A bunch of sticky notes and a string of 'sorrys' never affected Pari. She always tore the notes given by Salem. In the beginning, it just had a simple sorry written, but then he took liberty in giving her small compliments or casual greetings saying 'have a nice day'. 

But then one day, something changed. He became the star of the college. An advertisement featuring him was released. It was an advertisement by a big brand, so everyone had seen it on the television. Their college had produced great journalist, professors, politician....but never an actor. This was a first. The professors were also impressed and so were the boys and girls. He was a celebrity at St. Fernandes. He even had a new bike to flaunt which he claimed was bought by his money. 

The few classes that he attended, after the lecture, everyone would surround him. At first, it was just the shooting experience he would speak about. But everyone was all praises for him and his 'down-to-earth' attitude. Even Ashley said, "I thought Salem would change but he came to me and talked with me."

"Arre! ek ad karne se konsa hero ho gaya? People are just making him sit on their heads." Pari said to Priya.
(He is not a hero after doing one advertisement)

"So, you do it too if it's so easy!" Priya bite back. Being on screen was a far fetched dream for commoners like them. So far that it wasn't even a dream.

"I don't want to be on a TV! If I wanted, I would be there." Pari said.

"Good lie." Priya retorted.

"Why are you against me and by his side?" Pari asked irritated by Priya's replies.

"I am not on anyone's side. What he did was not correct but what you did was wrong as well. Who throws a pen and a notebook at someone's face? And not to forget, he has so many people after him and he is after you, so your behaviour must have hurt his ego." Priya explained. She was always careful of how she made other's feel. Being the elder daughter of the house, she was more responsible and caring than Pari.

"Not my problem, Priya." She said it loudly this time and covered her face with the blanket, ending the conversation.

***

One day, after the lecture, it was Aman who came to her and tried convincing Pari on Salem's behalf. But Pari asked Aman to stir away from Salem's topic and not to talk to her about him. Aman had seen Pari threatening the goon with a rock before, so he took her warning seriously. One never knows what will Pari throw at them.

The next day, it was Salem who came to the class, asked Ashley to take another seat and sat beside Pari. This was noticed by everyone, making Pari feel awkward.

Salem casually moved his hand and put it behind the desk behind Pari.

"Sorry."

It was a simple word. But both, Pari and Salem, used this word rarely in their life. But this time, Salem kept his ego aside and said it. It was the last lecture of their second year. They will have finals from the next week and a two month long vacation thereafter. Salem wanted to resolve his issues with Pari and end it on a good note. 

"Not going to say it's fine." When Pari replied, Salem smiled a bit, as if expecting this sass from her.

"It's never easy with you, is it?" Salem muttered under his breath.

He poked her lightly with the pen and showed her the last page of his notebook where he had written a big SORRY PARI in all capital letters and she chose to ignore it.

It made Salem a bit angry and helpless but what could be done? Aman used to always say that the boys have to tolerate a girl's tantrums when they like them, so be it. 

"I found your situation very funny." Aman laughed at Salem as they had gone to Sudarshan for drinks. "This is the same girl you thought would be clingy if you confessed your feelings and look where we are. Hahahahaaha destiny can play cruel games." Aman made Salem remember his words from first year. 

"I wished I asked her back then." Salem voiced his regret. Only if he had her asked her back then she would not have tagged him as a player. 

------

A sense of relief filled Pari as she stepped out of Oliver's cafe as it was her last day at the cafe before her two week's holiday for the exams. Oliver was kind enough to grant her such a long leave. She was happy that she would not have see the counter and this cafe for two weeks! It was a welcome change. 

She was walking when she saw the feet blocking her way. She looked up to see it was Salem. Before he could speak, he put her hand infront of his face to stop. 

"But I didn't even speak." He found it amusing that she signed him to stop when he had not even started. 

"I don't want to listen. Look Salem, exams are approaching. I don't want you to say anything rubbish that will affect my papers." Since when did Pari start caring so much for exams? Since now. 

College had made her sincere but more so because if she doesn't study well, her mother and aunt would marry her off stating that the college fees are being wasted. Her aunt would be the number 1 instigator in the case! She wants Pari and Priya to settle soon. She has already started looking marriage proposals for Priya and soon, she will start for Pari as well.

"It's making me restless that you are not talking to me. I want to clear this. Please." Salem whispered. "I have lot of girls as friends. My exes and I don't necessary have bad blood between us. But I talk to them as a friend. Nothing more. The rest I feel, which is above and beyond all this is only reserved for you." In all his life and his teenage years, he had never been so vulnerable while confessing his feelings, nor has ever girl been so stubborn.

"And I am not okay with that." She said the truth of what she felt at that moment. She didn't want to explain him any further on this. 

"How to make you believe in me? What should I do?" He asked. He was a friends first kind off a person. He had the capability to crack a conversation with a stranger and make them his friend. Noor was his friend. He can't just abandon her. 

" I don't know and I don't think you can prove anything....nor do I want you to. Because I believe logon ki fittrat nahi badalti. "(People and their nature don't change.)

"How much do you even know me?" It was a valid question from Salem but Pari had an answer to it, "What I know is enough.  You like me today but tomorrow there will be someone else who has your interest. I can't be with such a person." 

Salem smirked, "Toh likh lo, aaj, kal, parso aur humesha ke liye tum hi ho." (I give my word. For now, later and forever, it's you.)

Pari didn't take the extent of his words seriously and left from there. 

______________

During the exam week, Pari, Ashish and Ashley managed to meet each other at the library and solve each other's doubt and help with covering the syllabus. Pari was very comfortable with these two and although she wouldn't call them her 'best friends', she was really used to both of them. So, when Ashley insisted on the three of them going to a movie after the exams were over, Pari didn't have the heart to say no to her. 

The atmosphere outside the exam hall on the last day were vibrant. Some still discussing the papers, while some doing their own masti (fun) and some treating it like a usual day. The students were in their own groups and talking loudly, sharing the answer sheet stories or some bitching about their exam supervisor story. 

As Pari was laughing at Ashish and Ashley's antics, Salem was just observing Pari from far, being so careless and having fun. 

"Ashish is a good friend of hers. I have heard he even asked her out like the few other boys in class but she denied him. However, out of all the boys she rejected, he is the only one she is friends with." Aman filled in Salem with necessary details. 

"Keep an eye. Let me know if something else happens." Salem was just waiting for his exams to get over. He had multiple projects ahead of him. But he needed updates on Pari as well. Only Aman and Oliver knew of his interest in Pari, so who better than Aman to let him know on what all he has missed out?

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

Third Year 

It's been three weeks since the third year started for Pari's batch. This year, their batch decided to throw an unofficial Fresher's Party for the first year students at a near by club. In this three weeks, since the third year started, not once Salem attended any lecture but if it's a party, Salem would always be present. 

Salem entered the club which was booked by their college students. Aman and his other friends introduced him to the fresher boys and girls. Some of the girls instantly blushed at Salem and his good looks. They recognised him from the commercial and he was still shy talking about it. Salem was not boastful of his work because he believed he had hardly accomplished anything. However, he was proud of the work he had done in the vacation. He shot for two commercials and also assisted as a First AD for a music video in which he got a chance to do a cameo as well. He can't wait for people to see it. 

A girl politely asked him for a dance and he obliged. What started as a fun dance slowly changed as the music changed and he put a hand on her waist as she wrapped it around his neck. They enjoyed a few moments of closeness when the music became peppy again and they distanced themselves. He got off the dance floor and went to the bar when he saw Ashley forcing someone on the dance floor and there was the boy also.....Abhishek...Ashish....whatever. 

Salem forgot to breathe for a moment when he saw Pari in a long black dress, her hair open accessorized by hair pins. She was majestic. Pari grooved a bit and he saw how other boys also stared at her but it was Ashish's hand on her hand which made Salem clench his fist. Him and Ashley were asking Pari to be on the dance floor. 

He saw the three of them getting away from the dance floor at a corner and discussing something. Then Pari took her bag and walked towards the exit. Usually, Salem would be the last person to leave a party but seeing Pari leave, he followed her. 

He saw Pari trying to get a taxi or rickshaw but none stopped. 

"Shall I drop you?" He asked showing her the car keys.

"No, Thanks. I would go on my own."

10 Minutes later, there was still no luck with a rickshaw or a taxi. 

"It's not good to be stubborn in all cases. I will drop you." Salem repeated his earlier offer. 

"I will go by bus." Stating so, Pari started walking towards the near by bus station. 

Salem walked quietly behind her and stood beside her at the stop. 

"You don't want to enjoy the party?" Pari asked hoping Salem leaves her. 

"I am okay. I like the view here."  Salem replied. 

"Shameless." Pari whispered. 

No words exchanged between them for 15 minutes. It was just both of them sitting at the bus stop at a quiet night. 

"You would wait here all night rather than coming with me?" Salem asked. Just then, the bus came and stopped. When Pari climbed in, she didn't expect Salem to climb in as well.

"What? What are you doing?" Pari was confused. Salem had his own vehicle. Why was he coming in the bus?

"You think I would let you go in this almost empty bus alone? Your friends may not care for you but I do." Saying so, Salem asked Pari to shift to the window seat and sat beside her. 

"My friends....they care about me. I wanted to leave early and they didn't. I knew this from before." Pari pouted and was upset with his remark on her friends.

"Okay, they care about you but I care slightly more. Bas?" Salem said and shook his head. She looked so cute while pouting that he wanted to kiss her lips. 

But he controlled. One day, even that would happen, he assured himself. 

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05/11/23

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