chapter 5

[ Time Skip ]         Days had been passing at their own unique pace with Aarushi trying her best to be regular student while her two besties had no interest in keeping up with the college. They only attended the practicals and left the notes sending work to Aarushi. She didn't mind though . It was pretty normal as no one really bothered to be attending the hour long lectures besides the few 7-9 regulars and some random classmates dropping by to settle their attendance once in a while.     " Alone today? Where are the other two?", a sudden familiar voice popped up making Aarushi halt her steps midway. " They don't come besides practicals. ", she answered as she took her step back from the stairs. Recently one of the once in a blue moon student, Vibha , had been pretty regular. That had got them enough close to be friends instead of just classmates. Though Aarushi had her distance maintained, Vibha seemed to be acting as if they were diaper days buddies.  " Oh. Why are you here then?", Vibha asked as she leaned on the railing of the staircase. " To attend lectures?"" They are cancelled." " Who said?" " Me." An akward silence followed as Aarushi 's timid gaze met Vibha's blank  one. Her expressions gave out her uncertainty. " Come on. I ain't lying. I asked in the staffroom.", she said as she stood up straight. " I will go and check in the classroom once I guess. ", Aarushi mumbled as she turned to leave.       " Woah- the level of trust issues. I seriously feel offended.", Vibha complained making the other halt once again and look at her with guilt. Is it offending?  She sighed took two steps up reaching the same stair as Aarushi " Let's go see for you to believe me. ", she said as she walked ahead. Did I really offend her that much?         Aarushi walked behind her as the two reached the floor.  " You didn't need to-", she tried breaking the akward silence but was herself silenced the moment Vibha turned around to look at her. " The floor is lonely. ", she said . Aarushi offered her a confused look hoping she'd elaborate.  Contradicting her expectations Vibha just walked ahead.  They passed the entire hallway which was already deserted giving enough of hint to the situation. She started feeling nervous as they approached their class.      " Hmm.", the other gestured Aarushi to go and have a look while she stood leaning on the wall outside their classroom. Despite  knowing the result she  still proceeded . Aarushi walked in and back out of the dark classroom which only had the sunlight peeping in through the window as the light source. She quietly stood under the door frame her eyes nervously staring at Vibha.      Vibha stood leaning on wall while her one leg was crossed over the other , one hand busy typing while the other held onto the strap of her bag. Her slightly longer than shoulder length dark brown coloured hairs loosely tied in a pony tail had few strands purposely left loose . They slid all the way down till her cheeks. Her focused gaze and square shaped thin metal frame spectacles gave her a strict teacher's vibe. Two finger rings in right hand and a bracelet in left adorned her hands. A single leaf  pendant thin chain matching her greyish green top was the last detail marked in Aarushi's report.      " Done staring?", Vibha asked as she turned her phone off placing it back in her pocket. Aarushi found herself at loss of excuses so she just stood there nervously.This is gonna be embarrasing . Vibha took a step closer never taking her gaze off the other. A small smirk found its place on her lips as she noticed the other get nervous . " I will be heading home then .", Aarushi's abrupt declaration and storming off caught the other off-guard. She couldn't even chase to catch up to the girl.       Aarushi ran down the stairs , her heart beating at an inhuman pace. What even was that? Am I thinking too much? Did I stare at her for that long? Why was I even staring in the first place. I - " I am sorry!",she blurted out as she bumped into a taller figure. " It's okay. You good?", the guy asked as he checked up on her , she nodded akwardly as she slightly bowed immediately turning her steps away to take the other way out.       " Hey you dropped your-", the guy was about to call after Aarushi but she had long disappeared in the crowd. " Ohhhhh . Look who's having a movie like romantic story .", his friend teased as the boy in grey hoodie just smiled while looking at the earring that had somehow fallen off when she bumped into him." Shut up idiots! I will have to go look for -"              " I will return it, no need to bother. ", Vibha's sudden interruption had left the two boys surprised.  It didn't take long for the feeling to convert into irritation. " What do you think of yourself as ? You'd go on making my life a living hell just because I hurt your ego by dumping you? " Vaibha  rolled eyes at him trying to walk away. " Don't mess with her. "  , he threatened , " Or you'll see the worst of me." He left after getting back the earring from Vibha who stood there glaring at him. She smirked and walked away.      "Vibhaaa !!! "A voice called to her as she speedwalked through a crowded hallway. She didn't bother to acknowledge it and increased her pace getting out of the building. " Vibhavari!!!" " Aishh stop!!! " " Can you not run like you are preparing for marathon next?" The voices didn't stop neither did Vibha. " Oh gosh finally!", Riya, one of Vibha's friend  sighed as she had successfully caught hold of the girl's wrist making her take a pause at last. Vibha yanked her hand away looking in the other direction. She bit onto inside of her own cheek to while eyes constantly blinked to hold back the tears threatening to fall down .      " What happened?", Lilly  asked. " Nothing." " Those tears don't mean nothing." " He's a jerk!" " We know. " A silence followed as Vibha closed her eyes , took a deep breath and looked at them. The pained expression a while ago had suddenly been taken over by the recently regular unbothered one. She indeed was good at pretending. And her mood swings were no joke. " He said " don't mess with her " " , Vibha  mimicked. The tension between the two after the breakup was well known. Giving in the fact that he did so for some other girl , Vibha had never digested that well. No way she'd let that off easily. She wasn't a forgive and forget type. Riya , Lilly and kritika stiffened as they knew what was coming.     " I wasn't going to initially. But now I will! "