Fallen for you [ ✓ ]

8. Rivals to friends

After that incident, I had a hard time managing out from the rumors. Nithish and Harini helped me a lot in overcoming them. As days passed on our 1st year came to an end and rumors faded away eventually.

****

Gautham's Pov

During our 4th semester, I was selected to represent my college in a project contest. As it is an interdisciplinary project I was searching for a talented person from another department who will be helpful. After two days my project guide asked me to meet him.

When I entered his cabin I noticed Keerthi standing beside him.

why is she here? probably is she the one- no it can't be

"come inside Gautham, it's good that you came soon", my guide welcomed me inside and introduced Keerthi as if we are new to each other while we pretended the same

"Gautham I heard that you still haven't decided your project partner so I decided to help you out, I have chosen Keerthi from ece department to be your project mate for this contest, she is quite talented, I hope both of you do your best and make our college proud", he said with joy for which both of us nodded in agreement.

Keerthi's Pov

"I don't want to work with you", Gautham stated out his opinion As soon as we stepped out of the cabin

"Even I don't wish to", I groaned at him

"well, in that case, confess to him that you want to leave"

"Why should it be me? If you want, you better leave"

"excuse me it's my project"

"because of you I lost the faith Hod had on me and I can't lose this chance"

"that's none of my business"

And the argument continued for an hour. Later both of us decided to work separately on our parts and keep Harini as intermediate for communication.

As days passed our abstract got shortlisted and we were getting ready for the second phase. In the second phase, we will have to present a presentation before judges at IIT Madras. When our guide wanted us to present a week before departure, we presented it as he said.

During our presentation, our guide stopped it abruptly. With a glance, I could say he was too furious at us. 

"what was that actually?!", He started to question us

"All I could see was two persons pulling each others leg, I could not see any teamwork if your gonna do the same in the second phase then please don't go, instead of spoiling college name at the competition, you can stay here", he added on

"We are extremely sorry sir-", I apologized

"I don't know what's the problem between you two but if you feel your ego is prior to this contest than stay out of this, at least others would get a chance", He shouted at us making us realize our mistakes.

****

The next day after much thought I decided to compromise with him leaving aside my ego and work together. When I was just about to speak to him, he surprised me with an apology and stretched out his hands for a shake,

"friends?!"

What the heck is happening right now? am I dreaming?

"It isn't a dream, it's true", he mocked me, As I stood still lost in thoughts

After much pondering, I finally shook his hands and agreed to work together

we decided to get Harini and Rohan's help as we don't have much time left. just like we planned we all stayed at college for extra hours and sometimes at Gautham's house to complete the project on time.

Past few days we never fought with each other. I saw another side of Gautham which was quite impressive. He was so affectionate to his brother and never bothered to boast about his wealth. I also noticed that whenever I come up with the topic of my parents he would go silent, I could feel his starve for his parent's love, in short, he isn't bad as I thought.

Finally, the day came for us to board to Madras, my parents, Harini, Rohan, Nithish and Aravind came to send off us. As the bus departed I felt bad leaving all alone for the first time without my parents. I tried hard to hold back my tears that threatened to erupt while Gautham silently patted my back to console me.