Akash looked confused. "Arre, mai Siya ki baat pe bola!"

Shashwat again added "Iska koi haq nahi hai Siya ke baat ka bhi reply dene ka."

"Mai tujhse baat kar raha hun kisi aur ko kyun khujli mach rahi hai." Akash said rolling his eyes at Shashwat.

Shashwat turned to Reyansh. "Tu mujhse baat karega samjha?"

Akash didn't back down. "Reyansh, agar tune mujhse baat nahi ki, na, tera sar khol ke gobar bhar dunga usme."

Before anyone could react, Shashwat grabbed Reyansh's arm. "Idhar aa!"

Akash grabbed Reyansh's other arm. "Reyansh, mat! Peet dunga. Yahi reh chup chap."

The two started pulling Reyansh from either side like a tug-of-war. Reyansh struggled between them, his face a mix of frustration and disbelief. Everyone else watched, their eyes darting between the three of them.

"Chhoro kaminon!" Reyansh shouted, finally yanking his hands free. He stormed over to Darsh and Vihaan, rubbing his arms.

"Mar jao dono lad-lad ke aaj! Aur mai chahe jis se baat karoon, meri marzi. Zyada dimag kharab karoge, dono ko utha ke naali mein phek dunga. Tairte rehna hai zindagi bhar Siya aur Richa ke saath!"

Richa, who had been quietly observing, looked up, unimpressed. "Hume kyun toda?" she asked, her expression deadpan.

The group was busy with their tasks when Ishika walked into the room carrying a small box in her hand. She approached Darsh, who immediately stiffened upon seeing the box.

"Darsh, aaj phir se tera courier aaya," Ishika said, holding out the box. "Har week tere courier hi aate hain. Kya hota kya hai isme?"

Darsh scratched the back of his head nervously. "Choti maa...maa wo hum class nahi kar rahe hain na, to isliye. Mera ek friend hamare liye notes bhejta hai."

Ishika raised an eyebrow but handed over the box. "Acha...le," she said, walking away.

Darsh took the box and clutched it tightly, but Akash, Reyansh, and Arav exchanged mischievous glances. Without warning, Akash snatched the box from Darsh's hands while Reyansh and Arav held Darsh by his arms, preventing him from retrieving it.

"Aaahhh! Bhaiya, chhodo! Kya kar rahe ho?" Darsh struggled, trying to break free.

"Ruk ja, akhir ham bhi dekhein itna shubh-chintak dost kaun hai jo tere liye notes bhejta hai," Ritika said with a teasing smirk. "Akash, jaldi open kar na!"

"Bhabhi, aisa kuch nahi hai, yaar! Please, Akash bhaiya, mujhe woh dedo!" Darsh pleaded, his face red with panic.

"Itna kya mar raha hai? Notes hi to hain. Dar to aise raha hai jaise love letter ho," Shashwat quipped, chuckling.

Richa picked up the box skeptically. "Ye itna patla sa notes? Itne me kya likha hoga?"

"Wahi to! Zara dekhein, aisa bhi kya padhai hai jisme bas itna kam notes banta hai," Siya added, raising an eyebrow.

Darsh's struggles became more desperate. "Bhaiya, bhabhi log, nahi! Please, aaaaaaaaaaa, chhodo mujhe!"

Ignoring Darsh's protests, Akash opened the box with dramatic flair. Inside, there was only a single piece of paper folded neatly.

"Ohooo, wahi ladki ka love letter! Waah, bhai," Akash exclaimed, holding up the paper.

"Padh, padh! Ab kya likha hai isne?" Arav said eagerly, leaning closer.

Darsh's face turned crimson as he shook his head frantically. "Akash bhaiya, mat karo yaar! Please, don't!"

But Akash had already unfolded the letter. Clearing his throat, he began to read aloud with exaggerated dramatic pauses.

"'Dear Darsh...'"

Darsh groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Bas, bas, bas! Yaar, chhoro, mat padho bhaiyaaaaa!"

Akash ignored him and continued.

Darsh,

I hope this letter finds you in good spirits. I must admit that writing to you has become one of my favorite things to do lately, especially when words fail to escape my lips during our fleeting meetings. It's amusing how someone like me, who thrives on debates and legal arguments, finds herself so helpless when it comes to you.

I am reminded of a legal maxim that states, "Justice delayed is justice denied." Perhaps the same applies to us. Every moment without you feels like a delay in the justice of my emotions. You have become a witness to my heart's case, the only one who truly understands its silent pleadings.

The law teaches us about contracts and their binding nature, but isn't love the most profound contract of all? A silent, unwritten agreement between two people to be there for each other, through every verdict life delivers? If that is true, then I think I have unknowingly entered into such a contract with you, one that holds my heart as collateral.

As years have passed, my love for you has matured, much like a case file that grows richer in content. Each letter I have sent represents a clause in the never-ending contract of our bond, one that neither time nor distance can rescind.

I won't ask for much, Darsh. Just the assurance that we will have more of those moments, those quiet, secret meetings where I don't have to argue or justify anything. I simply get to be with you, the one who has become my favorite case to fight for.

Until then, I will patiently wait for the day when the scales of time tilt in our favor. Because when it comes to you, I am willing to wait for as long as it takes.

With all my love and in legal perpetuity,

Your Secret Admirer.

Ritika gestured for everyone to look at Darsh. As the group turned their attention to him, they noticed his cheeks were pink, and he had a shy smile plastered across his face. His eyes were glued to the letter, clearly lost in the words written within.

"Ohooo, phool kumari sharma raha hai," Akash teased, smirking.

Darsh immediately looked up, flustered. "K...kya? Aisa kuch nahi hai," he stammered, trying to defend himself.

"Dikh raha hai kaisa hai," Shashwat said with a teasing grin.

Reyansh leaned in with a playful salute. "Bhai, ladki ke liye salute banta hai. Kya unique letters likhti hai!"

Vihaan, catching on to the teasing mood, saluted Divya discreetly. Divya smiled shyly, looking down.

Just then, Akash's eyes fell on a card that Vihaan was working on. He squinted, observing something peculiar. "Ek second, ek second," he said, snatching the card from Vihaan's hand.

"Kya hua, bhaiya?" Vihaan asked, confused by Akash's sudden reaction.

Akash held up the card and pointed to the handwriting. "Mujhe hi aisa lag raha hai, kya? Ya phir tum sabko bhi?"

"Kya bolega kuch?" Reyansh asked impatiently.

"Ye Vihaan ki handwriting aur iski handwriting same to same lag rahi hai," Akash declared, holding up both the letter and the card.

"Arre haan! Ye to same hai," Richa said, leaning in for a closer look.

"Huh! Iska kya matlab samjhein?" Shashwat said, intrigued.

Everyone turned their attention to Darsh and Vihaan, their faces filled with suspicion and curiosity.

Akash gasped dramatically. "Hamare group me ek BL couple kam the kya, jo ek aur aa gaye!"

"Kaun?" Arav asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Ye Reyansh aur Shashwat kam the kya, jo ab Vihaan aur Darsh bhi aa gaye!" Akash said with mock seriousness, only to earn a slap on the back of his head from Reyansh.

"Gadha kahin ka," Reyansh muttered, while Shashwat shot a glare at Akash.

Darsh, however, looked horrified. He turned to Vihaan with mock betrayal. "Aap log mujhe kya keh rahe ho...mujhe thodi pata tha! Aur Vihaan, tu saale kamine! Maine tujhe apna dilbar jaani, dost samjha, aur tu yeh game khel raha tha mere saath? Sale kameene! Ek baar tu Angel Priya ban kar mujhse Insta pe baat kar leta, toh mujhe pata chalne par itna dukh nahi hota! Aur tu letters ke through mujhe bewakoof bana raha hai!"

"Arre yaar, maine thodi bheja hai!" Vihaan defended himself, throwing his hands up. "Aur rahi baat handwriting ki, toh kitne saare logon ki ek jaise hoti hai! Dhyan se dekho, iske D likhne me aur mere D likhne me kitna zyada difference hai."

Everyone crowded around to compare the handwriting on the card and the letter.

"Haan, difference toh hai thoda," Akash admitted after a moment of scrutiny.

Darsh let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "Mera dil phephda nikal ke haath me aa gaya tha! Mujhe laga mai fas gaya iske prank me."

He snatched the letter back from Akash and carefully slipped it into his pocket, guarding it like a prized possession.

Vihaan shook his head in exasperation. "Aur aap logon ko common sense nahi hai, kya? Mai yahan hun, aur letter Bangalore se aa raha hai. Thoda toh dimaag lagao, yaar."

"Haan, ye toh socha hi nahi," Akash said sheepishly.

The group exchanged embarrassed smiles before returning to their tasks, the room once again filled with chatter and laughter.

The room was filled with playful chatter as the group teased Darsh about his mysterious love letter. Divya couldn't hold back her comment any longer.

"Isko love letter bhejta kaun hoga? Shakal dhyan se dekhi nahi thi kya?" she said, rolling her eyes dramatically.

Darsh placed a hand on his chest, pretending to be deeply hurt. "Oo, hamesha jalti rehti hai mujhse... jalta hai sala mujhse majnu!" he said in an exaggerated tone.

Divya raised an eyebrow. "Jalan? Wo bhi tumse? Tumse jalne se acha toh mai aag se jal jaun," she retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Darsh wasn't one to back down. "Jab wo ladki meri tareef karti hai, tumhe jalan hoti hai. Khud ki harkatein toh gali khane wali hain, toh meri tareef bardasht nahi hoti madam ko!" he fired back.

Divya scoffed. "Haan aur tumhari shakal bhi gali khane wali hoti hai, par uspe bhi teri tareef karte hain, ispe hasi aa jati hai bas," she said, folding her arms with a victorious smirk.

"Jokes apart, guys," Ritika intervened, trying to redirect the banter. "Jo bhi hai, wo ladki tujhe bahut ache se jaanti hai. Tera nature tak samajh gayi lagta hai."

Shashwat nodded thoughtfully. "Waise sochne wali baat hai... aisa lagta hi nahi ki abhi college me bas tujhe dekh ke pyaar hua. Lagta hai ki kitne saalon tak tujhe kareeb se dekha ho, tujhe samjha ho, tab jaake pyaar kiya ho."

Arushi chimed in, agreeing with Shashwat. "Haan, koi insaan ek nazar me dekhte hi toh itna pyaar me pagal nahi ho jata ki deewano ki tarah love letter ghar tak bhej de."

Richa smirked and pointed at Siya, who immediately turned crimson. "Bagal me hi ek example hai," Richa said, earning giggles from the group.

"Hai na!" Ritika added, grinning at Siya. "Mai bhi same soch rahi thi... itna kaise pyaar ho gaya ek nazar mein? Kahin ye tumhe stalk toh nahi karti ya koi teri dost hai college ki jo tujhe janti ho."

Darsh shrugged nonchalantly. "Nahi yaar, meri toh Divya ke alawa koi female friend nahi hai,"

Vihaan suddenly smirked, breaking the flow of their conversation. "Kahin ye letter Divya ne to nahi likha ho?" he said mischievously.

The room went completely silent. Everyone immediately straightened in their seats, wearing identical expressions of shock. Then, they all turned their heads toward Divya in unison.

Divya, who had been quietly sitting and observing the chaos, gulped audibly. Her eyes widened as she saw everyone staring at her, including Darsh.

"Divya ke alawa koi Darsh ko itne ache se nahi janta," Vihaan added, his smirk deepening. "To most probably wahi ho sakti hai, agar aap log ki theory par jayenge to."

Divya's expression remained neutral for a moment, but her silence was telling. Then, without a word, she stood up, walked over to Vihaan, and-thwack!-delivered a tight slap to the back of his head.

"Aaaaaa!" Vihaan yelled, falling off the couch and landing near Kanak, his head coming to rest in her lap.

Kanak made a face and pushed him slightly. "aaaa," she said, causing Vihaan to sit upright quickly while still rubbing his head.

"Kya mast thappad pada bhai...awaz kaan cheer ke nikal gayi," Akash said, blinking in disbelief as Vihaan winced and continued caressing his head.

"Bakwas karega dobara to ek aur lagana meri taraf se bhi," Darsh said, glaring at him.

"Arre, I was just saying! Mai konsa confirm keh raha tha!" Vihaan protested weakly.

"Aur karna bhi mat! Mai isse letter likhungi? Kidmada ki shakal ka!" Divya retorted, her voice dripping with annoyance.

"Oye! Mujhe shauk bhi nahi. Aur tu dayan ki shakal ki!" Darsh shot back, crossing his arms.

Arav, who had been quietly observing, jumped in. "Aur abhi khud logic de raha tha ki ye letter Banglore se hai aur Divya yahan hai. Uske time wo logic kahan gaya? Wo bhi to yahi hai na, letter kaise bhejegi?"

"Haan, sorry, sorry!" Vihaan said quickly, raising his hands in surrender, his sheepish smile betraying his regret.

The tension eased as everyone laughed and returned to their work.

Divya's phone buzzed. It was a message from Vihaan.

Divya: "Tujhe mai kha pee ke barabar kar dunga. Ye chauthi baar tha jab tune mera naam liya, and sabko almost shaq ho gaya tha."

Vihaan quickly typed a reply.

Vihaan: "Tu to kabhi batayegi nahi, to kya karen?"

Divya: "Wo hamesha has ke taal deta hai."

Vihaan: "Because teri harkatein hi aisi hain. Tune kabhi usse aisa feel karvaya?"

Divya: "You know na it will get awkward. Hamara relationship hi aisa hai, to isme mai koi aisa kaam nahi karna chahti jis se ye sab kharab ho jaye... I will tell him, but abhi uske liye time hai."

Vihaan: "Haan, time hai. Jab uske bache ho jayenge tab batana. 😒 Darsh sahi kehta hai gadhi hai tu."

Divya: "😒😒."

Meanwhile, Akash, sitting nearby, had been observing their silent exchange. He noticed the subtle glances and the expressions on their faces as they typed back and forth. A slow smirk formed on his lips.

"Shayad mujhe samajh aa raha hai," Akash muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing slightly as he connected the dots.

Reyansh leaned back in his chair, a mischievous grin spreading across his face as he glanced at Darsh. "Vaise bhai, 3 saal se wo tujhe letters bhej rahi hai, tujhe kahin dikhi nahi, jaise tune bataya tha pehle ki kabhi bag mein letter milta hai, kabhi tere room mein... to kabhi wo dikhi nahi. Kya ho raha hai?"

Siya, who had been quietly listening, couldn't resist joining in with a teasing tone. "Haan, wahi toh! Kahin koi bhoot chudail to tere peeche nahi pad gayi?" She raised an eyebrow, smirking at Darsh's puzzled expression.

Kanak, always quick with a witty remark, added, "Haan, bhoot law padhte hain na, jo law ke language mein letter likhenge?" She laughed to herself, clearly pleased with her own joke.

Ritika, with her usual flair for the dramatic, leaned in and added her own theory, "Kya pata, jis jagah Darsh rehta tha, wahan koi ladki ne suicide kiya ho, aur jab Darsh wo room mein shift hua, to uss aatma ko Darsh se pyaar ho gaya ho!" She giggled at the thought of the mysterious ghost haunting Darsh for the last three years.

Arav, shaking his head, couldn't resist throwing in his own playful comment, "Inko dekho, inki shadi hone wali hai!" He gestured at Ritika and Kanak, who were laughing with each other. The others couldn't help but chuckle at his words.

Darsh, feeling the teasing barbs coming from every direction, threw his hands up in mock exasperation. "Arre, aap log meri sunoge ya apne hi bolte rahoge?" His tone was a mix of annoyance and amusement. He was clearly fed up with the teasing, but deep down, he knew it was all in good fun.

"Acha, bata. Kya hua tha?" Shashwat asked, leaning forward in his seat. He was eager to hear Darsh's side of the story, especially since it had become such a topic of conversation.

Darsh let out a deep sigh, clearly resigned to the fact that he wasn't going to escape this conversation anytime soon. "Maine uska hath pakad liya tha aur usse dekhne wala tha, par wo bhag gayi thi." He paused, his voice tinged with frustration. "Aur ek baar nahi, bohot baar maine hath pakda hai uska, par har baar wo bach jaati hai... par ek baar, maine socha, plan banaya tha."

The group grew silent, all eyes on Darsh as they awaited the details of his "plan." Shashwat, never one to let a good story go untold, leaned in eagerly. "Kya? Kaise? Detail mein bata!"

Flashback.

Darsh walked slowly on the rooftop of the hostel, the cool breeze brushing against his face as he tried to clear his thoughts. He had been thinking about the mysterious girl who had been sending him letters. Her presence lingered in his mind, As he took another step, the faint sound of anklets caught his attention. He didn't turn around immediately but took a deep breath, wondering if it was her.

Suddenly, he pulled out his phone and, using the front camera, secretly checked his surroundings. The girl was standing a few feet behind him, nervously looking down. She took a deep breath and dropped a letter on the floor. Before Darsh could react, she tried to make a run for it. His instincts kicked in, and he quickly grabbed her wrist, holding her firmly.

"Aaj tumhe batana padega ki kaun ho tum," Darsh demanded, his voice firm but laced with curiosity.

The girl, startled and panicked, tried to wriggle out of his hold. "Please, leave me," she said in a soft voice, almost pleading.

Darsh tightened his grip just a little. "I won't. Show me your face." He moved in closer, determined to uncover the mystery behind the letters.

But before he could get a good look at her, she swiftly pulled off her dupatta and threw it across his face. In one smooth motion, she took off running, disappearing into the distance.

"Arre, rukoo!" Darsh called out, but she didn't stop. She didn't even turn back.

He stood there, his heart racing, as he pulled the dupatta off his face, inhaling the lingering fragrance. "Ye tumhari hi khushboo hai na," he muttered under his breath, his mind racing with questions.

The next day, Darsh found himself talking to his friend Vihaan in the cafeteria.

"Yaar, tu sure hai tu ye harkat karne wala hai? Kyunki main to bhag jaunga, mujhe ladkiyon ke thappad nahi khane," Vihaan said with a mischievous grin, clearly nervous about the plan Darsh had in mind.

Darsh, however, was resolute. "Haan, karunga. Aur agar tu jaana chahta hai to jaa. Jaise Divya bhag gayi thi, tu bhi bhag jaa. Main akela kar lunga," he replied with confidence.

Vihaan shrugged. "Thik hai, kar tu. Main bhagunga nahi, par tere aas paas bhi nahi rahunga."

Darsh rolled his eyes, a faint smirk on his lips. "Tu bas dekh," he said as he stood up from his seat, ready to execute his plan.

After the class ended, Darsh walked through the corridor, glancing at the girls sitting on their benches, chatting among themselves. His heart raced as he spotted a girl who had caught his eye during the lecture. He walked up to her, and before she could react, he grabbed her hand. She turned, shocked by the unexpected contact.

"Excuse me!" she exclaimed, jerking her hand away from him in an instant.

Before Darsh could even explain, someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and found a tall, muscular boy glaring at him.

"Kya be? Meri girlfriend hai wo," the boy said, his tone threatening.

Darsh froze for a moment, stammering, "A... a... wo sorry, mujhe laga meri friend hai."

He quickly turned around and ran, his heart pounding in his chest. Vihaan, who had been observing the entire scene from a distance, couldn't help but laugh.

"Wo tujhe peet deta abhi," Vihaan teased as he caught up with Darsh.

Darsh was still shaken by the encounter. "Kya karun? Dekh, maine jitni baar uska hath pakda hai, mujhe waise hi feel hota hai. Agar wo ladki yahan hui, to mujhe uske touch se pata