Dedicated to panna_niall who is like a virtual soul sister and to her encouraging words.

"Oops, sorry!" I ducked from the flying mass of books as I dashed across the crowded hallway.

"Watch it!" The person, who was stupid enough to come in my war path, shouted as his books went crashing on the floor.

" Kathy!" Another voice was shouting, " Where are you going?"

" Library. See you guys tomorrow." I waved hastily at Dave and Vir, nearly running into someone else.

So after five minutes I was standing, very much out of breath, on the bridge which connected the main campus to the library. The harsh wind drew my hair against my face and I glanced up. Dark, swirling mass of clouds were descending from western horizon- it was going to rain soon.

Taking in a deep breath, I continued walking to the Victorian-era white marble building which looked more like a Count's mansion than a college library. Pushing open the oak double doors, I peeked inside and inhaled the soothing aroma of paper- the crisp, yellowing pages of a treasure trove. I'll never accept it to my friends but I actually was a nerd at heart- I loved libraries but that might be because I love their similarity with the one at Hogwarts.

Now, where to find this Ved character? If I knew him even a bit then he might again be in some dark, isolated corner- brooding. I searched for him in between the ancient, towering (and might I add, utterly enticing) columns of books and as if my mental prowess could not get any better- he was indeed sitting at the back corner with his back turned to the other few occupants of the library, his eyes religiously scanning the pages of some book.

I sneaked behind his back and tried to peek at his book.

"You are finally here." His voice was meek as ever.

" Uh?" I was all I could say, how did he knew that I was here? Surely he cannot see behind his back like Alastor Moody, na Kathy, refrain from Harry Potter reference.

" Please sit." His meek voice also held an authority, if you know what I mean( No, you don't? Never mind).

" I hope I did not keep you waiting for long." I said politely as I shuffled into the chair across from him.

His aristocratic and very-distracting lips pursed, " Not for long. I mean you were late but...."

I glanced at my watch, " It is 3."

"No, it is 3:02." His face was devoid of emotions.

The words:- meet me in the library at 3 sharp.

I swallowed, he is definitely socially-challenged.

" Yes, so.....?" I trailed off, awkward. Now what to say?

"So?" He coaxed.

" um.. should we start studying?"

" Sure", he smiled timidly, " what do you want to study first?"

" Microbiology."

"Good choice, seeing as how our Microbio professor practically loves you."

I blinked. Did he just tried cracking a joke? Nerds can be sarcastic too.

" Oh yeah...hahaha" I forced a laugh.

" So the first chapter deals with..." and the next 2 hours were a blur. He had my rapt attention, with wild hand gestures he was successful in putting his point across and I decided that if ever he became a CEO - boy! he is gonna be the best at his trait. It was the first time that all those little blue chicken scrawls in my copy made sense. It was also the first time I had seen him so free- so much in his comfort zone. He seemed like a totally different person and I was dazzled not only by his knowledge but by him, his long lashes as he stared at my notes, the near-smile when I finally got the concept right, the slow trail of his elegant and long fingers against the spines of the thick tome, the low murmur of his voice that seem to touch the very core of..... now I can almost hear Dave's voice- " Ooohh, our Kathy has a thing for nerds." Cut the mental relay, Kathy! I blinked and looked away from his face.

" That is all for today then." I heard him say but I did not look up.

" Sure. Then, thank you for your help."

He chortled and I realized that it was a strangely familiar sound. It was not the laugh that I had heard from him the previous day, this was different- more liberated, more natural.

"You don't need to be so formal, Kathy."

" But I have to show that I am really grateful."

He laughed again, " You don't need to. I should get going." He got up to leave.

" You should try to be more like this......" I suddenly spoke up before even realizing what I had just said. Oops, Kathy! You two were just having a civil conversation, excellent work pushing it all down the drain.

" I beg your pardon?" He seemed surprised.

" I think you are really cool this way, really friendly", my throat suddenly felt parched, " If perhaps you can behave this way with others", I trailed off but the sudden realization dawned over me that I was stepping over a marshy bog.

His eyes dangerously narrowed and the hands which were previously supporting the back pack on his shoulder came down with a bang on the table.

Those hurricanes of blue met my eyes like a predator about to prowl.

" Ms. Saxena", he spoke my name icily," what you think or don't think seriously does not concern me. I was always aware that God did not provide you with a verbal-filter but it would be best not to stick your nose in others business. Next week, same time and same place. Remember, I don't accept tardiness."

With the quickness of a Cheetah he was gone and I sat blinking stupidly, an occurrence which had happened more than the number of times I would like to accept. Wait a minute, he just insulted me! But I also pushed his buttons, didn't I?

With a sigh I threw my head on the table, using a book as my pillow. Damn, just when things were going good!

When I emerged from the Troll-like library, it had started to drizzle. Mostly, I am more accurate than the weather department. I pulled the hood of my Ts on and made a dash to the parking lot which was thankfully near. While running across the bridge I started feeling as though I was being watched. I glanced around at the towering evergreens surrounding the bridge but no one was there. Wonderful, now I am being paranoid too.

On reaching home, one could imagine my utter surprise when I found two Langoors lounging on my couch.

" Kathy!" Dave called out as he saw me enter, " Your mom makes such delicious food. I ate so much that, AWWW! my stomach hurts."

" He really ate that much?" I asked Vir as I sat next to him.

" Like a starved man." He agreed.

" Look who's talking." Dave teased back.

" Listen you..." a fight was going to erupt soon.

" Guys! Chill." I told them.

" Fine", Vir huffed, " So what were you doing in the library?"

" What everyone does in a library, Vir."

" Yes but Kathy if you started doing normal things then Heaven will freeze."

I send him a glare and he put his hands up in surrender, "Fine, fine."

" Don't trouble the soon to be Birthday girl, Viru," Dave smirked," So what do you want for your birthday, little nymph?"

"And he asked me not to trouble her", Vir murmured under his breath.

"Nothing, actually."

"Nothing?" Both said together.

" Yes, I mean, by Lord's grace I have a great family, two awesome but crazy best friends and I'm very satisfied with my life, there is nothing in the world which I would ever want."

'Perhaps a verbal filter might be a great option.' A snarky voice said in my head and I hastily told him to shut up.

They both stared at my face like I was clearly nutters and Dave finally said, " She speaks like an 80 year old woman."

" Agreed. Always knew there was a hag hiding in there," Vir added.

" Shut up both of you! You know what, get out!" I told them playfully as I scrambled them out of their sitting positions.

" Oh stop it, Kathy!" Vir laughed and then said seriously, " What is your idea of a perfect b'day gift?"

I thought for awhile and finally decided on, " A morning call from RJ V wishing me a happy, happy, happy and happiest birthday."

"Okay, right", Vir said slowly making it clear that he found my idea improbable, "What should we do Dave?"

"I think we'll give her boxes of chocolate like every year."

"Agreed."

I threw a cushion at them and left on an eating excursion. I was literally starving!

That night I was not able to sleep well. I twisted and turned and perhaps even cried a bit. Verbal filter! Yes, I was always aware of the fact that I was strange, maybe I'll always be but my loved ones had come to accept me, even enjoy with me. Ved's words did not hurt as much their implications did- it spoke clearly of an abnormal, sneaky girl who could never be accepted by her own lot. Hello, did no one ever wondered that why on Earth I had no female friends? Bloody verbal filter! RJ V's voice helped marginally, I was not able to concentrate on any of the advices but the low humming of his voice lulled me to sleep.

" Kabhi jo badal barse... mein dekhun tujhe akhein bhar ke..."

Bloody hell! Who was singing at the dead of night?

" tu lagey mujhe pehli barish ki dua..."

And why does it strangely sound like my ringtone?

' Because it is your ringtone, dummy!' The omnipresent snarky voice said.

Oh yeah! Point! Now where is my cell phone?

From somewhere in the twisted depths of blanket I extracted my cell.

" Hello?" My voice was laced with sleep.

" Hello, is this Kathy?" A velvety and very attractive male voice said from the other end.

" Yes, it is her and who the Fish are you, who is interrupting Her Royal Highness's sleep?" I am sure I snarled.

The voice chuckled, " This is RJ V and I am here to wish you a happy, happy, happy and happiest birthday."

What on Earth?! I definitely suffered a minor heart attack.

A/N- SO, how was it?? vote, comment or pm me your views :) . "Kabhi jo badal barse" is my all-time favourite hindi song and it always reminds me of our beautiful Indian monsoon. It started drizzling this morning and hence, I felt obligated to mention this song. Happy reading :)