16. Blossoming Spring Days

Neethu's POV

"Who is Shantra? Why were you scared after seeing that girl? Did anything happen between you two?" Rithick asked.

"Rithick..." I sighed.

"Tell me, Neethu. Something is there."

Someone pushed our room's door. I was shocked to see Shantra standing there.

Rithick on the other end, asked, "Tell me, Neethu."

"Nothing, Rithick. I will call you later," I said and hung up the phone.

Shantra stared at me. "Neethu, how many times have I warned you? Better don't come in my way," she said, her voice raging high.

I didn't reply. I glanced at my friends dumbly.

My phone rang. Without looking at the number, I cut the call.

Shantra looked furious. Her cheeks had reddened. I stood there quietly. I didn't know how to make her to understand the situation. I knew that she was irritated by my attitude. My friends were looking at each other.

Finally, I broke the silence. "Shantra, Don't be upset. Let's all be friends."

"You are one girl that I hate," she spat.

"Stop shouting, Shantra. This is your limit. If you continue, we won't keep quiet," Mithila yelled, balling her fists.

"What will you do?" Shantra glared at Mithila.

"You have no rights to enter into other rooms and shout like this. I will complain to the hostel in-charge," my other friend said.

"Nice joke. You do that first. How dare you say all this nonsense to me?" Shanta crossed her arms over her chest. A deep frown marred her forehead.

"For your betterment, leave this place," Mithila warned her.

"Fine. See what is going to happen next," she yelled. She glanced at me as if I was dirt.

"Shantra... it's a kind request. Don't shout at my friends. As time passes, you will understand about us. We are going to be here for about a year. Let's all enjoy our life," I said.

"You are crazy. I hate you. Wait and see what I can do." She turned around on her heel and marched out.

My mood was totally off. I felt exhausted. My friends stood with long faces.

"Sorry, friends. Everything is happening because of me. I don't know why Shantra is behaving like this." I sighed.

"No sorry or thanks between friends," one of them said. I smiled at them.

My phone vibrated. My mind striked Rithick's name. I looked at the screen immediately. To my surprise, it was not Rithick, but my own sister, Geethu. I felt extremely happy to see her name. I picked up the phone.

"Geethuuu! How are you? I missed you so much, my dear sister."

"I am fine, akka. I miss you too, akka, how are you?" she asked.

I tried a lot to hide my tears but I couldn't control them. "I-I am good."

"Akka, are you okay? Why is there a change in your voice?"

I paused for a few seconds and cleared my throat. "I am okay, Geethu."

"That's good to hear, akka. Where did you go in the last two days?"

"Rithick's mom's birthday party," I said.

"Rithick? Who is he?"

I didn't answer for a while. I didn't know who Rithick was to me. I was confused because with Shantra's behavior. My feelings for Rithick felt like a distance apart. I was unable to take a decision.

"Akka? Please reply. Why you are silent?"

"I will tell you later, Geethu... please." I sighed.

"Okay, akka... I am very sure that you are not okay. What's wrong?" Her voice was laced with worry.

This was my Geethu. She was able to analyze each and every attitude of mine. I didn't want to unsettle her.

"Everything is going good, Geethu!" I chuckled, hoping it would be enough to distract her.

"I have called to convey an important news."

"What is it?"

"Our parents are seriously searching for a pair for you, akka. Your marriage will probably take place by next year. I am so happy, akka, and at the same time I miss you..."

Her words striked a thunderstorm in me. My heart was pounding faster. I was blank... I forgot everything around me. I could remember only Rithick.

I uttered, "Rithick."

"Akka, what happened to you? Who is Rithick?"

I closed my eyes, a few drops of tears moistened my cheeks. My heart urged to say his name again.

"I love Rithick madly. I love my Rithick. Rithick is mine," I said.

"What? Akka?"

My sister must have been shocked at that moment. There was only silence from her end.

"My heart is wounded heavily, Geethu. I don't know what to do. If I have made any mistakes, please forgive me," I cried.

"What are you saying? Why are you crying?"

"Rithick is my bestie in college. I met him at the Trivandrum airport. He is with me all the time. I like him a lot. I have no words to tell about him," I said.

"Akka, I am really shocked. I can't believe it yet. I will call you later, bye, take care." She hung up the phone immediately.

I was highly tensed. My hands turned clammy and felt like blocks of ice. Would Geethu inform this to my parents? How would they react? Was Geethu was angry with me?

The floor beneath me felt like thorns. I was waiting for Geethu's call.

Rithick's POV

I was looking at my mobile for about half and hour. I was confused. Why had Neethu hung up? Had something happened?

Rahul entered the room with a grin.

"Hey," I greeted him.

"A happy news is waiting for you, man."

"What?" I asked.

"Aunt had a doubt that you are in love with Neethu. Also, she has fixed Neethu as her daughter-in-law. She was only pretending to be angry with you."

"Oh God! Thank you so much, Mom." I chuckled and hugged Rahul tightly.

I heard mom's voice. I think she had reached the room. I decided to play with her.

"Rahul, what are you saying, man? I can't marry Neethu. What type of a girl is she? How could mom take such a big decision without consulting me?" I said with a smile. Rahul blinked.

Rahul murmured something. I smothered my laugh. Rahul gestured with his eyes towards the door, indicating that mom was standing there.

"Where are you looking? Look at me, man. This is a problem. How cool you are. A bachelor's life is the most joyful period in a man's life but mom wants me to get arrested now itself. Tell me, why are standing like a statue?" I chuckled.

"Ok, no problem, Rithick. You don't worry. If you don't like Neethu, I will inform it to aunt. Your happiness is more important for us, Rithick." His lips turned upwards in a mischievous smile.

"You damn man," I murmured.

"What?" he asked with a smile.

"Rithick weds Neethu. Awesome to hear it, right, Rahul?" I questioned to keep myself together with Neethu.

"No... No. You said that you don't like Neethu," he emphasized.

"I will kill you, man. Rahul, please," I whispered.

"I heard what Rithick had said to you, Rahul," my mom teased me. She and Rahul smiled at me. I was caught. All I did was grin wisely.

"Rahul, ask Rithick to have dinner," my sweet mom said.

"No, Rahul. I don't want it. Ask mom to talk to me," I said.

We talked for a while.

My phone rang. It flashed Neethu's name. I glanced at my mom. She nodded her head with a soft smile on her face.

I was excited and attended the call

"Neethu, are you okay? I was waiting for your call," I said.

"Yes..." she said. She put the call on hold without informing me. Then after a few seconds, she cut the call. I was confused. I was sure that Neethu was facing some problems and she was hiding them from me.

Tomorrow we would meet. Whatever may be the problem, I will find and make you happy, Neethu. Don't worry, my queen. I miss you so much, my mind voiced.

Rahul and I went down to have dinner. The food and the time we had spent were lovely as usual.

**********

Rithick woke up early in the morning. The time was about 4:00 AM. Usually, he woke up around 7.00 AM. Rahul was sleeping peacefully next to him. He daydreamed, staring straight ahead. He was happy to see his Neethu in his imaginative world. He could see her beautiful face with a cute smile.

She was inside the cloud, calling him, "Come with me, Rithick. We will fly together. We will fly together."

"Yeah, we will fly. We will fly," he screamed.

They both showed intense love to each other, the universe smiled on them and showered its blessings. They were really happy and started flying higher.

Someone shook his body and he came out of his dream.

"Rithick? What happened? Why are you talking to yourself?" Rahul frowned.

He wiped his eyes, saying, "Nothing, Rahul."

"Good morning, Rithick."

Rithick wished him back. "Let us freshen up and get ready for college."

Rahul laughed at him, saying, "Mr. Rithick. The time now is 5:00 AM. Go back to sleep."

"Oh God! What the hell are you saying?"

Rahul blinked at him.

Meanwhile, Rudhra uncle knocked the door. Usually at 5.00 a.m, he would go for jogging. Before a week, he had tried his best to convince them to accompany him for jogging. But Rithick and Rahul would never get up before 7:00 AM.

"Good morning," Rudhra uncle greeted them with a smile. They greeted him back.

"Let us go for jogging, come on children," Rudhra uncle said.

"No, I want to sleep, pa," Rahul said.

"Exams are so close, only two months more, uncle. So that's why we get up early in the morning," Rithick said. Rahul coughed at that moment.

"Oh good. Carry on," Uncle said and sprinted out.

"Do you have a single paper regarding exams?" Rahul asked me with an eye roll..

"No." I shook my head with a smile.

"Great,," he said.

After some time, we got ready for college.

Rithick was in a yellow shirt paired with white T-shirt and blue jeans. He was much happier than usual because he had a belief that his love had reached Neethu.

In the fine morning, Neethu was in a yellow coloured T shirt and blue jeans.

Mithila said, "Neethu, you are looking so pretty in this dress. But your face shows both the sides of happiness and sadness. Don't worry."

"My sister didn't call me yet. I don't know what is going on at home. I am tensed and blank. My heart is crying but my lips are smiling for the sake of others," Neethu explained.

"Don't worry, Neethu. Everything will be okay soon. Let's move on to college now." Mithila patted her arm.

At the college

After a few minutes, Neethu and Mithila reached the college. Neethu noticed Rithick and Rahul were standing near the staircase. The moment she noticed Rithick, she felt lightened down and forgot about the worries she had before.

Butterflies erupted from her stomach. She gazed at Rithick until he glanced her way. Neethu bent her head down. She didn't want to maintain an eye contact with him then.

Mithila nudged Neethu. "Yellow, yellow dress."

Neethu smiled at her and blushed at the unexpected compliment.

"Hi, Neethu." Rithick stepped towards her. "You look awesome in this dress. Same, same colour. Give me a chocolate." He pouted.

Neethu tried to have an eye contact with her lovable Rithick. They shared warm smiles. They stepped up at the same time on the stairs

Rahul whispered, "Perfect match. It is so beautiful to see you together."

"Thanks, Rahul."

They entered the class. Rithick took the seat in such a way that Neethu was at his left and Rahul was at his right.

Rithick and Neethu had a glance at each other but they didn't talk. Neethu spoke a bit with Mithila and Rahul chatted with Rithick.

"Neethu..." Rithick called out.

"Yes, Rithick?" Neethu asked.

"Are you okay? Don't turn to your right side now. That new girl, Shantra glances at you once in a while. What is her problem?"

"There's nothing to worry about, Rithick. Leave her," I said.

"Then, why are you looking so dull, Neethu?"

Neethu decided to stay quiet.

"Marriage proposals..." Mithila answered.

"What?" Rithick asked with widened eyes.

"Yes, Rithick," Neethu said with tears in her eyes.

He understood that she was not okay with marriage that gives him a bit of relaxation. He tried to use the situation to make her understand his love for her.

"Why are you not interested in marriage, Neethu?" Rithick's face held an innocent expression.

Neethu glanced at Rithick.

"If I ask you a question, please reply and don't get angry," he requested.

Neethu nodded.

"Any... any love affairs?" Rithick asked hesitantly.

Neethu looked into his eyes. She started losing herself in those dark orbs.