Chapter 8

*Mihira Pov*

“What are you guys doing? Let’s go!” at present, I am trying to rush these people towards the court but they are delaying too much.

“There is still time for the match to begin. Why are you rushing us like this?” Kavitha complained but I continued to push them ignoring their irritation.

After we reached the place, I found the perfect place for us to sit before making sure everyone sits without leaving the place.

“Learn from her about how to listen and stop complaining.” I complained pointing Rekha who is the only one listening to me and following with everything I am asking.

“We need to cheer for them. How can you do this to your friends?” I asked frowning before sitting at my place and found that the players from both teams are practicing right now.

I waved at Abhi and Vikesh who saw us and they waved back smiling before continuing their practice. I turned to my side and stiffened seeing the senior I just broke up with last week.

“How are you?” he asked smiling and I smiled back before talking to him in a normal way and found him to be here to cheer for his friend.

We concentrated on the match when it started and it is definitely a bad start. I frowned at the way our department team is playing.

“Don’t worry! The other team is good at this and don’t take it too seriously.” He comforted but I shook my head.

“But we are not going to lose because the other team is good. They need time to work out their teamwork.” I explained and he stared at me in surprise.

“I used to play the game during schooling with my friend.” I added and he nodded smiling.

I glanced around during the break time when the senior left to have a word with his friend and found a group of people cheering really loud for the other team.

“Learn something from them. See how they are supporting their department.” I gestured Rakesh and others to which they all laughed except for Kavitha.

“They are not cheering for their department to win but for ours to lose. They are showing their anger towards Abhi.” Kalyan explained making me frown.

“Why?” I asked and he calmly pointed out Abhi’s Ex-girlfriends.

“And they don’t even belong to the opposite department.” Rakesh added and I fumed listening to that.

“How can they do this to him? Everything is in the past, right? What will they gain by being this cold towards him?” I asked not believing that they all grouped together.

“Abhi is not as lucky as you to be friends with past relationships.” Kavitha mumbled and I completely ignored her still thinking about this matter.

I know he was stupid to say his feelings like that but he didn’t play with their feelings for sure as far as I heard.

I can understand their hurt but what will they gain by doing this? I shook my head and started shouting for our department the moment the game started.

Of course, we lost but still, all of us joined to cheer for them and waited near the entrance for both of them to come out.

“It’s okay! You can do it next time.” I mumbled to Vikesh who is looking really disappointed with the result.

“Why don’t we go out today?” I offered and everyone decided to go for it.

“I will just call my home to inform them.” Rekha said nodding at Vikesh and everyone followed her to do the same while I stood with Abhi and Vikesh.

I patted Vikesh’s back hoping he doesn’t feel too back. He was looking forward to winning this game but it was not even near to the chance of winning.

“You guys just need to get used to each other. Then everything will be fine.” I assured him and he sighed nodding.

“Thanks for cheering for us earlier. And also for these words.” He mumbled before taking his phone out to call home regarding the late arrival and stepped away from us not getting the proper signal.

“Aren’t you going to call Aunty?” I asked turning towards Abhi who is frowning at me.

“Even I lost the match you know?” he pointed out and I gave a confused look hearing those words.

“I saw you playing along with them. Why are you pointing it out?” I asked but he just shook his head in irritation.

“Tell me! What happened?” I continued and he turned back to stare at me.

“You were trying to cheer him up the moment we stepped out and acting as if only he is effected.” He explained and I stared at him as if he is crazy for sure while trying to understand those words.

“But… but you were not that interested to be part of this team and even win this. You joined the team to prove me wrong, right?” I asked him feeling lost to understand why is he mad at me.

“So? Didn’t I practice as hard as them? Didn’t I play with all my efforts just like them? Why wouldn’t I be disappointed along with them?” he asked back before sighing.

“Forget it! I left my coat in the locker room.” Saying that he walked back into the court while I just stood there completely feeling lost.

“They are waiting for us outside. Where did he go?” Vikesh asked returning from his call.

“You all go ahead. I will come with him.” I added after saying that he forgot something in the locker room.

“Okay! We will be going to the near café first before going to some other place for dinner.” He said before leaving me there with my thoughts.

I don’t know what is going on but all I know is that he got hurt. I was too careless with my thinking and kind of ignored his effort too as if only Vikesh will be affected by this and not him.

I waited for a few minutes and walked inside when he didn’t return. When I reached the locker room, I found him sitting on the bench holding his coat which he doesn’t need right now.

“Abhi!” I mumbled walking closer and he glanced up smiling.

“I am sorry! I was really sensitive just now and shouldn’t have blasted at you.” He apologized and at that moment I felt guilty for not considering him.

“I am sorry too. I shouldn’t have made my own assumptions.” I apologized sitting beside him.

He shook his head before turning towards me saying, “I am kind of confused right now.”

“Confused? About what?” I asked him frowning not understanding sudden turn in the conversation.

“I think… I think I got jealous when you comforted Vikesh and not me. I forgot the fact that he is also your friend. That was wrong, right?” he asked sighing.

“Even I am possessive about you than others. Seems like nothing changed even though we missed a few years to be close to each other. Don’t think too much about it.” I brushed it off and he slowly nodded but he still looks disturbed about that.

“Let’s learn together to not be possessive like this.” I teased him and he finally smiled normally instead of a stiff one like earlier.

“Let’s go! I will buy your favorite today.” Saying that I stood up and forwarded my hand which he stared at for a second before holding it to stand up.

Like I thought he placed his coat back into his locker before stepping out of the room still holding my hand. I am glad we were able to clear this without dragging it.

I don’t want to miss a single day without his friendship or presence. He was more than a support for me always and I don’t want to lose this friendship no matter what.

****

“What were you doing? We were waiting for you.” Rakesh complained to Abhi when we reached the place they are waiting for us.

“I…” he didn’t say anything with a confused look while I cleared my throat saying, “He forgot something in the locker room and was searching for it but realized later it was in his bag only.”

After that, we both sat down with him whispering, “You are really good at lying.”

“Of course! Unlike you, I am talented for many things like these. By the way, all that really happened. You forgot that for me you are really important than others but then realized later that fact even though I had to remind you once.” I explained still whispered and he stared at me with a shocked look while hearing that.

“What?” I asked frowning when he still didn’t move.

“I wasted these three years by not being close to you.” He replied clearing his throat before turning back towards others while this time I am the one with a shocked look.

He just said the same thing I was thinking all the time. I smiled realizing that before involving myself in the conversation that is happening between others.

“I heard you talked to your Ex today. Are you both getting back together?” Vikesh suddenly asked while glancing at me curiously.

“No! We are just friends right now. He called me later to apologize for shouting at me and even I apologized for leading him. So, we decided to be friends.” I shrugged and he smiled shaking his head.

“Bravo! Teach him some skills on how to be friends like that even after ending a relationship. They attacked us too much today.” He pointed out Abhi and I smiled leaning forward.

“Those are in-built skills. Many can’t learn them and he can never learn them.” I explained and they all burst out laughing while I had to stop my laugh feeling surprised when I felt him holding my hand under the table before pinching my palm.

I glared at him but he was so indifferent as if he didn’t do anything like that. I ended up treating all of them even though my plan was for just Abhi as they kind of manipulated me.

“I heard you are interested in learning the game.” I asked Rekha when she was asking doubts about today’s game.

“Yeah! Can you teach me?” she asked after pausing a bit.

“Sure! I heard you scored best in your drawing subject during the first year. Can you teach me? I am getting a headache while learning that.” I pleaded while trying puppy eyes.

“I can ask these both to teach me.” She challenged raising her eyebrow while gesturing Vikesh and Abhi.

“Fine! But I am actually good at this than him. It’s your choice.” I said shrugging realizing one main thing.

If she really wanted to learn from them then she wouldn’t have asked me in the first place. She frowned listening to that but sighed when I smiled at her.

“Fine! But I am really strict while teaching.” She warned ahead.

“She will win the first price in strictness while teaching too. I hope you can survive.” Rakesh whished me while Kavitha pleaded me to join me to learn that subject.

“You don’t know her temper at all. Don’t worry!” Abhi assured Rakesh and I hit his head after which he immediately pointed his head to others.

“By the way I found many fans cheering for you.” Kavitha said looking at Vikesh.

“Of course! I am maintaining my fan base from the first year.” He gave a proud look and I chuckled at his expression.

“Why are you laughing? Are you teasing me?” he asked glaring at me.

“Maybe!” I teased sitting back before glancing at Kalyan who is not saying anything today.

I hit my shoulder to Abhi’s while asking, “What happened to him?”

“She is asking me what happened to you, Kalyan?” he asked him directly and I shook my head at that bluntness.

I could have asked him right? I thought he wouldn’t like it if we brought it up before everyone. Maybe I was thinking too much and need more time to get adjusted to groups like this.

“I don’t think I can stay for dinner with you guys. Mom asked me to return early today.” He said looking at us but his expression is still off.

“Okay! No need to feel bad about it at all.” Rekha said smiling and everyone else nodded.

It seems like only I am confused about everything that is going on as even Kavitha has an understanding look on her face. I tried to control my expression not wishing to make him feel awkward at that moment.

****

“Can I ask you regarding the matter with Kalyan? Even Kavitha seems to know what is going on. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have asked thinking it is a secret between you guys.” I asked Abhi getting down from his motor vehicle when he stopped before our houses.

“It is not a huge secret and I forgot to tell you. Rakesh must have told Kavitha about that. It’s just he was raised by Aunty alone and she is kind of strict towards him. Like not normal strict but too much and he has to do everything she asks him to. He doesn’t say anything as he knows she had a hard time financially and everything.” He explained and I looked down feeling guilty for some reason.

“Don’t feel bad! We can’t do anything.” He said placing his hand under my chin to raise my head so that I can stare at him.

“I was just feeling sad all this time that my parents don’t care much even if I come late. I am not mad at them or love them less but just sad. After knowing Kalayn’s situation, I am feeling guilty.” I explained scratching my head for being kind of stupid right now but he just smiled listening to my words.

“It’s okay! Everyone has the right to think about their situation as important and feel about that without thinking about others. You didn’t hurt anyone with that thinking. So, it’s fine.” He assured caressing my cheek and I smiled listening to those words.

After returning home, I hugged my parents for a few minutes kind of shocking them before entering my room. My hand kind of shifted to reach my cheek but I was successful in stopping it completely and to ignore that moment.

I am learning more and more with every passing day I am spending with all of them and next time I will be careful with my assumptions and attitude and if I make a mistake then I will just learn from it.