Enigma

One sided

Next day morning,
Karan and Tejasswi reached college (separately). In a few days, they were going to witness their freshers party. The seniors were busy preparing for the same. This year's theme was bollywood Prom night. Every fresher had to choose one partner who they wanted to take on prom. Based on various activities, the college would get their Mr and Ms Fresher.
Sam said to Tejasswi,
"Babe are you excited?"
"Excited...for what?"
"For the Prom girl!"
"What is there to be so excited.... it's just a prom. "
"It's just a prom? No, it's not just a prom... it's a bollywood prom night....it's huge. "
"Okay...."
"Are you really not excited?"
"No I guess ...."
"Leave it, who are you gonna ask for prom ?"
"Umm...I don't know, I didn't think of it"
"What's there to think? Go and ask Karan...and you anyways like him so much... it's visible on your face ."
"Whattt...noo....we are just friends ...what are you saying?"
"Haa to friends ko bhi like kar sakte h na .. maine kb kaha ki you like him as a lover or a partner. Accha chal, leave all this...tell me have you decided on your dress "
"No"
"Perfect...we are going together after college"
"Whatt...why...I have so many dresses, I'll wear something from it"
"We are going for shopping Teju.... that's it ."
"Ok fine... whatever "

On the other hand,
Dane asks Karan,
"Hey dude..who are asking for prom?"
"I don't know man...I am least interested in this bullshit."
"Why... it's such a happening theme this year."
"I don't know...who are you gonna ask"
"Umm....Sam maybe..."
"Oohhh...Sam.... Woww....when did that happen.."
"Nothing happened bro....I just like her....and I think I am gonna ask her for prom. You know what...you should ask Tejasswi for prom. It will be perfect. Just imagine...we four entering together...and the entire crowd will whistle....
"Bro bro bro...relax .... come out of your imagination. I can't ask her for prom. She's my friend. What is she going to think of me. "
"Ok...then you should ask Avika. Tell Avika that you love her so much...and you wanna get back to her...and that you wanna ask her for prom...see it's so simple."
(Avika heard this line as she was crossing the room and she instantly smiled because she thought Karan wants to get back with her. She was excited but she wanted karan to ask her for prom, so she left from there.)
"Are you mad Dane..me and Avika are a closed chapter."
"So then what's the problem in asking Tejasswi. She is single, you are single, she is pretty and smart , ohh bonus... she's your friend "apparently"...so why not."
"Okk okk .. I'll think of this. Now please stop irritating me. "
" Huh...never"
"Go away dude"

It was break, Karan was in the canteen, waiting for Tejasswi to come. Finally after a few minutes, he saw her coming with Sam. He immediately stood and went towards her.

Avika was there too. She saw Karan sitting in the table in front of her. She was literally waiting for him to come up to her and express his feelings towards her. She finally saw him coming. Her heartbeats raised for a while. He kept coming closer and.....she closed her eyes.
A few seconds later, when she didn't hear his voice ...she opened her eyes only to see....Karan approaching towards Tejasswi. He was going to Tejasswi nit her. No.... She didn't want this to happen. Her hatred for Tejasswi increased more. She fisted her hand and slammed it in the table.

Meanwhile, Karan approached Teju and said
"Hi...teju can we talk?"
"Yeah sure... Bolo na"
"Wo actually, I wanted to ask...you know...umm ..are you by any chance free this weekend "
"Yeah...why?"
"Perfect. Ok so Tejasswi Prakash, will you accompany me to the prom night? Please don't deny. "
"Huh...prom night with me...but why....i mean...you have so many options...so why me?"
"I know I have many options, but I don't have too many friends. Also I don't want to give anyother girl more attention than you cause you are my friend. Right?"
"Ohh....ummm....uhh"
Sam-" Stop thinking and say yes idiot"(she whispered in Teju's ear)
"Yess...okk yes sure .."
"Pheww ....thank you.... I'll text you and then we'll decide which bollywood inspiration we wanna go for "
"If you don't mind, we can discuss it right now ...we don't gave much time. Also, today I am going shopping with Sam, you can join us if you feel like.  "
"Okk....perfect"
They sat there on a bench and started to decided
"What's the first thing that comes to you when you hear Bollywood?"
"Unreal romance"
"Unreal?"
"Yeah its illogical and unreal....bollywood stories are just fictional...and has nothing to do with reality or logic. "
"I don't think so. Bollywood love is extravagant but at the same time, it's raw and fresh. It's peaceful "
"So what are we gonna dress up as?"
"I think, Naina and Bunny from Ye jawani hai deewani"
"Okk....cool."

They decided the inspiration and shopped for their clothes. They also had to practice a dialogue from the inspiration they took. But somehow, Teju was not able to deliver the dialogue properly. Karan was constantly trying to help her. He suggested her to feel the dialogue while delivering it.
The dialogue was " Tum samajhte kyu nahi, agar mai do min ar ruki to....kya Naina....to mujhe tumse pyar ho jaega .... phir se...ar tumhe ni hoga .. phir se"
Something was lacking, Teju and karan couldn't understand what was going on.

It was the day of the prom, Teju was very excited for today unlike previously. Within these few days, she got to know Karan closely, he gave her butterflies with his actions and words. Teju was not able to recognize her feelings ....but these few days, she spent with Karan, she knew one thing, that she's started liking him. She decided to be honest about it and shared it with Sam. Sam was the happiest hearing about it. She also told her to confess it to Karan in the prom night itself. Sam consoled her that even Karan likes her. Teju felt she was right and she decided to confess.
Karan came to pick Teju up. She was mesmerized looking at him. He looked no less than a prince charming. Though she cringed at the thought of love but now she was feeling those emotions.

They entered,met Sam and Dane, Amy and Kiki (kritika - his gf). They danced for a while had some drinks(non-alcoholic). The song changed , Dekha hazaro dafa apko....played and every couple danced to the tune if it. Teju kept on looking into Karan's eyes. She excused herself to use the washroom as her heartbeats started pounding. She calmed herself, gathered all the courage she had and went out.

She saw Karan and Avika talking, zhe went closer to hear what they were talking about. She could hear
"Karan, why did you not ask me for prom? What does she have in her that I don't....look at me...i am prettier than her"
"Stop it Avika... don't create a scene here."
"No, you have to tell me.... What is going on with you?"
"Nothing Just leave from here please"
"Karan, tell me...do you love her...lr maybe do you like her."
"No I don't....for god's sake....I don't like her or love her.... she's just another friend in my life. Okay? I see her only as a friend. Neither do I see her as my love interest nor my girlfriend nor anything else .. just a friend. Understand that and please leave "

Avika keaves. But Tejasswi's heart shattered. Everything that she was feeling, was only from her side. He had zero feelings for her. She controlled her emotions as much as she could.
After a while, it was their turn for the dialogue round.
Teju expressed the dialogue as if it was happening to her in the real time. This time she couldn't hold her tears back.
Karan was confused and shocked to see her emote so well. Everybody appreciated and cheered for their performance.
As soon as their performance ended, Teju ran outside to take some fresh air. Karan couldn't understand what just happened. He was clueless. Sam ran after her so Karan decided to wait there itself.