Aabir slowly walked towards the girl who is standing by the riverside facing her back.Hearing his footsteps,the girl turned around and his face lit up by the sight of her angelic face.

"Zara!"He whispered smilingly.She smiled back at him.

They are facing eachother now.He took a step and came closer to her.So close that they could feel eachother's heartbeat.

With his hand he gently caressed her cheek and tucked her hair locks behind her ear.Even in the darkness of the quarter moon,he could see the shy smile on her lips ,so beautiful and calm.

And then slowly tilted his head to the left and leaning in ,he descended his lips on hers.

Aabir flew his eyes open and sat on his bed.He looked around frantically and breathed in relief when he realized that he was in his bedroom and what has happened just happened in his dream.

"Thank god,It was a dream.Just a mere stupid dream."He smiled in relief,wiping the sweat off his face.

He poured himself a glass of water and swallowed a few gulps.

Placing the glass down on the nightstand,he dropped his head back to the pillow.

"But why did I see this kind of dream in the first place?"He wondered aloud,staring up at the ceiling "And why her,out of all the girl in the world?"

It was extremely weird and shocking for him to see himself kissing a girl in a dream ,that too Zara and it made him feel like punching himself .

"I must be out of my mind."He kicked his legs in the air "Otherwise why would I dream of her?Why would I kiss her?"He groaned, burying his face in the pillow.

Thus he spent the whole night pondering over his dream and barely slept.

The next day when he reached at the campus and parking his bike at the parking lot, he heard someone calling him out.He twisted to face the direction from which it has come and saw his friends;Kabeer and Umang waving at him from a distance.He smilingly walked in their direction and bro hugged them.

"You look tired.Didn't you sleep well last night?"Kabeer asked,observing Aabir's dull face.

"Oh,I stayed up late last night studying."Aabir made an excuse as he didn't want to tell them the actual reason.

"Woah!That's a true example of a model student."Umang exclaimed at which Aabir chuckled humorlessly.

"Speaking of which,have you guys done your assignment?"Umang inquired to which Aabir answered that he'd already finished his assignment and Kabeer said that his assignment was almost done.Then when they asked about his,he smiled sheepishly and said that he'd not even started that made them surprised .

"What?You haven't started your assignment yet!?"Kabeer exclaimed.

"We've to submit the assignment by the end of this week.Do you think you would be able to finish it off in these two days? "Aabir demanded.

"I got you two;the top students of our batch.So I've no worries.You two are gonna help me to complete my assignment."Umang answered, wrapping his arms around their shoulders and grinning widely.

"What do you take us for?"Aabir threw a questioning look.

"Brothers from different mothers who won't let me fall behind."Umang said with a goofy smile on his face.

Aabir and Kabeer laughed out,shaking their head.

"Look,Zara and Khusbu are here."Kabeer announced when his eyes caught the sight of them who were entering through the main entrance gate .

Then he called the girls towards them.

Aabir's smile immediately dropped as he turned around and saw Zara coming towards their direction alongside Khusbu.

Seeing her face,the last night dream flashed before his eyes ,making his heart beat like crazy.

He quickly looked away while trying to control his racing heart.

Should I make a run now?

Wait,why should I? It's not that something has really happened between us.

I can't act like a coward over a ridiculous dream which has no meaning .

He forced himself to stood his ground.

Khusbu and Zara came to them and they all exchanged greetings.

"Hi,Aabir."when Zara greeted him , he turned slowly and unwillingly.

"Hi ."Aabir just waved a little when he turned towards her and then quickly averted his gaze from her.

Zara narrowed her eyes.However ,her mind got diverted when Umang and Kabeer involved her in their conversation.

"Where are Misha and Simi?"Khusbu inquired.

"I've talked to Misha just a couple of minutes ago.She is on the way."Kabeer answered.

"Simi,too."Umang included.

Zara and Khusbu nodded in acknowledgement.

"Let's go.We're getting late for the class."Aabir nudged Kabeer.

Kabeer flickered his gaze towards him and gave a nod before looking back at the girls.

"We'll get going .See you in lunch break."He told them.

Khusbu said okay whereas Zara nodded her head with a smile, looking past him and towards Aabir who took one glance at her before rushing off.

Aabir knew that it was just a dream but he couldn't help getting affected by it.That dream for some reason ,always on the back of his mind and because of that he couldn't concentrate on anything throughout the day.

"Bro,the lecture is over."Kabeer nudged Aabir ,closing the notebook he was doodling in.

Aabir came out of his trance and looked his front to realize that the professor was already gone and most of the students were out of the room.

He heaved a exaggerated sigh and put the notebook in his backpack before getting up from his seat.

Kabeer narrowed his eyes at his friend who was looking troubled since the morning .He could tell something was going on in Aabir's mind and he thought of asking him about it .But before he could ask him anymore,Umang came and engaged them in talks.

"Guys,The next period is off.Let's go and play basketball."Umang said,putting his arms around their shoulders.

Both nodded and the three of them headed to the basketball court.Aabir thought playing basketball might help him divert his mind.It was all of no use,though.

Even when they were playing basketball,Aabir remained absentminded and it led him to miss a lot of baskets.Eventually he got frustrated at himself.

"I am off."Aabir threw the ball and walked away, dejectedly.

"What's with him today?He look disoriented."One of the boy who was playing with them asked Umang.

"No idea."Umang shrugged his shoulders,staring at Aabir's retreating figure.

"I feel tired.I am off,too."Kabeer announced,passing the ball to Umang and followed Aabir to the locker room to check on him.

Umang was about to follow his friends but other players didn't let him.So he'd to stay back and continue playing basketball.

When Kabeer reached to the locker room,he found Aabir sitting alone on a bench and mumbling to himself.

Aabir was chastising himself for getting that much affected by a dream.Upon realizing someone's arrival ,he got alarmed and composed himself.

Walking in,Kabeer sat beside Aabir and put his hand around his shoulders.

"What's the matter?"He asked Aabir.

"Nothing."Aabir whispered,faking a smile.

Kabeer sighed and shook his head.

"Bro,You were zooned out throughout the day.You even missed a lot of baskets in the game which so much unlike you.It's all written on your face that something's bugging you.So tell me what is it?"Kabeer insist.

Aabir pursed his lips, considering if he should share his problem with him or not.After weighting the pros and cons , he finally decided to talk through his problems with his friend in hope that he would help him clear his mind and find the answer of his questions.

"Kabeer,I have something to ask you."Aabir said , scratching the back of his head hesitatingly.

Kabeer shifted in his seat to face him more,ready to be an attentive listener"Oh,Okay."

"Listen,It's about a friend of mine from Mumbai."Aabir lied as he didn't want him to know that it was about him .

"I see. So, what's with him?" Kabeer asked , curiously.

"Well....He has a female friend in his college.Nowadays his heart feel strange when he sees her.His heart pound and he feels nervous and self conscious around her.It does happen with her only .He doesn't feel this way with his others female friends.
And he has recently seen that girl in his dream too and now he can't get that dream out of his head .He feels like he's going crazy."Aabir voice out all his thoughts and worries .His confusion, agitation and frustration was clearly reflecting on his face and voice and Kabeer didn't miss to notice it.

"So,that friend of yours wants to know what's happening to him and why?"Kabeer asked and Aabir gave him a nod .

"Well,I have a theory about his condition."Kabeer said.

Aabir looked at him curiously."What is it?"

"These symptoms you said are caused by his attraction for that girl."Kabeer concluded.

"Attracted to her.How can it be possible?"Aabir whispered in disbelief.

"If she affect his mood and emotions more than his others close friends, that's clearly means he has romantic feelings for her."Kabeer stated and Aabir got lost in deep thoughts .

When he was sucked in by his thoughts,Kabeer asked"When did you see her in your dream?"

"Last night."Aabir answered absentmindedly and realization dawned on him when he saw the smirk on Kabeer's face and blinked in shock.

"I got you."Kabeer said triumpantly, smiling from ear to ear.

"I knew that you were talking about yourself.A friend of yours!....Such an ancient trick.Nowadays ,High school students doesn't even use this trick."Kabeer laughed.

Aabir shut his eyes tight and scolded himself under the breath for being a stupid.

"So who did you see in your dream?"Kabeer asked and Aabir held his breathe.

"Should I make a guess?"Kabeer spoke when Aabir didn't answer him.

Aabir didn't know what to say as he wasn't wanting to disclose Zara's name.

"The girl you're talking about is Zara, isn't she?"Kabeer said and Aabir looked at him in pure shock.

Never in his dream, he'd thought that Kabeer would guess her name correct, that too at first attempt.

"How did you know?"Aabir demanded ,his eyes still held shock.

"Well...I have a pretty good hunch about these things."Kabeer said smugly.

Aabir rolled his eyes and snickered at his smug face .

"Well.....I am glad you like a girl like Zara.She's pretty,intelligent,gentle and kind.And yes of course,she has a bold and fierce side too.She -"Kabeer paused when he recalled something that Aabir'd said to him long ago.

"Now when I think about it, I can see why does she able to capture your heart.She has exactly the same characteristics that you wanted in your girl."He exclaimed in amusement at this sudden realization.

He scooched closer to Aabir and patted his back "I am happy for you,buddy.You finally found your dream girl."

"Shut up!I don't like her ."Aabir grunted, yanking his arm away."Zara and me?Even the thought of it sounds hilarious."he snickered.

"Come on,Aabir.Don't lie to yourself.You said your heart feel strange when you see her. You said she make you feel excitement, butterflies and nervousness all at the same time.You even dreamt of her.If that's not love,then what is it?"Kabeer reasoned.

"I don't know what is it but it can't be love."Aabir said, stubbornly.

He wasn't ready to admit that he has developed feelings for her.

Kabeer shook his head, disappointedly.

"Aabir,Don't try to avoid your feelings.You're in love with her.Just accept it.It would be easy if you -"

"What are you guys talking about without me?"Umang's sudden voice startled them and they turned around at him .

Kabeer was opening his mouth to respond but Aabir grabbed his hand and gave him a death glare to make him stop.

Kabeer pursed his lips and said nothing.

"Nothing important."Aabir answered him.

"But I heard him telling you to accept something.What does he want you to accept?"Umang demanded,eyeing them suspiciously.

"I told you it's nothing important."Aabir said,coming over to his locker and opening it to take out his clothes to change .

"Hey,Forget it .How about we go to the cafeteria?Aabir said he'll treat us to lunch today ."Kabeer said to Umang and Aabir shot a questioning glance at him as he'd never mentioned something like this.

Kabeer just wanted to divert Umang's focus from that topic and that seemed to work.

"Really?"Umang looked at Aabir for confirmation.

Aabir got to understand Kabeer's intention by then .So he just gave him a nod.

"Oh, that's great ."Umang beamed with excitement."But why do you want to give us a treat all of a sudden ?"He asked.

"I just want to."Aabir answered while taking off his jursey and putting on his t-shirt that he wore before.

"Without a occasion?"Umang questioned.

"Why?Can't I give a treat to my friends if I want to? Do I need to have a reason for that?"Aabir asked, sounding irritated.

"Of course ,you don't need a reason for that .I was just curious, that's why asking you."Umang said

"I've left a message for girls in our group chat.They will join us soon in the cafeteria."Kabeer informed them"Let's get changed and go to the Cafeteria."

Umang and Aabir gave him a nod and then changing their clothes,they  headed to the cafeteria.

When they got in line to buy food in the cafeteria and Umang wasn't paying attention to them,Aabir took the chance and pulled Kabeer by his arm.

"Listen,What we talked in the locker room,it'll stay between us.Don't you dare tell this to anyone."He warned Kabeer,dropping his voice to a whisper .

"Don't worry,bro.Your little secret is safe with me."Kabeer winked at him with a grin.

Aabir rolled his eyes at his grinning face.However he was relieved that Kabeer wouldn't disclose his secret.

As promised,Aabir paid for all the foods they bought and then taking seats in a empty table ,they waited for the girls.

Simi and Misha joined them in a while and at last Zara and Khusbu joined them.

Aabir's sight frozen when Zara showed up.He felt as if someone was drumming in his heart.He felt a fuzzy feeling building up as he watched her greeting everyone, gracefully sitting down at the table and settling down the tray.

"Don't forget to blink."Kabeer whispered into his ear with a mischievous smile on his face that brought Aabir out of his trance .

He directed his stern gaze on Kabeer and kicked him under the table.

Kabeer kicked him back.

Aabir looked up at her again and their eyes met for a brief moment before he averted his gaze and casted it on his tray.The rest of the lunch time,he tried his best to avoid any eye contact.

Cause he didn't want to feel what he knew he would feel if he look at her face.

Aabir took a breathe of relief when the lunch time finished and they parted away for their classes.

He spent the rest of the day in confusion.Kabeer's words kept ringing in his ear.

When the college hour ended,Aabir bid goodbyes to his friends and hoped on the bike.

He was taking out the bikes from the parking lot when he noticed Zara getting out of her college gate with Khusbu by her side.

"Is kabeer right?Am I really falling for you?"Aabir whispered,looking at her.

Just at the moment,Zara happened to look at his direction and their eyes met.

Zara smiled at him and was about to wave him goodbye but before she could raise her hand,Aabir looked away and put on his helmet.Zara furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as she didn't get why he acted like he didn't see her .Cause She was sure that their eyes had met. He has definitely seen her.

"Zara,What are you looking at?Let's go quickly.Otherwise we'll miss the last bus."Khusbu said,dragging her to the bus stop.

Zara took one last glance at him and then followed Khusbu .

When she began walking away,Aabir looked at her retreating figure and heaved a deep sigh.

After thinking a lot throughout the day,Aabir'd come to this conclusion that he was paying too much attention to her recently and perhaps that's why she was on the top of his mind.So,he had decided to keep a distance from her for a while to clear his mind and reflect on his emotions.

Once Zara completely went out of his sight,he started his bike and zomed off.