Author's POV-
Reyansh was in his garden, washing his bike, humming a tune to himself. Niharika walked up to him, a mischievous smile on her face.
"Bhai, tum trip pe jaa rahe ho na?" (you're going on the trip, right?) she asked him according to her plan.
Reyansh, without looking up, continued scrubbing his bike "Obviously, I'm going. Who would miss such a fun trip?"
Niharika, trying to gauge his reaction. "Oh, by the way, Pratiksha isn't going."
Reyansh stopped for a moment, the sponge in his hand hovering over the bike. He quickly resumed scrubbing, trying to act nonchalant, "So, Why would I care? "
Niharika, raising an eyebrow, "Yeah, yeah, I know. It doesn't matter to you at all. I was just saying I thought you should know as you are the one whom comes in her dreams other than Shahrukh Khan" she laughed.
Reyansh, rolling his eyes, "Niharika, don't you have anything else to do? Go."
Niharika laughed and walked away, leaving Reyansh to his thoughts. He sighed, wondering why he felt a pang of disappointment at the new.
Whereas Niharika looked at Raj who was seeing the scene from far who mouthed, 'well done, babe' when she showed him her middle finger.
---------------------------
Pratiksha was washing the dishes when she heard a cry in the dinning hall.
She went there only to notice that Ishita had tears in her eyes, her heart clenched at the sight. Ishita is requesting her father to give her a laptop as he had promised before her exam but due to her school fee they used that money to pay the fee.
He again promised her that he will give it to her before her birthday this year.
Typical middle class problem.
She can't even think to ask them to give her 10,000 rupees just for her college trip.
She wants to help her parents by doing a part time job but they denied the idea saying that she should only focus on her studies and not to worry on these things.
-----------------------------
Pratiksha was sitting under the neem tree in the college, engrossed in her notes. Niharika is with Raj in the college canteen because he challenged her that she can't eat more than three icecreams but this hurted her ego, they told Pratiksha to join them but she denied saying she have to prepare for the upcoming exams. And yeah, the reason of Raj being in the college is due to the preparation he have to do for the trip along with his some colleagues.
The shade provided a cool respite from the sun, and she was trying to focus on her studies. Reyansh was standing behind her seat looking at her peacefully reading the notes. His heart did something but he did not wanted to admit.
Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked up to see Reyansh standing there, looking a bit hesitant.
"Hey, Pratiksha. Umm Why aren't you going on the trip?" he asked directly on point.
Him calling her name did something to her stomach which she obviously didn't wanted. And the question also made her uncomfortable, she shifted on her seat.
Avoiding eye contact, she mumbled "Woh... bas aise hi." (Well... just like that.)
Reyansh, trying to sound casual but feeling curious, "Just like that? There must be a reason?"
Pratiksha, still not looking at him, "No, just... I don't want to go. By the way, you shouldn't care much about this too."
"I don't care at all but Niharika wanted to know the reason." he lied.
"Niharika already knows the reason."
Uhh ohh
Reyansh, scratching his head, "But everyone is going. You should come too.", ignoring her comment.
'why he is getting nervous again?' he thought.
Pratiksha, trying to come up with an excuse, "Mujhe na, wahan ke paani se allergy hai. Pichli baar jab main gayi thi, toh main machhli ki tarah chipak gayi thi." (I'm allergic to the water there. Last time I went, I stuck like a fish.)
Reyansh, raising an eyebrow, "Machhli ki tarah? Seriously?" (Like a fish? Seriously?), he asked in desbelief.
Pratiksha, nodding earnestly, still blabbering "Haan, aur mujhe na, wahan ke pedon se bhi darr lagta hai. Kya pata, koi ped chal kar mere paas aa jaye." (Yes, and I'm also scared of the trees there. What if a tree walks up to me?)
She, continuing her blabbering.
Reyansh, now thoroughly confused " You really don't want to go, do you?"
She, looking down, "Haan, bas... kuch aise hi." (Yes, just... something like that.) she lied, he knew it was something else and he got know she says anything out of context when she lies or be nervous.
Reyansh sighed, feeling disappointed. He realized there was more to her excuses than she was letting on.
He turned and walked away, leaving Pratiksha to her thoughts. She watched him go, feeling a mix of relief and guilt.
------------------------------
"What's the actual reason she don't want to go on the trip?" he asked without looking at his sister's direction who was staring at him in excitement and shock.
Reyansh glanced at his sister, who was practically jumping with excitement.
Niharika's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, so now you're concerned about Pratiksha, huh?" she teased, nudging him playfully.
"Shut up," Reyansh muttered, his cheeks turning a shade of red. "Just tell me."
Niharika smirked. "Acha, toh ab aapko Pratiksha ki itni fikar hai? (Oh, so now you're so concerned about Pratiksha?)"
Reyansh rolled his eyes. "Fikar to tujhe honi chahiye na teri bestfriend hai?" (You should be worried, isn't she your bestfriend?)
Niharika pretended to think for a moment. "Well, she didn't tell me directly, but I think she doesn't want to spend her parents' money. She's very careful about expenses."
Reyansh nodded humming, absorbing this information.
Niharika raised an eyebrow. "That's it?"
Reyansh stood up. "Ha main toh bas aise hi puchh raha tha, kuchh galat mat sochiyo." (I was just asking, I have nothing to do with this.)
She hummed teasingly.
He ruffled her hairs, "Padhai kar." (Go and study)
Niharika watched him go, a knowing smile on her lips.
As Reyansh walked away, he couldn't help but wonder why he was so invested in this. Maybe it was the way Pratiksha's presence made him feel at ease, or perhaps he just enjoyed their playful bickering. Whatever it was, he knew he had to do something.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DO VOTE AND EXPRESS YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS...<3
Write a comment ...