Guilt creeped through my bones making me unable to sleep. The whole night passed by and couldn't sleep a wink.

Yes, I have been hiding my identity from the start but blatantly lying on his face was something, I wasn't looking forward too.

It was going to be a huge task for me to face him this morning, without being killed by my guilt.

After giving lot of thought, I came to the conclusion that I won't go downstairs until he leaves the house.

Has luck been ever on my side? The answer would be a big fat NO.

Today was the day, Rudra decided to ring the doorbell instead of opening the door by the keys.

I still thought of giving my luck a chance, hoping he would open the door by himself when I didn't respond to the first ring.

But that idiot kept ringing the bell.

Yesterday's conversation ran through my mind making me curse Jiya for putting that thoughts in our minds. There was no way he was opening the door by himself even if I took half an hour to respond.

Groaning, I went downstairs cursing my fate. I don't think it was possible to avoid him now and facing him after feeding him lies, gave me goosebumps.

"How much do you take to open the door? You wasted so much of time, now move, I need to prepare food in hurry or else we both will be late for college", he said rushing inside without sparing me a glance.

Relief spread through my body for not having to converse with him. Now I can hide inside my room while he makes breakfast.

I was just about to take the first step when he called me, "Sia".

I groaned mentally but turned around smiling and asked him, "Do you need something?"

"Come here for a bit, I need to talk about something", he hollered from the kitchen.

Turning my direction away from my room, I went to see what he wanted.

"I wanted to ask that whether you would like to meet up with other people. I mean you have been getting along quite well with the trio, so I thought if you would want to make more friends", he dropped the bomb on me while working calmly, having no idea of the scare he just gave me.

But this scare was enough for me to forget about the guilt atleast for sometime. I was sure that it was gonna hit me back with full force later but right now, I had other problem in my hand.

"Umm, Rudra. Please don't be angry. It's not that I don't want to meet them but I am not ready for it at this moment.

It's already taking too much efforts from being involved with the trio so can we take this slow. I will surely try to make more friends but not now, please", I explained my plight to him hoping that he won't get angry and would try to understand my situation.

He stopped his work and gave his full attention to me now. "No one is going to force you, Sia. It was just an idea, I know this is all scary for you. We will take it as slow as you want.

But clear one thing for me. Are you uncomfortable with the trio? You aren't forcing yourself to be their friend, are you?

Putting efforts for the friendship is okay but please never ever force yourself", he said worriedly.

"No no, I am not forcing myself", I assured him.

"Sure? They would understand if you aren't comfortable as they have gone through that themselves", Rudra said making me confuse.

"What are you saying, Rudra? Weren't they outcasted?", I asked in confusion.

"What! No, absolutely not. If they would have been outcasted then how could I be their friend?", he exclaimed shocked that I would even suggest it.

"But...", I trailed of totally confused.

"Wait, before you make something up in your mind. I will explain everything.

Like many others, I am their friend. We have their best interests in our hearts but unfortunately no one can form the connection with them to become more than a hi- bye friend.

They tried real hard to fit in those groups but they always felt left out. No one intentionally made them feel like that but it sort of happened. After constantly trying and faking everything just to belong, they grew tired and outcasted themselves. They chose being alone rather than feeling lonely in a group. So yeah, that's what happened.

Hence, I am telling you don't force yourself. Faking a personality, just to fit in won't last long. And the day it would happen, will be the day you would break the hearts of those three along with yours.

Yes, put efforts but never ever try to be something, you are not", he explained everything.

Whereas I felt bad for the trio, I was relieved to know the whole picture. They weren't insulted by others, no one outcasted them like me.

"Don't worry, Rudra. I am not forcing myself to be their friend. It's just that I have forgotten how to be friends. It would take time for my memory to get cleared up, but it will happen. Till then, I will make all the possible efforts so that no one gets hurt in the process", I assured him with confidence.

He gave me a wide smile and turned to continue his work while I left the kitchen to get ready.