Ruhi's POV
Siddharth is ignoring me like I don't even exist.
Is this guy for real? After everything that has happened yesterday, he does what? Ignore me? Seriously?
Yesterday, I went back home with too many questions in my mind, which I thought I would ask him today. But since he entered the class, he hasn't even glanced at me. Others noticed this behavior of his too, but they thought it was just another fight of ours. I am not able to initiate a conversation because of two things, first, he is ignoring me, second, I don't know how to face him after what I said yesterday.
What the hell was I even thinking when I said that, like seriously? Ugh!
After we left from the college, I tried to talk to Siddharth, but he shut me down completely. Radhika and Aditi asked if everything was alright and if we had a fight. I didn't tell them anything and brushed it off saying it's nothing. They knew I was lying, but decided not to ask further questions, as they knew I'm gonna tell them everything sooner or later.
Rishi, though, wasn't convinced and was giving me side eyes. I ignored him and went home, still thinking whether I should ask Siddharth anything about what happened yesterday.
I still remember the fury in his eyes, what would Avinash say that would make him so angry?
Finally, after a whole battle with myself on my way back home, I decided against asking anything, it was his life, I am no one to interfere, not when he is behaving like this, anyway we are not friends that he would say anything. He didn't even talk about this to Rishi.
I got home and freshened up. Changing into comfortable clothes, I grabbed some snacks and sat down, with my phone in my hand, scrolling mindlessly, when the doorbell rang.
I got up and opened the door, to find, "Rishi?"
He gave me a small smile and raised his eyebrow, "Can we talk?"
I asked him to come in, slightly confused as to why he showed up so unexpectedly.
He came in and made himself comfortable. "Would you like some tea?", I asked.
He shook his head and said, "No, I just wanted to talk."
I raised my eyebrow, "About?"
"About Siddharth."
I frowned, "What about him?"
He hesitated, and then said, "He is acting quite weird since yesterday. When I called him yesterday evening, I felt something was off, he sounded distant, I don't know, and then today, I noticed how he was ignoring you and you constantly tried to talk to him, so I thought, maybe you would know something about why he is behaving like that?", his eyes hopeful.
I nodded, "Yeah, something happened yesterday, and he is acting quite strange since then."
He leaned forward, and asked, "What happened? Tell me, please!"
"He, umm...met someone. I don't know why he acted like that after meeting him, because, he said that they were old friends.", I said.
"Who?", he asked, his voice filled with curiosity and concern.
"Avinash Verma, the CEO of-", he interrupted me with a small gasp, "He met who?!", he exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock.
I blinked, definitely not expecting that reaction from him. "Avinash Verma.", I repeated.
He closed his eyes tightly and cursed under his breath. Running a hand through his hair in frustration, he asked, "What happened exactly?"
I told him about everything that happened and how he is ignoring me since then. He sighed in frustration, "Out of everything, it was that bloody Avinash!"
Now, my curiosity piqued, I leaned forward and asked, "Who is this Avinash Verma exactly? Siddharth said that they were 'old friends', but then, he is acting weird since then."
He hesitated and then finally said, "Ruhi, I am not supposed to say this, it's Siddharth's life, but, Siddharth and Avinash aren't exactly friends."
I scoffed, "Yeah, I figured that after what happened yesterday! I ain't blind, Rishi! But, how can Siddharth, a guy who never loses his composure, get affected by Avinash? And, why is he ignoring me?"
"I don't know, Ruhi. He won't tell me anything.", he said.
"What happened between them in the past?" , I enquired.
"I, umm.. can't tell you that, Ruhi. It's Siddharth's life and he won't like me going around telling people about his life, and forget telling his enemy. I hope you understand."
I nodded, I do understand, some things are meant to be kept hidden until and unless they themselves decide to share it. If Siddharth doesn't want me to know something, it's his privacy.
Asking something from Rishi is definitely not appropriate.
Rishi took a deep breath and stood up, "Thanks, Ruhi, for your time and understanding."
I gave him a thin smile, "Yeah, it's okay. He might be my enemy, but I like the enemy that argues with me, not the one who shuts me down like this."
Rishi smirked slightly, "So, you like your enemy, huh?"
My eyes widened, "I didn't mean it that way!"
His smirk widened, "Come on, Ruhi. Just admit it!"
I crossed my arms and looked away, "You are imagining things, Rishi! I feel nothing for him!"
"Yeah sure."
I rolled my eyes and walked him to the door. We were just saying goodbye to each other, when we heard a knock on the door. Rishi turned around and opened the door, but as soon as he did that, someone landed directly on his chest.
Radhika.
Radhika's POV
I knocked on Ruhi's door but there was no response, so I was about to knock again because I was really impatient. Above that, there was some construction going on at some distance, so that sound was continuously ringing in my ears.
Mumbai and its construction work.
Just as I was about to knock again, the door opened and I landed on someone.
I looked up into his eyes, and everything paused. The noise from the construction was no longer reaching my ear. He held me by my shoulder so that I don't fall.
Then, I heard someone clear their throat. I realized my surroundings and saw Ruhi standing there, her arms crossed, and a smirk plastered on her face.
She said, "Rishi, you were saying something about liking someone?"
Wait. What is happening? Why is Rishi here?
WHAT IS RISHI DOING HERE?
Wait, what were they talking about? LIKING? LIKING WHOM?
Rishi was still standing too close to me, so I pushed him away and narrowed my eyes at him, "What are you doing here?" I crossed my arms and continued, "Tell me! And what were you talking about? Liking someone? Liking whom? Tell me!"
Rishi blinked, taken aback by my sudden outburst, well I'm taken aback by it too, but I couldn't help myself. He finally answered, "I... I was just passing by, when I saw Ruhi, she invited me over for tea, so I came, yep!"
"Oh.", I said, assured, then again, "Where are the cups then?"
Ruhi answered this time, "Actually, I realized that I was out of milk, but he was already in, so he was just about to leave."
Before I could ask or say anything further, she asked, "Okay, enough of this investigation! Tell me, what brings you here?"
Oh yeah, I completely forgot that. "Well, I was going to the supermarket, so I thought of asking you, if you would like to tag along. I could use some company."
Before Ruhi could answer, Rishi jumped in, "Should I come?"
"I am not coming anyway, I have to study, and also, I was thinking about doing some research about AV group of industries, I want to go prepared!", Ruhi said, excitedly.
I nodded my head, "Okay then, Mein Rishi se kaam chala lungi, or kya!", I said. Well, I just said that to tease him, because actually, I was very happy that he was coming with me. I would get to spend time with him!
He rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah, yeah! Now let's go!"
We bid farewell to Ruhi and made our way to the supermarket.
It was around 10 minutes since we were inside, I was walking through the aisles with a list in hand, while Rishi trailed behind, lazily pushing the cart, already bored.
I shook my head as he looked at the list in my hand and sulked his face. "Why do you need to buy so many things? Are you stocking up for an apocalypse or something?"
I rolled my eyes, "I am stocking up because mummy and papa are going on a trip, so I will be alone for a few days."
"So what? Just grab some instant noodles, bread and nutella. Life's sorted.", He said.
"No way, I can't live on maida for so long! What if I get fat? I have to maintain my figure!", I said dramatically.
"I wonder how you will look if you were chubby.", he moved closer while saying this, and continued, "I would love to pull your chubby cheeks!", saying this, he did pull my cheeks. I hit his chest, "Go away! I am not going to get fat just because you want to pull my cheeks!"
My cheeks were slightly red, not because he pulled my cheeks, but because he pulled my cheeks. I know I am not making sense, but whatever. He chuckled as I looked away and rubbed my cheeks as we made our way to our next destination, fruits aisle. I started picking some apples, when he suddenly came up to me, holding a huge watermelon in his hand as if it was a trophy, he said, "Buy this! Yummy and juicy!"
"Only if you carry it for me, because I am definitely not carrying this all the way home.", he nodded his head, his face falling. After a few minutes, he again came up to me with strawberries in his hand, he showed it to me with hopeful eyes, "What about this?"
I couldn't deny those hopeful eyes, so i said, "Yeah, I think I should buy some strawberries, we could make choco-dipped strawberries together!"
He grinned widely, "I know right! And for that, we need some chocolates too, so let's go buy them!", saying this, he dragged me to where the chocolates were kept. I couldn't help but chuckle at his action.
Finally, after a few more items, we made our way to the billing counter. As we left the supermarket, Rishi groaned, "This is the longest supermarket trip in history!"
"It was just 25 minutes or something, and you were the one who wanted to come. No one forced you to.", I said.
He clutched his chest in mock hurt, "So you don't like my company? Is that what you are saying? I am hurt, Radhika!"
I rolled my eyes, "You know I didn't mean it that way, Rishi!"
As we were going back home, we saw a cute puppy sitting in a corner of the street. Rishi went near him, and I followed him. He started playing with the little animal. I stood there with a smile, looking at how adorable they both were. I bent down and patted the puppy's head, "Aww, it is so cute!", I cooed.
Rishi looked at me and said, "You are cute too, honey!", he winked at me with a smirk.
I made eye contact with him, my eyes slightly widened, "Rishi! I thought you stopped flirting with me!", I exclaimed and smacked his shoulder.
"What? You think I will ever stop that? You are stuck with my flirting for the rest of your life!", he said.
I smiled softly, "I would love that."
His smile softened too, "Come on, baby, let's get you home now.", he said as he tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear. This small gesture made my heart skip a beat. I immediately looked away, not wanting to get lost in him.
I cleared my throat and said, "We should go."
He nodded and came to drop me at my place. We walked side by side, covered in a comfortable silence. When we reached home, I finally turned towards him with a smile, "Thanks! Today was great."
"My pleasure! But hey, don't you forget about our choco-dipped strawberries, okay?", he said.
I smiled, "We will make it together, don't worry, I won't finish all those chocolates alone."
"You better not!"
I rolled my eyes and said, "Okay whatever. Byee!"
He came and side hugged me as he said, "Byee, good night!"
Before I could pull away, I heard my mom coughing loudly. I immediately pushed Rishi away and turned around to see my mom looking at us with crossed arms and raised eyebrows.
I was about to say something, when mom raised a hand, shutting me up. She said, "You said that you were going with Ruhi, right?"
"Mummy, I met him at Ruhi's place only, Ruhi couldn't come so he said that he would.", I explained myself.
She scoffed, "You thought you could fool me? I know what's going on here! How could you do this, Radhika?"
My eyes widened. I looked at Rishi and he had the same reaction. I stammered, "Mu-mumma, I don't know what you are saying. There's nothing going on! I was ju-"
"What did you think? You wouldn't even invite Rishi home, and I wouldn't know that? How could you not invite him inside?", she said, her face neutral, though her lips twitched ever so lightly.
I blinked, my mouth agape. I looked at Rishi, who was trying to stifle his laugh. I glared at him and then my mom, I said, "This isn't funny!"
They both finally burst into laughter while I stood there with my arms crossed. They laughed and high-fived as if they were best friends. When their laughter finally subsided, my mom patted my shoulder, "What? You thought I would doubt you? I trust you with my everything, my baby!"
My expressions softened, but still, with a pout, I said, "But that was definitely not funny!"
She just waved it off saying, "Yeah, yeah, whatever." and then turned towards Rishi and said, "Jokes apart, I think you should come in. I love interacting with Radhika's friends, you know!"
I said, "Yeah, she definitely does. Sometimes when the girls come over, it feels like Ruhi and Aditi are her best friends and not mine."
"Because they enjoy my company more than you! What's our mistake if you are so boring, huh?", she said.
"Mumma!", I whined, "Why do you always roast me in front of others?"
She scoffed, "Huh! Sach bolo toh roast lagta hai! Roast karne jaungi fir to jal jayegi puri!"
I screamed in annoyance, "Aaaaa! Bas karo na mummy!", before she could say anything, we heard my dad's voice calling her. She excused herself and went back inside.
I sighed, finally! Turning towards Rishi, who was laughing really hard, I said, "Tum kya khi khi khi kar rahe ho?"
He tried to control his laughter but again burst into laughter after looking at my face, which was red due to embarrassment. I narrowed my eyes in frustration, "You continue laughing! I am going, bye!"
I moved towards my house, stomping my feet. Then suddenly, he grabbed my wrist - my breath hitched - and said, "Achha, I am sorry! I won't laugh again!"
I didn't turn around or say anything, so he continued, "But why are you angry at me? Your mom roasted you, not me!"
Still standing like that, I said, "Yeah, I was the one laughing like a maniac, right?"
He defended himself, "Aree but your mom made me laugh, I couldn't control myself."
I didn't say anything and tried to free myself from his hold, but he tightened his grip on my wrist slightly, and said, "Achha, I am sorry! Tell me how to make it up to you? I will do whatever you say!"
My eyes immediately sparkled, and I grinned as I finally turned around, "Whatever I say?"
He chuckled at my excitement, and with a dramatic gesture, said, "Whatever you say, honey!"
I chuckled too and acted as if I was in a deep thinking, "Hmm...what should you do?"
I gave it a lot of thought, but couldn't come to any conclusion. So, I decided to keep it pending until I get the right idea. I have to use this opportunity properly.
I said, "Not right now, I will think and tell that to you later. I can't waste this golden opportunity, now, can I?"
He raised an eyebrow, "Should I be scared?"
I gave him a cheeky smile and said, "Definitely!"
I said, "You should come inside."
He hesitated, "I would have, but I think it's quite late now. I should probably go home."
"Come on, you should definitely come, it's not that late yet.", I insisted.
He suddenly smirked and took a step closer, "Why? Can't stay away from me?", he teased.
I don't know what came into me, but I took a step closer too, and while maintaining constant eye contact, I said, my voice just above a whisper, "Maybe I can't. But who's to blame when you are so irresistible!"
His smirk widened, "Getting bold, huh?"
I smiled, "Learning from the best!"
Before we could say anything further, I heard my mom's voice from inside the house, "Radhika! Come and help me!"
I answered back saying I'll be there in a minute. Rishi said, "You should go. I'll come some other day."
I nodded with a small smile, "Yeah, byee! Thanks for today!"
"You don't have to thank me, hon!", he said with a smile, "Just don't forget to dream about me!", he added with a wink.
I shook my head, chuckling, I said, "You are impossible!"
He again winked at me, "Only for you, honey!"
"Byee!", I said, for the final time. He waved at me and as I turned around and started moving away, he called my name, as I turned around, he threw a flying kiss in my direction, and I caught it in a really dramatic way.
I went inside and started helping my mom in packing her bags as they were leaving for the trip tonight. She suddenly said, "I like Rishi, he is a really nice guy."
My hands froze for a second, not expecting that topic, I asked, "So? I mean, how did he come up out of nowhere?"
She shrugged, "So nothing, I am just saying."
I shook my head in disbelief, how did I get so lucky to get such a cool mom? I didn't say anything further and continued helping her. They left after dinner, and I went in my room to sleep. As I tried sleeping, I recalled everything that happened today, and a smile immediately formed on my face. Rishi is really a nice guy. I have started admiring these small moments of us. Moments as simple as grocery shopping become beautiful memories when I am around him.
I hope he meant it when he said that I am stuck with his flirting for the rest of my life, because I don't think I will be able to survive without that.
You are right, Rishi, I can't stay away from you.
Naman's POV
I can't believe I said what I said to Aditi. It's good that she didn't react negatively, or I would have died in shame. Yesterday, I couldn't talk to her because there were no moments when it was just the two of us. I don't want to disturb her by asking her to meet me apart from college, not until the exams are over. I don't want her studies to be disrupted because of me.
Today, the girls are not coming, they thought it was better to stay home and study. So, it's just the three of us. It was a good opportunity for me to talk to them about Aditi. I just wanted to tell them that I am finally ready to admit my feelings to her. It was break time, I looked at them to see both of them busy with their phones.
I said, "What are you both doing in your phones?"
Rishi replied, "Oh, I am just looking at our photos from yesterday. Radhika and I went to the supermarket and also clicked some pictures."
I smirked, "What's going on between you two, huh? I thought you hated grocery shopping."
He shrugged, "I still hate it, they are too boring for my liking, I just went there because Radhika was all by herself."
I smacked his head, saying, "That's what I am saying idiot! You really like spending time with her, don't you?"
He gave it a thought and then slowly nodded, "Maybe, I do." Before I could tease him further, he changed the topic, "By the way, Siddharth, I wanted to talk to - what are you doing, Siddharth?", Rishi said when he saw Siddharth typing furiously.
"I am talking with someone.", he said as a matter of fact.
Rishi rolled his eyes, "I can see that! But who are you talking to?"
Siddharth was silent for a long, LONG time, then he finally said, "Avinash Verma."
We immediately straightened up hearing that name. Rishi and I looked at each other, shocked. Rishi said, his voice slightly high, "What's going on, Siddharth? You met Avinash on Sunday too, but you didn't even tell us anything about that meet and now you are chatting with him? Are you not going to tell us anything? When did we even start keeping secrets?"
Siddharth sighed, "Calm down, Rishi! I am not trying to keep any secrets, okay? Yeah, I didn't tell you guys because I didn't get the chance to."
Confused, I asked, "What's going on exactly?"
Siddharth took a deep breath and started, "That day, when Ruhi and I were walking home after our group study, I met Avinash and.....", he explained us everything that happened that day, "...that's why I am talking to him right now."
Rishi said, "Ohh, that's why you are ignoring Ruhi?"
Siddharth nodded. I decided it was perfect time for me to tell them, "Guys, mein soch raha tha-", I was interrupted by Rishi, "Tu na jyada socha mat kar, tere ghutno me dard hone lagega."
I made a face, while Siddharth scoffed, "Bhai, situation ke hisab se joke mara kar na yaar! Serious baate chal rahi hai."
Rishi gave us a sheepish smile and said, "Hehe, you guys know na, I can't be serious for too long."
I shook my head and then continued saying, I told them about what I said to Aditi that day. They had to pick their jaws from the floor. They were too shocked to believe I was the one who said that.
Trust me guys, I am shocked too.
I continued, "So, I was thinking that I should propose her."
Rishi jumped in excitement, "Are you finally going to do that?"
I nodded shyly. Rishi teased me, "Dekho toh kaise nayi naveli dulhan ki tarah sharma rahe hai humare Sharma ji!"
I rolled my eyes, "Shut up, Rishi!"
Siddharth smiled at me, "I am happy that you are finally confident enough for admitting your feeling."
I smiled back and thanked him.
We went to our respective classes after that, but I couldn't really focus, my mind was somewhere else. All I could think about was how I am going to propose her, about how I could make that moment special and memorable. I bit my lip to control the smile that was forming just by thinking about it.
I can't wait for that moment!
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