Love, How does it feel?

• 7

Shruti

"Guess what, guys!" We heard a roar as we saw a jumping female on the doorstep of our hostel room.

"You are engaged!" Swetha exclaimed, running to hug our sweet girl, Rishita, draped in a fuschia saree as she showed us her red emerald embedded gold ring clad ring finger.

"Yes." She squealed as I also rushed to give her a happy hug.

"Prashant is downstairs, come down you two of you." She told us as we draped a jacket or shawl and walked down the stairs to see Prashant, dressed in a traditional pink kurta and off-white pants.

"Congratulations Bhai." We congratulated him too as he blushed.

"Thank you. And, these are for two of you. I want both of you there at our wedding anyhow." He smiled as he forwarded us two big hampers with chocolates, berries and raisins.

"Sure, Bhai." We nodded, smiling.

"Girls, drop this 'bhai' thing. Call him Jiju. I don't have any siblings so, you both are more like my sisters now." Rishita hugged us as we awed as her warm words.

"Keep your shoes safe, Jiju." Swetha playfully threatened him as we all laughed together.

"Met your cousin?" Rishita asked him as he shook his head in a 'no'.

"Prashant" We heard a call from the other side.

"Hey, Sid." He exclaimed, taking Sidharth Sir in a man hug, leaving three of us stunned.

"Sidharth Sir?" Rishita whispered, shocked at the turn of the events.

"Yes?" Sidharth Sir replied, confused seeing three of us here.

"Sid, this is Rishita, my fiánce. Rishita, he is Sidharth, my elder cousin. Only son of my father's big brother." He introduced, clearing our confusion.

"Prashant, he is my team leader. The one I told you about." Rishita muttered in his ears.

"Oh, the young, hot and talented guy, your friend likes." He laughed as my face burnt with embarrassment.

"What's going on?" Sidharth Sir intervened, seeing us involved in internal conversations. We shrugged.

"I'm glad that you are here. I won't be that worried of Rishita's safety." Sidharth Sir nodded as Prashant Jiju tried to divert the topic.

"She is safe here, bro. I'm there." He assured him.

"We are family friends now, Sir." Rishita laughed while, Sidharth Sir chuckled at her excitement saying, "Ji".

"Prashant, it's past their ladies hostel timings. Let them go inside and you are staying with me tonight. I've made the arrangements." He spoke as Jiju nodded and bid us his goodbye.

"How's your lectures and own research on labs going?" Sidharth Sir asked Swetha, without even looking at me as he and both of us walked ahead to give the couple a little privacy.

"A bit busy. But, going great, sir." Swetha answered.

"Reach me in case of any doubts or troubles, alright. Feel safe here." He said her as she smiled.

"I hope you are not still holding grudges against me for not taking you in my team." He jested, leading Swetha to laugh out loud.

"Yeah, a little." Swetha played along as he laughed saying, "Is it?"

"Yes. I dreamt to be in your team." She confessed.

"Aree, as I said, there's nothing in which team you are. Your contribution to the project matters." He replied to her, smiling. While, I felt awkward, being left out.