We completed our discussion by 10:30.

Now, all of us are hungry, so we decided to cook something together.

We all stood in the center of the kitchen, looking at each other. No one knew what to make.

Radhika suggested, "let's make maggi!"
I replied, "Nah, we always eat maggi, let's make something else today. "

Naman suggested, " Let's order something guys. "

We all disagreed.

Hmm... What could we make?
Yes!

"Pasta! ", Mr.Selfish and I said at the same time. Why does he have to choose everything I do?

Everyone agreed to our suggestion. So now, we our together going to make pasta.

I assigned duties to everyone, and Mr.Selfish and I had to cut onions and capsicums.

I looked at him skeptically and asked, "You know how to cut vegetables, right? "

He gave me a look and said, "Obviously! "

As we stood there, side by side, silence wrapped around us with the occasional sound of the cutting. I glanced at his work and saw perfection. It seemed like he was a professional.

I finished my cutting and he was almost done too. He glanced in my direction, as I was continuously looking towards him, particularly his work.

Just as he got distracted, the knife accidentally cut his finger slightly. He yelped in pain and moved his finger away from the vegetables.

Blood started oozing from his cut, and a few drops fell on the floor. My eyes widened and I gasped.

"You are bleeding! ", I exclaimed!
" Yeah, I cut-", I interrupted him and said, "On my floor! "

He gave me a long , 'are you serious' look.

"You can't just bleed on my floor! Now who will clean it? "

He rolled his eyes and said, "I will clean it for you, but will you just let me clean this cut? Or else your house will get more dirty, you know! " I rolled my eyes and he placed his hand under the water and cleaned his wound.

I took the mop and cleaned the blood from the floor. He looked at me and said, "I said, I would do it."

I replied, "I am not that bad, okay! I won't make you mop the floor. "

I said, "You need a bandage for that? It's not even deep! "

"Can you just give it without saying anything? " He said in an annoyed tone.

I gave him a bandage and went to cut the vegetables that he had left. "Hey, why are you doing it? I will do it. " He said.

I replied, "No thanks, it's almost done anyways. "

He again insisted, "No, let me, it's my part, you finished yours, right? ", he said this and moved closer.

" No, now, I will only do it! "I said with determination.

He said, " No, I will"

We were now standing close to each other, he tried to take the knife from my hand but I moved my hand behind my back.

He again tried to take the knife, his hand snaking around my waist to reach my back. We both were grinning, enjoying the playful banter.

Suddenly, we both realized our position and our smiles vanished, but none of us moved. We just kept looking into each other's eyes.

I felt him take the knife from me. He left me, moved back and winked at me, saying, "Gotcha", with a smirk.

I stood there,frozen, my heart beating fast.

I composed myself and made my way towards the rest of the group sitting outside as their work was already completed, leaving Siddharth alone in the kitchen.

Siddharth came just a few minutes later and said, "Come on Naman, show the girls your culinary skills."

Naman quickly made his way towards the kitchen and we all followed him.

He was now in his work mode. He efficiently mixed all the veggies and sauces. I glanced at Aditi, who was admiring Naman with a smile.

The heavenly aroma of the pasta reached our senses, indicating that the pasta were ready to eat.

Naman served pasta to everyone and we couldn't help but compliment him, just by the look and smell of it.

We quickly made our way towards the dining table and sat down.

As soon as I took the first bite, I was exhilarated. I couldn't help but compliment him saying, "This is the best pasta I've ever had! "

He smiled and said, "You have to taste many more 'best' recipes made by me. "

I smiled back. As we all continued to savour the delicious pasta, Radhika spoke, "So tomorrow, after college, we are going to the market, to buy a few things, are you guys coming? "

Rishi instantly replied, "Where there is my honey, there will be me! " And winked at her.

She rolled her eyes, but the slight blush on her face didn't go unnoticed by me.

Naman spoke,"Yes, we will tag along. "

After eating, we decided to play UNO. Obviously, Mr.Selfish had to be a spoilsport, he said, "I am not interested in playing this game, I would rather go home! "

I said, "Just say that you don't know how to play. "

I heard others chuckle and I continued, "Sit quietly and play, you don't have to be a spoilsport always! "

He raised an eyebrow at me and asked, "Why do you think that I would listen to you? " But sat any way.

I just gave him one of my sweetest smile and sat down too.

We all were sitting in a circle, playing with these colourful cards.

Everyone else had won, and now it was just Rishi and Radhika.

I saw Radhika's cards, she is definitely winning. Rishi said, "Won't you let me win, honey?"

She said, "Shut up! ", but again, she was blushing.

As the game proceeded, it was almost the end, Radhika had 2 cards left, a plus 4 and a number card. Rishi has only one card left.

But instead of putting the plus 4 card, she put the number card and Rishi won.

What the hell! I gave her a questioning look, but she just shrugged.

We played a few more rounds and then the boys decided to go home. The girls, however, were going to sleep at my place.

They borrowed my pyjamas and now it was time for some gossip.
We sat on the bed and Radhika sighed and said, "Today was fun."

I looked at her and said, "Don't you think you need to tell us something? "

Radhika gave me a confused look and Aditi too had the same expression on her face.

I just said, "Rishi.", something flickered in Radhika's eyes just for a split second, but she immediately masked it.

She asked, " What about him? "

I replied, "You know what! "

Aditi asked, "What are you guys talking about? "

I said, "You would have known , if you'd have focused on something except for Naman. "

She opened her mouth to say something but decided against it, knowing I was right.

I shifted my focus back to Radhika. She sighed and said, "I don't know! He has this effect on me! Everytime he flirts with me, I couldn't help but blush, I know it's unlike me to blush just like that, but I... I don't know yaar! "

I absorbed her words and was thinking about it, when Aditi spoke, "Dude, are you attracted to him? "

Radhika said, "What? No", her voice, however, unsure.

Aditi again spoke, " I am not saying that you like him or you have a crush on him, his personality is like that, he can easily attract people. "

Radhika heard her but didn't say anything. I asked Aditi, "What about you, when are you going to accept your feelings? "

"I don't want to think of that right now, you know, I don't want my studies to be affected because of any reason, be it Naman or whatever. "

I nodded and said,"Okay, no more talks about boys, do you guys know what? Raj bhai is coming back from the U.S. next month, with mumma and papa! "

They both shared an excited look. We enjoy a lot in his company. He would always bring snacks for us, whenever the girls came over. He would take us for rides when we were kids. He is a brother to them too.

We talked for a while and decided to watch a movie.

Jab we met!

It doesn't matter how many times we watch this movie, we never get bored. We would say the dialogue along with Geet and laugh when we get a word or two wrong.

As the movie finished, Radhika spoke, "I want someone who will willingly recreate all these scenes with me. "

I said, "Anyone will recreate it if they have seen the movie, it becomes more beautiful when he doesn't even know that he is recreating a masterpiece! "

"Tera dimag kabse itna chalne laga ree? " Aditi said, teasing me.

[When did your brain start working so well? ]

I replied, "Abe kamini, tere se jyada he chalta hai! "

[It works better than you!]

She rolled her eyes, however, she had a smile on her face.

We finally decided to sleep and before we even realized, we drifted into deep slumber.

Aditi and I woke up and went home to get ready.

Aditi will be late today and Ruhi will directly meet me in the classroom as she had gone to the library to ask the librarian to take back her suspension.

As I reached the college, I saw Rishi, talking to a girl, he had his usual flirty smile on his face.

I bit my lip, contemplating whether to call him or not. Who is she anyway? Isn't she standing too close? Can't she maintain some distance from him?

Wait! What is wrong with me? Let them do whatever they want.

I decided not to call him. As I was about to go inside, I saw a cute puppy near the gate.

Aww!

I went towards him immediately and started playing with him. Just as I was caressing his head, he ran away from me and towards someone. Towards Rishi.

I stood up and saw him coming towards me with the puppy in his arms.

So cute!

I said, "I didn't know you were a dog lover. "

He gave me a smile, not the flirty one, but the genuine one, and said, "I really love dogs! They are the most precious living thing to me. " His eyes soft, as he continued playing with the puppy.

I smiled at the sight.

Suddenly, he sat the puppy down, and removed something from him bag.

Dog food.

"You bring that everyday for them?" I asked.

He looked up with the same smile and said, "I always carry dog food in my bag and whenever I find a dog, I feed them, it gives me satisfaction. "

I admired him as he fed the puppy. After feeding it, he stood up and we started walking side by side.

I asked, "Why do you love dogs so much? "

He just shrugged and replied, "Because they are loyal, and cute. "

I just kept looking at him, admiring him.

He saw me continuously looking at me and with a smirk said, "I know I'm handsome, but that doesn't mean you will just keep looking at me. "

I rolled my eyes, but with a smile said, "I am not looking at you because you are handsome, I am looking at you because I - "

Before I could complete my sentence, he interrupted, with a glint of mischief in his eyes, "You think I am handsome? "

I went closer to him and with a sly grin, said in a low voice, "Yes, you are, hot and handsome! "

I moved back and winked at him and turned around, not waiting to see his reaction, because I could feel the blush creeping on my face.

I heard him chuckle behind me, as he followed me. I bit my lip, but couldn't hold back a smile. Maybe I am attracted towards him.

I entered the classroom and sat on my seat, Rishi followed suit and sat behind me. I didn't look at him, not knowing what to say after what I just said.

He called me , in a musical tone, "Radhika".I bit my lip and turned to face him.

I just looked at him, waiting for him to say something, but he just kept looking in my eyes.

Not trusting my eyes, I broke the eye contact and cleared my throat. " What? ", I asked.

He smirked and said, " I didn't think you were so bold, huh! "

"Then wh-who do you think I was? ", I asked, my voice betraying me. He replied, " Well, based on the way you blush when I flirt with you, I thought you were a simple, introverted girl, but I was definitely wrong. "

He has seen me blush on his comments! Shit!

"Wh-what,I never blushed, okay! "
I said. He replied, "See, you are stammering too, I do have an effect on you, don't I? "

"Absolutely not! ", I retorted, and turned around, facing away from him, as I again felt my cheeks burning.

To save me, Ruhi entered the class. She seems happy.

I said to her," Someone got their library suspension cancelled, huh?"

She replied, "Obviously! "

Just then, Siddharth and Naman came and sat on their seats.

Ruhi said, "Mr.Selfish? "

Siddharth, not expecting her to call him, raised his eyebrow and said, "Yes? "

Ruhi replied," I have a good news for you. "

Siddharth, now with both eyebrows raised, asked in a skeptical tone, "You do?"

"Yes,Your library suspension is cancelled. "Ruhi said.

His eyes widened, " Really? ", he asked in an excited tone.

Seeing his excitement, Ruhi chuckled and said, " Yes! "

Siddharth was about to say something, just then ,Aditi came and sat with us.

Teacher came just after her and the lecture started.

This particular topic was really boring, and the 4 of us were getting bored. Ruhi and Siddharth were paying complete attention. Huh! Toppers! They are even taking notes yaar! Here we are, all zoned out.

Finally, the torture was over and it was break time. Ruhi and Siddharth excused themselves as they wanted to go to the library.

Are these people for real?

We sat there bored, "Yaar, how much will they study? " Aditi said.

Naman said, "I know right! I am already feeling sleepy. "

Just then, out of no where, Rishi said, "Guys, do you know? Radhika thinks I am hot and handsome, right Radhika? ", he smirked at me.

Why did I even say that?

All eyes were on me, the boring eyes now converted into curious ones.

" I - I... That.. Yes!" I blurted out.

Aditi gave me a knowing look and said, "I knew it! "

I managed to compose myself a bit and said, "What knew it? I - I just think that he is... He is, you know, that doesn't mean anything. "

Rishi was just looking at me with no expressions on his face.

I decided to stay silent after that. No one pushed the topic ahead and everyone sat in silence.

I occasionally glanced in Rishi's direction, he was completely lost in thought.

After break, the 4 of us had our Creative arts lecture and Ruhi and Siddharth had their business administration lecture.

So, we sat in our seats, again bored and zoned out.

Today, when I woke up, I had decided that I will try my best to cancel the suspension.

When I went there, the librarian first gave me a lecture and then after a lot of pleading, she agreed.

I sighed in relief, but then, I thought of Siddharth, however he is, he is really studious, I don't want his studies to pay the expense of our fight.

So I convinced the librarian for his suspension cancellation too.

When I told him about this, he became really, really happy and that made me smile too.

Mr.Selfish is selfish, but he is determined towards his studies, just like me.

We went to the library during break. He asked me how his suspension got cancelled. I lied to him saying, the librarian herself did it when I asked her to do mine.

I obviously won't tell him that I asked her to do it.

Coming back from the library, I had my business lecture. Mr.Selfish did too.
He was sitting on the bench beside me.

The teacher came and the lecture started.

The topic was about outsourcing.

The teacher says, "Outsourcing is a
business practice, in which a company hires a third party to perform tasks, handle operations or provide services for the company. But, what is your opinion on outsourcing? Is it a smart business strategy or a loss to domestic economics? "

I raised my hand to answer, and so did Mr.Selfish.

The teacher asked Mr.Selfish to answer.

He said, " It is a smart business strategy, Outsourcing allows companies to reduce costs by leveraging cheaper labor markets abroad. It lowers the production costs and increases the profit margin."

The teacher asked, "Good, anyone wants to add anything? "

I again raised my hand and she asked me to answer. I said, "In my opinion, outsourcing can lead to a loss of valuable skills and expertise within our home country, weakening its industrial and technological capacities in the long term."

Mr.Selfish again spoke,determined to be correct, his voice slightly raised, "Outsourcing non-core functions enables companies to focus on their core business activities, improving innovation, efficiency and growth. So, outsourcing is a smart business strategy." He said the last part looking straight into my eyes, indicating that he is right and he won.

Huh!

I again spoke, my voice slightly raised too, "Outsourcing leads to the offshoring of jobs, which negatively impact the domestic employment. This results in an increase in income inequality in home countries and also, the people suffer due to unemployment. "

He was about to say something, when I again spoke, "But selfish people don't understand such things!"

He was taken aback by that. Honestly, I was too. What the hell have gotten into me?

There was a minute's silence, which was broken by the teacher, "Okay, good, but this isn't a debate competition and, both of you are correct, so please calm down."

We both composed ourselves, but were occasionly throwing daggers at each other.

The lecture ended and both of us immediately left and made our way towards the group, not even glancing at each other.

We met them near the college gate and I moved beside Radhika and Aditi.

Naman said, "Okay, lets go to the market then. "

We nodded and started walking, we didn't bring our scooters today as we were supposed to go to the market.

We just needed to buy some jewelry and I needed a matching dupatta for dress.

As we were walking, it was just the three of us, and I said, "You know what happened today guys?"

They immediately responded excitedly, always ready for some tea.

I spoke, "So, the miss was teaching and she asked us a question, so that Mr.Selfish