The essence of a lie is the intention to deceive.

~M.Preadaux

I am sorry, I was editing something and I unpublished the previous chapter by mistake and had to publish it again, Didn't mean for that to happen and sorry if I confused you peeps.

Jagruthi

"Janu, Some hot guy is waving at you and is coming towards us." Kajal told me as we were meeting up at our usual spot, which is the cafeteria during the break eating our Potato Samosas.

I followed her eyes and found Rey walking to us with a smile.

"That's Reyansh, he is a transfer student in our class. Remember I told you that I broke a guy's phone when I fell, he is the guy." I told them all and found Kajal wiggling her eyebrows, cooking up an eternal love story between me and Reyansh.

"Stop imagining things Kaju, just because she set you up doesn't mean you try to hook her up with every single guy, now that Karthik is gone." Manju said stopping Kajal make that weird face she was doing.

Yup, there is no Karthik in this college to monitor me, I am all alone for the first time in my life.

"Hi Jagruthi! I am sorry, I know I am bothering you but I literally don't know anyone in this college and you are my last hope." He said giving me a sheepish smile while I looked away from my samosa.

My eyes immediately found the love of my life looking at me with a pained face from the other end of the cafeteria, We are not on talking terms, after that incident which was 2 days ago, he didn't message or call me and neither did I.

I felt like you over reacted at that moment

I think so too, but all I could see was him acting like my typical family which I didn't want in the first place.

Manju nudged me with her elbow, making me look at Reyansh waiting for my reply.

"You are not a bother Rey! These are my friends Kajal, Manju, the one buying candy over there is Nidhi and the boy with her is Samrat." I introduced them and they all smiled at each other.

Kajal went towards Nidhi and Sammy to get something for her.

"I know her, she sits with you and Samrat is in our class right. How's your hand healing?" He asked me again looking at my neatly wrapped elbows.

Rey asked us, but look at our stupid boyfriend just standing there glaring.

"It's getting better, Thank you for asking though. What elective did you pick Programming or  Management?" I asked him continuing the conversation.

Nidhi, Sammy and Kaju picked programming on as they like coding. I picked the Management one because Dev asked me too, with him not talking I am worried, but hey atleast I have Manju in the class with me.

"Principles of Management." He said and kept looking at Manju who's preparing for a quiz.

"Don't mind her, she reads like all the time. You will get habituated to it." I brushed him off while Manju looked at me with a shocked face.

"Shut up Janu! I have a quiz during 4th hour. She is just exaggerating Rey, I hope I can call you that." Manju replied making me shock.

She never talks to guys in a friendly way, of course Aarthav is an exception.

Is this something we should be worried about?

"Hey Reyansh! Guys we are leaving for the class. Byeeee.." Nidhi sang along with Kajal while Sammy waved bye and left with his friends.

I shoved the last piece of samosa into my throat, ran to wash my hands and found Rey and Manju talking with smile on their faces.

Hmm..Interesting, Aarthav should be worried about this.

We all walked to the class together, lucky us because in our class girls and boys sit separately, looking at them I would've been left alone for sure.

Me and Manju sat by the door on my request.

"I heard you fell, is that why there is a construction crew here, fixing the cracks on the road made by you." That stupid Ape asked me coming into the class along with Devansh who punched that ape in the ribs making him yelp in pain.

"Who allowed you in this class? Does your brain not work, or are you just dumb like that?" Manju came to my rescue before I could shut him up.

"My brain can't seem to work when I am around you. Doctor told me that's a symptom of love." Aarthav openly flirted with her making my jaw drop to the floor.

This is really happening, he is flirting.

"That's a symptom of being dumb, looks like your doctor is just like you. DUMB" She snorted at him before he could reply our new Management teacher walked in, so Devansh and Aarthav left us.

The teacher came in and started to introduce herself and the course.

"Can I ask you something?" I asked Manju hoping to talk about her and Aarthav.

He clearly told, he is in love with her. I can tell that she has feelings for him because I never saw her like that in the last 2 years. Why is she backing out or refusing what she has with him?

"What is with you and Aarthav? You act like you don't like him but the way you talk to him. It's so clear, even when you are trying to hate him, you like him. Why are doing this to yourself and him? " I asked her even though she didn't reply to my earlier question.

She looked at me with a vulnerable look and opened her mouth after a few seconds.

"All my life, I hated men like him, men who takes girls for granted, don't value their opinions. But in the end I fell in love with the kind I hate Janu. Loving him makes me feel like I am losing a part of myself." She said with tears in her eyes.

Her crying automatically made me wanna cry and I really don't know why.

"He is not that kind of person anymore Manju, he stopped all his flirty ways. I can say that he is really into you for changing his old ways. You are hurting yourself Manju, just give him a try and then decide."

"Girls, keep quiet." The teacher sushed at us stopping my conversation with Manju making the whole class stare at us for a few seconds.

This was supposed to be a happy and fun class with Devansh and me, but this same class feels like a burden to me with Manju feeling sad because of Aarthav. I just hope the lab with Dev after lunch makes all this go away.

For the first time in my life I listened to the class, and it was interesting to me, may be business is my thing. As the class ended another horrendous class about microelectronics started, and the teacher killed my mood by talking about transistors, semiconductors and what not.

I went to lunch and had a one on one with Manju,convinced her to act upon her heart for once and give Aarthav a chance.

Why are we setting up our best friend of life with that Ape, when he is nothing but mean to us?

Because Manju and him love each other, what does that have to do with me.

Aren't you nice?

We are nice stupid.

Talking to myself I reached the lab before the bell rang. I sat there at my desk waiting for my lab partner/boyfriend, so I could mend our relationship, which is putting my heart in despair.

"Jagruthi, Are you working alone?" The lab assistant asked me as I was picking up the equipment needed as Devansh didn't come to the lab yet.

"No Sir, I am with Devansh. He should be here." I said looking at Aarthav to answer about his friends whereabouts.

"He is busy with the first match preparations tomorrow, I don't know if he will make it for this lab." Aarthav shrugged at me.

I wanted to spend time with him, why is this so complicated?

"You are the vice captain. Why are you not helping him?" I asked Aarthav in frustration ignoring that I am in a lab full of people.

Kill. Me. Now

"Reyansh, why don't you work with her for today? " The Lab Assistant said before Aarthav could answer moving everyone's eyes away from me.

I stomped my feet mentally and walked to my station and sat down cursing my ill fate. Why does he have to pick up more work?

"I am sorry, I didn't wanna come between you and your boyfriend." Rey apologized placing his bag beside me.

Did he just say what I think he said?

No one can know about our relationship, it will screwup everything.

"Devansh is not my boyfriend!"I quickly declined jerking back into my comfort zone defensively.

"So, It's a secret huh! Do your parents know or is it just a secret, we are keeping in college?" He said looking at the lab manual.

Firstly this Rey is too invasive and , ever since I met him I could always see him in the background in my vision like a shadow and secondly out of everyone in the whole college he tries to talk to me.

Is he following me? Does he know about my original identity? Is he here to harm me?

You are just skeptical now that Karthik is not here. My papa is careful, he wouldn't let something like this happen.

Maybe he is taking a revenge because you broke his phone or Does he like you?

Why would he like me? And I am not that pretty for him to follow me around.

Don't underestimate yourself, when you landed the hottie of this whole world our Devu.

"What are you smiling at?" Rey snapped his fingers before my eyes making me look at him.

"Nothing you should care about!" I growled at him and started working.

We are almost done as the first labs are always easy. It's been like 30 minutes, he isn't talking and neither am I, was I too much? Maybe I was rude.

"Why did you move here to this college in like the middle? " I asked him to break the ice.

"So, now we are talking I guess." He sighed putting his pencil down.

"For work...."

"I mean my father's work." He corrected his previous words making me doubt his intentions.

"Okay, I am so done, What is it with you? Why are you looking for reasons to talk to me?Why do you talk to me out of everyone in this college? Are you following me? What are your intentions?" I questioned him all the things I had in my mind.

"Am I not allowed to talk to you or what?" He questioned my question.

And that's how I knew he is lying.

"Don't you dare lie to me. Give me a truthful answer or you can just stop stalking me." I replied in harsh tone.

"Fine, You made me. I am your Shyam bhaiyya's Nephew. He sent me here to look after you and make sure you don't land yourself in trouble. " He replied throwing his hands in the air giving up and I think my whole face fell on the floor in shock.

Oh my fadoodling goddess! My freaking family sent a guy here to spy on me.

I am gonna kill my father and Shyam Bhiayya, Is this why they've been weird in the end of my summer break.

"Please don't tell them I told you, My Mamu(Uncle) is gonna kill me and I need a degree to join the Army and what better than the one from top 10 college. Please Jagati, I beg you.." He pleaded me and I felt bad for him.

I can't be mad at my parents for this, They did this for my own safety, and he needs to study here.I just wish they told me before doing something like this.

"Okay, but you can't tell my dad about me and Devansh." I told him and we sealed the deal with shake hand.

And that's how I became friends with Rey, we talked about him and how Shyam bhaiyya made Rey's first assignment to protect me. And the lab ended in a jiffy as we started talking.

After the lab I walked to my room with Nidhi, she and Sammy had a silly argument over a pen, which made me laugh and hurt me on the inside that they could make up after the fight so easily and here I am not able to share my pain with anyone.

The dreading day ended with me waiting for Devansh to call me which didn't happen, when I called him, the call went into voicemail making me sad. Maybe he is busy with the match tomorrow, all my friends are going there to watch it except me.

Everyone left for the match while I sat back watching Modern Family to cheer me up, I informed Rey to chill out as I won't be going outside today. He has to enjoy his life in this college instead of tailing me all the time.

My phone blared as I was through season 2 of my marathon and it was Manju.

"Do you come out for lunch, the match got cancelled in the middle." Manju asked me as I paused the show.

I could go out and eat food that can comfort me.

"Why is the match cancelled?"

"SLU guys,Those suckers couldn't take our win went rampage on our team, Devansh tried to stop them, but got hurt in the middle, they took him to the hospital.." My heart stopped at her after she said that.

Devansh got hurt, he is in the hospital. He got hurt, and here I am laughing at a TV show.

"Janu...JANU, Are you there?" Manju yelled at me.

"I can't come Manju, you guys go ahead." I said to her gulping my tears in a crooked voice.

I cut her call and let the tears fall freely, I put on a pair of pants and ran outside of the hostel with only one though in my mind, which is to see his face with my eyes.

"Bhaiyya, Can you take me to the hospital on the main road?" I asked the Auto driver hoping that Devansh would be there.

He nodded yes, and I hopped in it. I sat there praying to god that he is fine, tapping my feet with my abnormally beating heart which could kaboom at any point if I don't see Dev'a face.

"Devansh from MIMU." I asked the receptionist as soon as I paid the driver and got out.

"Room 189." The receptionist mumbled and I ran to the room and found Devansh alone in a room lying on the bed with bandages on his legs and forehead through the glass door.

I barged in the room with force to get a clear look of him, while I stood by the door watching his heart rate and every other number on the monitor.

All the memories of me, my father and my mother being in the hospital bed hit me like a ton of bricks causing me breakdown like a baby.

"Jagati...you are here." He whispered looking at me.

As soon as I heard my name I walked closer to him and cried holding his hand. He adjusted the bed making him sit straight and turned towards me moving his bandage covered leg and pulled me into his arms while I sobbed endlessly.

"Stop crying, I am really fine. Nothing happened  to me..." he kept whispering but my heart and mind wouldn't calm down easily from all the moments pain, I had in my life.

Seeing your mom, dad and the love of your life on the hospital bed is not something I want in my life, and yet it keeps happening to me.

"Look at me," He said pulling my face into his hands while I looked at him trying to calm my mind.

My blurry eyes got a bit clear, as I looked at his eyes showing me a raw emotion of love that I never saw before in my life. He took his hand and brushed my hair sticking to my face due the sweat and tears.

"I can bear anything this world, except these tears, please stop crying love...." He said and as he spoke I could feel his breath tingling my skin.

Looking at his eyes and listening to his soothing voice calmed me down, I looked at his face clearly now with a bruise on his left cheek which made me wince in pain.

All of sudden he pulled me close and placed his soft and warm lips on mine.

Holy mother of cheesecakes....

What do I do now? what if I do something wrong and embarrass myself?

He slowly moved his hand to the back of my head and stroked my hair, reassuring me and putting a stop to all my thoughts and I closed the tiny space between us and pressed myself against him.

As I part my lips enjoying the moment, I felt so many emotions take over my body, making me curl my toes and my fingers moved up to his hair to support myself as my legs seemed to give up on me. It felt maddening, thrilling and most of all insanely amazing.

"I love you and I am really sorry." Dev mumbled against my newly swollen lips, and then started to kiss me again, which gave me shivers in the spine as his deep kisses started to get rid of all the insecurities and pain I felt a few minutes earlier.

I leaned my head against his to catch my breath, It is easy to get lost in him, lost in his touch and the comfort it provided.

I love him so much...

I should be mad at him, for ignoring me the whole day. I should be mad, not kissing and hugging him.

Yeah, you should! Thank god! you finally came to your senses.

"You are such a jerk, how can you do this to me? Firstly you are not talking to me and then you ignore me for a day and then you get yourself hurt. From today you are quitting cricket and that stupid captaincy. Look at your bandages there is blood on them. You scared me to death and you have the audacity to kiss me and calm me down." I yelled pushing him away from me while he yelped in pain.

"I told you that I am sorry, and you were pretty friendly with Rey when I came to the lab for you. So, I got mad and left." He said holding my hand while I processed this new information.

"Look Devnash, When I said I love you, I love only you and no one else. Don't you dare misunderstand my relationship with someone else or let anyone come between us." I warned him while he just laughed, pulled me closer and kissed me on the tip of my nose.

"I am sorry." He mumbled trying to hold my hand in his.

"I am mad at you, pacify me and say sorry and  that you will never stop talking to me billion times." I said to him reminding myself of all the pain he put me through.

"You are crazy and I love you so much." He said and pulled me into his arms once again.

And that's how I melted back once again, there is something in him that just makes me serene, happy and warm every where.

"Don't blame me, love made me crazy, If it doesn't, you ain't doin' it right, Lord, save me, my drug is my baby, I'd be usin' for the rest of my life." I sang the Taylor swifts song which felt so true at that moment standing between his arms, which I want to do for the rest of my life.

He pulled me closer and kissed me on the cheek with a smile on his face, that smile I could literally kill anyone to make him smile.

As you all would've understood by now, I am a crazy Taylor Swift fan. I've been listening to all the albums again in Taylor's version, and I am going crazy..

So, I have two plots in my mind from this point of the story, One is a long one and the other is a short one.

What do you think I should do?

Are in to read more or should I end soon?

Let me know in the comments.

Also did you observe, I am being quick with updates these days, so proud of myself 👏

Don't forget to vote and comment.

Love,

Sneha