Chapter 6 (1)
It was a very determined Pia who went to Mount college the next day. She had decided to apologize to Abhay for judging him so hastily. In all likelihoods, he was terribly offended and hurt, and that made her guiltier than ever. She had no right to hurt someone. But there was a catch. Pia was not used to apologizing to people. For one thing, she hated having to admit she was wrong and for another, staying away from people for the past years had made her quite a recluse, and lacking in social skill. But she had to do what needed to be done.
When Pia reached the canteen, where Misha, Kabir, Jeh and the Raichands were standing, it was Misha who welcomed her first with a bright smile on her face. 'Hey Pia!' she said, and Pia nodded to her then turned to Abhay. This was going to be so hard'.
'I need to speak with you, ' she said in a rush. Abhay stared at her, looking oddly aloof. 'Oh really go ahead Pia ,' said Anvesha at once, her green eyes glinting with mischief. 'Somewhere a little away, ' said Pia quietly to Abhay looking at him steadily, making him nervous inwardly. They went a little ahead, and then Pia spoke. 'I'm sorry I jumped to conclusions that day', referring to the previous day's misunderstanding. 'I apologize ' it was not my place to make assumptions-'
'You're right, it wasn't,' he interrupted harshly. He stalked off without giving her a second glance, leaving behind a very hurt and angry Pia.
Pia made to go to her class, but she was stopped in her tracks by Misha. 'Hey, where do you think you're going without us?' Pia replied 'Classes-' and Anvesha interrupted-'What on earth did you tell my baby brother?' in a wondering voice. Pia didn't answer and Misha gave her a look, to which Anvesha said at once- 'Sorry dear I didn't mean to intrude'.. Anyway have to go guys 'or that awful P will sit next to me again. How she's your sister, I can't imagine. Showing off without knowing a single thing and jumping in the seat- one of these days she's going to break it and I will be the one who falls!' Misha giggled, and then the two girls set off for their classes, while Anvesha went to her own class. 'Kabir'' began Pia. 'Oh, he's in the other stream Pia,' Misha assured her, which Pia acknowledged with a slight nod as usual.
As they entered the class , Misha went to sit with Jeh while Pia went to sit at her usual place at the back of the class, only to see that a certain someone was sitting on her side of the seat. 'What on earth are YOU doing here?' she hissed, fighting to keep her voice down. 'And that's my seat you're sitting on-' 'If you had bothered to glance upwards dsuring class , you would have noticed that I happen to study here,' he replied smoothly. 'I didn't know this was your seat , you see ,it doesn't have your name on it,' he continued, as Pia's anger rose. Gritting her teeth, she said, 'Oh pardon my negligence noble sir. Unfortunately everyone here is not like you that can afford to stare at everyone in the class. I, unlike you, need to study. Now move.' 'Naah, don't think so,' he relied, casually. 'I came here first. And if you want you can either sit on the other side of this seat or you can go for the middle row or the front benches. But I'm not moving.'
Pia nearly scratched his eyes out. Who did he think he was, ordering her around? The arrogant prat! She'd be damned if she left her seat now and let him win. Letting her breath out in an angry hiss, she moved to sit on the other side.
It was then she heard Misha. 'Since when does Pia fight?' and immediately resolved to keepher lips shut from now onwards. Abhay was bad news- what was he doing to her? Why did his aloofness hurt her so much? Why did she even care?
**2 days later**
'Are you expecting a call from someone, Pia?'
asked Anvesha , unable to contain herself any longer with the sight of Pia staring at her mobile phone for the last 10 minutes. Just then the phone rang and Pia's
face suddenly had a rare and soft smile on her lips. She got up and left the canteen, moving towards the locker room. Abhay left as well.
'Yeah I'm fine Dhruv,' he heard her say as he neared the locker room and immediately stepped behind the nearest pillar. 'Yes I'm telling the truth- it's just that you see, I remembered why I hate apologizing to people. All the courage you muster to speak up, and people just trample all over your feelings and walk away.' She sounded unbearably bitter, and Abhay suddenly felt a terrible twist in his chest. A pause, and then he heard her again. 'Oh please Dhruv just because I never apologize doesn't mean I can't!' 'Anyway,' she continued, 'I have enough problems in my life without worrying about how people react to me, so I'm really not too cut up over it. Hey, I think the break's nearly over, see you later!' Abhay saw Jeh moving towards the locker room now, and both of them experienced similar feelings-albeit of different magnitudes- when they heard her last sentence. 'Yeah, Dhruv, I promise to call you at night, okay? Bye!'
As Pia walked away, Abhay suddenly felt a great wave of sadness. Pia seemed to have a terrible life, and on top of that, he'd angered and hurt her as well-just to mask his own feelings. He wished she would open up to him about everything-and determined to find out her secrets.
As Pia was leaving the college for the hostel, (alone, rebuffing Misha's offers) she scowled at the handsome figure leaning against his car. She walked on, acutely aware of his gaze on her. Then she heard his voice- 'Anvesha, get in the car-don't ask questions.' Then she heard her name being called. 'Yes?' she said icily turning around forcing herself to look into Abhay's eyes. 'This road does not have your name on it, and I think I'm perfectly entitled to walk on it.'
'No-I meant- You didn't have to apologize to me that day Pia.' He said, throwing her completely away from her anger. 'I mean- it was ok, I'd anyway not felt bad, but it was nice to you to come and say- I know I was mean, but it was because 'because I thought you were my friend, and your saying sorry made me feel like a stranger. I'm sorry!' Pia stared at him blankly for a moment, and then walked away. But as Abhay got into his car, he saw her look back at him, her lips curved upwards.
And Anvesha grinned too, as she watched her brother enthralled in the beauty of the girl who had probably done more than just caught his fancy.
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