PIHA'S POV:
[A few hours later] 9:00 PM

"Let's go Piha." I hear Khushi say and I silently follow her.

What am I doing?

Well, Khushi and I are in the dining hall right now—which looks nothing but a mess. Just student scattered here and there, and of course no one knows what to do either—because college can give you a long ass orientation but not a useful instruction.

My eyes wander around and I spot the guy I have been looking for.

Raghvansh?

No, of course not.

Of course I don't think about him all the time. Cut the drama, Piha. Okay, maybe I do—but not right now, because I'm so hungry and all I can think about is food.

"Khushi, that's him," I whisper to the grey-eyed girl.

She turns to her left side and narrows her eyes at him as the guy hasn't noticed us as yet, "do you think he's safe, Piha?"

I nod. He has to be—because Ansh told me he is and Raghvansh can never be wrong. Also, Ansh knows Quadir, which I think is normal given that he is Rizwan's brother. But, obviously, I did tell him to not let Quadir or anyone in general know about it—about me knowing Raghvansh Birla.

Why?

Because, I don't want people to get behind me or be friends with me just because I'm friends with him. I know it doesn't sound sensible but I've been through it before—during MBBS days, when my classmates or seniors used to hangout with me because I knew Dr Roman Kapoor or more like because I was his girlfriend.

Anyway.

I feel Khushi shake me by the shoulder and I get involuntarily get out of thoughts, "Piha, we should go he's probably waiting."

I nod as me walk towards the table he is seated beside and I watch him spot me. He grins at waves at me which I return—not with the same enthusiasm though. What's with Quadir being so excited all the time, Piha?

I don't know. Maybe he's the jolly and extrovert kind of person.

Unlike Raghvansh—who's rude all the time. Not to me obviously! Okay, I should stop flexing about him- Piha, how can possibly make everything about him?! Stop thinking about him 24/7.

Oops.

Yeah, maybe I should just shut up—have dinner—and go to sleep once I return to my room.

Both of us reach the table and I take a seat opposite of him and Khushi sits beside me.

"Hi," I throw a smile in the singer guy's direction

Quadir now smiles back as he says, "hi Piha. You came at the right time, I just entered about 30 seconds ago. Given that they hadn't informed us about the dinner timings I was a little confused—but I guess we're on time. Also, is this your roommate?"

I lean back against the chain as I introduce her, "yes! This is Khushi, Khushi Mehra Rai. And Khushi—this is Quadir Bhatt."

She chuckles as she says, "nice to meet you, Quadir. No offence, but you look like a kid."

A laugh escapes my lips which I cover up immediately. That was mean but, yeah, she was joking anyway. He doesn't look like kid!

His jaw drops as he stares at Khushi in disbelief and narrows his eyes, "Oyee, I'm not a kid—I'm 25, okay?"

She mumbles a 'just joking' at which Quadir laughs.

"Okay, you're not a kid, but you're younger to me so yes, you're technically a kid to me."

He asks curiously, "really? How old are you?"

"27," she replies, "how old are you, Piha?"

"I'm 25 too," I simply say.

"Oh, so you both are younger to me."

Quadir and I both nod in unison and he questions, "Khushi...by chance...are you...Raghav Rai's wife...?"

She passes him a surprised look, "yes I am. How do you know him?"

He scratches his neck, "I don't really know him...I've heard about him from my brother—that he's kinda famous and he's a businessman."

Okay, shall I just be a little sneaky and ask him what I've been wanting to ask? Yes, this is a good moment.

I try not to sound suspicious, "Quadir, are you Rizwan Bhatt's brother."

Okay, not that I think of it—maybe that's the reason he looked kinda familiar when I first saw him. Makes sense, a lot in fact.

"Yes, he's my elder brother."

I eyes rest on Khushi who's currently frozen, and why wouldn't she be. He is literally Rizwan's brother. Rizwan Bhatt is like one of the best kabaddi players in the country. He gained quite a big fan base when he played the winning raid against Japan which took place 2 years ago I guess. The win seemed almost impossible—but then he took a bonus plus touched all the members in opposite team which resulted in an all out. And yes India won the match.

And also, not to forget, he's the vice captain of Delhi Warriors in IKL—the team Raghvansh captains'.

I should probably stop thinking too much about it, otherwise I'll end up thinking about Ansh again.

I watch both of them talk about the fact that Qaudir is Rizwan's brother—and Khushi continues to not believe it. Okay, perfect timing.

Pulling out my iPhone from the pocket of my denim jean s and open WhatsApp without wasting another minute only to watch Ansh's messages lined up.

Ansh : Hey you, Venus. I'm having dinner. And the amount of sweets Uncle and Aunty have been giving me, I'll probably end up having diabetes.

Ansh : have you reached the mess. Did you find Quadir? And don't go around all alone, have Khushi with you.

Ansh : okay, come on, uncle is pestering me to stay here tonight as it is late. I want too, and I will, but once you come back.

Ansh : I'll text you after I'm done with dinner, Pihu. I don't want Uncle and Aunty to have a bad impression on me after all.

Ansh : so k, enjoy yourself. And once you reach your room—text me and freshen up so we can talk for while.

I frown as his status—online disappears.

I quickly type out a message for him.

Me : hey you, Ansh. I was talking to Quadir and Khushi—if I had opened my phone, it would be very rude of me. I'm sorry for replying a little late. And you should probably stay at home na. It's late anyway. But as you say. Also, I wasn't roaming here and there, okay! Hey, wait, I have to tell you. Quadir knows Khushi's husband. He's a businessman. That's really weird—both of them kind of belong to high end families, but anyway, their really down to earth.

Me : I should go back to talking about them. I'll call you at around 10:30, if you reach purple till then.

Me : see you then!

I quickly hit send and place the phone back in my pocket as hear a low pitched—bold voice, "what the fuck is up with this goddamn college."

My eyes move to meet the lime green orbs. Very familiar.

They'll obviously be familiar, Piha. After all he's the guy who called you a crazy bitch.

Of course I remember. Don't tell he's Quadir's cousin-

"Piha, Khushi, this my brother—I mean cousin, Haider," Quadir says joyfully.

Why would someone be happy after having a cousin like that. Quadir deserves better. Anyway, I shall not allow him to insult me again. People like him take others for granted and think they look all cool after being rude and mean.

Nonsense.

I watch him throw a smirk towards me, "oh, it's you."

Okay. I cringe at that somehow. I don't even know him but he already seems like a really annoying person.

"Have you both met before?" Quadir butts in.

I open the lid of the bislery placed in front of me and take a sip to avoid the question. Quadir seems like a nice guy so far, just as Ansh says. But, I don't like something about him—which you might have guessed is that he's Haider aka the annoying guy's brother.

"Yes, we've met before. And guess what—my day is ruined because I saw her again. Just great," he says causing me to choke on my water.

I bang the bottle on the table with rage, "what the hell do you mean by I ruined your day. You're the one dashed into me, plus you did not even have the curtesy to pick my stuff or say sorry. Over the top, you called me a bitch. How dare you victimise yourself?!"

He snorts, "stop raising your voice at me. My shoulder almost got dislocated due to you and now you're yelling at me."

I feel guilty for a second only to realise that it wasn't my mistake in the first place, "why're you blaming me? You were the one running around, while I was walking like any other person would. And look fit and fine—so stop exaggerating it."

His eyes stare into mine silently yelling 'I'll kill you' at which I gulp and pretend to be unaffected.

He's kind of weird and scary.

Okay, rule number 1, I should stay away from such people.

Ignoring him, I unlock my phone, but then I don't really have any messages lined up so I end up locking it.

I hear Quadir's excited voice, "so is she the one you were cursing all way long?!" His cousin nods.

"Haider, bhai jaan...I think...you've misunderstood Piha. I don't think she would do something like that purposely." I internally thank Quadir for defending me.

Haider passes his brother a look of disbelief and he looks at me then. He nods dangerously slow, "okay, great I guess. So, now, you want me to apologise to this girl."

He continues, "Piha, that's your name right? You know what, he's dumb—I'm not. What do you think you are trying to do? Stay away from Quadir. Not even the first day of college and you have already started with your manipulation games? Good for you, Piha Deshmukh."

"Did you manipulate Dr Roman into dating you too?"

Pushing my chair behind, I get up as feel my mouth get dryer and my eyes well up.

"Khushi, have dinner and come back safely, okay?" I tell her and rush out of the hall.

You can't be weak Piha, for Roman's sake.

~√~

Author's note*

I know the update was really quick this time—which I promised would be ;)

Writing this was kind of difficult and enjoyable as the story has changed somewhat—like there are new characters and a different setting. But it's really fun. And I hope it is fun for y'all to read too!

Coming back, Haider's words were obviously very triggering to Piha, and why wouldn't they be? But, he might have said it for a reason.

So, I'll try to update the next chapter within a week if possible and that shall be longer in length (hope so) and let me know what you think about this chapter. And Haider too :/

Do vote and take care!