Yet another day we were sitting by the lake, talking. We were over our bike teacher phase, now we just came to the lake to sit and talk. Maybe even she liked my company or maybe not... I don't know and well I do care. I cant think of anything with which I can make her talk about that night at club or maybe ask her out. I am such a loser or maybe even worse than that. Both my friends are kind of settled and then their is me, not good at anything leave alone perfect. Hell I can't even tell a girl that I like her.

I mean seriously, what are we? Are we even friends?

She looked at me and I thought horrified that maybe I had spoken my thoughts out. I am so stupid.

"Did you say something?" she asked me.

"No, did you listen something?" I sighed discreetly that she didn't hear anything.

"Leave it."

"Uhh Sanyukta... actually... uhh!" And here we go again.

"Randhir, why do you always fumble while talking to me? Am I that scary?" She looked at me with a ghost of a smile on her face.

"N- no. I didn't mean that." I said quickly.

"Then..? I mean we are friends then what is the problem?"

"We are... friends?" I asked unsure of what she just said.

"We aren't?"

"No... Uh... I didn't meant that. I actually was... Ok leave it." I said frustrated.

"It's okay. Happens." She patted my arm and gave me a smile.

I was kind of enjoying the moment. I sound like a pervert don't I? Anyway so I was enjoying the moment when her phone pinged and she looked at it.

"I am going to kill her someday."

"What?"

"It's Priya again."

"Oh..." I didn't need to find any comforting word because she pulled out a cigarette and lighted it.

"You don't have a problem if I smoke near you, right? Else I can move away a bit."

"No it's ok."

She nodded and took a drag looking at the smoke rising.

"8 minutes." This came out of my mouth unexpectedly surprising me.

"What?"

"One cigarette costs 8 minutes of your life." I said looking at her.

"I can live with that." She shrugged in response and put the cigarette between her lips.

"But many can't." This made her look at me again and I tried to give her my most sincere expression.

Sighing and rolling her eyes, she stubbed the cigarette and got up, "I don't even know why I am listening to this. Anyway let's go home."

She moved forward and I smiled behind her. She actually listened to me and put out the cigarette. I did something not even her best friends could manage to do. I... I am sooo happy.

"You coming?"

I jogged to her and sat behind her as she accelerated her Phantom.

Some days later I was back from college after giving my paper.

In my room, I was lying on my bed going through my notes for the next paper when someone knocked on the door.

Definitely it can't be any of the guys because they just barge in without knocking.

"Come in." I said sitting up and Vidushi entered my room. I hurriedly grabbed my shirt and wore it.

"Hey."

"Hi."

"Sit." I said pointing to a chair nearby which she dragged and sat on.

"You keep your room so clean. Seriously Parth should learn something from you." I smiled at her which she returned.

"So what's up? I mean you came here suddenly."

"Oh yes I came here to talk about Sanyu."

I felt myself getting nervous as her black eyes looked into mine.

"Yes what about her?"

"She hasn't smoked even after encountering a number of stressful events."

"That's a good thing I guess...?"

"Yes it is." She leaned forward towards me, "Yesterday she was looking at a cigarette in her hand. Just staring at it. So I said that her eyes aren't that fiery that they will light it up. And you know what she said?"

"What?" Curiousity rose in my voice.

"She just kept it back in the case and said that some idiot has asked her not to smoke and that too indirectly. Also she has promised." I had a smile on my face listening to this.

"So I did the math and turns out that idiot is you." She leaned back on her chair.

"Yes I asked her not to smoke... I didn't believe that she would actually listen to my advice."

"I am glad she did. Randhir, you are bringing a positive effect in her. Now a days she smiles more and is free. Earlier people used to think that she was a freak but now they actually interact with her. Be with her always."

"I promise to be an idiot for her forever, Vidushi."

                          *****
                     AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hey guys,
Back with the update. Hope you like it.

Next: Sanyukta has a tantrum and an outburst. She closes herself off.

Until then,
Love Love ❤️
A.S.