"Trust precedes love and love is a fruit of faith. This, my dear student, are words of wisdom, for you. Nimrit trusts you, has put her faith in you and cares for you. That is such a beautiful confession, Nivi. How could you not acknowledge her earnest words and just say "bye" to her?" Swarnima tried to explain to Nivedya what Nimrit must be feeling with his ignorance.
She muttered to herself, "Both the brothers are fools."

Nivedya heard Swarnima intently and shared the reason for his inability to judge Nimrit's feelings, "I don't know, Nim. She is full of surprises. She was so 'miss touch me not' when she came and ridiculed everyone. Now she is expressing her feelings so beautifully, how am I supposed to react? I don't even know how she will react?"

"Nivi, it's tough for girls who live with restrictions to just open up. Nimrit is very brave. She accepted what she felt for you, knowing very well, her father, might not like it. Trust me, there are girls who even if they want, can't say what they feel. Help her Nivi. Bring her out of her shell." Swarnima urged Nivedya to help Nimrit with such emotions that he could feel she was not just talking about Nimrit.

"Why are you so reserved Nim? Why do you hide yourself and your feelings?"

"Who said I hide my feelings? You irritate me so much and I am so vocal about it. Right now, I suggest you understand the girl who makes you smile and 'bother'. If you feel for her, make her feel that." Swarnima left with that suggestion.

Nivedya thought over it and prepared himself to fulfil the promise of answering questions his brother fired.

The first and direct question Abhedya asked him was, "Do you love her?"

"What I feel for her, I have never felt for anyone else," Nivedya told him honestly.

"You trust her?"

"I... Do."

"You have faith in your relationship?"

"Yeah,"  Nivedya answered in a 'duh' tone. "Trust precedes love and love is a fruit of faith," Nivedya repeated Swarnima's words.

"Who told this bullshit to you? Nim? She is a liar. She is a cheater. She is a... Don't listen to her." Abhedya showed his finger to Nivedya in a warning and walked out of the room in anger.

"Don't say that about Nim," Nivedya shouted back but Abhedya was away from his sight. He was just glad the question-answer session was brief.

Nimrit was lost after Nivedya left but like a good girl, she told her parents about his visit. Reet appreciated Nivedya's concern but Amber disapproved of his visit to their house when Nimrit was alone. He suggested to Nimrit to not open the door for him in the future.

"Amber, please. He was just worried for her so he dropped by to check on her. Didn't you do that too? You know Nimrit, in our college days, if I skipped a single lecture without telling him he would turn the world upside down to find me."

"I was madly in love with you. My worries were justified. That Singh boy is not. He is just a friend." Amber declared his love openly making Reet blush slightly and Nimrit thought her father was right. None of her friends called her but Nivedya dropped by to check on her.

"Nimrit, just don't listen to your father. Relax and go to sleep. I think you can go to school tomorrow?" Reet asked Nimrit and she kissed good night to her parents.

She didn't want to think about anything, anymore now. Her heart was filled with mixed emotions of love, care, concern, and annoyance.

Nivedya got up with a smile the following morning. He had special plans to cheer up Nimrit. She was on her period for the first time and he knew about the pain and mood swings women encounter during that time. Nandini had raised her sons as compassionate humans.

The students at the school were waiting for Nimrit more eagerly than the next season of  'Money Heist'. Shakti summoned Nimrit and Nivedya to her office before talking to any students. She asked Nivedya to tell Nimrit what he told everyone so that their stories match. Nimrit asked him why he didn't want anyone to know he saved her heroically.

"I don't want people to gossip about us. They will link us romantically and it will get awkward. So, it's better to avoid those details." Nivedya's reasoning made Nimrit sure that he didn't want his name to be linked with her because he didn't feel for her. 

"That's wise Nivi. I am just happy you both are safe. I have some good news for you all. The head of  Swarnbhoomi Palace has arranged an overnight camp for the two classes whose trip got spoilt because of a security breach. You will be trekking to the 'Red Cliff'. It's not open to the public as it's the private property of the royals but you all are welcome to visit there. An itinerary will be given soon." Shakti briefed them excitedly.

Nivedya rubbed his hands in excitement and exclaimed, "Wow! Ma'am. Overnight camping? This sounds like so much fun. I am all set."

"Ma'am I don't think my father will be comfortable sending me." Nimrit mentioned lacking the excitement.

"Oh! Don't worry about that. I will be there too along with the school prefect and other members of the student council." Shakti assured Nimrit and they left the principal's office.

"It's a school camp. Why won't your father allow it?" Nivedya asked Nimrit while walking to the class.

Nimrit didn't want to but for some reason, she found it easy to share her thoughts with Nivedya so, she revealed to him, "I have never stayed out in the night. After what happened last time he will be more worried and I don't want to increase his anxiety. I know he won't be able to sleep."

Nivedya kept one hand on Nimrit's shoulder casually and said, "Ask him to keep his faith in his daughter's trust."

Nimrit removed his hand and walked up ahead. Nivedya affected her and his casual gestures were beyond her understanding. The hand on her shoulder gave her unnecessary goosebumps.

The entire day Nimrit was occupied with various students asking her about her kidnap. She told what Nivedya told the students day before so no one got any scoop of gossip.

Nivedya could see Nimrit was tired by the end so when he finally found her alone, he went to her, "Hey," Nimrit forced a smile at him. "How are you doing? Tired? I hope you don't have any more pain now."

"I am fine, thank you," Nimrit replied and sat back in her seat.

Nivedya didn't say anything else because he could feel Nimrit was not in her best spirits. He postponed his special plan for her till the camp where he wanted her to come. He prayed that her father lets her come.

As if, God heard his prayer, Amber was more than ready to send Nimrit to the camp. He told her, "School trips teach you things beyond books. I have packed some food for your friends and you. Nimrit just take care of yourself."

"Yes, Nimrit. You are still on your period so don't exert yourself much. Though Shakti is there and she said there are separate arrangements for girls." Reet hugged Nimrit and squeaked, "So, first overnight trip sweetheart, yay! Enjoy it to the max."

Nimrit faked her excitement because she felt rejected by the boy she felt so intensely about. Barkha suggested Nimrit to take a break from her feelings and be free. Enjoy the trip and not think about Nivedya's mixed signals. The more Nimrit thought the more she felt agitated. Co-ed school mannerisms were confusing her. What's friendly and what's not, was so difficult to figure out. Unexplained anger was developing in her.

At the assembly ground of the Red Cliff, Students were being paired as per roll number again so, a teacher asked Nivedya, "Nivi, are you sure you want to pair with Nimrit?"

"More than sure, sir." Nivedya declared and held Nimrit's hand in his to show to the teacher. The students laughed at Nivedya's actions but Nimrit jerked his hand away.

"Don't give them a reason to gossip," Nimrit repeated his words in a sharp tone.

Nivedya countered, "Holding hands? That's no reason to gossip."

"Moving your thumb leisurely on my cheek is?" Nimrit retorted without thinking but her cheeks turned red in embarrassment.

"Can't say. Never tried. But I can." Nivedya's hand was reaching Nimrit's cheek but she shifted two inches away from him making him laugh. Collin gave a sly grin to him but Nivedya ignored it purposely.

Students began trekking and everyone was walking together. Some of the students were singing, some were talking and some were playing throwball. Nivedya and his friends did not let any student from class eight come near Nimrit. The two classes were together on a trip but at loggerheads with each other.

Raghav came to Nimrit and the two were talking and smiling while climbing up the cliff. Nivedya missed two catches because of his diverted attention.

Collin instigated Nivedya, "Bro, I think you should act before he steals our girl."

"Our girl?" Nivedya raised his brows. He was in no mood to entertain any more Nimrit fans.

"Your girl but our collective responsibility." Collin clarified putting his hand on his heart, but Nivedya threw the ball dismissing Collin's warning.

"Dude, I agree with Collin this time. Act before it's too late. You know Raghav is the perfect boy." Shawn who never spoke in anyone's matter suggested Nivedya making him think what was so special about Raghav?

"You have Janice, dude. Look at the way she looks at you. If Nimrit can make you feel 'J' (jealous) you can too. I have seen Nimrit go all 'Miss J' on the finale night." Collin advised Nivedya and he looked at Janice who gave him one of her best smiles.

Nivedya sensed Janice had a crush on him and he also knew it was not correct to play with anyone's feelings. But when he saw Nimrit hitting Raghav playfully, he fisted his palm tight and moved in Janice's direction. She was more than happy to flirt with Nivedya much to Nimrit's dismay.

The first love of young teenagers has a pattern only their hearts can understand. Getting jealous, and making the other feel jealous, are some games they enjoy playing.

Soon, they reached on top of the cliff where the tents and bonfires were arranged. The cliff had an overview of the city which mesmerised the students and teachers. A royal staff member from the Swarnbhoomi palace welcomed them and briefed them about the history of the cliff. It was kind of a horror story and some students seemed scared too.

The teachers asked students to choose tents and Nimrit thought she will be sleeping with Nivedya in the same tent because they were partners. But thankfully opposite-gender allotment did not happen. Students were given a choice to choose their partners, so Nimrit and Aashna decided to share a tent. Nivedya and Shawn partnered and ditched Collin because of his smelly socks.

After keeping their luggage inside, they gathered near the bonfire and were asked to sit in pairs. Nimrit was going where Nivedya was sitting when she saw Eklavya briefing a staff member.

She walked up to him and said, "Hello sir. I am Nimrit. I hope you recognise me?"

Eklavya affirmed with a nod.

"I am sorry I couldn't thank you properly the other day for relieving my pain. My leg is perfectly alright now. Thank you so much." Nimrit spoke so honestly and candidly that a rare version of a smile played on Eklavya's lips.

He just nodded his head and looked elsewhere. He was not sure of how to react to a little girl thanking him for something so basic. "Okay, bye." Nimrit touched his feet to pay her respect as a habit her parents inculcated in her. Eklavya was moved by her gesture for sure but he didn't let it show on his face. He was a rock who was supposed to be unaffected by anything.

'Not one more of your kind, Nim,' Eklavya whispered to himself and looked up above.

As soon as Nimrit reached the bonfire, Nivedya asked her what she was talking about with Eklavya.

"Thanking him," Nimrit replied without looking at him. She decided to ignore him as much as possible.

Janice raised a question to Shakti, "Ma'am, why does the school decide the pairs? Can't we choose who we wish to pair with?"

"To get pally with everyone. You sit and play with your set of friends every day so let's get to know someone new. This game we are about to play is one step in that direction. Alright, each of you will be given an adjective and you have to say five sentences about your partner using that adjective. For example, if your adjective is, funny and your partner is Collin, you can even write an essay." Shakti's example made everyone laugh.

Each student was given a chit and when Nimrit read the adjective she got, she knew it will be a do-or-die situation for her. If it meant death, she will speak the truth before she died.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Readers
Do you remember yourself at 14 years old? Did your crush's mixed reaction bother you too?
If yes, and if you wish to share that experience/incident or just think about it and smile, feel free to do so.
Any idea what is Nimrit's word?

Stay hooked and find out in the next chapter.
Lots of love!