"Why was Zara thanking me for Varun?" I questioned as we were moving in the corridor towards the auditorium. Varun and Anuj had joined us and now Samaira and Varun were lagging behind, engrossed with each other. I was accompanied by Anuj.

"Maybe because you were the reason..." I stared at him doubtfully. "Varun mentioned that Samaira's small argument with you made her realise she was acting silly on expecting him to cut off from his friend. So indirectly you were the reason behind Varun walking back to us." He reasoned though it seemed illogical, yet I gave a slight nod.

Soon Samaira and Varun matched with our pace. "Hey, AJ..." she called him out. "I hope you don't mind if I call you that?" She inquired. Anuj just brushed it off. "Why do you act so cold over Ruhi's friendship with Rudr?" I widen my eyes. How could she directly ask him about it?

"If you are having any doubts that I am interested in your best friend, it isn't true." And he blurted out as well.

"Yes! Samy, I told you. Anuj had no interest in getting into a relationship." Varun reasoning it to her.

"But why he behaved so..."

"Because I am concerned about her and I don't want her to interact with anyone as dangerous as him."

"Same goes to your gang as well. She should stop talking to you then." Anuj narrowed his eyes at her at that comment. Surely, it was correct but he wasn't appreciating that remark.

"Isn't your girlfriend way direct. She will be annoying to handle."

"Ehaan's mention the same about me." I protested as he was judging my best friend. Samaira had a smirk playing on her lips, for some reason Anuj bond with me made her insecurities rise up. Maybe we mostly had mutual friends and they both weren't getting along.

"Don't be offended, he says the same about me sometimes." He engulfed his hand around my shoulder dragging me away from the rest two. "Your best friend will be so annoying to be handled in the group." I glared at him as he repeated his words back, hitting on his chest trying to wriggle from his grip.

"Don't say it again..." He smiled seeing me mad, weren't they supposed to be scared of me?

"Or..." He challenged.

"Or..."

"Ruhi!" Came an exclaimed voice of Rudr. The grip on my shoulder tighten, I stared at Anuj suspiciously. What was it with Anuj and his displeased attitude towards Rudr?

"Hi!" I managed an awkward smile as Rudr stared between us both. His face screaming, he wasn't appreciating the closeness I was having with Anuj. What was it with everyone around me and their overprotectiveness? We had entered the auditorium and everyone's eyes were on me. Associating with the popular gang of college and nearly accepting them close to friends had provided me with uninvited attention. Slowly I was coming to accept it, though it made me conscious at times.

"Finally, the most awaited person arrived." Came a mocking welcome of Mia. I ignored her. I had learned to overlook her insulting remark. It wasn't that I couldn't pay her back but I opted not to spoil my mood.

"Finally, you had accepted that she is the most awaited one." Anuj bounced back, spreading a smile on my lip. I could always count on him for it. Slowly dragging me along with him on the raised platform, we labelled stage. Rudr was displeased by Anuj such behaviour yet he faked a smile at me.

"Don't you think, it was rude?" I questioned him, disappointed with his stern attitude towards Rudr.

"I don't think so," he replied acting his ignorant self.

"He is my dance partner."

"Better it remains only that," I was taken aback by his sudden seriousness. Why his attitude shouted there was something? I raised a brow, staring at him suspiciously. I needed to know the reason behind his aloof behaviour. "You know I don't like shipping you both. I had mentioned it to you on the first day." I couldn't buy his reason, it wasn't normal disliking.

"You can't force me from considering him a friend because you think he isn't good for me." I challenged him. I knew he cared yet his protectiveness seemed invalid. Not when Rudr seemed such a nice person! I was innocent but often I could feel people vibes. I could just feel if a certain person was nice or wrong. Though I tried to act not judgmental often I ended up judging people on their appearance and conversation skills. I often enjoyed finding different aspects of personality!

He paused keenly observing me. His expression suggested he was having some serious thoughts maybe debating to utter or not. I diverted my gaze away at the auditorium surrounding me with numerous people. Some eyes were suspiciously trained on us and among them were his friends. In the group only Zara pressed a smile at me, her behaviour had differed from the initials one. I offered her back.

"Ruhi..." Anuj spoke taking my concentration back to him. "You had seen him triggering Ehaan with your name." I stared at him confused. "Our first encounter with you on the playground." He suggested on glancing at my appalled expression.

I was sure he was triggering Ehaan but why would he do it with my name? There was much more... "You might have noticed the thing that grabbed Rudr attention was your name as it's familiar with..." He paused, hesitance clearly visible due to his frequent paused. Anuj wasn't a person who seemed nervous, he was bold enough to speak everything and to anyone. Him showing hesitance proved, the matter was serious. "Someone related to Ehaan."

"He doesn't have a good relationship with that person..." he completed it. Sighing in relief as if it was a huge task. "He doesn't like his past shared with anyone apart from people he trusts." He felt guilty of his deeds, his black orbs conveyed it. "So, I can't share it with you. Ruhi, try to understand. This guys are not honest enough, they are ruthless and can go to any extreme for their ego." He completed, staring into my eyes. Pleading me listen to him. I wanted to! But I seemed so unsure of myself at that moment. Anuj wanted me to believe that Rudr wasn't genuine with me. He was suggesting that Rudr was using me, I was convinced about it during our initial meeting but surely his actions towards me had changed in few days. But if I couldn't trust Rudr, how could I trust Anuj? Weren't they same? Wasn't he a bad boy as well? What if he was acting as well?

My head was messed with so many thoughts! I needed peace, I needed to stop having those stressful thoughts.

"Ru..."

"I don't know, I just don't know what to think. I need my time..." Saying so I walked from Anuj, towards the window. I needed some peace of mind, glimpsing out of window did provide some.

Why even was I bothering with them? It wasn't like they would exist in my life forever! They were not even my friends! I keep saying it and I know it sound cruel but they weren't that close to me. As Samy was! And again, they would pass this year and get themselves busy in their university. I wasn't in need of making new friends that won't last long. Further they were complex creature and I had no enough energy to deal with them. So, let's enjoy remaining few days without getting attached to anyone in the gang.

"As we all had seen Mia hadn't dealt with the inner injury, she would be joining the dance." Commented Aarav, grabbing everyone's attention. Though I showed I was least interested but I couldn't help my ears from listening to those words. I kept staring at the window, lost in thoughts. How could I be so foolish to think Ehaan would put reputation of the school at stake for his mere revenge? Everything was planned! First, forcefully dragging me into the competition. Torturing me on every single day with new developed steps, humiliating me at every particular seconds. And then throwing me out of it.

"As we got our wonderful dancer, we no longer in need of the replacement." It wasn't Aarav but Ehaan announcing. I closed my eyes not for once glimpsing at anyone's reaction or offering anyone with mine. I never thought it would sadden me to such an extent! I was deep down praying for any miracle to pull me out of the group. But when it was happening, it was saddening me. I had worked hard every single minute in the auditorium, I never took it as a revenge rather an opportunity to enjoy my dance.

At times I felt exhausted. Even gave up, planning to back off yet I kept myself motivated. At times I stayed long hours just to complete my homework. Often my body ached and I felt of taking a break but each day I encouraged myself because I was determined to offer my best. I was well aware that I wasn't a very good dancer and people around me claimed it louder every minute. It would hurt me if ever our school lost due to me and for that reason, I gave my best. But on listening my so much hard work was of no use made my heart heavy.

I had seen my over-enthusiastic dad; he was excited for upcoming competition. He even had planned leave from the office on that day. He was so confident on my skills, announcing our school would win. I kept staring at nothing in particular, what would I answer him? What would I answer mom? She had provided me with equal support, seeing the determination and the way I was going out of my comfort zone.

"Have you lost it! Both of you?" A loud yell of Anuj was offered.

___

Thanks for liking this book so much. This book was written without any planning, outlining. I had written everything in a flow. It kept making sense as I went writing and I hadn't completed writing it still but till now it shaping into something wonderful. Somewhere I had reached 50 chapters as seem like the book is going to be a long one. 

Thanks for being part of the journey, each vote... each comment makes my day. As this is a small path I need to cross many hurdles to finally reach my destination. And it's always beautiful when you have many companions on the way. 

{Due to your so much love, I have a spoiler. Ruhi is going to be bold enough and confess about her feeling not now, for that you will have to wait for so many chapters. It isn't like a true confession but whatever it is. Can you believe a reserved girl like Ruhi, did it? I didn't know it before she proved it to me as well, there was a much bold version of her hidden behind her reserved self.}