"Achoo!"

What the hell, man? I have been sneezing for a whole minute; if I continue like this, I will infect the whole city.

"Di, why did you come? You need a rest," Zoya scolded and handed me another tissue.

"I am all fine, Zoya. As it is I was missing you- Achoo!"

Zoya rolled her eyes and giggled when I sneezed three times in a row receiving annoyed stares of passer-bys.

"Let's get home quickly, and I will prepare a nice, hot ginger tea for you," she offered.

"Thank you."

I had come to meet Zoya as I was getting bored at home and got tired of doing the project. I had six more days to complete it, so I wasn't worried. Also, Ved was helping me whenever he got time in between his basketball matches and training.

As for the other two group members, I wasn't much concerned. The more they stayed away from me, the better. I had Ved to help me out-he was enough. And it was on his demand that I took a day off because I was attacking everyone with my viral sneezing bazooka all day.

For a minute, I thought that he was worried about me, but when he told me that I was a walking disease carrier, I kicked him in the shin. It was because I went to his house on Sunday that I got soaked in rain and became sick. And he was making fun of a patient-asshole.

But a very good thing happened when I was fighting with him. Priyaank himself came and asked me about my health. Ved told him to not bother, but I stomped on his foot to shut him up and gladly accepted the cold's medicine from Priyaank.

Unfortunately, Ved snatched it before I put that medicine in my treasure box, saying that I shouldn't consume drugs without a doctor's prescription-he wouldn't come to my funeral if I died so unceremoniously.

I will take him with me if I died. How can I let him live and enjoy his life?

"We have reached~ Come out of your dreamland, Sandhya Di," Zoya interrupted my thoughts.

"I was not dreaming," I argued, and we entered her house.

As soon I was inside, I ran towards the small coil heater placed near the table. Zoya's mom covered me with a thick blanket and scolded me for roaming outside in such a cold weather, that too in a bad state.

I waved her off with a toothy grin while Zoya went to make tea for us. After a few minutes, Faiyaz also arrived and like always, he was tired. His mother took his laptop bag and helmet.

"Are you playing the role of Rudolph this year?" he teased me as he took off his shoes.

"Haha, very funny. You are also lame like Par-Achoo!"

Faiyaz pursed his lips and then it was his turn to reprimand me. In a day, I got five scoldings-no, eleven. Six of them were from Natural Heater only.

What was his issue? Wasn't he satisfied with lecturing me for fooling around that now he started scolding about my health too? Shouldn't he be happy that I was down with a cold and wouldn't be able to banter with him?

"Your tea," Zoya said.

She moved the cup in front of me like a UFO and quirked an eyebrow in question. She gave me my tea and informed that I was zoning out.

"I wasn't," I retorted.

"Who were you thinking about?" Zoya enquired.

"Natural Heater."

"Who?" Zoya narrowed her eyes.

"I mean, Ved... Wait, no, not him. Why would I think about him? I was thinking about my crush, yeah right. Priyaank, yup, he is my crush, but did I just say Ved? Oh, no! I just called him Natural Heater... You guys heard nothing, you hear me? What the hell am I saying? You guys don't even know-"

"Relax, Sandhya! Calm down," Faiyaz cut off my rambling.

Zoya and Aunty were laughing at me and teasing me about blurting out my love life like that. Aunty asked me whether Priyaank was my crush or Ved.

Ved? Like hell that idiot would ever be that!

"Who is your crush, Di?" Zoya asked.

"Ved," I blurted out.

"So, Ved is your crush, then why did you say Priyaank?" Faiyaz enquired.

What?!

"No! It is Priyaank. Yes, it is him," I whined.

Faiyaz and his family burst out laughing at me, and I hid my face in my palms-I should be given a degree in making a fool out of myself. It was all because of that idiot. He had been roaming around me a lot these days; and acting nice.

Suspicious. Was he planning something? How can my arch-nemesis treat me so well?

"Again zoning out, Di," Zoya said.

Argh! What the hell is wrong with me?

"I am sick," I let out a lame excuse.

"Tell us something we don't know."

I decided to keep my mouth shut to avoid more damage than I already did and drank my tea. I glanced at the heater in front of me and automatically my mind shifted to the topic of the guy about whom I shouldn't be thinking about in the first place.

Relax, relax, it must be because I have a fever. Nothing else... If it is so, then why am I getting a weird feeling in my stomach?

I tried to distract myself and thought of random topics. Fortunately, I managed to kick out Ved from my mind and pull in Priyaank. But I soon kicked him off too as I never had a single happy moment with him when we were alone. My childhood enemy had to be in every memory.

I took a deep breath and chatted with Aunty to shake off the useless thoughts. Zoya brought out her study materials and I helped her in between while talking with her mom.

Faiyaz also joined us after taking a shower and informed us that he got a pay hike. We all congratulated him, but he didn't seem that much glad after announcing the news.

"What is the matter, bro?" Zoya asked in worry.

"I will have to go outstation for the job," Faiyaz replied.

For a moment, no one said anything. A blanket of silence wrapped around us before his mom spoke up. "It is okay, beta. Don't worry about us, we will manage."

"But, Ammi (mom), how will you both take care of other things if I am not here? Zoya has to study for her board exams and your health is not good too."

"Chill, bro. I am here, no? I will take good care of Ammi," Zoya assured.

"And who will study then? Do you want to fail?" her brother scolded.

"Don't get angry on her. I said we will manage, so stop fighting," Aunty said.

"How, mom? You both need me here. I will just refuse the offer." Faiyaz picked up his phone to make a call to his employer.

All this time, I didn't say anything, thinking that I shouldn't interfere in their family matter, but I have already gotten involved in their lives. I just couldn't sit back and let them suffer when I could help them.

I took the phone from Faiyaz's hand and shook my head. "You will not step back when you are getting such a great opportunity. And as for your family, I think you can trust me to look after them."

"But Sandhya, you don't have to-"

"No, Faiyaz. I get what you want to say, but I think I have already intruded your personal lives. If I can help, then I will. I have wasted my time on useless things before, so why not invest it in something worthy this time? Moreover, my work place is near to your house, it will be easier for me to check up on Zoya and Aunty whenever needed."

"She is right, beta. She is not any outsider; I consider her as my daughter. I trust her, you should too," Faiyaz's mom said.

"I trust her, Ammu, but aren't we asking too much from her?" he argued.

"Oh, come on, bhaijaan (bro). Stop being a worrywart. I promise I will act responsible and make sure that nothing happens to us," Zoya huffed.

"Okay, fine then. But don't give any troubles to Sandhya. She has already done enough for us."

Zoya gave him a thumbs up, and I reassured him that everything would be fine. If needed, I would take permission from my parents and have a sleepover. I could even ask my friends for help-I had a few whom I trusted the most.

"By the way, beta, you didn't tell us where your new posting is," Aunty queried him.

"Oh, it is in Taraganj Nagar," he answered with a smile.

"Taraganj?" Zoya narrowed her eyes.

"Isn't that about two hours away from here?" I asked.

"You made us worry over nothing! We thought you were going to another city," Zoya yelled.

Aunty hit Faiyaz on the head who acted innocent. "Always pranking us."

"But I will have to shift places. The workload is too much and I won't be able to afford traveling for four hours." Faiyaz slumped his shoulders.

"Okay, okay. No more bad mood, guys. It is decided that Faiyaz bhaijaan will leave for his work, and I will take care of the house and mom. Sandhya Di will help but only when needed," Zoya announced like a politician.

After getting no objection, she smiled and we returned the gesture. I thought about what I offered and wondered if I would be able to keep my promise.

But, I had already done a lot for my so called 'friends' who didn't value my efforts. Well, I didn't expect them to throw me a huge party, but at least they should have believed in me. They didn't.

So, helping someone who actually had faith in me and needed my assistance sounded better. At least the situation wasn't where I would create a blunder; I hoped so.

After having a nice time at Faiyaz's house, I went to my workplace. As expected, Rajeev welcomed me warmly while his cousin, Dhruv was shooting daggers at me. As a revenge, I purposely sneezed loudly whenever he was around.

I loved seeing his annoyed and disgusted expression.

Rajeev, as always, gave me a treat and this time, my 'Mom' was there too. Mayank gave me a huge lecture about changing climate and what I should do to keep myself safe and healthy.

While he was talking, I wondered where that annoying presence was who always made his appearance unannounced.

Stop it, Sandhya. Do you want him to come and irritate you?

I spent some time with my 'adoptive' parents and left for home. I was walking towards the bus stop when my phone rang. I smiled when I saw the caller ID.

Sahil Arora

"Hey, wassup?" I said after picking up the call.

"Do you have a cold?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Take care, Sandhya. I don't want my team member to fall sick."

"I know, I know. By the way, did you devise any plan to take down Ved?" I joked.

"Yes, and a very big one."

"Really? It looks like you and Ved have a very big competition going on. You know about me, but I still don't know what's going on between you two."

"It is nothing new, same old rivalry between two guys. But you know how I am, right?"

Well... I still haven't judged his full personality. But one thing I have noticed is that he is hellbent on defeating Ved.

"Yeah, Sahil. I know how competitive you are," I payed along.

"Glad to know that. And you, Sandhya, will play a major role in achieving my goal."

"Oh, wow, sounds interesting-and scary. Are you planning on bribing me to kill Ved?"

"Haha, not so fast, girl. What I have in mind is better than that and it is all thanks to Ved only."

"How?"

"You know I mentioned about finding his biggest weakness when I took you to my restaurant?" he asked.

"Right, so did you find his weakness?"

"Yes, actually I already did earlier but now I confirmed it," he informed with a tinge of amusement in his voice.

"Wow, you are really intelligent, aren't you? Spill the beans."

"Nuh uh. If I did that, then all the fun will be spoilt. You just watch from the sidelines and be in my team. That's it."

"Urgh! Keeping secrets from me now? Okay, let me also see how you will take down my arch-nemesis."

"Of course, you just enjoy, Princess."

Princess? Only my dad calls me that. But I wouldn't fuss over such a small thing.

"Cool, then. Let's talk later, Sahil. My bus is here," I informed and jumped in the bus.

"Bye, see you soon," he said.

"Bye bye," I said and hung the call.

I went inside the bus and stood in the back. The red coloured vehicle was jam packed with people of all ages. I scrunched up my nose as I felt a sneeze coming up.

Achooooo!

I sneezed so loudly that all the heads turned in my direction, and I saw some people from a nearby bus also peeking in our transportation. I wiped my nose and blinked my eyes slowly.

My head started aching and waterfalls were coming out of my nose. Luckily, I had a huge bundle of handkerchiefs and tissues with me which I used till I reached my area's bus stop.

I got down from the bus and made my way towards my home at a snail's pace. I was replaying Sahil's words in my mind when I heard the ringtone which I had specially set for Ved.

After staring at his caller ID 'Natural Heater' for a moment, I picked up the call.

"Where are you?" he asked in his signature angry tone.

"On my way home," I answered.

"Why did you go outside? Don't you know you are sick?" he complained.

"Chill, Ved. If you are worried about the project, then don't worry, I will complete it on time."

"Why are you so dumb?"

"Hey! Don't call me- Achoo!"

Fuck, this cold will kill me.

"Move your feet faster, Sandy Pandy, or I will come there myself."

"Like you could. Stop exaggerating your abilities, idiot."

"Don't try my patience."

"Okay, chill, boy. I am outside my home now," I snapped and wiped my nose.

"Good, and don't come to college tomorrow if you ain't feeling good."

"Why are you so concerned?" I teased.

"Someone has to or you will get yourself killed any second."

For a heartbeat, I thought that the great Mr. Ved Rajput was actually worried. Poor me, I have been imagining all sorts of weird things.

"Wouldn't you love it if I die?" I irked.

"Only if it is with me," he deadpanned.

"Same here, angry man. Do you think I will die and let you live merrily?" I questioned sarcastically.

He didn't reply. I checked my phone to see if he cut the call and put the device back to my ear when I saw the call was still ongoing.

"Yo, Ved! You still there?"

"Yes, I am still here and think before speaking, dimwit," he grunted.

"Asshole!"

"Baffoon."

"Princess~"

"Don't call me that!" he yelled.

I burst out laughing. I could hear him complain about it and warn me to never mention that nickname again.

"I will call you whatever I want," I taunted.

"Then be ready for the consequences too. Did you go inside your home or not?"

"I am already in my room. And I think we should hang up, I am tired."

"Okay," he replied.

"Bye.... Princess~"

"Sandhya!"

I cut the call and rolled on my bed imagining his annoyed expression. It was really fun to poke him; I wished I could see him. I even forgot about my headache.

How many joules of heat can he produce when enraged?

Well, whatever. I got one more nickname-though an old one-to use against him. Actually, the list was very long, and I was sure Ved had one for me too.

Princess; only my dad called me that, but Sahil called me by that endearment today. Well, I would be lying if I said that I liked it. I just wasn't used to being called sweet names by guys, thanks to Ved.

Sorry, I meant Princess Ved.

I was my dad's princess, but there was only one princess for me. And her name started with 'V' and ended with 'D', with an 'E' in between.

Any guesses?