Ring! Ring! Ring!
Who was it so early in the morning?!
I picked up the call and saw the caller ID. It was so blurry. I rubbed my eyes to get a clear image.
Nikhil? Why was he calling me at 4 am? Wasn't his life precious to him? I pressed the green icon.
"Hel-"
"Do you have a death wish?" I shouted.
"Ouch. My ears. Good morning sunshine," he said and I groaned.
"Do you know what time it is? I shouldn't have given you my number in the first place," I complained.
"I am not sorry. You free this Saturday?"
"You could have asked that later too. Why disturb my beauty sleep?!" I yelled.
"I am going to this newly opened club tonight. Wanna tag along?"
I cut the call. He called me to ask that? Idiot. I went back to my sleep but I couldn't sleep anymore. I got up and decided to go for a walk. If I saw him today, I was going to kill him.
My parents were still asleep, so I locked the house and stretched my arms. I went to the park and some people who I thought were vampires in real life did some complex exercises. How can you wake up so early? Sun wasn't even up yet. I yawned and started my second round around the park.
Ã~Ã
"Didn't know zombies went to college too," Nikhil commented and I glared at him.
"It's all your fault," I hissed. He put up his hands in surrender.
"I couldn't sleep back because of you," I accused and he started laughing.
"Dreamed of me so much that you couldn't sleep?" He smirked and I slapped his shoulder. Ved was quietly observing us. How hadn't he said anything insulting yet?
"This look suits you," Ved commented. He just can't keep his mouth shut, can he?
"Thank you," I said mockingly and he rolled his eyes. Ayush soon arrived and did a double take when he saw me.
Did I look that bad? I checked my reflection in the mobile camera. I scrunched my face. My eyes were bloodshot like I was drunk and had dark circles. Just one day I didn't sleep properly, and my skin betrayed me.
The guys went to their seats as the lecturer arrived. Surbhi told me she wouldn't be able to attend college today. She had to help her Mom in her office. Parth was busy talking with his other friends.
I was bored already. Mehta sir scolded me when I kept yawning in his lecture. The other lectures were the same. I tried to focus but I was failing at it badly.
Ã~Ã
"Ouch!" I bumped into someone.
"I am sorry. Wasn't looking," I apologized and saw Mahek rubbing her arm.
She nodded her head and left. I should stop sleepwalking before I found myself under a truck. I stretched my body and went to the library. Just 40 minutes till lunch break.
I opened up a book and began reading. I tried but after sometime, my head hit the book. Yesterday was already tiring and thanks to Nikhil, I woke up far early than my regular time.
"Hey! Wake up." I stirred and saw Shreyas looking down at me. I blinked and looked around me. Where was I? I rubbed my eyes and focused my vision.
I was in college. I fell asleep I guess.
"You have been asleep for one hour now. The librarian told me to wake you up," he said and I nodded my head.
I picked up my books and put them in my bag. I got up and thanked him.
"Didn't get enough sleep?" he asked as we marched out of the library. I nodded again.
What was the next class? I checked my phone and noticed I missed half of the lunch break. Damn.
It wasn't until we entered the cafeteria that I realized Shreyas was walking with me. I stopped and he turned back to look at me.
"Why?" I asked.
"What why?" he questioned back, and I looked at him quizzically.
"Why are you talking to me?"
He shrugged and didn't say anything. I shook my head and took my seat. He went to sit at Ved's table. I glanced at him and he was already involved in the conversation. He had started socializing, I guess.
"Why were you so late? We even called you," Tanya complained and I told her I fell asleep.
They all laughed at me and I joined in after some seconds. Rashi braided my hair since I got them all ruffled. She loved playing with my hair. Divya complimented her work as I ate my lunch.
I checked my hairstyle and was amazed.
"Why don't you become a hairstylist? You really have the talent," I told her and others agreed.
"Thanks. I have discussed it with my mom. Maybe she would let me join a professional course."
"That's great. If you need to convince your mom more, we will help," Tanya said and we all praised Rashi. The bell rang and we all got up to leave.
"Are you trying to give me a competition?" Shree asked and looked at my hair with jealousy. I smirked. I flaunted my hairstyle and he ran a hand through his hair. He tied them up in a pony and let some strands loose.
He smirked when he saw my reaction. He looked so good in that hairstyle. It was simple but I couldn't stop feeling jealous. I called Rashi for help and she did some changes to my hairstyle within a few minutes.
I rotated on my toes and did a curtsy. Shree narrowed his eyes at me.
"That's cheating. You can't use someone's help," he complained.
"When did we set the rules?" I checked my nails.
"So childish," Ved commented and Shreyas looked at us curiously.
"Someone is jealous," I replied, and Shree and me high-fived. Ved glared at him and he shrugged his shoulders.
"Great work," Shree addressed Rashi and she smiled. Ved directed his glare at me and I gave him a tight lipped smile.
"Baffoon," he commented and Tanya dived in before I punched him. She told me to ignore his comments.
He left with his friends and I exhaled loudly. Tanya started laughing and I fake glared at her.
"That looks good on you," Nikhil commented. He didn't leave?
"You haven't given me an answer yet," he said and I furrowed my eyebrows.
"You forgot already? The club. You want to come? It's close to where we live," he said and I punched him on the shoulder.
"Ow. What was that for?" He rubbed his shoulder.
"For disturbing my sleep. Try that again and I will come to your house and bury you in your backyard," I said trying to act scary.
"Sorry about that. I have a habit of waking up early. Can't blame I got an Army dad."
"Hmmm.. I will think and let you know," I said. He smiled in return and left.
"Something is cooking here~ spill the tea. Are you both dating?" Divya wiggled her eyebrows.
"What?! No. We are just friends," I replied. First, Tanya accused me of dating Ved and now Divya was talking of Nikhil and me as a couple.
"They all say the same thing. We are just friends and then we see them talking about their fifth kid," she stated.
I rolled my eyes. I pinched her cheek and she slapped my hand away. She deserved it.
"He was asking you for a date. You shouldn't make a guy wait for long. I approve of him. He is good looking, smart and the vice-captain of junior basketball team. What more can you ask for?" She motioned with her hands.
I shook my head and she continued pestering me to say yes for the date till I reached my classroom. Rashi and Tanya dragged her away and I thanked them.
"Say yes!" she shouted last time and I wondered how could someone be so crazy.
"Say yes to what?" I jumped in fright when I heard the voice.
"Stop doing that. You will give me a heart attack one of these days," I complained and Shreyas continued staring at me.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that? I am not stalking you. Relax," I said and he chuckled.
His laugh was contagious and I also began laughing. We stopped and an awkward silence surrounded us.
"I don't know if you know my name or not, but I am Sandhya." I extended my hand towards him.
He just stood there like a statue.
"You can ignore it if you want," I said but he grabbed my hand before I retreated it to my side.
"Shreyas. You already know it I am sure." We shook our hands and stood there without speaking a word. Awkward.
I broke the silence and told him I was happy he decided to be my friend. He was, right? He nodded his head and we went to our respective classrooms.
I turned towards my seat and bumped into a girl. Mahek. That was the second time today. She looked at me and gave me a small smile. I smiled back. She wasn't in this class. She quickly left and I stared at her till she got out of the room.
What was she doing here? I sat on my seat and took out my books. Something hit the back of my head. A paper ball rolled down beside me. I picked it up and opened it.
"Slut." It read. I crushed the paper and glanced back. Ved was already looking at me. I knew that look; look of pure hatred. I threw the paper back at him but it didn't reach him. He laughed at my failed attempt.
I decided to ignore him. I received a text message from Nikhil.
Nikhil: Sorry.
Me: Why are you apologizing? Don't worry. He will always be an idiot.
Nikhil: ð
Me: ð
Nikhil: You coming then?
Me: OK.
Nikhil: I am jumping in joy here.
I laughed at this and glanced back. He smiled at me and I smiled back. How could he be friends with Ved? He must be stuck with him because they were in the same team. I felt bad for him.
After the lectures and nerve wrecking questionnaires in science club, I sighed in relief when the bell rang. I would die soon if this continued. Let's get this competition over with.
I got home and asked Nikhil when we had to go to that club. He told me we could go this Saturday. I agreed and thought relaxing for a few hours would be good. The week after next, we would leave for the competition.
Saturday, Saturday~~
I began singing and pulled mom in a dance. Surbhi would have killed me if she heard me singing that song again. But she wasn't here. So, I sang at the top of my voice and wondered why she didn't like it. Oh whatever.
Saturday, Saturday~~~