|| Hard days like old times ||

-----

It's been two weeks since there is no secret message conversation between Lasya and Shravas. It's like maybe both of them were too stubborn to initiate a message even if it's in a friendly form.

It's been planned by Shravas that he will stay away from Lasya since she wanted this but he deeply knows the reason why she is not giving him a chance as she is scared, what if she won't reciprocate his feelings thus in the process breaking his heart.

On the other hand, Lasya was eagerly waiting to get loved, to be in love but her fear doesn't seem to allow her to get involved. So she ignores her admirer and requests him to stop all the building hopes of love and decides to concentrate more on her studies.

She doesn't want to come in such a situation, where her love would have to choose between her and his status. It's better to stay away from so-called love. She has Ritchie, and she plans to stay content for life.

---

One day, as usual, Lasya boarded her college bus and settled in her seat across from the driver. After a minute, her friend Nihi joins and they start chatting about something they did over the weekend.

The bus came to a halt at Shravas's stop and he got into it.

"Hey, good morning girls", Shravas greeted them with much excitement while taking his seat behind them. It's been his usual spot just to watch his Lasya this close. At least he could get to take her scent if not her heart.

Nihi and Lasya turned to him and wished 'morning' with smiles.

"Hey Lasya, I have checked some topics for the paper we are going to present. So if you wish to look upon it, I will hand over the selected topics", He then searched his bag to retrieve the list of topics.

Lasya was eagerly waiting to look over the topics he has chosen for the event.

"Here it is", He forwarded the list to her and while doing so, his arm brushed against hers, and this was lot enough for Lasya as it was sending weird tremors all over her body. He also felt some unknown sparks when his skin touched hers tickling him inside.

She looked at him and they had a small eye lock for a second. They were just staring at each other with some unknown emotions conversed in their eyes.

It seems like telepathy paved the way for their moment. Their intense eye lock was broken by none other than her friend Nihi.

Lasya's cheeks started to deepen their color due to embarrassment since her friend caught her staring at him. She shyly looked away, turning from him back to her usual composure after taking the list from his hand.

---

'oh God, what was that? Why did I shiver when his fingers touched my body? I never felt like this way before, then why now?' she thought mentally groaning.

'Like! you were very near to a man before! Her inner voice mocked with an evil grin'

She shook her head to get rid of such ridiculous thoughts away from her brain.

He internally smirked seeing his effect on her. But he scolded her friend mentally for disturbing their sweet moment.

He leaned onto her nape and took in the intoxicating fragrance she was emitting.

Her hair and body smelt like a combination of vanilla and sandalwood which turned him on at the instant.

She shivered under his closeness and with trembling fingers, she flipped over the pages of topics he has given, but the truth is that she didn't give any interest to the list he has given instead to him and his closeness.

"If you have other topics in your mind, you can add them, and later in the evening, we shall discuss which to select and what to expect? Okay, Lasya?" He whispered while touching her earlobes with his lips as in the way of talking, just causing her to squirm in the seat.

Because she knew the feeling she is now experiencing is very new to her and she didn't believe her words at the moment thinking it might betray her succumbing to his teasing. So she just nods her head in agreement.

He smirked seeing her and pulled himself away from her because not only for her, their closeness and her actions affected his body and mind as well.

"Hey La, why are you sweating? Are you okay?" Her friend Nihi asked with concern lacing in her tone.

Only if, only if Nihi, would know!

Shravas couldn't control the laughter seeing Lasya like that but he controlled not to show any of his emotions since he doesn't want to get caught and let her friend know about it.

He always wanted to maintain a secret about their relationship or those tiny whiney feelings that are developing.

"No... nothing. I. I am fine", Lasya stuttered for the first time due to the havoc caused by their proximity.

Nihi looked at her as if she has grown two horns on her head. She shook her head in disbelief and gave her a tissue to wipe off the sweat beads that formed on her forehead.

Lasya took the tissue and started wiping off the sweat. While doing this, her hands were continuously shaking as if she is frightened.

Nihi's phone started ringing and she was busy attending to the call.

Lasya thanked the Lord for letting her escape from her friend's questionnaire. 

Meanwhile, Shravas came very close to Lasya once again and whispered huskily in her ear.

"Why are you sweating this much?", Shravas asked innocently but mentally he was playing a big shot.

"What?", gasped Lasya as she couldn't think what to answer or ask back.

"Does my proximity affect you? Cause I truly didn't know that I affect you this much" Her breath hitched as if she forgot how to breathe for a minute. She slowly turned her face to look at him to see, him smirking at her.

How she wished to wipe that smirk from his oh-so-lovely handsome face! But couldn't do anything at the time as they are on the moving bus.

"Wh..what are you talking about?" She asked looking everywhere but him. He sighed and whispered once again.

"You know what I meant. Why are you sweating this much when it is raining heavily outside?" He asked arching his eyebrows with curiosity and a goofy smirk appeared on his face.

"Um...uh...I will check the topics in the class and will inform you in the evening. Now please let me sit comfortably. So, leave me alone" She said changing the topic and requesting him to let her free from his closeness by placing her puppy face upfront.

He let out a chuckle and nodded his head positive. "Okay, if you say so."

There were some minutes of silence and she started going through the list. He made himself busy playing games on his mobile. She highlighted some topics that seem to be very important for the upcoming event.

'oh God, how did I stutter? What's happening to me when he is this close? Why is everyone keen on getting me on their nerves these days? Oh God, my mind is being polluted now. I guess I should start my meditation for a calm mind. But what was that? When he was very near, my heart was beating as if it has found its mate. Gosh, what am I saying?' she avoided such thoughts that were evading her calmness her mind while reading the topics.

---

Inside the classroom, Lasya was writing something in her notebook whereas others were busy chatting.

One of the classmates came in front and started talking about some game.

"Hey, we have a free period now. Since the teacher is also not there, can we play a game?", he asked.

Lasya's ears perked up after listening to the word game!

It's been so long since she has played something like this in the class and it will do good for her, especially during these times when she is under continuous stress. 

"Well of course. What's the game?", Lasya asked closing her notebook?

"Ok, we shall play dumb charades. We shall split the teams into two. One of the opponent players will come and in-act the word. The other one has to guess and thus score a point. What say?", one of the classmates asked. 

Everyone chorused, 'yes' and they started indulging in the entertainment for a short time. While they were playing,  some seniors came in between - 

"Well well, what's going on here?", Santhosh, a third-year senior asked with amusement dancing in his eyes. 

Lasya was feeling all shy, all again as she felt Shravas nearby. She knew his scent and it was killing all the insanity within her. She wanted to look at him as she knows he was already looking at her. But she didn't dare to look up, especially at him. 

"Hey, you tell me", Santhosh pointed to a student and asked him to reply. 

"Well since this was a free period, we thought to play a game and hence we are at dumb charades", the student replied firmly. 

"Ok, don't worry guys. He is just asking. Please be cool and we are not here to rag or put you all intense mode. Please understand that. We have an announcement to make so we are here", Shravas conveyed pretty quickly interrupting Santhosh and nudging him to continue. 

'Yeah, so the thing is - Our college football team is going for the district tournament. We all want you guys to wish them at the auditorium today as we have arranged a meeting for them. So by sharp 4 please visit them and send your wishes. They will be good to receive as many wishes as it comes to them since it will give them a boost to perform well in the upcoming tournament", Santhosh finished heaving a sigh. 

"Sure. We will be there", the class representative replied smilingly. 

"and thank you guys", saying this senior dispersed from the class. Shravas looked at Lasya. He had a smile on his face as he knew why she didn't look at him and it did make him smile more. 

"We are soon going to be crazy", thought Shravas and went away from there.

All the while Lasya didn't look at Shravas for why she didn't understand. But she knew something is not right with her especially when he is around. She has started noticing the change within her and she is scared to feel this way.

After some time, Lasya was bored with the game. Likewise everyone. So they started spending some time by themselves. During this time, Lasya made herself busy exploring the topics from the list given by Shravas in the morning. She selected 3 topics that she felt were very important these days as they might help them and their colleagues to reach a new level on a national basis. She collected the important points from the internet and saved them for later purposes. 

In between, she thought about Shravas and the thought itself made her squirm in her seat. 

Why is she acting this way? 

He is her senior, isn't he?

They are not even friends, just have a senior-junior relationship even though they are bus mates too. But when did she start thinking about him and all this new way she is behaving when he was around was all making her nervous and weird. 

"I should stop thinking about him or I will go crazy", Lasya chuckled lowly. 

"What happened La? You seem to be in good mood all of a sudden?", Pooja enquired. 

"Oh, nothing Poo. Just thinking about Ritchie and the things he does lately", there she successfully diverted her mind. 

"Aww, how cute. Tell me more. What did he do?", Pooja couldn't stop pestering her for more information as they got nothing to do.

"Nothing yaar, he is just being too clingy these days. When I open the door, he starts jumping on me and starts to lick saying he missed me and whatever I do, say for example if I am cooking in the kitchen, he would stick to my legs and get settled there itself letting his fur caress me. Like that, always clingy and won't leave me alone for a minute whenever I am at home. That's Ritchie for you", finished Lasya with a sigh. 

Pooja let out laughter and made fun of her. Nihi also joined them. Thus the thoughts of Shravas flew away like a speck from Lasya's mind. 

That's what she thought so! 

----

Their day went with attending nonstop lectures and finishing the lab work along with attending the college meeting with the football team. 

The meet and greet with their football team was equally a fair event for the footballers as well as the college students as the auditorium was full with all the students giving them their wishes. Lasya enjoyed the meeting and the whole ambiance made her forget all her worries meanwhile. 

After the meet and greet, they hurried to the lab for completing the pending programs. As they were running down the algorithms, 

--

"Hey Lasya" her friend Pooja called out from the adjacent computer cabin and she had an instant smile appearing on her face listening to the excitement held in her voice.

Lasya turned to her side with a questioning look on her face. 

"How about we go and have a cup of coffee? It will help you and your overworking brains to think a little calmly and fast. So you could run it more smoothly than ever. What say? Are you in?" Pooja battled her eyebrows to create a look that instantly melts her heart.

Lasya smiled at her and gave her a thumbs up. 

"Yup, I guess I need a very urgent coffee now. Did you ask Nihi? Is she coming?" She looked around to see where Nihi is sitting.

Pooja found her in a minute. "I found her. Wait a minute, let's see if she is interested." 

Lasya nods at her.

Pooja wrote something on a small chunk of paper and made it into a small paper ball. Then she threw at Nihi.

Baffled Nihi, let out a huge gasp which echoed throughout the lab hall. Luckily nobody seemed to be interested in looking at it.

Lasya covered her mouth hearing the gasp from her friend whereas Pooja let out a small chuckle for which she got an irritated look from her friend Nihi.

Nihi quickly looked for the thing which made her heart rise. She opened and read the small message contained in it.

'hey Nihi, let's go to the Oja, Lasya.'

Reading this, Nihi turned to their side and gave them a thumbs up. They kept the program on hold and went out for a while. 

Nihi looked at them and sent a wink. Within 5 minutes, three of them were out of the lab and started chit-chatting while walking to the canteen. Pooja got a slight smack on her head for the stunt she pulled out a few minutes before in the lab. 

While walking, 

"Back in the auditorium, it was a nice meet and greet. I was happy to know the college team and I enjoyed it thoroughly, especially the questions that were asked them. What about you guys?", Nihi asked as she snaked both arms around her friend's waist who was on her left and right. They were on their way to the college canteen. 

"Yup, it was interesting", Pooja retaliated with a smile, "What about you La?"

"Oh well it was good but please I am too hungry to even notice the right route to our canteen. Please feed me urgently, Bunnie and Poo", Lasya cried out. 

"See, my idea never fails", Pooja boasted for which neither of them let out a chuckle. 

"Now, let's hurry", Lasya whined. 

Pooja and Nihi chuckled lowly and chorused together, "Ok, now let's get something for your tummy"

----

Soon they reached and placed an order for a cup of cappuccino with a Mexican sandwich. Within 10 minutes, they started digging into the delicacies. 

"Guys, we need to catch up sometime this weekend. We haven't had a get-together outside the college. So what do you think?", Pooja asked wiggling her eyebrows. 

"That's a good idea Poo not that I am denying this idea but I won't be able to meet up with you guys for a few days as I am busy preparing the topic that I have to present for a national meeting. I can't spare any free time at the moment, I am sorry. Please understand. But I promise after the event, we shall hang out often", Lasya replied with guilt.

Nihi wrapped her arms around her shoulders in understanding, "It's ok. We know you will be busy in one way or another. We know about your life. It's just that we want you to enjoy everything from now on. But yeah, we agree after the event we shall hang out often". 

Lasya had unshed tears in her eyes. "You guys are the best thing that happened to me in my life. I owe you my life, my friends. Oopsie, my two best friends", Lasya wiped her face with the tissues and added, "Being there for me itself makes me happy friends. Thank you for being there for me"

"Okay now no more emotional talks, please. Sorry, I can't lose my makeup now", Pooja tried to cheer her up. 

Nihi and Lasya looked at each other and laughed together murmuring, "Silly girl" 

After they relished and praised their tummies, they started walking back to the lab talking and laughing.

They were walking at high speed as they don't want their teacher to know their little sneak out. So all of a sudden, Lasya was hit and winced in pain hitting her forehead badly. She opened her eyes to look at what it is and a gasp escaped from her mouth.

There he is, Shravas standing in his glory with a concerned smile. 

She was smashed to none other than Shravas's chest.

'day, he is manly. God, what is his chest made of? My forehead is paining like a real hell. Didn't I see him coming?' she thought while rubbing her forehead.

"Oops, sorry Lasya. I didn't see you coming. Did you hurt yourself?" He asked worry itching in his voice. She felt bad for him.

"Nope, I am alright." She said emphasizing the letter 'p'. "Well, I also didn't see you coming. It's okay." She smiled at him.

"Okay, if you say so" He leans to her ear and silently whispers "but I know my muscles would have hurt your forehead. Cause I am strong, to be frank" She gulped the lump that formed in her throat due to their proximity and let out a nervous smile that didn't reach her ears.

"Are you okay La?" Nihi checked her forehead and made sure it was not hurt or bruised.

"Don't you have any eyes? Where were you looking while you walked?" Pooja started yelling at him. Nihi asked her to be quiet and patted her back calming her down.

"It's okay Nihi. I am sorry Pooja. I told you that I didn't see her coming so, yeah I am sorry." He held his hands out to his ears and hold them in a way asking for their apology.

Pooja had the guts to talk like that because he is her senior still she didn't pay any heed to it. All she wanted was her friend to be safe and happy always. She didn't like the tears or any concerned face that Lasya wears. 

Lasya had a contented smile on her face seeing his cute actions. She thought he is indeed cute then. "It's okay." She said to him and pulled away from his proximity. Later she dragged her two friends away from him and moved toward the lab.

Shravas was looking at her retreating figure and sighed heavily by rubbing his nape.

----

I hope you all enjoyed the update. Please do leave a vote on this chapter. It would mean a lot to me. Thank you again until next time.