"Aaahhhhh," Swarnima screamed.

He was kissing her? How did her finger come in his mouth?

"I was chewing your lips... how did I chew your finger?" Abhedya blurted in confusion.

"WHATT??" Swarnima almost shouted.

Abhedya shut his eyes and realised what he did. A blush, a smile, a twinkle in his eye.

He looked at Swarnima who paused the very interesting movie and was waiting for an answer, an explanation to his statement, to his action. Though Abhedya was always prepared for such situations but it was with Swarnima, so, he could not come up with an explanation.

"Sorry! But, I just imagined kissing Julia Roberts. She looked so hot. Inadvertently, I bit your finger." Abhedya did not sound convincing but Swarnima just took her finger in her mouth to soothe the pain Abhedya caused.

'God!! This girl will be the death of me! Why is she so innocent? She again took her finger in her mouth?' Abhedya put aside his disturbing thoughts and resumed the movie.

He was not watching the movie before but now he did not even know what was going on.
To add to his lost self, Swarnima slept towards the end holding his thumb. Abhedya crept close to her and now her head was on his shoulder. The feeling was magical and Abhedya's heart could swear on its owner that it fell for the sleeping beauty, all over, again.

Abhedya put his head on her head and closed his eyes to dive into the magical world.
It was like a reverse déjà Vu.

Aadya opened the door to check on Swarnima and witnessed the most beautiful sight in front of her. She quickly took pictures which went viral on their WhatsApp group.

Arya kept sending 😻. Tara was also in awe of them. Aadya was adding spice to the comments. Maan was silent on the entire situation.

"Love birds!! Waky waky!! It's lunchtime." Swarnima opened her eyes to Gene's comment.
She felt something heavy on her and realised their sleeping position. She blushed a deep shade of red and shifted Abhedya's head to the side.

He opened his eyes and both said in unison, "Uhh... sorry I slept."

"Alright! My lovey doves come soon. The lunch is getting cold." Gene went out asking them to come for lunch.

Swarnima went to the bathroom without saying anything while Abhedya rubbed his eyes and muttered 'f**k!! What is this girl doing? She is penetrating my heart, again. I have to stop her. I am not good enough for her. She won't be happy with me. I may not be happy with her. She deserves happiness. I have to stop these feelings from growing more than friendship.' Abhedya decided and went out of the room.

Swarnima came out of the room and saw Abhedya twisting Aadya's hand. She rushed and separated them.

"What happened?" Swarnima questioned and Aadya giggled. Abhedya showed Swarnima his phone and Aadya started laughing.

Swarnima saw the photograph in which they were sleeping. The picture was all love and she could thank Aadya her entire life for the moment she captured.

"Aadya, What is the problem with you and Arya? Why are you forcing a relation which we both don't want? I cleared myself last night that neither there is nor there will be any 'love' kinda relation between us. We are two opposite poles that are not attracted to each other. Not even a bit. She is not even my type. And, she, doesn't even have a type. I was just concerned for her, something I would do for you too. Get that clear in your thick head." Abhedya raged clarifying himself. Though he hated every word coming out of his mouth.

Aadya had tears in her eyes because of the tone Abhedya used. In a meek voice she replied, "I am sorry Abhey. I am no genius like you all. But, I have learnt one thing, trust what you see, not what you are made to see. You, get that clear in your thick head that most of the men deny the truth than facing it."

"Aadya, just let it go. He knows the best about his feelings. What's the point in putting sense into something non-existent. Come, let's have lunch. And, you both apologise to each other." Swarnima played the peacemaker even though her inner peace just died.

Abhedya was in the denial stage of love. The love was budding slowly and dying slowly every day. Only, she knew why it was best for their love to be on the pause mode for the time being.

The lunch was silent because Abhedya and Aadya may have said "sorry" to each other but they both knew they were correct. Abhedya did not like the mirror he was shown and Aadya hated the jerk Abhedya was.

The next morning, the pain subsided under medication and Swarnima was ready for the result day at college. The colleges in Swarnbhoomi were famous for their brilliant course structure and teaching pattern unlike other colleges in India where results took months.

Swarnima did not expect that will stand first again.

The college was roaring with "ABHEY! ABHEY!" The boy was a rare combination of good looks and genius brains. The crowd gathered in the huge hall where Abhedya was throwing a party on the occasion of him becoming the undisputed champion. It was the first time in the history of the college that one person was the topper for all four years with outstanding grades. The teachers were proud of him and his friends were showing off the rival gangs their superiority.

Abhedya, Swarnima, Vayu and Mayur were called to the principal's office where he told them,
"Welcome children. Congratulations on the fantastic results in the examinations. Now, I hope you flourish of trumpet at the quiz too. You leave the day after. It's a five-day tour. Your itinerary is here so pack accordingly. Your tickets, accommodations and food are all taken care of."

The principal looked at Abheyda with confidence and told him, "Abhedya, I am so proud of you. You are the senior-most and you are the captain of the ship. I know, the ship will sail through the highest tides in your leadership. Mayur and Vayu you may leave. I will have a word with Miss Swarnima and Abhedya."

After Mayur and Vayu left the principal continued, "Abhedya, Swarnima is travelling for the first time out of the station so, you must take special care of her. You are representing our college and the way you carry yourself will be a reflection of our state's values... so, in clear terms, no messing around with girls and Swarnima you will be responsible if he does anything inappropriate."

Abhedya had a sly smile on his face which didn't go unnoticed by the principal. He further warned, "Don't think that I don't know what happens behind the closed doors of the hall. I am the principal of this college for the last 20 years. Can I get that promise?" He asked.

"Fine! Sir. I guarantee no loitering around with girls." Abhedya gave his word to the principal and they left the office.

Swarnima teased Abhedya, "You just promised no flirting? Wow!! That's a tough one for you."

"I know. But..." Abhedya put his hand around Swarnima and continued, "I can flirt with the only girl in our group. That is allowed."

Swarnima pushed Abhedya's hand and remarked, "You are impossible." Abhedya laughed and shouted, "Chicken!"

Swarnima who was twenty steps ahead turned and said, "Come home soon. There's a surprise for Mr. genius."

"What surprise?" Abhedya's gang who heard Swarnima blocked her and questioned.

"Umm... nothing..." Swarnima didn't want to divulge any details to them.

With a smug expression and demeaning tone Adah remarked, "You guys don't know, she is not just Nivi's tuition teacher but apparently, Abhey's cousin's 'so-called sister', but not his sister. Wonder, what relations this girl keeps."

"Adah! Have I not told you to avoid these remarks, else you haven't seen my worst side." Abhedya warned Adah.

"Okay! Since we are family now, I will listen to you. Just you! And, hey!! Congratulations." Adah kissed Abhedya's cheek to wish him.

Abhedya wiped the lipstick mark on his cheek from Swarnima's stole making Adah fume in anger.
Abhedya's action won Swarnima's heart all over again and she left quietly from there to celebrate her true victory.

Though the fact that Adah could kiss and wish him and she could not was killing her. She wanted to at least hug him. It was such an achievement. She cursed her restrictions because Abhedya's charms were driving her crazy.

Abhedya was crossing one of the classrooms where he saw a boy proposing to a girl and their friends were hooting for them. To love someone and be loved by them is rare and the zenith of happiness.

Abhedya came in and all of them straightened themselves. There was pin-drop silence.
"Relax guys! I won't eat you. So, is the proposal accepted?" Abhedya asked the guy on his knees.

"Yeah! Finally!! Thanks to Swarnima Ma'am." The boy said wiping the fake sweat from his forehead.

Abhedya got curious and asked him, "Swarnima? That third-year nerd? Does she even understand all this?"

"Understand? She may look like that, but the way she understands relations... I doubt anyone can." The boy told Abhedya.

"You keep quiet! Sir, I will tell you if you want to know the story of these two stupid childhood sweethearts." A friend of the couple told Abhedya who had goosebumps, hearing the reference 'childhood sweethearts'. He sat there and gestured for them to start.

"So, when we all were in grade one, these two, Kanak and Heerak used to fight with each other all the time until one day, a boy from their school bus hit Kanak and she started to cry. Heerak, asked her the reason and she narrated the whole story to him. The next day that boy apologised to Kanak and since them Heerak and Kanak became best friends. They played, studied and used to be together all the time.
But, when they grew up this stupid girl Kanak told Heerak that.. "we have grown up now, let's try and make new friends and explore more of the world. Let's not restrict ourselves to just us."
Heerak who was still is madly in love with her, agreed. At least she was still his friend.
Kanak, the free bird made new friends and was exploring the 'world' which had no place for a simpleton Heerak.
Soon enough, Kanak realised the fake world she stepped in. There was a void in her life she couldn't understand. The missing picture to the puzzle Kanak was Heerak... she was missing him but she didn't know. Swarnima Ma'am explained...." The girl narrating their story was interrupted by Kanak.

"You know Kanak, the best part about childhood friends is you fight, you quarrel but you get back to them in few minutes. The waves of the sea love the beach and they go there but only to return to the sea and blend in it forever.
The outside world may look glorious and fascinating but the real world is just the two of you. That world is your peace, your desire, your achievement and your destiny.
Now, you decide what's more important for you, glory or peace. Alternatively, you could achieve this glory and peace if you have the right person beside you. Who is ... HEERAK!! That came out of my mouth without any thoughts and I knew what I was missing in life was Heerak."

Kanak held Heerak's hand in hers and continued, "Swarnima Ma'am was so right. She said consider yourself lucky if you found your love on the first page of the book called life. Treasure it. Keep it safe."

Heerak kissed Kanak's forehead and said, "You know what she told me? Have patience. 'maybe you are not meant to be together now, but meant to be in future. So, wait! till eternity.' Waiting is pure bliss and worth it, for that one smile that could give you goosebumps and equanimity at the same time.
Heerak and Kanak are meant to be together. Diamonds can only fit in gold and gold looks best when studded with diamonds. Just like Heerak which means diamond and Kanak which means gold."

Abhedya's eyes turned dewy and his throat lumped. "Umm... great story guys!! I wish you all the luck. I am running late."

Abhedya came out of the class and took in air.

"I hope Swarnima Ma'am also finds a diamond for herself, after all, her name also means gold."
"Abhedya means diamond, I guess. What a pair they would make... the stud and his nerd. Hahahahaha..." Indistinctive clatter.

Abhedya heard what the students were saying. The story that was narrated to him felt close to his own. He was standing in Kanak's position and Swarnima was in Heerak's position. He was the free bird who felt caged with promises he made as a child. Swarnima also set him free but only in words. He still felt burdened.
Ugh! Why is life so tough?

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Dear Readers
Is first love the purest form of love?
As a child, if you love someone you love them with pure feelings because till then worldly desires are unknown to you.
Abhedya just saw a reflection of his life story. He was shown one outcome with the available options. Will he choose this path or carve a new path?
Stay hooked!
Lots of love