Reyansh's POV-
The moment her arms wrapped around my neck, time stood still. I was stunned, caught off guard by the sudden hug. My mind raced, trying to process what was happening. Girls didn't usually approach me like this, okay okay I actually don't approach them. I was the guy who kept a safe distance from girls' interaction.
But Pratiksha was different. Her presence felt like a warm sunbeam breaking through the clouds.
I could feel her heartbeat against my chest, matching the erratic rhythm of my own.
After some awkward minutes I managed to say, "Hey."
Smooth, Reyansh. Smooth.
I wanted to say something, something that would make her comfortable, but my brain had turned to mush. Instead, I settled for a sheepish smile.
As we walked toward the hotel, her presence lingered. I stole glances at her. her messy hair, the way she bit her lower lip when she was lost in thought.
'I'm fast at everything!!' Can god create someone more stupid than me?
Literally I just blurted without even thinking it's actual meaning.
When I told this to Raj, he gasped with wide eyes.
"You literally let your intrusive thoughts win bro." he laughed.
'Shut up!' rolling my eyes at him, I head towards the room that was assigned to us.
Next day, we all prepared to go towards the village which was not too far from the hotel.
The moment we stepped on the uneven road it was as if the hills and mountains whispered something to us, inviting us to stay here forever. Hey mountains! I have a family!
Tell me something which is not beautiful in nature. The mountains were giants, their peaks brushing the heavens. Snow-capped. I envisioned myself standing atop one, arms outstretched, shouting defiance at gravity. The river had a voice like a lullaby. And Ah, the breeze! It felt like the nature's kiss, tangling my hair.
I was so intrigued in adoring the nature but then I felt someone's gaze on me. Moving my eyes from the mountains I noticed Pratiksha who just stumbled when our eyes collided.
Before she could fall, I caught her. She smelled very nice but my attention caught her eyes, big eyes, beautiful eyes, adored with kohl.
"Careful" I mumbled slowly because my focus was on her eyes. My heart started racing, I don't know why I always get so panicked or only my heart starts beating so fastly around her. Only her. I didn't listened what she said next but I left quickly from there as I could not control the racing heartbeat. And this is not just the first time. Why did she affect me this way?
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Author's POV-
Pratiksha's expression had a little dissapointment on her face when he left. But why? she don't know. She just shrugged and started walking towards the village. But she felt a hand in her hand while walking, looking up she noticed Niharika, who smiled at her softly and them bumped her shoulder with hers a little.
"I know." she mumbled softly which left her confused.
"You know what?" she asked but Niharika replied nothing and just shrugged.
After some time, they stepped into the village. The air smelled of earth and wood smoke.
The villagers noticed the newcomers immediately as they were waiting for them. There expression held the warmth as they approached, garlands of flowers in hand.
An elderly woman with a young man stepped forward with a welcoming smile. Her eyes crinkled as she smiled at the principal and the students "Welcome, young travelers! I'm Gauri, the head of this village and this is my grandson, Vivek. My grandson handles everything here. And thankyou principal ji for coming here. We've faced our share of challenges—the harsh winters, landslides." Vivek placed the garland around the principal's neck. One by one they placed the garlands to everyone welcoming them.
"You see, during the floods last year, when our bridge collapsed, it was your college that organized a fundraiser. The money you raised helped us build a sturdier bridge." the lady exclaimed. Students were surprised when they got aware of this new information.
The principal cleared his throat, "Our students wanted to make a difference and we are glad that we are helping you all. And Gauri ji, they are here to learn from your wisdom, your traditions, and the resilience that defines Shantivan."
"Our doors are open, our hearts even wider." Vivek smiled at the students. Not to mention he's hot.
"Why he is kinda-" Niharika whispered slowly but her sentence was cutoff by Raj.
"Not a word." he said in furry. Niharika and Pratiksha giggled. Vivek came in there direction to shake hands with the students. He was about to shake hand with Niharika when Raj came in between and shook there hands with raised eyebrow mumbling, 'Hey! My friend. Long time no see' Vivek smiled awkwardly 'Excuse me? I don't know you.' for which he replied, 'I don't know you either.' and Vivek reached for Niharika's hand when again Raj shook his hands but this time he hugged him too.
Vivek went towards Pratiksha's direction and shook his hand with hers. He also kissed her back of hand mumbling 'Hey! pretty lady. I'm Vivek. May I know your name?' Pratiksha smiled awkwardly and withdrew her hands whispering 'hello, I'm Pratiksha' in low voice. Raj and Niharika shared glances in amusement and there was one person who didn't liked the show at all.
Maybe just adoring the nature is not the only thing he have to do.
'We are organizing a bonfire at night, would you like to join me? Oh obviously you'll join haha.' Vivek laughed. She too laughed being nervous.
"There are more people to ask about your night plan Mr. Vivek." Reyansh interrupted.
"Oh yeah! I should announce this there, haha" Vivek again laughed and slowly slipped away from there. Both of them watched him going and then looked at each other. Reyansh sighed looking down, "Sorry, I just felt like he was making you uncomf-"
"No! It's nothing like that. He-he seems to be nice." he frowned at her response and nodded and walked away.
Pratiksha closed her eyes being irritated, 'Why I'm sounding this rude. Maybe this irritation is because of the way he leaved earlier.' She sighed.
.................................
As the night settled over, the students gathered around the flickering bonfire. The crackling flames cast shadows on their faces, and the air filled with the smell of burning wood. Everyone sat in a circle around the fire crossing their legs.
Pratiksha glanced around at her fellow students. Niharika was animatedly chatting with her, while Reyansh sat a little apart, lost in a thought. Vivek stood near the fire, his eyes scanning the group. Reyansh wondered if he was looking for her, but he quickly dismissed the thought. Why he is concerned in this matter?
"Alright, everyone!" A fellow classmate's voice cut through the night. "Let's play a game to break the ice. How about a round of dumb charades?"
Many students disagreed but some agreed too. Many students made faces but you know which side won.
They formed small teams, and a student explained the rules. Pratiksha found herself in a team with Niharika, Raj, Reyansh and Vivek.
Niharika leaned in, whispering, "We've got this! We'll be the best team."
Pratiksha nodded, her nerves fluttering. She stole a glance at the opposite direction, there eyes met briefly, and she looked away.
The game began. Raj stood up first, miming exaggerated actions. Niharika guessed "Titanic" within seconds. Not to forget he did that SRK pose referring Titanic!
A round being played in different team, cheers, giggles and applause filled the environment. Pratiksha somehow felt as if someone's watching her, she looked here and there and found Vivek smiling at her, she returned the smile softly and looked away.
The thing that she didn't notice was someone else was watching her and her giving smile to Vivek was not a great view to him.
As the game continued, other team acted out "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge," complete with imaginary train compartments and Shah Rukh Khan's iconic pose. Another team mimicked "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha," god knows how!
Finally, it was Pratiksha's turn. She stood up hoping god gives her a decent movie name. She was told that Reyansh have to guess it as he's the member of her team.
Her eyes met Reyansh's, who watched her intently. She hoped he'd understand.
As soon she opened the chit for the movie, her eyes widened. She looked in his direction again being shocked.
It's
It's
It's
The movie she had to act out revealed "Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam."
God Help me!
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UHMM HMMM....LET'S SEE HOW SHE ACTS THIS MOVIE NAME.
OKAY WAIT! I WONDER HOW THEY ACTED TOILET: EK PREM KATHA.
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