“What the fuck will it take for you to listen to me once Sara?” Ishan growled glaring at her in anger.

“Why do I even have to listen to you? You are my nobody, I am not bound to listen to you.” Sara retorted, glaring back at him.

Ishan took a deep breath trying to calm himself down.

“You are right, I am your nobody. Why would you ever listen to me? I never meant anything to you ever after all.” Ishan scoffed.

“Don't, I have tried enough already. All I asked you ever was to spend some time with me. Did you ever listen to me then? You can't even go out with me once but then want me to listen to whatever you will say?” Sara retorted.

“You can't be serious about it. You know what? Fine. I will spend time with you tomorrow, lets go out for lunch. Then will you listen to me?”

“Sure but I want you to come home for lunch.”

“I don't want to come to your home. We can go outside for it.”

“Please Ish, just for two or three hours.” Sara said, taking Ishan's hand who quickly pulled away.

“I said no, and that's final.”

“Ek lunch ki hi toh baat hai, itna bhi nahi kar sakte.”

[It's just one lunch. Can't you do that much?]

“Tum nahi samjhogi Sara, sirf ek lunch ki baat nahi hai.” Ishan said and walked away without giving her the chance to continue.

[You won't get it Sara. It is not just about lunch.]

Sara tried to go after him but them the bell rang making her sigh and she looked at Ishan’s retreating back before walking to her building.

—

“What happened to Mayank? Ye aise bhoot bankar kyu baitha hai?” Swami raised his eyebrows and others just shrugged.

Ishan was sitting beside Mayank while he and Aditi sat behind them with Tilak.

“Pata nahi, ek do din ho gaye hai isse aise devdas bane hue.” Aditi replied, staring at Mayank's back.

[Don't know. It's one whole day. He us behaving like a heartbroken lover.]

“I think ye Abhishek ne hi kuch kaha hai. Aajkal bahut zuban chalti hai uski. Abhi thodi der pehle Gill ke liye kese khada hogya tha.” Tilak said.

[I think that Abhishek must have done something. He is speaking a lot these days. Didn't you see how he stood up against us for Gill?]

“Baat toh sahi hai, lagta hai ye Abhishek zyada hi frank hogya hai. Abhi jab Mayank chla gya tha toh kese humse puch bhi raha tha ki kya hogya Mayank ko. Jese vo dost hai koi,” Aditi scoffed, shaking her head.

[You are right. I think Abhishek is getting very frank. Now when Mayank left how he asked about him like he is his friend.]

“Ye Gill aur Sharma dono ko ache se dekh lenge, fikar not. But hai kaha? Dikh nahi rahe,” Swami hummed looking around.

[Ya we will see both Gill and Sharma don't worry. But where are they? Can't see them.]

It was kind of amusing not seeing Shubman not in the class. That guy had a hundred percent attendance.

Aditi and Tilak just shrugged not knowing where they were.

“Let's leave them, shayad darr ki wajah se nahi aaye honge class mein. Dekha nahi tha Swami ne kese maara tha uss Abhishek ko.” Aditi chuckled and they hummed.

[Let's leave them. Maybe because of our fear they didn't attend the class. Didn't you see how Swami beat that Abhishek?]

“Hann, by the way unko chod. Do you all know Rohan ke dorm mein party hai aaj raat ko?”

[Ya btw leave them. It's party in Rohan's dorm tonight.]

“Han usne almost sabko bulaya hai. It would be fun. Ishan tum aaoge?” Aditi said clasping on Ishan's back who nodded his head.

[Ya he invited all of us. It would be fun. Ishan will you join?]

“Ofcourse, how can I miss this party.” Ishan grinned and Aditi nodded her head before looking at Mayank.

“And Mayank you?”

“Nahi mera mood nahi hai.” Mayank muttered looking at the board.

[No I am not in mood.]

“But tujhe toh Rohan ki parties pasand h? Especially those hot chicks?”

[But you like Rohan's party.]

“But aaj jaane ka mann nahi kar raha. Tum log jao naa. Maza aayega uski party mein hamesha ki tarah.” Mayank said doodling with his pen.

[But I don't feel like going. You guys go. It would be fun like always.]

“Tere bina maza kese aayega,” Tilak said and Mayank looked at him before focusing back to the professor in front.

[But it won't be fun without you.]

“Aree bilkul maza aayega. Next time chal lunga, iss baar sachi mood nahi hai.” Mayank mumbled.

[It will definitely be fun. I will go next time. I am just not in mood this time.]

“Mayu kya hogya?” Ishan asked putting his hand on top of Mayank's hand make him stop from doodling.

[Mayu what's wrong?]

“Bas thoda rest karne ka mann hai aaj raat ko. Zyada tension mat lo tum sab.”

[I just want to rest tonight. You guys don't worry.]

“Teri tabyat toh thik hai na bhai?” Swami asked, putting his hand on top of Mayank's forehead, who pulled away.

[Your health is fine right?]

“Han han bilkul thik hu bas thaka thaka sa feel ho raha hai. Tum log jaakr maze karna,”

[Ya ya I am feeling perfectly alright. You guys go and have fun.]

“Mayank if there is something, you know naa you can tell. Notice kara hai kuch dino se tu khush nahi lag raha.” Aditi muttered. Mayank didn't make any eye contact with her.

[Mayank if there is anything, you can tell us. We all have noticed you are not happy since a few days.]

“Hann yaar bilkul thik hai, faaltu tension le rahe ho tum log.”

[Ya I am perfectly alright. Don't take futile tension.]

“Pakka?”

[Sure?]

“Han Ish pakka.”

[Ya Ish sure.]

“Aaj raat ko tere kamre mein sone aaunga. Tab sab btaiyo.” Ishan whispered so only Mayank could hear.

[Tonight I will come in your room to sleep. Tell me everything then.]

“Kuch nahi hai Ish–”

[There is nothing Ish -]

“Jaa be, jhuth kisi aur ke aage. Tujhe ache se janta hu main. Tere chehre par jo 12 baje hai saaf saaf dikhta hai. It's about Abhishek naa?” Ishan said and Mayank's eyes widened.

[Let it be. Lie to someone else. I know you quite well. Your face is clearly showing something is wrong. It's about Abhishek right?]

“N-a-ahi kya bol raha hai tu.”

[No what are you saying?]

Ishan smirked at his stuttering knowing he was right.

“What are you both whispering about?”

“Kuch nahi, bas yahi ki aaj shayad nahi jaate party mein. Mujhe bhi thakavat si lag rahi hai.” Ishan muttered, removing his hand from Mayank's hand and settled it at his knee instead.

[Nothing much. Just that lets not go for party. I am also feeling tired.]

“Kya yarr, chalo koi nahi. Next time par pakka chalna padega.”

[What guys? It's okk. We will go next time.]

“Aree pakka meri jaan,” Ishan grinned looking at Swami who hummed happily.

[Sure my love]

Mayank looked back at the professor but couldn't focus on the lecture.

How could he tell Ishan that he himself doesn't know what is happening to him.

Why is he sad about all those things Abhishek said to him?

Wasn't it true anyway? He was a bully only.

But Mayank never intended to hurt him this much. He always tried to keep Abhishek safe.

He had so many times helped him without him knowing as well, even submitting his assignments when Abhishek would forget, just so Abhishek could at least have passing grades. Abhishek would never know who did it but Mayank never wanted him to know anyway.

There were things which Abhishek didn't know but there were things which he knew too. How could Abhishek not see them?

How could Abhishek just say that he hates him? Did he never see through him?

All those times when Mayank would just forcefully make Abhishek sit with him, wasn't to make fun of him. He just wanted to be close to Abhishek.

Yeah, Mayank knows he might have crossed limits a few times but that was because he doesn't want others to know he has a soft spot for Abhishek. He couldn't just let others know. He had an image.

But he wanted Abhishek to know it. Know how differently he treated him than others. How could Abhishek not see it? Did he never see it? Or did he never care?

Never cared how much lovesick Mayank was for him.

Why would Abhishek care anyway? He made it clear how much he hated him. Abhishek just wanted Mayank to be away from him. So that's what Mayank will do now. He will stay away from him.

Just like how Abhishek wanted.

—

Abhishek didn't know why Mayank's absence bothered him that much. Yeah he did talk with Shubman and knows he wants to befriend Mayank. But if he just wanted friendship then why did it irk him when he saw him laughing with others while not even batting an eyelash towards Abhishek.

The past Mayank would always stare at him and would just smirk whenever Abhishek would break eye contact. But this Mayank, he never looks at Abhishek for even a second.

“ABHISHEK”

“Huh?” Abhishek jerked at the sudden loud voice. The professor glared at him as Abhishek cleared his throat shyly. He again dozed off in his thoughts during class. It's nothing new to be honest. Since the last two or three days, all Abhishek does is think about Mayank only.

“Since you are too much engrossed into some deep thought then why don't you tell us all about it? It must be something important that had you thinking in the middle of the lecture.” The professor scoffed.

“I am sorry sir,” Abhishek mumbled while his cheek turned pink in embarrassment. The whole class laughed while Abhishek just looked at Mayank's direction who was busy talking with Ishan about something else.

He didn't even care for Abhishek now, ignoring him like he doesn't even exist.

A sudden pinch had Abhishek jolting and he glared at Shubman who ushered toward the professor.

“...so from next time I won't allow anyone to not pay attention. If you don't want to listen then just don't attend the lecture.” The professor muttered.

“Yes sir, sorry.” Abhishek muttered and the professor dismissed him.

“Now students, it's time for you all to get your assignment back. I have graded and already punched the marks in the report card so nobody can come and ask for increasing their marks. Okay?” The professor said and the class hummed.

“You all did great this time, I never expected this result but it seems like you all are finally focusing on your studies. Almost everyone passed. Good going class,”

“Sir, how much was the highest score this time?” One of the students asked.

“It's actually 50/50. I am amazed that it was the first time someone scored full marks and understood the assignment perfectly.” The professor said while going to his desk to take out the graded assignments.

“Woah congratulations Ishan!” Aditi squealed and everyone else also started chanting and congratulating him.

“Why is everyone congratulating him? Professor didn't even take his name. Ye bhi uske so called darr ki wajah se hai kya?” Shubman scoffed looked at Abhishek who chuckled.

“You won't believe but he is actually so smart at studies. He is basically the topper of our class and nobody ever scored more than him.” Abhishek said and Shubman nodded his head.

He couldn't believe that Ishan would be so good at studies. But then again what did he even know about Ishan?

“Shh class, I know it's always Ishan scoring the highest marks and this time he did really good too but it's someone else scoring the highest marks. Ishan also scored a pretty great 48/50 though.” The professor hummed and everyone gasped. How could someone surpass Ishan's score?

Everyone else started thinking who beat Ishan on this?

Well everyone except Shubman. He was just praying that he wouldn't be kicked out of the college after failing this term. He thought of the excuse to tell the board. Will they even believe him if he told how Ishan tore his assignment and that's why he couldn't submit on time?

“...and I couldn't even believe my eyes when I saw that assignment. I couldn't find one single mistake on it. It was really neat and clean and even everything was in order. Even the answers were well written and perfectly listed out. That's why I gave full marks to him. And the person who scored this perfect score is…Shubman gill,” The professor said and Shubman gasped looking at professor.

‘What? But how? Didn't Ishan tore away his assignment then- oh wait…Abhishek.’

Shubman glared at Abhishek who quickly shook his head in defence.

“I swear I didn't.” He murmured already knowing why Shubman was glaring at him.

Shubman ignored how the class were surprised and were making remarks for him and just continued to look at Abhishek.

“If not you then who?” Shubman raised his eyebrows.

“I don't know but I swear it wasn—”

“Also Abhishek, I noticed how much similar your assignment was with Shubman, even the handwriting was totally the same. This time i let you off the hook by giving passing marks. But next time if you told your mate to do your assignment I will not give you even one mark." The professor huffed.

"Sorry sir," Abhishek mumbled in embarrassment and Shubman just stared in space.

If it was not Abhishek, then who did this?

To be continued

Stay tuned for next chapter