"You gotta be kidding me?"

The days passed by and soon Friday came in. Today is an important day for Lasya, Shravas, and all other students of RV college as there is a very important paper presentation competition that is going to be held.

Lasya's phone pinged for a second and she checked it before going inside the venue hall where the competition is being held. She had a smile seeing the message.

"Hey, my little hearts,
Wishing you all the best and I know you will be the winner of the day! So don't forget to thank me later. I miss you, my love. I am soon going to come in front of you cause it's high time to come face to face. Because
I love you!
Your admirer"

She jumped out in happiness and hugged her friend, Nihi tightly. She asked her 'what happened?' but to her dismay Lasya just shook her head with a smile embarrassed at her act.

She replied to him with a happy heart.

"Aww, thank you so much for being there as my support. And you love me? Oh God, it's too much to handle now. I don't know if I am ready to meet you. Let's see. Well bye for now. Take care."

Clicking the send button, she quickly switched off her phone. She went inside the venue and settled herself along with her group of friends and other participants.

Lasya has prepared well with a less number of slides with much content. Shravas also has prepared his slide accordingly and they somehow both made it to the final round of the competition.

Lasya had a paper related to how well this cloud supports the confidentiality of the data stored in social media/business transactions.

Whereas Shravas on the other hand went to chose the topic of how to face detection protects from integrity.

They presented their papers when they got their turn and it went out well for both of them.

Both of their topics were out of the blue ones and got much appreciation. They were on cloud nine.

Some students did well and as it's difficult to give the award to all of them, the judges chose the best five.

So, there were 5 students on the top list and to know the best, they decided to have a rapid-fire round so that the student scores maximum will be the winner and the second highest will be the runner up. As knowledge is much important.

"Wonderful La. You did it my sweetie", Nihi embraced her lovingly.

"Aww La, that was a perfect presentation", Pooja declared happily.

"Aww, thank you, guys. I just gave my best. But there were others whose was the best compared to mine. But don't know, maybe I was lucky today as they selected me as the top student", Lasya said shrugging her shoulders.

After some time, "These top 5 students please take a seat over the podium and we shall have a rapid-fire round to know who is the real winner", one of the MCs announced.

"Go, take a seat over there", Nihi pushed her to go to the stage and they mouthed all the best.

"Lucky enough to have these friends", Lasya smiled contentedly as she moved towards the stage.

Lasya was not surprised when she came to know that one of the other contestants was Shravas. She knew he will be selected as he is too talented for his good. He has brains unlike certain boys of this age.

Shravas came and sat at the other end of the podium so he could look at her.

Lasya upon seeing him waved her hands like a kid. Shravas smiled at her childish nature.

"Oh God, hope I can get through this round", Lasya silently prayed.

"Please God, do grant the wish whatever Lasya has asked you to", Shravas prayed internally looking at her.

Lasya took a seat in the left corner of the podium and waited for others to join her.

-

"Ok, we will ask questions. Whoever knows the answer please do answer and whoever gets the maximum will be the winner", MC announced.

Soon there was the rain of technical questions and Lasya answered almost each one of them leaving others in a daze.

Shravas has raised an eyebrow looking at her while she went on answering her questions. She scored 9 of 10 questions correctly.

There were huge rounds of applause for her and next Shravas was asked by his set of questions and he could answer almost 7 out of 10.

Others didn't make up for them thus declaring Lasya as the winner and Shravas as runner up.

"The winner is Lasya Sharma. Congratulations dear" said the main chief guest of the event ( 'BI-VION' - STATE LEVEL TECHNICAL PAPER PRESENTATION, RV COLLEGE BANGALORE) giving her certificate of appreciation, an event first prize momento along with a whopping rs 5000 cash prize.

"Thank you sir", she took it from his hand with a huge grin on her face reaching her ears. She was indeed happy with her win.

She looked around to see her two friends - Nihi and Pooja. They waved at her smiling and showed her thumbs up giving her a you-made-it-girl look! In return, Lasya nodded and smiled at them.

She had tears that were scared to flow over her cheeks. She doesn't want to cry, she has done it loads before. Now is the time to enjoy every second of her life.

"The runner-up for the event is Shravas Anand. Congratulations." HOD announced and he went near her to collect his certificate of appreciation, a runner-up momento, and a cash prize of RS 2000.

Once they are all settled down, the HOD came in front and started giving the vote of thanks for the event.

"... ... ...so once again I thank all the participants and winners for making this event successful. Yes, there is one more very important matter to tell you. The winner and runner-up of today's event will get a unique chance of participating in the national technical paper presentation competition that is going to be held in Delhi Technological University with all the facilities. They just have to prepare a paper and present it. The transportation and accommodation will be taken care of. The national event is going to take place within 60 days. So be prepared and make us win at the National level. So Shravas and Lasya will represent our college from the southern zone and yes, I am very proud of them and all the best for their national event. Last but not least once again I am glad that the event is successful and wish everyone who has helped and participated in the event to make it successful", HOD completed the thanking speech giving them all the courtesy and getting down from the podium leaving Shravas and Lasya with a shock.

Shocked will be an understatement for the year as Lasya couldn't digest the fact she has won finally.

"You gotta be kidding me?" Lasya mumbled herself hearing the announcement.

She grinned like a Cheshire cat looking at her friends and ran to them for a bear hug.

They, her friends Nihi and Pooja giggled seeing her actions by tightly reciprocating the hug.

On the other side, Shravas's friends picked him up above and started shouting his name for the victory.

Lasya looked at Shravas and had a small eye lock where they talked using telepathic ways. He smiled at her and she returned it with a small grin.

"A trip with my love, wow. This has to be fantastic. I am going to fully utilize it. Damn, Oh, God! You are listening to me finally!", Shravas thought looking at her.

Shravas looked at Lasya for one last time before leaving the conference hall.

Lasya along with her friends were having a fun time eating their favorite delicacies and it's a treat for Nihi and Pooja from Lasya since she has won the event.

"Lasya, this is yummy", Pooja commented while eating her part of the blueberry muffin. "Thanks for the treat and also I wish you do your best in the upcoming national event." She continued

"Aww, mention not dear. You are my friend and I shall do anything for you guys", Lasya said while looking at nihi and Pooja lovingly. "Yeah, I am a little nervous but yes, will do my best to beat the others in Nationals"

"If I win, I will take you on a one-day trip", Lasya exaggerated.

"Aww... ", both of her friends cooed at her for her excitement.

"You are one lucky girl and Lasya, you got Shravas as your partner. I am damn sure you people are going to rock this national event and make us proud nationally." Nihi said while wiping her mouth off with the tissue from the sweet scrumbles spread across her lips.

Lasya nods her head in positive. "Yup, I too wish and Shravas is a very talented guy so yeah, I am hoping for something big to happen at Nationals." Lasya sipped her coke and finished the last piece of muffin. She let out a small burp which made her friends giggle. "Well, before that I need to discuss the topic we are going to choose for the paper and we have lots of work to do to make the best presentation for the event." She added huffily.

Looking at the watch, Lasya sighed thinking about her work. She is feeling tired with the job cause once she is back from college, she gets herself busy with the college work, later on, have to revise the chapters that her teachers have taught her at the class and then go to work at the supermarket. She returns home late at night all tired. She barely gets time to play with her Ritchie. So she decided to quit the last job she had to keep up with the income.

Seeing the worry in her face, Nihi inquired the matter of fact. Nudging her elbows while sitting on the bus.
"What Happened, dear? Why are you so worried?"

Lasya's thoughts were broken with her friend's question.

"Huh?"

She didn't hear her question so she just gazed at her with confusion.

Nihi sighed "hey, what's that matter which makes you worry this much?"

"Nothing yaar, it's just I was thinking about my messed up life. I don't know when will I have a proper stress-free life with full fun. I am planning to quit my job at a supermarket and I am giving my resignation today. Cause I am not getting enough free time for my Ritchie and myself either." Lasya replied with a heavy heart.

This was heard by Shravas who was sitting just behind them. He has his eyes closed due to the event stress. But he heard all her words.

"I understand Lasya. It's very difficult for you. But I am 100% sure that your life will be the best in the coming days. Just keep my word, and thank me later. Your life will be free from all the miseries and struggles. You will not have to work anymore like you are doing now", Nihi patted her shoulders hugging her sideways. "By the way, you already have very good savings, so I suggest that you will not regret quitting the job. You will have some time for yourself which you can enjoy since you were struggling in your life and more than that you can concentrate much more on your studies".

Lasya nodded and agreed with her.
"Yeah, I am quitting and I have decided that I will not go to work until I finish up my engineering course. I am going to concentrate much more on studies and yeah, I will enjoy myself now." She smiled at her friend. " Thanks for being there. You are very understanding and I am very lucky to have you as my friend Nihi."

Saying this she kissed on her cheeks for which her friend Nihi made a disgusting face. Lasya let out a giggle.

"You are my bunnies whom I can cuddle while I sit on the bus. You are so fluffy my bunnies." Lasya said and pulled her cheeks making her wince in pain.

Nihi is tall, has got body perfect for her height but a little fluffy on her arms and abdomen region which creates interest for cuddling. Lasya always cuddles her while sitting on the bus and Nihi feels happy as she takes care of her like a little sister.

Yes, Nihi is two years elder than Lasya cause she met with an accident two years ago for which she has to miss her classes then. She has to join back again from the first year and now she got an amazing friend whom she can treasure throughout her life. Thus not regretting the missing years.

"Don't do that. It hurts!" Nihi whined like a small child and slapped away Lasya's hands out of her cheeks.

Shravas had a good time listening to their talks. He couldn't stop the smile spreading across his face whenever he sees his love in good mood.

"Hey, girls, what's up with you two?" He tried to initiate a conversation.

Lasya was startled hearing his husky voice from behind. All her laughter subside down hearing him so close.

She can feel his breath on her nape. She gulped a lump formed down her throat with nervousness due to the closeness and its creating havoc throughout her body.

"Oh God, Shravas you, idiot. You scared us." Nihi complained.

Shravas chuckled.
"uh - oh I am sorry then. I was all here behind you two hearing all your banters since when I don't know. So couldn't stop from myself talking to you both. That's it. And did I scare you?" He asked innocently as if feeling bad for interrupting them from their talks.

"No no, It's okay Shravas. Hey, what happened? Are you not feeling well? You look stressed and...hm.. little messy." Lasya said while narrowing her eyes when she started checking out his facial features for any signs of discomfort.

"Nothing like that, I am fine. Thanks for asking anyway", He shook his head in negative. "Hey, by the way, congratulations on the win. Also, we will discuss the upcoming event next week. You enjoy your two days. Is that alright with you?" He asked.

Lasya could see some stress lines on his forehead and some wrinkles around his eyes due to tiredness. But didn't budge with him encouraging him to answer her questions. So she thanked him internally for changing the topic.

"Thank you", She replied giving him a smile that could make his heart beat faster. "It's alright, we shall discuss the details of the paper from next week. Yeah, I am going to enjoy this weekend."

Shravas gave her a thumbs up and mouthed 'enjoy'.

---

Nihi who was watching their conversation didn't forget to notice Shravas's expression changing constantly while talking with her friend, Lasya. She knew something is up with Shravas, like maybe infatuation with her friend. This Lasya is so dense when coming to talk about these things. Anyone who observes him will surely come to know he likes her. But Lasya has to be so formal with him always.

"If they got together, wow then I will be the happiest and my friend's life will be happiest", Nihi wished looking lovingly at them.

---