13. Group study

Aditi's POV

As it was announced yesterday, our exams will be held after Diwali, that is from 4th of November. Today being Sunday, we decided to meet for group study at my place.

They might be here any moment.

My mom and dad are at work, yes, on a Sunday afternoon, where people spend time with their families, my parents are at work. Isha di got discharged and is in her room. She is now fit and fine.

We are going to study in my room.

I had just finished cleaning my room when I heard the sound of the doorbell. I went and opened the door to see Naman standing there. As soon as he saw me, his face lit up. I greeted him with a smile, and we made our way to my room, when we heard Isha di, "Who is it?", she asked, walking out of her room. She knew that my friends were coming over, still she was asking this.

Naman greeted her and asked about her health, she replied, "Oh, I am totally fine now. Thanks to you guys!"

With a mischievous grin, she asked him, "So, what brings you here gentleman?"

Before he could reply, I said, "Di, I told you that my friends our coming over to study, right? He is here for just that!"

She said with a teasing smile, "So this is the 'friends' you were talking about, huh? What are you going to study today, biolo-", I interrupted her, "Oh my god, di!", my eyes widened, "Have some shame! Don't you think before speaking?", my face was completed red at this moment. She loves teasing me.

I didn't wait for a single second; I took hold of Naman's hand and rushed to my room, closing the door behind. I heard her speaking, "Achha, I am sorry! But hey, why did you close the door, then, huh?"

I groaned, "Di!, get lost!"

She said, "Achha, okay, I am going to my room, but I just wanted to say...be careful!"

I whined, "Diii!", I heard her laugh and I heard footsteps descending and a door closing, she finally left. I looked up at Naman, he looked back, and after a few seconds, we both chuckled.

I said, "Please, don't mind her, she is like that only. Won't miss a chance teasing me."

"It's totally fine. Now, should we start studying...biology?", he said the last part with a smirk.

My eyes widened and I exclaimed, "Naman! Not you now!"

His smirk widened as he raised his hand, which I was still holding, and said, "Well, as you won't let go of my hand, so, I thought..."

I left his hand immediately and smacked his shoulder, glaring him. He chuckled, while saying, "Look at you, Adi! You are completely red!"

I made a pout. Turning away from him, I mumbled, "I hate you!"

He turned me to face him, saying, "Sure you do."

I turned away from him again, the pout still on my face, "You go team up with Isha di! I don't want to talk to you!"

He again made me face him and said, "Achha, I am sorry!"

I didn't say anything and just kept looking at him with the pout.

His expression shifted and he sighed, "You look really cute with that pout on, but you have to stop doing that!"

I tilted my head and narrowed my eyes "Why?", I asked playfully.

He took a step closer and leaned in just enough for his breath to brush against my ear, his gaze locked in mine. "Because" he said, his voice low and steady, "When you pout like that, it becomes impossible to think of anything else-except how perfect your lips would feel against mine."

I froze for a moment, my breath hitching as his words settled between us, electric and undeniable.

My cheeks flushed with a deep crimson, my eyes widened and my pout immediately vanished.

He did not just say that!

I knew he had feelings for me just like I do, and today, he confirmed that. But...how can he say that?!

I looked at him to see if there was any hint of mischief, but he looked completely serious. My heart was hammering in my chest.

I opened my mouth to say something, but I forgot how to form words. "Naman", I managed to whisper.

He took another step closer and breathed, "Aditi", his eyes searching mine. "Aditi... I-", he was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. He immediately stepped back and cursed under her breath, his eyes darted everywhere but at me. I cleared my throat and said, "I- I'll go open the door." and went out of the room.

I opened the door and welcomed the four of them in. As soon as Ruhi saw my face, she reached out to touch my forehead, asking, "Why are you so flushed? Do you have fever? Are you-", just then, Naman came out of my room and towards us. Ruhi's expression changed from worry to realization to mischief. She crossed her arms and said with a smirk, "Oh, that's the reason! I am sure you are better than fine, right Aditi?"

I scratched my eyebrow and looked around. Naman said, "We were waiting for you guys, come on, let's study now."

They decided not to tease me and agreed to Naman, and we went to my room.

We all sat down and started studying on our own, occasionally asking doubts to each other.

After a good 2 hours of serious study. We decided to take a break.

Thank God, my friends are studious, or else I would never have studied so attentively. Who says group studies don't work? Look at us! 2 hours of non-stop productivity.

The guys decided to head out and grab some snacks for all of us. So now, it was just us, the 3 idiots.

I groaned, "Aah, why do we need to study?"

Radhika sighed, "To pass the exams."

I said, "But I don't need to study to become an artist!"

Radhika said, "You obviously don't need to study for that. But God forbid, if things don't go as planned, you need a backup, don't you? So, that's why you need to study."

"Okay mumma!", I said, teasing her. She is the group's mom.

She rolled her eyes and decided to change the topic, so she turned to Ruhi and asked, "By the way, Ruhi, you never told us what happened that night when Siddharth's bike got punctured."

Ruhi said, "Yeah, because you guys were too busy teasing me about the good news."

I said, "Come on, tell us now. We are all ears!"

She sighed and started telling us everything that happened, dragging the bike, then the job, those judgmental aunties, everything. She said, "You know, when Siddharth asked me to ignore those ladies, but he himself was angry due to them, I thought for a second that, maybe tomorrow I will read in the news that those ladies are missing or something like that, and it will turn out that Siddharth was behind that, and he might just be a secret millionaire!"

We laughed so hard at that. I asked, "Why do you think he is a secret millionaire?"

"Because he gifted YSL perfume to Radhika and that limited edition book to me! I mean, I tried my best but couldn't get the book! Think of it, guys!"

We again laughed and said that she was mad and how she should stop reading all those fictional novels.

Ruhi and her delulu world!

Then I told them about what happened before they arrived. They had their jaws dropped on the floor when I told them about the whole pout thing. Radhika exclaimed, "He said what?!"

Ruhi said, "That he wants to kiss her! And then they are like 'Oh, we are just best friends!', like what? Do you think we guys are fool?"

Radhika said, "Okay wait, he said that, and then, did he see how perfect your lips felt against his?"

"No way! Are you out of your mind? And...I was thinking, what if he was just joking? What if he just said that to tease me, I mean, Isha di was teasing me, so what if he was just going along? What if he didn't mean it? ", I said.

Radhika said, "Don't overthink it, Aditi. It's not just one thing, we all know about what you guys actually feel."

I thought about it for a second, she was right, we both knew how much we mean to each other.

I said, a bit unsure, "Yeah, you are right.."

Ruhi asked, "So, when are you guys making it official?"

"What? I don't know, I mean, I do have feelings for him, but he hasn't proposed me yet and-" Ruhi interrupted me, "So you propose him! Is it written somewhere that only boys can propose?"

"I know! But it's not just that! I am scared to come in a relationship, I mean, what if it affects my studies?"

"So, what are you going to do? After knowing what he feels for you, it is impossible to pretend that you guys are just friends! Whom are you trying to fool? Yourself? Or others?"

Ruhi is correct, we have to admit it sooner or later. I took a deep breath and said, "Okay, I will propose him!"

Ruhi said, "That's like my girl!" and the both of them hugged me and we fell on bed, laughing.

Just then, Rishi entered and saw us, on the bed, hugging each other. He smirked, "Oh, did I interrupt something? Should I come later?"

Radhika sat up on the bed and threw a pillow at Rishi, which he efficiently dodged. She said, "Shut up!"

We all chuckled. Others came and we were eating the samosas they had brought, when I heard Isha di's voice, "Do I smell sam-", she stopped as she entered the room and saw us. A grin spread across her face as she took in the situation, she said, "Oh, party chal rahi hai aur mujhe kisi ne invite bhi nahi kiya!" and she sat down beside me. She was about to take a samosa, when I smacked her hand, "Don't even think of eating this! You've just recovered."

She made a face and said, "It's not like I was sick! I was just injured. No one said that I can't eat junk food!"

I said, "But di-", I stopped as she had already taken a bite, I sighed and let her eat it.

We then sat in silence for a few minutes, which was broken by Isha di, "Why are you guys so quiet? Is it because of me?"

We immediately disagreed, "What? No, it's not like that!"

She said, "Then talk! I was getting bored and that's why I came here!"

Ruhi decided to start, "So, Isha di, how is everything going on in Canada?"

Di smiled and said, "Everything is great, I will be back in India by next year as my course is ending, then I will be working here as a physiotherapist."

Ruhi exclaimed, "Wow, that's great! I am thinking of going abroad for my master's too. But I can't decide what country I should go to."

"Yeah, do some research and select the country wisely.", di said.

She nodded. Radhika and I were looking at her. Radhika asked, "You never told us that you were planning to go abroad?"

Ruhi shrugged, "I said that I am just thinking, I am not sure about it yet."

I asked, "So, is anyone else planning to go abroad too?"

Siddharth raised his hand, "I am."

Ruhi asked, "What? Which country?"

Siddharth said, "I don't know, I am still searching for it."

Rishi said, "Well, I am not going anywhere. I might start giving auditions from next year."

Radhika said, "I am not going anywhere too."

"Neither me.", Naman and I said together. I looked at him and suddenly, my mind replayed his words. I immediately looked away and Naman cleared his throat. This didn't go unnoticed by Isha di as she smirked and bumped into my shoulder, I decided to ignore her.

Siddharth said, "Anyway, let's continue studying."

Isha di made a face and said in mock offence, "Bhagana hai to sidha bolo na ki chali ja, ye padhai ki baat karne ki kya zarurat thi?"

Ruhi, not missing a chance to tease Siddharth, said, "Huh! Very bad!"

We chuckled and Isha di said, "Yeah, but seriously, you guys study, I won't disturb you now." and went back to her room.

We then went back to studying. Suddenly, Naman said, "Where's the washroom?"

Before I could respond, Ruhi said, "Aditi will guide you. Go, Aditi!"

I glared her but stood up anyway. I went ahead and he followed me to the washroom. Once we reached, I turned around and said, "Here.", pointing to the door.

He nodded and went in. I stood there, contemplating if I should wait for him or not. After a mini battle with my own mind, I decided to wait.

A few minutes later, he emerged out of the washroom and was surprised to see me still standing here.

"Let's go.", I said, trying to sound casual, though my mind kept replaying the same conversation.

I was walking ahead of him and just as I was about to reach my room, I heard him call my name. I stopped in my tracks. I turned around slowly and met his eyes, the tension in the air palpable. There had been an awkwardness between us since he said that.

He opened and closed his mouth a few times, taking his time in choosing the appropriate words. He finally said, "About what I said before, I... umm... wanted to say that-"

I interrupted him, saying, "It's okay, you were just joking and... and teasin-"

"Adi wait", he said, looking straight into my eyes, "I wasn't joking. I- I meant it.", saying this, he didn't wait for even a second and rushed past me and into the room. I stood there, frozen.

After I understood the weight of his words, I couldn't hold myself, I smiled so wide and jumped in excitement, chanting, "He meant it." continuously.

I ran to Isha di's room. She was resting on her bed. I jumped on the bed and hugged her, still chanting, "He meant it."

Isha di laughed at my excitement and asked, "What happened? And who meant what?"

I sat up, still full of excitement, "Naman! He said that he meant it when he said that-", I stopped. I can't tell her what he said or else she would kill me by teasing me.

I took a deep breath to compose myself and said, "Just know that things are moving ahead between me and Naman!"

I stood up and ran out of her room before she could ask more questions. "What was that?", I heard her, but I decided to ignore her.

I stood in front of the door of my room and again took a deep breath, trying hard to hide the smile on my face. I entered in and sat down quietly, without looking at anyone. Then we continued studying, though I kept stealing glances at Naman. It was like a new, profound relation had formed between us.

Ruhi's POV

I was really happy to know that Aditi finally admitted her feelings and is going to propose him. I hope everything goes well.

I really wish to go to another country for further studies. However, it's really difficult to find the perfect university or the perfect country. I have to do a lot of research.

Anyway, we continued studying after Isha di left. I then remembered that one topic I couldn't understand that day.

I said, "This topic is so difficult!"

Rishi asked, "What is it?"

"Umm..sunk cost fallacy under cognitive biases.", I replied.

He said, "Oh, never heard of that."

I rolled my eyes, "How would you? We have different subjects."

Siddharth, who was writing something in his book, said, "I know that topic."

"You do?", I asked, hoping he would teach me, "Will you please help me with that?" I expected him to say no, I mean why would he want to teach me something when I am his competition.

He said, "I will, but what will I get in return?"

I rolled my eyes, "Let it be then, I don't want any of your favors."

He looked at me for a few seconds and then said, "Okay, whatever, I'll help you."

My eyes sparkled, "You will?!"

He nodded his head. But then, I felt a bit suspicious and narrowed my eyes at him, "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Why did you suddenly change your mind?", I enquired.

He shrugged, "Because in the future, if I needed your help in studies, you would count this incident and won't deny helping me."

I smiled and patted his shoulders, "Good decision!"

He glared my hand and then me, making me immediately pull my hand back as my smile faltered.

I moved closer and showed him my book. He read it and then started explaining, "The tendency to continue an endeavor once an investment of time, effort, or money has been made, even if it's no longer the best option.", he completed his sentence and looked at me.

Looking at my expressions, he understood that I didn't understand anything, so he continued, "Let me give you an example, you are watching a movie, but you find it really boring and you are not enjoying the movie at all. But you are already halfway through the movie, so you continue watching the movie even though you don't like it, just because you don't want to waste the hours you already invested on it and you continue to waste another hour on it. It leads to poor decision-making because it focuses on past investments rather than future gains."

I nodded my head, finally understanding it.

He looked at me and then continued, "We know that it is a part of cognitive biases, which is being taught to help us in communication and decision making. Cognitive biases are relevant...", he continued explaining the topic, but now, I wasn't really paying attention to what he was saying, but to how his lips moved as he said it. I was now observing his face, perfectly carved. I suddenly blinked. Focus, Ruhi, focus.

After he completed explaining, I wrote down some notes on the topic and asked him to verify it. He went through the notes and said, "Yeah, it's correct."

I nodded, "Thank you! You can count on me if you need any help!"

He nodded his head but didn't reply.

I then continued studying, finally understanding the topic.

Now that I think about Siddharth, I don't think I hate him anymore. I mean, the first thing we fought over was the book, but after getting that book as a present from him, I am left with only one reason to fight with him, and that is the thing he did at the cafe, due to which, I lost my job. But now, with a better job opportunity, I think whatever happened was for the best. I don't think he has any reasons to come in my way again, so I think we can end this enmity.

I am not saying that I would befriend him, and it's not like he would agree being friends with me, why would he? But at least, we can stop being at each other's throat every now and then.

After another hour of studying, Rishi said, "Guys, please, I can't study this much, let's not continue studying now."

Radhika nodded, "Yeah, it's enough for today, let's go home now."

We all agreed and decided to go home. We bid farewell and left from there, Radhika, Naman and Rishi went their way, and I walked towards my home, with Siddharth ahead of me. As I was walking behind him, I observed the way he moved, so casually yet so confidently.

I decided I would talk to him now, about not being enemies anymore.

I increased my speed so that I could walk beside him. He looked at me, not expecting me to suddenly show up beside him, but decided not to say anything and continue walking.

How should I even start this conversation? What should I say? Should I directly say that we should be friends? Wait, when did I decide on becoming friends? No, not friends, not right now at least.

Ugh! Why is it so difficult for me? I would yap all day, but can't even initiate a conversation? What is wrong with me?!

He glanced in my direction, and said, "What do you want to say?"

I looked up at him, my mouth slightly agape. I cleared my throat and said the first thing that came out of my mouth, "Thank you.",

Ugh! Thank you? Seriously? How many times am I going to thank him now?

He raised an eyebrow, "You thanked me already."

I cursed myself internally and looked away, not knowing what to say. I again contemplated where to start, he was still looking at me. When I didn't say anything, he said, "What is it that is taking so lo-", he was interrupted by me as I pulled him towards me, preventing him from falling face first due to the huge stone placed in the middle of the footpath. Why was that stone there anyway?

As I grabbed his arm and pulled him towards me, I stumbled back and hit the wall behind me, he stumbled too and kept his hands on either sides of me to balance himself. I looked up at him and saw how close we were standing. How do we always somehow end up like this?

My breath hitched as soon as my eyes met his, those eyes, I feel like I can forever drown in them. My heart was again beating really fast, just like it happens when I am in such a situation with him. I was feeling something I couldn't understand, my breathing was uneven. I didn't know what was happening.

Just when I thought he would finally step back, he raised his hand and brought it up to my face, tucking in the loose strands of my hair behind my ear. I could feel my ears heating. My heart skipped a beat as his fingers grazed my skin.

I then noticed that his hand had a small cut, which was bleeding. My eyes widened and I immediately took his hand in my hand to examine it. This brought him out of his thoughts as he immediately pulled his hand back.

I clicked my tongue, "You have a cut! Let me see!"

He examined his hand and realized he had a cut, it felt like he wasn't feeling it before I told him.

I took hold of his hand and examined it, then I turned around to look at the wall, which had an uneven surface, due to which, he got this cut.

He complained, "Leave my hand, it's nothing!"

I argued, "What nothing? What if you get some kind of infection? Let me clean it up!"

"You don't nee-", he stopped mid-sentence due to my glare. I took out my water bottle from my bag and poured a bit on my handkerchief, to moisten it. Then I carefully cleaned the blood and mud from the cut and blew air on it, the whole time I could feel his gaze on me.

I asked, "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?", he asked back.

"Like, like I don't know, so intensely! Aise mat dekho muje!"

"Kyu?", he asked, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.

I looked straight into his eyes and said a really dramatic dialogue, which I totally meant, "Aise na dekho janab, pyaar ho jayega!"

He chuckled, clearly taking it as a joke, he said, "Tumhe lagta hai muje tumse pyaar ho jayega? Seriously?"

I looked straight into his eyes and said, my voice low, "Mene kab kaha ki tumhe pyaar hoga?"

His expressions changed, "K-kya-"

"Shh, let me focus.", I said, as I continued treating his cut, which was now completely clean. I removed bandage from my bag and secured it on his cut. As I did, I could feel the weight of the situation settle between us.

What did I just say?

As I completed the task, I tried to ignore the way my heart raced. We were not even friends, but something had shifted between us. I didn't regret what I said, it was the truth. But now, with his so close, the tension was undeniable.

I cleared my throat and said, "I-it's done."

I said, still looking down at his hand. He immediately pulled his hand back, cleared his throat and started walking forward.

I sighed as I watched him go, heat creeping up to my face. I don't know what came into me when I said that, but it was the first thing that came into my mind, and I blurted it out.

I took a deep breath and composed myself. I started walking, he was still ahead of me.

What would he think of me now? Will he think that I like him or something?

'I don't like him, no, definitely not, I don't', I told myself

I don't want to create any misunderstandings in his mind, I have to talk it out. Yes, that's the correct thing to do. Talk.

But how am I supposed to face him after saying that? I groaned internally.

I took a deep breath and made my way towards him, and again started walking beside him. This time, he didn't look at me, no, he was purposely avoiding looking at me.

I opened my mouth to say something, but closed it again, unsure of what to say. I finally brought myself to say something, "I w-wanted to say th-", I was interrupted by a voice from behind of us, "Hey, Siddharth!"

Turning around, I saw a guy, who looked familiar. He was leaning against a car, a smirk plastered on his face, as he took a puff of the cigarette he was holding.

Looking at his well-tailored suit and the expensive car behind him, he looked nothing less than a millionaire.

Then, I looked closely, and realized, he was a millionaire. The person who called Siddharth was none other than Avinash Verma.

I looked at Siddharth, who was standing expressionless, when recognized Avinash Verma, clenched his jaw.

Why did he clench his jaw? He said they were friends, right?

It's too difficult to understand him.

He then walked towards Mr.Avinash, his usual casual walk, turned deliberate and intense.

I decided against going towards them, it would be really unprofessional of me, and also, I don't want to disturb them.

I was too well mannered to go near them, but also too curious to know the reason behind the sudden change in Siddharth's demeanor and what they are talking about, so I stood there, waiting for him to come back.

By the look of it, the conversation didn't look healthy. Siddharth looked upset while Mr.Avinash was still standing with his smirk on.

Suddenly, my phone rang, I looked at the caller id and saw that it was Raj bhai. I picked up the call and turned away from where they were standing.

He asked how I was and how everything was going.

I taunted him, "Everything is fine except the fact that I am going to celebrate Diwali alone!"

I heard him sigh, "Ruhi, please try to understand, if I had even 1% chance of coming there, I would have, but I am helpless! I am alone too, right?"

I frowned, "Yeah, but still, it would have been so much fun!"

"I know, but I will come as soon as possible.", he said.

"Why did you call anyway?", I asked, as he never calls me at this time.

He said, "Uhmm, that I wanted to know if you have any plans for going out next week, actually, I have ordered something online that will be delivered there next week, so please see to it."

"Yeah sure, I will, anything else?", I asked, as I was getting impatient, I mean, what if Siddharth leaves while I am talking on the phone.

"No, but why are you in such hurry?", he asked, to which I replied, "That I'll tell you later na, byee!"

"Okay, byee!", he chuckled at my lack of patience.

I turned my attention back at Siddharth. I don't know what they are talking, but it looks really intense.

Suddenly, Siddharth stepped back and turned around, making his way back to me.

His eyes were filled with fury. Damn, what happened?! Why is he so angry?

I opened my mouth, but before I could say anything, he moved past him.

I turned around and called out, "Hey!"

He paused, turned around, and as he looked at me, his eyes softened ever so slightly, the fury in his eyes still there. The way he was looking at me made my breath hitch, the intensity in his gaze was too much. He suddenly looked away, took a deep breath and walked away.

I stood there, too stunned by the sudden change of events. I looked back at Mr.Avinash, he was still standing there, with a smug smile on his face. His one hand in his pocket and the other still carried a cigarette.

I scrunched my face in disgust, I don't like this man at all. I looked at Siddharth, but he was already too far.

What happened to him so suddenly?

What did they talk about that made Siddharth so angry?

Why was he looking at me like that?