1.... 2.... 3.....4..... That was it. I couldn't do this anymore. I fell on my stomach and just stayed like that for sometime.

"Get up now or I will throw you out of the window."

I saw Rajeev towering over me with one eyebrow raised. I didn't move. I was exhausted. He was gruelling me since the morning. I had to wake up at 4 am to make it to his gym. He didn't even appreciate it.

"How you gonna learn to fight if you can't even do 10 pushups? I didn't know you were this weak."

"I am not weak."

"Then show me. There's no use use if you are just all talk and no action."

I groaned and cursed myself for getting myself into this. If only I knew it was going to be this difficult, I wouldn't have come here. I thought I was going to learn some kick-ass moves they showed in movies and then go around the city saving people.

"You are wasting my time. Get up now," he commanded.

I got up and he told me some simple exercises. They were really easy. Then he made me do 100 skips with skipping rope and do 20 pushups. Only if I did ten of those earlier, he would have gone easy on me.

"You are done for today. Tomorrow be on time. I don't tolerate tardiness. You may go home but remember you have work this evening," he said and handed me my bag.

"Thanks for giving me the job. I really appreciate it," I said.

"Just do your work properly and don't get me any complaints."

"Yes sir."

I left the gym after thanking him once more. I boarded a bus and made my way towards my home. I had half an hour to get ready and run for college. My muscles were aching. Rajeev was ruthless but I was really thankful to him for the part time job. I would be able to pay my fees with it.

I wanted to ask dad but one time I heard him discussing something about home loan with mom. They were really serious so I didn't want to bother them with extra expenses. I would deal with them myself. Since I got a discount because of Rajeev, I paid for myself.

After reaching home, I took a quick shower, got dressed in a plain shirt and jeans. I didn't have time to rummage through my wardrobe and worry about what to wear for half an hour. I wouldn't get time to do that now.

I slinged my backpack on one shoulder and rushed out of the house. Fortunately, I didn't forget to take my lunchbox with me. Mom had already put it in my bag. Wasn't she the best?

I reached college in time and wished some teachers to be absent today. I was feeling so sleepy. I could take a nap in free classes. I reached my classroom and slumped down in my chair.

"You okay?" Surbhi asked and I nodded my head.

"Just tired."

"So how was your first day?"

"It was fine."

"You can sleep till lecturer arrives. I will wake you up."

"Thanks."

I placed my arms on the desk and put my head on them. I closed my eyes and relaxed. I was starting to drift off into sleep but some idiot had to come and disturb me. I think you know who I was talking about.

"Zombie has returned." I ignored him.

"Surbhi, Tanya has called for you. She wants to talk about some assignments," he said and I heard Surbhi getting up from her seat.

"Oye!" he shouted but I still ignored him. He poked my shoulder and I opened my eyes. He wouldn't leave unless he annoyed me to death. I got up and narrowed my eyes at him.

"What do you want?"

"Just checking if you were dead or not. I am really disappointed."

Ayush chuckled and I noticed he was here too. I looked at him and told him to take his annoying friend away. They didn't move a bit. Nikhil and Parth came and I sighed in relief.

"Good morning everyone," Nikhil said.

"Nikhil do me a favour and take these two idiots away from here," I said to him and he glanced between me and Ved.

"Yeah, do as your girlfriend says. You wouldn't want to upset her, would you?" Ved taunted and Nikhil punched his shoulder.

"You are just jealous because you ain't getting any attention," I said.

"Stop right there, don't start a fight now and stop bothering her bro," Nikhil intervened.

"Stop bothering her bro," Ved mimicked in a high-pitched voice and laughed. Parth was confused.

"You two are dating? Why didn't you tell me?" he asked and I facepalmed myself.

"Calm down Parth. He is just joking," I said.

"Really? You still going to deny? Such a coward," Ved commented.

"Stop spreading rumours. Nikhil and me are friends. Why don't you spend some time with your boyfriend if you are so insecure?"

"Boyfriend?" Ayush furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"Her screw is loose. Can't have a simple conversation with her," Ved said and told Ayush to ignore me.

"FYI you disturbed me first and now you are blaming me? Ayush take your girlfriend with you. I can't handle her tantrums."

Nikhil and Parth laughed while Ayush's cheeks turned a bit red. He adjusted his specs and coughed awkwardly. They were glued to each other most of the day and he was doubting about me and Nikhil? Seriously?

"Dumbass," Ved said and left. Others followed and kept teasing him. He glared at me and I gave him a full blown smile. He invited himself into this. Not my fault he couldn't mind his own business.

×~×

"What are you reading?" Tanya asked and I quickly locked my phone screen.

"What was it?" she proded.

"Nothing."

I couldn't tell her I was reading '10 ways to attract your crush'. I needed to prepare a long ass speech since I got nothing in this department. It was different with Rajeev because I was telling him how to be confident with girls from a girl's point of view. For Tanya, I needed to learn a few things about guys myself.

There were millions of articles and videos on this and I wondered if anyone actually watched all of this. Should I try some tricks myself to check before I told Tanya? I didn't want her to make a fool out of herself.

Hm? Let's find a target. I scanned the cafeteria for a prey. My eyes roamed around and stopped at a guy in a navy blue shirt. He was good looking. Let's do this.

I got up and Tanya asked me where I was going. I told her that I was going to the washroom and she nodded her head. She went back to her phone and I got in action.

Don't be nervous. Remember you were doing this for your friend.

What if he got impressed? That would be a problem though. Maybe he could be kind enough to reject politely. He didn't know me so I hoped something bad won't happen. I walked towards him and each step felt heavy. Come on, move your feet fast.

I tapped his shoulder and he turned towards me. I gave him the best smile I had and batted my eyelashes. He tilted his head and asked me what I wanted.

"Hi! You have lovely eyes," I said and felt like puking.

Was I really doing this? That article said if you complimented a guy he would really appreciate it. He did right?

"Um.... Thank you?" he said and looked at me in confusion. Okay. One step clear. I have got his attention.

"I am Sandhya," I introduced myself.

"I already know you."

"You do?" I was surprised.

He knew me? How? Whatever. It was good then. I wouldn't have much problem.

"Yes."

Okay, now step two. Ask him for his name while smiling like he was the reason behind it. Why were my knees shaking? Calm down already.

"What's your na-"

"Are you trying to flirt?" My eyes widened when Ved came and stood beside him. He glanced between us and I blinked rapidly. What was he doing here? He was ruining my plan.

"You chose the wrong guy. He is my friend," he said and they fist bumped.

"Just how many friends do you have?"

"You can't imagine," Ved said.

"Well, I was talking to him, so do you mind leaving?"

"Of course not. Why are you even asking?"

"We are busy. Can't you see?"

"Oh, is that so? I would be here then. I won't disturb you both. You can continue."

He smirked at me and I cursed under my breath. Don't panic. Carry out the plan. Would he just stop smiling? He was waiting for me to make a fool out of myself, wasn't he? I turned to my target but couldn't get a single word out of my mouth.

What was I supposed to say? I reviewed the article in my mind and got all the points jumbled up. I looked at Ved and he motioned with his head to go on.

"If you aren't going to say anything, can I leave? I have to go somewhere," Navy shirt guy said and I remembered I had to ask for his name.

"Oh right! I forgot to ask your name. What's your name?"

"Karthik."

"That's such a nice name," I complimented.

"You are doing really bad," Ved said and I glared at him. If only he wasn't standing here, I would have done much better. I guess.

"Don't disturb me. I will forget the points!" I shouted and both of them exchanged a look.

"What points?" Karthik asked and I pursed my lips. Shit.

"Nothing."

I fidgeted in my spot and thought of what to do now. They clearly heard it. What if they found out? Ved had ruined everything. It was going so well. It was, right? I glanced at my phone like it would answer it for me.

Ved snatched it from my hand and unlocked it. How did he know my password? He looked to his right. I turned my head and noticed he was looking at Tanya. Damn it. I tried to snatch my phone from him but he closed it and threw it at me.

"What was it?" Karthik asked and Ved waved off his question.

"Karthik, why don't you leave? You are getting late right?" Ved said and Karthik nodded his head.

He glanced at me for a second and left. My plan failed. What would I do now? I glanced at Tanya who was oblivious to all of this.

"That was a cheap trick don't you think?" Ved commented.

"What?"

"If you want to help your friends, make sure you don't hurt others."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"What were you planning to do with Karthik? You really like him?"

"Why should I answer you?"

"Because I have to remind you every time to not mess with my friends."

"FYI, I didn't know he was your friend and I was not messing with him."

"Then explain, what were you going to do after you asked for his phone number? Go on a date? Get in a relationship, use him and leave when your plan got over?"

"Of course not!"

"You think boys are easy, don't you? Just talk to them sweetly once and they will fall down to your feet?"

"You are blowing this out of proportion. I was just.... I was...."

"What? Can't come up with any excuses? Listen, Sandhya Rai. I don't care what your intentions were but I got to tell you one thing. Don't play with someone's feelings."

Say what?! He got the whole situation wrong. He can't accuse me of something I didn't do. How could he just blame me like that? I wasn't playing with Karthik's emotions for heaven's sake.

You were. Who said that? He is right. Who the hell is speaking?

Knock, knock. It's your conscience dumbhead.

Hey! Don't call me that. And if you are my conscience, you should be on my side. Why are you speaking against me?

What would you have done if Karthik showed interest in you? I know it is not possible but just imagine it.

Thank you so much for the compliment. I am not sure. I was hoping for him to just tell me his name and maybe exchange numbers. Nothing more.

But what if it went further than that? You would have hurt an innocent boy for your so called experiment. How would you have felt if someone did that to you?

Was it that bad? I was just doing it to help Tanya. I didn't want to cause trouble.

Yes. You were helping your friend but you could have thought of a different method instead of fooling around with a person you hardly knew. You don't get to hurt someone else just for your own benefit.

Okay. I was feeling guilty now. My approach was wrong. I had no intention of dating Karthik but still made a move just to verify that stupid article. Bad idea. Karthik must have bad impression of me now.

"Done talking to yourself?"

I forgot Ved was here too. He didn't hear what my conscience said right? Of course he didn't. He ain't got any superpowers. Right. I had nothing to say so I zipped out of there before Ved tortured me to more self guilt.

"You took too long. Are you having constipations?" Tanya asked.

"Constipations?"

"Really Sandhya? You went to the washroom 20 minutes ago."

"Oh right! Washroom. Yes I am having a little bowel problem."

"You should watch what you eat."

"Yes, mam."

I decided to ignore what internet had to offer as love tactics. I was not qualified for this. The only person who could help Tanya was Tanya herself. She was a confident girl. She would do whatever is right and at the right time.

I needed to understand where I could help my friends and where I couldn't. I couldn't be the hero everytime. It felt bad but I needed to accept it.

Okay. I would stop now before I dragged her down along with me. I was lucky Ved didn't tell Karthik or he must have felt disgusted with me. Girl or boy, no one liked being played like that. I should have thought it through. I had learned my lesson.

Now could my conscience just stop blabbering? I deleted that article from my phone and focused on my lunch. I hurriedly finished it before the bell rang. Tanya shook her head in disapproval.

Can anyone just agree with me once? No one? Not even my inner voice?