Chapter : 20

Ananya's POV

Packing the last of my belongings which included my toothbrush and a few notepads into my duffle bag, I made my way down the stairs.

"Take care, dear." Matilda, the house maid's voice reached me as I walked my way to the door.

"Yeah, Matilda," I replied with a smile, my mind excited with all the possibilities of fun on this trip.

Upon reaching the door, my legs halted and eyes strayed upon the key hanger. There were the keys to Ravi's Royal Enfield. A sly smile creeped up my lips and I slipped the keys out.

I deserve to ride that thing. I'm his sister, for God's sake!

I picked the helmet and skipped out into the front yard. Kick starting the bike, I drove off to campus.

***

The entire campus was clear as the cerulean skies overhead. Only about twenty  boys were gathered up in there. I had been informed by the administration that a designated bus would be taking us to the IIT. It was 6:00 in the morning, quite early for classes to begin, and therefore the school appeared empty and dull.

I made my way towards the group. Upon counting the heads, I realized there were 15 students including me. I frowned at the fact that they were all guys. No girl to hang out with.

"Where are the girls?" I asked.

The guys turned to look at me as if I had cracked a joke.

"Did you even check the participant's form before substituting for your brother?" A familiar voice reached my ears. 

I turned to meet those green eyes.

"Rishav?" I spoke in disbelief.

"No girls on this trip, girl." Rishav said with a smirk.

Wait- what?

"What do you mean?" I asked, my head whirring with pessimism. 

"What I mean is that, from our school, only guys had enrolled into this trip. You substituted for your brother so you're the only girl," Rishav explained breezily. 

No... This can't...I...

"Ravi!" I screamed out in anger, glaring up at the skies.

Why? Why? WHY!?

I HATE MY BROTHER.

"Wow, I appreciate the excitement, girl." Rishav said and turned to the group of guys.

While I was still processing the horrible facts of this trip, an ivory bus made it's way into the campus and halted near us. The boys began to pick their bags and one by one boarded it.

Is this worth my time and patience? This awful trip?

I looked back and forth between the bus and my bike (okay fine, Ravi's bike), contemplating on my options. I could either go home. Or I could go to IIT Delhi.

Taking a deep breath, I made my mind. I picked up the duffle bag and started walking.

"IIT Delhi it is."

Getting up on the bus, I took a look at the rest of the passengers. There were students from other schools too. Everybody had the badges of their own schools and were sitting together in pairs.

I shook hands with the volunteer. He passed me a friendly smile and pointed out the seats reserved for us. Most of the guys had already took the seats in pairs and four seats were empty now for us.

"Here's your ID proof. Keep it with you at all times. Another student from your school will be assigned the same ID number so that you guys can share one of the dorm rooms for the night," the volunteer told me.

Nodding my head, I took the card and flopped down on one of the remaining four seats, the window seat.

The remaining three boys also climbed into the bus, verifying their names and getting their ID's. Rishav was the last to board the bus. Once he received the card, he looked over to find his seat. His eyes halted on the seat beside mine and he scanned the bus again in his desperation, in case there was some other seat available.

Finally giving up, he sighed and settled down beside me.

I mentally smirked at his condition.

"So, the universe has destined me to bear your annoyance," Rishav commented, looking at me wearily.

"I guess so" I shrugged and plugged my earphones to tune out his annoyance.