Chapter 6

*Abhilash Pov*

"Are you going to skip your classes?" I asked frowning at her when she picked her bag to leave after checking the time.

"They are not that important and we don't have any lab today." She replied concentrating on her bag while gesturing Kalyan to do the same.

"It's our bad luck that we have basketball practice. Otherwise, we would have been able to join them." Vikesh whined beside me.

"How can skipping classes be something to be the envy of? We should be stopping them." I pointed out but he just shook his head.

They all planned to go for a movie that released today except for Vikesh, Rekha, and of course me. We have practice after the classes and Rekha didn't want to miss the classes at all.

"Of course! The toppers should always attend the classes. I am not even asking you to skip them." She rolled her eyes standing up.

"Let her be! She has full attendance for the lab where her interest lies. It's not like she has poor attendance." Kalyan stopped me from saying anything else.

"I can't believe you are following them, Kalyan." Rekha asked frowning at him finally talking about this as she was silently watching us until now.

"She doesn't want to be a third wheel. So, I will be sitting with her after leaving the couple aside." He explained smiling and we shook our heads at the new couple who are still lost in their world.

Rakesh is not accepting that he likes her but is always acting like he is crazy for her. It feels like he passed the level she is at and is not recognizing that fact. He will realize it on his own is the hope we all are keeping to ourselves.

"Where is your boyfriend?" Vikesh asked frowning at her.

Yes! She got another boyfriend and that too after three months of her break up with my cousin. This time it is again after getting someone to confess their feelings and she just decided to give it a chance and see how it goes.

"He has project work right now and I didn't want to disturb him by asking him out." Mihi said shrugging before leaving with the others.

"I can't believe she already has another boyfriend." He whispered after they left and I just shrugged.

"It will not last for long. He got a job in another city and will leave after finishing college." I mumbled packing my box.

"So what? There is still time until he leaves and she may get too attached which would cause her to continue the relationship." Rekha pointed out but I completely denied it.

"You don't know her. She doesn't get attached to someone so easily. It's a good thing she is getting close to all of you though." I smiled at her.

"Yeah! We feel like a huge victory as she tried every group from her class to the seniors before joining us completely." Vikesh shook his head and I chuckled remembering the events from two months back.

She started hanging out with every person possible for a whole month and it was really fun to see her struggling to keep pace with them.

They were good to her but somehow she always ended up coming out of the group and finally I dragged her back seeing her disappointing expression.

"You never liked her other than as a friend?" Rekha asked suddenly bringing me out of my thoughts.

"What?" I asked staring at her in shock.

"Of course not! Otherwise, you wouldn't be this fine to talk about her relationships right." She answered her question.

"Come on! These both will never be a good match. He is like a playboy who dates too much. I mean how did he end up with three ex-girlfriends within a year while she already has two within the first semester and maybe third if it goes as he says. It is better to keep them away from each other." Vikesh said shaking his head in frustration before standing up.

"Talking about that, why are you not in any new relationship recently?" he added frowning at me.

"To not be a playboy, happy?" I replied sweetly before leaving them and walked out of the canteen while frowning at his words.

I paused reaching the classroom realizing I am thinking too much about everything and pushed away all the thoughts before stepping into the classroom.

"I am tired!" I mumbled falling down on the floor after the exercises we just finished to be on form for the match we will be playing soon with the team of another department.

"We have to win the coming game. Our department lost a few during last year and it is good that we have a few new members this time." Our senior complimented but tried to push us again for another stretching.

"I should kill you for making me join this." I mumbled closing my eyes when Vikesh reached me to pull me up.

"It was on your own but of course Mihira helped me. I should treat her someday. What does she like?" he asked and I opened my eyes hearing that question.

"Why do you want to treat her? You should give me a treat." I replied standing up and he just smirked.

"Why did you reject her?" he asked passing water bottle but there is a hint of seriousness in his tone.

"Because I was in a relationship and I never expected both of us to be anything other than friends." I replied without any hesitation.

"But I heard you both were not talking properly for three years. That's why Rakesh doesn't know her, right?" he asked frowning.

"That... I don't know. I just got busy with my studies I guess and we used to spend time while going to school and returning together. So, when I finished 10th, we kind of went our separate ways and I was getting involved with my other friends. Then suddenly after three years, she confessed and it was unexpected." I explained walking towards the locker room not wishing to any stretching and others too stopped to complain near senior to stop for the day.

After that, I felt embarrassed to talk to her as I told her about my cousin which was completely at the wrong moment. It is a good thing that we cleared up that matter even though I was like two months late to do it.

"You seem to be shocked when she starts a relation but you become normal after listening to how that started. Do you know what you feel?" he asked frowning and I frowned back feeling lost with that question.

"I am behaving like that? Maybe I am just worried about her." I mumbled and he just scoffed.

"It's okay! Take your time if you need it. There is a long time to realize everything and it is better if you do it by yourself sooner and not lose her by that time. Because she may not have such simple relationships all the time. There could be someone that can overtake the first love." Even though I already left college his words were ringing in my mind and I just don't know what to do with that.

I found her waiting near my house along with others when I opened the gate. I even found Rekha and Vikesh there which is surprising as they didn't say anything when I was leaving and they are here earlier than me.

"You left a long time ago. Why are you so late?" Vikesh asked frowning and I remember taking a long route to clear my thoughts.

"Is something going on?" I asked not remembering any of us planning to meet like this and they all pushed me into the house.

"I asked them to come here to have a party. I heard you both will be having a match soon. So, this is like a pre victory party." Mihi explained.

"Pre-victory? Are we that confident now?" I asked raising my eyebrow.

"I am a good player and I will be accepting this party. But... let's not forget that our principal stays here and I am not that confident to party in his presence." Vikesh said shaking his head.

"I know! I just brought you guys here as Aunty wants to meet all of you. She is preparing snacks for us right now." She explained pushing everyone into the house.

Then she started praising everyone including Rekha who looks a bit embarrassed right now. Mom started chatting with them as she already finished with the snacks.

"When did you plan this?" I asked her in a whisper when they all are busy talking to Mom.

"Yesterday! I thought it will be a surprise for both of you." She whispered back smiling.

"Enjoyed the movie?" I asked and she nodded before talking about the movie while I listened to it in silence.

"Do you want to watch it?" she asked but I shook my head.

"I am not that into watching movies, remember?" I pointed out.

"I thought you changed when I heard you guys go to movies generally whenever you get time." She mumbled but I shook my head.

"No! We are kind of a boring gang and that's why we end up going for movies. Kalyan and Vikesh enjoy movies along with Rakesh and that's why we go there most of the time. Rekha likes to go shopping of course and surprisingly even Vikesh likes it and we go there for them." I explained and she slowly nodded before frowning.

"You like staying at home most of the time and then trips too. Is that why you guys went for a trip during summer?" she asked and I nodded smiling at her.

"Yes! I heard even Kavitha likes movies and shopping. So, we covered for her and there are no add-ins. What about you?" Kalyan asked joining our conversation.

"Just like me!" I replied for her and she nodded accepting my words which made Kalyan slowly nod at us before joining the others.

"Then we will go on a trip after this semester?" she asked turning towards me but I shook my head.

"During summer only as we will have other works to do and spend time at home. And there is a budget problem too." I pointed out and she sighed nodding.

"Let's go to my home." She said after getting the snacks packed and we all walked out of my house and met Dad who is just returning home.

"Good evening, Sir!" they all greeted him while I tried to hide my smile along with Mihi but he gave them a nod with a serious look.

"Your parents are not at home?" he asked looking at Mihi and she nodded smiling but he is not smiling listening to that.

"I need to have a word with them." He said in a serious tone but she immediately held his hand before he can take out his phone.

"I told them it's fine and they cut out their work so much. It's not like I don't understand them." She stopped him from calling them while I frowned.

Does my Dad know what happened last year with Uncle and Aunty? Then my Mom must have known too. I guess I was the only blockhead here.