A perplexed Pragya stood there rooted to the ground trying to absorb what just fell from Disha's mouth. She was trying to comprehend the situation.

Pragya's view:

"If he proposes to me infront of such a massive gathering of people obviously it will reach the rest of the college. What if everyone forces me to say yes? I don't want to! It's plain as day that I don't like or love Nikhil. Nikhil was never more than a hi-bye type of friend for me" she pondered. When she thought about whom she actually found interesting her heart started throbbing against her chest. His handsome features came in front of her eyes. She had convinced herself that nobody is hot as him. The reaction he gave when she dressed up for the party which clearly indicated a sort of possessiveness. And the fondness she saw in his eyes when he asked Purab to pick her up after the party, it all made her chest warm. Disha snapped in front of her which broke her trance.

"What on earth are you still doing here? Damn pragya leave now" Disha urged me.

"I will call my bhai first & then will go find Akshati. We both will leave in ten" I responded with nervousness.

I took my phone out & called bhai. He didn't pick up. He never avoids my call unless he is stuck somewhere. "Oh fuck" i cursed under my breath. I left a text to him saying I need to get home soon. He didn't see that either. Phone is probably not in his hands. Okay then I will book a cab. I've to find Akshati now. I came out of the ladies washroom & panned my eyes in every angle in hope to find Akshati somewhere. It's late at night. I can't go home alone with this kind of dress. Suddenly I felt a mild pain building up in my chest. I can't leave alone. I can't stay back. I can't say yes. I can't say no either. I finally stopped agonising when I saw Akshati drinking with a couple of friends. I started to go towards her. I felt someone holding my hands stopping me on my tracks. I spun around to see Nikhil. My face became white as a ghost. I felt jittery all over my body. He spoke.

"Hey Pragya! My mom & dad are here. They're eager to meet my friends. Especially you. Let's go?" he asked cheerfully .

"Why does aunty uncle wants to meet me? I'm just a mere acquaintance of yours. I'm not even your friend" i snapped immediately because I've had enough. Being always nice didn't bring me anything but problems. Why would I love to meet his parents? Nikhil's face falls immediately. I fucking don't care. I don't want to get embarrassed infront of the whole college. I'm not a popular girl. But Nikhil is. He's filthy rich. Many girls were behind him for money. But Nikhil chose me which is so annoying to be honest. Why do I always attract the wrong people? Argh! I mentally sighed.

"Nikhil is this the Pragya you were talking about?" I was taken aback by a feminine voice. A lady was standing a few steps away from us. She was around 50+. Dressed up elegantly. I assumed her as Nikhil's mom.

"Oh ye..yes! Pragya, please meet my mom" Nikhil said in an apprehensive tone.

I'm sure as she was standing away from us & the possibilities of her hearing our convo is probably zero as loud music was blaring.

"Namastey aunty" i folded my hands infront of her politely.

"You look gorgeous, young woman. I'm glad you came here" she complimented when Pragya felt embarrassed already. Seems like she knows about Nikhil's intentions, that's what she's hinting at here. I tried to muster up a response when I heard that lady talking again.

"Nikhil i will come back in a bit" that lady excused herself. An unnerving smile tugged on her lips.

"Nikhil, are you serious? This is bullshit! I can see what your mom assumed or whatever shit you told her about me.. that's insane. I'm leaving NOW" I rambled fuming. Without having my consent he's taken my name to his family which is not right. Then I heard someone talking on a mic. Spotlight focused on me & Nikhil. Shit! I'm gone!

"I want everyone's attention now. I'm pleased to inform y'all that my son is in love with her classmate & we loved her too. I think it's time for a proper proposal" that lady announced & signalled Nikhil.

By that time Akshati reached me & screamed at Nikhil. "What the actual fuck Nikhil? What the drama going on here? I knew you were up to something! I & Pragya should've been more careful". Though she was pretty loud the crowd already started to cheer for Nikhil so akshati's voice didn't reach many. Nikhil turned to Akshati "See! This is between me & Pragya. You better watch your mouth" he warned Akshati. But Akshati didn't stop. "You fucking moron if you propose here & if pragya didn't say yes, you & your friends would harass her. Whole college is here & she's not as popular as you. So everyone might bully her just because she said no to "THE GREAT NIKHIL SOOD". So pragya might consider saying yes. That's what you are thinking right now, no? I know about your dirty plan. Fess up your plan & drop this right now! RIGHT NOW" Akshati ordered in a pretty loud voice this time. Nikhil was about to give back then looked at the cheering crowd. The cheering almost died down. If he screams back it might reach everyone. So Nikhil completely ignored Akshati & went on his knees & took out the ring which was in his pocket.

"Pragya, I'm not a poet. I can't explain in sugar coated words how much I love you. But I do. I love you so much. I'm just hoping you would say yes" Nikhil said in an eager tone.

"Pragya say yes" many people screamed. I pitied my own self for coming to this party. I should've listened to my gut feeling. "Pragya say no. I'm here for you no matter what" Akshati whispered loudly in my ears, holding my hands. I felt someone else's presence. Someone whom I can't be with. Someone who makes my heartbeat erratic. Someone who became more important in recent times. Someone whom I think about all the time. Someone whom I fell for. Then I felt that "someone" holding my hands softly. My whole body shivered. My heart might blow up because it couldn't contain the joyous electrical pulse. It means only one thing: I looked up & saw Abhi standing in front of me. I looked at him. I couldn't comprehend his emotions. Whether it's furious or jealousy or a mixture of both. But I know I've never seen him emoting this emotion. He spoke!

"Pragya let's go" he took my hands and started to walk out of the party. Without a word I followed him. Everyone's jaws dropped down to the floor. Nobody would've expected Professor Mehra at this time. I heard people whispering to the others. There were mingled expressions. Many were shocked. Many were surprised. Many were confused & then many seemed to be happy to see a hot professor. Many didn't emote any expression. I heard them gossiping "are pragya & professor mehra together?" "what's he doing here? did he get invited?" "I think our professor is in love with Pragya, otherwise why would he stop Nikhil's proposal" "dang! he's a possessive boyfriend not liking someone else proposing to his girl". None of these registered in my mind. I know the whole college will be behind her to know the kind of relationship me & abhi shares. But I couldn't care less about all that now.

My vision was blurred out. Because I finally let out the tears i was holding on to. Yep! But it's happy tears. I just followed his footsteps with our entangled hands amidst all the gossips & whispers. When we finally reached out of Nikhil's house I left his hand hurriedly & reached out to hug him tightly. He didn't push me away, as usual. But this time he didn't stiffen. He might have felt I needed comfortness. He hugged me back for the first time. That was the best feeling ever. EVER! I silently sobbed. He talked. "Pragya, at least try to be careful hereafter, especially around creeps like him. It's okay! I'm here now & I promise you are safe with me". Trust me! That's the gentlest tone I've ever heard. And it was so comforting & heartwarming. Whatever happened just now is really overwhelming for me. He broke the hug & wiped out the tears gently with his manly hands. "Pragya, we should go home. It's late. Come!" he made me sit on his bike, handing me his helmet.

"Where's bhai? I called him & texted him. No reply. I was worried. Bhai never unanswered my calls. Where's he?" I asked restlessly. I just hope he's safe.

"He's at home. He got this thudding headache. He told me you called him. So only I came to pick up you" he replied.

"Oh" I said in a low voice.

"Also I felt something wrong was happening to you. Couldn't name it but you can tell it's gut feelings. So I rushed towards you" he said nonchalantly.

I felt happiness creeping inside me. Is it a sign that his heart started to feel for me? Or am I just over analysing the situation? I just have to wait for sometime to know the answer. He revved the engine of his bike & we started towards our house.
.
Inside Nikhil's house:

"Does anyone need a fork to pick up their jaw they dropped on the floor?" Akshati snickered and gained everyone's attention towards her.

"Are they together?" Nikhil asked fuming because his plan flopped.

"Are you blind? Didn't you see how Mr.mehra was being possessive & took her with him? Why on earth would a boy flop another boy's grand proposal? It happens only if he's in love with a girl. They're in love" Akshati answered happily.

"It's immoral. They share a student-professor relationship. How could they do this?" Purvi asked, confused.

"They're individual people. Our law doesn't say a student & her professor shouldn't fall in love. Plus they've been together for more than 2 years now. Which means they were together even before they shared this student-professor relationship. Nikhil, this is why she was turning down every boy's proposal. She loves Mr. Mehra" then akshati turned towards Disha & asked her "I'm going home Disha. Are you coming too?" Disha nodded. Without any more waiting they both exited the party.
.
Next day when Pragya reached college everyone's eyes were laid on Pragya's face. She was literally uncomfortable with the attention she's getting right now. Akshati holded her hands knowing she's uncomfortable around these people in the hallways.

"Pragya principal called you" Neil informed her when she was halfway to her classroom.

Pragya started jittery thinking whether he would ask about Abhishek & her relationship. She made it to the principal room.

"May I come in, sir?" she knocked on the door slightly. When she heard 'yes' she entered the room only to see Abhishek hugging a girl. Her world crushed down under her feet! There was only one question on her mind. Who's she?