Hello Fam :)

Happy Independence Day and Happy Reading...

Sakshi helped Anushka on her first day on campus in completing her admission process even after multiple protests from the new girl.

"If a friend doesn't help another friend, who else would?", asked Sakshi.

"Just tell me you want to bunk the classes", teased Anushka.

Sakshi halted in her steps to look at the girl. She pinched her to make sure she was real, earning a glare from Anu. "You have figured me out in just a day", said Sakshi. "You sure we weren't friends before? Last birth and rebirth are also acceptable to me."

Anushka laughed, flinging an arm around her. "Let's go to class."

Sakshi whined all the way to the class.

XXX

Sakshi dragged Anushka to the canteen as soon as there was a break and sat down in front of the boys. She huffed, taking a fry out of Virat's plate, whom she had expected to protest but he was surprisingly quiet. "Guys, this is Anu. Anu, these are guys."

"Hey guys", she said, chuckling.

"Hi, this is Virat", said Virat but soon all the boys started introducing themselves and Anushka's attention wavered from him just as soon, making the boy sad.

Sakshi gaped at him and then shared a look with Mahi. Looks like someone has been smitten with the new girl. Chuckling to himself, Mahi threw a casual arm around the boy.

"I am Mahi. But have you joined today?", said Mahi at the last.

Anushka smiled at Mahi. "Yeah. I was sick and took a week's permission."

When Ritika and Rohit joined their table getting a few extra foods, Sakshi grinned at them. "Anu, that's my roommate Ritika."

Anushka waved at the girl before grinning at Rohit. "You must be the lover boy."

"Or you can call me Rohit like a normal human does", said Rohit, taking his seat.

Sakshi snorted. "Normalcy is overrated."

Anushka rolled her eyes. "I have only met Sakshi till now and whatever I know about her, I wouldn't get the notes I have missed from her."

"I am telling you, we have a connection since the previous birth", said Sakshi.

Anushka chuckled at her before turning to the group in general. "Is there anyone who could help me with the notes?"

"I have all the notes", said Virat abruptly.

"You write?", teased the girl, shutting him up.

"He doesn't. His twin does", said Mahi. "Raina, he is in the library. That's his go-to place. Tell us your room number. We will get them for you after dinner."

"Thank you so much. I am just in front of Sakshi's room."

"I know the room then", said Rohit.

XXX

After dinner, Virat was eager to take the books to the girls' hostel. "Bhai, jo tera hai, vo mera hai. Give the books to me, I will give them to the girl."

Raina eyed him suspiciously. "I want my books back in one condition. No stray pen markings, no dog-earing the papers, and no breaking of the spin or tearing pages from them."

Virat rolled his eyes. "Nerd. We aren't in school and she is not a kid."

"If she is your friend, who knows? I don't trust you with my books", he said, making the room laugh.

"It's okay, Vee", said Rohit. "Raina, I am anyway going to meet Ritika. You can give it to me. I will drop it in Anushka's room."

Virat frowned for a moment and Mahi acted as if he was more interested in his mobile but he was really keeping himself in the loop of the conversation. "No, Ro. These are the books of all the subjects. It would be quite heavy. Let me accompany you."

Rohit looked skeptically at him. "I am not a Disney Princess. I am capable of carrying them, you know?"

Seeing Virat's struggle, Mahi sighed, putting his phone down. "Guys, even I need a walk. How about Virat and I accompany you? You go and meet Ritika. While we two would give the books and return back to the hostel."

Virat grinned at him and Raina nodded in agreement. "Brilliant idea."

"Seriously, guys. I can carry it myself", said Rohit, muttering to himself as he followed the two out.

XXX

Virat was staring at Anushka when Mahi gave the books to her.

"Isn't your roommate around?", asked Mahi to divert her attention from Virat before she punches the guy.

"I stay alone. My roommate is a day scholar. She just has her bed here but her side of the room would be vacant."

"It must be lonely", said Virat, and Mahi rolled her eyes.

"I am fine. Actually, I enjoy solitude. So, it's nice."

Mahi chuckled. "I think we should go now. See you later."

When she closed her door, Mahi cuffed the boy on his head. "What the hell are you doing, idiot?"

"What did I do?"

"Don't act innocent now. You were staring at her from the moment we met and it started being rude."

"But Mahi Bhai, she is so cute."

"Yeah? And she looks like she would punch you in near future. So, tone down. And since when did you start having crushes on girls instead of the other way round?", asked Mahi.

"Since her?"

Mahi shook his head. His little brother was so gone. He wasn't even defending himself or denying anymore.

Virat is smitten. But what's new in there? :P