My Ex - Crush

Episode 16

Arjun's POV :

It has been almost a week since the viva exam. But I was in college, helping the design submission of seniors.

They also had to do hand drafting for all their sheets.

I was helping Ashok with his school design. I was asked to do a perspective view sketch of the facade.

He was quickly doing some colouring over his design sheets.

During lunch, I was introduced to the U Sec of our college ( Unit secretary, as a representative of our college in NASA ).

" This year Zonasa was not that much good. " Souban , third year senior, the U Sec said.

" Yeah Sir , but still we got shortlisted in ANDC and Reubens" Ashok replied.

They had gone to a college in Karnataka for the Zonal NASA convention. By next semester, they would go to the national convention. Only second years and third years were allowed to go to the convention.

I was trying to grasp all those things they were talking about.

" Are you interested in NASA ? " Vignesh, another third year senior asked me.

" Yes Sir, it all seems so interesting" I said.

" You do know about the trophies right ?" He asked me.

" Yes " I said.

" Which one do you like the most ?" He asked me.

Before I could answer, I was cut off in the middle by Ashok.

" He wants to do GSen Sir " Ashok replied.

G Sen was short form for the General Sensitivity trophy. Unlike other trophies, this trophy is just a small intervention in a public space. It was a really difficult trophy as it required more analysis than design skills. I have seen all the sheets of all trophies done by the seniors,And it felt like GSen was my calling.

" Good, then you can join us and start working for the trophy, we need more people though" Vignesh said.

" I would come Sir " I said.

" We will teach you photoshop , you can take care of the sheets presentation " Jagan, second year senior said.

So basically, Vignesh is the coordinator of the GSen trophy this year. Next year, Jagan would lead the trophy team. And if I learn well from these people I can lead the GSen team in my third year.

After lunch, they all went to their usual spot to take a puff while I excused myself and returned to the department.

I slowly walked into my empty classroom.

I sat on Deepika's drafting table and breathed out loud.

I haven't spoken to her after the viva.

Her words came running back to my mind.

She thinks I would never like her or she thinks I should never like her ?!

Damn, this is so hard.

" Arjun, come , help Chinmayi with her sheets " Ashok shouted as he walked across my classroom.

I slowly walked out. I was budgered with works till late evening. One after the other , I was helping seniors.

The next day I was asked to come to Vignesh's house for working. I asked permission from my parents and they said , I could stay there, but I shouldn't touch drinks. I agreed and went to the senior's house with all my clothes packed in a bag.

There were 6 people from third year, 2 people from second year and just me from my year. The entire team had only 2 girls, both were third years.

Vignesh was such a fun to be around. Unlike our immediate seniors, he treated me like I was actually a person with some knowledge.

The work was hectic. We were doing site visits everyday. And we would come back and analyse the data collected.

I was always sitting behind my laptop. They also taught me photoshop. I was helping them with sketching too.

Soon days turned into weeks. I hadn't trimmed my beard and some of the seniors didn't bathe at all. Girls also stayed together in Vignesh's house. I was given a mattress to sleep on. I barely talked with my parents. I don't even remember how many meals I had skipped.

Somehow, I loved the hustle. It completely occupied my mind. I had no time for anything else.

I couldn't even text Deepika, my phone would sometimes be randomly passed around to check site pictures and everything. I didn't sleep at all for some days.

I was in fact peaceful that Deepika was finally out of my mind.

On the end of second week, With most of the work finally completed, I came back home. Those third year seniors were no more Sir and Ma'am, they all became Anna and Akka. I had learnt so many things.

The next day, I had to return to college. Second semester begins.

Deepika hadn't texted me at all throughout the 16 days. No, she did text me, like around last week, but I couldn't talk well because of the seniors around. But she should have texted again.

I decide to go to college somewhat later than Deepika so that I wouldn't dash into her in the bus. I intentionally avoided Deepika's bus timing.

I didn't know what I was thinking, but I was trying to avoid her as much as I can. I am not scared or anything. It's just,,, I don't know why.

I got in a crowded bus and more memories flashed across my mind.The way she looked at me on that crowded bus,... God.

I tried to confess my feelings, but I didn't ask a clear question. And she didn't give a clear answer. Maybe that's why I'm so confused now.

I sighed, stepping off the bus and making my way to the campus. The morning sun was already high in the sky, and students were milling about, chatting and laughing.

But as I walked towards my department, it became eerily silent. A small pup was continuously barking somewhere and no other noise was there.

Was I too early?, I thought to myself.

But to my misery, as I walked past the lawn in front of our department, I saw her. Deepika was crouched near a small pond, her hands covered in mud, her hair sticking to her forehead with sweat.

Holy shit.

All my hesitation evaporated in an instant. Seeing her there, so real and so close, I realized how much I had missed her. Her face, even sweaty and a little dirty, was mesmerizing. The way she bit her lip in concentration—it was all so intoxicating.

I took a step closer, my heart pounding in my chest. Should I say something? Should I wait until she notices me? I felt a knot in my stomach, a mixture of fear and excitement. What if she still didn't know how I felt? What if she didn't feel the same way?

But before I could overthink it any further, Deepika looked up and saw me. Her eyes widened in shock, and she stood up quickly. That's when I noticed something wrong in her face.

"Arjun,,, I need help,,," she said, her voice breathless.