#REPOST#

"Yes, I'm waiting for her. Don't worry buddy"
Dev said.

"No, the flight is on time"
He continued.

Devdutt Padikkal, the head of the purchasing department in a well-known company.
He was waiting at the airport for his best friend's bride's sister.

Dev was holding a board which said
"Aarya Weds Tanay"

He was scrolling through his phone. Watching scores. Instagram stories. Emails.

"Ahem. Ahem. That's me"

Dev looked up and his eyes could believe it.

"Gia Sen"

"Dev"
Gia said.

She still looks beautiful.
Dev thought.

"Um let's go then?"

Both of them got settled in the car.
Dev was driving and Gia was in shotgun.

"So, what are you doing here?"
Gia asked.

"It's my best friend's wedding. Who is getting married to your sister"

Gia smiled and was about to ask another question when Dev asked,
"How's life?"

"Well, I'm currently living in Mumbai. But I have to shift according to my job. Love my job. Learning to paint. Living alone sucks FYI. And yeah that's it. What about you?"

"I'm working with a firm. It's a corporate job. Still in Bangalore. With mom and dad. Yeah I guess"

"How's uncle and aunty?"

"They are good. Won't be coming to the wedding"
Dev replied.

"AH, would love to meet them"

Then there was the awkward silence.
After a few minutes, they reached their destination.

"Here we are"
Dev said after hitting the brakes.

"Thank you. I'll see you around"
Gia said and left the car.

While Dev went to park the car.

Dev has changed so much.
He has become mature nature-wis and style-wise. For sake, he has a beard now.
Gia thought.

It was an awkward drive and it will be an awkward wedding week.
When have two exes met and it was not awkward?

**************

"Are you kidding me?? You bought a book to study this subject??
Dev asked while playing with a book.

He was with a few of his friends gather around another boy.

"Come on, it's high school. You don't have to study all the damn time, Niel"
Kartik said.

They were in the library right now.
Devdutt Padikkal was the teacher's favorite.
He was smart and funny.
He was the head boy too. So if anyone complains, no one gonna believe them.

"Guys, leave him alone. Let's go"
Dev said as he turned around to walk out.

While walking towards the door, they came across the commerce section.

Dev saw this girl, sitting on the ground with a messy bun, reading a book.
She looked up at him and turned back to the book.
And Dev kept walking.

It was OCM class.
Everyone was settled and Ms Bhavan had entered too.

She was about to start when there was a knock.

"May I come in?"
Dev asked.

"Dev you are late"
Mam replied.

"Sorry, mam"
Dev showed his puppy face.

"Come in"

Dev looked around.
There were 2 seats where he could sit.
Seat 1- with this boy, who would give him notes.
Seat 2- the library girl.

And he went to seat no 2.

"Hey"
Dev greeted.

Gia just ignored him.

"You're gia sen. Right?

"How do you know my name?"

"I've seen you around. Quiet. Smart and beautiful"
Dev flirted a little bit.

"And you're name is written on your book"
He continued.

Gia rolled her eyes.

"I'm Dev. Devdutt Padikkal"

"I know"

Dev gave her a questioning look.

"You're the head boy. And also the boy who bullied Niel earlier this morning"

"I was not bullying him"

"You were. And now excuse me"
Gia said and left the bench to sit with Niel.

She's different.
Dev thought.

--------------

"So you are Gia, Aarya's sister"
Yash, the choreographer said.

"The one and only"
She replied.

"Now I need the groom's brother"

"I don't think he has one"
Gia replied.

"So who's his best man?"
Yash asked.

"Dev"
Gia answered.

"Call him"

Dev came after a few minutes.
He was dressed casually.

"So you both are the closest to groom and bride. You have to perform together. We are gonna recreate their story through you guys."
Yash explained.

Dev and Gia started speaking together.
Not wanting to work together.

"Guys it's just dance. And can't you do it for your friend and sister?!"

They both agreed and did some practice.

Gia was with Aarya, in her room.

"What happened G?"

"Nothing Di"

"Hey, talk to me"

Gia took a breath and said,
"Remember my high school boyfriend?"

"Devv"
Aarya stretched his name.

"Yes. His full name is Devdutt Padikkal"

"WHAT??? Dev as in our Dev??"

"He's not our Dev. And yes"

"That's...."

"I know Di. It's all coming back. The good and the bad"
Gia confessed.

"Don't get angry but maybe it's meant to be"

"No.No. No. No. No. No. And I can't. It's embarrassing"

"It's your life, I won't interfere but think about it.  And hey, my Mehendi dress has arrived please pick it up from the airport"

"Why me?"
Gia ignored the first part.

"Cause you're my bridesmaid"

Gia went outside for Cab.
She stopped a car in front of her.
And when the window rolls down it was none other than Dev.

"Need a ride?"
Dev said while removing his sunglasses.

"No"

"Oh come on. Get in the car"

"No"

"No cab goes around this area. And the only way is to drive"

Gia sighed and went inside the car.

"Still don't know how to drive?"
Dev asked and chuckle while wearing his glasses.

"I know. I I I need my car"

Dev smirked at her reply.

"Destination mam?"

"Airport"

"Okay after that I need to buy something. So the airport then markets"

Gia tried to have a minimal conversation.
Dev kept changing songs. And all the songs were weird.

It irritated gia but she didn't act.

She took the package and now they were in the market.

Dev came back after a few minutes with a bag.

Gia as usual ignored him.

They were back at the hotel. Dev stopped the car.
That's when Dev's phone rang. It was connected still to the speaker.

"Bro did you get it??"
One of his friends asked.

"Um um yes"
Dev replied.

Gia was on the verge to leave but stopped herself after Dev's response.

"How many bottles did you get?? We're gonna party so hard bro"

Dev closed his eyes and sighed.

"I'll talk to you later"
Dev said and end the call.

"Still haven't changed Dev. Bye"
Gia said with disappointment and left.

"Meant to be, my foot"
Gia murmured while walking toward the room.

"Fuck!! This close"
Dev screamed in the car.

**************

"Everyone is ready with their group of two?"
M. Rashmi asked while writing the topic on the board.

"Yes"
The whole class said in a chorus.

Gia kept quiet. She believes that group projects would bring her down. She would work great as a sole project.

After class when everyone was leaving, Gia went to Ms Rashmi for informing her of her solo project idea.

"No Ms Sen you can't. It's a group project for a reason"

"But mam everyone has made their groups. So technically theirs no option"
Gia answered.

"Well, then you are failed. It was your responsibility to find a partner"

"No Mam. You can't do that. Please"
Gia plead.

"Mam, please mark me present"
Someone said.

Gia and Ms. Rashmi turned their heads toward the door.

"Mr. Padikkal, I may not"

"Mam, you're my favorite teacher around the campus. Please, I would attend the next lecture I promise"
Dev again showed his puppy face.

Gia rolled her eyes.

"Mr. Padikkal, did you find a partner for the project?"
Ms. Rashmi asked.

Dev said no.

"Great! So you and Ms. Sen can team up"

"No Mam"
Gia scouted.

"Cool"
Dev replied.

"Ms Sen it's either this or fail. Think about it"
Ms. Rashmi said while leaving the room.

"Mam what about attendance?"
Dev asked.

"I'll think about it"
She said.

Both decided to meet up at Dev's house after college(high school)

Right now, Gia was in Dev's room. He had gone to get water and some snacks.

She looked around the room. It was clean and well-maintained.
There were some posters of celebrities.

"Here have some food"
Dev offered.

Gia smiled and asked,
"So Virat Kohli huh?"

"Yup. Big Fan. His field presence is great. GOAT. Hands down"

"Agreed. Eminem?"

"Yeah, he gets my day started. My motivation for Gym"

Gia laughed.
"Let's start"

It's been a few days, and they meet after college every day. While in college they just have small talk. Not forced.

"Let's take a break. I'm exhausted"
Dev said while closing that book.

"Okay, what do you wanna do?"

Both decided to watch Harry Potter after a long discussion. Both of them loved and shared the same interests.

--------------

Gia had kept aside her Dev thoughts.
She had decided just to enjoy her sister's wedding.
It's Mehndi evening.
Every ladies were busy with Mehendi while all the men were talking.

Gia was sitting beside her sister. She was happy.
Everyone started saying OHHH
When Tanay entered.
Gia turned her head too.
Besides Tanay, Dev was walking with him.
He was wearing a green kurta with white bottoms.
Gia had to agree that Dev looked great.

The groom's gang started dancing like there was no tomorrow. Few people joined them.

Dev and Gia were looking at each other.
Dev was looking at her because she looked drop-dead gorgeous.
Whereas Gia was looking at how goofy Dev was looking.
For that period, both of them forgot about everyone else. It was just them.
Without past and future.
Just them in the present.

After a hot dance section, Dev was with his friends when he realized Gia is nowhere to be seen.
He looked around the whole lawn.
While walking inside Dev saw Gia near the pool.

Gia was sitting on one of the pool chairs, and that's when she felt someone beside her.
It was Dev.
Both of them sat there in silence for a few minutes.

"Not gonna ask why I'm here?"
Gia asked still looking at her Mehendi.

"My Time"

Gia looked at him.

"I remembered how you need your " My time" once a day"
Dev continued.

Gia wanted to say something but kept quiet.

"Ughhh I hate this"
Gia said referring to Mehendi.

"I thought girls lovesss Mehendi"

"We do but they make us feel useless for a few hours. Like I can't drink water or food"

"I'm here for that baby"
Dev flirted.

Gia gave him The Look and stood up.
A strand of her hair was on her face.

Dev followed her action and stood up.
He was too close to her.
The height difference wasn't helping but in fact, was making it too intimate.
Dev was looking down at her, while she was looking up.
Dev moved a bit close to Gia.
Gia's heart was racing.
Dev moved the strand of hair and tuck it behind her ear.
Dev turned his face towards Gia's ears and whisper,
"You look gorgeous"
By that time Gia had closed her eyes.
The moment Dev said that a chill went down Gia's spine.
Before she could open her eyes Dev had already left the poolside.

Gia kept thinking about it the whole night.
The thought of Dev brought a smile to her face.
She kept convincing her it was not anything.
Do I still feel for Dev?
She thought.

During the whole Haldi ritual, they kept looking at each other and smiling nothing more.
Gia wanted to talk but he was busy with Tanay's cousin Shreya. Plus talking to him would make things awkward and not when she had to perform with him tonight.

Gia was nervously pacing back and forth as it was her turn for the performance. With Dev.
Tonight's event has begun with a couple of  dances, then by all the cousins.
Now it was Gia's turn.
First, it was her solo performance.
Followed by Dev's solo.
Then they have to perform together.

"Gia it's your turn. Don't screw up"
Dev said.

Gia looked at him, while he was just smiling innocently.
Don't know why but that brought a smile to her face too.

By the end of the performance, they had to look into the eyes of each other.
They kept looking even when the song had ended a minute ago.

That eye stare answered Gia's question pretty well.

**************

It was not well established by Dev that he had fallen in love with Gia.
How could someone not?
She understood him, she was smart, funny, and pretty.
She never looked at Dev like how college looked at him.

Gia and Dev had become good friends.
Even after the project, she keeps coming to Dev's house.
Dev was more than welcome to her.

They had just gotten home from college.
Gia was sitting on Dev's bed and Dev was sitting beside her.

Dev was overwhelmed by the feeling inside him. He needed to talk to Gia.
But he was scared.
What if the feelings are not mutual?
While Gia was talking, Dev kept thinking.

"I need to tell you something"
Dev said.

"I was talking D, what?"

"I love you. I've been in love with you for a long time"

"Dev what are you saying?"

"It is true G. I try to keep it but I couldn't anymore"

"I'm sorry if you misinterpreted our friendship"

"Don't. Don't say that"

Gia had no words so she took her bag and left.

Dev's worst nightmare came true.

It's been a week since the incident.
Both of them haven't talked to the other.
As usual, Dev went home and was reading a comic when he heard the doorbell.
He went to open the door and it was Gia.

"Gia wh-"

Gia interrupted Dev and said,
"You can't just say things like that and expect me to react. I know I shouldn't have left like that but I couldn't process it well. And after I went home I kept thinking about... You and what you said. I did that whole week. I needed to talk to someone and that's when I realised. I needed to talk to you Dev. You. Cause you're my best friend and I love you"

Dev couldn't believe what he had heard.
He had the biggest smile on his face.
"Gia oh my God, you love me. I love you and you do too. I can not -"

Gia interrupted Dev by kissing him.
Dev smiled in between the kiss and kissed her back.
"You are something Gia Sen"
Dev said after the kiss.

--------------

Gia wanted to talk to Dev the next day but he was busy with Shreya.
Gia wanted to give a second chance to Dev.
Right now Gia was with Aarya, getting ready for the wedding.

Both the sister clicked a few pictures and now they were waiting for the baarat.
After some time they heard the music and just like every bride Aarya ran towards the window to see Tanay.
Whereas Gia was starting at Dev. He was wearing a black kurta.
(Imagine Karthik Aaryan from tera yaar ho main)

Aarya and Tanah were busy with their wedding whereas Gia was trying to talk to Dev but he was not leaving Shreya's side.
Yes, Gia was jealous.
She couldn't control her anger and went to Shreya and Dev.
She had a glass of watermelon juice and swiftly drop the class on Shreya's white dress.
"I'm so sorry"
Gia faked apologies.
Shreya was screaming and running toward the bathroom.
Gia smirked.
But one thing she didn't know was that Dev saw what she did.
Dev took her hand and took her towards the poolside.

"What was that Gia?"
Dev asked.

"What?"

"I saw you threw that drink on Shreya"

"Oh now you care about her"

"Are you crazy?"

"I'm not crazy. You are. Why are you ignoring me?"
Gia raised her voice a little.

"I'm not. You're... You're just being hard. And why did you bring Shreya in?"
Dev asked.

"Do you think it's easy for me to see you with somebody else?"
Gia confessed.

"Heh hey you're the one who ended it"

"Yes! Because I was mad at you not because I stop loving you"

"You. You still love me?"
Dev was confused.

"Yes. No. I don't know. Maybe"
Gia stammered with her answers.

Dev wanted to say something but he was out of words. He was confused.
Gia loved him.
Gia wanted to give a second try to this relationship.
It was too much for him.
His thoughts were stopped when Gia's phone rang.
They were calling her.

Gia just looked at Dev and went towards the wedding.

**************

Dev and Gia have been dating for a year now. They were the most popular because of Dev's reputation.
The first day when they walked together into college everyone was shocked.
They didn't expect Dev with Gia.

Dev was not that romantic but his action was enough for Gia.
If he was jealous he would just squeeze Gia's hand.
He was proud of his girlfriend for 1st rank.

Gia on the other hand was happier than ever.
She had never felt so good and safe.
Gia loves Dev's warmth.

Yes, they had fights, and they had their ups and downs but at the end of the day, they loved each other.

It was the end of the semester, last few days were remaining.
Gia had everything figured out about her future.
She knew what she had to do.
Which college she wanted to join.
Whereas Dev was smart but was still immature at times.
Gia helped Dev to fill out the college application.
They both wanted to go to the same college.
Luckily, they had selected a college that offered both of their courses.

Yesterday was the last day of college. They had so must fun.
Gia remembered the first time she saw Dev.
They talked about how their life changed.
Gia left around the afternoon and Dev was about to leave just after her for his interview.

Gia woke up the next day, it was Saturday.
The first thing she did was to call Dev but he didn't pick up the call. So she got dressed and went to his house.

Gia entered his building and saw Dev getting out of his car.
Gia ran towards him and hugged him from behind.
"Good morning Dev"
Gia greeted.

"Uh morning"
Dev said.

Gia looked at his outfit and it was the same outfit he wore yesterday.
Gia came in front of him and also noticed he has messy hair.

"Dev"
Gia said on a serious note.

"G let's go upstairs and talk. It was a crazy night yesterday"
Dev said while holding Gia's hand.
He started walking but Gia stayed there.

"Dev, the interview?"
Gia asked.

"Um, I couldn't go. Karthik and Ronit and everyone were like let's party-"

"So you went to a party?"

"G I'll -"

"Yes or no?"

"Yes"
Dev answered.

"You choose to party over an interview. Dev how could you?"

"Gia it's fine. I'll go to another round"

"There is no other round. You messed up Dev. We were supposed to go to that college together"

"I'll go to some other college"

"Dev you are so immature"

"Why are you behaving like a kid? It's okay if we go to a different college. We can still work this relationship out"
Dev said.

"It's not about college, Dev. It's about priorities. You choose to party over your future"

"So what Gia? Everyone parties. Everyone what's to go to college but they were at the party"

"You serious Dev?"
Gia asked.

"Yes"

"You don't have any regrets?"

"No"

Gia sighed and said,
"So I guess, this is it"

"What do you mean?"

"Us. This is it. I can't be with a person who is so immature"

"What?!"

"I'm sorry. Bye Dev"
Gia said and started walking out.

"Gia wait"

But she didn't stop.

--------------

Gia was in her room. She was alone and crying because she messed up her relationship with Dev the second time.

The first time she called Dev immature but in reality, she was the immature one.
She didn't have the guts to talk to Dev after the breakup.
She missed Dev a lot during the first year.
Dev brought the funny and good side of her aside from her studious nature.

She thought she had moved on from Dev until they met again.
But she kept saying that it was nothing but Sangeet Night changed her mind.

She felt like the dumbest girl.
She opened the door after hearing the knock as she had ordered pasta.

When she opened the door, it was Dev.
She was about to say something but Dev kissed her.
He kissed her like he was gonna lose her. Again.

"You are something Gia Sen"
Dev said after breaking the kiss.

"I'm sorry. I don't know why I keep sabotaging our relationship"

"No, it was my fault. I should have done that interview. I shouldn't have listened to those people with who I haven't talked in a long time. And the second time, I was a jerk. I kept ignoring you because I was falling for you. Again. And was scared that you won't feel the same"
Dev confessed.

"Why are you sorry? I was being immature for breaking up with you for a stupid interview"

"Let's forget about the past. No more ignoring and breaking up. It's just you and me"
Dev said while cupping Gia's checks.

Gia nodded and kissed Dev.

History does repeat itself.

********

Vote and comment!

*******