College campus, 8.30am

"Did you see the exam syllabus?"asked Sasha popping in front of us.She had a disbelieving look on her face.

"Yeah."we shrugged in response.Pranjal got back to reading the physics book he had borrowed from library. I bet it weighted more than him or may be all of our total weight put together. Hope the bench we are sitting on doesn't tilt due to the weight. Sasha continued her rambling"Are these professors after our lives?We are students and not some reincarnated Einsteins.There are fourteen physics chapters,sixteen for chemistry..Mogambo sure has lost it.Almost all chapters for maths I and II...."She could go on talking all day long but I interrupted her.

"Baby, you need to breath in between the talk.Exam is the bitter truth of a student's life.We can't change the fact that we are in a big mess."I said pulling her down on the middle of the bench between me and Pranjal.

She didn't look convinced with my answer. Pranjal shifted his attention to us from the book and said"You guys are wasting time by cribbing about the syllabus.I just completed studying Newton's law." Yeah! He could be a real nerd sometimes.He was the brightest among us.

Sasha asked him"Which law where you reading exactly Baba Pranjal ji?". He replied with a smirk on his face"Law of Gravity." What Sasha did next made me laugh like hyena. She had pushed him off the bench.He was now lying on the ground."See,I just gave you a demo of how that law works and don't thank me.You know how modest I am." She spoke crossing her arms and settling down on the bench again.

He shot her an angry look while getting up.Then he pulled her hair.She winced in pain and started beating him with his own Physics book.I tried pulling her away from him before she kills him.I hated the fact that I always had to be a mediater when my friends fought with each other. Be it Sam and Nikki or Pranjal and Sasha.

Soon we all got busy in studying for the exam. There was a silence for a minute or two as Sasha broke it soon."Who is that hottie?"She enquired eyeing a new guy who was passing by us.He was dressed in formals.His purple shirt and grey pant suited him really well. We were now observing him. Pranjal shot a disapproving look in our direction and got busy in reading another law by Newton. This guy was sure obsessed with him.

The new guy looked confused as he had stopped and was figuring out something.

Sasha got up from her place and walked upto him."Hello handsome do you need any help?"she asked in a flirting manner. We both rolled our eyes at her.Was she even thinking before speaking those words? That guy replied soon"Yeah I am looking for something. Can you help me?"

Sasha stole a victorious glance at us and replied him"Yeah sure.I will be happy to help."

"I am looking for Geology department."He said with a small smile."Oh! That's great.I am a geology student too.You are new here?"she tried digging out some more information.

"Yeah! I am the new substitute Geology teacher."He blurted out the truth finally. Pranjal spat out the water he was drinking and was now gasping for air. I facepalmed myself after realising our great best friend had made fool of herself.

"I guess you are not in the mood of helping me anymore.I will find the way on my own."He chuckled while saying that and walked away from her.Sasha stood at her place still registering what just happened.

"Hello handsome do you need any help?"said Pranjal mimicking a girly voice.I was lauging hard clutching my stomach.Soon Sasha was running towards him with anger in her eyes.He collected his stuff and made run for his life.

****************************************

"Guys, buttering me won't help you pass in Maths. I am not going to give you any important questions for the exam."said Mr. Deshmukh our math professor.

The whole class hooted and groaned in response.Professor shot us a warning look and started teaching 'Derivatives'.We were trying to solve the sum written on the board.Suddenly the evil group arrived at the door of classroom. I wondered what made them attend math lecture today since they rarely attended any of the lectures regularly.

All students were looking at them with curiosity. When professor noticed them standing at the door, he said sarcastically"Oh my god! Look who has blessed us with their devine presence,Mr.Mitra and his buddies.Why are you standing at the door and troubling your feet sir.Please come inside and give me an honour of serving you with my knowledge." I could see all four of them trying to suppress the laughter.

"Sir, we realised that how important math is in our daily life and the hardwork you are putting in teaching us has opened our eyes . That's why we are here and I promise we will attend your class regularly."said Jay sugarcoating the words.Though professor didn't look convinced.

"Dude,but you said oldie is giving important questions and that's why we are here just for today."commented Warren without realising he was so loud that the whole class heard it.We all were giggling now.Jay and rest of the two boys shot angry look at their dumb friend. Professor glared at them.Then turning to us he asked in angry tone"Who is spreading these rumours about me giving important questions?"Everyone in the class started acting innocent and pretended to solve the sum.Then Professor Deshmukh turned his attention to Aaruj and his friends.He ordered them with a frown on his face" You idiots get inside and settle down somewhere."

All of them hurried inside and went to the only vacant last row and sat down.While passing by my desk,Aaruj didn't forget to tap on it.I thought he did it unknowingly first.But when I stole a glance at him he was smiling like an idiot.I was lost in my pool of happiness when I realised someone was shaking me off.

"Nia, I am calling you from last five minutes.Where are you lost?"Sasha questioned me in hush tone as the professor was still teaching us. She was sitting in the chair beside me. He had his back turned to us. "Umm. ..what's the matter?"I asked portraying normal expression on my face.

"I don't have math textbook.I was studying from the book I borrowed from library and it's not that good.Will you come with me to buy textbook on Sunday?"She asked while pretenting to listen to what professor was explaining on the board now.

"Okay."I replied in an instant. Soon I realised that Aaruj and I were going to meet on the same day.What am I gonna do now?Aaruj looked so adamant on our Sunday's plan.How can I lie to Sasha? She is my best friend.

The whole period passed in blur as I was lost in thinking about the worse situation lying in front of me.I had to choose between Sasha and Aaruj.My mind was telling me to be loyal to my best friend but my heart was on some different track.I was brought back to reality when the bell rang.

*****************************************

"Babes,how do you and Aaruj manage to meet when he is so busy?"asked a female voice.It sounded so familiar.

I was about to come from the cubicle of washroom when I heard other girl mentioning my name in their conversation.I stopped in my tracks. "He is less busy now as he is done with that stupid expo finally.He doesn't have to tolerate that plain Nia anymore."said another familiar voice. I could now easily figure out it was Vishakha.

"Was she that irritating?"asked the other girl who I suppose was 'Ojaswee' since she always accompained Vishakha almost everwhere and could be her certified blind follower.

"You know how these wannabes are.They don't easily leave the opportunity to trap college's most handsome and popular guys.It their only hope to bask in the limelight.She tried but my baby didn't give her any attention.You know he was so insisting on meeting me this weekend but I couldn't since I am going out of town."she replied.Her every word was bringing tears in my eyes.I never wanted to cry so badly in my life but I hold the sobs back.If he thought of me like that then why was he so caring when I was stuck at his home the other day. He even gifted me the bracelet.It made me feel so special that day.Now the same bracelet was stinging on my wrist.I felt like flushing it in the toilet. But it wasn't even mine in the first place.

Soon those girls left as I heard the door being opened and closed again.I came out from the cubicle.The only eye makeup was dripping down my cheeks.I looked like a clown with my red nose and swollen eyes.I washed my face and tried to wipe off any trace of the tears. Everytime I had a look at myself in the mirror I felt awful. How did I even think that we were good friends?Who was I kidding here?

I looked at the bracelet.I pulled it off my wrist and placed it in my sling bag.My phone started buzzing suddenly. I answered the call.It was Nikki."Hey sweety, how are you? "She screamed from the other end."I am fine."I said trying to sound as normal as I could.

"Darling,you don't sound fine to me.why being so gloomy?"she asked in a worried manner. How these best friends know something is wrong with you? Do they have any sensors for that?

"I was missing you Nikki."I replied and it wasn't a total lie.I wanted to share my tragic story with her but I didn't tell her anything . I felt so helpless since I couldn't share it with my other girl friend Sasha as well.She hated the evil group so much.Fortunatly,Nikki didn't stretch the discussion the topic too far.She soon asked me"you are coming home on Diwali right?" I knew she did it to cheer me up.

"Yeah.As soon as my exam is over."I said in excited manner.I really felt good after talking with her for a while.Then I ended the call as I was getting late for next lecture.

I entered biology class and saw Pranjal sitting in the front chair. I sat in the vacant chair beside him.Thank god! He was immersed in writing something in his notebook.Otherwise he would have figured out I had been crying.I started to make a diagram of a plant cell that was drawn on the board.Soon I noticed our biology professor rubbing her head in frustration.I asked her out of courtesy"Devyani Mam are you alright?"She was the only coolest teacher in our college.She always insisted addressing her by first name.She never scolded anyone or talk harshly to any student.She was middleaged but was still young at heart.Sasha would always envy the two of us since she had not taken biology.

"I am not feeling well Nia and I just realised I forgot a book in the library.I was going to give you notes from it.That book is better than the textbook you guys are referring for Biology."She replied to me.

"If you want I will go and bring it."I suggested.She nodded her head."Just tell me where you kept it."I added rising up from my chair.She smiled at me and then spoke in her cheerful usual self again"Thank you sweetheart. I left it on the last table in the corner." I made my way to the library which was on the third floor just above our classroom. I entered the library and looked for the book. I found it soon and was about to walk towards the door when someone yanked me behind the cupboards that were like a partition to the main area in library.

I was now looking at that person.It was Aaruj. He smirked and let go of my hand.

I instantly looked away and was about to walk out of that place when he pulled me back. I scowled and tried to release my hand from his grip.

"Why are you being a grumpy grandma today Miss Tantrum?"he asked and chuckled at his own words.

"Let me go.I have to give this book to Devyani Mam."I snorted while fidgeting my wrist from his hold.

"You were crying,weren't you?"he asked suddenly cuping my face with his hands.I was now looking at his face.He looked serious. But I am not going to fall for his tricks again, not after realising what he actually thinks of me.

"No I wasn't."I said jerking away from him.

"Yes you were.Your Nose only turns red when you either yawn or cry.I haven't seen you yawn recently so it leaves you with the later part.You were crying."he stated confidently.

I was in utter shock.Does he know me that well? The very thought scared me.I can't be so predictable when I know he is just like those other casinovas plus he has a girlfriend. The thought of vishakha brought me from my thinking land and I resumed my composure saying"Don't be so concerned about me.Your girlfriend might feel insecure."With this I walked away from him and made my way through the exit.
****************************************
A/N: Don't hate me for doing this...lol.

I love exams. Sounds weird but I do.Though I would always be nervous and hyper when they were around.Any superstitious thing that you do when exams are around.? ..about me, I never apply nailpolish on my nails during the exams.;):p I know it sounds crazy but why to risk your luck when you are in doubt.
Did you enjoy reading this chappy? ¥€$ ?n@ ? Ma¥ b€?
Apologies for grammar/spelling errors.
Please vote/comment.
Happy reading:)♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
~daydreamero9~