The Rules Of Pursuit

46. Love requires Sacrifice

Avinash P.O.V

She seemed a little off. Even though she was doing an amazing job at hiding it, yet I knew something was not right. I walked up to her and tried to give her a hug.

"Not before you take a shower." She stopped me by pushing me slightly away, straining her lips to fake a smile. However, it didn't reach her eyes like always.

"Want to join?" I said flirtatiously. She rolled her eyes trying to ignore my suggestion.

"Hey Naxi, I need your help with my Decoding assignments." Mia panted, as she joined us with Oly.

"Okay! Let's go and get it done." She sounded like she was in a hurry to get away from me. I could tell by now that Naxi was avoiding me.

"Weren't we supposed to study together today," I said quietly, so that only she could hear me, trying not to sound anxious.

"I know, but I didn't want to say no to Mia. I hadn't been able to spend anytime with her or the rest of M4, since we got back from the vacation." Her answer only aggravated my unease.

This was not the Meenakshi I have known. Panic started building inside me. Something was not right. I knew she was upset with me, but I had no idea why.

Once we reached the hostel building, she waved and parted ways at the second floor landing, while I climbed up to the third floor with Danish and Olivia.

It was the age old rule of the Spy College that the freshers were assigned the floor which was vacated by the graduating students. Meenakshi's batch were assigned the floor vacated by the batch who graduated last year.

I waited for Danish inside our room, while he whispered sweet nothings in Oly's ears outside.

"Hey Danny," I tried to sound casual "What were you and Naxi talking about at the Dance studio?"

"Nothing much!" Danish looked at me quizzically "Why?"

"Nah, just wanted to know whether she was getting all bored at the practice." I tried to brush it off.

"She seemed a little lost though." Danish said a little unsure, "I thought may be you two had some argument."

"But she was absolutely fine when I left her with you." I racked my brain to recall what shit I could have said that may have pissed her off.

"Why don't you call her up and find out?"

"Good idea." I muttered picking up my phone and rang her up.

"Hey Avi," she sounded distant.

"Hey Lady Hulk." I tried to sound normal, "I am missing you like mad. Let's meet up, please!" I whined.

"Can't Avi, I have to help Mia. Her syllabus is tougher than our's. I cannot give up my friends just because I have a boyfriend now. It will be selfish of me." She sighed "I gotta hang up now, will speak to you in a while." The line went dead.

She had disconnected before I could say anything else. I threw the phone on my bed and started pacing.

"All well?" Danish seemed worried.

"She won't tell me." The anxiety was now evident in my voice as I ran my fingers through my hair.

"Ummm I don't think it may be the cause," Danish scratched the back of his head, "but I kind of shared something that had been bothering me." He reiterated the conversation he had with Naxi.

"Nope, I don't think that is reason enough for her to be this upset. Besides you yourself said she seemed a little lost even before you told her that she may be my rebound." It was then that realization dawned on me. How could I have been so stupid not to see it?