Author's POV
"Our first guest is a really passionate and successful businessman at a very young age. He is a two time winner of the Businessman of the year award and is an inspiration for young entrepreneurs like some of you. So, with a huge round of applause, I would like to call upon the stage, Mr. Devansh Yaduvanshi!"
Devansh stepped on the stage with a confidence that made half the girls across the campus swoon.
"Our second guest is a woman who has dedicated herself to advocating for the rights of both men and women, striving to bring equality in its truest sense. Her fearless personality and unwavering convictions have made her one of the most admired voices among today's youth. Please put your hands together for Ms. Nirriti Agnihotri!"
Nirriti stepped forward, her eyes meeting Devansh's for a split second before acknowledging the crowd with a smile.
They shared a few words of wisdom for the students, before the host announced, "Alright then, it's finally show time!"
There were several small and big games across the campus, but the biggest and the most anticipated game was castle escape.
The game was simple. One person from each pair is tied to a chair in the castle, and the other person has to cross a few obstacles and save their partner and come back together by crossing the obstacles again.
The first pair to reach the stage wins the game.
But if the person on the chair unties themselves on their own, they are immediately disqualified.
The castle?
A royal set up built in the college basement.
As always, Siddharth was already regretting his decision. Tied up on the chair, he waited for Ruhi to come and 'save' him.
As soon as the host announced that the game had started, Ruhi ran towards the first obstacle- hurdles.
The hurdles were low enough for Ruhi to easily jump over them.
She couldn't believe that she had crossed the first obstacle before anyone else.
Next up was 'Quiz your way out'.
Each question had two options, if you answer correctly, you get to move forward right then. For an incorrect option, you have to spend extra ten seconds before moving forward.
There were a total of four questions.
Ruhi looked at the first question.
What was Rapunzel's dream?
1. See the floating lanterns.
2. Open a restaurant.
Ruhi smirked to herself, thinking how easy the question was, as she clicked option one.
The light above her turned green and she moved forward.
Which Disney movie features the song Hakuna Matata?
1. The jungle book.
2. The lion king.
Ruhi paused, going back to her childhood days, trying to recall both the movies.
"The lion king!", she recalled.
Grinning, she went for the third question.
Which Disney-Pixar movie is about emotions?
1. Soul.
2. Inside out.
Ruhi instantly pressed on the second option, "That is literally one of my favorite movies!"
Finally, the last question.
What is the name of the restaurant where Remy cooks in Ratatouille?
1. Gusteau's
2. Bon Appétit
Ruhi stared at the question, "I have no idea about this one."
So, she took a deep breath, and did what any sensible person would.
"Inki pinki ponki, father has a donkey, donkey dies, father cries, inki pinki ponki!"
Her finger stopped on the first option, and she clicked it confidently.
The light turned green, making her grin wider.
Another obstacle cleared.
"Thank God, I didn't let Siddharth rescue me.", the thought made her eyes widen with horror.
She proudly walked into the building, ready to tackle the next obstacle, but her confidence wavered slightly after finding out what it was.
An indoor maze.
She took a deep breath, "I can do this."
The moment Ruhi disappeared into the castle, Aditi and Naman turned their attention back to the giant screen displaying the live feed from the obstacles outside.
"She was the first one to enter.", Aditi said proudly.
Naman nodded, "I think they're actually going to win this."
One by one, the remaining participants cleared the quiz round and disappeared into the castle as well.
A few minutes passed as the audience waited in anticipation for the participants to walk out of the building.
Finally, the first pair walked out.
Naman and Aditi immediately turned to look at them.
And to their utter surprise, it was not Ruhi and Siddharth.
Another pair walked out right after.
Not them either.
Pair after pair, the participants kept walking out of the building.
Naman frowned, "Ruhi was the first one to get in, how is she not out yet?"
"Did she get lost in the maze?", Aditi asked.
Only Siddharth and Ruhi were left to come out, all other participants were already done with the escape.
Just as Naman and Aditi started getting concerned, Siddharth walked out.
Along with Ruhi.
In his arms.
A collective gasp echoed through the crowd as they stared at them.
Ruhi immediately buried her face against Siddharth's shoulder, wishing the ground would swallow her whole.
Aditi's jaw dropped at the sight while Naman was completely speechless.
Ruhi's POV
I let out a breath as soon as I stepped out of the maze, "I have absolutely no idea how I managed to get out of that."
Ahead of me was a long staircase that led to the basement.
Why are there so many stairs?
I walked down the stairs and walked down the passage which lead me to a dark room with candles and dim lights.
And there in the centre, was Siddharth, tied up.
Beside him, were several other people tied up, waiting for their partner to come.
"Am I the first one to be here?"
He looked up at my voice, a surprised expression forming on his face, "You are the first one to be here?"
I smirked, flicking my hair, "Never underestimate me."
He rolled his eyes, "Yeah, whatever. Now come and untie me."
I started walking towards him, "You have to admit now, I am the best- aaah!"
I hit the floor.
I was so busy showing off, that I did not even see the single stair while walking, and fell down.
I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot up my ankle, making me hiss.
Before I knew it, Siddharth was beside me.
"Are you okay?", he looked for any injuries.
My eyes widened, "Why did you untie yourself?"
He blinked, "You fell do-"
"Siddharth, we will be disqualified now!"
He stared at me in disbelief, "Seriously? Winning is your concern? You literally fell down!"
"I just tripped. I'm not that weak. How could you just...", I sighed, "I can't believe this"
He scoffed, "That's what I get for worrying about you?"
"I did not ask for your worry, Siddharth!"
I ran a hand through my hair, taking a deep breath to calm myself down.
Behind us, a student walked in. He looked at us sitting on the floor for a brief moment, before turning to free his partner.
I sighed again, "We were so close to winning."
He shrugged, "You should have let me be the savior, I would have at least been more careful."
I stared at him, "Oh yeah? Then tell me, what was Rapunzel's dream?"
He went blank, "What?"
"Exactly. You look like I just asked you a differentiation question", I pointed out.
"I would have answered if it was a differentiation question, but why would you even ask me that?", he frowned.
I shook my head, "Forget it."
More students started coming in.
"Will you be able to stand up?", he asked with concern.
When did he start worrying about me again?
"Of course I can stand up."
I tried to stand up.
I could not stand up.
I sprained my ankle.
I was in pain.
What do I do?
Siddharth looked at me, waiting for me to stand up.
I gave him a smile, trying to stand up again.
I did stand up this time, but while doing so, I hissed so loudly that Siddharth wasted zero seconds to hold my arm.
I gently removed his arm, "I am fine."
His hands remained close, ready to hold me anytime, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am s-"
The pain became unbearable as I tried to step forward, making me groan.
My balance wavered, and just as I was about to fall again, Siddharth held my arm with one hand, while the other hand rested on my back, holding me still.
I looked up at him.
His eyes were filled with concern, "I don't think you're fine, Ruhi."
I am definitely not fine now.
My heart is beating rapidly for some unknown reason.
"I... I sprained my ankle.", I mumbled.
"Of course you did."
And before I knew it, I was lifted off the ground.
Siddharth Thakkar just held me bridal style in his arms.
I immediately protested, "Aa! What are you doing? Put me down!"
He ignored my screams, and started walking towards where I came from.
"Siddharth!", I shouted.
He scowled, "Lower your voice! You're screaming in my ears."
"Siddharth.", I lowered my voice.
"What?", he glanced at me.
"The whole college will see us like this.", I pointed out.
"So what? They already think we are dating."
"But still! This is so embarrassing."
"Tell me, Ruhi, how do you manage to sprain your ankle in situations like this?", he glanced at me in amusement.
I was about to answer, when he stopped abruptly.
All the amusement disappeared from his face the moment he saw the stairs.
Now, I was the one amused.
"Do you still want to carry me?"
He cleared his throat, "It's better than spending an hour here making you climb each stair."
My amusement disappeared too, "Siddharth, I'm fine, really. Put me down. I won't let you do this."
He glanced at me, his lips curling up as he stepped on the first stair, "I'm not taking orders from you."
My jaw dropped, "Siddharth, you are not Shah Rukh Khan and this isn't Chennai Express!"
I was completely ignored.
He lifted me higher to get a better grip, which made me hold onto him tighter.
Someone ask this guy to not act so caring please.
Or else my heart will jump out of my rib cage.
All other participants were already ahead of us.
By the time we reached the top, Siddharth was a sweating mess.
"You can put me down now. I can walk through the maze."
His eyes widened, "There is a maze?"
I nodded, "That's why I am telling you, you're already tired, put m-"
"Who said I'm tired?"
"You're literally sweating!"
"So?"
"You stink!"
He looked down, "Look at you complaining! You should be grateful that I am carrying you."
I scoffed, "I did not ask you to carry me."
"Still! I was starting to think that you've learned how to be grateful, but it seems like I was wrong. You're still as ungrateful as ever."
I narrowed my eyes, "Shut up and put me down."
I was ignored again.
"Do you remember the way?", he asked as he stepped into the maze.
"Umm... No?"
"How are we supposed to get out then?"
"That's for you to figure out."
By the look of his face, he is definitely regretting participating in this game with me.
I looked around, trying to figure out where I came from.
"Left!", I pointed out.
Siddharth took the turn.
"No, wait..."
He paused.
"I think it was right."
He turned around.
"Wait, let me think-"
"Why are you even trying if you don't know?"
"It's fun watching you dance on my fingers.", I replied innocently.
He sighed, "I can't believe you."
He proceeded to find the way out on his own, and guess what?
He managed to do it within a few minutes.
"How did you do it so fast?", I asked in awe.
He smirked, mimicking me, "Never underestimate me."
I rolled my eyes, "Yeah, whatever. Put me down now."
I don't even know why I keep trying when I know I will get ignored.
This is going to be embarrassing.
As soon as we stepped out in the open, a hush spread across the crowd, before I heard people gasping in surprise.
I immediately hid my face by Siddharth's shoulder, my face turning red
I felt instant regret as the smell of sweat reached my nose. I scrunched my face, turning away for air.
Siddharth chuckled at my actions.
How is he so calm about the whole situation?
He skipped the hurdles, of course.
Naman and Aditi were already standing at the end, their eyes wide with a mix of concern and shock.
Just when I thought he would finally put me down, he walked past Naman and Aditi.
"Where are you taking me now?"
He did not say a word as he walked across the campus, holding me in his arms, with Naman and Aditi following us and the whole campus turning around to look twice.
He finally paused by the fountain and gently put me down on the bench.
Before I could say anything, he pointed a finger at me and ordered, "Stay put."
So, I stayed put.
Aditi and Naman sat on either sides of me after Siddharth walked away.
Where is he going now?
"What happened, Ruhi?", Aditi asked.
Naman added, "Are you okay?"
"Weren't you the first to get in?"
"Then why did you come last?"
"Why was Siddharth carrying you?"
"Did you get hurt?"
"Why are you not replying, Ruhi?"
"Say something."
I lifted my hand to stop both of them from saying anything else, "Will you let me speak?"
Both of them nodded.
I explained everything that happened to them and how we got disqualified because of that idiot.
"He literally carried you all the way here, at least don't call him an idiot.", Aditi said.
"Do you know how embarrassing that was?"
"Still, did you thank him?"
"Did he give me a chance to? God knows where he ran away."
Naman spoke, "I am sure he went to get a sprain relief spray."
Aditi agreed, "I think so too."
I crossed my arms, "Whatever."
Siddharth walked back after a few minutes and knelt down in front of me.
My eyes widened, "What are you doing?"
"Which ankle?", he asked, a sprain relief spray in his hand.
"Siddharth, no-"
"Which ankle?", he repeated.
"I can do it myself!"
"Which ankle, Ruhi?"
"Left...But let me do it."
He ignored me and started removing my shoes.
I pulled my leg back, "I can't let you do this, Siddharth."
"It's not a big deal.", he held my foot again.
"Sid-"
"Shh!"
I stopped protesting.
He removed my shoe and sock, and sprayed the medicine, before gently massaging my ankle.
"Okay, that's enough.", I pull my leg out of his grip.
He sighed, finally standing up.
I glared at him, "Don't do such things again."
"Then don't fall again.", he retorted.
I narrowed my eyes at him, "Why are you being so nice to me suddenly?"
He rolled his eyes, "This is basic humanity. Don't read too much into it."
Of course.
Suddenly, Naman sniffed.
He stood up, moved closer to Siddharth, and sniffed again, "Did you put on perfume?"
Siddharth immediately stepped away, clearing his throat, "Do you have the nose of a dog?"
A smile formed on my face as I stared at Siddharth.
He avoided my eye, pretending to smoothen his shirt.
I leaned back on the bench, "Thank you, Siddharth."
The sudden words made him pause, his eyes finally meeting mine.
There was a moment of silence, before he tilted his head slightly, his lips curling up, "You're welcome, Ruhi."
Author's POV
"Aren't they really cute?", Nirriti said, looking at Siddharth walking out with Ruhi in his arms.
Devansh nodded, "Reminds me of us."
Nirriti chuckled, "And then there are these two.", she pointed towards Radhika and Rishi, who straightened immediately.
"What?", Radhika asked.
Nirriti crossed her arms, "What's going on between you two?"
Radhika waved it off, "Nothin-"
Rishi interrupted her, "She is my best friend, who is upset with me, but she won't tell me the reason and won't talk to me either. I don't know what to do."
Radhika facepalmed herself.
Rishi just gave her a sheepish smile, scratching his head.
Devansh laughed, "Oh, to be this young."
"This is serious matter.", Nirriti stood in front of Radhika, placing a hand on her shoulder, "Don't talk to him unless he makes it up to you properly."
Radhika nodded sincerely, "Understood, ma'am."
"Good.", she then turned towards Rishi, "And you, why would you upset her?"
"I didn't do anything, ma'am.", Rishi almost whined.
Devansh stepped forward, "Don't be so harsh on him."
Rishi smiled at him gratefully, "Thank you so much, sir."
"Don't thank me yet. You will still have to make it up to her.", he said sternly.
"I want to, sir, but what do I do? She won't even talk to me.", he complained like a baby.
Devansh sighed, "Now I can't tell you that."
"Make him grovel. Don't give in so easily. alright?", Nirriti winked at Radhika, who nodded in response,
Devansh scowled, "Why would you say that? Don't you want them to sort it out?"
"But that doesn't mean she has to forgive him so easily.", Nirriti replied.
"At least don't add fuel to the fire then. He seems sincere.", Devansh retorted.
Nirriti scoffed, "When did I add fuel to the fire, Dev?"
"Right now. Why do you want to make him grovel?", he pointed at Rishi's face, "Look at the poor guy's face."
Rishi pouted innocently.
Nirriti stared at the two of them in disbelief, "He definitely does not look like a poor guy. Tell us, Radhika, does he?"
Radhika shook her head, "Not at all, ma'am. In fact, he is a flirt."
Nirriti snapped her fingers, as if she just solved a case, "I knew it! Since the moment I saw him peaking in the green room, I knew something was wrong about him!"
Rishi's eyes widened, "Ma'am, I was looking for Radhika at that time. I peaked in because no one opened the door when I knocked."
"That could also mean she did not want to talk to you. Are you also a stalker?"
Radhika shook her head, "No no, he is not a stalker. He is hiding something from me."
Devansh intervened, "You're going too far now."
Nirriti blinked, "Right? I did not mean the last part. But why are you siding with him so much?"
He frowned, "What? I just..."
She narrowed her eyes, "Are you hiding something from me too?"
He stared at her, "Are you serious?"
She nodded, "Very."
"I don-" Devansh was interrupted by Prakash, "Rishi, Radhika, come here for a moment."
They glanced between Nirriti, Devansh and Prakash.
"We will be right back.", Rishi said.
Nirriti nodded and after both of them left, she again turned to Devansh, "Where were we?"
"You were saying that I was hiding something from you.", he replied casually.
"Yes! What is up with you, huh?"
And then they continued arguing.
Rishi's POV
"Can you please go and get a delivery from the main gate, Disney World? I will send you the OTP. I will be backstage.", Prakash said.
Why does he still call her that?
Huh!
Radhika nodded before walking away, and I watched her go.
He then turned to me, and handed me a list "These things are kept in the storage room. Can you bring them backstage?"
I scanned the list, "Sure."
As I made my way towards the storage room, I couldn't help but glance back towards the main gate.
I pushed open the storage room door and flicked the lights on.
Shelves lined every wall, stacked with props, sports equipment and many other things.
I read the list again, shuffling through the shelves to pick up the items on the list.
That's when my gaze settled on the fake vines kept on the top of the shelf, and my mind immediately went back to that day when honey and I decorated the fountain together.
I chuckled, recalling how I had reacted when Prakash gave her the nickname.
And suddenly, I found myself sitting on a carton, the vines still in my hands, recalling all the things we have done together, and then I realized how much I have missed her these two days.
I can't sit like this anymore.
I will do anything, anything to make her talk to me again.
I will grovel, if that's what she wants.
But I am not letting my favorite friend be upset with me.
Not anymore.
I picked up the remaining items and went backstage.
After handing him the items, Prakash asked me to go back to Devansh sir.
As I turned the corner, I spotted Radhika a few feet away, talking to someone on her phone.
Her back was facing me.
And then, I heard her voice.
"But, didi..."
I stopped instinctively.
Not because I wanted to listen.
Because...
She was crying.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she wiped them away with the back of her hand, trying to stop her voice from trembling.
I had never seen her cry before.
My heart sank.
I took a step forward, intending to ask if she was okay-
Then I heard my own name.
"I was such a fool to misunderstand Rishi."
My feet froze, a frown forming on my face.
"But didi, how do I face him now?"
This is wrong. I shouldn't eavesdrop like this.
But she is talking about me!
But still, I shouldn't. If she wants to, she will tell me whatever it is herself.
Yeah, that's right.
I turned around.
And just as I was about to take a step away, I heard it.
"I like him a lot, didi!"
My entire body froze.
She was talking about me, right?
I mean... She did take my name.
Does that mean...
She... she likes me?
Radhika Shah likes me?
This can't be true.
Am I dreaming?
I pinched myself.
Ow.
Definitely not dreaming.
I placed a hand on my heart, feeling it beating rapidly against my chest.
And before I knew it, I was smiling.
Like an idiot.
I walked away from there before she could see me.
I closed my eyes for a brief moment, her voice still ringing in my ears when she said, 'I like him a lot, didi!'
I giggled.
She likes me a lot.
I glanced around the campus, everything looked so pleasant.
I looked back at Radhika, and she looked... not so pleasant.
The smile on my face slowly faded as I saw her wiping away her tears.
I swallowed hard as realization hit me.
Whatever the reason, she was crying because of me.
I made my honey cry.
What do I do to make it up to you, honey?
I looked around the backstage to find something, anything that could give me an idea to bring a smile on her face.
That's when my eyes landed on a guitar resting against a chair.
The one that had been kept for the musical performances later.
I stared at it.
Then...
An idea struck me.
A stupid one.
The kind that would probably get me into trouble later.
But that was my least priority.
A grin slowly spread across my face.
I grabbed the guitar and ran towards the stage.
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