehead touched the table. He laughed and thanked me. I should thank him. It was kind of a revision for me. After a short quiz, I released him from the dungeon.

He sighed in relief and asked if I could tutor him like this whenever I was free. I thought for sometime and nodded my head. Why not? It would be beneficial for me too. He gave me a big smile and walked towards the boys' locker room. I picked up my bag and went to my own class.

"Why are you smiling like a serial killer?" Shree asked as he sat in front of me. I wished Mrs Nair wouldn't come today. I was not in the mood for a lecture.

"Are you and your brother close?" I asked and he glanced up from his mobile screen. He was chatting with Mahek. She was in our class so why was he messaging her? He shut his phone off and I averted my gaze.

"Yes. Why would you ask that?" he asked and went back to his phone. I glanced at Mahek and she was also checking her mobile.

"Just curious. I don't see you together in college. He is mostly alone or with Ved. Seems like he is his real brother than you," I said and Shree shrugged. He wasn't paying attention to what I was saying.

"Why don't you go and talk to her directly? Teacher hasn't arrived yet," I told him and he heard that. He glanced in Mahek's direction and she was already looking at him. I nudged him to go and he swatted my hand away.

"Are you shy? I saw you both talking yesterday though. After college," I said and he told me to shut up.

"What's the matter?" I asked and he told me she just broke up with her boyfriend, so he was taking it slow. So considerate of him.

I patted his shoulder in approval and decided to study. My wish worked. Mrs Nair didn't come and I spent the whole lecture observing Shree and Mahek while reading the study material for science competition.

The bell rang. Mayank had told me to use my last two lectures for the preparation. He had already talked to all the teachers and they wouldn't mark me absent. So, I went to the science club where all the other team members were already discussing something.

"Take a seat Sandhya. Did you go through the books I mentioned?" our leader asked and I nodded my head. He then gave us a new topic to study for the next half an hour for a quiz. I was really enjoying this.

The quiz was a little tricky and we got 23 out of 30 questions right. Not good. We needed to score full marks. We studied harder and after a group discussion, took a break.

"How's it all going?" Mayank asked as he brought some snacks for us. We all thanked him and he told us some encouraging words. He was acting like an Army Marshall boosting the confidence of his troops.

After two hours of preparation, we all said our goodbyes and left for our homes sweet homes.

On my way, I saw Ved. Nothing special. I kept moving. Wait! Was that who I think it was? I went back few steps and peeked in the classroom.

What was she doing here? Were they both friends? I was confused now. Why did Mahek look like she would kiss Ved any minute? Was I over imagining again? What about Shree? Didn't he say she broke up recently?

I waited in anticipation and as I had doubted, she leaned forward but Ved moved away in a flash. I blinked. What was going on? Ved got up from his seat and smiled at her like nothing happened. She looked embarrassed. Poor girl.

He started moving towards the door and I dashed away from there. It won't be good if he discovered me. Parth stopped me before I crashed into him.

"Easy there. Why are you running? Too happy to go home?" He chuckled and I had nothing to reply. He told me Surbhi had already left. Her mother called her up early for something. I nodded my head and he went to get his car.

I waved him bye as I went out of the gates. My eyes almost popped out. Shree and Mahek were looking at each other like long lost lovers. I kept staring at them in confusion. Wasn't she with Ved earlier? Did she have a twin too?

Honk!

I jumped up in fright. That horn! I am going to break it one day. I looked back and the driver honked again. I pursed my lips and moved out of the way.

The car stopped beside me and the driver's window rolled down. Shreyas gave me a strange look and called his brother. Shree snapped his head in our direction. After giving Mahek a quick hug, he jogged towards the car. This was the first time I was seeing them together.

Shree glanced at me for a second and got in the car. I kept glancing between him and Mahek. She was already on her phone and I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Bye, Sandhya." I heard Shree and nodded my head. Shreyas started the car and zoomed off.

"Are you planning to stand in the middle of the road all day?" Ayush asked and I rolled my eyes.

"Continue doing that and your eyes will get stuck to the back of your head," he said.

I began walking away but turned around quickly making Ayush jump in fright.

"What is it?" he asked and adjusted his specs.

Should I ask him? Why should I bother? Ask him. Don't. Ask. Don't.

"Does Ved has a girlfriend?" I asked. There, I did it.

"Why are you asking? You interested in him?" he asked and I scoffed at his question.

"Please. Keep your boy to yourself. Now answer my question. Girlfriend or not?"

"He doesn't have a girlfriend." He shrugged his shoulders and my mind started playing the Sherlock theme.

"What are you two talking about?" Ved came and stood beside Ayush. He glanced between us.

I waved my hand in dismissal and gave them a fake smile. They both exchanged a look and I turned towards the bus stop. I needed to hurry or I would miss the bus.

"Don't do something stupid or you will have to regret it." I heard Ved warn me.

I looked over my shoulder and saw him looking at me suspiciously. Ayush shared the same look. I ignored them and kept moving.

Once I reached home, I couldn't stop thinking about Mahek. None of your business, Sandhya. I pushed the doubt in the back of my mind and focused on my studies.

That helped me take my mind off from unnecessary thinking. After having a delicious dinner, I went to bed. As I closed my eyes, a question popped up in my mind. Mahek was a really beautiful girl and popular too. So, why didn't Ved kiss her back?