Deepika's POV:
"I don't understand," Manoj said, looking thoroughly baffled.
I sighed and redid the same calculation, trying to explain it once more.
"Dude, she can't make this simpler," Vinoth said, shooting Manoj an exasperated look.
"Yeah," Meera chimed in, trying to be supportive.
Manoj's confusion didn’t seem to be fading.
"Manoj, are you trying to score a centum or just aiming to pass?" Sanjay joked, giving Manoj a playful smack on the head.
We all burst into laughter, lightening the mood.
"I'm starving," Vishal, our newest addition to the study group, announced.
"Let’s wrap up the last topic and then head out," I suggested, trying to keep everyone focused.
Vishal shook his head in agreement, and we gathered our things.
We were sitting in front of our department, under the entrance porch. The sun was blazing, and we were all feeling the heat.
"We’ll eat at that small hotel outside," Sanjay decided.
"Okay, let's go!" I agreed enthusiastically.
"Yeshhhh!" Lavanya exclaimed, clearly eager for a break.
We made our way to the small hotel, chatting and laughing along the way. As we passed through the intersection, I glanced up at the CCTV camera mounted on the lamp post and slowed down, remembering the incident with those boys.
The hotel offered only chicken fried rice and veg fried rice.
"Please tell me they use separate utensils for cooking vegetarian meals," Meera said, her tone tensed as we sat on the wooden benches outside the shop.
"Yes, Ma'am," I teased. "The entire shop is smaller than our classroom. There’s no space for hand-washing, and you expect separate utensils?"
"I’m a pure vegetarian," Meera reminded us. She was a Brahmin, after all.
"You won’t be after you finish B.Arch," Sanjay joked, making us all laugh again.
The food arrived hot, and we dug in quickly. The study session had left us all famished.
As we continued studying, the afternoon sun made us feel like we were slowly baking.
"Fin," I announced, closing my notebook after finishing the last chapter.
"Yeassshhhhhh!" Sanjay exclaimed, throwing his notebook aside in triumph.
We all let out a collective sigh of relief.
It was around 3 in the afternoon.
"Thanks, Deeps! Let’s hope we all clear this exam by Monday!" Manoj said as we started packing up.
Vinoth received a call, and he was speaking in a low voice.
"Yeah, we’re done, Arjun. We’re heading out now," Vishal said, revealing that he was on the phone with Arjun.
I had thought Arjun would join us today. Was he thinking about our last group study session? But he didn’t show up, so why should I worry?
"Hey Deepika, it’s so sunny. I’ll drop you off at your bus stop on my bike," Vishal offered.
"Thanks, just a moment, I’ll pack my bag," I said.
"That’s better. Lavanya’s car should be here soon. I’ll go with her," Meera said, heading off.
YOU ARE READING
My Ex - Crush
General Fiction"I wish I had never met you!" Deepika's voice echoed across the classroom, each word a dagger to my heart. "Excellent! At least we finally agree on something!" I fired back, even as a tear betrayed the storm of emotions within me. With those final...
