"Why did you help me though! It's not like we are friends. If you think I will be obliged to return your 'favor' by doing other things, you are mistaken."
"Hey hey, slow down. where did the favor thing come from? I have ZERO interest in you! I mean you are interesting, but only as a friend. And I really thought we were friends. "
"So you just want friendship and nothing more? Are you sure?"
"Yea! Oh God ! what made you think I will be interested in you in any other way ? I am not that kind of a person who spends student years behind girls! I just figured that you have been helping me and now I can help you. And also I really think I want you as my friend. JUST FRIEND! I am telling you again, I AM NOT INTERESTED IN YOU! "
"Hmm ok. Fine. Then I guess I will have to thank you for helping me. And I don't mind having you as a friend. But remember, I hate people who think they can take advantage of me. Just saying, in case you feel something later on. "
It was irritating for Nishant to listen to her talk about this, when he clearly had no other intentions. But her attitude made sense, because he had seen people approaching her with lusty eyes. She already had a reputation of being easy, which now looked quite inaccurate to Nishant.
"Don't worry. I am not harboring any inappropriate thoughts about you. If it helps, I will think of you as my fellow bro. Or you could consider that I am your gay friend. Either ways, all I want is a simple friendship where u tell me what I do wrong and help me improve my writing."
Nishant was surprised when he finished talking, as he had never felt this ease when he spoke to someone. He always had been maintaining a dignified stance and he would pick his words carefully. But with shradha he somehow felt that maintaining an image was not necessary. He could not understand the feeling clearly, but it was as though he did not need social filters while talking to her; he could just speak his mind and she would do so as well.
Shradha smiled and replied saying, "ok bro. I can probably take advantage of your friendship. So let's be friends." Nishant rolled his eyes at shradha but he was happy that she agreed to the friendship. They walked together towards library as shradha had to return some books. They discussed about competed exams on their way to the library. This was actually new to Shradha as she preferred not to talk about exams or studies. But Nishant had been helping her with topics she had trouble understanding, and slowly she had started enjoying these discussions.
After they returned the books it was time to go home. They still had 2 more lab exams to finish. Shradha then gave her phone number to Nishant saying she preferred chatting over WhatsApp than Instagram. After exchanging number, it was official! They were friends now.