"Are you crazy? What the hell is wrong with you? How dare you hit me?" saying so, Yash got up and threw a jab towards Abhirath's face, only to be blocked.
"Ha... In this life or next, you are not worthy of competing with me. So, don't even try. And henceforth, make sure that you don't come anywhere near me or mine. Else…" without bothering to complete his sentence, Abhirath strolled away.
Nirbhay and Chiranjeev looked from one guy to another in complete shock before hastily running to catch up with Abhirath.
"What just happened? Why did you do it? Actually, screw it. You were really cool just now. High time you showed the guy that you are in the race too… so what if he is dating her right now. They are no engaged or anything yet," Chiranjeev grinned and said, patting Abhirath on his back on the way to the eatery.
Listening to the unconditional support, Abhirath felt his anger go down. He had struggled to hold onto his temper when that guy came in front of him. A part of him wanted to rip Yash apart for hurting Mriga.
"Why don't you guys go ahead? I have a lot of work left here to finish," Mriga cajoled Ishani who was asking her to join in for the lunch.
"Mriga, by hiding yourself, the pain won't lessen. All the people who are coming there, are your friends. You don't need to put your best foot forward in front of them. Just come as you are and eat. Conversations with buddies and good food are the best combination to recover from heartbreaks," Ishani said in her usual blunt manner.
Mriga opened her mouth to protest but Ishani was done trying to convince her.
"If you don't come peacefully, I will have to use force," she said, threatening Mriga with her fingers.
Not many people knew that Mriga was extremely ticklish, especially in the midriff region. Even someone approaching her with the intention to tickle would make her start giggling helplessly in anticipation.
Backing away from her friend's menacing fingers, she got up hastily and said, "Let's go."
Ishani gave a triumphant smile and linked her hands with her bestie.
At the restaurant
"Can you stop drumming your fingers so loudly on the table. I understand that you are impatient to see her but do you have to show it so blatantly in front of us," Nirbhay complained.
After some wait, the boys had managed to find a table in the overflowing place and were waiting for Vandit to arrive with the two girls.
Boys' dorm
Vindhya had been looking for an excuse to see Yash this morning before leaving for home. She was really curious to know the situation post that bumpkin's friend's visit last evening. Initially, she had thought of playing the ignorant and innocent one in front of that girl but later decided to make her intentions clear. She wanted the entire world to know that Yash belonged to her and her only.
Now she wanted to know what Yash's reaction had been to the revelation. On her way, she saw Mriga and her two companions walking past her. They were busy talking amongst themselves about going to some nearby eatery. Apparently, they were meeting their quiz team there. The girl looked downcast though. Vindhya smiled as she was hit by an inspiration.
"Hey, I was just about to send a message upstairs to you," she said as Yash came down the steps from his hostel.
Yash was surprised to see Vindhya waiting for him and asked her the reason for her visit.
"Uh, I actually wanted to speak with you about my stay at your place during the vacation. Can we talk for a bit?" she asked formally.
He was in a bad mood and the last thing that he wanted to do was being reminded of the reason for his issues with Mriga. But it wasn't Vindhya's fault. He shook his head and told her to go ahead.
"No, not here. I don't want you to be misunderstood if we are seen by your, err… the girl you like. The last time we met, it seemed to me that she was a little upset by my presence. So, why don't I treat you to lunch at that eatery which is just near the Gurukul. Following the strict regime, I almost never get a chance to eat anything apart from what is prescribed by my parents. As a result, I have never been there. So, it will be a nice change for me, too," she said in a soft, cajoling tone.
Yash's jaw was still sore after being hit by that arrogant guy. He wasn't particularly hungry either. But the first sentence out of Vindhya's mouth, made him say yes to her offer.
Twenty minutes later
"I am afraid you will have to wait for fifteen to twenty minutes before a table gets vacant," the waiter said to Yash, apologetically.
He turned to look at Vindhya to ask whether they should wait or go but was surprised at her expression.
Following her gaze, he saw the tableau in front of him, making him freeze.
"Uh, let's go somewhere else. I don't want to wait," Vindhya said hastily, trying to pull Yash from there.
"No, I am going to wait. I want to eat here only this afternoon," he said in a cold tone, staring at the table in front of them.
"Mriga, you are so mean. Just because you are sad right now, how much advantage will you take of the situation? How dare you finish all the pieces of chicken from the curry? What am I supposed to eat now?" Nirbhay said with a mock scowl.
Abhirath banged his foot against the guy's shin for his insensitive remark, making him howl in pain.
But Mriga burst out laughing instead. The boys' antics in the past half hour had lessened her pain and made it easier for her to breathe. Her appetite had returned after days and she binged on her favourite dish without any qualms.