chapter 50

    " Are you two you know- umm a couple?" , I still reacted to it though I had seen it coming. " No - she just loves to fool around.", I replied as quickly as I could. I don't know why would someone get that idea looking us fool around, even weirder why would I expect it already.      " I just asked casually, didn't mean to offend or something -", she appologised and that made me aware of how agressive my reaction might have came out .    " No it's just not that. I know why you asked but trust me it's nothing she just is trying to get on my nerves -" " If you are scared- I am not homophobic.", she interrupted and now I can see where this is actually going, not like I didn't before.       " See it's nothing like that. She's just been pestering me for a while , she loves to tease me."  The colours on her face dulled a bit as she looked at me and nodded. There was kind of understanding in her gesture.     " If you ask me , it doesn't seem just teasing. I mean , I have no idea what's the deal between you two but it seems she genuinely does care about you and you know might actually be  - I am assuming not really like-". " Let's just leave it here.", I cut her off before it could got anymore awkward.     There was silence for a while making it somehow uncomfortable with no professor taking on the lecture. There were a few students at the far back but they were amongst themselves and I didn't know them.     Lucky for me , Vibha walked in . I don't know if it's good or weird but it's needed. Something to take it off the topic. She settled besides me and Sneha found herself another desk behind us , nobody asked her to , she just kind of went away. I turned around to check on her and she smiled.     Did I perhaps upset her? I didn't want to make her uncomfortable or create a rift between us, it just happened? " That moron is seriously working his arse off trying to be something I would accept.", Vibha spoke out of nowhere with a mocking chuckle and I turned my attention to her. " So what are you - I mean are you thinking of giving him another chance perhaps?", I don't know why would I ask that but I did.    Her eyes were still on the screen as she replied in an unsure tone, " Not sure about that yet but his efforts are worth appreciating.", she said it with a smile. I don't know why it made feel bad. He's making efforts to win her back ain't that good? Why am I having this unsettling then. Is it because I personally find him creep ?        " What's wrong? Did I shoo your bestie off?", she asked looking for Sneha and I ignored her but she did the same as her phone dinged. So now her ' priorities ' change.      The proffesor entered appologising for the delay and started with her lecture. It was us , just 5-6 students, we were on the second most bench and this girl besides me still had the audacity to chat under the desk. Who was so important that couldn't wait a lecture.      The lectures continued after that while this girl indulged in her background activities without getting caught I don't know how. Either the proffesors shrugged it off or she was very good at whatever this is. But it was very irritating to me. I know it has nothing to do with me but still. For the first time I just wanted the lectures to be called off and they weren't.         She had been on her phone all day and won't let it off even now while walking down the stairs.  I just wish she falls down the damn stairs.Unfortunately she didn't but I did trip twice, not fell though.      " Hey.", the now familiar voice greeted us and Vibha looked up to him and offered a smile, not her full fledged teasing one but a greeting smile.      " I had to return this. Also I made you something.", he said handing over a bag to her."Your cooking?" " I told you , I am pursuing to be a chef in famous five star restaurant some day ."  " Only thing you are good at. "  , he smiled at the statement though I nowhere see what's the compliment in this. " I am best at it. There would be lines and scheduled dinners to eat my food. ", he exaggerated it with his gestures and she watched him with an amused look.  " But for my wife , she'd be the lucky one to enjoy my cooking everyday. Right from coffee- breakfast in bed at morning to different varieties of dishes for dinner , I am going to spoil her with food. ", he said that with his  eyes fixed on Vibha who still maintained her amused look not at all affected by the subtle attempt of flirting. " I bet you'd end up making her obesed. " , Vibha mocked. " So? She'd still be the most beautiful to me. I would love her even more. My cute chubby panda."     I don't know why am I feeling uncomfortable here . I have no role here but walking away out amidst a conversation, which I ain't paty of , also feels rude. So now I am stuck here hearing Vibha's ex boast about how he would love his wife possibly attempting to hint her to the future but she's totally disregarding it from her response. I don't even know what these two are upto. Weren't like a few weeks ago he threatening her and she calling him moron and blaming him , and now they are  here discussing future. I feel like the weirdo here.     " Anyways. We'll get going.", Vibha just called off the conversation as she held onto my hand and dragged me behind her. I felt his gaze linger on her hold but he pulled up a smile and waved her bye , she only smiled as acknowledgement. We had already gotten far ahead on our way back enough for me to not feel like talking behind his back within his earshot.      " You two - are you two like back together?" She looked at me with a total blank reaction as if my question was something that required solving equations to answer. " Not yet." , she said it casually but it felt weird. I felt myself get weirdly sadly nervous about it. Not yet , means they ain't together yet but it also means they ain't together yet, doesn't eliminate the future possibilities. " Why?"    I almost flinched at the question. " Nah felt like - you two were. "     " So, how does it affect you?", she asked turning her phone and settling it in her pocket. This clearly means we are in for discussion on this topic and entire focus is on me. One wrong answer , a single slip and I am getting mocked for life.       " I just asked it, casually. I mean , I thought we were friends so ...." , I sounded sad. Why?      " Ayy. I didn't mean it in that sense. I was just like you know- see I know we are friends. No more than that. I see you more than just a friend, it's not like I meant you have no right- . Wait , I meant it like- oh goshhh! I just -" , she sounded so panicked trying to blurt anything she could while her face reflected the panick and I couldn't hold back my laughter." What?"" What did you panick so much for?"     She paused and looked at me with still pale face. " I - I just- I thought I hurt you. "        It was me who turned pale at that. We both looked away nervously and continued walking. I don't know why was it awkward so much but we had turned completely silent and walked at a fair distance from each other.          It felt like there was a stream flowing in between and we walked at its edges, separated by a opaque wall, unaware the other was on the opposite side. This only lasted approximately 7-8 minutes before some random stray dog decided it was the best moment to chase after a biker barking his lungs off right when I passed it. Yes, I ended up running over to Vibha and almost crash-hugging her.       She flinched at first but then burst into laughter, wrapping her one hand around my shoulder.  " Such a baby , ain't we?", she teased . I let go off her and pushed her away.  " Aww don't be mad love", she kept cooing in my ears all the way .      Behind the mask of annoyance I maintained all the way back, I was grateful for her to be back to being annoying. It's better when it's not awkward, for some reason I like her presence, I like it when she's like this.      Â