Radhika's POV
It can't be that difficult now, can it?
I mean, it's just participating in the events committee.
Alone.
So what, Radhika?
Think of the brighter side. You can make new friends this way! It's absolutely going to be worth it.
I sigh, looking around at the other students of the committee.
Most of them are sitting in groups, while some of them are like me – alone.
I have always wanted to participate in such things. Getting to organize something so big, even if playing just a small part in it, feels like an achievement.
Apart from that, wanting to be a singer and doing my own concerts one day will require a lot of backstage knowledge.
So, it's a win win situation, right?
Right?
There's still a few minutes left for the meeting to start. Today is the first meet for the upcoming college fest.
Our college has one of the best college fests in Mumbai. Competitions, concerts, celebrities, and chaos are the four words I'd like this fest to be declared as.
Based on what social media showed me, I've never been into one before, of course.
The door suddenly opened, and I instantly looked up, as if magically someone I know would enter to save me from regretting this decision, but it was a girl whom I had seen for the first time.
I wish I had asked Rishi to accompany me at least. He would have agreed immediately.
And I'd get to spend more time with him.
Oh, the thought of spending time with him gives me a smile.
Alas!
I scowl at my own thoughts.
No one's coming for you, Radhika.
I put my head on my desk as I sigh again.
The door creaked open again, but I did not bother to look up this time. No use, I know.
But then, I hear footsteps that feel to get closer with every step. I feel someone come and stand near my seat.
I tilt my head slightly, to see who it is.
Only to find someone's head almost touching mine in a completely weird angle.
I jump, letting out a startled yelp.
As I straighten up, I see who it was.
Rishi.
Who was suppressing his laugh.
I look around the room, some of the students are laughing at me while some of them are giving me side eyes.
But wait-
"What are you doing here?!", I asked.
He shrugged, "Thought of trying something new."
He sat on the empty seat beside me, still grinning.
"Why did you not tell me?"
"You didn't either."
"Good point. But it's so good to see you here, I was already regretting joining.", I said.
"I knew you'd admit it sooner or later. My presence makes you feel good.", he flirted.
I should have seen that coming.
I do a one-shoulder-shrug, "I never denied."
He chuckled, "Seriously though, even God wants us to stay together. What a coincidence!"
Just then, a guy cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. He was standing near the whiteboard and seemed to have the confidence of a leader.
"Good afternoon, everyone. Welcome to our first college fest meet. I'm Prakash, your event head. So, let's start with the discussion.", the guy introduced himself.
He then signalled to a girl who in response turned the projector on.
Prakash then proceeded to show us photos and videos of the last few years, to give us some context about the fest.
It's a really big deal. We have to come up with new themes every year, of course. And apart from that, they call people from various fields for every fest day.
The fest is mostly a 5 or 6 day celebration, depending on the activities.
This is going to be a whole lot of fun.
I look at Rishi, who seemed to be as excited as me as he listened attentively to what Prakash was saying.
I turn my attention back to Prakash as he continues about the activities that are held every year.
After his presentation gets over, he said, "I hope you got the idea of how huge this fest is for the whole college. We can now proceed to brainstorming ideas and themes."
A low murmur spread across the room at the mention of brainstorming.
I bite my nail as my brain spirals with different ideas and themes which my heart was too nervous to say out loud.
When no response came, Prakash encouraged us, "Come on, people! There are no bad ideas."
Easy to say.
Someone raised a hand, "What about the Bollywood theme?"
Prakash shook his head, "Already used before."
"How about around the world? One country every day?", another person suggested.
Prakash nodded thoughtfully, "Hmm... That's a good one."
The ideas continued to flow, one after the another.
While I just sat there.
Thinking.
Rishi nudged me, "Do you have anything in your mind?"
I nod.
"Then say it!", he said.
"No way! I am not sure if it's good enough."
He clicked his tongue, "Radhika, believe in yourself! Just go for it! Good or bad doesn't matter. And for the record, I know it will be great."
"Don't you have any ideas too?", I asked.
He shrugged, "I am just here for the free attendance."
I rolled my eyes at that.
Of course he is.
Rishi is right, just go for it.
I raised my hand, not giving myself another chance to overthink it. Prakash nodded at me to speak.
I hesitated for a second before speaking, "What if we bring Disneyland to our college?"
I saw a grin forming on Rishi's face from the corner of my eyes.
Prakash furrowed his brows, "Please elaborate."
I straightened myself, "I mean, there's a lot in the Disney world. We can do something inspired from that. Like... Each day we can do something inspired by the movies and ideas of Disney."
Prakash nodded, "That sounds interesting."
He then looked at everyone, "Alright, enough of the brainstorming. Out of all the amazing ideas, the three best ideas were 'Around the world', 'Time travel' and 'Disneyland'. I want you all to vote for the idea that you think should be selected."
The voting began and surprisingly, many people raised their hands for Disneyland.
Prakash clapped his hands, "Okay then, that's final! Disneyland it is! Let's take a small break before we move on to the next discussion."
I grin, turning to look at Rishi, who already had a proud smirk on his face, which screamed 'I told you!'
"I am feeling so proud right now!"
I laughed, "Well, thank-"
"I am so proud of myself!", he said, interrupting me.
I raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"
"What? I was the one who encouraged you to speak! Can I not be proud of how good of a motivational speaker I am?", he said.
I snort a laugh, "You're ridiculous!"
"Ridiculously handsome.", he corrected.
Suddenly, a girl approached us, "Hey. You're Rishi, right?"
"Yes?", he asked.
"Hii, I am Nitya! You are a performing arts student, aren't you? Same here! I have seen you on campus.", she said, leaning slightly towards his desk.
My eyes narrowed.
Before he could say anything, I leaned in, "Hi, Nitya. I am also a performing arts student. Have you never seen me?", I said in a sweet tone.
Nitya's smile faltered, "Oh, hey. I didn't know that."
Rishi bit back a laugh.
She continued, "So, um... Rishi, I was thinking, maybe we could grab coffee after the meeting?"
Hawww! How can she just ask him out like that?!
I looked at Rishi intensely, waiting for him to answer.
He opened and closed his mouth again and again, looking between me and her.
Is he actually giving it a thought?!
Of course he is! Why won't he? It's not like we're something, then why would he not think about it?
What are you even thinking, Radhika?
You're just his friend, I tell myself.
"Umm, Nitya, actually-", he started.
"Actually," I said before I could stop myself, "Today he is coming with me. To my house!", I blurted out, already regretting it.
Rishi's head snapped towards me.
What the hell did I just do?
Nitya's face fell, "Oh."
She looked at Rishi, who was looking at me with a shocked expression.
"Umm... Okay. Forget it. Uh... Bye.", saying this, she scurried away.
The second she left, I suddenly found the table very interesting.
"Uhm Uhm! Why was I not aware of our little... plan, Radhika?"
I could feel heat creeping up to my face.
He shifted closer, resting his elbow on the desk, his chin on his palm, very obviously staring at me, "So now you won't even look at me?"
Silence.
He poked my shoulder, "Come on, honey! Don't you think you owe me an explanation?"
Just then, Prakash came back, saving me from his questions.
I sighed, thank God.
We then proceeded to discuss the activities and day wise themes for the fest. Things are moving a little faster because the college fest is just around the corner and we are already lagging behind in the schedule they follow every year due to our exams.
After the meeting ended, I glanced at Rishi from the corner of my eye, he was already smirking at me.
I clear my throat, "I - I am getting late. I should go home-", just as I stood up to walk away without even glancing at him, he held my wrist.
He stood up from his seat and came to stand in front of him. I slowly lifted my eyes to finally look at him.
Uff that smirk!
"I am not letting you go so easily, honey.", he said, his voice low.
I sighed, knowing there was no way out of this, "Okay. Let's walk out at least?"
He nodded, stepping aside to let me walk.
Think something, Radhika! Why did you say that?
Honestly, I don't know it too.
"So?", he urged me to speak up.
"So?", I play dumb.
"Don't act innocent now, honey! You know you ruined my chance to go on a date.", he stated.
So, he actually wanted to go?
Wow!
"You were going to say yes?", I asked hesitantly.
"What do you think?", he asked back.
"How would I know what's on your mind?"
Why am I getting irritated?
"Maybe I was going to say yes."
I pause in my steps, turning to look at him, "Oh yeah? What next? You'll call her honey?"
Rishi snorted a laugh, "Oh my God, Radhika! You're getting jealous!"
I narrowed my eyes at him, "No, I am not!"
"Yes, you are!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"You sure?"
"No- I mean, yes!"
"Okay then, let me go back to her-"
I grabbed his arm almost instinctively to stop him.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused as he looked back between me and his arm.
I immediately let go of his arm, clearing my throat, "Me not being jealous doesn't mean you can go to her!"
"And why is that? Hmm... let me think. Oh yeah! Because we have to go your home, right?"
I looked away, "Uh... No- I mean, because... because I wasn't jealous. I was just protecting you!"
What am I even saying?
He suppressed a laugh, "Protecting me?"
What do I say now?
"Y-yes! Protecting you, of course! What if she dumps you? You can't trust someone just like that."
Okay, this might be making a little sense.
He placed a dramatic hand on his heart, "I am touched, honey! You care about me so much!", he dropped his act, "But you were definitely jealous."
I open my mouth to speak. But what to even speak?
"What makes you think I am jealous of some random girl?", I crossed my arms.
Where did that confidence come from?
He shrugged, "Because you like me.", he said, as if it was the most normal thing to say.
My eyes widened, "Y-you! Aren't you a little too overconfident? Why would you even say that?!"
"Because that's the truth.", he stated, as if it was a matter of fact.
It is.
"I - I don't!", I manage to say.
"Then why is your face so red?"
"Because... because of the weather! It's too hot!", I lied.
He nodded, "Of course. Winter season has always been this hot, yeah?"
I try to calm my flustered state.
"You know what? Go to the coffee date! You wanted to say yes, right? Get lost then!"
Saying this, I started walking ahead, a little quicker.
I don't look back even once to see what he does next. My poor heart won't be able to watch him walk away.
I reached my scooter and just as I was about to start it, I felt someone sitting behind me.
"What now?"
Rishi grinned, "I am just following your orders."
My brows furrowed in confusion, "What?"
He nodded, "Yeah. You asked me to go on a coffee date. I am."
Is that supposed to mean?
No, right?
"That doesn't explain why you're sitting on my scooter."
"You didn't mention who my date is going to be."
I stared at him to continue, not wanting to interpret something else.
He rolled his eyes, "Oh, come on, honey! You really thought I'd say yes to her?"
I stay quiet.
He sighed, "You were right."
My jaw dropped, "Get off my scooter, Rishi! Right now!"
He laughed, "Okay, okay! I am sorry. I was just messing with you!"
I huff, "I hate you!"
He shook my shoulders playfully, "Come on now! It was just a small joke. I was going to say no to her. I just wanted to see your reaction."
"Saw it? Happy now?", I glared at him.
He grinned wider, "Oh, I am on top of the world! Didn't know I had this effect on you."
"Go away!"
He kept his hands on my shoulders, "I thought we were going to your home."
"Rishi, I swear if you-"
He laughed again, "Relax, honey! I didn't bring my bike today. Drop me home, will you?", he squeezed my shoulder.
I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the warmth of his hands on my shoulder, "Wear the helmet first!"
And then, I started the scooter.
Later that day, I called Aditi and Ruhi to tell them everything that happened.
I didn't realize how affected I was today until I heard myself speak about it.
As I spoke about every word, every little detail about today, I realized how obvious I was.
I was certainly very jealous.
And I most certainly like Rishi Soni.
.
.
.
.
Or maybe more than just like.
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