Shivay was sitting in his usual spot next to Tia's seat and humming a tune. Tia hadn't turned up yet, she had texted him that their car had broken down in the highway and she would take until lunch break to reach college. He was casually smiling and laughing at his classmates who sat around him chatting away till the professor arrived. He occasionally glanced at the entrance for Om to arrive, he was unusually late - normally Om arrived way early so that he could grab his breakfast from the canteen before college started, but guess he was caught up somewhere. After waiting for a while, he decided to call him up, Om had told him that he had overslept and would only arrive after their second lecture. Shivay sighed, guess he would be really bored today. But then he remembered Anika, well Anika would never bunk a class, surely she would arrive, and what more, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to talk to her without making it too obvious. They were a group, and when the others of the group didn't turn up, it was natural for them to hang out. A smile twitched to his lip, as he thought to himself - perfect.

He was busy flirting with a classmate of his when he heard her voice from near the entrance door, he went still, he recognized her voice of course but not that laugh, she was always too quiet, never this chirpy he thought confused out of his wits. Then he slowly turned around and the sight brought in a certain uneasiness about him - she was walking in with a guy, he looked like one of Shivay's type, he wore a polo tee with a distressed denim. He had a sling bag hanging from one shoulder and he was casually holding Anika by her shoulder and laughing at something she had said. He was at ease with his surrounding, and smiled at the new faces he came across as he entered the class. Shivay remembered about Anika's "wrong" text from the night before, he was right, it was a guy! He sat up straighter in his seat to mark his territory almost, as he expected them to sit around him - of course Anika would take her seat behind him and is the new guy tried sitting next to her, he would tell her it was reserved for Om, he smiled with satisfaction. Of course after that if he came to sit next to him, he would tell him it's for Tia - Mr. New Guy seemed smart, he would get the hint and stay away, huffed Shivay with a smile. But to his surprise, Anika never came to sit in her usual spot, instead she walked past him without noticing him and sat in the other corner of the class with new guy' by her side.

Soon a group of people went to them to meet the new guy' - silly guy, thought Shivay, he didn't even realize that he was the shining new toy, hence all wanted to know him - He on the other end was casually talking to all of them with a friendly ease. Shivay felt bothered, they were a group. And groups always sat together. ALWAYS. No matter what - even if they leave each other in the pub alone past midnight. He didn't say anything, but he kept darting glances at Anika, but she seemed too occupied with the number of people hovering around her seat. This irritated Shivay, so much for friendship he thought.

As Shivay sat through the lecture alone, he felt a little low, he felt lonely and friendless, and he never had a day in college like this before, where he didn't have his friends by his side. On that he could hear the girls excitedly whispering about the new guy and how hot he was - it irked him further - so new guy was competition huh? Well, silly girls, they didn't know, new guy was just another pretty boy, not a rockstar in making! He focused his thoughts on his music practise - he had started a rigorous training from the beginning of this sems, there was a talent hunt next month, he had registered there - he knew it he could make it through, but he needed undivided attention for that. His bade papa never stopped him for his music practise, but they wouldn't take it mildly if his academics suffered for that. Thank-God Anika was taking care of the assignments - at least his scores weren't the problem anymore.

After the first lecture, when he glanced a hundred times at Anika and she never returned the look, he decided he would go and casually greet the two - that way he could gauge Mr. New Guy and also see exactly how mad Anika was at having been left on her own at the night club - maybe he could discuss tomorrows assignment and also casually ask about her choice of seating? So, once the professor left the class, he casually got up and walked to them,

"Hey Anika, what's up? Is your friend a new joinee here?" asked Shivay lightly and smiled at the new guy, who looked up at him and smiled back in return.

"Yes, Daksh is an exchange student, who would do his last sem with us" she curtly replied without even looking at him and kept scheming through her notes. This angered Shivay, why couldn't Anika bring up the topic that she was angry for once? Then it was so much easier to explain things! Silly Anika he thought. But before he could probe further, the new guy spoke to him.

"Hi mate, I am Daksh. Daksh Zaveri. I joined for this semester. Nice meeting you! And you are?" he asked politely.

"Hey buddy, I am Shivay. Shivay Singh Oberoi. Welcome to our college. I guess you will see a lot of me around, as you are now an extended part of our group" smiled Shivay, as he played and age old advice in his mind,"keep your friends close, but your enemies closer"

"Aah, thanks mate. But how am I an extended part of your group?" he asked surprised. Shivay smiled, so Anika wasn't very close to him, considering she never mentioned them to him.

"Through Anika here of course." But before he could detail it out further, Anika spoke to him.

"My best friend Om is actually a part of his gang of friends, that way" she told Daksh without looking at him. This infuriated Shivay, so now only Om was her friend and they were of course Om's gang not her's. Yeah right - he had had enough, he coldly added, "Yeah, she loves hanging out with Om, and as a result we end up seeing a lot of each other. Anyways, you need something, let me know" with that he and Daksh nodded at each other and Shivay walked away from them with a brisk pace with irritation and fury clearly written on his face. What does this Anika think of herself?

***

Anika sat through the next lecture, suddenly very aware of Shivay's glances at her and his angry soot black eyes. To say the least, she was hurt - when she told Daksh she wasn't in Shivay's group and only hung out with them through Om, it was her way of telling Shivay how hurt she was, and she wouldn't be a part of their group anymore - she atleast expected Shivay would contradict her once? No. He gladly accepted her leaving their group - that's how less he cared thought Anika tearfully. Om was right. But why was he glancing at her thus? Why did he look angry? Maybe because she wasn't at his service to give him company when the rest of the gang failed turn up? Thought Anika with hurt in her eyes.

Shivay breathed a sigh of relief when Om arrived after the second lecture, he casually sat by him and they were merrily chatting - Shivay was feeling much better, though he still kept looking over at Anika and Daksh - just to understand their dynamics of course - they seemed to be rapt in some conversation he noticed - new toy he thought in irritation towards Anika.

Om suddenly noticed Anika's absence from the seat behind and wondered thoughtfully, Anika seriously meant business this time, he smiled in relief, and just to check on Shivay he enquired about her.

"Bro, where is Anika? Tia I know will join post lunch." Shivay gave him a dark look and glanced towards Anika's new seat, "She is no more a part of this group." He muttered and then added, "Can't thank my lucky stars enough" he finished, not at all sounding convincing. But Om didn't hear the latter, his eyes followed Shivay's gaze and he smiled. Then without excusing himself, he went over to them, and soon to Shivay's dismay, Om was enthusiastically chatting with Daksh and Anika. Shivay sighed in impatience - this had to be the most horrible day in his life.

During lunch, when Shivay and Om walked to the cafeteria, it was jam packed as usual, and there was no place. When they were about to walk away they heard a man's voice from behind, asking them to join him - he turned to see Daksh, anger hit Shivay once again and he was about to walk out when he saw Om wave his hand at them and walked towards them - he had no choice but to follow.

As they sat together, Om and Daksh were chatting generally, but Shivay was exceptionally quiet. Suddenly he heard Anika's voice behind, "Here Daksh, your fruit salad and lemonade" then she must have seen Om sitting next to him and greeted him, "Hi Om! You want something? I am still on queue waiting for my vadapav, I could fetch you something!"

"Hey thanks a lot Anika! Do you mind getting me a vadapav too?" he asked and Anika nodded and left, she was standing behind him, obviously she didn't notice him thought Shivay reasonably.

Om was going through his phone when he excitedly told the boys, "Guys, tickets are available for the new Avenger's movie. I thought it will be pre-booked for weeks! Want to go for a night show?"

"Wow, not bad bro. I thought we gotta wait. Sure, count me in!" replied Shivay, forgetting his worries.

"Me too. I was looking for company to catch that one!" replied Daksh. Shivay smiled, away from Anika, Daksh seemed like a nice and friendly guy, and action movies are historically known to bond guys better! By then Anika had arrived with two plates of vadapav, on reaching the four-seater table, she noticed that Om and Daksh were sitting on one side and the only vacant seat was next to Shivay. On looking at him she realized he had noticed her dilemma and was looking at her curiously. Not wanting to make a scene before Daksh, she quietly sat down as far away from Shivay as possible and offered Om her vadapav. Om was talking to Daksh all this while and then he glanced to see Anika uncomfortable beside Shivay - he had to do something. He turned to Anika and asked if she could swap seats as he wanted to show the seats option to Shivay - much to Shivay's dismay, Anika gladly swapped seats and seemed to be very comfortable beside Daksh now.

"So, booking these three seats then?" asked Om looking up from his phone.

"Three? Isn't Anika coming?" asked Daksh startled.

"Anika? It's an action movie dude, girls hate them" reasoned Om and Shivay nodded. He knew how Tia twitched her face in distaste when Shivay had mentioned to her about watching this movie last week - then they had settled for a chick-flick that bored Shivay to death, but Tia seemed to enjoy it.

"Yes, Daksh. You guys carry on. I have some work" fumbled Anika at Daksh. But Daksh's eyebrows furrowed as he looked at the guys incredulously.

"But Marvel comics is your favourite! Only yesterday at the multiplex you were telling you wanted to go for this movie!" asked a bewildered Daksh to a red faced Anika. But it was Om who spoke now.

"Anika? You like these super-hero movies? I never knew. You want to join us? Okay we will get four tickets then"

Shivay looked at Anika in amazement. "YESTERDAY AT THE MULTIPLEX?!?!!?!" So she was with this dimwit when Om had called her in front of him. "Movie with a friend my foot!" breathed out Shivay in anger.

Anika however replied, "No no Daksh, I have to work on assignments tonight, you guys carry on. I can't come" but Daksh wasn't going to leave it at that.

"It's okay Anika. Let Om and Shivay go tonight, we will go tomorrow maybe? I can't leave my childhood superhero movie partner behind and go for Avengers!" he laughed, and to Shivay's surprise, Anika laughed too! She never laughed with him. And wait a second, WHAT?!?! "CHILDHOOD SUPERHERO MOVIE PARTNER? CHILDHOOD!?!?!" no wonder she was so comfortable around him - no wonder she was flirting with him so shamelessly - childhood partner eh?

"No Om, let's book tomorrow. Somz and Rudra can also join us then, let's all go together. What say Daksh? I hope we wouldn't spoil you guy's superhero movie date eh?" smirked Shivay, but his voice was unconvincing to him too.

Om looked up surprised, what had gotten on Shivay today? Superhero movie date?!?

Daksh however smiled. "Aah, I guess we can survive a gate crash on our date this time? What's say partner?" he asked looking at Anika and winked. Anika just laughed, "You're impossible Daksh"

"Impossible my foot. Silly flirtatious monkey from the zoo" thought Shivay, as he got up quickly, he couldn't stand it anymore. "I gotta look for Tia, see you guys!" "Tia?" repeated Daksh, "Yes Tia, my partner for all intensive purposes" smirked Shivay in irritation, then he gave a hard glance at Anika, who knew why she looked so crestfallen. Then he left.

***

The second half of lectures were less depressing for Shivay. Tia was back and she was all over him, talking about her parties, shopping and the tan she got from the sea. It was during recess when she needed her notes for the morning lectures, she turned to see behenji missing from the row behind.

"Where is behe"I mean Anika?" she asked after darting a quick apologetic look at Om.

"She is not a part of our gang anymore." Replied Om curtly before Shivay could reply.

"Nothing like that, her friend has joined our class for the semester, she is sitting with him" replied Shivay quickly and glanced at Om.

"Oh" replied Tia, she couldn't believe her luck. Then she scanned around the room and saw them.

"That guy is behenji's friend?" she asked amazed forgetting to replace behenji wth Anika this time.

"Apparently childhood friends and partner" replied Shivay through gritted teeth, not looking up.

"Wow, he does look yummy" whispered Tia, and Shivay snapped up his head in shock! Tia, really? Even Tia? What was with this guy?!?! But before he could react, Tia told them she was going to meet Anika and get notes for the morning lectures.

Shivay noticed Tia walk over to them and soon Tia was talking to a rather awkward Anika like a long lost friend. She hugged Anika, chatted about her trip, and showed her the tan too, and soon was joined by Daksh in the chat - Shivay looked at her with a gaping mouth while Om smirked, "Meet my cousin Tia, Shivay. Again."

When Tia was back, she didn't know why Shivay's face was suddenly so ashened. She informed them that she was to join them for the movie too the next evening, Daksh had invited her. Although she hated superhero stuff, but she couldn't refuse Daksh, who was such a close friend to her best friend Anika. Shivay sighed in dismay seeing this side of Tia, while Om coughed badly to mask his blatant laughter.

***

Anika was just outside the college gate, waiting for an auto to travel home, when a car honked from behind, she turned back to see Shivay. She looked away and moved aside, giving him space to pass. But instead of passing, Shivay's head popped out of the window.

"Anika, want a lift? I am going to meet Somu only."

"No Thanks" she replied and was walking away, but Shivay followed in his car.

"You know it's going to rain pretty soon, and if it starts raining before you get an auto, you will be drenched. It will be quite a sight for roadside Romeos to ravish. Unless you want to bask in that glory, hop on." He laughed.

"No Thanks Shivay, I will manage." She replied without the slightest trace of humour on her face, as she continued to walk.

"Okay, I need to talk to you alone - about Friday. There was a misunderstanding. Come on in." he gave in.

"There is nothing to talk about. It's over now" she replied stiffly.

"Fine, I know it's over and you're also not a part of our gang now that you have your partner dearest. But I need to talk. So either you come inside the car as we talk on the way home, or I park my car and walk with you and talk on the way - that way, when it rains we both get drenched. And only you know, that my talent hunt is coming up in three weeks - a bad cough now can ruin things." Replied Shivay adamantly.

Anika considered this option. She knew about his talent hunt - only she knew, even Somz, Om and Tia didn't know. She had bumped onto him in the library while he was walking past with a file - the bump made his file and the papers fly out of his hand and scatter - she had quickly apologized to a furious Shivay and helped collect his papers, that's where she saw the registration papers. Back then she feared Shivay a lot - he had only just accepted her in his gang due to Somz. Shivay was obviously furious that she found out, and she wanted to make up for annoying him this badly - she didn't want to lose this opportunity, she had a crush on Shivay forever but he never noticed that she even existed. But thanks to Somz, at least he had grudgingly accepted her in the gang, he couldn't lose it so easily. So as compensations, she had offered to do his assignments throughout the semester and also promised to not to tell a soul about his competition. Shivay had agreed. Coming back to the present, she knew how important this talent hunt was for him - even though she was hurt and upset at him and was no more a part of his gang, she couldn't risk to hamper his dream. So she bowed down her head in acceptance and got inside his car, sitting next to him silently.

The strange oppression he felt throughout the day seemed to sublime as he turned on the engine of his car with a smile on his face.