Avu completed her lecture and left for cafeteria as her next lecture teacher was on leave. She spotted Sid and went to him.

Avu: Heyy

She said excitedly. Sid just ignored her and kept walking.

Avu: Oh so again back to your "I don't anyone" attitude

She said air quoting it and chuckled.

Avu: Arre baat to suno

He stopped and turned towards her.

Sid: Look I can't keep repeating myself again and again. If you don't want me to be rude and shout on you, kindly leave me alone. I don't want you to keep running into me again and again. Just leave. You can find more people to spend time with. You don't necessarily have to run after me only

Avu was just listening to him quitely. She smiled at the end.

Avu: Siddharth I was just trying to help you and give you company. I was just trying to be friends with you as you are new here. But it's ok. Friendship can't be forced on anyone. And if you don't like my presence I won't talk to you. And Siddharth I have many people. I don't need to run after you or anyone for that matter

Sid glanced at her then slowly looked away. He didn't intended to say the last line but it just came out. Avu kind of read his expression

Avu: Don't worry. You don't have to feel guilty. I don't like keeping grudges. It's not good for my peace of mind. I am not angry at you or anything. Bye

She left him alone and he sighed. He also longed for people. It wasn't like he loved to to be alone. He didn't want friendships. Or he didn't feel bad looking at people being happy with each other.

But what he was scared of was what if people again left him. What if he again got attached or used to them and they left him once again. It was the hurt of separation that he didn't want. It was the hurt he was scared of and not the friendships itself.

He didn't realize when in his efforts to keep himself aloof from people made him so rude and cold. At one point, it just became a part of his behavior to act like unknowingly.

Avu went to cafeteria and went to her friends. They noticed Avu a bit off. They tried asking but she just shrugged off. They preferred not to force her and give her space but they definitely tried cheering her up. They had some food with teasing and bickerings with each other.

Day passed like that. Avu went to her room. Again when she was alone, she started thinking about Sid. She was far sure the boy had some problem. She could understand his behavior was not something that a spoilt person will have. Instead it was some huge problem burried inside him. Anyone could understand that if they tried noticing or talking with him.

At night, Sid was sitting in his balcony holding his mother's picture. Today night, it was his mother's death anniversary. Tears were continously rolling down his eyes and he wasn't even stopping them because it was of no use.

To be continued

Stay tuned for next chapter