❝It's pretty simple, pretty obvious: That people's first impressions of people are really a big mistake.❞

- Vincent D'Onofrio

○●○

2|The Chaddi Gang

The heavy oak doors swung open to the empty church. The sunlight shone through the stained-glass windows, allowing to cast a glow over the dusty alter.

Renee, cool and slender, the college senior, the girl every boy wanted and every girl wanted to be. She rested her knees on the pew, her fingers moulding into each other as she silently prayed.

As soon as the week would start over on a Monday she wouldn't start it until praying to her God so that not just her, but the people around her would be blessed with an easy week.

With relief sweeping through her like sunlight, she left the church on her way to her best friends house.

•••

Once ringing the door bell, Renee patiently waited for the door to be opened. In the meanwhile she tapped her foot, her hand on the strap of her backpack, Whistling a tune.

A sudden screech had noted her attention. Renee looked down at the post box and met with a pair of chocolate brown eyes that didn't seem very happy.

Raj...

Raj Malhotra, was the son of Karan and Sridevi Malhotra. Alongside living with his parents, he loves with his three whole some brothers who he believes were only born to be bestowed to ruin his life. His father had been working under Renee's father, a industrialist for 11 years. Except, Raj and Renee's friendship has lasted long before which is why they would refer themselves as The Chaddi Gang.

His eyes peered around. "Happy ko toh nahi le kar aayi? [You haven't brought happy with you, have you?]."

Happy. He was a ginger and white homeless kitten Renee had picked up from the streets. As soon as she came accross him, her heart melted and she couldn't help but vow to take care of it herself. He was the apple of her eye but Raj had his own reason's to why he had a problem with it.

"What's your problem with Happy?! He's the most nicest, sweetest and cutest kitten in the world."

Not according to Raj. All he saw was a smart, little menace who acts like roadside Romeo when Renee's around and chota don when she's not around.

"Just open the door will you!" Renee yelled pulling onto the rounded door handle. "Or I swear I'll punch your face blue!"

All Raj could do was mock a laughter I'm return knowing it was impossible since the door was guarding his beautiful face.

"I'll do it for you." A deep voice yelled amusingly from behind the door and at that moment Raj's face dropped.

"Ouch!"

The flap to the post box fell in its place and not a second later the crooked door swung open.

The sight ahead of her had caused Renee to erupt into fits of laughter.

Raj was sprawled onto the floor, his hand rubbing his lower back being the cause of his oldest brother tackling him to the ground.

"Renee! So glad to see you." Arjun greeted a smiling Renee as he shoved past Raj who straightened up slowly, then glanced around self - conscious.

Arjun and Renee peered over simultaneously, glancing at Raj who now looked dazed due to the blow Arjun gave him. "And you're welcome." Arjun sniggered leaving the two of them alone.

This was a beautiful day, full of promise. Nothing bad was going to happen-except that they were going to be late getting to college. The whole crowd would be waiting for them in the parking lot. They were both surrounded the instant they had stepped into the college parking lot.

Everyone started walking towards the college building, but the roar of a finely tuned motor stopped everyone at their tracks.

"Well now." Renee said staring. "Quite a car."

"Quite a porsche." Raj corrected dryly.

The sleek turbo pulled through the parking lot searching for a space. When all of a sudden the car came to a stop, the door opened, and they glimpsed the driver.

"Oh my God." girls whispered.

Everyone could see, he had a lean, flat-muscled body, faded jeans, tight T-shirt, and a leather jacket. His hair was up and black as well as he was quiet the tall one.

"Neil Singhania." Raj groaned.

"Renee!" Neil cheered as he approached them. He shoved Raj aside causing him to scowl. "So glad to see you." He gave a quick peck on her cheek before turning around.

"My man Raj!" Neil hugged Raj enthusiastically whilst he only struggled to breath under his tight hold.

Once freeing Raj, Neil gave him a punch, let alone giving him a moment to speak up for himself. "Raj?! Aren't you happy seeing me?"

Raj simply scowled, his eyes narrowing at him. Neil was busy to even see his reaction and waved them goodbye as he approached a group of girls.

Seeing Renee was dreamily staring at his rival, Raj harshly nudged Renee out of trance. "Who does he think he is?!"

Renee raised an eyebrow unsure of Raj's behaviour. "Our friend." She answered plainly as the pair walked inside.

"Since when?!"

"Since Chaddi days." Renee reminded him as she created a popping sound pretending that she was pulling onto a pair of underpants.

Raj ignored this and started speeding ahead to avoid any further conversation about him. This only caused Renee to think deeply.

"Are you still upset about what he did?"

Raj froze. "No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Renee. The principal has called you." Jimmy, a fellow classmate informed her as he passed by.

She practically smiled at Raj. "Looks like the principal summoned me. See you later sardu [Moody]!" She stuck her tongue out and pinching him on his butt cheek before leaving.

Raj jumped and then pulled his t-shirt down. "Don't call me that!"

•••

All the bad feelings that she shrugged off at the train journey had rushed over her again as soon as she walked into the corridors of ST. Xavier's college. Since when had Payal, been scared of meeting new people? Always.

Payal rushed around in worry. Main toh gayi [I am so dead]. The bell had rang and here she was unable to find the room for the first lecture of her day in which she would attend late!

Raj was still hanging around at the end of the corridors as if he had no lesson to attend. He wasn't bothered since he knew his professor's antics knowing most of the time he himself would turn up late.

Deciding that he should finally move for class, Raj shut his locker and began walking down the corridor. Him being the only one there, his footsteps only echoed in the silence.

All of a sudden a unfamiliar girl turned into the corridor. Raj wasn't aware of his surroundings but his mind couldn't help but play the theme tune to 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.' He was mesmerised by her beauty and the way her hair flowed as she walked and her eyes full of innocence, he chose to admire her for the time being.

Upon seeing Raj, Payal sighed in relief. Perhaps he could help her. Giving him a week smile to his wide mouth face, she introduced herself.

"Hi. My name is Payal and-"

"Aur main hoon apka Raj [and I am your Raj]." He randomly cut in slowly without realising. All he could think about was that he had finally met his Simran which everyone teased him about because of his birth name.

Payal helplessly ran her fingers through her silky hair unsure of what the mystery boy had said. It all sounded like jibberish to her. Not trying to be rude she nervously laughed acting as if she understood what he said as he acted like a lovestruck Romeo.

Instead, Payal decided to get straight to the point. "I'm new here. Can you please help me find my class?"

Still silent, Raj slowly nodded his head with the theme tune still playing in his head. Payal's hope went down the drain when he didn't speak again except he was only imprinting each feature in her mind.

Unless he's mute, she wondered and a sense of awe for him ran down her body.

"It's okay. I'll manage." She gave him a final smile before walking out of his sight.

Her footsteps faded our slowly when it finally dawned upon where he was supposed to be at this moment. In worry, he ran down to his classroom and when he saw the proffessor still wasn't here, he simply believed it easy just his luck.

Slumping into an empty seat, he couldn't help but smile at himself uncontrollably as her face wouldn't leave his mind, like it easy supposed to be there.

"Why are you smiling so much?" Jimmy teased Raj as he sat besides him.

"I think I'm in love."

Jimmy's head shot towards Raj wondering what his words actually meant. "Dude. You're too young to be in love."

"Let me just remind you that when Romeo and Juliet met, Romeo was 16 and Juliet was 13." Raj said defending himself as he hugged his backpack on his desk.

"Bro. Six people died and it lasted 3 hours."

Instantly, Raj's face fell. Perhaps it wasn't love after all. All he knew was that he hadn't felt attracted to someone in a while. A girl who seemed sweet and genuine.

The noise level in the room calmed down as the Law professor, Mr Mehra walked in. Raj stuck his head in his book trying to not grab any attention from the professor since the noise level in class was very loud. He still wanted to create a good impression since he was going to have the same proffessor for the rest of the year. He didn't want the proffessor hating him.

A knock was at the door of the class calming down the noise level. Raj didn't bother to look up as he was now focused, a habit of his which lead him to have good grades.

"Sir. I'm Payal and I'm new here. The principal must have told you about me." She said.

"Aah. Yes yes yes." He said joyfully gesturing for her to come inside.

Hearing this Jimmy leaned into Raj so he could whisper into his ear. "What was her name again?" He asked referring to the girl Raj had mentioned earlier.

"I didn't tell you." Raj said as he scribbled something in his notebook.

"Is she called Payal?"

Raj shut his book and looked up, facing Jimmy. He may have been admiring her all that time at their meeting but he had managed to remember her name when it slipped from her mouth. "Yes! How do you know?"

"She's right next to the professor..."

WHAT?!

Raj felt his heart skip a beat the minute his eyes lay on the one he acted mute infront of. Not intentionally though.

End of chapter 2.

°○°●°○° A/N °○°●°○°

The introduction to the gang is finally here! Who do you like the most? Renee, Raj or Neil?

Oooo... Raj is so dead 😂 Wonder what antics he'll pull this time with Payal thinking he can't talk!

QOTD: Favourite song from Dilwale?

Sal's answer: PREMIKA for sure! I honestly love this song so much ♡ Still hate the fact they didn't include it in the movie 😒

Yours truly, Sal & Ammu