"Kya be..."

(What?)

Dev walked beside Prithvi, trying to peek into the thick book he was carrying.

"Har waqt keetabi keeda bana firta hai."

(Why are you always a bookworm?)

Prithvi didn't even look up.

He remained completely engrossed in the book, a pencil tucked behind his ear while he occasionally highlighted a line.

Since both of them were engineering students, they shared most of their classes.

Shresth, on the other hand, belonged to the Business and Management department and had escaped the engineering torture altogether.

Dev finally managed to snatch the book for a second and read the cover.

"Cognitive Psychology: A Student's Handbook"

He frowned.

"Ek minute..."

(Wait a minute...)

He flipped a few pages.

"Tu psychology kabse padhne laga?"

(Since when have you started reading psychology?)

Prithvi quietly took the book back from him.

"It's for an assignment."

Dev narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Then it clicked. His face slowly broke into a grin.

"Wait...No way...For her?"

Prithvi sighed.

"Bas kar yaar. Tu hi toh bolta rehta hai gentleman banna chahiye. I'm just helping her with the assignment. Chidhana band kar."

(Enough bro. You were the one who told me to behave like a gentleman. I'm just helping her with her assignment. Stop teasing me.)

Dev placed a dramatic hand over his heart.

"Main chidhha hi kahan raha hoon?"

(Why would I tease you?)

He casually wrapped an arm around Prithvi's shoulders.

"Aur waise bhi...tu toh meri Chameli hai. Tujhe kyun chidhhaunga?"

("Besides... you're my Chameli. Why would I ever tease you?")

Prithvi immediately pushed his arm away.

"Door reh."

(Stay away.)

He adjusted his spectacles and continued walking.

Dev matched his pace effortlessly.

"Acha? Toh naam bhi yaad hai uska?"

(So you remember her name as well?)

Prithvi stayed silent.

"Uska favourite chocolate milk bhi yaad hoga."

(Her favorite is chocolate milk...you must remember that too?)

Still no response.

"Kal library kitne baje milna hai woh bhi yaad hoga."

(When you're gonna meet at the library tomorrow...you must remember that too?)

Prithvi's ears slowly turned pink.

Dev noticed. His grin widened.

"Areeee...Lal tamatar."

(Ayeeeee....red tomato)

Prithvi shot him an annoyed look.

"I genuinely don't know what you're talking about."

"Haan haan."

Dev nodded dramatically.

"Aur main Ambani hoon."

(Yeah and I'm Ambani)

Prithvi ignored him and looked back at his book.

I hope she doesn't get the wrong idea about me again...Bas assignment khatam ho jaaye. Phir sab normal ho jayega.

He quietly turned another page.

Just as Prithvi walked ahead, leaving Dev behind laughing to himself, he accidentally collided with someone.

Thud.

The thick psychology book slipped from his hands and fell to the floor.

"Oh... sorry," Prithvi murmured instinctively. Without even looking up, he bent down to pick it up.

Before his fingers could reach it, another hand grabbed the book first.

Prithvi straightened up, adjusting his spectacles.

The boy standing in front of him looked a year or two older. Tall, broad-shouldered, and carrying himself with the kind of arrogance that made people instinctively move out of his way.

The senior slowly flipped through the book before looking at Prithvi.

"Is that how you apologise..." he asked coldly, "...after deliberately bumping into someone?"

Prithvi frowned faintly.

"I... didn't do it intentionally."

The boy ignored his explanation altogether.

When Prithvi quietly reached out to take his book back, the senior simply lifted it out of his reach with a smirk.

"Shh...Not so easy, buddy."

Prithvi slowly withdrew his hand.

Only then did he notice the group sitting behind the senior.

Five or six boys occupied the benches nearby. Some looked like they lived in the gym, while others carried the same intimidating confidence. A couple of girls sat beside them with crossed legs, watching the entire scene as if it were free entertainment.

One of the girls let out a scoff.

"Freshers."

Prithvi instinctively looked around.

Where the hell is Dev...?

A little further down the corridor, Dev remained completely oblivious to what was happening.

His entire attention was occupied by the phone pressed against his ear.

"Nahi yaar!"

(No dude!)

He sighed dramatically.

"Chachu ko agar tere relationship pe itna hi doubt hai na...toh unko bol de tu gay hai."

("If your uncle is that suspicious about your relationship, just tell him you're gay.")

He paused, listening to whatever his cousin was saying.

Then frowned.

"Abe pagal, logic samajh. Unko lagega tu gay hai. Phir unhe samaj ki tension hogi. Phir woh khud bolenge- 'Beta, ladki hi theek hai.'"

("Are you stupid? Think about the logic. They'll think you're gay. Then they'll start worrying about what society will say. And eventually they'll be the ones saying, 'Son, a girl is better.'")

Another pause.

Dev's expression immediately turned offended.

"Abe oye! Mujhe pagal bol raha hai? Suar ki tatti kahin ka. Maine itni premium advice di...aur tu usko tatti bol raha hai? Tu tatti, tere bachhe tatte!"

("Oi! Did you just call me stupid? You piece of pig shit! I gave you such premium advice, and you're calling it shit? You're the shit, and your kids will be shit too!")

A few students passing by turned around to stare.

Dev didn't even notice.

"Haan haan. Chacha kuch bole na...toh mujhe call kar. Main unhe bol dunga ki tune ek ladke ko pregnant kar diya.

("Yeah, yeah. If your uncle says anything, just call me. I'll tell him you got a boy pregnant.")

Silence.

"Abey tu bhool raha hai. Chacha commerce wale hain Unhone biology thodi padhi hogi? Unko kaise pata chalega ki kaise hua?"

("Bro, you're forgetting-Uncle's a commerce guy. He hasn't studied biology. How's he supposed to know how it happened?")

The call disconnected.

Dev blinked.

"...Hello?"

"...Hello?"

He pulled the phone away from his ear and looked at the screen.

"Cut kar diya nalayak ne."

(This idiot cut the call.)

Shaking his head, he slipped the phone back into his pocket.

Only then did he realise the person he'd been walking with was gone.

He looked left.

Then right.

"Abe...Pritu baby? Ye gaya kidhar?"

(Pritu baby? Where did he go?)

"So..."

One of the girls leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs as she looked Prithvi up and down.

"Kya kiya jaaye hamare pehle murge ke saath, guys?"

(What should we do with your first chick?)

A few chuckles echoed around the group.

The boy standing in front of Prithvi, the apparent leader, twirled the psychology book in his hand before tossing it to one of his friends.

"Chal."

(C'mon)

He folded his arms.

"Zyada kuch nahi. Apna chashma nikaal. Usko zameen pe phek ke tod de. Phir kisi aur pe blame daal dena."

("Nothing much. Take off your glasses, throw them on the ground, and break them. Then blame someone else for it.")

The group laughed again. Prithvi remained silent.

His fingers instinctively reached for the frame of his spectacles, adjusting them for the hundredth time.

It was a habit.

Whenever he was nervous...he always adjusted his glasses.

The senior noticed. A smirk tugged at his lips.

"Karega...ya nahi?"

(You'll do it...or not?)

As he spoke, he stepped closer.

The rest of the boys rose from their seats one by one, slowly surrounding Prithvi.

The corridor suddenly felt much smaller.

Prithvi swallowed.

He lowered his gaze, gripping the strap of his bag a little tighter.

Just then-

"Pehle toh mere haath se tu tootega."

("First, you're going to break in my hands.")

A girl's voice cut cleanly through the silence.

"...Oops. Tu toh pehle se hi toota hua lag raha hai."

("...Oops. You already look broken.")

Every head turned. Prithvi looked behind immediately.

Standing a few steps away was Prisha.

Her arms were folded, and she was glaring directly at the senior. Behind her stood Dharna and Swaha.

"Seriously, guys?" Dharna said, raising an eyebrow.

"Bullying in 2026? Thoda outdated nahi ho gaya?"

(Isn't it a little outdated?)

Prisha walked forward without breaking eye contact.

She stopped beside Prithvi, almost shielding him.

"Sharam nahi aati?"

(Aren't you ashamed?)

She looked the senior straight in the eye.

"Making fun of someone who's clearly uncomfortable?"

The smile on the senior's face disappeared.

"And who the hell are you?"

He looked Prisha up and down.

"His girlfriend?"

Prisha smiled sweetly.

"No. But I do know someone who desperately needs a personality upgrade."

She tilted her head.

"How about you spend this much energy on your studies instead?"

The boys behind him let out a low, amused whistle.

The senior took a slow breath, jaw tightening.

"Stay. In. Your. Limits."

His voice had gone cold.

"Just because I don't bully girls, doesn't mean I can't."

Prisha didn't flinch. Instead, she took one tiny step closer.

"Ehsaan kar rahe ho?"

("Are you doing me a favor?")

She laughed once, without humor.

"Wah. Bohot mahaan ho. Imagine flexing basic human decency. You're such a loser."

(Wow...you're soo great.)

A tense silence settled over the corridor.

"Bas, Prisha."

Dharna quietly nudged her arm.

"Leave it." Swaha murmered, her eyes lowered.

But Prisha barely heard her.

She couldn't take her eyes off him.

Her blood was boiling. She had never been able to tolerate people who picked on someone weaker than themselves.

And seeing Prithvi, who could barely raise his voice at anyone, being corn

ered like this...Only made her angrier.

"You-" Prisha stopped as

"Calm down, Prisha ji," Prithvi said quietly.

Prisha's eyes widened.

Her heart began racing.

It was the first time he had ever called her by her name.

Prisha.

The single sentence somehow dissolved every bit of anger inside her. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

"You don't realise what you've just done," one of the seniors warned coldly.

Before Prisha could reply-

"Areyyyy bhaiiiiii! Bhaiiiiiiiii!"

(Ayeeeee broooo brooooo)

Dev came rushing from behind, almost skipping as he stopped dramatically in front of the senior.

The senior frowned in confusion.

"Who the hell are you now?" he asked.

"Bhaiiii! Big fan bhai, big fan! Bhai kya aura farming kiya hai. Bhai kya aura hai aapka. Bhai aapke joote...kabhi khaye hain?... aapka swag... aapka outfit... well, thoda outfit modification ki zarurat hai... aur ye sone ki chain... aila! Chaubis carat ki hai kya?" Dev rattled off enthusiastically, practically bouncing on his feet.

("Brooo! I'm a huge fan, bro! What an aura you've got! Bro, the way you farmed that aura! Your shoes, have you ever tasted them?... your swag... your outfit... well, the outfit could use a little modification... And that gold chain... whoa! Is that 24-carat?")

"Bas bas," the senior said, trying to hide the fact that he looked slightly impressed.

"Kya lag rahe ho bhai. Mann kar raha hai idhar hi pappi de doon aapko," Dev grinned as he stepped closer.

("Bro, you look amazing! I feel like giving you a kiss right here.")

The senior immediately shoved him back.

"Door reh. Tu hai kaun?" he asked.

(Stay away. Who even are you?)

"Aapke gang ka member bana do bhai. Kitne cool ho aap. Hamare university ke Salman Bhai ho aap," Dev replied dramatically.

("Bro, make me a member of your gang. You're so cool! You're basically the Salman Bhai of our university!")

"Tu bhi fresher hai kya?" the senior asked.

(You too are a fresher or what?)

"Haan bhai. Par main apne school ka number one gunda tha. Erasers churata tha, toppers ki copies mein mummy ke haath ki aloo ki sabzi gira deta tha, red pen se bachhon ke marks change kar deta tha. Teacher banke sabke maa-baap ko fake complaint calls bhi karta tha," Dev said proudly.

("Yeah, bro. But I was the number-one menace in my school. I'd steal erasers, spill my mom's homemade potato curry all over the toppers' notebooks, change people's marks with a red pen, and even pretend to be a teacher and make fake complaint calls to their parents.")

Prithvi, Prisha, Dharna and Swaha simply stared at him.

Shresth, standing a little behind them, silently watched the entire exchange with a tired expression.

"Hmmm... theek-thaak ladka hai tu," one of the seniors admitted.

(Yeah you're fine.)

"Haan bhai. Apan baad mein baat karte hain na. In bewdon ko chhod do," Dev said with a grin.

("Yeah, bro. We'll talk later, okay? Let these idiots go.")

"Tere dost hain ye?" the senior asked.

(Are they your friends?)

Dev glanced at all of them before sighing dramatically.

"Haan bhai. Kya hi kar sakte hain."

(Yeah...what can we do.)

Dharna's mouth slowly formed an 'O'.

"Fine... I'm letting you guys off this time. Don't show your faces in front of me again. Especially... you."the senior said, glaring directly at Prisha.

Prisha immediately stepped forward to respond, but Swaha quickly grabbed her arm before she could say anything.

"My book," Prithvi said quietly, his eyes still fixed on the ground.

For the first time, the senior actually looked at him.

Then he scoffed.

"Tch."

Without another word, he tossed the book towards him.

Prithvi barely managed to catch it against his chest.

Before he could even process what had happened, someone grabbed his wrist.

Prisha.

Without saying a word, she pulled him away from the crowd.

Prithvi's eyes widened. Her hand was cold.

Yet the warmth rushing through his body made his ears burn. A strange shiver ran down his spine.

He didn't resist.

He simply let her lead him across the campus until they reached the quiet garden, far away from the corridor.

Only then did she stop. She turned around.

Her expression was completely different from her usual cheerful self.

No teasing smile.

No playful remarks.

Just disappointment. And concern.

"Kya maza aata hai chup rehke?" she asked, trying to keep her voice calm. "I know you're an introvert... and maybe you have social anxiety. But he was treating you so badly. Kaise seh lete ho tum sab? I... I can't see that happening to you again."

("What's so great about staying quiet? I know you're an introvert... and maybe you have social anxiety. But he was treating you so badly. How do you all just put up with that? I... I can't stand seeing that happen to you again.")

She let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through her hair.

"You have to stand up for yourself. Har baar thodi koi tumhe bachane aa jayega. The more you stay quiet, the more they get the courage to do these things to you."

(Nobody's gonna come and save you all the time.)

Prithvi remained silent.

His head stayed lowered as he listened to every single word.

He didn't interrupt. He didn't defend himself. He simply listened.

Prisha looked at him for a few moments.

The silence stretched. Then realization slowly dawned on her.

Did I... say too much?

"I...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said all that. It's not my place. I talk too much."

She gave him a small, apologetic smile before turning to leave.

"Thank you, Prisha ji."

His quiet voice reached her before she had taken more than a few steps.

"...For protecting me today."

Prisha slowly turned around. A gentle smile appeared on her face.

"It's okay. We're friends."

Prithvi finally looked up.

For the first time since they'd walked away, their eyes met.

He nodded slowly.

"And...Stop calling me Prisha ji. You can just call me Prisha."

Prithvi opened his mouth.

"I..."

The words refused to come out. Prisha chuckled softly.

"Mere saamne jo mann kare bol dena. It's totally fine. And if you're more comfortable saying Prisha ji...that's okay too."

("You can say whatever you want in front of me. It's totally fine. And if you're more comfortable calling me Prisha ji... that's okay too.")

She turned around once again, smiling to herself.

"Prithvi."

She stopped.

"Huh?"

Turning back, she found him looking at her.

"My name...is Prithvi."

He adjusted his spectacles nervously

For a second, Prisha simply stared at him.

Then she smiled.

"Mai toh fir bhi tumhe chikna chashmish hi bulaungi."

(I'm still gonna call you Chikna Chashmish)

"Thank you..." Swaha said to Dev before nudging Dharna's shoulder.

"Tu bhi bol na!" she hissed.

(You too!)

Dharna glared at Dev, clearly unimpressed. "Thanks."

Dev immediately leaned forward, cupping his ear dramatically.

"Sunai nahi diya?"

(I couldn't hear it?)

Dharna rolled her eyes. "Thank you."

"Clear se bolo na," Dev insisted, grinning.

(Why aren't you saying clearly?)

Dharna's smile turned painfully sweet.

"Tum ek number ke chuchundre ho."

("You're an absolute shrew.")

"Haan haan," Dev replied instantly. "Tum bhi toh bachhon ke diaper churane wali ho."

("You're the one who steals babies' diapers.")

Dharna's eyes widened.

"Isko kaise log pasand karte hain? Eww."

(How do people even like him? Eww)

"Haan haan kya pata tum bhi karti hogi?" Dev said out loud

(Yeah who knows you might secretly like me too?)

Dharna grabbed Swaha's hand and started walking away, dragging her along before Dev could say anything else.

Swaha glanced back once.

Her eyes met Shresth's.

He was leaning casually against the wall, already looking at her.

For a second, neither of them looked away.

Swaha's eyes widened slightly.

Then she immediately turned back around and walked faster.

Just then, Swaha's phone pinged.

She glanced down at the screen, barely paying attention as Dharna continued ranting beside her about how much she hated Dev's attitude and how Prisha had nearly gotten all of them beaten up.

Swaha unlocked her phone.

shresthh.irl requested to follow you.

_______

Prithvi sat quietly on the edge of his bed, holding one of the chocolate milk bottles Prisha had given him.

A small smile crept onto his face.

She took a stand for me? She's so kind... hayeee.

He chuckled to himself, looking down at the bottle.

"Chikna chashmish," he murmured under his breath.

His cheeks immediately turned warm.

He covered his face with both palms, smiling like an idiot.

Then he froze.

Wait. What am I doing? This is wrong. This is so wrong.

He quickly dropped his hands.

"I should go drink some water."

He got up and walked towards the water dispenser.

Trying very hard to think about literally anything except Prisha, he picked up a glass and started filling it.

Unfortunately, his brain had other plans.

He remembered how she'd patted his back when he'd accidentally choked on water because he'd been nervous around her.

His cheeks turned red again.

The glass continued filling.

And filling.

And filling.

Water began spilling over the edge and running down the table.

Dev and Shresth stared at him. Neither said a word for a few seconds.

Dev slowly turned towards Shresth.

"Kya tujhe bhi wahi lag raha hai jo mujhe lag raha hai?"

(Are you also thinking what I'm thinking?)

Shresth glanced at Prithvi, then at the overflowing glass.

He nodded.

Dev folded his arms knowingly.

"Isko mardon wali bimari ho gayi hai."

(He's gotten a men's disease.)

Shresth frowned.

"Mardon wali bimari?"

("A men's disease?")

Dev answered without hesitation.

"Pyaar."

(Love.)

Shresth scoffed.

"Waise dekho toh kutto ke saath ek kamre mein raho toh unke saath bhi attachment ho jaata hai. Wo pyaar thodi hai."

("Look, if you share a room with dogs, you naturally get attached to them. That doesn't mean it's love.")

Dev's eyebrows shot up.

"Hmmm... exac- Tune khudko kutta bola?"

(Hmmm...exac- you're calling yourself a dog?)

Shresth immediately closed his eyes and sighed.

Dev burst out laughing.

"Bas kar bhai! Hostel dubayega kya?"

(Enough bro! Are you gonna drown the entire hostel or what?)

Prithvi flinched at the sudden shout and finally looked down.

His eyes widened.

The water was practically everywhere.

"Oh..."

He quickly shut the bottle and grabbed a cloth.

"Wo... sorry. I was thinking about a question."

He crouched down and started wiping the floor.

Dev leaned against the table, trying not to laugh.

"Haan haan. The question must be, 'Why am I thinking about her so much?' 'Is it ishq wala love?' "

Prithvi looked up, genuinely confused.

"Hein?"

(What?)

Dev immediately smiled innocently.

"Kuch nahi, bachhu."

(Nothing, kiddo)

He glanced towards Shresth.

"Aaj kal kutte bohot bhonk rahe hain."

(These days dogs are barking too much.)

Shresth slowly turned his head towards him. Dev's grin disappeared.

"...Main pet saaf ki dawai leke aata hu." He murmered as he tried to escape

("I'll go get some medicine for my stomach.")

___________

How was the chapter?

Your favorite part of the chapter?

Okayyy do comment because I love reading your comments.

For now maybe this book is gonna have a little slower updates, as my other book

"Healing The Star" is about to finish

After that book gets finished, I'm gonna update this more frequently.

Y'all can give a chance to Healing The Star too, it wouldn't dissapoint y'all.

Spread love and be kind

Radhe Radhe

-KriDha

♡