''Here you asked for this book'' Ragini handed over a book to Sapna, who was busy chatting with her friends in the cafeteria. She turned around to leave when Sapna held her arm; ''Join us''

''No thanks, I have few assignments to finish'' Ragini gave an excuse, Sapna rolled her eyes; ''we all have, sit . Its not a crime to enjoy'' Ragini gave up and took a chair next to Sapna. Though she joined the group she hardly interacted, Ragini looked around , there were 5 boys and 3 girls. The all were from same stream, they were Sapna's classmates.

Ragini knew Sapna was quite popular among boys because of her looks and confident and the girls befriended her to share some popularity of hers. Ragini felt uncomfortable, she was hardly participating in any conversation, she checked her watch and decided to leave in 5 min. Just then she heard a thump, she turned. A guy had place his chair right infront of her, her face was in line with the back of the chair. He sat on the chair facing Ragini, his arms folded on the headrest and chin resting on arms; ''You don't like to speak'' It was a statement more than a question, Ragini locked her eyes with his and answered ; ''Yes, I don't''

''Don't bother her Vansh, she is not like us'' Sapna warned. Tall fair and extremely handsome Vansh gave Ragini a friendly smile; ''friends'' Ragini looked at his extended hand and got up; ''Sorry, I take time to make friends . Sapna I am going back to hostel'' She heard few whispers, but she didn't care, she didn't wanted to get distracted. This was the first time Ragini met Vansh, she met him a lot of times later but only as Sapna's friend. They were always together, people had started branding them as a couple , but Sapna denied. Rather than trusting the rumours, Ragini decided to trust Sapna.

As the ice between Vansh and Ragini broke, she became cordial towards him. She realized how madly Vansh was in love with Sapna, sometimes she would just spend hours thinking about the way he took care of Sapna. One call and he would come running to her rescue, even for smallest of things he was there. He didn't care of rain storm, sickness or anything if Sapna needed he would be present. The would spend college hours together and in the night they would be over the phone. Yet Sapna denied having any feelings for Vansh and one fine day she confessed the reason for refusing Vansh. She had a boyfriend back home, listening to her Ragini wondered, then why did Sapna gave Vansh a hope by spending almost whole day with him. To which Sapna replied that she was trying erase herself from Vansh's mind by spending time with him. A logic beyond explanation.

Meanwhile, Vansh was unaware of the fact that his love was already into a relationship. He had big dreams about his life with her, all Ragini could do was pity him. She couldn't reveal it to him as she was Sapna's friend and not his, plus even if she told him the truth, he wouldn't believe her but Sapna. Gradually Vansh and Ragini started interacting with or without Sapna, he would jump from anywhere starling her, sometimes he would just plainly tease her, In reality he enjoyed riling her up but his innocent mischief's had started igniting feelings in Ragini's untouched heart, because no one tried being so flirtatious with her. Being a girl somewhere she loved it too . She knew it meant nothing, but it made her feel feminine and beautiful

It was a cultural day and all girls have worn saree, many praised her but what raced her heart was Vansh's words; ''Shall I send a pic of mine to your dad. Do you think he will agree '' She just rolled her eyes , but her heart was dancing in happiness that he noticed her.

She fell in love with his unconditional love for Sapna . ''Ragini Vansh Bhargav , how does that sound '' Ragini was left shocked hearing Vansh , when she looked at him he laughed looking at her expression; ''you are just so sweet Ragini'' he pulled her cheek, Ragini felt a jolt of electricity passing through her body; ''Vansh I don't prefer such jokes'' Picking her books she walked off, but he followed ; ''Where are you going''

''Hostel. Why?'' She asked without looking at him. ''Why so soon, your in time in 9:00 PM'' he reasoned.

''I am leaving for my native tomorrow for Holi, need to pack'' Ragini replied . ''When will you be back'' ragini's heart raced, was he expecting her ; ''Why?'' she asked little hopeful

''because I will be alone, Sapna too is leaving. I need a friend to talk'' Ragini gave a small smiled; ''call her if you miss her'' with that she walked off, feeling sorry about herself. She cursed herself of hoping anything from Vansh, guys like him never cast a single look towards the girls like her. She was the friend zone , a substitute. All her life she had kept strong , she had made up her mind never to fall in love, yet she lost her heart. Ragini pitied herself , just like others did.

On one of the days Ragini was sitting in the campus lawn chatting with Jaspreet, Vansh came and sat next to her. He greeted her and she answered with a polite smile going back to Jaspreet; ''During the wedding which side does the groom sits'' he asked . ''Why?'' Jaspreet questioned him frowning ; ''I just wanted to check if I was sitting on the right  side of Ragini'' She stared at him wide eyes, not knowing how to react. Day by day he was turning bolder; ''Why don't you ask Sapna, she might tell you where grooms friends stand. Because that would be your position in her wedding'' Jaspreet replied angry . He stared at her ; ''What's your problem Jas''

''Jaspreet and I am not your friend. Stop flirting with Ragini'' With that she dragged Ragini away. Japreet had been warning her that people have started taking advantage of her simple reserved and giving nature.

It was true, though she was friends with many yet, they would often forget to invite her for regular outings or movies. She was remembered only when they needed help with notes and other stuff which only Ragini could do. Still she was fine because it made her feel alive, it made her forget all her problems and struggles. Out of all Vansh was the kind one, he would help without asking. He would even turn up at places where she would never think of anyone accompanying her. When her friends forgot to update her on movie or some outing it would be Vansh who would remind her or same. But, this was because he was a good man and not because he was attracted to her. Ragini moved to her room; ''You know you should stay away from him'' Jaspreet spoke softly

Ragini broke down, Jaspreet took a step forward and hugged her tight ; ''You are hurting yourself, the one who calls you her best friend is using you, she is spreading rumours about you. She says that you stay with them so you can get popular among guys '' Ragini sobbed, she had heard many crap things about her , but never thought it would come from Sapna. She knew Sapna had a habit of gossiping , but never she had thought she would target her own friend and now the rumour was  that Ragini was desperate to have a boyfriend . Ragini covered her mouth, she had made a mistake she had confessed about her feelings to Sapna and latter had promised to keep it to herself. If not for Jaspreet, Ragini would have lost herself.   

Ragini didn't mention anything to her friends but she started maintaining a distance. She hoped Sapna wouldn't let the secret out but she was wrong. Sapna thought she was doing a great favour acting a cupid, instead she inflicted one more pain on Ragini's chest . That night Ragini was busy in her assignments when Vansh called; ''Is it true''

Ragini thought for a moment; ''Yes, but I don't expect anything from you'' There was some silence ; ''It can never happen , I love Sapna. You know that, then how could you'' Her heart bled, was falling in love a crime, he was accusing her as if she planned it . the friendly voice had suddenly turned stern; ''Just forget it Vansh, forget that you even heard of it . It was a mistake and I will correct it'' She disconnected dissolving on the floor. That night she cried her heart out , , like others she too made mistakes , but hers were the one to bleed for life. 

Ragini wasn't the girl to fall in love with snap of fingers, this was the first time her heart fluttered and got broken bad. She knew she would never be able to love again .

Two years passed in a blur, he behaved normal in presence of friends but in reality Vansh preferred avoiding Ragini like a plague, Sapna kept trying  fixing them up  spending maximum time with Vansh (another brilliant idea of hers) . But Vansh through his gestures would show that he didn't wanted her around. he would hurtful statements like he hated girls with long hairs and one who dressed in ethnic. Ragini just ignore all she just wanted to pass her degree and get out of this place.

 Ragini was the first one to get placed in her batch,the salary wasn't much  she was happy that she got something on her own, she would be able to support her family. To celebrate she took all her friends out and it was a mistake ; ''She won't be able to survive that money in a metro'' Ragini heard Vansh telling to the group, that day she made up her mind. She would survive in that city and for long , she would cross all the hurdles, that moment  she decided to leave everything behind .

The day all of them departed, Ragini cried her out for her failed love , for the emotions that were bruised and for Vansh, because she knew she would never see him again, yet she wanted him to be happy.

7 yrs later

''Are you going to attend this alumni meet'' Asked a male voice , Ragini turned ; ''Yes Rohan, its time to move on''

''Will you be able to love again'' Rohan's voice had hope, Ragini saw herself in him, she didn't wanted to give him a hope; ''I don't know, trusting someone with my heart will never be possible '' Rohan smiled; ''Still I will wait'' He left her cabin going back to his work. Ragini watched him till he walked away, she had lived this pain for long, it was time to move on. For some she would be an emotional fool, but for someone who fought for every small thing in her life, it was difficult. She was someone who gave er 100% in a relationship , would know what her pain was. Ragini sipped her coffee, it was time was a closure

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If someone is emotional it doesn't me you can exploit them, cherish people who are empathetic and honest with you. Don't exploit their emotions, you might just wipe out a good soul for ever from earth. Once you lose them you will never find them again.

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