Ivan's P.O.V.

Parking my bike at my usual spot, I took off my helmet and chained it to the bike. Emma literally made my ears bleed in the morning on the topic 'Advantages of wearing a helmet'. She was such a baby today. She forced me to carry this stupid thing. I sighed and after poking my middle finger to that plastic head, I walked inside the college. Last night, I couldn't manage to visit Hazel's place. Joe called me to her place and she just made me stay until midnight. I don't mind spending time with her. She's my girlfriend but Hazel is affecting a part of me and I won't deny the fact. I couldn't tell Joe about the message which Hazel received yesterday. Why? You may ask. Because I've promised myself to be Hazel's real-life Santa. And I want to do at least one right thing in my life. Hazel asked me for something and I will not deny her.

I'll keep my every single promise which I'll give to her!!

Holding straps of my bag over my shoulder, I opened the gum and started chewing it. I've so many thoughts going on in my mind. I wonder how messed up Hazel would be right now? Why do I feel this much sorry for her? She clearly told me that she doesn't need my sympathy. Why am I this badly concerned about her? My stomach sank down at the thought of those teary eyes of hers.

F**k.

Taking a deep breath, I walked to my locker. My mobile rang. I picked it out from my jeans pocket and found it was from Parker. I tapped on the green button. Sliding my gum towards my right cheek, I opened my mouth to speak.

"Hello", I said.

"Have you reached college?", He asked.

"Yes. Where are you?", I asked looking all around myself.

"I'm on my way. Sam and Harry are with me. You've to do one thing", he said.

What is with everyone asking me to do favours?

"What?", I asked.

"Bring Vena to the parking area. She's also reached the college", Parker said. Hearing her name, my heart flipped. I closed my eyes out of annoyance. She's badly affecting me.

"Why?", I asked ignoring the somersault going on inside my stomach by hearing her name. Meeting Hazel, seeing her, talking to her seems like a big effort to me nowadays.

Especially after I kissed her!!

"It's her birthday. We've a surprise for her. Now move your lazy ass", He said and then he hung up.

"Hello. Hey,-", I said to the deadline. He has no patience. Where will I find her? Should I call her?

I left a deep sigh. It's been two days since I kissed her but memories of the past kept flashing in front of my eyes again and again. I am finding it impossible to stop thinking about the kiss we had.

Why am I so pathetic?

As if listening to my inner turmoil, the universe decided to answer me. I saw Hazel walking in my direction. But she was not alone. Joe was walking by her side. They both saw me. Joe waved her hand towards me. I smiled. My eyes met Hazel's eyes. She looked away. I didn't.

I felt a connection with her, I can't explain!!

I started moving forward as well and met them in the halfway. Joe hugged me. Hazel didn't look at us. She was busy staring at the ground. She looked lost. I don't like her state. She looked zoned out. I want her to notice me.

"Good morning", Joe said.

"Good morning to both of you", I said looking at both the girls one at a time. Hazel just nodded to my wish. She seemed way too much preoccupied.

What's troubling you? Tell me, I wanted to say.

"Joe", a new voice echoed around us. I looked to my left and saw a girl with her hair coloured pink approached towards us. She had worn a few hair bands in her right wrist. Chewing a gum, she stopped next to us. She gave me a good look but her looks were neutral.

Was she not impressed by what she just saw?

"Mrs. Jill is asking for you. You've an assignment to submit", the girl said. She looked like an E-girl or Visco girl. I don't know but that's the term people use nowadays.

"Oh right. I totally forgot. Thanks", Joe said as she exhaled a deep breath out of relief.

"I love to help people", the girl said again. She looked at me again and said, "Your jacket is out of fashion. This is so last season". I gave her a hard glare.

How dare she?

"I'll like to pass your free advice. You can leave now", I said and she left rolling her eyes.

"Don't mind her. You look great", Joe said and I just nodded. Why would I mind? I'm hot and sexy. I know it.

"I've to leave now. I need to submit the assignment. I'll see you two later. Bye", Joe said and then she almost ran away. She looked in hurry.

When she was out of sight, I turned to Hazel. She looked at me and then she just nodded and started walking ahead. I extended my arm in front of her. She stopped.

"Do you want to say something?", She asked. I nodded.

Looking into her beautiful eyes, I said, "Happy birthday". The sadness in her eyes was replaced by surprise and I was glad to see the change in her expressions.

"How did you know?", She asked.

"When someone wishes you, you're supposed to thanks them. Not ask them questions", I said.

"Thank you", She said. "But who told you?", She asked.

"Parker", I said and she made an 'O' from her lips.

"He wanted to see you. He's waiting for you at the parking area", I said.

"Why?", She asked.

"He told me he wanted to introduce you to someone", I lied like a perfectionist. I'm a professional liar.

"Okay", she said and then we both walked towards the parking area. I looked at her once. She was back to her lost state.

"Are you alright?", I asked. She looked at me and then smiled sarcastically.

"What are you gonna do if I'll say No?", She asked.

"I'd help you to make things alright", I said and she chuckled.

"Why don't you help yourself first? Your life is a mess too. I don't want help from someone whose own issues are not clear", she said and it hits me like a tight slap on my face. Why do her words affect at this deeper level? Why?

"You're very very rude", I told her.

"I learnt from the best", she said and then mouthed 'YOU'. I rolled my eyes.

"I want to help you because a part of my life is connected to yours as well", I said and she just gave me silent stare.

"Isn't this funny? How two people who hate each other are standing together because of the games life is playing with them?", Hazel chuckled. We both were out of college and were walking towards the parking.

"I don't hate you. You hate me. I don't sympathise to you as well. For me, you're the most strong girl I've ever seen. I admire you", I told her. It was needed. She must be aware of my feelings for her.

My changed feelings.

She smiled. I noticed Parker standing near a car. He waved his hand toward me. I stopped walking. I don't know if Hazel wants me to be a part of her celebration or not. I don't want to ruin her mood by my presence.

I'm overthinking as well. I need to see a doctor!!

"Won't you come?", She asked looking back at me.

"Do you want me to join?", I asked seriously.

"I don't hate you as well. I don't admire you but I don't dislike you, just so you know. Rest your wish", she said shrugging her shoulder and walked away. I was stunned. I kept looking at her retreating figure.

What did she say? She doesn't hate me! Does she like me?, I thought.

Stop being delusional, my mind replied.

She turned around and said, "Move faster". I didn't even try to stop the big grin which was stuck on my face and I ran towards her.

I guess I kinda like her!!

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

"Happy birthday to you", we all sang when Hazel blow on the candle, make a wish and cut the cake. She was smiling. Her eyes were a bit teary but I know it was happy tears. When Parker surprised her, she smiled molar to molar. I don't know why but I feel thankful to Parker because he made Hazel smile. Why am I so concerned about her smile?

She feeds the first bite to Parker and then to Sam and Harry. I clicked the pictures. She cut one more piece and then she walked towards me. I looked all around myself. My friends were looking at me. Hazel stood next to me.

"Here", she said forwarding the piece of cake towards me. I was about to hold her hand and open my mouth to eat but before that, someone holds her hand and shifted the piece of cake away from me. I found Joe standing right next to me. She took a bite on the cake.

"How can you forget me? Happy birthday again babe", Joe said. The smile on Hazel's face fades away. I mirrored her expressions. This was the first time she was feeding me something other than harsh words. I was disappointed.

"Happy birthday", I said and she gave me a half-smile. Joe walked towards me and hugged me.

"I missed you", she said. I passed her a smile. Hazel was back to the group. She got busy talking to them.

I miss her!!

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

"Ok. Think of a nice idea. What should I say her? Why am I here? How will I give her this? Will, she accept it?", I said the following questions to myself whilst pacing to and fro in front of Hazel's house holding a gift-wrapped in a white pastel colour paper in my hand. I bought a watch for her because it's her birthday today. After coming from college, I told Emma about Hazel's birthday. She baked a cake for her and left to celebrate Hazel's birthday with Aiden. I couldn't join her. I had an assignment to do which I was supposed to submit by the evening. I managed to submit it five minutes before the deadline time.

Later, I went out to spend some time with the guys. We all went to a mall. Sam and Harry bought shirts for them. I bought a wristwatch for Hazel. I felt like I should gift her something. This is not any ordinary watch. I can connect this with my mobile. I can track her if I want only if she turned on a switch. I know she's going to find about her sister. She's ready to walk inside the danger zone and I am worried for her.

Enough thought and said, I decided to man up and walked to her door. I took a deep breath in and exhaled it. I gave myself a motivational talk and extended my index finger to press the bell. But before anything like that happens, the door was answered and opened. I was caught off guard all of a sudden. Did I just do any telepathic sort of talk with her?

The second shock was the scenario in front of me. Hazel was wearing a long oversized sweatshirt and black denim jeans. Her hair were tied and she had worn a monkey cap. A mask covering her face and sneakers below. The only thing which I could see were her eyes.

"What are you doing here?", She asked removing the mask from her face.

"Where the hell are you going at-", I took a pause, glanced at my mobile screen and continued saying, "Fifteen past eleven at night".

"To work", she said.

"By dressing up as a robber", I said and she rolled her eyes.

"I need to find my sister. Also, what are you doing outside my house?", She back questioned and I hesitated. Her eyes travelled to my hands where I was holding her gift.

"Don't tell me you bought this gift for me!", She said pointing to that gift.

I did!!

"I did not. Emma forgot to give this to you. She forced me to parcel it", I lied.

That's what I always do.

"Oh. Thank you", she said taking the gift from me. She started examining from outside.

"Open it", I said. She looked at me and narrowed her eyes.

"Bossy", She commented and then started opening the gift. My heart started beating at an uneven pace. My eyes never left her face even for a second. I want to capture her expression.

She took her time opening the gift. I could see a smile playing on her lips as soon as she glanced at the watch. Her smile turned into a grin.

"This is so beautiful. Oh my god", Hazel said as she tried the watch on her wrist.

"Isn't this beautiful?", She asked.

"Yeah it is", I said looking at her and she just grinned looking at the watch.

"Thank you so much. I'll call Emma and will thank her later for sure", she said.

No. You must not.

"I'll tell her from your side", I said and she just nodded. She placed the watch back in the box and walked inside. I waited for her to come out again.

"Tell her I love the gift", she said as she walked out again and locked the door behind.

I'm glad.

"Where are you going?", I asked.

"Out", she said.

"I want to come with you", I said.

"No. You're not. This is my problem. Adrian is my sister", She said.

"She was my teacher as well. I feel obliged to help", I said not giving up.

"There is danger, Ivan", she said and I grinned.

"That's the fun part. Let's go", I said as I hold her hand out of blue. I don't know why did I do that?

But it feels so right!!

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