ᴀ ᴍ ᴀ ʀ ᴀ   ʀ ᴀ ɪ ᴄ ʜ ᴀ ɴ ᴅ

"Get away, you idiots!" I shouted while pushing people past me.

"You piece of-" I couldn't complete my sentence as a professor glared at me.

The corridor was filled with hundreds of students. I didn't know I would be late because of that damn car.

I kept running for what felt like forever. I knew the bell could ring any moment, and I didn't want to be late for my first lecture at any cost because Mr. Pradyuman wouldn't hesitate to call Arjun Bro.

And then my legs finally stopped, and in front of my eyes was the classroom where I had to go in for my first lecture.

"Amara!" The voices were heard from the very end of the class.

"Ughh, finally." I muttered, taking slow steps towards them, and couldn't move any further as a hand stopped me in between.

"You know what would be the consequences if you came late today?" Shreyas asked with raised eyebrows.

Again, his protectiveness!

"It was my car again. I had to walk till the college because that shit broke in the middle." I huffed, crossing my arms.

"Why don't you get a new one? The problem is always your car." Shreya questioned, who is also Shreyas' twin.

"Uhh- you really think I will be able to ask Arjun Bro for a new car? It was a just week ago that the new and not needed interior designing of my room got completed. He will be mad." I replied with a pout.

"Okay, so tell me how many times he has denied you to buy you things or spoil you?" Reva questioned with a dreamy look.

"Uhh- none." I pouted, realizing whatever she said was absolutely true.

"Exactly. He's the perfect." Shreya said dreamily with a blush coating her cheeks, and even Reva had a faint pink tint on her cheeks, which Shreyas didn't like even a bit.

"Hush, hush, kiddos. Get out of your leader's way." A voice said, and following this was a push directed towards me, making me lose my balance.

"What the fuck Jai? What if I had gotten hurt?" I hissed at my another friend Jai.

Jai is like the perfect college guy. He's popular, football champion and I have to say even handsome. Has this dark brown hair with the same colored eyes that enhances his ruggedness even more.

I probably had a crush on him in the starting, but it faded out eventually as I got to know I wasn't able to develop genuine feelings towards him.

"You would've gotten hurt? Have you even looked at yourself, you woman with a body of a man?" He mocked.

And here he started again!

I can't believe this guy. One moment, he is like, "You're the prettiest girl in the whole college, and then his next dialogue will be what is the secret of your body of a man? I want to have those hefty hands like you.

"Shut it, Jai. The professor is here, so guys, take your seats." Shreyas said, patting us to move forward.

Shreyas took the seat beside Reva, who instantly blushed. God, these chipmunks! Can't they just get together for real?

I took the seat beside Shreya, and Jai glared at me because now he'll have to sit alone.

But how wrong I was as he pushed me further on the seat, now sitting on the empty space beside me. It was literally the three of us on a seat made for two.

As always, Shreya couldn't care less. She had already plugged her earphones and was busy listening to The Weekend.

"What the hell, Jai? There's no space because of you fatty." I slapped his bicep, which was practically crashing my shoulders.

This was the level of gap between us. Basically, none and me are squished between these two.

"And you think I'll sit alone? No thanks." Was Jai's sarcastic remark.

"But there are plenty of girls here who are dying to sit with you. It won't even take seconds for you to get a partner who will definitely be a girl." I said knowingly.

"Stop it, Amara. You know I won't go away from this seat. And there's basically no seat remaining. The ones that are left are beside those wannabes, and I will never sit beside them." Jai replied, pointing to the seats occupied by each girl who all were sitting alone.

"Ugh, that's unfair. I hate you." I grumbled.

"But I love you, darling." He cooed, and I glared at him.

This wasn't the first time he was saying this. He had always been playful regarding this matter, and he's someone who I never take seriously. Playboy would be the perfect word for him.

"Morning, students!" Mr. Pradyuman, our lecturer, greeted stepping into our class, and I am sure almost everyone had greeted him back except me.

Well, he was never my favorite professor, or let's just say the person who I even liked and the same case was with him. He didn't miss a chance to show I was his least favorite student.

"So, before we start with our daily lecture, I have someone who is coming specially for our class today. He's the CEO of India's top software engineering startup and certainly one of the best software engineer of our country. You have no idea how much effort it took me and our college for his visit, so behave properly and use this chance wisely. Because soon, campus placements are going to take place, and I am sure no one would like this opportunity to slide out of their hands." He said, and it immediately peeked my interest.

From the very beginning, I never had an interest in business, no matter the fact that my family is all related to business. And what peeked my interest was technology, playing with computers, generating apps, and programs. And so I decided that I'll be doing Software Engineering. Currently, I am doing my Master's Course, and this is my last year as following this will be a good job if only I get one.

"So, students, let's welcome our today's guest, Mr. Rehaan Roy." Mr. Pradyuman continued, and my jaw dropped.

Rehaan freaking Roy?

That idiot of a man, Rehaan?

That irritating as hell man, Rehaan?

That insanely handsome man, Rehaan?

Wait! What the heck, Amara? What did you just say?

Handsome?

Oh, I bet he is. The leather shoes came in my view as I glanced at the doorway of our classroom and following this was a pair of strong, long legs covered with black pants and then came in view a chiseled torso wearing a white dress shirt covered with an insanely expensive looking coat.

And then my eyes landed on his face. That chiseled jaw covered with stubble and high cheekbones with a slightly crooked nose. His midnight black hair was gelled back into perfection, enhancing his masculinity even more, and this was the first time I was sure I saw his suave look.

He had always been a casual type of guy wearing jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers. And now it's totally different and I can't help, but to think that this suits him. He looks perfect.

His eyes were busy roaming the class as he stood behind the podium placed at the center of the first row. He had this blank face busy glancing at the new people around him.

And then my hazel eyes met his stormy grey, making me gulp immediately.

I bet I haven't looked at him in this way my whole life. Not even when I once in a blue moon used to go to my cousin, Rhea's house and sometimes he would be there as he was the bestfriend of my another cousin who is also Rhea's elder brother, Rohit.

And then an unexpected event took place. He gave me a big smirk as soon as he noticed me following with a big smile from his side.

I gulped as my classmates looked at me with their mouth dropped open. Of course, everyone would be shocked seeing a handsome as hell man who is also an inspiration for them passing this big smile towards me.

Shreya was too busy listening to The Weekend as there was no reaction from her side, but Jai had a frown on his face, looking at me doubtfully.

Regaining my composure, I waved at him remembering the moments we'd spend at Rohit's wedding, and he literally waved back at me, which caused a round of gasp coming out of my classmates mouth.

His gaze was still settled upon me while he was busy taking out his glasses from his coat's pocket. And even while wearing them in the most sleek way, his eyes didn't leave mine.

He looks so good in those glasses.

"Why the fuck is he looking at you this way? Do you know him from before?" Jai's hushed voice made me snap my head towards him, which was busy on Rehaan's.

"Uhh-I-," I stammered.

"Good morning, students." Rehaan's deep voice made me look back at him, and I found that his gaze still didn't move away from me.

And then he clenched his jaw.

"Quiet, everyone." His authoritative voice made everyone stop their murmurs instantly.

"You." He said, pointing a finger towards my direction, and I gulped in fear.

All of a sudden, Jai stood up from he sitting beside me, and I released a breath.

And here I thought he was pointing at me!

"Are there any fewer seats here that you're sitting besides those girls?" He aksed with a straight face.

"Sir, I-" Jai started, but Rehaan cut him off right there.

"I have no time to listen to your explanation. Just pack up your things and sit right there." He said, pointing to the seat in opposite corner, which was beside a girl who is always seen alone.

Jai hesitantly left my hand, which I didn't even realize he had been holding up and took his bag, walking to the seat Rehaan had asked him to sit on.

I released a breath, making myself comfortable on the seat now that I had plenty of space. The fact that I was being squished completely between Jai and Shreya was hidden from no one. My breathing was basically stuck.

"As you all know, why -" And then his speech or more like lecture started in which I had zero interest.

My whole attention was on looking at him. How he adjusted his glasses from time to time. How his lips were moving in perfection. How he was flicking his wrist in the sexiest manner.

What is happening with me?

I didn't miss the time when he glanced at me in between and gave this small smirk as if he had caught me ogling him. But this was nothing. It was me who'd set his hair on the Rohit's wedding as he just couldn't set the perfect look and was grumpy the whole time.

And I didn't even miss the looks the girls were giving me, and Rehaan kept glancing at me from time to time.

It's only because I am a known person to him. There's nothing else. Why are they looking at me this way? And why is Rehaan behaving this way? What has happened to the ever naughty guy?

"So, I hope you all took a notice to what I said, and I am sure it'll help you ahead of your lives. I'm glad I could help such brilliant youth." He ended with a small smile, which was the first one these students must've seen because all he had been looking at everyone was with a straight face.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Rehaan that you agreed to come her at such short notice. I am really grateful that my students could hear such great tips from a man like you." Mr. Pradyuman said, and I am sure this was the first time I was witnessing him speaking such gently or in a nice manner.

"My pleasure, Mr. Pradyuman." He said, nodding his head and shaking hands with the professor.

"I would love it if someone could escort you to the tour of our college." Mr. Pradyuman's voice was heard.

"Of course." Rehaan nodded his head politely, and I could see the sudden excitement in the girls present in the room.

"If you don't mind, can I choose the person?" Rehaan continued making me raise my eyebrows.

Has he finally found someone of his level that too in this classroom?

"O-of course." Mr. Pradyuman agreed instantly.

"Amara. Amara Raichand." Rehaan said without wasting any moment, and I gulped with wide eyes.

People around me looked shocked with their expressions. Probably because of the fact he knew my name. Basically, it's my complete name.

Even Mr. Pradyuman looked shocked that he picked me. I know I am known for trouble as I don't really listen to professors as an obedient student, but that doesn't mean I am spoilt.

"Amara." Mr. Pradyuman forced out, looking at me expectantly as I hadn't moved from my place since Rehaan took my name.

"Y-yes, sir." I replied, and as I picked up my bag, Rehaan gestured to keep it down, and I even listened to him.

Without wasting any time on my thoughts or the curious stares of my friends, I made my way to the front of the class where he was standing with his hands placed inside his pockets.

He looked so handso-

"Amara." The way he said made a chill run down my spine.

"Rehaan." Was my response, without any hesitation, and the students sitting in the front gasped audibly as everyone in the room were to address him as Sir.

I didn't pay much attention to the fact that loud murmurs, gasps, and whispers were heard from the whole class and also when I heard a cough.

It was Mr. Pradyuman.

"Uhh- Amara, this behavior is not acceptable. You are calling Mr Roy by first name basis which isn't how you should considering the respect-" Mr. Pradyuman started but was cut off.

"I absolutely don't mind my friend calling me by my first name Mr. Pradyuman." Rehaan said with a straight face, and I looked at him shocked.

He just addressed me as his friend! Are we actually friends? At most we have met is thrice.

"F-friend?" Mr. Pradyuman stuttered, and I tried my best to control the laugh that was begging to escape from my mouth.

"Of course. We have known each other since our childhood." Rehaan replied casually, a smile directed towards my direction, causing me to smile back.

"O-Oh, that's great." Mr. Pradyuman again stuttered, and it was almost impossible for me to control my laugh.

"So, shall we, Amara?" Rehaan questioned, gesturing me towards the doorway of our classroom.

"We shall." I replied in an instant and started walking towards the door with him by my side.

******

Hey everyone!

So, it seems our darling Amara and charming Rehaan have met in the most unexpected of ways. Friends? Or more like acquaintances for them.

How was the start, btw?