***Part 5***
Lunch break, the same day.
Virat and me were walking towards the college cafeteria. It was buzzed out with loud voices. There were different kinds of groups I could see. I felt like people were talking about me, because they would stare at me intermittently and go back to whispering between themselves, just like in class. But Virat explained to me that was because I was fresh meat and that too imported so naturally gathering attention. Virat showed me the table where Viren and Jeevika were sitting and was leaving. He said he would join me later.
"Kyu? Lunch share karna hai BS ke sath?"
"ye BS kya hai??"
"BS yani Butterscotch.. yaaa bullshit. Take your pick." I said with a straight face.
He didn't find my joke funny "Yaar, kya problem hai tum ko uske saath? Kyu mera record karab kar rahi ho? She is the most popular girl in the college. Guys die to be with her and she likes me. tumhari pet main dard kyu ho raha hain??"
Manvi: "Are you really that shallow Virat?"
Virat: "Want to talk to me about your secret deep pain Manvi?"
Manvi: "Eww..that sounds so...eww."
"Virat!!! Darling!! I have been waiting! You know how much I hate waiting." Butterscotch came and stood holding Virat's hand looking at me from top to bottom.
"Manvi, this is Maya, my girlfriend." "Maya this is Manvi, she just joined us." Virat introduced us with a big fake smile.
"Do you want to join us for lunch Maya?" I asked her with a suppressed smile pointing towards Viren and Jeevika who were waving at us.
"I would love to." Maya said. She had like the fakest plastic smile and the fakest accent ever.
Virat walked up reluctantly with her and sat as we all opened our respective lunch boxes. Viren was explaining Jeevika about some case they were supposed to discuss in class after lunch. Virat and Maya weren't talking much, Virat was munching down paratas as if they were peanuts. Maya put in front of her an orange and was staring at it.
"Is it going to peel itself for you?" I asked her looking at the orange, unable to stop myself.
"Ohh, I just got my nails done yesterday, I am waiting for Virat to finish up and then he will peel it for me." she replied.
She wasn't kidding. That was exactly what Virat did. I cannot believe how much material he was giving me to tease the hell out of him later. Jeevika and Viren left saying that they had to stop at the library before going to the class.
Before going, Viren came to Virat and said "Virat, kya socha hai? Ja raha hai ki nai?"
Virat closed his eyes shut and replied in a dejected tone: "Nahi bhai, itna mana karne ke baad, main kaise ja sakta hoon?"
Viren patted Virat and left in deep thought.
Manvi: "Where can't you go?" I asked Virat puzzled.
Virat: "apne kaam se kaam nahi rak sakti?" he replied annoyed.
Maya soon left saying that she had dance practice; she made Virat promise that he was going to come and join her in the dance hall after college.
I was about to say something to Virat, but a bunch of guys came up to our table."Hey sweetheart, is this seat empty?" a really big guy asked me. He sat down on the table facing me without waiting for my reply.
"Yes, it is and this one will become empty too, if you sit." I said getting up.
"Manvi, chill, they are our seniors, they get introduced to the juniors by ragging. They ask you a few simple questions, that's it." Virat told me looking worried at my reaction.
"So, you are Jeevika's sister? looks like beauty runs in your family." He said flirtatiously.
"It obviously doesn't run in yours." I replied folding my hands and looking at him.
"Ohh my! I love a girl with guts. I am so turned on right now." He replied looking at his friends who were all also grinning like apes.
"Very flattering. We would have really hit off if I wasn't so turned off listening to your stupid questions. Can you please leave? coz I need to finish up my lunch?" I replied seriously without budging an inch from there.
My reply somehow seemed hilarious to them. "Sure sweetheart, but only if you will come out with me for a coffee." He replied.
"Sorry, I don't go out with people outside my species." I said. I cannot believe how blunt and disgusting this guy is.
"What did you say?" The bell just rang and everybody was leaving to their respective classes.
Virat cut in and tried to apologize to them but I stood their indifferently gathering my stuff to leave. "Ankit, she doesn't know anything about here. She just joined here. I will explain everything to her." But they were in no mood to be pacified.
"You listen up girl, you wait and watch what we are going to do to you. You will learn to respect your seniors. You will not even able to look at anyone once we are done with you." He said and left with his gang.
Virat stood there with his hands on his hips, shaking his head and looking down. He slowly explained to me the whole senior-junior dynamics in the college and how the entering students need to obey the seniors during the ragging period.
"I cannot believe you could be so spineless Virat. You are scared of that guy? That manner less brute is our senior and we have to obey him?"
"I am sorry, if I am not cool enough for you Manvi. You cannot just walk in here and expect all the rules to be bent down for you. This has been going on for years. Today you get ragged, tomorrow you rag other new-comers. You need to get used to things not fight everything and everyone. You are going to hit the ground, your head first, if you keep acting like this. I am not your dad to keep looking over your shoulder all the time. Grow up!!!" He screamed at me and walked away.
"I did not ask you to look over my shoulder." I followed him. Why was he getting so ticked off? We were anyway too late for the class. He was walking towards the playgrounds. "Where are you heading?" I asked him and he ignored me and sat at the benches where some people were playing cricket.
Manvi: "What's going on there?" I asked him after a few minutes.
Virat: "Trials for selecting students for the state level cricket camp." There was deep hurt in his eyes. He seemed so sad and dejected looking at the people playing.
Manvi: "...and we are watching them because?"
Virat: "I am watching them because I love cricket, it's my life. I don't know why you are here. You keep following me around like the hutch dog."
Manvi: "..the what dog?"
"Virat, champ! Why are you not in the trials, come fast, they are finishing up buddy." An elderly man wearing a track suit asked him. He looked like a gym instructor, well build.
Virat: "I don't feel too good today Coach! I am going to pass."
Coach: "Virat??? Do you know what you are saying? This is the state level team trials and you are this season's favourite."
Virat: "Thank you coach, but I am sorry. I can't."
The Coach still tried convincing him but Virat just kept saying he was feeling sick. The coach eventually gave up and left shaking his head.
Virat: "Let's go Manvi. It's not safe for you to hang around here. Ankit and his gang are going to see you here."
Manvi: "Eh Hello! What's wrong with you? What do you mean you are sick. You don't look sick to me at all. Why are you giving so much attitude? Itne acche se pooch rahe the tum ko?"
Virat: "Manvi, don't interfere in my matters. I told you hundred times."
Manvi: "But why can't you go for trials? You clearly seem to be into it. Why else would you be here?"
Virat: "I am here because I missed class and I was bored."
Manvi: "Ohh puhlease. You are going to the trials right now." I dragged the stubborn kid by his hand but he pushed me away lightly and burst out upon me.
Virat: "Who do you think you are to force me like his. It's none of your freaking business. ARE YOU DEAF OR PLAIN DUMB??"
That's it. This guy needed some bitter medicine. "Dude, I don't care if you give these trials or not. You are right, it's none of my business. But why were you looking out for me? Why were you asking me to behave in front of the principal? Why were you trying to cheer me up when chachu yelled at me? Why were you trying to protect me from those dumbass seniors?"
"You were sitting with a morose face since morning. No laughing, no joking, nothing. Where is the guy I saw on the day you came to pick me up? You said I am your friend. Let me tell you, Manvi doesn't make friends, she only makes best friends. And this is what a best friend does."
"But, what do I know? You probably are a coward who cannot go after your own dream. Or maybe you just aren't good enough, scared that I will know about it, the coach will know about it, all the players will know about it. Whatever. It's your call. I don't care. But I cannot be best friends with a coward and a loser like you." I turned away and stood looking at my nails.
He turned me back to face him, strongly clutching both my arms. "You think I am not good enough? That I am coward?"
I just shrugged and made a 'what do I know' face.
He moved back and threw his back pack at me which I caught with all my strength. He walked to the coach and talked to him briefly and I saw the coach nodding happily and making him sign something. There were five people sitting in chairs under a tent taking notes. Virat disappeared for a few minutes and came back dressed wearing pads, a cap and holding a bat. I smiled as he looked at me angrily with a 'watch me now' sign. Three people bowled to him one after the other- Ankit, coach and this one other scary looking guy with long hair. I didn't really follow the game but the people were clapping and cheering for him. Fifteen minutes or so later, he came and stood near me with a proud face.
"Kya baat hai Virat? Everyone is so impressed, they were clapping and cheering. The Ankit guy seemed very disappointed in you huh?"
"IN HIS FACE!! That arrogant son of a bitch." Virat beamed. He was so excited, so happy, so at the top of his game. Why wouldn't he play in the first place? It seemed like he had these two faces. He was quiet and obedient and following rules on one side and on the other side, he gave a damn, he was just himself, not caring about anything and anyone, doing what he loved the most. He could take on the world. He wasn't even nervous if he would be selected. He was so damn confident and ofcourse the coach waved to him and signaled him to come in again. Virat went, shook his hand and hugged him and walked back towards me with an evil smirk.
"What do you say to that Chaudhary?? Guess who is in the state level championship camp from this whole city. Me Virat Singh Vadhera!!! Howz that? Good enough for you now??" he was pumping his chest and did a small jump. This expression was so fierce and hot. Phew! I am starting to love this side of him.
"Eh! Not too bad." I shrugged and started walking back throwing back his backpack at him.
"Manvi!!" he called. I looked back and found him looking at the ground.
"Thank you" he smiled sweetly looking up "...for coming with me."
"Your welcome." I went upto him and punched his arm. "What dog did you say I was??" I asked him as he put his arm over my shoulder; we walked back to our classes.
"..hutch dog. Wherever I go, your network will follow." "Voh chod! Tu ne kya dialogue mara?? I don't make friends, I only make best friends?? vah! kabhi nahi socha tha ki tu itthi badi dramebaaz niklegi."
Manvi: "Speaking of dogs, I have renamed kutta! Everyone has to call him cookie now."
Virat: "W-H-Y??????"
Manvi: "Because I hate his name and he has brown fur and his eyes and snout look like chocolate chips. If you don't like it, we can call him watermelon. But, thats my second choice."
Virat: "Oye Chipakali. Can't you ever think of anything other than food?? And NO, you are not changing MY dog's name."
So, Virat became normal again. He was back to pulling my leg. I was sent to the principal's office one more time before the classes ended. This time Virat was also sent along with me.
After classes, we were waiting for Viren and Jeevika to show up so that we could leave home together.
"Chal..chal!" I pushed him and snatched away my journal that he was trying to open. He held my neck and made me wilt with his one hand; I stretched my hand with the journal far away from him and he was leaning onto me to grab it from me.
"What are you doing Virat?" we heard someone ask. Virat slowly moved away from me, realizing how our wrestling might seem to his girl friend.
"Kuch nahi sweetie, we were just hanging out." Virat replied awkwardly.
"Virat wants to read my personal diary." I pretend-complained as Virat looked at me angrily.
"Why do you want to read her personal diary?" Maya asked innocently looking Virat. She looked like she was going to cry.
"Voh...Voh..actually, I was just trying to know more about how girls think sweetie, so that I could be a better boyfriend." Virat held her hand and replied with utmost sincerity.
"You didn't even come to watch my dance practice." She asked him sobbing loudly.
"Ohh shit, I totally forgot about it Maya. You know, it's so your fault, I was sitting in the class, thinking about you dancing in that new costume you bought, nothing else entered in my head sweetheart. I am so sorry. But what to do? I can't get you out of my head. I keep thinking about you all day, all night.." he continued with his buttering.
Hearing this, and seeing that Maya was buying his ludicrous excuses, I started laughing loudly and uncontrollably.
"MANVI, DO YOU MIND!??" Virat yelled at me. I controlled my laughter and silently went and sat in the car that was waiting to take us home. I continued laughing inside the car. Jeevika and Viren were puzzled seeing me laugh looking at Virat's face suddenly in between our ride home.
So, this is how my first day in college went!
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>>>part 6
For people who want Virat's POV, I will put in a chapter after the story proceeds a little bit more.
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