The second semester of second year and still the first day jitters didn't leave me. My ears ringed with holiday stories from Maya and Meera on either side. College has always been fun with these two.

"So my brother brought out this thick blanket and covered the pot, finally putting out the fire!" Meera finished, her hands interlinked with mine as we walked towards our block. We were fits of giggles, walking in the middle of the road like we owned the place.

"So," Maya smirked. "How'd the fried-rice turn out?"

"Oh, a bit of smoky texture and crunchy coal, but...," Meera started laughing her head off, unable to continue her own joke.

"Remind me to never be your taste tester," I added, unable to stop wheezing from laughter.

The walk wasn't too long but it wasn't reasonable either. We had gotten used to it by now, filling the journey with quirky stories and snarky comments. I don't know where I would've been in this college if it weren't for them.

"What about you, Lav?" Maya asked with a mischievous grin. "Anything special?"

I thought about my holiday, all the chaos and bustle of the wedding, and that annoying yet charming young man who is probably lurking around here somewhere.

"Just sister's wedding stuff," I shrugged. "Work, work and more work."

Maya and Meera mumbled in agreements, accepting how weddings could me exhausting.

Meera started recounting her holidays again and Maya told her's. It was funny how neither of us had a common origin yet got along so well. Meera was from Karnataka whereas Maya was from Kolkata.

"Important question!" Maya exclaimed, darting her hand out to block our paths, jolting us to a halt. "We all got the same classes with the same professors, right?"

"Yes!" Meera immediately replied with a grin.

Their eyes darted to me, putting me on spot. "Well..."

"Oh no," Meera muttered. "What. Did. You. Do?" Maya demanded.

"I got everything same as yours!" I exclaimed and quietened as I murmured, "Except one."

"What?!" Maya threw her hand up in exasperation. Meera looked at me with a sad smile because she knew that there is no way I'm escaping the wrath of Maya.

"I didn't have a proper network connection!" I yelled back, pleading for her to understand. Maya gave me one of her signature looks, yet linked her hand in mine and started walking, making me grin at her silent approval. Meera linked her hand too and we walked again, joking about everything and nothing.

The huge white building with numerous windows came into view-- the computer block. The three of us stood, taking in the sight as if it were the first time.

"This is it!" we all giggled, stomping our feet rapidly in an attempt to shed off the nerves. "Let's go!"

"We pulled each other towards the building, half running, half jogging, completely exhausted.

Just as we were about to head into the main door, I froze as I heard a voice.

"Is everything alright?" Meera asked, concern lacing her voice.

"Yeah, you look like you saw a ghost," Maya added.

"I heard someone call me," I simply replied, looking around for the owner of the voice.

"I didn't hear anyone," Maya muttered and Meera agreed, though they too looked around for my case.

"Chandra!" I heard the voice again, loud and clear. "Over here!"

This time, my mind was attentive enough to know which name of mine was being called. Chandra. Not Lavanya. And there is only one person in this college who knows that name of mine and just thinking about him sent me jitters.

I turned just in time to see him jogging towards me-- Ajay, the same golden brown eyes, the messy hair, the mischievous grin. The sophisticated coat was now replaced by a casual cotton shirt, the sleeves folded to the elbows.

His grin widened as our eyes met, his hand raising in greeting as he jogged towards us. I lifted my hand, my legs completely halting, my body completely turned to him.

"I got you right on time, I see," he said breathless as he stood in front of me.

"Guess you did," I stated, a polite smile on my face. Maya and Meera cleared their throats behind me, notifying their presence. I cringed inwardly, turning to them slowly. "You guys go ahead," I said. "I'll catch you later."

"Uh huh," Maya cooed with a teasing look. "Alright..."

"We'll um...," Meera shared a look with Maya, grinning ear to ear. "Save you a seat."

"Ok," I said with a curt nod, insisting them with my eyes to leave. And they did, much to my dismay. They are not going to let me live this down anytime soon.

"Ready for classes?" Ajay asked, drawing my attention back to him.

"Yeah, pretty much," I replied, ending it with a nervous laugh, though I have no idea on why I laughed.

"Well, I thought you might have first day jitters," he dragged, pulling out something from his bag. "So, I got you ice-cream."

I scoffed out a laugh, complete disbelief rattling me as he took out the small cup out of a cover.

"What is it with you and getting me food?" I laughed.

He simply shrugged and smiled genuinely and said, "Just feels right."

We both got silent, the conversation no longer flowing but our need to continue it palpable. I know the bell would ring soon and I have to get to class before that, but still...

Our eyes found each other and his eyes were filled with this kind of warmth that I don't see often in people. He smiled, his eyes crinkling in the process.

"Have a great day," he finally said as he retreated from the building, still facing me as he walked backwards. "You know where to find me!"

"And where would that be?!" I yelled a question, feeling him to be miles away.

"Library, of course!" he yelled back, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Or just call! I know you still have my number!"

"In your dreams!" I yelled, though my traitorous heart knew that my phone carried that very burden.

"Okay," he said smiling as if he could see right through me, just before turning and walking away.

I smiled as I turned too, eyeing the ice-cream cup that was now in my hand. I walked into the building, taking small bites of the dessert as I ascended the stairs to my class.

The thought about class brought me back to earth. Gods, how am I going to face Maya and Meera?!

The class was bustling with chatter as I stood breathless at its entrance, scanning for the two idiots of a best friend. And there they were, waving me over enthusiastically to a desk at the back, but not the last. That was always our policy-- never the first benchers neither the last benchers.

I sat, balancing my bag and the half done ice-cream, slumping down with a sigh. The idiots stared me down with curious looks, making me fold.

"What?!" I hissed, unable to take their teasing smiles anymore.

"Who was it?" Meera asked. "And was it that handsome man who gave you that ice-cream you are eating lovingly without even sharing to us?" Maya asked while her eyebrows wiggled at a surprising rate.

"That's just someone I met at my sister's wedding," I shrugged as I casually completed the ice-cream with the last bite.

"We want more details, missy!" Maya shook me, making me and Meera laugh.

"Ok! Ok! Relax!" I screamed over the chaos. "He's a senior," I confessed, watching Maya and Meera's eyes bulge.

"Third or fourth year?" Meera asked earnestly.

"Fourth," I dragged, trying to gauge their reactions. And just by their over the top reaction, I could tell that they were bursting with excitement and lots and lots of questions.

But thank God, I was saved by the sharp ring of the bell and the commanding presence of the professor as she placed her big fat book on the table with a thud. 

"Good morning all and welcome to another semester," she said and went on to the introduction. Maya and meera kept glancing at me but I remained silent, though a faint smile made its way through me. 

Something told me this semester was going to be one hell of a roller-coaster and a lot more exciting. And as my mind brought up the image of Ajay, I was sure things are going to take drastic turns. 

And as the class progressed, I appreciated everything, trying my best to listen while my best friends made sure to keep me on check. 

It's good to be back in college.