A Pretense...

*Rekha Pov*

"Are you looking for someone?" I turned to see my three best friends looking at me curiously as I am looking at the opposite direction to the one they are glancing at.

"Where is your girlfriend?" I asked staring at Rakesh and he immediately gestured behind me.

"You are here?" I asked finding Kavitha behind me but she is looking disturbed just like me.

I can understand her completely as she is closer to her than all of us. So she will also have the same thoughts as me but at a major level.

"What happened to both of you? We are supposed to show happy expressions, remember? He must already be feeling sad to not be in the same year as us. So, just change your expressions." Vikesh commented frowning at us.

"Don't worry! We will be meeting as usual. And Kavitha will be in the same class. There will be no problem." Rakesh comforted him and all I could is sigh in defeat.

"You both must be thinking about her, right?" Kalyan asked finally giving a sense of relief that there is still hope for men to not be completely clueless.

"Yes! Did she come to college?" I asked glancing at Kavitha who is her best friend and also a classmate.

"Of course! She never missed a class last semester and she is attending the lecture right now even though it's the first day." She replied and cleared her throat to say something which none of us are going to like for sure.

"I informed her that he will be returning to college today. But... but she didn't say anything or even gave a slight reaction." I kind of expected but it is still disheartening to hear that.

"I don't know what are you guys worrying about. When we tell her the truth everything will go back to normal." Rakesh assured us.

"Why are you so clueless?" his girlfriend scolded and I smiled looking at the person getting out of his Dad's car.

We all rushed towards him without saying another word before hugging him. It's been so long since we met him and to top of that, he can finally start his classes.

"Let me breathe!" he complained smiling and we finally let him go but his eyes started looking around and that smile slipped his face for sure.

"It's lunchtime, right? Let's go and have some food before you go and get the remaining details regarding your classes." I mumbled pulling him towards the canteen side while gesturing Kavitha who immediately understood before walking away towards her class.

"Where is she..." Rakesh started but Kalyan stopped him from saying anything else before whispering our intention.

It is still not lunch break but it's going to be so we were able to get our regular table without much effort.

"We will get your favorites." Saying that Vikesh and Kalyan left while I was feeling more than nervous thinking how everything will get settled.

I can't believe I am the one feeling worried about their relationship. Who am I? What have I become? I thought shaking my head.

Everyone started pouring in and the whole canteen filled with the students. However, all of us are just waiting for just one person.

"There she is!" Rakesh said waving his hand at his girlfriend who is walking towards the counter instead of coming here before shaking her head at his gesture.

"Let them get food, Rakesh." I mumbled stopping him from calling her again.

I glanced at the one beside me and found his eyes following her every moment ignoring Rakesh and Kavitha's interaction completely as if he can't see any of us.

I turned back towards the two of them finally walking towards our table with their lunch trays and it feels like a déjà vu as the same thing happened two years back. Will everything be like that time too?

"Mihira! He is back in college." Rakesh commented smiling at her while arranging the seats to get his girlfriend to sit beside him while leaving an empty chair opposite the person who is still just staring at her.

I can't believe even the seating arrangement is the same as that time. After that, we all held our breaths when she calmly sat down without showing any hesitance before nodding at Rakesh.

"Welcome back, Abhilash." Saying that she started having her food while we just stared at her.

That's it? That's all she is going to say? Not going to shout at him or show any kind of anger or sadness? Nothing? She is that disinterested about him? Is it... is it really late to turn everything into normal?

#TWO YEARS BACK#

*Mihira Pov*

"She is going to stay home even today?" I closed my eyes hearing my Dad's question.

"Yes! It's been three days and I think the problem is major than we thought." Even though my eyes are closed I still rolled my eyes hearing that from my Mom.

"Did she got bullied? Is that why she stopped going to college after the first two days?" As expected from my Dad to think like that and I can't blame it as it is his occupational hazard.

"I don't know! When did she ever express her thoughts? I wish she is still a kid who used to share every single thought of hers." I couldn't stop myself anymore and stood up not able to hear those words.

"Mom! Dad! I am not getting bullied or anything. I am just skipping college as usual as I did during my schooling. And I can hear what you are discussing. Okay?" I asked staring at them.

I can't believe they are talking about such issues sitting before me while I am having my breakfast peacefully.

"And if someone really bullies me, I will inform you for sure. Why would I torture myself when you would just take strict action? And I would tell you even if someone else is getting bullied. Let's not forget that the Principal is staying in the next building." I continued making him smile.

"At least we should voice out our thoughts to balance with you hiding everything, right?" he pointed out.

"Dad! What am I hiding? What can I even hide? I am not rebelling or something and I am not even dating anyone." I groaned sitting down.

Mom laughed while patting my hair but opposite to that action, she mumbled, "You are not even telling us about your first day in the college or crushes and even why you are skipping college this soon."

Because I am embarrassed and I just need some time to overcome it. I smiled not voicing out those words and finished eating realizing I should just go to college.

Feeling embarrassed inside is better than listening to this discussion. I don't know what reason they will think of if I skip another day.

"I am going to college." Saying that I stood up to leave but Mom immediately stopped me with a worried look.

"Are we forcing you?" I smiled hearing that question.

"If I say that you both are forcing me to do something against my wishes then I am the worst child anyone could have." Saying that I rushed out before they can worry more about me.

I need to rush otherwise I will be late and the excuses I have to give would make me regret to even decide to attend my classes today.

"You are finally here? Are you feeling fine?" Kavitha whispered the moment I sat beside her as the class already started but to my luck, the professor didn't say anything.

"Yes! Did they start teaching properly? It's not even a week since the college started, right?" I whispered back realizing how everyone is so serious in the class.

"Of course! The first two days when you attended were the only days during which they were casual. But the next day everything feels too rushed." She explained and I groaned not liking it at all.

I should have just attended the classes and forget about everything else. If not for my parents I thought of not coming to college for two more days.

"By the way do you remember the guy I told you about? We started dating from the past two days." She whispered and this made me forget about everything and stare at her in shock.

"You said he was just a crush from the intermediate. How did this happen?" I asked frowning.

She somehow told me everything about her the first day we met. I never met someone like that as I feel like I know her for a long time even though I met her for two days after which I even skipped college.

"When you were absent I felt bored and didn't want to talk to anyone. I found him standing near his vehicle two days back and confessed my feelings. Surprisingly, he accepted them and he even remembers me as his junior. It's been a year since I saw him but he still remembers me." She got more than excited while saying that and I calmed her down before we get caught.

"Congratulations! You are really lucky." I whispered smiling.

"I am really lucky. We both never talked to each other previously but surprisingly we both joined here and even became classmates. I am glad that I know someone from the previous college." She smiled back while felt more guilty.

I don't remember her at all but she actually remembers me as her classmate from the intermediate. At least I was honest to tell her the same but she didn't mind at all saying there were too many students in our class and there is no need to know everyone.

Maybe even I am lucky to meet her here. Everything is not as bad as I thought when I had to join this college instead of the one I chose. Well, that one rejected me and I can't do anything about it.

But I should have applied for another college or something instead of just these two. Ugh! Maybe I am not that lucky.

*Rakesh Pov*

"Wait! Your girlfriend is bringing her friend now?" Rekha asked frowning at me when I adjusted another chair to our table.

I can understand her irritation as after our gang formed last year we never allowed anyone to join our table. Even if they want to, none of them brought any other friend here but I started doing it for two days and now another person is joining us.

"Even I want to tell her to not sit with us but I didn't know how to say that without being rude to her, Rekha." I mumbled sitting down but she continued to frown at me.

In our gang, she is the one who takes a longer time to open up along with Kalyan. While the rest of us are easy to get along with and that's what makes me feel guilty for forcing her to get adjusted to this situation.

"Let him be, Rekha! It's the first time he is in a relationship. Don't be too hard on him." Vikesh commented before laughing at my expression.

"How can she even like you in the first place? She really deserves to sit with us so that we can understand her more." Abhi joined him to tease me.

Well, I accept that sentence but she really likes me and it's not a bad idea to see how it goes. To the top of that, she was junior and not some stranger to be wary about it.

"She is coming and it is better to be careful with your behavior." The ever gentleman Kalyan mumbled and we turned to see her walking towards our table while dragging someone with her.

"How is she handling her tray and her friend at a time like that?" Vikesh whispered but I am looking at the person she is dragging.

"Oh! She..." I closed my mouth not remembering her name but she was definitely our junior.

"She is our junior too, right?" I asked glancing at Abhi and he nodded before taking a bite from his food.

He really loves his food, doesn't he? Why is he always that concentrated while having food like this? And he is the only one to bring lunch from home too in our gang. Well, he is the same during classes too.

"Hi! She is my friend and also classmate from my previous college." Kavitha introduced her while smiling at me.

"Mihira!" her friend whispered her name before sitting down beside Kavitha as I added the chair beside mine.

"They all are our seniors now and from the same department but these two are from our previous college too. You may not remember them too." Kavitha continued.

"Too?" I asked frowning at them.

"She didn't remember me when we met on the first day here. She is kind of lost in her thoughts most of the time even now." She replied while her friend groaned hearing those words.

"I already apologized numerous times." Mihira mumbled while staring at her tray.

"You need not apologize at all. I was just preparing them if you don't remember them tomorrow or whenever you meet them later." She explained smiling while I shook my head.

"I am Rakesh and he is Abhilash. We are from the same college as she said. They are Rekha, Kalyan, and Vikesh." I introduced everyone before we started our lunch.

Kavitha and I continued to chat while others were talking among themselves except for Mihira. Maybe she is just like Rekha too but she looks more than awkward to sit here as she is the first one to leave the table the moment bell rang.

"Wait for me! I will be going back to my class. She must be not wishing to miss any more classes as she was absent for the last few days." Saying that even Kavitha left the table.

"Why is she saying everything about her friend near us?" Vikesh asked frowning.

"That just means she must be saying everything about me near her friend." I groaned thinking about it.

"Are you sure this is what you want? It is not right for her if you are dating her just because she is the first one to like you." Kalyan asked in a serious tone.

"Exactly! What is our age? It's fine if there is no relation we had during this age." Abhi joined.

"Says the one who flirts with everyone who shows interest in you." I mumbled rolling my eyes.

"I am not saying I don't do that but at least I make sure to not hurt anyone. But she will be hurt if you are not serious about this." Abhi pointed out and I sighed knowing well what they are saying is right.

"I know! And I already told her that I am just accepting her proposal as I need some time to get to know her before which I can't say anything about my feelings." I explained and they nodded accepting that.

"You must know me already that I will not hurt others like this." I added frowning at Abhi as he was my friend for a long time.

"Yeah! But we don't know what action may hurt others and it is better to be careful." He mumbled back before getting up as we need to go back to our classes.

Everything was that simple with me trying to know about my girlfriend and spending as much time with her while trying to be considerate regarding anything it feels new from her. And her friend just kept quiet all the time as she is getting dragged to our table every day without fail by my girlfriend.

But then after a few days, I had to stare at the lunch box Abhi got from home in shock as this is the one I was holding for my girlfriend in the morning as she had to go to the washroom. Now he is holding it and opening the lid normally.

"Wait! Didn't you say it is your friend's?" I asked glancing at Kavitha who is also staring at that in shock.

"Oh! I passed the wrong one. Aunty packed for both of us but I thought of giving this to you instead of that one." Mihira finally talked a long sentence but that just made all of us more confused.

"What is going on?" Kalyan asked them to which Abhi just sighed saying, "We are neighbors!"

We were shocked after hearing that but it's not a weird thing. However, why did both of them kept quiet regarding this is the main question now?

"I thought you didn't want them to know that we knew each other, Mihira." Abhi mumbled glancing at her.

"I thought you wouldn't want them to know and not the other way around." Mihira pointed back.

"Why wouldn't I? I already forgot everything. I didn't want you to feel awkward." He shrugged in a relaxing manner.

"Why would I feel awkward? You didn't do anything wrong. Just like how I expressed my feelings, you expressed them back. If I don't respect your decision then where is the honesty behind my feelings?" she asked finally relaxing in her position.

"What is going on? Will you both stop talking in circles and be straight about it?" Vikesh asking staring at them and I kept quiet waiting for their answer along with everyone else.

It seems like what I thought is simple is not that simple anymore and there is so much that I don't know about my so-called best friend.

*Mihira Pov*

"You already dragged me there yesterday. Why should I come there even today?" I asked moving away from her hold before she could just walk towards the table.

"Let's have lunch with them. We need not search for a table separately and we both will not be bored with just each other." She replied smiling but I shook my head.

"You wanted me to meet your boyfriend and I met him along with friends yesterday. That's it! Why do we need to sit with them?" I asked taking another step back while handling my tray.

"Because he is my boyfriend and I want to know his friends." She replied as if it is a common reply and it is but she doesn't know why I don't want to sit there.

"Why? Let's be independent and sit somewhere else and gather a group for ourselves. It's not like you got married to him and you just started dating. Why are you giving away other life moments?" I asked frowning and she frowned back listening to my words.

"It feels right about what you are saying but still let's sit there until he gets to know me. It is really important for me so that he too can like me back and we can start dating like any normal couple would do. He is kind of slow in that department you know." She mumbled looking at me with those sad eyes.

He is! I already felt dread when she showed him from far away as her crush and I dreaded more when she said he is her boyfriend now.

I really can't escape from all this is the first thought I got but I didn't want to lose her sudden friendship too which is a really surprising factor for me as I used to kind of stay away from everyone.

He doesn't remember me but I knew who he is as he always used to be with Abhilash and sometimes even visited his house but not much because of the Principle.

"I didn't mind when you said you don't remember me. You can't do this small favor for me?" she asked in a sad tone while I stared at her in shock.

"Wow! I thought you are really naïve to not mind the fact that I didn't remember you. Now I know you are going to use it as a tool." I mumbled shaking my head while she smiled confirming my thoughts.

I kind of worried about her when she said Rakesh accepted her proposal as she may get hurt with the way he is and his behavior from yesterday kind of confirmed it but now I think I should feel bad for the future him with the tricks she has.

"Fine! But don't try to involve me in any conversation." I let her drag me to their table after she accepted that condition without asking the reason behind it.

I can't believe what I am witnessing right now. There is a love triangle in this group? I thought trying to grasp the situation.

So, Rekha seems to be very attentive towards Abhilash while Kalyan is the same with Rekha but in a negligible way like no one will ever find. Abhilash is as usual lost in eating his food and I can't blame him with the way Aunty cooks the food. That's what I found within a few days but I don't think others know about this at all.

Don't involve yourself, Mihira! Ignore everything and just finish your lunch and you may even have a chance to not be included in this table anymore after Kavitha gets Rakesh to fall for her completely.

****

"It will not be possible to prepare lunch, Mihira. It's not like you are that attached to homemade food." Mom complained about the complaint I gave from the day before.

"Even a simple one is fine, Mom. It will be cost-effective, right?" I asked frowning and she just laughed hearing that.

"It's okay! We both are earning enough to spend money on your lunch at the canteen. Don't think about the money at all." She teased gesturing me to leave the house.

"Mom! I am feeling jealous when he..." I stopped talking realizing what I am going to say.

"He? Who is this he?" she asked following me but I rushed out of the house not wishing to say anything otherwise she will think too much from that.

"Ow! Aunty?" I stopped myself from dashing the person standing before me and stared at her in shock realizing who it is.

"I was hoping you didn't go to college yet, Mihira. Abhi left for college too early and forgot his lunch box. You are going to the same college, right? Can you pass it to him?" Aunty asked smiling and I smiled back awkwardly.

"Mrs. Tandon! She was already nagging me for a packed lunch box and now she will nag more knowing that Abhi gets to eat homemade food." Mom sighed glancing at the box Aunty is holding.

"I will pack one for you now." Saying that Aunty rushed back to her house before any of us can stop her.

"Mom! Why did you tell her that?" I asked frowning and Mom is regretting to say something like that as Aunty had to rush like this because of me.

After five minutes she returned holding two similar boxes but different colors before passing them to me.

"Thanks for this, Aunty." I mumbled feeling awkward but she just smiled.

"I am really glad you ended up joining this college, Mihira. Abhi can help you if there is any problem." She said smiling.

"Don't talk about the college at all near her, Mrs. Tandon. She is still angry that she has to go to this college. She was completely against this one and was only wishing for the one in another city. Somehow her Dad forced her to apply here because of Mr. Tandon otherwise it would have become a huge problem." Mom said shaking her head.

"Mom!" I stressed hoping she doesn't just spill everything to her like this.

Kavitha should have been her daughter and not me with the way she is talking about everything. I ignored her but thanked Aunty before rushing to the college hoping to not be late.

Maybe I can try to get a license so that I can use a vehicle instead of using Auto every day. I smiled finding Kavitha near the entrance and must be waiting for her boyfriend.

"Why are you holding your box? Is your bag full?" she asked gesturing the one I am holding while I hid the other in my bag.

"Yeah! I will go to the washroom. Can you hold these?" I asked passing the bag and box before rushing towards the washroom area.

"Why are you here? My bag?" I asked finding her waiting to go for the washroom too when I stepped out of the stall.

"I passed them to Rakesh to hold them." Saying that she rushed inside while I stepped out only to find him holding both our bags along with his and even the lunch box.

This is a surprise as it is too soon to find him in this condition. I took my stuff back before waiting for her to return. And we both were fine to not say a word to each other.

****

When she walked towards the door as Rakesh appeared during the short break, I rushed out of the room taking out the box from the place I put the two without them realizing and reached the admin office.

After placing the box on the table near the door, I sent a message to his phone to pick up his box before returning to my class when I got his reply that he will take it without asking for any details.

It isn't surprising as we used to do this even before during schooling and later too as he always was the one to go early while I always used to go late.

Who would have thought that there is a chance for this huge mess? I thought while glancing at their shocked faces while they are waiting for us to explain our words we just exchanged without thinking much.

He stared at me without saying anything the moment I told him that I don't blame him for anything and this time even he joined to stare at me in shock which is actually confusing me as I was just being honest right now.

"Can we leave?" I asked standing up and Kavitha immediately nodded before following me without asking anything along with them to which I am grateful.

"So..." she trailed off after we sat down at our places and there is still time for the classes to start.

"I did what you did but the result was bad unlike yours." I explained not clearly but she nodded as if she understood what I was saying.

After that, she didn't ask anything and our conversation completely diverted from whatever happened and I am really glad that I need not explain anything clearly and everything can get back to normal.

*Abhilash Pov*

"Why are you glaring at me?" I asked frowning at Rakesh.

"Why is he glaring at me?" I asked glancing at others.

"Why should we tell you? Are you telling everything to us?" Vikesh asked frowning at me and I realized they are talking about yesterday's event.

Why should I explain everything in detail? They should have caught on what was going on and understand on their own. I shook my head before packing my bag wishing to just go home away from their questions.

"He is mad because Kavitha and her friend didn't join us." Kalyan explained and this time I paused because this is kind of a surprise.

It was kind of shocking to know they didn't join us but it is even more shocking to know he is actually mad about that.

"You didn't want them to join us at all in the first place." I pointed out but he still glared at me.

"That's what we were thinking. It seems like he is no longer hesitant about her and may even go to join her table to be with her. It took just two weeks for her to make him fall for her." Vikesh shook his head like he can't believe this change.

"I didn't fall for her but... but to know whether I can or not, I need to spend time with her. They still have classes going on now and after that, she has to go home. Short breaks are definitely not enough. Weekends? With all the assignments what weekends and what free time. Because of you, her friend will not be joining us and that caused my girlfriend to not join." He just continued to complain without pausing and the irritation he caused is not a normal one.

"Fine! I will talk to Mihi... Mihira." I cleared my throat before standing up.

"Mihi? You even call her with a nickname?" Rakesh asked me in a shocked tone.

"Are you guys done?" Rekha asked reaching us with an irritated tone while Kalyan cleared his throat before standing up to follow her.

I ignored them all even while we all were walking towards the parking lot. I glanced back thinking maybe I should just talk to her here itself but then I don't want to wait unnecessarily like this and it is comfortable to talk to her at home.

****

"Aunty! Don't pack lunch for me tomorrow. Two days in a row is like a blessing for me and it's enough too." I sat up straight hearing her voice and turned to see her entering the kitchen while I am staring at her from the living room.

"It is not extra work for me at all. Just take it with you." Mom didn't accept to back down.

"I will ask you whenever I want to have a homemade lunch. Please! I am really feeling guilty to make you do this, Aunty. Please!"

Of course, my Mom had to back down because her pleading is like out of the world and that's what made us childhood friends in the first place but that was until we were in school and when I shifted to Intermediate before her the connection has been lost and that's what happens when the friends are of different age.

"Mihira! I need to talk to you." She turned around in a flash with a shocked look on her face.

"You scared me!" there it is the overdramatic expression of hers.

I gestured my room and she nodded before following me to the stairs and we reached our room before I sat down on the bed to stare at her.

"Why would I feel awkward? You didn't do anything wrong. Just like how I expressed my feelings, you expressed them back. If I don't respect your decision then where is the honesty behind my feelings?"

I actually felt surprised hearing those words from her as I thought she will be as usual emotional about that incident but then maybe I don't know her anymore during the three years we became kind of distant.

But her earlier expression kind of shows that she is just like I know her from before and I need not think about her words anymore while feeling surprised every second with the maturity behind them. Or am I wrong to strike off that thought like this?