Jai's Pov:

She looked fine, save for the puffy eyes. I clenched my fist in anger as I thought back to the way that asshole had grabbed her hand last night. From the way things were tense between them, it was safe to say they were on the verge of breaking up, and if Aditi's puffy eyes were any indication, it looked like they had broken up.

It had been 396 days since I had first seen her, and my infatuation with her had only grown since, although she seemed completely oblivious to my presence. I had transferred to her school last year after my previous school had shut down. I had walked into her class and fallen for her in true bollywood style. Her bracelet had gotten stuck in my shirt's cufflinks just like Kajol's had gotten stuck in Shahrukh Khan's kurta in K3G (kabhi khushi kabhi gham). With a gentle smile, she quickly removed her bracelet and walked away with her friend, leaving my heart a fluttering mess. We weren't in the same class back then, but I saw her all the time for our combined Hindi lectures. Each time I saw her, I liked her even more. I liked the way she smiled around her friends, how she was so smart and beamed when she got a good grade on her test. I had especially liked the firey look in her eyes when she read that we would be competing for the position of first CM. I had seen her laugh during the good times and cry when a teacher had threatened to call her parents for breaking a small rule. Over time, she had begun dating her boyfriend Sahil, and she looked as happy as could be. Back then, I had berated myself for letting the opportunity of confessing my feelings for her slip away, even though I doubt I would've confessed...... owing to the fact that she didn't even know of my presence.

As it is, luck was on my side when we both ended up being accepted to the same college and were in the same class. I had promised myself that I would make sure she knew of me.... although it looks like we would be fighting for the CM position.

"Ese ghurna band kar.... creep lag raha he." Rohit whispered, making me glare at him.
(Stop staring like that..... you look like a creep.)
I hit him on the head for his dumb comment, earning a groan from him.
"Maar kyu raha he? Mene toh bas salah di." He whined. (Why are you hitting? I was only advising you.)
"Chup kamine."(shut up bastard.)

The economics teacher then entered the class and began asking questions about the first chapter we had partially completed.
"Micro economics." Aditi grinned as she answered.
The teacher asked the next question, and we both answered at the same time.
"Value in use."
She turned to glare at me, her eyes narrowed as I simply smirked, pleased to have gained her attention.

We continued like this for the rest of the class, the people around us getting annoyed and her getting irritated at us answering at the same time for almost all questions.

The bell finally rung, signaling the end of the day. Everybody quickly walked out while aditi took her time cursing and packing her bag.
"Smart-ass....." She mumbled under her breath as she eyed me and turned around to leave.

~~
I sat next to Aditi just before Puneet and Vansh entered. She side eyed me before letting out a huff and turning her attention back to Vansh.
Another new guy had joined us today, his name was Bhavin, and he seemed to know both Aisha and Aditi. The two girls chatted with him with ease, as if they had known him for a long time. I eyed him wearily, but it seemed like he was more familiar with Aisha.

"Me soch raha hu.... aaj thodi bakchodi karenge... kya bolte ho?" Vansh grinned.
(I'm thinking.... let's do some dumbfuckery today... what do you say?)

We all agreed enthusiastically, excited to know what he had planned.
"Toh sabse pehle.... humare department ki bonding honi chaiye.... kon kisko pehle se janta he yaha pe."
(First of all.... our  own department should have bonding.... who all knew each other before joining the department.)

Aditi, Aisha, Rohit, Bhavin and I raised our hands.

"I know Aditi because we went to the same school." She turned around to stare at me and I watched in anticipation as recognition lit up her eyes.
"Hindi lecture me mere peeche beth ta tha na?" She asked in doubt.
(You used to sit behind me in hindi lecture, right?)
I nodded, confirming her suspicion, glad she at least remembered that.

"Badhiya.... ab hum fish pond khelenge. Everybody write something about someone in a small chit, and we'll mix it all together. Then I'll read those chits aloud.... you can say whatever you want, but please, nothing crass." Vansh instructed us.
(Great... now let's play fishpond.)

He gave us five minutes to write whatever we wanted. I pondered on what to write and finally wrote down two things.

"Bas ab likhna band karo aur chits de do." Puneet announced. Okay, now stop writing and give us the chits .)
He shook all the chits in his hand and asked Vansh to pick out one.

"Aisha is looking really pretty today." Vansh read aloud.
"Ohooooo!" Everyone collectively teased her as she blushed. Bhavin looked at her with a warm glow in his eyes, while Aditi elbowed her towards him.

Once everyone calmed down, Puneet chose the next chit.
"First CM banne ke liye kya karna padega?"
Everyone perked up at this eager to hear his answer. (What will we have to do to become the first CM?)

"Acha sawal he. I like the ambition. Since this is supposed to be about revealing things about each other or saying stuff you would like to say anonymously, I won't be saying anything right now. Once the game is over, I will tell you guys." Everyone groaned as he grinned and moved on to the next chit. ( Good question.)

"Whoever owns that yellow bag has the worst taste istg." Everyone burst into laughter, looking at the bag in the corner.
After reading all the chits, he finally read mine.

"Aditi, I know we got off on the wrong foot, but I hope we get along now. Also, what do we have to do to become the first CM?"

Aditi looked at me instantly and whispered.
"That was yours, wasn't it? If you want us to get along, you'll have to stop fighting me for the position of first CM."

"Tempting, but I am going to pass. I want to become the first CM, too."
She rolled her eyes and looked away.

"If you two are done whispering, I'll answer now." Vansh looked at us pointedly.

With an embarrassed yes, we listened intently.

"Since there are no more chits, I'll tell you now. So we need to bring PR deals, basically we have to lock deals with companies, newspapers, radios, apps etc. to help us promote our fest. For that we will need your help. Besides that, we need to bring in marketing. We need to find businesses willing to invest in us in return for marketing. So today we'll be giving you your first task. Create a list of every business person or person working for a well-known company that you know personally and have it ready by the day after tomorrow. Usually, the first CM is decided on this basis only."

Whispers broke out, some tense while some were excited.

"Okay, now what do you say we go prank the photography department?" Puneet asked with a grin.

~~
"Hey guys! We got a few brownies from the canteen. We thought we could share and have an inter-departmental bonding session." Puneet grinned at the photography head Saisha. Only 3 people besides the head of photography had joined that department. They welcomed us with smiles and introduced themselves.

We set the salted brownies in front of them as we began introducing ourselves. Vansh secretly started recording with his phone in his shirt pocket. He looked on with a devious grin as Saisha took a bite from the brownie. She smiled in delight, taking another bite. She looked at Vansh and narrowed her eyes in suspicion.

"What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked him. We all looked dumbfounded as she  and the others from the photography department continued eating.

"Kuch nahi... bas ese hi. Dekh raha tha tujhe brownie pasand aai ya nai."
(Nothing.... just because. I was looking to make sure you liked the brownies.)
He said, taking a bite of the brownies in front of him. He immediately began coughing violently, grabbing a tissue, and spit the brownie out.
Saisha burst out in laughter, a gleam in her eyes.

"I knew it! I knew you were up to something, so I switched the brownies when the others were introducing themselves. Mujhe ullu banane aye the?" She glared at Vansh and Puneet, who gulped nervously.
(You had come to make a fool of me?)

All of us snickered at their expressions. It was clear they feared her.
"Wo kya he na.... hum toh bas.... mazak kar rahe the. Tujhe ullu banana humare bas ki baat nahi. (The thing is... we just... we were joking. It is not in our power to make a fool of you.) Puneet stammered.
"Nalayak." (Useless)

She leaped out of her seat, effectively making everyone gasp. Both the boys ran away, Saisha chasing after them. They dodged her and turned back towards us, Puneet yelling that we were dismissed for the day. We looked on in amusement as they ran towards the end of the corridor, yelling profanities and begging for forgiveness.

I took out my phone, recording them as they ran towards us again.
"Aye, record mat kar!" (Hey, don't record us!) Vansh glared, still running. I gave him a smirk and zoomed in on him, just as Saisha finally slapped him on the back.

"Aaah, sorry, sorry, tujhse panga nahi lena chaiye tha... maaf karde." He whined.
(Aaah, sorry, sorry, we shouldn't have messed with you... forgive us.)
Puneet came to a stop beside them, panting heavily.
"Maaf karde meri maa.... galti ho gai."
(Forgive us ma'am.... we made a mistake.)

She huffed as she eyes them both. Beside me, Aditi snickered, her eyes glittering as she took in the scene. She looked truly amused. 
Finally, Saisha let them off the hook, and we started for home, given that our source of entertainment was over.

Since it was a Saturday today, I would be going home in Thane. Because of the long commute, I had rented a small apartment with another friend and a senior of mine, but on weekends, I always went home.
Rohit and I walked in silence, already exhausted while Aditi, Aisha, and Bhavin walked ahead of us, chattering about the task we had been given. I listened as Aditi gushed about all the relatives she remembered, owned a business, or worked in a renowned company. It looked like she was going to nail this task.

~~
I sat in the vacant seat beside Aditi, not having any other option. Since we had left late today, the trains were somewhat empty, and I wanted to  make sure she reached safely. Coincidently (not really), we had gotten in the same compartment, and I was standing just near the seat that was beside hers.
She looked at me wearily before sighing and unlocking her phone. She scrolled through it, and I watched as her eyes became misty.
"What are you looking at?" I asked, concerned.
"None of your business." She replied, turning away.
I snatched her phone and glanced at the screen. It was a photo of her and Sahil grinning at the camera.
"I thought you both broke up?" I questioned her. She let out an annoyed huff as she extended her hand.
"Give me my phone back. Whether we broke up or not is none of your business."
"I know it's not my business.... but can you please answer me." I pleaded. She looked taken aback by the tone of my voice.
"We did. How did you know? Anyways, give it back." I nodded as I gave her phone back.
"Well... after the way he treated you yesterday, I hoped you wouldn't let him treat you like that and would break up with him. You deserve to be treated with respect. Also, if you want to move on, delete your pictures. You'll just keep going back to them whenever you're alone, and it won't help at all."
"You're right, I don't deserve to be doubted and deserve to be treated with respect. But also, there's no need for unsolicited advice." She fiddled with her necklace, frowning.
I half raised my hands in surrender.
"I know you don't want my advice.... I'm sorry." I apologized.
She bit her lip, looking out the window. Finally, she looked back at me.
"How about a truce for now? We can mind  our own business, no need to talk. Instead, you can share your earphones, and we can silently listen to songs."
I agreed immediately, willing to do anything to spend more time with her.
We sat in comfortable silence as we listened to bollywood songs from her Playlist on Spotify .
I stilled suddenly when I felt her lay her head on my shoulder, effectively falling asleep. Trying my best not to move or jostle her awake for the remainder of our journey, I looked at her.
She had the prettiest features, round face, honey brown eyes, soft pink lips, and dimpled cheeks whenever she smiled.
"Stop staring." She deadpanned, slowly lifting her head. I looked away, suddenly nervous.
"I uh... I.... who said I was staring?"
"Then what were you doing?"
"I um... nothing. Oh, look, we're here." I shot out of my seat and grabbed her hand, making her stand up. I pushed her in front of me as we got off, hands on her shoulder as I steered her towards the Auto stand.
"Bye... I'll see you on Monday."
"Bye."
With that, we parted ways. I walked towards the auto beside hers and got in, looking forward to Monday already.