Swarnima was still sitting on the floor admiring her hand. The lucky hand which was touched by the lips of the most precious man alive on the planet earth.
She could not kiss him so, she also kissed the inside of her palm, brought it close to her heart and did a happy dance. Jumping around her room like a little girl who got her favourite toy.
'How do I control this happiness? DEHRADUNnnnn I LOVE You!!' Swarnima whisper shouted in her room in glee.

'I was happy until you came' Abhedya's words from the night of their results, flashed in her memory and her smile vanished. What Abhedya wanted, what he felt and how he reacted was very confusing for Swarnima.

Let time decide. Live each day as a new day. Queen had taught Swarnima and she followed it religiously.

At breakfast, Daivik continued passing glances at Swarnima whenever he got a chance. But, what he didn't know was that Swarnima was 'pro' in ignoring. She ignored her feelings too.

The teacher in charge congratulated the students who were selected. Out of 200 students, only 100 qualified for the second round in which they had to develop a programme which was alotted based on a lucky draw.

Mayur, Vayu, Swarnima and Abhedya divided the task into four parts based on their forte. Three hours were given to each team but the genius brains from Swarnbhoomi finished it in two hours. They submitted their copy, test run the programme and showed it to the examiners after which they were allowed to leave the competition hall.

Swarnima got a call on her phone and she excused herself. "Listen I have some work, I'll be back in ten." Swarnima went towards the main gate.

Survang gave her a box and they started to talk. Abhedya was at a distance so he could not hear what they were talking about but he did not like what he saw. Swarnima was holding his bike handle and laughing at some joke. Abhedya went towards them but Survang left before he could reach.
"Why does he avoid me? Is he scared of me? Or are you hiding something?" Abhedya fired another set of questions.

"Two more questions are left," Swarnima told him and he gave a confused look. So, Swarnima explained to him, "Three questions you have asked, there is still space for two more... go ahead"

"I am in no mood to joke." Abhedya was serious and sounded angry.

"He is THE EKLAVYA'S grandson. He cannot be scared of anyone. Though he just confessed he was scared of street dogs which chased him. Hehe..." Swarnima giggled at the information.

"Wow!! You know so much about him. You enjoy his company, don't you? Why don't you go and enjoy the rest of the day with him." Abhedya was ranting nonstop. But, when he saw Swarnima's face the smile she had, had vanished.

"I do enjoy his company but I am not planning to spend the rest of the day with him. Rather, I am planning to go and visit famous places. I am informing you beforehand... happy?" Swarnima replied to him curtly.

"Nim, sorry. Nim, listen to me. I said, I am sorry. I just got a little... jea... I mean. I am protective about you that's it." Abhedya caught her hand. Was he about to say 'jealous?'

"Protective? You know I can protect myself." Swarnima stopped saying anything further because Mayur and Vayu reached there.

"Umm... up for some home-cooked food?" Swarnima offered and the boys agreed.
They sat in the luscious green garden and opened the tiffin box.

"Chola poori!!!" Mayur and Vayu shouted in glee.
Abhedya saw the food and sat down to eat.
"I have never had such delicious Chola poori," Mayur said licking his fingers.

"Who has made it? You have any relatives here Nim?" Vayu asked.
Abhedya left the bite he was eating. When did this nick name addressing between the two start?

"It's Swarnima, for you Vayu." Swarnima corrected him and Abhedya started to eat again, happily.

"But, Abhedya sir, also calls you Nim. Have you given all the rights to him only? I mean, calling you by your nickname, coming to your room in the night and staying up till morning." Vayu had many underlined accusations hidden in his statements. He knew the little secret his seniors were hiding.

"Vayu..." Abhedya caught his collar in anger.

"Sir, you do the censored stuff and hold my collar? Not fair! You do know, I can publish this as the breaking news." Vayu challenged Abhedya.

"Of course Vayu. Please go and telecast that Abhedya sir and I were in the same room yesterday and the day before. We don't owe you or anyone any explanations." Swarnima was as calm as a millpond.

"Really? Wow! Is the offer limited to Abhedya or..." Vayu could not complete his statement because a punch landed on his face.
Abhedya was going to give him one more punch but Swarnima and Mayur separated them.

"Leave me Nim. What did he say? Did you hear him? I'll kill him." Abhedya jerked Swarnima's hand and attacked Vayu again.

Swarnima pulled him aside and warned him, "Stop! Let me deal. Don't move!"

"Vayu, Abhedya sir, is my friend. A very, very good and close friend. He is my family. I have known him since I was a child. We don't acknowledge each other in college because we have met after years and are in the process of still getting to know each other. The unnecessary gossip that goes around the college will make us conscious about our relationship whether we like it or not." Swarnima was trying to explain the scenario to Vayu.

Abhedya lost his cool and clutched Vayu's shirt again and shouted, "Stop putting sense in this narrow-minded moron. What will you do huh? I was in her room. I slept with her. Go tell the world."

"Yes, I will. I am going to complain to the principal that Abhedya and Swarnima were sleeping around with each other." Vayu pushed Abhedya and straightened his shirt.

"Vayu, please. Our state is known for its love stories. It was built on the premise of love. They are adults and it's their choice whatever they do." Mayur intervened as he felt the matter was going out of hand.

"Adults? This is Abhedya R. Singh, the college stud is a player. He only knows how to play with the feelings of innocent girls. I don't want this girl, Swarnima, to fall into his trap." Vayu came and held Abhedya's collar and narrated his story, "I loved a girl who was madly in love with you. What did you do? You broke her heart so ruthlessly that she is afraid of trusting and loving anyone now. Remember Lavina who proposed to you last year and you rejected her."

"It's not my problem if someone loves me. I didn't love her. I don't make any promises to anyone." Abhedya jerked his hand and put his side of the story. 

"Sure, you didn't. Then don't flirt also. You flirt around so convincingly that she thought... the feelings were mutual. I loved her since we were teenagers. But, she fell in love with you the moment she saw you, and you kept leading her on. Only, to break her heart and mine." Vayu was in tears narrating his story.

Swarnima kept her hand on Vayu's shoulder and consoled him, "Vayu, I am sorry for what happened with you. But, have faith in your love. Shower her with so much love that she forgets any Abhedya existed. At times, we misunderstand infatuation as love. Show her the difference. There is nothing in the world that you can't win with love. And, your task is simple you have to win love with love. Take it slow, step by step. Figure out away. Use your brilliant analytical techniques."

"You know what, this is the reason I didn't want this heartless boy Abhedya near you. You are so pure while he is dirt." Vayu spitted fire.

"VAYU!! Not a word against him now. Do you even know him to you accuse him like that? He might be flirting around but I know for a fact that he has never taken advantage of any girl. He is my childhood friend, still, he did not touch my little finger while sleeping for two continuous nights together. He is a thorough gentleman. And, by the way, have you never said any flowery words to Lavina? Will that not be termed as flirting? I am not justifying his actions. He is wrong if he has led on any girl. But, I know if it's not mutual he will not progress. So, just stop blaming him. Concentrate on winning your girl rather than sulking for your lost love." Swarnima could not hear a word against Abhedya.

"We have the main quiz tomorrow, please resolve the issue, sir." Mayur requested.

"It wasn't only my fault Vayu. I had no feelings for her and didn't lead her on, trust me. I told a curt 'no' because that was the only way she would stop coming behind me and obsessing over me." Abhedya cleared himself out.

"Sorry! I am so sorry. Probably my love story could not reach its desired destination so, I looked for fault everywhere and in everyone. I never thought about what I could do. Thank you Swarnima. You opened my eyes. I swear to keep trying till I win 'my girl'." Vayu wiped his tears and stood up with a new zeal.

They reached the hostel and Swarnima quickly went to her room and changed into a black 'patiala suit'.
Abhedya knocked on her room and she opened it.

"Fuck" Abhedya remarked.

"What?" Swarnima widened her eyes at the cuss word.

"Sorry. I didn't... Umm... Are you going somewhere?" Abhedya asked her but he could not take his eyes off Swarnima. She looked smoking hot in the black patiala suit but the most striking aspect was the little kohl she applied to her beautiful, big, enigmatic eyes.

"Yeah. I told you I am going for visiting the local places of Dehradun." Swarnima answered him settingbher dupatta.

"I am also coming. Give me five minutes." Abhedya rushed to his room and after five minutes came back to her room. "I am ready to come."

"I... was going with Survang," Swarnima told him hesitantly.

"Survang? Oh! the tiffin boy. Ask him to leave we'll go together." Abhedya suggested.

"How can I ask him to go? It's incorrect. He has planned so many things. I told you before. If you wanted to come you should have told me before." Swarnima was eager to see the city.

"Isn't it implied? I will go with you?" Abhedya said in a duh tone.

Mayur and Vayu came to them and asked if they could go for visiting the local places.

"Yeah... sure. We are going too. You can join us." Abhedya quickly made it a group plan and smirked at Swarnima .
Swarnima rolled her eyes and went ahead. Abhedya for the first time saw Survang closely. The boy was indeed drool-worthy and no way he was letting 'his girl' go close to him.

"Hi, Survang! Meet my teammates. Mayur, Vayu and Abhedya." Swarnima introduced them.
They shook hands. But, Abhedya's handshake was a little too tight.

"Survang, what do we have as our ride?" Swarnima asked him curiously.

"I arranged this beauty for you, Nim. I knew you like bikes but this beauty is love. Ain't it?" Survang showed the open Jeep with alloy wheels and huge headlights to her.

"Wow! Survang! This is beautiful. I love it. But, we spoke about the bike then how did you arrange it?" Swarnima asked him admiring the jeep.

"I knew you will have company," Survang whispered in her ear.
Abhedya could not hear what he said but the smile Swarnima had on her face after that was indigestible to him.

"Shall we go? Let's not waste time admiring a jeep." Abhedya took the shotgun.

Swarnima sat in the driving seat making the other three shocked. "You will drive Swarnima?" Vayu questioned her.

"Why, can't I? Sit before I leave you." Swarnima turned the ignition on with confidence.

"Umm... Abhedya let me sit at the shotgun. You don't know the roads." Survang suggested hesitantly.

Abhedya raised one brow and said, "She can hear you even if you guide from behind."

That meant 'No more discussions.' Survang took the seat behind and Swarnima wore her goggles, getting ready for the city ride.

'Hell! This was only left now. Does she not understand she looks so fucking hot in black patiala that now she is wearing goggles too? Abhey!! You are gone, dude!' Abhedya's heart warned him.

"Those goggles really suit you Nim." Survang complimented her and Abhedya gritted his teeth.
Swarnima was not used to compliments so, she just smiled. But, her smile was killer too and Abhedya could not control his rising desires. He just wanted to... well let's leave it to his fantasy.

They reached their first destination, Sahastradhara, which meant, 'thousand fold spring'. It was an ecstatic beauty of nature.

The group of five now, headed by Survang who showed them the beautiful waterfalls. Swarnima's beautiful face was adorned by a smile of admiration for the beauty of nature.
Abhedya took out his DSLR and captured the beauty. Swarnima came into his frame and he could not stop himself from clicking her candid pictures. She was unaware that she was being photographed, by none other than her one and only.

"Nim," Survang shouted and showed her a packet.

Swarnima smiled and ran on the rocky road to reach to Survang. Abhedya was curious to know what was in the packet. Swarnima opened it and smiled.

"Abhedya Hukum, this one is for you. 18 days to your 21st." Survang gave him a packet surprising Abhedya. He was not expecting an unknown boy to give him something.
An instrument similar to a guitar made from wood. It was very small. Around 18inches only.
Abhedya strummed it and the sound was sheer magic. It brought peace instantly.

"Thanks, Man! But I don't know you so well to accept a gift from you." Abhedya said giving him back the instrument.

"You know who I will be. This is just a small gesture from my side marking your special day. After all, we all waiting for the heir and its protector." Survang replied handing back the instrument to Abhedya.

Abhedya just smiled and took it. Twenty-first birthdays are special but the way he was being treated, he felt like a goat which was about to be slaughtered and is hence fed to its full capacity.

Mayur and Vayu suggested a group picture so Survang took Abhedya's DSLR and chose a location which would give a nice and complete view of the place. The quartet posed and Abhedya put his hand around Swarnima. She looked at him in surprise and he looked at her with love. The moment was captured aesthetically.
Swarnima pushed her shoulder a little behind to make Abhedya understand that he should remove his hand. But, Abhedya tightened his grip.

"Survang, could you please just click a picture of Nim and me. You two... step out of the frame." Abhedya ordered Mayur and Vayu who made a bad face but stepped out.

"What's on your mind?" Swarnima asked in a whisper.

"Trust me you don't want to know."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Readers

Word meaning:
Chola poori: a North Indian dish made from chickpeas accompanied by fried poori made from flour.

Abhedya was a villain in Vayu's love story according to him. But, Swarnima showed him a different perspective of the situation.
Is Swarnima's prettiness the only reason abhedya is getting close to her or is there something else to his sudden fondness?
Stay hooked!
Lots of love.