Tia was sitting in her hostel room applying nail-paint. Malli was sitting on her bed with a Mills & Boons in hand, but she wasn't reading, she was absently staring at it. Tia frowned, Malli was changing. She wasn't as bubbly as she was even a week or so back. The girl who could chatter around non-stop and even make Tia's brain go fuzzy, nowadays the same girl remained aloof thinking all the time - who knew what ate her? It would be wrong to say that Tia wasn't concerned, unlike the behenji, Tia was quite fond of her roomie Malli. But right now, her curiosity about Daksh's personal life, surpassed her concern for Malli. This was the right time, she could drop in the small question and if she knew better, Malli wouldn't even notice she asked her, she would just answer in monotony.

"Oyi Malli, you okay? You seem very lost" began Tia.

"Huh? No...no I am fi-fine" she muttered in response.

"Acha woh Daksh, doesn't he have a girlfriend?" she put in as casually as she could. But it didn't help, Malli's head snapped up at the mention of Daksh. She looked at Tia with an uncertain hope in her eyes, something Tia couldn't quite place. Then she asked,

"Why do you ask Tia? Does he look like he is in love?" Mallika asked, she didn't notice Tia's intention behind her question, she just wanted to know about Daksh - did others see his love for her? Did she only not notice?

Tia looked at her face, well there was no teasing coming from her tonight, it was safe.

"I don't know yaar, he seems like someone who can hide his personal life, that makes people curious. Does he have a girlfriend? Have you ever asked him?"

Mallika lowered her head in anguish, she wanted to tell Tia that Daksh did have a girlfriend, and a soon to be fiance too - but she remembered that Daksh wanted to hide the news, it hurt her, but she kept quite. Then an idea struck her,

"I don't know Tia, but I can ask though" Mallika wanted to know her worth in Daksh's life, her asking would have made Daksh feel she was immature, she didn't want that tag anymore - but Daksh seemed okay with Tia, however she is, so she decided she could ask this question and say Tia wanted to know - she and Tia would both get their answers then. She cheered up a bit.

Tia smiled, her plan had worked, she would soon know.

***

Shivay was waiting outside the apartment ringing the doorbell for five minutes now. He kept waiting, no one answered the door, he was a bit irritated now, the message was delivered all right, and then what was cooking? He waited for another fifteen minutes and then left the place in blatant irritation.

When he reached the multiplex, he saw that all of them had reached already, they were waiting for him. He eyed her with coldness, and she looked away - her indifference stung. Shivay ignored her and went ahead to chat up with Rudra and Somu. Somu looked a bit disturbed though, he wondered why.

When they entered the seats row in the screening room, Shivay noticed Anika jovially chatting with both Daksh and Om, she paid him no heed. Tia's eyes were obviously on Daksh's movements, but he had had enough - he saw Om taking the corner most seat inside, of their row. Daksh followed him. Tia was about to follow Daksh, but Shivay held on to her hand and gave her a hard look. Tia obviously didn't want to be too conspicuous so she kept mum and waited with Shivay. But in Shivay's attempt to keep Tia from Daksh, he realized, he gave a free pass to Anika to glide in next to Daksh. An angry puff escaped his lip, and before anybody could walk in next, he did, still clutching on to Tia's hand. After them Rudra and Somz followed.

All wasn't lost, thought Shivay. Anika and Tia, both were on his either sides. Well the bummer was Anika had Daksh by her other side too.

The movie began, Tia let out a bored sigh, she wasn't interested in these movies, her object of interest wasn't near her and being stuck between psychotic Somz and her brother Shivay wasn't exactly going to help her case - especially when Shivay looked annoyed for some reason and Somz looked disturbed.

Shivay was slowly starting to forget his irritation as the title of the movie started rolling on the screen, but a slight movement on Anika's side made him turn towards her - she was comfortably bending towards Daksh's side of the seat handle. Daksh felt it to, he turned around with a grin,

"Like old times huh Annu?" he laughed and put his arm casually around her. She didn't flinch away or anything - in fact she was very comfortable, and together after exchanging a smile, they looked at the screen.

Shivay didn't know why he felt the need to break a few things right then. Annu?? Really?

As it is he was having a tough time ignoring their closeness and concentrating in the movie, but within the first fifteen minutes he could hear soft and light snores coming from Tia's side! It pissed him more. He was watching the movie, but his focus had gone for a toss - occasionally Anika and Daksh would discuss something about the plot of the movie - of course, for that they needed to get even closer! Suddenly he heard them giggling - obviously some insider joke - but Shivay couldn't take it anymore, he carefully placed a hand on Anika's shoulder, the part where Daksh wasn't "touching" and pulled her towards him, a startled Anika fell over his side and grabbed his hand for balance, he smiled internally - much better - then she looked at him with one eyebrow raised, questioning him for his action.

Shivay's irritation was back. "Why did you not reply when you weren't going to wait for me to come and pick you?" he asked all jittery.

Anika stared at him in blank incomprehension at first, then understanding dawned, "I think you made a mistake in the side - Tia on the other side" she replied quietly and was turning away. Shivay grabbed her elbow; he wasn't letting it off so easily.

"I am talking to the right person! I had texted you, not Tia." He replied through gritted teeth.

"When did you text me? I didn't ---" then she produced her phone from her purse to check. Sure enough there was an unread text message in her inbox from Shivay. Oh - she exclaimed, this was the one she didn't read, assuming it was Om's. She opened it.

6:03p.m. [Hi, I am sorry about last night. I want to sort this - without getting all worked up. Can I come and pick you up for the movie? We will get time to talk then. I know you are angry - so if you really don't want me to pick you, text back a reply. If I don't get a reply, it means you've given consent.]

She gasped, then she turned automatically to look at Shivay, with an apologetic expression.

"Did you go home to get me?" she asked softly, her tone helped in bringing down his anger considerably.

"Yes, I rang the doorbell for fifteen minutes." He replied.

"I am so sorry Shivay, I missed this text completely" she replied in concern.

"It's fine. And I am sorry too. Both about last Friday and yesterday." Shivay managed to revert. She smiled in reply, and then turned to watch the movie. Shivay smiled too, for the first time in a few days, he was feeling light.

After the movie Shivay had decided to have a word with Tia, so he told her personally to keep herself available - Tia agreed reluctantly. She neither wanted to crate a doubt in Daksh's mind, nor did she dare goof around right before Om.

Anika was hopeful, she had Shivay were in a common space after a very long time, and in all likelihood the space was not just that of acquaintances - true they weren't buddies, but they were slightly more comfortable in each other's company. She almost smiled at the thought when Shivay came to where she stood with Om, and told them, he was not going to join them any further, as he and Tia were doing dinner together. As he left, Anika let out a sigh, that didn't go unnoticed by Om.

***

Rudra was noticing Somz, he wasn't quite okay, he tried asking him, but Somz avoided the topic. He thought it would pass, but Rudra was wrong - Somz didn't even watch the movie properly, he was lost in his own world.

"Hey mate, wanna race down?" asked Rudra cheerfully.

"No man, some other time" he replied with a sigh.

"Are you going to tell me what's wrong? This isn't solving on it's own I hope you can see it to mate" offered Rudra cautiously.

"Let's go to the football field" replied Somz in instinct.

Rudra had every desire to reject the idea, what was the point of driving all the way to their practice field at this hour? But clearly Somz was very disturbed, maybe he needed space? Like literally? Or fresh air?

"Lets go!" replied Rudra with a smile.

***

Mallika was hanging out with her childhood best friend Priyanka. They were catching up for dinner. After a long long time, she was feeling better, because she was behaving like her ownself - Piku would never judge her.

"Hey Piku what do you want to eat? Let's order pizza? Thin crust? Oh Piku it's so good to catch up! Piku is there a new guys there? I saw you blushing while texting! I think I will not have pizza, let's order pasta? Oh Piku it feels so great to be meee" she sang. Priyanka laughed, her friend hadn't changed at all. Though Mallika was a year older than Priyanka, she was always the immature one!

"How's Mr. Soulmate doing? I heard from Anika di that he wants to keep your thing in hush hush? Why did you allow Mallika?" she asked curiously. After a long time Mallika felt like she could share her thoughts with someone - she told Priyanka all her troubles and soon Priyanka was frowning.

"Yaar Mallika I think it's okay for Daksh to take time. After all you guys were really young when the soul-mate thing got stuck in your head nah. Its okay if Daksh has grown out of it - maybe he came here to give it a fresh shot? It may be slow, but from where I see it, that is not the problem you should be worried about - your threat is that senior who joined you both for dinner - your roomie - I am absolutely sure she has the hots for your Daku" Mallika laughed in disbelief, Piku was such a kid, after all her worries and tension, she found this one to be an issue? She laughed and turned her head, only to notice the pair of people sitting a little far from them - it was Tia and Shivay. She smiled. "Look Piku, my potential threat is on a date with Shivay. I told you nah, she was just innocently curious! Now you're happy?"

Priyanka looked thoughtful. "Why don't you text Daksh and ask him what Tia wants to know - see his answer - you will have an answer too." Mallika's eyes shone at that, it was a good idea.

9:39p.m. [Hi, Tia was asking this - if you have a girlfriend - what should I reply?]

9:42p.m. [Tell her I am single.]

Mallika's smile faltered, "See, I told you. He wanted to keep us in the warp, this would be his answer"

"Or maybe he doesn't want Tia to not know he is taken - can be either ways" Priyanka shrugged. Mallika stared at her in disappointment for a moment - but tonight was hers - after a long time she was herself, nothing was going to dampen her mood tonight. A dimple appeared on her face.

"Piku let's go to scoops for ice-cream after this? Please please please? What flavour will you have? Piku you have put on sooo much weight!! Have you had a chance to hang out with di? Let's book the train tickets together for going home for the summer vacation what say? Ei Piku, imagine we just have twelve more days for exams! I am shit scared!"

The rest of the evening passed happily as Mallika found a small escape to be herself for the night.

***

Shivay was eating his food and looking at a reluctant Tia - she was never this bad with him - it bothered him. "Is there something you want to tell me Tia?" she looked up startled, "Huh, no Shivay, what are you talking about" she stuttered. Shivay decided to be honest about it.

"I think you have developed a thing for Daksh, is it true? You know you can be honest with me Tia" he shrugged.

Tia looked at Shivay, she didn't know what was the right answer, a part of her wanted to own up to this and clear off her equation with Shivay - but a tiny voice inside her asked her to wait - wait till Malli gave her the news, what if Daksh did have a girl friend? She would then lose out on both of them - that would be sad. The wiser thing to do was, wait and keep Shivay in the dark, until Malli gave her news.

"Shivay are you mad? I was just trying to make him comfortable in class you know - he is Anika's friend and we like it or not, she is a part of the group nah? But why do you ask? Jealous huh?" she fluttered her eyes suggestively and Shivay gave a coy smile and breathed in relief - no competition here.

***

Daksh, Anika and Om were having dinner together, after a long time she was having fun, she was comfortable around both Daksh and Om - maybe this was how being with friends felt like - relaxed, casual, fun and warm - she never felt these with her so called group. She smiled warmly seeing Om and Daksh enthusiastically debate ManU vs. Chelsea. Maybe this was it - her group.