Chapter 13

Maya and Aman are working out at the gym. Maya is weightlifting where as Aman is spotting for her, "You know I can't lift 80kg right? Tu woh hunk jese logo ki help kyun nai leti?" After Maya is done. "Because I don't need it" Maya says barely out of breath and sip at her water bottle.

They walk towards the treadmill, "Wese Shreya texted me something really weird today" Aman says while jogging on the treadmill, "Do I even want to know?" Maya says drily, "She said how you helped a particular student out with their notes, thn got them vada pav and even dropped them off at their house today?" Aman says in an amused manner huffing a little, "As a professor its my duty to teach them, Shreya ke liye vada pav liya tha toh, it would have been rude to not offer one to her as well and again Shreya ki wajah se lift di thi mene" Maya says upping her speed. 

"Tuje kabse rude hone me problem hone lagi? Admit it, you are smitten" Aman says with a smirk which is quickly wiped off as Maya smacks his head hard having leaned over her treadmill to do so, "Oww" he says rubbing his head, "Tuje aur teri gf ko bakwas karne ke alawa aur kuch kaam nai he? Uska toh theek he, bachchi he woh, you toh know everything right? I am not going down that road again, I am fine with my hookups and one night stands. And there's no point in this conversation as she is probably straight, she has a dated some guy from the college called Rey or something" Maya says. 

"One just because you had a shitty past relationship doesn't mean that you don't allow yourself to feel again for someone romantically, second I know you shouldn't out people without their consent but she might not be as straight as you think she is" Aman says silencing Maya. 

"Also tuje uski dating history kese pata? Stalk kiya?!" Aman says with amusement, "Why the hell would you out her like that? Did she tell you about her sexuality?" Maya says sounding pissed off, "she told Shreya-", "I will need to have a word with Shreya thn, I thought she knew better thn to out someone like that", "Maya, Taani ne permission di thi Shreya ko muje batane ke liye after the club night, also the only reason I am telling you is because I can see how affected you are getting by her and if there's some chance-", "I don't want to talk about it, shut up" Maya glares at him and he stops talking.

Taani wakes up to the doorbell ringing, she goes out but sees no one, there's a bouquet of roses lying on the floor. There's no note on it, she picks it up, goes inside and locks the door. She thinks maybe Bhai ke liye honge so leaves the bouquet on the living room table and goes to her room.

She quickly gets ready for college as she had again overslept. Thankfully the auto strike was up so she reaches just in time for class. 

She is huffing a little as she walks into the classroom, "Good morning" Shreya says used to Taani walking in huffing and puffing in class. "Morning, aaj fir late uthi, rickshaw mil gyi time pe warna pakka late ho jata" Taani says sipping at her water bottle after taking a seat next to Shreya, "Thank god us khadoos ki class nai he" Taani says after she gets her breathing under control, "Tu kuch zyada unhe notice nai karti?" Shreya asks amused, "Matlab?" Taani says not understanding, "Kuch nai ese hi, wese kal tu Kriya ke samne defend kar rhi thi Di ko" Shreya says with a sly smile, "Me kuch defend nai kar rhi thi" Taani says making a face, their professor walks in before Shreya could say anything more.

The rest of the day in uneventful, the team is practicing for the competition, Taani and Shreya attend their classes. Its time for Taani's detention, she sees the gang come out of the RH as she is walking towards Maya's cabin, Swayam sees her, "Taani tu abhi tak yahi he?" He asks forgetting about their fight for a moment, "Aapse matlab?" Taani says not very politely before making a motion to leave, "Taani why can't you just give him a straight answer?" Sharon says after seeing Swayam looking upset at Taani's reply, "Oh I am sorry for talking to your boyfriend rudely!" Taani says sarcastically to Sharon, "I don't have time for this" she says before leaving knowing if she is late for detention toh Maya will give her another one. 

The gang are pissed at her rudeness, "Iska kuch zyada hota ja rha he" Bharath says, "Bharath don't" Swayam says walking out of the college, "Teri behen he iska matlab yeh nai that she can disrespect Sharon like that Swayam" Simmi says. "Guys leave it" Sharon says not wanting to make Swayam uncomfortable. Rey and Kriya had left a bit early as Kriya had to go somewhere but had no ride, so Sharon had told Rey to drop her. Rey not wanting to be rude had agreed. 

"Sorry, sorry" Taani says walking in the Maya's cabin, Maya barely looks at her and motions her to sit. Taani is surprised with Maya's no response to her being late but she quietly sits down and takes her book out. "Go over the 14th chapter and solve the problems, if you have any doubts toh let me know" Maya orders but doesn't really look at Taani. 

"Did something happen?" Taani after a fee minutes of silence, "What do you mean?" Maya asks, "You seem a bit off" Taani says cursing herself as soon as it leaves her mouth. "And why do you think I will tell you? Also why are you even noticing? I am your professor not your friend" Maya says the last part harshly making Taani feel hurt. She quickly blinks back the tears and whispers a small 'sorry' and focuses on the book, Maya regrets talking so harshly after seeing Taani's teary eyes. "No I am sorry, I didnt mean to be so harsh" Maya says surprising Taani, "Did YOU just say sorry to ME?", "Zyada nataunki karne ki zarurat nai he, chup chap padhai karo" Maya says with a small smile.

"Mera man nai he padhai karne ka" Taani says closing her book, "Man nai he? You are in detention, open up that book" Maya says looking at Taani as if she is mad, "I am in detention because of you because you enjoy bullying me and nai, I won't, me subah se bas padh hi toh rhi hoon, I am can't read more" saying this flops her head on the table dramatically. 

"I don't bully you, you are in detention for arguing with me" Maya says amused with Taani's antics, there's still a light bruise on Taani's hand and as she is wearing her usual clothes Maya can see it, "Yeh hath me kya hua he?" Maya says walking towards her, Taani quickly sits up straight, "kuch nai, slip ho gyi thi" she says standing up as well, "Me aaj jaldi jaun? I am really tired" Taani says making a puppy dog face but Maya doesn't pay any attention to her and grabs her hand, "This bruise looks like someone grabbed you not like something you would have if you slipped, did someone hurt you?" Maya says with a very calm voice. 

Taani tries to take her hand back, she is feeling a little flustered with the sudden closeness, "Its nothing ma'am", "Next time someone tries to hurt you, you fu*king punch them, you understand? Baki ka baadme dekh lenge but don't ever let someone manhandle you."Maya says with anger visible in her eyes, "Muje dekha he? I am skinny as hell, agar mene punch kiya hota na unhe toh mera hi hath tut jata" Taani snorts. "So it WAS someone, kon tha?" Maya asks pulling Taani closer.

"Why do you care? Abhi kaha na aapne that you are my professor not my friend" Taani says looking up towards Maya's eyes, Maya is looking at her intensely as well with concern in her eyes, Taani gets lost in them, this time its her who moves a bit closer making Maya shudder feeling Taani's curves press against hers. 

Taani quickly realizes their position and steps back and Maya also let's her go, "I will drop you, chalo" Maya says picking up her wallet and keys from the table, "Kyun? Me chali jaungi, its not that late" Taani argues, "Kyun ki me keh rhi hoon, come on" Maya grabs Taani's hand and tugs her out of her cabin. "Ma'am leave my hand, what will someone think?" Taani hisses at Maya, "One there's no one here and second, is there something they should be thinking?" Maya says giving Taani a look. Taani not knowing what to say just looks down and starts walking fast to keep up with Maya. 

Maya opens the car door for Taani and Taani slides in. Maya gets in the drivers seat and starts the car, "Why are you teaching at the college when you already have a job in the police?" Taani asks as she had been curious about it for a while, Maya is surprised a little hearing Taani wanting to get to know her, "I am on a 3 month leave, would have gotten bored at home toh Dad asked me to join as substitute" Maya answers Taani, "But why such a long leave?" Taani asks, "Because I hadn't taken any leave for the past two years and my senior forced me to take the leave" Maya says with a sigh. 

"Why hadn't you taken any leave for the past two years?" Taani asks, "well aren't you full of questions today? Why don't I ask you questions? Who hurt you?" Maya asks not wanting to answer Taani's question, "umm" Taani looks out the window not replying, "Fine, why do you not sing more? You have a beautiful voice" Maya says making Taani look at her in surprise, "You think my voice is beautiful?" Taani says cheekily, Maya looks at her straight in the eyes and says 'yes' and thn turns her eyes towards the road leaving Taani feeling weird, "you didnt answer my question, why don't you sing more often?" Maya repeats, "Woh I used to sing with my best friend back home in jodhpur but we had a fall out and yaha aane ke baad I was mostly busy with other stuff" Taani says looking away. 

They don't talk for the rest of the ride, Maya drops her off and waits until Taani is inside the house and has locked the door before leaving.