A PRETENSE...

Chapter 3

*Mihira Pov*

"What is it?" I asked walking closer to the window finding the curtains still closed like they were from the day I expressed my feelings.

"I was feeling cold and that's why I closed them." He mumbled ignoring my question while I rolled my eyes because the day he closed them is summertime and from where did he got cold.

"Okay! What do you want to talk about?" I asked still looking at the curtains not wishing to show him that I don't believe those words at all.

I guess I was in a rush when I confessed everything but those three years when we couldn't hang out like normal felt more than abnormal for me and I didn't want that to continue but my solution just made everything a mess.

"What do you want to talk about?" he asked adjusting his bag while checking time as he is going to join his friends for a trip they planned with the exam completed for them while I just got my results.

It feels a little different to talk about this but he has been busy with everything and I want to base my next life decision on today's matter for sure.

"I... I don't know why you stayed away during college but I thought maybe because I just finished my schooling while you already got used to the college. But it's been two years and it will three years if I add the time when you finished schooling. I just..." I paused realizing I am confusing myself more than making him understand.

"I understand, Mihi! We were close to each other from the time my family shifted to this place and that's like ten years already even though we were never classmates. But everything really changed and we both were busy with our things after I finished attending school, right? I heard you will be joining the same university and we may get closer like we were before." He assured me smiling.

That's what I don't want to happen. If I am really going to attend the same university then I want a change in our relationship but not the one like before.

"I like you, Abhi! I don't know when or why but I like you and I don't want to be just a casual friend or childhood friend after meeting again at the university." I expressed without pausing or hesitating for a second while he stared at me in shock.

"You can take your time. I don't mind no matter how much time you want to take." I added but I want the answer within a week for sure as I am going to apply soon and make a decision.

"I... I already have a girlfriend." I didn't expect those words though and it was disappointing but I didn't feel any hurt.

I thought if I had confessed earlier then everything would have been fine but his next words caused me to feel so embarrassed that I never want to see him again if possible.

"I heard you wanted to join another college and that too another city to stay at the hostel but had to join here instead." I was brought out of my thought hearing those words.

"Yeah! If I had stayed at the hostel then even my parents would have been relieved not thinking much about me. You know how their jobs are." I explained the excuse I thought reasonable at that time when my parents asked me why I suddenly wished to go away like that.

"But my attendance was poor and I don't know why they need to see that instead of my marks. So, they just rejected me and I had to join here itself." I added clearing my throat.

"If not for your friend, you wouldn't have exchanged a single word with me at college, right?" he asked and I just nodded still showing my back.

"I thought you were past that incident but..." he trailed off and that's when I laughed not believing that sentence.