Chapter 6: IS IT ????

The door burst open and Payal rushed inside and collapsed on the bed. Though a little unnerved at first, it took just one glance for Neha to understand what had happened with her best friend.

"God help me now." Payal said.

"Why are you bothering poor God? Let's see how we can help you. Let Him help the other praying people of the world." replied Neha.

"I don't know what came over me, Neha. Damn, it was all too sudden, I just could not get hold of myself or control myself from going with the flow."

"But you did enjoy it you naughty girl. Come out with the details, I'm waiting."

"It wasn't like I intended to smooch him or anything. Just that the evening was nice and I suggested that we go for a walk around the campus. It was raining slightly and then I asked him a question to which he just looked at me, not answering. Somehow, as if programmed my hand slid into his and it was a different world altogether. Nothing seemed to matter, and in a timeless fashion, it all happened. Totally out of control. What the hell was I thinking? I haven't even known him for a week yet and I went ahead and locked lips with him."

"Huh, so much for just a simple kiss. I thought you went all the way through. What's wrong with you girl?"

Payal threw a pillow at Neha's face which was deftly caught.

"So do you think he is head over heels in love with you?"

"It seems so. The way he looked into my eyes said all that his tongue could not."

"And what about you? Is this still a bet for you or....?"

"I think the bet is the last thing on my mind right now. I don't care what that haughty bitch thinks of me or herself. I need to unravel a mystery before I jump into this deep well, and for that I need your help."

"Always ready to do anything for you babes." said Neha. "Just spit it out."

"There is this girl Vidya from his batch and a particular Ravi. Both of them are supposedly Amit's best friends. I want to know more about them, Vidya in particular. Can you use your contacts in the college for me?"

"Sure shot. I'll let you know as soon as I get some information. Till then, I would love to hear some more description of your first kiss."

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"What do you expect me to explain Amit and how?" Vidya said in exasperation.

"Vidya, do you realise that this could break our friendship? All three of us are friends for heaven's sake. These things would destroy all those wonderful things all three of us have shared over the past years. And you know that I can't live without you both."

"Why would you bother with us now? Ravi is practically mum about everything and you now have other interests to look forward to."

"What do you mean?" asked Amit.

"I saw you Amit. I saw everything with my very own eyes. I was right near the SMS building when it all happened."

"You were following me?"

"No, I just wanted to know what you were up to."

"Is there any difference? Vidya, what's wrong with you? Why are you bent on breaking our friendship?"

"When did I ever say anything about breaking our friendship? You are the one suggesting that we break it. I just wanted to take it to the next level, thats all."

"So did Ravi. I am just saying that you forget all that has happened and we can be as we were a few days back."

"Do you really think that now things are going to be 'normal' ? Or have you been brainwashed by that muse of yours."

"She has got a name, and don't bring her into this debate unnecessarily."

"I am not bringing her into the debate, she is coming herself." Vidya said, pointing behind him.

Amit turned around to see Payal approaching them from a distance.

"Now Mr. Romeo would have to tend to his Juliet. Vidya'd better leave." said Vidya and got up to leave.

"Vidya, please sit down now. She isn't bad at all. I want you to meet her. Can't you just give her a chance?"

"Sorry, but I have better things to do. And another thing. I hope you realise that I can NEVER be with you when there is another person other than Ravi around. I don't like it, and neither should you. I hope you realise your priorities soon. You are totally messed up Amit."

Saying this Vidya disappeared from the cafe. Soon enough Payal entered and sat opposite Amit.

"What were you up to just now?" she asked.

"Forget it, after the conversation with Vidya I'm not really in a mood to discuss anything." he replied.

"Oh, she was here? Where did she go? I would have loved to meet her."

"Well, I told her the same thing. But she wouldn't listen and left seconds before you arrived."

"Wow, she must be pretty fast as I didn't see her leave."

Just then, Payal's phone rang. It was Neha on the other end.

"Hi Neha. Any news for me?" Payal asked her.

"Yes, and the news isn't so good." Neha said on the other end.

"What is it?" Payal asked and got up and moved away from Amit, lest he found anything suspicious.

"I asked around a lot, practically everybody that I know among our batch and our seniors. And everybody had the same reply."

"And what was that reply?"

"Payal, there is nobody called Vidya or Ravi here. Forget Amit's batch. There is no Vidya or Ravi in the entire institute."

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Chapter 5: The Confluence

Neha was lying on her back under the soft whirring of her bedroom fan all alone, thinking. Were they doing the correct thing? Was a friendly bet turning out to be more than just fun? It seemed so, when she looked into Payal's eyes. No-one thought it was possible a month back when they had their first ragging experience. The snobby senior girl who taunted Payal's simple looks and plaited hair.

"Here is the latest guy repellant." She had said, those words still hurting like hell.

"You don't need looks to get a good guy." Payal had replied curtly. "I can get a much better person than you can even dream of, someone who would be mine because of what I am and not because of how I look."

"So you mean I cannot get someone like that flocking around me?"

"Maybe you will, but mostly it would be just people who would not think beyond your body."

"You are one arrogant bitch, you know that? Fine, you find one such guy and I'll have my head shaved off. How 'bout that?"

"In that case, you'd better take an appointment in the parlor" 

These were the last words uttered by Payal before she stormed out pulling Neha along with her.

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"This Vidya seems to be one heck of a confused girl to me. But what are you so upset about?" Payal asked.

"You won't understand. Vidya has always been there for me whenever I needed her. Through my ups and downs in life. And this time, though I really want to help her, I can't. That's quite depressing."

"Maybe I won't. But if you have called me in this cafe just to worry about some Vidya's problems, then I have better things to do."

"So it does not affect you at all if some girl is so serious about me that she has rejected one of her closest friend's proposal?" Amit asked, his eyes voicing his feelings.

"What I am more interested in is, why are you not serious about her? If she has been so close to you, been there for you always, then why not go for it?"

"I have my reasons."

"And I would love to hear them."

Where was this leading? Amit was all confused. Would she understand if he told her the reason? Taking a deep breath he said,

"There is somebody I feel for strongly, and that's not Vidya."

"Woah woah woah. So now this is going into an endless loop. Ravi loves Vidya, Vidya loves Amit and now Amit loves somebody else. Sounds more like the story of some Hindi movie to me."

Ask me who it is. Ask me damn it. C'mon Payal, ask me.

"Maybe. But it's far from enjoyable."

"You know what, I would love to meet Vidya. She seems interesting though confused."

"We'll see if we can. She doesn't really hang out with anybody other than me or Ravi."

"Sure, now let's get out of here. Its becoming quite stuffy inside. Let's go for a walk around the campus. It's a beautiful evening, why ruin it in here."

Amit paid the bill and off they went. That late August evening was actually beautiful. The onset of the monsoons had the trees smiling a deep shade of green. Up in the sky, they could see various birds flying in different formations as if to celebrate the cool air. The scent of the soil was still fresh and the cool breeze just made it more pleasant.

They walked in silence along the long lanes of MNNIT campus. There were curious glances from the students hanging out on the stairs of the MP Hall, the teachers going out for their evening walks, the students playing basketball. Though it made him feel very uncomfortable, Amit decided to ignore them. He knew he would become the hot topic of discussions int the hostels, but being with Payal compensated for all that.

As they were walking, they reached the quiet lanes near the SMS building. Suddenly Payal stopped.

"I didn't ask you this earlier as I thought you might feel uncomfortable. But can I know who is the reason behind you refusing Vidya?"

Amit looked into her eyes. They yearned for an answer. An answer he wasn't very sure would yield the desired results for him.

"Payal, I really don't want to talk about it."

"But I do. Come out with it once and for all."

Slowly she slid her hand into his, entangling their fingers. Amit's brain was stoned. He could not think. He could feel the blood pumping hard in his body as she gripped his hand tighter and pulled him closer. It was drizzling, but he could not feel the drops. The world around him was suddenly out of focus and he could see only those hungry eyes. As if magnetised, he felt his face going closer to hers until there was just a tiny gap between them.

"Why can't you just muster up some courage and say it?" Payal asked him, her face just a few centimeters away from his.

"I don't know, my brain is all dizzy right now."

"I think I can cure that...."

Saying this, she closed her lips on his even as the drizzle turned into a downpour.

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