"Idli!" I quickly grabbed two pieces and put them in my mouth.

"Hot.. hot...hot!" My tongue got burned and my eyes teared up.

My mother laughed at me and handed me a glass of water. I gulped it down and began munching on more idlis. My favorite.

( Idlis👆)

"Come, Sandhya. I will be dropping you off to college today," Dad announced and folded the newspaper he was reading.

My eyes zeroed in on a picture in the paper, and I grabbed it before he put it on the table. I narrowed my eyes on the photo of a boy.

"Since when did you start reading the news?" Dad joked but I was too busy burning holes through the paper.

"Hurry up." He picked up his scooter keys and went out. I threw the paper aside, angered with what I saw and followed after him. My whole mood went down.

I took the pillion seat and dad started the scooter. It jerked few times before it started, and I scolded dad to buy a new one. This metal junk was even older than me. Finally, it started and dad drove through the traffic, humming an old song and enjoying his ride. Whereas I was lost in my thoughts.

Was the boy in the newspaper the one I was thinking he was?

He sure got ahead of me. He got featured in one of the leading newspapers. What was I doing with my life? I felt really disappointed with myself.

I was brought back to reality when the scooter stopped abruptly and my head banged against dad's helmet.

"Hop down, kiddo. We have arrived," he announced.

"Thanks, dad." I waved him goodbye and went towards the college.

"What's with the sour mood in the morning?" Surbhi asked as she joined me.

"Nothing." I gave her a small smile.

"Wanna grab something to eat?" She licked her lips.

"You didn't have breakfast?" I asked.

"I did."

"Bhukkad (Foodie)," I teased.

"Sukdu (Skinny)," she replied.

"Hi, girls," Parth greeted.

"Hi, Parth," we said in unison.

Parth was dressed in a baby blue button down and brown pants. He looked so good in it.

"So, did you get the news?" he asked.

"What news?" Surbhi's eyes sparked up and a bread crumb fell out of her mouth.

"Don't speak with your mouth full." I gave her a tissue.

"I didn't know you were into gossip, Parth," I teased.

He gave me a dead look. "It's not gossip."

"Don't mind her," Surbhi said and motioned for him to continue. He began telling the news but I zoned out. I thought I was in a dream-no, a nightmare.

My eyes were trained on the boy who had just entered the cafeteria and everyone's eyes were glued to him. He was dressed in a black t-shirt with Linkin Park's logo on it while his camouflage cargo hung low on his hips. I didn't want to accept but he looked damn good.

Some students were busy pointing in his direction and then at their phones. He was like a walking magnet attracting everyone's attention without any effort.

"Speak of the devil. Hey man! What's up? Glad you made it here."

Why did this voice sound familiar? It was Parth's voice! I snapped my eyes at him and saw him calling the new guy towards us.

Why? Was he friends with him? I turned my head and saw the guy walking in our direction with a smirk.

Parth hugged him and turned towards us. Surbhi was gawking at him. I tried to dash out of there but she held my arm in an iron grip.

He hadn't noticed us yet so I decided to move out of there. He was the last person on the earth I wanted to meet right now or ever.

"Girls, meet my good friend, Ved Rajput," Parth introduced. I hated that name.

Ved finally noticed us and Surbhi extended her hand for a handshake.

"Hi! I am Surbhi," she said and was smiling from ear to ear.

Should I make a run now? No. I was not a coward. I will stand my ground.

"Hi!" I just waved a little when he turned towards me. I instantly looked down to avoid any eye contact and kept my head low.

"A shy one, I see," I heard him comment.

He didn't recognize me? That was good but I will never forget him.

How can you forget the face of the person who made your childhood days hell? Unfortunately, he was back again and going to the same college as me. Why did I have such a bad luck?

"You look familiar." I snapped my eyes at him when he said that and saw him trying hard to remember. Nice try. Your small brain wouldn't be able to though. I internally laughed.

"Look who's here?" Mayank came and Ved was engulfed in a hug.

He just came now and everyone knew him already? I curled my hands into fists and saw Rajeev pat his back proudly. Some other guys also came and welcomed him.

I told Surbhi that we should leave but she kept her feet grounded. I sighed and decided to leave by myself.

What if he was popular on his first day itself? What if he was the captain of the state level U-19 basketball team? What if everyone was treating him like a celebrity? I got nothing do with it.

Ved Rajput. I will never forget that name.

×~×

"He is so hot!" Surbhi squealed and I had to put my palm on her mouth to shut her up. We were walking toward the cafeteria and Surbhi wouldn't stop complimenting Ved.

"Stop fangirling," I complained.

"Oh, don't act like that. You also think he is attractive. You were blushing, right? I was right there you know. You could hardly look him in the eyes." She wiggled her eyebrows.

What?! Blushing? Me? Yeah he was good-looking but me avoiding him was a whole different matter altogether.

I decided to let her live in her happy bubble. Since he hadn't recognized me, I would just play along. I had other important things to focus on too.

"Man! I am tired." Surbhi slumped in her chair and ordered a large size pizza for lunch. I handed her a copy of my notes I took yesterday.

"You are a savior," she sang and tried to hug me but couldn't because of the table. I laughed at her.

I took out my lunch box and mentally thanked mom for packing more idlis because Surbhi was already trying to steal some. How was she able to digest so much food?

I began scrolling through my Instagram and saved the latest memes.

"Oh, look. Ved is here," Surbhi announced excitedly. This girl.

"Stop ogling other guys. You have a boyfriend." I shook my head at her and she stuck out her tongue at me. I reached over and flicked her forehead.

She whined but her face soon lit up when her pizza arrived. I turned around and saw that Ved was sitting with Parth and his friends. They were laughing about something.

He looked different from how I remembered him. His dark brown curly locks were gone, replaced by a crew cut. His jawline was covered with a light stubble. He looked well toned and had a good build. All in all, he looked well groomed. I will accept that fact.

I narrowed my eyes. There must be a flaw somewhere.

"Who's ogling now?"

I snapped my head at Surbhi and saw her smirking at me. I glared at her.
I kicked her under the table and she kicked me back.

She continued teasing me and I threatened her that I wouldn't help her with her assignments if she didn't stop. That seemed to work. I smiled evilly.

×~×

"Sandhya, wait!" I turned around and saw Parth jogging towards me. I need to make more friends. I waved at him and we started walking side by side.

"Wassup?" I asked.

"I just wanted to ask you if you were free this weekend?"

"Why?"

"I am having a party at my house."

"What's the occasion?"

"Is there a need to have a reason for a party?" He grinned. I looked at him confusedly.

"So, you coming or not? I asked Surbhi already but she said her boyfriend was coming and she can't make it. You don't have a boyfriend too, do you?" he asked.

"What?! No. I don't. Thanks for asking but I can't go," I replied.

"I thought I was your friend," he pouted. Aw. So cute. I almost pinched his cheeks.
He started walking away but I stopped him.

"Okay. I will come," I said and he gave me a huge smile.

Was I really going? I already said yes, couldn't help it now. I smiled and informed Surbhi that I was going to Parth's party and she smacked my back in approval. Ouch, that hurt. A little fun wouldn't do any harm.

After college, we went to do some shopping for Surbhi's surprise for Aryan. Only Surbhi was enjoying it because I was getting dragged around continuously and treated like a servant.

I had about five bags in each hand and Surbhi was nowhere near stopping. After 4 hours of utter torture, she decided to spare me because she got hungry.

"I am going to kill Aryan when he comes to India. His stupid girlfriend is making my life hell," I groaned.

"Don't you dare touch my boy." She fake glared.

We were sitting in a cafe outside the mall. I didn't know about her but I really needed to replenish my energy. I ordered two glasses of orange juice and one sandwich. Surbhi ordered a hamburger and some fries.

We chatted while eating and did some bird-watching. It was always a great timepass.

"We should leave. I am getting late," I told her as I finished my last drink. She nodded and we made our way toward her car. She dropped me off at my house and I told Mom about the party I was going to on Saturday.

She agreed and said she would inform dad when he got home. I skipped dinner as I was already full. I retired to my room early and began playing games on my phone.

Ping!

My phone showed a notification of a message. Unknown number? I opened up the message.

"Hi Sandhya! Parth here. I forgot to take your number so I got it from Surbhi. Here's my address.

Bungalow no.15, Saint Peters road, Sec-6.

P.S. Don't ditch me. :P"

"Cool," I replied.

":)".

I smiled and saved his number in my contact list.

I stretched my arms and laid down on my bed. I was going to a party! I imagined how the party would be and soon drifted off to dreamland.