Sitting in the college canteen, Neha sips her tea and says, "Oh, so Aunty and Uncle have gone to a wedding, and you want me to come stay at your place for a week?"

I nod while taking a bite of my samosa. Neha agrees, saying, "Alright, I'm in. I was getting bored anyway-same old routine and those unwanted relatives nagging me morning and night.

I laugh and ask, "Why? Hasn't that aunt of yours left yet?"

Neha sips her tea and sighs, "Man, it's been one year of listening to her taunts."

She looks sad as she adds, "You know how it is-ever since Mom passed away, Aunt runs the house, and there's no hope from Dad."

I hold her hand to comfort her and ask, "Will they let you stay at my place?"

She replies, "It'll be tough, but I'll handle it-don't you worry."

Just then, I spot him leaning against the canteen counter, laughing while talking to some guys.

Sigh! his smile is so charming.

There were three other guys with him; I lose myself in his charm before I even realize it, a soft smile spreading across my face.

Neha snaps her fingers in front of me: "Oh Madam, where have you wandered off to?"

Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear to hide my blush, I say, "Nothing."

She leans back in her chair, crosses her arms, and says, "Sia.., don't you dare lie to me. Tell me the truth-what's going on? Whenever you see that guy, you forget everything else. What is this all about? Bro, are you in love with him?"

I tell her-well, I don't know if it's love, but I've definitely developed a bit of a crush on him.

Teasingly, she says, "Ooh, so my bestie has a crush on someone for the first time? That guy must really have something going for him."

Trying to hide my blush, I say, "Oh come on, Neha, it's nothing like that."

She asks, "Want me to set you up with him?"

I reply, "No, no-I mean, it's just a crush. There are so many beautiful girls who like him; why would he look at me?"

Just then, a girl accidentally spills juice on my clothes and apologizes nervously.

I tell her it's okay.

Then say to Neha, "I'll just go clean this up and come back."

She nodded.

I get up and start heading towards the washroom when my foot slips; suddenly, a strong hand grips my waist tightly.

Startled, I squeeze my eyes shut, but when I slowly open them, I'm completely taken aback-it's Ansh!

I stand up immediately, unable to say a word, and just look down.

I stammer a quiet "thank you" and rush away.

Once inside the washroom, I catch my breath, murmurs, "Oh God, wo kya soch raha hoga mere barrein hai ? That I don't even know how to walk properly? mai hi kyu har baar ? Why did I have to get so thoroughly embarrassed in front of him? And the way I said 'thank you'-oh God, this is so embarrassing."

I think to myself, "What a strange girl... let it go; it's none of my business."

I go back to the canteen and sit down. Aryan asks, "Bro, what are those juice stains on your shirt?"

I look down and realize it must have happened when I bumped into that girl. I tell him, "It's nothing, bro, just a spill. I'll go clean it off."

I try to clean the stain while muttering angrily, "What a girl-so clumsy... she ruined my favorite shirt."

I try hard to get the stain out, but it won't budge.

I keep scrubbing, but it stays put. Frustrated, I say, "Oh God, I'm not going to let that girl off the hook-she ruined my favorite shirt." Mom gifted me this...

I walk into the canteen and nervously say to Neha, " Neha...yrr ..."

She tells me to sit down comfortably first and asks what happened-if someone said something. I shake my head 'no' and tell her the whole story.

Laughing, she says, "Oh God! You fell, and he caught you by the waist to save you? Oh God, what a scene that must have been! I wish I'd been there."

I glare at her, and she says, "Okay, sorry."

And then she adds, "Maybe God wants the two of you..."

Embarrassed, I say, "let's go neha, the lecture is about to start."

After completing lectures......

Neha says, "Thank God, this boring lectures is finally over."

I step out of the classroom; he is standing outside in a group with his friends.

I just pray he doesn't look my way.

Neha nudges her shoulder against mine and teases me.

Just as I'm about to leave, I hear a voice say, "Wait."

My heart feels like it might burst-it's pounding so hard.

Neha whispers in my ear, "It looks like he wants to talk to you."

I turn around nervously.

He calls out in a commanding voice, "Come here."

I walk over slowly, but then he says, "Hurry up," so I quicken my pace.

I stand before him, eyes cast down, nervously biting my lip. He says, "Hold out your hand."

I do as told-my mind racing with questions-and he places a shirt in my hand.

I ask, "What is this?"

He replies, "I need this cleaned by tomorrow."

Shocked, I ask, "What did I do?"

He points to a stain on the shirt and says, "This happened because of you, so you're the one who has to fix it."

Neha is about to say something, but I grab her hand, signaling her to stay quiet, and tell Ansh, "Okay."