Hey guys there is a video along with the collage above don't miss that

It's been a month since he last called me. His last visit was during my semester holidays and 3 months have passed since then. To say that I am happy would be the biggest understatement of the year. I am more than happy. I am free. I feel like a bird, which escaped from a cage that held it captive for years together. I know this happiness, this freedom isn't permanent. I know my harsh reality will come back crushing me anytime soon. But I won't let my fears of tomorrow ruin my today. I promised myself to keep aside all my past memories, to forget all the future worries and to LIVE in this pleasant present. And that's exactly what I am doing right now. This whole month, a smile has always adored my face. I feel like I am back to being my true self again, the crazy, naughty, bubbly and fun loving self. Even my college friends have noticed this change in me and my behaviour.

"Hey Girls! Let's hit the canteen" Sana said breaking my chain of thoughts .I looked at her, Rashitha (Rashi) and Ragini(rags), my friends who kept me sane even at my most helpless moments, who stuck by me at all times from day one.

Rashi was in my final year class in high school, then coincidently and to my luck we both ended up in CMI taking the same major, Mathematics. The high school I studied in, unlike my previous one, was packed with book worms and mark aimers, most of whom had nothing to do with gaining knowledge and understanding what they were learning, if it didn't fetch them marks. Those students were only concerned with important questions and scoring the highest marks possible. They saw the few like me who were there for just knowledge and were not much mark cautious as aliens and treated the same. Rashi belonged to the few who were in for both knowledge and marks. Unlike the others of her category, she was kind and tried to stick by me. We weren't exactly friends but we always looked out for each other. When we bumped into each other at the college, she was more than happy to find that we both were in the same department too. Ever since then she has been my close friend.

Later that day, we both met Sana and Rags in our classroom and instantly became friends and always stuck together ever since.

Only a few weeks from the first day at college, they had smelled that something was wrong. They had confronted me but I had put on my best fake smile and had assured them that everything was fine. Of course, they didn't believe me but Rashi had told them to let it pass and they never again questioned me about anything I didn't want to share. They didn't know what was wrong but they had figured out that I was going through a painful phase in my life and did every little thing in their power to help me feel better. Last year was way better than the previous ones inspite of the increased agony in life, all thanks to these three musketeers and the love and care they showered me with, not leaving out the light hearted and fun moments I got be a part of, because of them.

"What about our next class? Don't forget it's our H.O.D's" Rashi glared at her.

"This morning, I heard her say that there is an important meeting at 11:00....."

"And it's exactly 11:00 now, so she won't be here anytime now!!!" I exclaimed cutting Sana in the middle.

"Exactly" Sana said bubbling with enthusiasm.

"But we are not allowed to roam around during class hours" said the ever careful Rags

"We can always sneak out Rags" Sana said

" Rags, Sana is neither gonna drop the idea nor is she gonna leave us here. So let's not waste the time in reasoning with her. Come on Macy, lead the way" Rashi said getting up from her seat.

Sana gave her a 'you- guys- are- boring' look and followed me to the door. Soon Rashi and Rags tagged behind. Once at the door I crouched a bit took a step but immediately stopped hearing Sana, " jing jijing jing jijing".

I turned my head to look at her and asked "What the hell is that?"

"Background music darling. Go ahead" she said motioning her hands.

I rolled my eyes at her and turned towards the door. I peeked out to make sure our route was clear. The left corridor which is the way to the canteen was clear. I turned my head to check the right corridor, and found a group of girls and boys standing. They all had their backs facing me, so I couldn't see their faces. But I could easily say that they weren't from our college. They were also blocking the whole view. This whole time Sana kept singing her 'background music'. Suddenly she increased her volume in the funniest way possible that I couldn't help but let out a chuckle. Probably on hearing me, the girl in the white and grey top was about to turn when someone pulled me back in.

"What!!??" I gave Sana, an irritated look, who was still holding my hand.

"How long will you take? Is the route clear?"

"Left one is clear. But there is group of boys and girls on the right blocking my view"

"That's weird, given that all our college boys are on strike" Rags said with a confused look on her face.

"I never said they were from our college" I shrugged.

"Fine. Then these guys will hide us from whoever is standing on the other side of the right corridor. So let's move."Sana pushed me towards the door.

We crouched a little and moved out slowly and Sana started her 'background music' again. I just rolled my eyes and moved forward. I didn't even spare a glance at the right corridor and kept moving to my left. I could clearly sense that Sana had successfully attracted unwanted attention from the group with her 'background music'. So I didn't dare look back and once we reached the first pillar we straightened up and walked slowly but stopped in our tracks when we heard...

"Masoom, Sana, Rashitha, Ragini stop right there" our H.O.D Dr.Juliet's voice boomed along the whole corridor.

I closed my eyes and face palmed for listening to Sana who was muttering curses under her breath.

"I thought, you said The Godzilla had a meeting" whisper yelled Rashi.

"That was what I heard" Sana said in the same tone as Rashi.

"Turn around girls" We all forced a tight lip smile, obeying the Godzilla.

On turning around I saw the group was now facing us while some of them were controlling themselves not to let out a chuckle. 'Damn. Getting insulted in front of strangers. What an amazing way to start a day!!' I thought.

"Where were you all headed?" The Godzilla threw her first question.

"Mammm....." I couldn't really think of anything.

"Mam restroom" "To the department mam" Sana and Rashi said at the same time. Rags gave them a 'you-guys-are- unbelievable' look. 'Dead!!!This Godzilla is so gonna kill us today.' I thought.

"Acutually mam I and Sana were headed to the restroom and Ragini was gonna accompany Rashitha to the department" I poured out, mentally biting my nails.

"whatever" Godzilla just shoved it off without even minding the fact that the department was in the exact opposite direction. That's strange. But that surely means that she has something else, something really big, going in her mind. What the hell could it be..

"Masoom, I have something important for u" she started answering my unasked question. "Do you remember me mentioning the STudent Exchange Program?"

"Yeah mam" I was confused as to what it had to do with me.

"The group of seven students behind me is here for the 'STEP'" I glanced behind her to find them, a few steps back, now engrossed in some discussion of their own. "They will be in our department and since they are all second year students they will be in your class. Today is their first day and they will be here for a while."

"Do you want us to show them in?" Sana asked confused.

"That you will have to. But I have some more responsibilities for you girls" She said pointing me, Sana and Rashi. Before we could interrupt, she continued "Look, while they are here we will want someone to guide them, get along with them, learn about them and their college. Most importantly monitor them and make sure that neither they get into troubles nor they cause any. In short a very friendly incharge"

"And where exactly do we come in?" though I almost got what she wanted from us, I wanted to be sure before I reject.

"I want you to be in charge Masoom" I opened my mouth but she cut me off "They are from St.Teressa University, Maharashtra. So I had a checkbox for knowing Hindi as well, while checking the traits for being the inchrage. It is so the one can help them in case of language problems. And keeping everything in mind you are selected. Sana and Rashitha will help you in this since they can talk in Hindi too or you can have these two help them and just monitor the whole lot. You can do it whichever way you want to do, but I want it done."

"No way mam" Sana squealed " I am not getting into this. Pls mam"

I gave her a look and then turned towards our H.O.D "You know what mam, I learned Hindi, but Sana actually lived in the north, so I think she would be best suited for this job"

Sana widened her eyes at me 'I will help you' I mouthed. Our H.O.D's voice made us look at her "I know who will be best for which job, now you girls are going to stop arguing and get on with the work assigned to you. No changes." We opened our mouth to talk but she just continued saying "No more arguments too. Do this if you want to get a perfect internal score"

That was the end of any argument we had in mind, coz we knew, that wasn't an offer but a threat that she would deduct our internal marks if we didn't do this.

"We don't even know where to start" Rashi was the first one to find her words.

"I can help with that, follow me" The GODZILLA just motioned her head and walked towards the group.

"Sana was sooooo right to give her that nickname." I said turning towards the three, irritated. "Damn! She always gets her work done one way or the other" Rashi stomped her feet. "Well I think I am free from her clutches for now" Rags winked and we glared at her.

"Girls!!" Godzilla called out and we followed her, while rags made her way to the classroom . Once we were near the gang they noticed us and turned around.

"Students, she is the student in charge of monitoring and guiding u guys" she said pointing me "And they will also be helping you during your time here" she said pointing Sana and Rashi. She was going to say something when a staff called her and she left saying she will be back in a moment and told all of us to introduce ourselves.

The girl in a grey skirt and creamy white full sleeve top came forward "Hey girls" she started gaining our attention "Let me introduce myself and my friends first."

I gave her smile that told her to continue. "I am Hannah Tores. Call me Han" she said extending her hand with a smile on her face.

I shook her hand which was as soft as a rose petal and to be honest she wasn't any less beautiful than the flower itself.

"This is...."she started pointing towards the girl in the white and grey tee when the girl herself cut her off "I am Tara Singhania. Call me Tara."

I could feel a strong wave of confidence emerging from her. Her voice was a bit authoritative, yet I could somehow tell that she was not one of those 'I am the best of the best and you are all nothing in front of me' kind of girl carrying an imaginary crown on her head. Infact I was starting to like her.

"Hey, I am Ajay Joshi" the guy in a black full sleeve tee with white stripes said shaking my hands and bringing me out of my mental judging zone.

"That's his full name but he goes by A.J and by the way I am Ashwin. The coolest, strongest and the most handsome guy in the gang" the guy in a plain brown v neck tee said winking at us.

"And the most stupid one too" Tara rolled her eyes. Ashwin shrunk his lips and glared at her. Trust me he was being a lot more funny than scary. And I bet I saw Rashi and Sana biting their inner cheeks to not let out a chuckle.

"How dare you glare at me. Wait you said something about being the strongest one. Wanna prove?" Tara said bringing her balled fist in front of his face.

Ashwin at once gave her a bright smile literally showing all his pearl white teeth, as if he was modeling for a tooth paste advertisement. He patted her fist and slowly pushed it back towards her saying "Chill Tara, I said the strongest guy not the strongest one. Why waste your energy in a fight we all know you would obviously win? Right guys". He hopefully looked at his friends for them to agree with him.

But on the contrary, "Strongest guy, Huh?" A.J and a guy in a green and black striped tee said placing a hand on either side of his shoulders, giving him a challenging look.

Poor guy looked at them both putting on an innocent look and his best puppy eyes. Bad luck! Nothing seemed do work on them. He sighed and shoved their hands looking back at me he said

"You know what... just scratch the Strongest, Ok"

That was it, I couldn't hold any longer and laughed out loud. I immediately tried to control it seeing him trying to glare.

Note it trying.

It wasn't like his expression was helping me control either. Who am I kidding here? I wanted to laugh more loudly pointing at his face, that's how his expression was.

"I am really sorry, Ashwin. I just couldn't help" I said trying to control my laughter. Again note it trying.

"Its ok... Just call me Ash and yeah you look really beautiful when you smile and cute when you laugh" He said giving me a genuine smile.

"That's another one of his specialty...flirting." The guy in the green and black tee said making me chuckle and Sana and Rashi to laugh out loud. "Well I am Alex D'Souza. You call me by my first name" He said shaking my hands.

"And this is...." Ash started making way for the girl in a maroon printed ¾ sleeve top.

"Ruhanika Mehta. You can call me Ruhi" She said giving me a warm smile reflecting her eyes which gave out a warm feeling, but the pinch of sadness and fear in her eyes she was trying to mask didn't go unnoticed by me.

"And the last one, who is also our captain is...." Started Ash but Tara cut him off.

"He will introduce himself. Call him A.J"

"Hey captain" A.J called out to someone who was a few steps away from us. The whole gang in front of me was blocking my view, so I couldn't even get a glance of who it was.

"What is it A.J?" came a voice from behind them. My eyes went wide as a saucer.

'It was his voice! Was it really him? Is he really here?' My thoughts were faster than a bullet train. But my very reasonable brain slapped me hard, back to reality. 'It is not possible. How could it be him? Maybe you are just hallucinating. May be you just missed him so much that u have started hearing things.'

"Come introduce yourself" A.J called him out loud.

"Just a minute. Let me end this call. It's our professor" Again came the voice.

This time I knew for sure that neither was I hallucinating nor was I hearing things. I could recognize his voice even in a crowd. But still I couldn't believe my ears so I slid to the side to could get a clear view. And I froze at the spot...... It was his voice. It was him. It really was him, standing there looking at a paper, busy on a call.

Those blueish grey eyes...those jet black hairs gelled at the back leaving a bit messy front...that perfectly lean physique which had hardened a bit, seems he's been working out a lot lately...yeah, he had grown up a bit, ok fine a lot, in these past 4years, I bet he is 6'5 now and his skin tone had become a bit dark, he is still fairer than most people here nevertheless, and his features had also gained a bit of dark look ,still I can easily recognize him.

I was still debating in my mind if this was all just a dream. I didn't and couldn't take my eyes off him. He was too busy on the call and when he hung up after a few seconds, he walked towards us his eyes glued to the phone.

He halted near A.J and that's when I realized I had been holding my breath till now. I breathed slowly, very slowly as all my memories and fears came back crushing my promise into pieces I fear I wouldn't be able put back together with him around.

His eyes still on the phone, he spoke, "Hey guys I am...." "Abhimanyu" said my heart and moved his lips, at the same moment.

Pic Collage on top is of the outfits of Han, Tara, Ruhi, Alex, Ash, Ajay (Clockwise from left)

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