Stubborn Love

A Misleading Heart

'Hi.'

Sia looked back at the source of the tentative greeting. In a loose striped half-shirt and even more baggy jeans, Akshay stood there, with a blackberry in one hand and the other hand around his college bag's strap. He looked even skinnier than usual without his windshield jacket.

'Hi Akshay,' Sia responded sweetly with a gentle smile.

'I got selected for the IRC finals.' he informed happily.

'Congratulations!' she wished, grinning, and then asked apologetically, 'What's IRC again?'

'Oh! It's the most sought after technical competition all over the world. Stands for International Robotics Championship.'

'Wow! You are really smart!' she smiled cheekily.

Akshay chuckled, blushing explicitly ear to ear. 'It was nothing,' he shrugged his shoulders.

'I mean it. I struggle even while trying to understand simple circuits in our mandatory basic electronics class.'

Akshay smiled warmly. 'You have your talents. You were amazing on the stage that night.'

'Ah, it was nothing.' Sia waved her arm, mimicking his tone. making him laugh.

Eased out, he asked hopefully, 'If you want I can help you with basic electronics.'

'Really? That would be amazing! Thank you so much!' Sia said gratefully. 'But will you be able to spare time for me? I mean, with mid-terms starting tomorrow, and now you have this competition too to prepare for.'

'Don't worry about that. I can always make time for you. I mean to help you.' Akshay corrected in haste.

Sia smiled. She was aware he had a major crush on her. Everyone in her batch knew. Silvi often claimed he was madly in love. Was he really that serious about her?

Akshay lingered for a few seconds and started again, 'Sia, will you.. I mean.. Are you free for.. umm.. is it all right if I.. ask you out for lunch.. Someday?'

Sia watched him in amusement as his voice almost faded towards the end. So he was finally asking her out. She never thought he could sum up the courage. It had not been easy for him. She could see in his shaky profile.

'Sure.' Sia smiled. The nervous stammering and hopeful eyes melted her heart. She just couldn't say no.

Evidently gleeful, Akshay grinned and dashed out, with hasty steps on the sidewalk in the opposite direction.

Sia narrowed her eyes at the quickly retreating boy. He forgot to actually fix a date for the lunch!

********************

Raghav walked into a hostel room and quietly sat on the bed, taking the support of the wall behind.

Leaning back in his chair, a startled Krishna evaluated the expressions of his unusually downcast friend. He had never seen him this dull. But before he could probe into what was troubling him, Raghav spoke.

'There's a naked girl on my bed.' Raghav fixed his eyes on the opposite wall.

'You lucky dog! Came here to brag?' Krishna cried out suddenly worked up at the exciting news. And then asked curiously, 'Who is it?'

'Vini.'

'She is hot, man!' Krishna said appreciatively, nodding.

'She is.' Raghav pressed his lips and asked looking up at his friend, 'Why don't I want to have sex with her then?'

'You don't? But why?'

'Beats me. I guess the universe is taking revenge against me for breaking up with Ananya over a text.' Raghav mourned in repentance as he folded his legs. On hearing a loud chuckle, he snapped, 'What's funny about my misery?'