CH-9 Manifesting

"Keep your things here. ya make sure your suitcases are locked."

"Tell your name? ok, hop on the bus." I checked everything. Marking everyone present while my batchmate and in charge of the team, 'Anurag'. 

"Aryaveer, is everyone here?" he asked. I checked my watch, it was already eight in the morning and we were supposed to leave by eight thirty. Our teacher in charge is already here on the bus, while I was still waiting for someone particular.

 To become a participant we were supposed to register our name and play a quiz. after checking the accuracy and speed you were selected and gets invite by our teachers. 

The way me and Shravani ended things in the cafeteria I knew she ain't gonna come even if I would've asked her. and no matter how many times I thought that I should call her.  I never did. 

How would I? 

I didn't have her new number, which she got after coming here. not like it was some tough task to get her number with some codes or ask Aksh. But yet I didn't, because I am well aware what she can do to me without even trying to, without even wanting to. 

and now when she is trying to, only I know How I stay calm enough to not react, talk or look at her. 

I am determined to not let her enter my heart again yet here I am, hoping to join the trip. 

I even wrote her name in the participant list without any registration or quiz because no matter what my current equations are with her. 

STILL, only she gets the special treatment without being asked. Just like the exception she became in my fixed routine.

I glanced at my watch, it was 8:20am now. Ten minutes left before the bus rolled out.

I was standing with the attendance sheet, shouting names, controlling chaos, and pretending I wasn't constantly glancing at the gate

I told myself I didn't care.

And then

A group of seven stormed in like a baraat.

Aksh, Kavish, Yuvi, Riddhi, Isha, Aarvi...
And right at the centre, hugging herself and looking annoyingly fresh.

Shravani Gill.

I froze.

"What are YOU all doing here?" I asked, already annoyed.

Kavish grinned. "Drop karne aaye hain Shravu ko. First trip hai... emotional support and all."

Yuvi added dramatically, "And to give her a list of precautions."

"Precautions?" I repeated.

"yea precautions like" Yuvi started while Aksh contd.

"Don't eat food given by strangers"

"Drop the message on the group when you reach there." Isha said 

"Keep things organised. Don't forget anything while coming back" Aarvi said 

"Click pics and send them to us", Riddhi told cheerfully while Shravani looked like she was done with life. 

"Stop it."

She murmured.

"If you find a hot guy, don't forget to click pic or his number," Riddhi said slowly but loud enough for us to hear. Yuvi rolled his eyes and said,"Tumhe kyu number chaiye kisi ladke ka? mein hu na tumhare paas."

"shut up." 

"Shravani dekho koi hot banda mile bhi toh bhi number mat lena." Kavish said.

"kyu na lu?" Shravani asked. wese toh Arya Arya krte thakti nhi. aur yha madam ko aur ladko ka number chaiye. My inner thoughts screamed while I just stood there.

"Yr mere dost ka kya hoga? tughe koi mil gya toh mera dost kwara hi rh jayega jindgi bhar." Kavish sighed in disappointment.

"hn Shravu, don't you dare to think of other guys," Aksh said 

"KYU! mughe mna toh aise kr rhe ho jaise aapka param sakha mughe bhav de rha hai. duh. Weren't you all on my side?" Shravani said, making me look at her in horror.

"Yr we are on your side only, but baat ko smgh. Tughe toh koi aur mil jayega par iss Dusht aadmi ko, konsa baap hath dega apni beti ka?" Yuvi said while putting her hand on her shoulder but removed soon enough as his eyes met mine.

DID THEY FORGET I AM STANDING RIGHT HERE!

"And my family will agree?" Shravani asked as if this were the most important question that needed to be answered. 

"offo buddhu tu khud mna legi na." Isha said in excitement as if a puzzle was solved.

"point." she hummed nodding.

WHAT IS GOING ON SHIV JI, BACHA LO.

They continued talking, giving various precautionary advice to her, which included all unnecessary stuff.

"I think you really like the idea of us getting married and being shipped like this." Suddenly, Shravani murmured enough for me to hear in the chaos they had all caused.

"What?"

"I said I think you really like the idea of us getting married." I interrupted her and said, "I heard you." 

"so what what?"

"What makes you think like that?" I asked, trying to avoid any eye contact with her.

"You are not this calm when we are talking like this in the cafeteria, but look at you acting all calm and quiet as if you are busy imagining it in your head." she said, teasing me.

"it's... it's nothing like that." 

"Hayee rabba Arya, are you blushing?" she gasped, her voice held excitement exactly like a kid discovered something new, yet her voice was low, only for us to hear.

"What nonsense?" I replied while she chuckled and said," Look at your ears all red. You are so cute to hate me Mr.." 

I ignored her.

"Ho gya tum sab ka? now leave." I declared while they all paused and looked at me.

"How much time is left?" Aksh asked.

"Your living time on earth will be zero if you don't leave now," I said irritably. So done with this group.

"so rude."Yuvi scoffed.

"And here Shravani bet that he is sweet. You will lose for sure." Kavish said.

"What bet?" I asked, looking at her.

"Humein jana nhi hai? It's already 8:28," She said while I nodded. 

"Bye and ya remember what I said." Riddhi said as she hugged her. Before Shravani could respond, Yuvi interrupted and said," Shravani tumhe Aryaveer ki kasam koi ladke ka number ya kisi ladke se baat nhin krogi. Aur kri bhi toh meri Riddhi se dur hi rkhna. I don't want any competition." 

Everyone laughed while Kavish and Aksh looked at each other and said in unison," Aryaveer be like,"mughe kyu pissa." and everyone laughed, making me sigh at this zoo.

Soon, I put Shravani's luggage and went towards her as she climbed the steps. I almost turned to bid bye to the boys who were waiting for me, but suddenly Shravani turned and said," I don't know about you. But I am manifesting."

"What?" I asked

"Us. together. happy. married. with cute kids." She said while I froze. 

Did she confess?

Did she mean it?

Is she flirting?

But before I could react to anything, she was already inside.

I was never wrong when I said Shravani is too dangerous for my heart and my mind, no, actually for my whole fucking soul.

My mind has been a complete mess since I had a chat with Rudra. His words didn't leave my mind all night until I decided to register.

I was confident after attending that I would be selected, but a small fear crept into my mind," What if I delayed in registering?"

Soon I got the mail with full information of the trip, with the approval message of being selected.

I told everyone, or say, I told my dear roommates but Isha told Kavish. Riddhi told Yuvi, and to my surprise, Aksh knew before I could tell, and he was informed by none other than Aarvi.

Is something going on I am unaware off?

But not going that deep, I informed everyone not to mention a thing in front of Arya because he was too commanding that day to be told something. or maybe we can say I wanted to see his reaction.

Well, not telling him was something I was proud of.

I took the window seat when suddenly A boy approached with a smile.

"Is the seat empty? Can I?"

I opened my mouth to answer....

THUD.

A bag slammed onto the empty seat beside me.

Aryaveer's voice came a second later, low, territorial, unmistakable:

"Take care of my things till I come."

The poor guy looked at us for a mere second and escaped like Aryaveer was a tiger.

I pressed my lips together to not laugh.

When Aryaveer came back, she started ranting:

"You didn't even ask.."

He didn't look at her.
Didn't respond.
Just put in his AirPods and closed his eyes.

His glare could've burned holes through metal.

Too frustrated with that guy who wanted to sit beside her.

"Fine. Don't talk. Bhaad mein jao. koi nhin mar rha baat krne ke liye," she muttered, pulling out her book dramatically. She was done with his mood swings for the day.

She turned to the window and pretended he didn't exist.

That right there...

irritated the hell out of him.

Three hours of silence followed.

Three hours of her not glancing at him even once.
Three hours of him checking if she was okay...
and her acting like he wasn't even air.

His jaw stayed tight the whole ride.

When the bus stopped for snacks, he stood up and waited for her to get up too.

She didn't.

She didn't even bother to look as he got up.

Irritated by handling the zoo group early morning, then that guy wanting to sit beside her, and her ignoring his existence for straight three hours. He was just done with life.

He snatched her book, making her look at him and said," Now what?"

"Eat something. We will be staying here for 30 mins." 

"mughe bhook nhin hai. book wapas karo." she said, trying to grab it, but he put it in his bag.

"Shravani, I am seriously not in the mood to argue."

"Mene kuch kha? I was silent, you are the one who broke my peace."

"mera sukh chen joh sab chura ke bethi ho uska kya?" he murmured

"what?"

"nothing. Chalo kuch kha lo otherwise you won't be able to eat for the next four hours."

"ok. I won't eat you, my book and go."

"I am responsible for everyone here, Shravani. I can not babysit you and be there to argue every time. I need to see others as well who are here." 

"So?"

"Shravani"

And that was it. She stood up and left. He sighed and went to check everyone.

He talked with Anurag, counted everyone, gave precautions, and announced the not-to-do list until he was free to finally grab a bite.

He looked around for the last time before leaving for the counter to order when he noticed something off.

She was missing.

panic rushed. He instantly went to look for her, only to find her standing beside the bus, scrolling Instagram reels like that was her sole purpose.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, walking to her. "Do you want something?"

"No." she said without looking up from her phone.

"Then why are you standing alone?"

"Now I can't stand here as well?" She finally looked annoyed at him.

"No, that's not what I meant. I mean, why are you not talking to others?" he said, trying to speak every word after thinking a lot to make sure it didn't provoke her.

"Is that your responsibility too? To make sure I talk?" she asked as sarcasm dropping

"I did not mean like that."

"whatever. I don't care. But Aryaveer, I can accept every gesture, emotion of yours. Anger, Hate or Love. But only when it's done because you want to. Not because you are asked to by Aksh or out of duty. That's not what we are or ever will be. If I need something, I'll come to you. You have enough work, stop hovering."

"I... I didn't mean like that." He said as he knew she overthinked everything. 

"It's fine, and I am not talking to anyone because I just don't want to entertain people I don't trust. Nothing more."

That shocked him.
She....who talked to strangers like they were long-lost relatives. Didn't want to interact because she didn't want to trust them?

He blinked.
Hard.

What the hell happened to her?

She turned.
"I'm going inside."

She went back to the bus without waiting for a reaction.

There was a change. The change was once mentioned by Aksh.

The kind of change that only happens with experience.

She was definitely not the same Shravani who was months before she disappeared.

She was different. different for her people and for others.... maybe guarded? He still had to figure that out

Four more hours of silence followed.

Four hours of her ignoring him.
Four hours of him pretending it didn't bother him...
When it very clearly did.

.........................

CH- 10 Interested In...

2 hours 46 minutes.

2 hours 46 minutes since I am waiting like a fool for her to speak and say she is hungry.

par mughse jyada ego issues toh iss ladki ko hai. Shiv ji kha phasa dete ho.

ek toh iske chakkar mein mughe bhi bhuk nhi lg rhi. yeh kya nyi bimari hai? I will make sure to visit the doctor once we return.

"Ahem!" I tried getting her attention but god knows what is so interesting in this book she has been reading since we sat here.

itti dhyan se acadmeic books bhi padhi hai kabhi isne?

"uh.. Shravani?" I again called her.

"Bolo?" She asked.

"tumhe bhook nhi lgi hai?"

"This is the 8th time you are asking me, Arya, and for the 8th time, I am not hungry."

"fine. don't regret your words later." I said. 

kisi ne shi kha hai. ghee seedhe ungli se na nikle toh ghee garam karo. ungli tedi krne ki koi zarurat nhi hai. duh!

I turned towards Anurag and said, "Anurag, give me the packet." He looked at me and gave me the packet, and again went back to listen to something.

"Finally! the aroma!"

"This looks so fucking delicious, so tasty"

I peeked from my book towards him, who was busy praising something.

I gulped, looking at CHOLE BHATURE!

He tore a bite and 

"wow. It's so tasty. right Anurag?"

Anurag looked at him weirdly, as if he had grown horns, and just nodded before going back to his business.

He did not bother to look at me and ate the whole bhatura alone. The way he is expressing it seems too tasty. I can bet these are too tasty if this gym freak is complimenting.

Shall I ask for one bite?

But wasn't I the one who told him so many times that I don't want to eat?

Silly me agar pta hota chole bhature hai menu mein toh kabhi na mna krti.

puch lu kya?

nhi rhene de shravani abhi toh tune badi badi dhinge mari thi kuch nhi khana. phir se iske samne apni self respect ko swah krna hai kya?

Konsa wese hai hi meri. itti baar daat kha chuki hu phir bhi iske ke aage peeche hoti hu.

But everything is fare in love, food and war.

Rhene deti hu 2 ghante baad I will definitely eat. forget it.

But wait!

What if their chole bhature isn't on the menu? hn puch leti hu wese bhi jyada se jyada mna kr dega.

"uhmm.... Arya?"

Thank you, Shiv ji. She finally fell for the food. 

"Arya!" she again called.

"hn kya? Disturb matt kro abhi I am eating."

"Arre but when I was reading, even you did."

"so? you will distrub me while eating?"

"offo no."

"Then lemme eat." I said while she angrily pouted, making it hard to control my laugh. It's fun to tease her.

After a few seconds, she poked her finger on my shoulder to gain my attention.

"hmm?"

"Is it tasty?"

"kyu? batau?"

"kyu bataoge toh tax lg jayega?"

"nhin. but btaya toh you will become jeally bean."

"nhi hongi pkka se. btao?"

"well it's very very tasty."

"Really? Can I too taste?"

"nhin"

"kyu"

"meri Marzi."

"Arre, but just a bite."

"Naah. mein kyu du. Bada bhav kha rhi thi na. Ab raho bhuki."

"Arre konsa Taj Mahal gir jayega agar de doge toh?"

"yr mera cheat day chal rha so lemme use it efficiently."

"Aryaaaa."

"Shravaniiii"

"Bhad mein jao." she huffed angrily while I chuckled, seeing her and was about to take another bite, but she held my hand and fed herself.

"What was it?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, but she ignored it royally and said, "It's tasty." 

"jungli billi." I shook my head when she kept the plate in the middle and started eating.

"Aaram se khao aur bhi hai." while she nodded again taking a bite. 

They both ate and were silent for the rest of the ride. But the type of silent which was not only peaceful but calm too.

Around 10 in the evening, they reached the hotel.

Aryaveer and Anurag both took attendance. took the key for the respective rooms and gathered everyone in the lobby.

 "Okay, we both know you guys are very tired from the travelling, but we will just take 5 more minutes of yours." Anurag said.

"Some of the other university students have already arrived, while some will come until morning, so the competition will begin at 1 in noon tomorrow. All the information will be given at breakfast, so no one should skip it or be late. Everyone has to be present at 8 sharp." Aryaveer told them coldly, very uninterested in pleasing anyone. 

"Ahem. I will call names, take your room key. You all will be sharing rooms, so better behave, guys. Let's regain our energy for the fun over the next two days." Anurag said politely while everyone nodded and left after taking the keys.

"You won't have any problems with sharing a room. right?" Aryaveer asked Shravani as she came to him to get her luggage he brought along with his, letting her roam the hotel freely.

"I will manage." She said yawning 

"hmm. My room is next to yours. Call me if you face any issues." He advised while she nodded, wanting to lie and sleep, but guess luck was not on her side.

"Don't wander anywhere alone now that we have arrived." She nodded.

"words Shravani."

"ya ya now can I go. I am veryyy sleppyyy" she exaggerated her words while he smiled but again composed himself and said.

"Give me your phone."

"Why?"

"to save my number. What else."

"Forget it, I already have." She shrugged.

"How?" he asked in amusement

"I have my ways, Captain." She winked and left for her room.

I reached my room only to find it empty. Must be roaming. What a tiring day. Thankfully, I don't have to interact unnecessarily. I quickly changed and went to sleep.

Since 6, my alarm buzzed for the 7th time, which I again snoozed.

And next was the call that I tried snoozing but ended up picking up.

"uth jao Shravani."

"dekho phir matt khna mene call nhin kiya." someone from the side again spoke.

"shut up."

"Ms. Gill, this is the last time I am calling next time it will be Aryaveer coming in to wake you up and then don't end up coming to me how you again embarrassed yourself." the person on the other side was so done. But no response. He again tried for the last time.

[who do you think is on the call?]

"Tumhe uski kasam, uth jao Ms. Shravani Gill."

"yr sone do. kya hai."

"oyye amnessia ki marzi khud kha tha call krke uthane ko."

"hn yr. wait. what! what time it is?"

"6:45 it is."

"What the hell, I will be late!!!"

"Stop shouting, woman, and get ready. Bye."

"Thanks." I cut the Rudra's call.

I got ready, and luckily, I had enough time to roam.

I was roaming when, out of nowhere, someone bumped into me. 

His notebook fell, he said,"sorry." 

"It's fine. Look where you go."

He looked at me and started staring. "What's wrong?" Nothing, you are pretty. He said while I chuckled at his shy comment.

"thanks." I replied. "What's your name?" he asked.

"Kyu apni tervi pr bualoge?" [ it's a mourning ritual held on the thirteenth day after a death] Aryaveer asked, popping up out of nowhere.

"I am not dead." he asked, confused.

"yet." Aryaveer said coldly while he left quietly.

"What was that?" I asked.

"Come, we are getting late."

"He was cute. I didn't even get to know his name." I murmured while Arya gave me a cold look, which I royally ignored.

We were the first to arrive. iss bande ke chakkar mein joh bandi khud ki party mein bhi late jati hai woh breakfast pr sabse phele hai. Hayye rabba kya din aa gye hai.

After a few minutes, everyone started arriving, and the hustle bustle started.

Soon, Aryaveer and Anurag came, gathering our attention.

Aryaveer started, "Okay, so Day One is mostly the thinking and speaking part of the competition. That includes debate, quiz, extempore, open mic, and poster making. These events don't need heavy logistics, but they do need strict time management, so we can't afford to be late or careless. Discipline matters today, how we behave, how we talk, and how we handle pressure. so be prepared for what is coming." He completed, and I knew this man really don't know how to sugarcoat at all.

 Anurag decided to handle the chilly atmosphere and continued," Of course, winning is the goal, but it's not everything. Give your best, stay confident, and don't get disappointed if things don't go exactly as planned. Today is about ideas, effort, and making sure we represent ourselves well. you all can enjoy and roam, but don't cause any trouble. The real game begins from 1pm." 

I was standing in the corner when Arya came and asked, "had breakfast?" "yuck. That's breakfast. saari kacchi sabziyan hai. so gross." and I never lied. All they had those green vegetables and nothing. Arya sighed and concluded ,"that means you hadn't." while I nodded and asked, "what about you?"

"I have to take a few calls after that I will. But you go and eat something." He advised, which of course meant I needed to do the opposite, and said, "Fine, complete your work, then we will eat together." And to my shock, he didn't argue.

Sometime later, he called me when I was replying to everyone who was busy texting me instead of attending lectures. hehe.

The chaos calmed a little when me Arya and Anurag sat to eat. 

There was nothing much to my taste, so I ended up taking poha and pancakes. Weird combo, right? But that's the only sane thing they had.

As I saw Arya too, take Poha, it was literally a lottery for me. Arya was busy scrolling his phone, occasionally talking to Anurag, who was listening to his girlfriend's voice note as if it's some Spotify wrap and replying to her unbothered about the world.

so many lovers around Arya, yet look at him still did not fall ill  in love.

I started taking out peas and leaves from my poha and secretly started putting in his plate.

Anurag noticed it first and continuously signed me not to do, but what's the harm anyway, it's not good to waste food, right? I didn't bother to look at his face for once, thinking he was busy on his phone, only to find him looking at me with a smirk on his handsome face. He raised his eyebrow, asking me what's going on, only for me to shutter and speak, "I... woh... ye..." why the hell I am SHUttERing.

I somehow calmed myself and said, "It's just good for your health that's why I decided to give you more peas."

"aur tumhe? sirf mere liye accha hai aur tumhe bimar kr denge?" he asked teasingly.

"Nhi this will make you strong. You go gym too na. very helpful. I am already strong mughe zarrurat nhin hai you eat." I said in one go while he chuckled and began eating without fussing.

"koi sense thi iss baat mein?" Anurag murmured.

"kyu tumhe thesis likhni hai?" I asked irritatinlgy matlab aag lgi nhi hai phir bhi ghee daal rha hai.

"nope." he murmured and went to back to his business.

After breakfast, I went back to my room. There was still time for all those activities Arya mentioned to begin.

oh wow, finally I saw two girls in the room, who I assume to be my two-day roommates. Let's meet them too.

"hi" I initiated.

"Hi. finally we saw you. Otherwise, you were either busy or sleeping." One of them said.

"hehe it's nothing like that." And this is how we begin to chat. I found out their names. Riya and Anushka. One was in the first year, while other was in last. 

"I was just curious." Riya asked. 

"about what?" I asked.

"Remember the guy with whom you were eating breakfast."

"Anurag?" I asked.

"No, the one who was having your luggage, too."

"oh what about him?"

"Is he single by any chance?" she asked me, smiling while I choked on air. Holy moly mother!

"uhm him?" I asked.

"ya. Is he your friend? He is just too handsome, don't you think?"

Rab ji utha lo. ek murder krna allowed hai kya? but wait ye ekloti thodi hogi joh mere wale pr fidda ho gyi. kittno ko maar paungi. woh toh gadha jail se bhi bail nhi kr wayega. wha bhi daat dega kisi na kisi baat pr. I will have to make sure girls stay away from him sab makkhiyon ki tarah aas paas ghumti hai college mein bhi. woh toh rude hai isliye dur se tadti hai agar Aksh ki tarah sabse sweet hota toh sab sir pr hi naachne lagti. 

"Oyee, Shravani. kha kho gyi?"

"Huh?"

"Khi nhin."

"Toh batao, is he single?" she again asked.

"huh. uhm ya he is." I replied slowly.

"oh really! That's great. I told you Anu Di he is single."

"But." I spoke.

"What?" she asked.

"woh will you keep it a secret?" I asked.

"What?" they both asked.

"It's personal. forget it." I said and tried getting up.

"Hey hey wait. tell us. We won't tell anyone. You can trust us." Rida Said while Anuska nodded.

"How do I say it? guys please keep it a secret. okay? I am telling you both just because I don't want to hurt your feelings. I am literally going against my close friend to save you." I told sadly.

"What is it? You are scaring me."Riya Said.

I took a deep breath and said, "actually Arya.. I mean, Aryaveer. He.... he is interested."

"He is interested ?" they both repeated.

"He is interested in guys."

"I hope you get what I mean. You know." I spoke.

.........................