The Rules Of Pursuit

37. Another Bet!

The college seemed relatively quieter, since most of the students and staffs had left for their homes to spend their Christmas and New Year holiday with their family. I spent most of my time in my room or at the library after returning from Jaipur.

Mia, Junaid, Zoravar, Danish, Olivia were all gone, and even though Mandy and Natasha were there, and insisted me to accompany them, I didn't want to be a third wheel.

Avinash was avoiding me ever since we returned, which was good in a way, since I too wanted to stay away from him. I had learnt to subdue the jealousy that raged inside me, whenever I found him with Damini. I wondered whether Mandy and Natasha had noticed that Avi and I had returned at the same time.

"You have been acting a little weird since you came back." Mandy seemed concerned. We were sitting in the nearly empty cafeteria, for lunch.

"What do you mean weird?" I asked looking up from my food. Both Mandy and Natasha looked at me as if I was a ticking time bomb.

"Distant." Natasha replied.

"Just missing my family," I shook my head dismissively.

"That is exactly what I thought was wrong with Mia," Mandy said slowly, "Only to find out it was something way more serious."

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I don't have a girlfriend hidden back at home." I said trying to be funny.

"You remember the pact right?" Mandy said warmly. I nodded returning to the Rajma Chawal (Kidney beans curry and Rice).

"Where is his skunk?" I looked up at Natasha's remark and followed her gaze. Avinash sauntered inside the Cafeteria alone. He picked up a tray allowing the servers to fill it up and went to sit at his usual table.

"That is a first." Natasha commented. It was true. Since he and Damini had started dating, I have never seen him having a meal alone. She was always perched on his lap, feeding him.

Maybe they had a fight. My heart skipped at the thought, but was immediately reprimanded by my mind.

"Should we invite him?" Mandy asked uncertainly. My best friend just spoke my mind. Avinash seemed a little upset and I wanted to know what was up with him.

"I doubt he would have done the same if any of us were sitting alone." Natasha grimaced.

"Nuts, don't forget, if it hadn't been for him, we wouldn't have known how we felt for each other." Mandy said kindly.

"NUTS?" I snickered, "That is a horrible choice of nickname."

"Imagine what I have to endure." Natasha rolled her eyes, making me chuckle.

"Well suit yourself," she half shrugged, "but don't expect me to be social with him."

"You are the bestest." Mandy grabbed her into a tight hug, kissing her on her head.

"There is no such word as 'bestest'." Natasha said, blushing from Mandy's gesture.

"There is now. You are its definition and its example." Mandy pulled her nose. They were the most adorable couple I had seen. Natasha has changed Mandy in a good way. He wasn't the carefree womanizer anymore. Love does change a person!

"Naxi you are cool with it?" Mandy asked me. I shrugged, to show that it didn't make a difference, but the thought of Avinash joining us made my heart race.

"Hey Avinash," Mandy turned around in his seat and waved at Avi "Would you mind giving Naxi a little company, since she is feeling like a third wheel with us."

WOW! Nothing has changed. Chautala was still the same arsehole. Natasha punched him on his chest simultaneously I kicked his sheen under the table.