As Raj got down from the bus his eyes fell on Sapna and other girls cramming formulas in the lawn. For a minute he remained stood at the same point. More than a month had passed since that phone call from Sapna. For the next few days Raj was completely immersed in his pending assignments, going to the college till the final days of the session when many had stopped coming in order to study. It wasn't his wish to go there everyday but he had no other choice. It was only during the preparation break did he rethink about what had happened over the last couple of months.
After giving a lot of thought he had decided to give one more chance to their relationship, in a new way. Raj knew he had always looked at Sapna like a friend. He had a crush on Maitri and no one else. If it seemed necessary he would make them(Sapna and Raghu) aware of his thoughts, that he only wishes to maintain a simple friendship with one of the very first friends of his college life and that shouldn't be a problem.
Raj took a deep breath and walked towards Sapna, who had now been joined by Raghu.
"Hi!" Raj said smiling "How's preparation?"
"Hi!" Sapna smiled back "Preparation is just ok ok."
"C'on. You are one of the toppers. ur preparation can't be of ok types. What about you Raghu?"
"It depends on paper" He didn't smile back but did reply "If exam turns out to be good then preparation was good otherwise......."
"Yeah. You are right." Raj nodded.
They chatted for a couple of more minutes and then Raj moved away from them towards his own group. He wanted to act cautiously this time. At any point of time they should't feel he is intruding their privacy.
So, in this way, both Raj and Sapna were back on talking terms. Though the initial zing wasn't there and more or less talks were limited about the studies. Raghu was often around but as usual he used to talk less. Raj would try to bring him into conversation on purpose. He didn't want Raghu to feel jealous for even a single moment though it was a far fetched thought. Raghu looked least concerned about it. He would just keep it to himself, sometimes even leaving them alone talking while he went somewhere. Even then Raj tried to keep a distance between him and Sapna.
With each passing paper things were looking better for Raj. He was doing well in the exams and his confidence was back which had hit low after the events post annual fest. It was almost sure now that Maitri will be in his group next year as they had the same stream. Also He had began to sense a warmth creeping back into his relationship with Sapna. At the end of the penultimate paper they even went together to meet a common acquaintance who was a lecturer at the examination centre.
On the day of the final exam Raj could feel a sense of relief sweeping over most of the guys. It was the easiest paper and no body was much worried about it. After 3 days their practicals would begin and 10 days from now they will have their summer vacations. One year of their collge life would be completed. Time really flies, Raj thought.
5 minutes were left before the commencement of the paper. Most of the students had already moved into their respective rooms. Raj was so busy in chatting with friends that he didn't pay attention to the time. Now quickly he entered into the toilet so that he needn't get up from his chair in the middle of the paper. That was his routine in all the exams he had appeared. The moment he washed his hands and turned around, he found his collars grabbed and next second he found himself pushed against the wall looking at Ganga Singh, Raghu's friend.
"Wh.....What..are you doing?" Words hardly escaped his mouth.
"Stay away from Sapna." Ganga spoke clenching his teeth.
"I'm not involved with her. It's just..." Raj wanted to say something but he was cut short by Ganga.
"Stay away. She's my friend's girlfriend. If I ever I saw you near her I swear you will miss out all the practicals. And don't take this warning lightly."
With those words Ganga and the other guy with him stormed out of the toilet. Raj couldn't move from his place for few seconds. He was still trying to understand what had happened just a couple of minutes back. What should he do? What he actually did? His mind had gone into a tizzy. His whole body was shaking. His throat had gone dry as well.
A few moments later the examination bell rang.
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