The Rules Of Pursuit

47. Officially Yours

It took me a fortnight to dissipate Mia's and Olivia's anger. They had even stopped sitting on the same table with Avinash and me. Finding no other options I had to resort to Fatima and Danish for help, which somehow did turn out to be productive.

I was relieved when after avoiding me for two weeks straight, one evening Mia finally spoke to me.

"I am still mad at you." She had said scowling. "But it's difficult to fight the urge of sharing details of every gossip with you." I had gone and grabbed her in a bear hug finally getting my bestie back.

"Naxi, you have to understand, you shouldn't do that to Avinash. You should try being his strength instead of becoming his weakness." She had said solemnly.

"Trust me Mia, I had never asked him to leave the team. I never even told him that I was bothered by Damini." It was the truth, which nobody wanted to believe.

"But you felt insecure and it showed in your demeanor. Both Danish and I felt it that day. Avinash is probably closer to you than we are. How could you have thought he wouldn't notice?" Mia had reasoned. I knew she was right, but how could I have not felt insecure watching Avinash with that girl who used to cling to him all the time just a month back.

"Trust the person you love. Avinash loves you alot and he won't ever hurt you." Mia had assured me.

It took me a lot more effort to melt Olivia. Even though she was the sweetest in our group, her anger was equally severe. Avinash and I had to do thirty squats holding our ears in the cafeteria, to make her finally break into a grin.

"Urrggggh." Mia groaned. We were in our room trying to study. The trimester examinations were scheduled to start a week after the dance face off. "I, at times think Avi did the right thing by quitting. I surely don't know how I am going to tackle both the dance practice and studies." She was sipping her fifth cup of coffee revising her Current Affairs notes.

"I can't wait for this examination to be over." I groaned rubbing my temple. "Avinash wants to go out on Valentine's Day. I bet he has planned something elaborate. I wish I could talk him out. I cannot surely enjoy Valentine's day, with Gadget Studies at the back of my mind."

"Don't worry, you are a brainiac, you will sail through." She smiled at me. "And from what I heard, Avi has improved academically too. The mentors feel it's your influence." She pinched my arm playfully.

It was true. We were lagging only behind Natasha and Mandy in terms of trimester points. Avinash was excelling in both Gadget Study and Decoding. Though history, Statues and Emergency Medical Care still scared him, but I had faith he would not 'Disappoint' me.

A knock resonated against the door, followed by Brute's bark.

"Talk of the devil and the devil is here." Mia fake groaned opening the door.

"I missed you too Mia." Avinash pulled her nose before striding to me and going straight for my lips.

"Get a room." Mia scowled at us.

"We already are in one." Avinash winked.

"I need some air." Mia rolled her eyes and walked out of the room leaving us alone.

"So, I need a little assistance here." Avinash said settling down on the chair Mia had just vacated.

"Which subject?" I always had studies on my mind these days.

"The subject of Valentine." He snickered.

"Avinash I still think it is a horrible idea." I tried to try my luck to talk him out. "We have our examinations knocking at our doors, and you want to waste a day which could have been utilized in fruitful revision, in celebrating a 'commercialized love day'."