Today was.... Something.

That girl!

Because of her, I didn't get that book, moreover I got suspended from the library for a freaking month!

Then, we met Aditi, Naman's best friend.

We went out to celebrate, even though I said not to.

This girl made me eat spicy food.
Why? Just because I said that she was nonsense.

Yes, she definitely is. She is just a girl, who is always in her own world and doesn't give a shit about reality.

Honestly, for me, these fictional stuff, like movies and novels, are a waste of time. I mean, why waste your time in the 3 hour nonsense, if you can complete a chapter or two from your syllabus in the same time?

Just as I thought that the torture was over, they had to go to the park. And not just that, this girl went for the slides, and everyone went after her too. Are they small kids?

I just sat there watching ,as they played and laughed together. What's so funny in playing like idiots?

When they were finally satisfied, they decided it was time to go home. Finally!

Unfortunately, that girl had the same route as mine.

Not wanting anymore nonsense, I walked ahead of her.

As I was walking, I heard Ruhi shout at some people. Doesn't she get tired of fighting with everyone?

I decided to ignore her, but this time I heard a scream. As I turned around to see what was happening, I was stunned.

Ruhi, singlehandedly, fighting with 3 huge men. By the look of it, they were trying to harass her.

My blood boiled, I hate when someone disrespects a woman, I can't control myself in such situations.

As Ruhi was handling one guy, another guy ran towards her with a rod in his hand, I acted swiftly but before I reach, Ruhi moved aside and saved herslef, only to bump into me.

I immediately moved her aside and started beating that guy. How can people stoop so low? Why do they do such things? Ruhi had the strength to fight them, but what about other girls? What if they couldn't fight back and defend herself?

As I was beating the shit out of that guy, I realized, a few more punches, and he will die. As much as I want to kill him, I definitely don't want to go to jail.

I stood up and kicked him one last time, before looking around for Ruhi. There she was, punching the guy and then a last kick and the guy is knocked out.

I was so wrong about her. I thought she is just an arrogant girl, who doesn't care about the world. But no, she is a really strong girl, who can fight for herself.

I was just looking at her and didn't even realize when she came near me. I came out of my thoughts when she said in a low voice,
"Your knuckles are bruised. "

I replied, "So are yours."

She gave me a nod and said, "Yeah."

I was waiting for her to thank me but she just stood there observing her knuckles.

I cleared my throat and said, "Don't you think you should thank me? I didn't realize you were so ungrateful. "

She looked at me with raised eyebrows, yet a mischievous glint in her eyes, "I didn't realize you were so into me that you would beat a person, just so you can hear a thank you from me."

I rolled my eyes and said, "You really are ungrateful."

She said, "Well, I was about to thank you, but if you really think I am ungrateful, then so be it. "

I said, "You know what? Let's call it a favour, I did this for you, in return, you will have to do something for me. "

She said, "No way, I didn't ask you to help me. You came and started beating that guy. You can't call it a favour. "

I smirked, "Well, you were about to get hit my that rod, I saved you, so its definitely a favour. "

She snorted and said, "I saved myself before you came, so you didn't save me."

"But I still helped you beat the guy, so.." I said.

She sighed in frustration and asked, "What do you want? "

I smirked and replied, "Not now, I will tell you when the time comes."

She sighed again and started moving forward. My smirk widened as I followed her.

I looked down at my knuckles, they are really in a bad condition.

As I walked behind her, I thought of how gracefully she handled the whole situation. She didn't really need my help, but I helped her anyway.

I started recalling the events of today as I walked. I wanted that book because it would have helped me grow. I have read a few books, non fiction, obviously. Fictional books are another waste of time.

But her? Does she read non fiction too, that she wanted that book so badly? Her,reading fiction wouldn't surprise me, because she loves all those nonsense. I couldn't help but think of it.

I increased my speed and started walking beside her. she gave me a look and continued walking.

I cleared my throat and asked her, "Why did you want that book so badly? "

Not expecting the question, she looked at me and said, "I love reading books, both fiction and non fiction, and this particular book is really a good read if you want to grow in life." And quickly added with a smirk, "another reason to talk to me, huh? "

I rolled my eyes and said " I was just really curious to know what was the reason for which you could afford a month's library suspension. "

She rolled her eyes and said, "It's because of you that we got suspended,okay? You were the one who stole that book from me."

I said, "It wasn't your book, so don't blame me for stealing it and also, I wasn't the one who started shouting in the bloody library! "

She gave me an annoyed look and said, "Why do you have to talk to me, if you know we'll end up fighting? " And before I could say anything,she said, "You really need a reason to be around me don't you? "

I snorted and said, "How can someone be so self obsessed? "

She said in an irritated tone, "Can we just not talk? I am already getting late." She again increased her speed and walked ahead of me.

And after a few steps, she took a right turn. Finally, different paths, I need to take the left turn.

I reached home and bandaged my knuckles. I decided to take some rest. Its 6 p.m. already.

I slept for an hour and then decided to take a walk down the street. It's my habit to take a walk, while listening to a podcast. I connected my headphones with my phone and started walking.

I decided to take a different route today. I don't usually walk by this road as it is always crowded, but I decided to do otherwise.

As I continued walking, I was leisurely looking around the shops, when I saw a certain someone in a cafe. Someone I didn't expect to see doing such thing.

Ruhi, taking orders from people, dressed in a waiter's uniform.

Wow!

How can she surprise me so much in a single day?

She is self dependent too.

I decided not to call her, otherwise she would again start fighting, saying, I was disturbing her and not letting her work.

I looked at her for a few seconds and then decided to go back home.

She definitely isn't the person I first thought she was.

I went home and studied for a while.

After that, I ate my dinner and went to bed.

Today has been a long day. I had thought that, I would just attend the college, come back, study and sleep. But today took a different turn, something I am not used to.

But, it was...... Interesting.

With these thoughts, I drifted into a deep slumber.

I woke up at the sound of my alarm. Today was the second day of college and I will be able to meet Naman again. I smiled to myself thinking about him.

Everyone teases us by saying we should just propose each other, but I don't know what to think about it. I am not sure, if I really like him or is it just the comfort I get when I am with him.

Clearing my thoughts, I got freshened up. After getting ready, I called Ruhi and Radhika, informing them that I would reach college in 10.

I took my scooter and reached the college to find them waiting for me.Ruhi looked completely exhausted. She called us and told everything that happened on her way back home. The fight.

Even though we asked her not to, she still went for work. She works in a cafe. Even though our families are well settled, she insists on being self dependent.

She had bandaged her knuckles, showing the side effects of the fight. As we made our way towards the classroom, we met the guys.

They asked Ruhi about her injuries, she just brushed it off saying it's nothing. She doesn't like those sympathetic looks people give her, so she doesn't tell everything to everyone.

Naman immediately came by my side and side hugged me.

We entered the class and all of us sat together. As we were discussing how amazing yesterday was, I heard a group of girls a few benches away say, "What a cute couple they make!" They said that looking in the direction of Naman and me.

Naman heard that too, I looked at him, he looked at me too. We just continued looking in each other's eyes when we heard someone clear their throat.

As we looked around, the four of them were looking at us. We composed ourselves and just then the teacher came. Thank god.

The lectures went smoothly, with Ruhi and Siddharth answering most of the questions asked by the teachers. Toppers!

It was break time, we all sat in the canteen, munching our snacks and talking animatedly. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Ruhi shouted in excitement, "Oh my god guys! Its just one week left for Navratri!"

A wide grin crept on my and Radhika's face. We always celebrate all the festivals together and Navratri is one of the best time of the year for us. Radhika and Ruhi, both being Gujarati, are mad for Garba. They teached me how to play garba too.

Before I could say anything, Siddharth said, "Why do you always have to shout!"

She ignored him and said, "Girls! We need to decide the outfits ASAP! "

This time Rishi interrupted, "Why just girls? Don't you want us to join you Ruhi?", he asked with a flirty smile.

He and his flirtings.

" You guys know how to play garba? I mean, I can understand if its you two, but Mr.Selfish?.... ", Ruhi said with a skeptical tone.

"Well, he knows how to plays garba very well. But he doesn't really participate now"

I asked, "Why don't you play garba? "

Siddharth replied nonchalantly, "It's a waste of time. I could sit and study for all those hours rather than wasting my time and energy in playing garba. "

Ruhi said, "Forget him guys,let him show tantrums, we all can play without him too."

Radhika said, "What forget him? He is in our group now too, and he will play with us! "

Siddharth was about to say something when Rishi said, "Don't you dare deny Sid! You should never oppose a beautiful girl's decision", he said it in a serious tone, but winked in her direction at the end.

She rolled her eyes, even though a smile had already crept on her face.

" Okay, I will come!"Siddharth finally said.

All of us had a smile on our face except for Ruhi.

But then, how can Ruhi be quiet when its Navratri season?

She again said with a wide smile, "Guys, you have to wear the outfits based on colours only, okay? No cheating! "

Everyone agreed to her at that.

After deciding a few more things, we went back to our classroom. However, the girls are going to meet at Ruhi's place tonight to decide the outfits. Obviously, outfits are just an excuse.

Today, we had all the lectures together. After college, we bid goodbye to everyone.

Ruhi will come back from her job by 9 p.m. and we will be reaching there by 9:30.

I was halfway home when I received a call. It was Naman. I picked the call and said, "Yes Naan?"

"Adi yaar, let's meet na, I'm getting bored. ", Naman said.

" Umm... Okay, no problem, where should we meet? "I asked.

" The park we were in yesterday. "

"Okay then,I will be there in 5." I said.

After bidding goodbye, I hung up , and turned my scooter towards the park.

As I reached the park, I saw him standing by a tree. I smiled and waved at him.

As I made my way towards him, I couldn't help but notice how handsome he is. He looks just like he did 5 years ago. Those dimples, those beautiful amber eyes, everything about him is just perfect.

I reached him and he immediately put his hand around my shoulder.

He said, "Adi yaar, I still can't believe that I have finally found you!"

I said with a smile, "I know right, I never expected that we would meet like this. "

We started walking around the park.

As we walked, we saw a chole bhature stall nearby.

Chole bhature has always been our comfort food, something that reminds us of each other.

We both looked at the stall and smiled at each other. Memories of our school days flushed in out memories.

All those days when we used to go and eat chole bhature after school!

I still remember that one specific time.

- Flashback -

We had just completed our last exam of class 7th and have decided to go eat chole bhature as both of us were very hungry. We were accompanied by two more friends, Kartik and Divya.

As we were moving towards the stall on the other side of the street, I didn't notice the car coming in full speed while crossing the road.

Just as I was about to come in the way of the car, Naman instantly reacted and pushed me aside and saved me from the accident.

We both fell on the ground, he was on top of me. We just kept looking in each other's eyes. Suddenly, we both realized how close we were and immediately stood up and composed ourselves.

As we looked around, we saw Kartik and Divya standing there with their mouths agape.

Divya said, "Yaar, it was such a filmy scene. Hero saving the heroine! "

Kartik agreed saying, "I know right! Our hero and heroine, huh!"
They started teasing us, we both ignored them and looked at each other. It was nothing new, people shipping us together.

We both asked each other together, "Are you okay? "

We both smiled at each other and nodded our heads. It was that day, when we both realized that something had shifted, in our friendship.

We enjoyed our chole bhature, they were unusually tasty today.

- Flashback ends -

Unfortunately,that was our last plate of chole bhature together,after that I came to Mumbai.As we recalled the moments of our past, we had happy tears in our eyes. Those moments were the best.

We savoured the chole bhature, which were again, unusually tasty,talking about each other's lives.

As we walked back towards my scooter, I told him about our plan to go to Ruhi's place, he insisted on joining us too, with his friends.

I was skeptical about how Ruhi will react, because, obviously Siddharth!

But Naman said that he will handle everything.

So here we are, the 5 of us, standing in front of Ruhi's apartment. Her parents are out of town and will be returning after a month.

Siddharth, obviously, wasn't interested in coming, but a bit of emotional blackmail did the work.

As soon as Ruhi opened the door, her eyes widened. We just smiled at her and entered inside.

When she realized she was in her pyjamas, her expressions were priceless. Radhika and I burst into laughter after seeing her reaction.

All the boys made themselves comfortable and looked around the house.

She cornered ourselves and asked, "Why the hell are these guys
here? "

"To discuss outfits, obviously! ", Radhika said.

She gave Radhika a glare and just as she was about to say something I said, " So sorry, I know we should have told you earlier. But I thought you would deny because of Siddharth, so we just brought them without telling you. Please, Naman asked me if they could tag along and I couldn't deny him! "
I said everything in one go.

She just looked at me for a few seconds, absorbing my words and then said, "I'll see you guys later. " And went out to greet them.

I came back from my work and and freshened up. After changing into my pyjamas, I scrolled through my phone, waiting for them to come.

I heard the doorbell and went to open the door. My eyes widened when I saw the boys. And when I realized how funny I must be looking right now, my face turned red in embarrassment.

I was wearing shinchan pyjamas for god's sake!

Ruhi's pyjamas

They gave me a big speech on why they didn't tell me about this. I decided not to change as the damage was already done and, obviously, I am lazy.

As I made my way towards the group of boys, they were looking around my house and Siddharth was particularly moving towards the wall where all my childhood photos were hanging.

I immediately moved towards him and stood between him and the wall. I hurriedly said, "You are not allowed to look at these! "

I didn't even realize how close we were, until I felt his breath on my face as he talked,"Why not, huh? "
He said with a smirk.

"Be - because, you can't invade my privacy! " Why the hell did I stammer?

"Don't you think I am already standing in your private boundary? ", he said and his smirk widened.

" No way I am letting you look at it! "I said.

Just as he was about to say something, we heard Radhika scream, " Ruhi!"

Mr.Selfish immediately moved away and we composed ourselves. The 4 of them were looking at us with mischievious glint in thier eyes and a smirk, Rishi dramatically said, "Oh! My innocent eyes!".Only to receive a smack on his head by Naman.