Her Secret Smile

Siddharth! Siddharth!! Siddharth!!!

Everyone in the crowd was roaring his name but he seemed to be calm. Looking around casually his eyes searched for someone among the crowd and there his search ended when he saw her. Taking a quick glimpse, he turned his attention to the game.

Hearing his name all around her, Roshini's heart throbbed insanely. Her eyes swinging here and there with every step he is taking. His attention was on that ball that he's going to kick, he rocked his hand before running, she can feel how much he's tensed but his face remained firm.

She bites her lower lip when he kicked the ball. It is a penalty shot if it is a goal, then their computer science department will win the overall trophy of this sports meet.

Her eyes widened when the ball was almost caught by the goalkeeper but thankfully he didn't succeed. She heaved a sigh along with a smile to see the small smile on his face, Siddharth, he won. Not only in the match but also in her heart a long time before.

Everyone started enjoying the victory and his teammates carried him on their shoulders. This time he smiled widely. Her heart raced to see that, it is very strange and unbelievable for Roshini, she never experienced this seeing anyone else.

Why it has to be him? Why is it always him? Roshini questioned staring at him fixed.

"He's a good player," Nidhi said and Roshini nodded quickly turning her gaze.

"Let's go Nidhi, we are getting late for the bus," Roshini suggested and Nidhi agreed.

They walked out of the stadium, and the time is 6.00 pm. Their houses were located in the same area so they used to travel on the same bus and that's how they become close in a short time.

"Hey what you're going to do this Sunday?" Nidhi questioned.

"Nothing, we are having assignments and I am planning to finish that," Roshini answered.

"We still have this entire month. Oh god, this is why you shouldn't be a friend with a class topper,"

"Okay then what you want me to do?"

"Let's go for a movie this Sunday,"

Thinking a minute Roshini said yes. She too wanted to go somewhere it is very tiring to study and stay in the house all the time.

"Okay then we will see at Sunday-11 am-sharp," she told and they reached their stop.

They walked together chatting about some random things. Nidhi is a complete entertainer, no one can feel bored around her and Roshini feels lucky to have a friend who always reaches out her hand when she needs any help.

She met her at the college, the only person who gave space for her to sit next to her. They shared a lot of common things and main importantly she feels so happy around Nidhi. Roshini was an introvert, she doesn't have any close friends from school, but Nidhi is different from all the person she had met in her life.

When they reached Nidhi's house, she waved goodbye for the day and again reminded Roshini to be ready on Sunday. For that, she gave a nod.

It has turned dark when Roshini reached her small yet beautiful house, which is located a street away from Nidhi's house. She sat on the concrete slab at the entrance and removed her slippers. She felt something strange today, a feeling of extreme jealousy while seeing those girls admiring Siddharth but in the end, she's someone who can't feel this way.

She's studying her second-year computer science engineering in the most reputed college in their city. She worked hard to get into it, her college is one of the topmost colleges in her state for engineering, and only toppers can get into this.

In her college life, she liked everything but one thing she never intends to do was liking Siddharth. She felt a sudden sparkle of something when the very moment her eyes stuck on him, he's the first person she met in this college, and first person who made her feel that way. Every time Roshini find this odd as she never believed in love at first sight. But reminding that moment she has to agree that can happen anyway....

(Flashback)

That was Roshini's first day in college, she is confused about how to reach her class since she entered via another entrance near to the playground. That time she can't find anyone in her way, out of nowhere she found a guy walking before her. She scurried near him smiling.

"Excuse me,"

He turned and she took a step back stunned to see the handsome creature standing before her and looking her in a 'What?' expression. The first time in her life there this sound 'Lub-Dub' heard as background music.

"Do... you... know where is the first year... computer science class?" she sounded like after running a marathon. She felt so ashamed and awkward.

Gazing at her for a second,

"Go straight and turn right, in upstairs your class," he directed.

Before she could thank him he walked away from her then in a few seconds he vanished from her eyes.

Then she went to her class, everyone was talking among themselves, she searched for a place but no one gave a welcoming gesture for her other than Nidhi who is sitting on the second desk. Nidhi smiled at her and asked her name. Then they introduced themselves. The day started this way, their class professors came and informed about the subjects and gave an intro to them.

After a lunch break, three guys came into their class like bosses. Roshini's eyes widened to see him again her heart started to beat faster, she stared at him and when he saw her she turned away like she doesn't know him.

"Hi everyone, I am Siddharth your senior studying second-year," he said and smiled.

"I am the department Vice-chairman if you have any doubts or anything you want to ask you can come and meet me in my class when there's a break," he added. Then he said about our professors and how important our participation in the events organized by the department. Roshini not even listened to anything he says and just stared at him in bewilderment. The girls sitting behind her asked his number and with a smile, he wrote his number on the board for everyone to see.

Then the other two boys shared the same, they all wanted them to socialize with others and not to involve in anything that might spoil our grades. Then they all left. Roshini just smiled knowing she can see him often and every girl in her class noted his number but she didn't because she doesn't want anything to fill her mind other than her studies.

Even though she built a wall around her heart, Siddharth broke every single brick and filled in her heart, mind, and soul. She tried her best level to suppress her growing attraction on him but all ended up in dismay.

It was the end of first year, just a month before the semester, there's a football match. Nidhi messaged her to come to the playground Roshini halfheartedly decided to go there when she's in the library.

There was a huge crowd on the football pitch and even some professors were there and enjoying the match because Siddharth is playing. Roshini knew that he plays football but she has never seen it. She purposely avoided to see his whole charm.

(End of flashback)

Taking a seat beside Nidhi, Roshini looked around to see where Siddharth is, he was standing there and looking at other players and he seemed to be kind of nervous. Seeing him she smiled.

Roshini never showed her admiration for Siddharth to anyone, especially to Nidhi. So she cut off that smile and looked down.

The match went well Siddharth got two goals and won the special trophy. Roshini was astounded by his manipulative attractiveness. At that moment she accepted him as her crush.

The first year went off this way she got two chances to talk with him, but just about event preparation. And he asked her name in one of that meeting. He was a great leader and Roshini like his friendliness among others.

But at that same time, she heard that he had three girlfriends in the two years and he's a brat, playboy, etc. so she stopped to think about him and thought she should stay away from him. But whatever she does she couldn't deny her attraction.

When she entered her house her mom welcomed her with a warm smile, Roshini's mom was a housewife and a very strict woman.

"I am going to temple do you want to come with me,"

Roshini nodded. "I am having work," she replied and went to the bedroom, where her bro was sitting and studying for his upcoming exams.

"Hey!"

"Hi, how was your exam today?"

"Good, but lost one mark," Karthik said.

"Oh so sad," she smiled in mischief.

Her little not little, he is taller than her, is working hard to pass the NEET exams. He's studying two sets of the syllabus and making sure that he's well versed in everything. His ambition of becoming a doctor is going to come true soon and Roshini is already feeling so happy about that because she knows that her brother is smarter than her.

Her dad is working in the railway; they are a small family yet the happiest. Her parents are very strict when it comes to education, and because of that Roshini and her brother were always good in their academics. She decided to go to engineering because of her dad, he wanted her to be an engineer. And now she loves this field.

After finishing off her dinner, Roshini laid on her bed and reminded about today's match, and automatically Siddharth his smiling face came before her. She doesn't know whether it is good or bad but he's making her weak, weakening her with his charms.

"Roshini, get up it is already 8," her mom said and splashed the water on her face.

'What the hell!' she mumbled while getting up. This Monday morning is the biggest hell for her. She looked at her mom who glared back for sleeping like this.

Yesterday night Roshini started watching a movie, it's too interesting and she didn't get up from her seat until it was complete. As a result, she got a face wash from her mother.

She slowly got up from her bed like a zombie and went to the bathroom. After finishing all her morning chores, she came out and noticed the time 8.30 am.

'What the hell!' she again thought and rushed to leave because her bus is at 8.45 am.

"Mom... mom, please make it fast," Roshini pleaded to her mother who is packing her lunch box.

"Wait! For this reason, I asked you to sleep early," she started ranting and Roshini heard that gritting her teeth.

After getting her lunch she ran to the bus stop feeling how hard this life is, for a long time she wanted to reduce her weight, it may sound easy to think but that is one of the greatest battles of her life. She became fat six months before due to PCOD and now she is trying to reduce her weight which is pushing the mountain aside for her.

Roshini got inside the bus when it was about to take. When the moment she realized that she won, a small smile spread across her lips.

"Hey, why you're late?" Nidhi's voice stopped her smile.

"I slept"

"Oh," she nodded and the bus was going at a moderate speed. Today is not much crowd but still, they didn't get a seat to sit.

The weekend, as they planned, Roshini and Nidhi went for a movie. They enjoyed it a lot and also ate junk foods while touring the streets.

In her school days, Roshini has never experienced this kind of things and it felt very new and exciting to her.

In this past year, they both become inseparable friends.

However Nidhi has a lot of friends compared to Roshini.

Her school friends, old neighborhood friends, and her cousins like so many were around her. Roshini sometime feels why Nidhi chose me as her friend. But then she realized that there is no reason needed for a person to befriend another person.

Friendship is something very unexplainable. Roshini thinks Nidhi as a Savior because she will give her hand when she desperately needed help. Even Roshini doesn't think that she will help someone like Nidhi but she did a lot of help that Roshini never expected from her.

"I thought of getting down from the bus if you have not arrived. Thank god you came," Nidhi said.

"Oh, I am sorry this won't happen again," the stress-filled words came out of her mouth.

And here comes the other part of their friendship, sometimes it is also uncomfortable for Roshini to take this attitude of Nidhi.

Roshini never wanted anyone to wait for her or to have special care on her. She is different inside. She doesn't like people who comes so close to her, close to that circle which she has around her. It gave fear and it is a stress.

Plastering a small smile Roshini continued to talk. They mostly talk about their irritating math professor. He's having a special tendency to irritate a person to the utmost level.

As they reached their college, they walked to their class. It took about ten minutes to walk since their class is located at the far end of this college.

Once they reached their department, unknowingly Roshini's eyes searched for Siddharth's CBR bike and when she found it is there she smiled inside.

Though she doesn't know anything about bikes and all, for him she searched and learned that is CBR 250r bike.

In her life, she never made any feelings to grow in her this deeper, but how she failed to control this Siddharth is a big question that she having all the time.

She thought it is not a big deal when the first time felt but that's the biggest mistake she had ever done. These uncontrollable feelings turned into a routine and now she is unable to find a way to come out of it.

Till now she hasn't told about this to anyone and she has maintained like she is a girl who never looks at a guy even if he's a handsome guy in this entire world.

Her boundaries are the main reason that never takes her near him. Avoiding is the simple thing that she is doing to avoid everything.

When they reached their class, they sat in their place. It is the third row and Roshini usually sits beside the window side seat. "Roshini today I am planning to take books from Library, do you want to join me," Nidhi asked.

"Hmm sure," she replied and texted her mom that she has reached college. Since her mom was too worried about her, especially this society and she ordered Roshini to text every day after reaching college.

The classes started and to where her energy level also started decreasing. She looked at her watch eagerly waiting for the lunchtime to come, she then gazed her class some of them were listening to the lecture, some of them were daydreaming and some of them were sleeping. She turned her gaze to Nidhi and smiled to see her half-closed eyes.

When the professor finished her lecture everyone came out of their thoughts and sleep. Before the professor could leave their class boys started leaving like they are waited for this moment. Roshini and Nidhi carrying their lunch box walked outside of our department. They usually sit on a resting bench and have lunch in the cool breeze.

While walking her heart attack came in front of her, Siddharth.

Siddharth who is standing before the staff room and talking with their math professor and that too with a big smile on his face.

She looked at him with a skepticism filled eyes. What he is talking with our professor?

Suddenly his eyes shifted to Roshini and she immediately turned her gaze to Nidhi and her poor heart started to throb. When she was about to cross them her professor called her.

"Sir?" Roshini stopped in front of them.

"Roshini, there's a conference taking place in the electronics department after the lunch break. Are you willing to go there?" He asked.

She looked at Nidhi, she gestured her to say yes. "Okay, sir. I will go,"

"Okay Siddharth, you two go there," he said and her eyes widened in shock.

Am I going there with Siddharth? OMG, what I am going to do now!!

Siddharth smiled and looked at Roshini but she purposely avoided him. Why on earth he is arranging me to go with him, she thought and remained silent.

But why I have to go with this danger? So she thought of rejecting the offer. When she was about to speak,

"Okay, be there at 2.00 pm, it is just a workshop and they will teach you about some new technical things. They asked me to send two students only, so utilize this and they will provide a certificate for you," their professor finished.

She nodded her head and canceled her thought of rejecting because they are providing a certificate and it will be useful for her Resume. Though she is a smart student in her class, she is still afraid of whether she will get a proper job.

"Okay sir, we will be there", Siddharth said.

We! She exclaimed inside hearing that.

Roshini left to have her lunch with Nidhi. She remained silent and nervous. She has talked with him only two times, one during their first meeting and another in last year's cultural event. Perhaps today it will happen?? She thought.

"Rosh, you're getting late. See the time it's already 1.50 pm," Nidhi said and Roshini came out of the thoughts.

She quickly finished her lunch and after taking her bag she started to walk from her department to the electronics department where it is located on another end.

No one is there on the road, except a guy who's walking in front of her, she knew him he's her senior, and Siddharth's classmate.

When she was hurriedly walking she suddenly heard a familiar horn sound from behind, she knew who it might be that is none another than Siddharth. He stopped in front of her and giving a glimpse by her side, he asked his friend to sit behind him.

He left and she continued to walk with an annoyance.

Why he gave that look!!

Stupid!! She scolded him mentally and continued to walk and walk.

But even in that distress, she thought if his friend was not here, whether he would have asked me for a free ride? But anyhow it is not going to happen. She sighed.

The other thing that she likes about Siddharth is the way he drove his bike, maybe it sounds silly but that's true. She likes his everything but at the same time, she is trying not to accept that.

When Roshini reached the electronics department, she breathed and her legs started aching. And she felt really hot for walking at a high speed, and as result she starts to sweat. This showed how poor she's looking after her health.

She took her water bottle out and drank that in a gulp and then searched for someone to ask where that workshop is taking place. That time she saw Siddharth on upstairs, so she thought the workshop is going to be at the upstairs hall.

Climbing steps are another big task that she hates. This was a very tiring afternoon, I hope they will provide some snacks after this workshop, she thought, and went near Siddharth.

She looked at him confusingly because the place seemed like normal, not like a conference taking area.

Am I stupid to follow this guy, Ah Roshini you're really crazy!! She gritted and turned to walk.

Siddharth who is standing and talking with another guy suddenly called out her name when she was about to move.

"Roshini," hearing that she felt something struck her all of a sudden. He called out her name in an authorized tone, it is loud and very sweet too.

She turned and looked him, "The workshop is taking place in downstairs, seminar hall," he directed. Nodding her head with a smile, she didn't thank him for that.

Roshini went into that hall, and a person registered her name for the workshop. She got a seat in the last row. Even she searched if there is any other place in the front rows but sadly there's none.

She solemnly sat there and waited until the workshop starts. When she was in her thoughts Siddharth entered the hall.

"Hey dude write my name," he said casually to his friend since he has so many friends on every department and he looked for seats.

But there is none right, so he is going to sit beside me!!

OMG!! Roshini screamed.

Roshini felt nervous when he came near her. She gulped and looked somewhere else to avoid this fluttering feeling. He sat beside her and their shoulders were almost touched.

She gripped her fist and looked before, sideways, her watch, and her phone to avoid him.

His GIORGIO ARMANI perfume smell filled her nostrils. She looked him sideways, he is busy checking his phone.

That time, a guy came towards them,

"Hey, Siddharth you're here?" He questioned.

"Yeah my processor asked me to attend this," he replied for that annoyingly.

"Why you are sitting here, come I am having a place for you," he called him. That time Roshini wanted to shout at that guy to go away and do his business. But she remained like she is not existing in that environment.

"No, it is fine I am comfortable here," Siddharth replied. Roshini was shocked and smiled inwardly.

"Hey come on, there will be so much fun there and boys are going to sit there only," he again said.

Aargh. This guy is irritating. Roshini turned her head and looked at him like glaring.

Suddenly that guy turned to her, "Is she is your classmate?" He asked Siddharth.

"No, she is my junior, our professor asked both of us to attend this," Siddharth replied normally.

"What is your name?" He asked.

"Roshini," she smiled.

"Oh, I am Kavin," he introduced himself with a smile on his face.

"Do you want to sit in the front? I don't want our college students in the back," He told.

"Yeah," she nodded. Yeah, I am cunning!

"Okay, come with me," he said and Roshini followed him leaving Siddharth, and his strong gaze on her. The hall was very big and for this workshop, many other college students also came to attend this.

He gave her a seat in the second row and asked her to never leave this place.

She thanked him with a big smile on her face.

"Don't mention Roshini, if you want anything, ask me okay," he said sweetly and left.

Really if we treat and see our opposite gender in a friendly and respectful way then everything will be normal.

After some time, the workshop started and she is engrossed in the lecture.

She noticed that Kavin was the student organizer of this workshop. He was running here and there, he was friendly with everyone, just like Siddharth.

And Siddharth was sitting adjacent to her seat but he is not that visible to her eyes. It is also a good thing so that she can listen to this lecture without any distractions.

After the first session, they asked them to take a tea break. She went and bought snacks and tea that they provided. At that time she didn't see Siddharth, and she doesn't know where he went.

Siddharth was a famous guy in their college because of his talent in football and also he is too good at academics. He is handsome and rich too. And added to that, he always has that charming smile on his face that will attract everyone to his side and his friendly nature has gained so many people around him. He is a perfect guy.

But that is the biggest problem here because even in her class there is a girl who is crazy about Siddharth and she doesn't know how many girls were secretly in love with him.

Among this, she is just a mere girl who is trying to forget him.

After the break, she again went into the hall, and the second session started. During that time, she secretly searched him in sideways whether he's there but to her dismay, he is not there.

Where he went?? The question kept distracting her.

She can't properly listen to that lecture, and she waited to end. After the completion, everyone started leaving and she noticed there is a call from Nidhi.

Roshini called her back and informed that she will be at the bus stop in ten minutes and asked her to go if she wants, but Nidhi said that she will wait.

She went to Kavin to ask whether she has to come tomorrow. But he replied there's no need and the certificates will be provided after two weeks in her department.

She nodded and when she was about to leave he called her and suddenly asked for her number. She doesn't know whether to give or not. Because she never gave her number to any guy. But he seemed like a brother figure so she gave without thinking further.

Without her control, Roshini asked where Siddharth went.

"He went to practice football, he said he's having a match tomorrow. Why you're asking?" he questioned.

"I... Just asked," she gritted and walked out.

When she was walking near the playground, she saw Siddharth who is warming up before the practice. Even if he stands in a crowd among a thousand people her eyes can easily identify him, like a computer scanner.

She walked by constantly noticing him. There's another way to reach the bus stop from the electronics department but she preferred this so that she can see Siddharth.

She doesn't know whether he is having any doubts about her, for constantly noticing him but sometimes she has saw him looking at her back, maybe that is a mere coincidence. Overall she doesn't know what he's having in his heart.

He is a kind of a mystery to her. She doesn't know anything about him other than his name. She doesn't know where he is coming from, about his house, his parents, and whether he is having siblings and all. But she has heard he is extremely rich and she literally has seen that too, his bike and he also comes to college in his car. Even their professor doesn't have that type of costly cars.

She thought all the possible ways about his love interest. Like all the rumors whether he's having any girlfriend so that he is not laying his gaze on any other girl. Because Roshini has seen girls flirting with him, but she never saw him like that. He is always a gentleman to her eyes, but some told he is a trifle but she doesn't believe that at all.

If he having a girl, then she must be really lucky to have him. But if he doesn't then I am so happy to think him as mine without having guilt.

Nidhi was waiting for Roshini. She is gazing at the passing vehicles and people. Standing in the bustling atmosphere Nidhi checked her phone again to see the time 6.00 pm. She decided to call Roshini again but before she could, Roshini came in front of her with a smile on her face. And she is breathing heavily that told that she ran here.

"Sorry Nidhi, I made you wait," she apologized.

"Oh stupid, don't be sorry," Nidhi patted her shoulders.

"Then today what happened?" Nidhi questioned in mischief.

"Nothing, the workshop is such a bore you know," Roshini gave an annoying face and stood beside her, but she didn't understand the fact that Nidhi is indirectly teasing her.

For all these days Roshini was so confident that no one knew about her hidden feelings but sadly Nidhi was familiar about her crush over Siddharth. She has noticed her many times when was staring at him in amazement, her eyes reflected something while Siddharth was near her.

After all, she is a girl who already experienced all these emotions. Nidhi has caught her while staring at him a lot of times and the way her expression changes when she hears names. They were beautiful to see.

Even today Nidhi noticed the excitement on Roshini's face when their professor asked them to go together.

But how she found that Roshini was seriously having a crush on Siddharth was in the first year-end. Where Nidhi constantly observed her near the playground. It seemed like she was studying and doing her work. But one-day Roshini without her grasp looking at the playground, Nidhi first thought that she's watching only the match then she perceived that she's watching Siddharth, not the match, her eyes were running along with his every move.

She can't believe that Roshini is having a crush! Since she never showed interested in that stuffs and even she won't listen when someone talks about any other guys.

After that Nidhi started observing her to confirm her doubt and she eventually learned that Roshini is serious, madly in crush, maybe in love with Siddharth.

Who can't have a crush on him, a guy with a beautiful smile, handsome face, charming and more importantly smart, just like her? Any girl can fall for his small smile in that, Roshini is not an exception.

When she was in her thoughts, Roshini patted her shoulder.

"Bus," she said and looked at the approaching bus which was crowded with people.

Roshini left out a sigh, "We are going to be squeeze today," she muttered.

After half an hour of travel on the crowded bus, they jumped out when they reached their stop.

During their walk, they conversed mostly about their upcoming exams and assignments. When they reached near Nidhi's house, Roshini waved her goodbye and asked her to arrive bus stop tomorrow earlier.

Nidhi watched Roshini until she reaches near the end of their street. She smiled and turned to go inside her house.

But when she stepped, a loud horn sound just stopped her. Her heart started racing to hear that. She doesn't want to turn and see him but she did eventually.

There is this guy, who's glaring at her. He was sitting on his Royal Enfield bike, he was all dressed up in lawyer uniform black slacks and white shirt. He didn't smile at her instead he looked her like she has done a big mistake. There's a frustration on his face.

Nidhi immediately turned as she didn't saw him and walked into her house. Truly she's hell scared to see his face and his gaze made her uncomfortable.

She went into her room and placed her bag on the desk. Her legs pushed her near the window and she slightly peeped out to see whether he's still there.

But to her surprise, he was still standing before his house and talking with his friends.

"Nidhi comes here," her mom suddenly called her.

Nidhi belongs to a conservative Malayali Family. Her father was doing business and her mom was a teacher. Being the only child of her parents, Nidhi was raised with a lot of love and also with a lot of conditions.

She never talks back to her parents and always a polite girl that everyone appreciates. Beauty with brain is what Nidhi is. She is more beautiful than Roshini, and she is more popular among boys compared to Roshini.

Seeing her appearance, no, one can say that she is a mature person. Her childish acts, her humor sense, and her height 5'1 showed her like a school going girl. But inside she's mature and an understanding person too. She can easily analyze a person, instantly she can become a friend to anyone. She is a go lucky girl that everyone wishes to be with her.

Nidhi went to see her mother; she asked her to prepare instant Noodles for herself since they were going out to attend a marriage function and she haven't prepared dinner. Nidhi nodded her head and went again to her room.

She closed her windows and door to change her clothes. Slipping into her pajamas, she stumbled on her bed. Closing her eyes, she felt the nervousness in her, she doesn't know why her heart is pounding to see him, Varun.

She nodded her head to forget his face but nothing seemed to work out knowing that he's out there, waiting for a perfect moment to talk with her. After refreshing herself, she went out to prepare the Noodles. That time her mom came out, all dressed up in a Pattu saree and with some matching jewels. Her mom looked beautiful so Nidhi clicked a few pictures of her mom and she also took a selfie with her.

Nidhi share a strong bond with her mom since she doesn't have any siblings, her mom and dad were the only companions for her. She loves them unconditionally and other than them nothing is important to her.

"Tomorrow pay the electricity bills, Nidhi," her dad said before walking out and her mom followed him to outside.

When they reached near the gate Nidhi's eyes looked the opposite house. There Varun was still standing and talking with his friends, he was smiling and laughing like a crazy person.

"Nidhi, money on the shelf, use that to buy the noodles," her mom informed and entered the car.

What!! Nidhi exclaimed. She doesn't want to go out and she is afraid of Varun.

After her parents left, Nidhi went into the house without looking at his side. She took the money and thought about whether to go out or not. But hearing her stomach screams she decides to go.

She came out of her house, wearing her slippers Nidhi walked to the shop that is near to her house. She bought an instant Noodles pack and again walked back hurriedly.

While she is about to reach the gates she felt Varun is walking towards her. She turned her gaze to look him and she saw him walking towards her, Nidhi took a long stride. But Varun successfully blocked her way.

Be strong! Be strong! She chanted inside and stopped.

She looked up to see his face, before his 5'9 height she is small in. With frustration, Varun opened his mouth.

"Am I looking like a thug for you or am I looking like a gangster?" Varun questioned clenching his jaw.

Nidhi didn't say anything and looked down.

"Answer me? Why you are silent?"

"No," she replied rolling her eyes.

"Then you're running away from me like I am a criminal," he asked pointing his fingers.

"Who said I am running away from you?"

"Then what you did for all these days, look Nidhi you're going too much, there's a limit for everything," he said and reached out his hand to hold her hand.

But Nidhi instantly brush him off and walked.

"Wait, I didn't finish yet," grabbing her hand Varun said.

Nidhi was hell scared, she looked whether anyone is watching them but thankfully there is no one on the road.

"What do you want, are you stupid? Leave my hand," she gritted and tried to take her hand out of his grip.

"Nidhi, will you hear me for a second!" he said louder to get her attention.

"I am sorry and forgive me," he apologized looking at her eyes.

Nidhi was astonished to hear that from him, the uncompromising Varun was asking sorry to her. She never easily apologized for anything, but for the first time, he did.

"Leave it. I am going," she didn't show as she accepted his apology.

Varun didn't stop her. He gazed at her with a helpless and hopeless expression.

Nidhi locked the door behind and stumbled on the couch. She gripped her hand, where Varun held her.

'I ... can't hate you' she sighed closed her eyes in frustration and went to prepare the Noodless.

***

"Nidhi, I am sorry!"

Reminding the words that Varun said yesterday has got something in her.

She can't forget him, his words or their almost a year secret relationship, even if she wants to, he is not letting her do that, she was bound to him by his extorting love and now she's regretting for letting him and his love into her peaceful life.

"Nidhi, what are you thinking?" Roshini asked Nidhi who was immersed in the thoughts without eating her lunch.

"Nothing Rosh, my head is aching," rubbing her head Nidhi answered and looked away. Nidhi wanted to tell about her confusion and this depressive relationship with someone. Roshini must be a good choice but still, Nidhi is afraid. She felt whether Roshini will think her as a flimsy girl who can't even control her heart and without properly knowing about a person fallen in love like a fool. She felt it is kind of a shame.

When the day they started this relationship, from that very moment she started having an unknown fear. The fear of losing her parent's love and this society's accusation if her secret love comes to the public. When she was chewing the food in slow motion her phone vibrated. She casually took that and noticed a message and that message from Varun.

Her eyes widened in a shock, she looked Roshini but she was in her world of thoughts. Before reading that she thought for a while, whether to read or to ignore just like whether to continue this relationship or to end.

But something inside her shoved her hand to open.

'Are you still angry with me? Yesterday I apologized right. I want to see you, will be waiting for you before your college in the evening. Love You'

Reading that message, she immediately typed No as a reply. But she knew that he won't listen to her words.

Now her mind clouded with the ways to escape from Roshini, she wants to do something to leave now and that too without any suspicion.

"Roshini, I am leaving." She said suddenly.

"Uh? Why?" she asked coming out from her thoughts.

"Yeah, my headache," Nidhi sounded like she indeed having a headache.

"Okay, do you want me to come with you?"

"No! I can go by myself." Saying that Nidhi stood up closing her lunch box. Placing that in her bag she left taking confusing steps. Roshini, what happened to her? Why she is acting weird too?

Nidhi thought here's something going on her mind and went to the library. She took a random book and sat at the place where no one can see her. By sitting simply, she starts to think about Varun, the more he ran over her mind, and the more she wanted to resolve the problem that's happening between them.

She can't help it. She can't push it. And she can't take it fully. She can't find a way to get over it.

The first time she landed her eyes on him, was two years before, that one fateful rainy day just changed her life into something much unexpected.

After completing her board exams Nidhi and her parents shifted to the new house now they are currently staying in. She was excited at that time, she got good marks, a nice college, and the house looked so pleasant. Everything seemed so beautiful and perfect.

When the day she came to this house, she instantly befriended with the lady living in the mansion opposite to them, Nidhi was happened to meet her when she came out of her house to ask where the convenience store is. Nidhi with her good attitude and reverence captured her heart greatly.

That day after finishing off the household work with her mom, Nidhi went to her room and started arranging her things in the places where she wanted to. While busily working her mom came in with a cup of coffee and asked to drink before it gets cold. She nodded and suddenly a huge thunderstorm paused her actions.

By taking her coffee, she came out of the house and stood before the entrance and watched the showering rain.

She doesn't like to soak in the rain but likes to feel the drizzle over the face.

By sipping the coffee, Nidhi watched the enchanting rain.

In that peaceful moment, she heard a disturbing loud horn sound of a bike. She turned her gaze,

Two guys already soaked in the rain stopped their bike before that mansion. The guy who is sitting behind ran into the house like running a marathon. But the guy who drove the bike stood under the thundering sky, he lifted his arms wider and his face plastered with a big smile.

Nidhi smiled looking at him, she never seen a guy who enjoys the Rain, more than an enjoyment his face reflected a kind of satisfaction. Seeing him her heart skipped a beat. She has not even noticed his face properly in this pouring rain but his physique was good. He is wearing a white shirt and black trousers that were entirely soaked.

Without her control, she stared at him forgetting to blink her eyes. Suddenly that guy turned his eyes to her and caught her admiring him.

Soon her expression changed to notice that.

Nidhi's heart just jumped out in a shock. She looked into her coffee mug and bite her lower lip out of embarrassment.

'But why I have to turn my gaze, it is not like I am admiring him, I am watching rain right!' the brave girl inside her encouraged and she hesitantly looked at him again.

He gave a curious look, but he did not even care that he is standing in a sinking rain and casually stared her back.

"Hey, Varun! Mom is calling you! Come inside!" the guy who first went inside the house shouted at him.

He came with an umbrella and Varun still looking at Nidhi nodded his head. He joined with his brother in the umbrella and walked inside. But he kept looking back at Nidhi who is awestruck.

Realizing her situation Nidhi strolled into her house. In a swift moment, she locked her room door and laid in her bed. Heaving a huge sigh, she smiled with a blush. In her eighteen years of existence, no one made her feel this way.

But soon she brushed off those thoughts away and continued her work. In that following days, she came to know that guy's name was Varun, and the other guy was his elder brother Bala. That lady she befriended was their mother.

Later she started to know more about him since her mom and Varun's mom became friends in a short time and Nidhi is one of the reasons for that.

Varun was pursuing Law and Nidhi felt that profession suits him. Because he is the kind of person who smiles very less. He always keeps a stern expression on his face. Only on that rainy day, she saw him smile and she never noticed him smiling after that. Within a month after that rainy day, his brother went to the US where he got a job in a multinational company. Varun's dad was doing business and his mom was a housewife.

She finds herself curious to know more about him, who can't be when a handsome guy who glances you with a kind of expression that stirs up your feelings like crazy. She sometimes secretly steals glances whenever she accidentally meets him.

But Nidhi tried her best level to avoid that and sadly she failed too. She never expected that Varun will have the same kind of feelings for her. Still, she can't believe that moment.

When she was in her thoughts her phone starts to ring. She took that from her purse and saw Varun's name. She left the library to talk with him since using the phone inside the library is prohibited.

"Hello?"

"Where are you? I am waiting before your college," he sounded irritated.

"Just two minutes, I will be there," Nidhi ended the call and walked in fear, instead of excitement. This relationship made her this way. She fears about him on how he will react. How he will talk and all.

Their relationship wasn't flying colors of love and compassion instead of misunderstandings and quarrels. Most of the time Varun is the reason, his short temper was the reason. Nidhi was tired of this dominative, overruling love. Now she has to do something to end this.

When she saw Varun, she gave a weak smile, but he didn't smile back. She stood in front of him and doesn't know how to start the conversation.

"How was your day?"

"Fine,"

"Get on!" he said.

Understanding the seriousness, she sat behind him without talking back. She looked around to find whether anyone watching them, especially her classmates but noticed no one.

Roshini without attending her last class, walked out feeling so tired. She doesn't want to listen to the lecture or anything now. This tiredness and irritation are all because of that Siddharth. Today she saw him talking with her classmate Aishwarya and that too in a very sweet way. He was smiling ear to ear while conversing with her. Seeing that she felt something burning inside her.

That Aishwarya was considered as her class's beauty.

But why she is talking with him? Roshini questioned. When she came out of the college, she looked left side to cross the road. At that moment what she saw just shocked her, she can't believe her eyes. Nidhi sitting behind a guy on a bike crossed before her.

"Nidhi!" she whispered. And again cleared her eyes to find is it her.

Yes, it is her.

But who is that guy?

Why you lied Nidhi?