His Dusk, Her Dawn

Chapter 19. Old trick

Our trip was finally over. I wanted to meet my family again, but I also didn't want to leave this beautiful place. In the cities, we can hardly find a peaceful moment, but here in the hill, it was available 24×7. After surveying the area, I thought of buying some land to build my dream home here.

I glanced out of the window, tall mountains peaking over the huge green blanket. The sun rose slowly, basking everything in a soft yellow glow. I took a long breath and waved at the scene for the last time. I locked the door after grabbing my luggage and joined my batchmates; everyone was discussing about our last five days.

I met Nikhil on the way, and he asked me about our basketball practice schedule.

Oh no! I completely forgot to tell him about the revised timings and sessions. By the looks of it, if I tell him now, he might throw me in the jungle. Let's blow the bomb directly in the college.

Instead of talking about basketball, I asked Nikhil about Karthik and if he was still angry with his best friend. Nikhil shot me a mischievous smile and showed me Karthik's smartphone.

"I have this. If he vanishes from my sight even for a second, I will break it," Nikhil said.

"Nice. Where is he though?"

"Washroom. You go ahead; I will come with my hostage."

I gave him a thumbs up and went ahead. As I had come on my bike, I bid goodbye to my peers and made my way towards the parking lot. I was about to cross the exit when I heard Tanya calling me.

"Ved, wait a minute!" Tanya yelled.

"Hey, Tanya."

"Hi. I have been waiting to ask you this since last two days, but you seemed a lot busy. You didn't even come to play with us when I called you," she complained.

"Sorry. I was hanging out with the boys, so I couldn't come," I lied. "What did you want to ask me?"

She took out her phone and showed me the pics of a beach resort. "We girls are planning a trip to visit Kanyakumari. If you are interested, you can also come. I am going to ask Nikhil and Shree too."

Beach resort? Sounds like a good idea.

She started giving me the details, and I heard her attentively but something caught my eye. Behind Tanya, about ten feet distance away, Sandhya was chatting with Surbhi as they moved towards their bus.

Fortunately, Sandhya was decked up with warm clothes unlike last time. The grey beanie on her head looked nice on her, complimenting her tan. She had tied her hair in a lose braid, a few strands falling on the either sides of her face.

She laughed and hit Surbhi, who hit her back; both of them continued guffowing. As Sandhya stood behind, Surbhi went inside the bus and yelled that they had a few empty window seats available. When she returned back, Sandhya-

"Ved, are you listening?" Tanya waved her hand in front of me.

What was she saying again?

I moved my gaze at her and nodded. "Yes."

She asked me if I would like to come to the pub tomorrow, and I nodded again.

"Thank you for inviting me." I smiled.

"You are always welcome, Ved," she said. "Don't forget about the beach trip."

She left after wishing me a safe journey, and I looked back at where Sandy Pandy was. Surbhi had already gone inside, and Sandhya was getting on the stairs of the bus.

I shot a quick glance at my motorbike, the memories of what happened five days ago resurfacing. Sandhya had messaged me that she would repay me as soon as possible, but I didn't want any money from her. I knew she would try to pay me again when we would return to college.