Feeling The Greys (revised version)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟎𝟑. 𝐈 𝐃𝐎𝐍'𝐓 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖

𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢

It's the third week of August and two weeks since college started and ugh, I'm already tired of attending lectures. No, don't get me wrong. I like attending lectures, but its that time of the month.

The monsoon month. Rainy season. Rain. Water. Wet clothes.

I like rain, it's important for everyone; us, nature, etcetera. Also, that feeling when its raining, its dark outside and you're alone, curled up sitting by yourself in your room, reading or doing anything that makes you calm is so satisfying, so peaceful.

And the education department should declare a monsoon vacation along with summer vacations. Because travelling a long distance to come to the college in this heavy rain is very tiring. Besides, what about the clothes getting wet? And sitting the whole day under the fans, wearing wet clothes is like inviting pneumonia or any illness in general.

Grumbling, I close my umbrella and squeeze the water from my hair, walking inside the campus building. The rain hasn't stopped since last night, pouring down continuously as if someone broke her heart.

Mumbling how long it would take for my clothes to dry off and brushing the remaining rain droplets from my hair, I didn't notice the guy in front of me and bumped into his back.

"Oof!"

"Watch it idio—" The guy turned around and stopped before he could complete. I recognized him. Alya told me about him in the very first lecture. "Oh, you."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't see you and bumped into you. I-sorry." I apologized, gripping the strap of my bag.

He smiled. "Yeah, it's okay. I hope you didn't intentionally hit me."

Hit him? "Don't say it like that."

"Don't say it like what?" He grinned mischievously.

"Like, I hit you."

"Didn't you hit me?"

"I accidentally bumped into you." I let out a disbelief laugh. "There's a difference in bumping and hitting. You don't know that? No one taught you this?" As soon as it left, the words sink in and I realized what I just said.

Alya's voice flooded my mind. 'He's good, polite even but that doesn't last forever.' I gulped. I shouldn't have said that. Stupid, stupid, stupid Shivani. I mentally slap my forehead.

"I-I mean, I didn't mean to say it rudely. I-"

Nakul made a sound, something like clicking his tongue against his teeth. "Looks like no one taught you to take a joke."

"Where was the joke?" I asked.

"See, you proved my point." He smirked then shook his head. "Anyways, forget all that. I'm Nakul Mehra. I think we're in the same class. I often see you with Alya." He stretched his hand between us.

I stretched mine too. "I'm Shivani Arora. And, uh, yes, we're in the same class."

"Looks like you're heading to the class right now. Which lecture it is?" He asked.

"Uh, Quantitative Techniques. HOD's class." I glanced at my watch and realized I only have 5 minutes before the lecture starts. "I should go. The class will start soon." We both exchanged a small smile and I turned around, sped up my steps and walked in the direction of my class.

The HOD entered soon after I walked inside the class. She shut the door and after passing the attendance sheet, she started with today's topic.

"Where were you?" Alya whispered, pulling out her book. "I saw you from the window, you were here on time."