𝙸𝚝 𝙴𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚄𝚜...

4~ 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘓𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴

A/N INLINE COMMENTS ARE THE ONE WHICH ARE DONE AT A PARTICULAR DIALOGUE NOT AT THE END. PLEASE DROP INLINE COMMENTS AS THEY REALLY MOTIVATE WRITERS TO GO ON.

The next day, Sidharth made a conscious effort to avoid engaging in any unnecessary conversations with Shehnaaz. Shehnaaz had stopped using the hair oil, hoping that Sidharth would notice and appreciate the change, but he was deliberately ignoring her.

The festival was just ten days away, and their performance was nearly ready.

Shehnaaz asked, "Sidharth, by the way, what's the dress code? What should we wear?"

Sidharth glanced at her briefly and replied, "Just don't wear a shalwar suit. Do you wear something western?"

Yeah, I can wear that," she responded.

"Then go for something black. Black is our dress code," Sidharth instructed, still avoiding eye contact.

As Shehnaaz turned to leave, she paused when she heard Sidharth muttering, "Ah, something got in my eye. Ugh, what a nuisance."

Shehnaaz quickly approached him and gently held his face, blowing air into his eye. Sidharth looked up at her, unable to tear his gaze away. Although he wanted to push her away, he found himself captivated by her kindness, smiling softly as she continued to help him.

He thought to himself, "How is she so kind? I've been ignoring her, barely speaking to her, and yet she still cares so much." Then, aloud, he said, "Thanks, it's better now. I'll go wash my face."

Shehnaaz replied, "Yeah, go rinse it well. Your eye looks a bit red."

In the evening, Sidharth dropped a message at Music club's group chat:

"Guys, whoever is performing tomorrow, make sure to reach the college early. We won't have time to practice after that because of important lectures."

Everyone responded in agreement, except for Shehnaaz. Two hours passed without a word from her.

Growing irritated, Sidharth thought to himself, Why is she so strange? Doesn't she check her messages? He then decided to message her directly:

"Shehnaaz, are you dead or what? Why are you always so hard to reach? I sent a message in the group—make sure you check it."                                                

An hour later, Shehnaaz finally replied:

"Well, I'm definitely dying for you. And to answer your question, yes, I've seen the messages. I'll be there on time. By the way, Sidharth, should I video call you?"

Sidharth read her messages from the notifications, then turned off his phone and went to sleep. The next ten days were hectic, filled with lectures and practice sessions. Sidharth and Shehnaaz barely interacted with each other during this time. Shehnaaz often found herself wondering, We're in a relationship, but it doesn't feel like it at all.

One day during rehearsals, Shehnaaz approached Sidharth and asked, "Sidharth, will you come with me somewhere this evening?"

Sidharth, already thinking about his busy schedule, replied, "Sorry, yaar, I'm a bit tied up today. Can't make it."

But Shehnaaz persisted, her voice softening, "Please, yaar. I really want to spend some time with you."

Sidharth thought to himself, What 's gotten into her all of a sudden?