Destiny or Coincidence?

Athira Patel

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT RIYA?" I asked. No almost shouted on the call. "Are you talking about the same Abhilash? I think you misunderstood him with someone else" I asked pacing the room not able to grasp anything. 

Many questions were running through my mind at this moment. Is this what he was trying to say? Is this about that two years? Then why the hell have I never seen him in college? Am i that oblivious really?

Urghhh… it's so frustrating. 

"Yes Athira. I am damn sure about it. Because I even called our classmates and found out about it, and guess what? they too said the same thing. He was the silent guy in college. He only joined in our college for two years to complete his PG. Before that he studied in Bangalore. He used to stay in college hostel with his gang. There were even rumours that he joined in our college just for a girl on whom he has a crush from childhood. But don't know what is the truth about it. Because no one saw him talking to any girl or interacting with any girl closely in two years if that's the case. But he has many followers in our college since he looks handsome" explained Riya from the other side while I just sat on the bed listening to her. 

"How did you get all this information?" I asked wondering. Because even she didn't see him much in our college. 

"Asked our friends though. You are forgetting that it's Riya here. And my charm still works wonders." She sighed dramatically saying that line. Ha, how can I forget her charm. She used to flirt with boys just to gather the information she wants to know. Looks like it's still working. 

"Ya ya. I got it. I just forgot how manipulative you can be if you want to." I said sarcastically knowing too well about her reaction. And i am correct since she reacted so quickly.

"Hey woman, that's not manipulative ok. It's called charming. It needs a lot of talent to be like that." She said with rather pride in her voice to which I chuckled in return. She can be dramatic if needed. 

"Ok madam. Whatever you say. So you are saying that he was our senior and we didn't know anything about that?" I asked still confused about the topic. 

"Probably yes. And to say frankly Athi, we were in our own world at that time. When did we glance or gave a shit about others or anything about what's happening around us?" She said to which I too have to agree. Because that's the truth. We were in our own little world. 

"And at least i use to talk with other students in our class and campus. But you? Damn girl. You were such a nerd. You didn't even know how many boys in our class use to try you. You were that oblivious." She explained accusing me for being silent in the class. 

"Hey, don't blame me for that. We both know the reason behind that. And yes, i agree that i was a silent student but that was ok for me. Who thought that this Abhilash will be our senior?" I asked sighing loudly because i kind of got frustrated. I was silent because of my breakup and didn't want to interact with any of them. It was my depressing state to say frankly. 

"Ok ok. Sorry for that. I know the reason. Look, we both don't know about it. And it's rather surprising that he was our senior. And maybe it's just a coincidence that he was our senior in college. But my gut feeling says otherwise. I think it's destiny." She explained in a singsong way letting me know that she is excited about our story. I sighed listening to her words and thought about it. 

"Don't know Riya. I am quite confused here to say frankly. He said that he will explain everything tomorrow. So hopefully I will get the answers for all these unanswered questions in my head." I said while falling back on my bed and looking at the ceiling while digging into my brain to grasp if i have seen him in our college before or not. But i came empty handed. 

"Ya that's good. Don't stress that head of yours because I am damn sure that you will get empty handed. So just leave it and wait until tomorrow for the answers" Riya convinced me by explaining it. I too released a breath in defeat and thought of waiting until tomorrow. 

"Ya you are right." I said closing my eyes. 

"I know I am always right. But Athi, what if he was interested in you from the college days? Doesn't that look so exciting? Oh my god i am so excited to find out you know" she said excitedly making me furrow my eyebrows in thinking. Is that true? Nah… that can't be. It's just a coincidence. 

"Don't think too much tiger. It's just a coincidence, I think." I explained putting her excitement to stop. 

"Dream crasher. Always the negative one. Let's see what he has to say." She sighed dreamily which made me roll my eyes internally for her childish behaviour. 

We both spoke for some more time where most of the time she was teasing me about Abhilash and i being the shy one was blushing furiously. It always seems nice to talk with her. I feel relaxed after talking with her every time. She knows what to say and how to convince me to make me relax all the time. I smiled thinking about her. I miss her alot though. I am eagerly looking forward to next weekend for meeting her in person. 

Later that night I spoke with both Sahana and Charitha since they were flooding my mobile with their messages. And as usual Sahana said to meet us tomorrow morning for breakfast in office saying that she has some news which she needs to discuss with us eagerly. Looks like it will become our routine to meet in the morning for breakfast. 

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I took a cab to the office since Dev just woke up from sleep and was whining like a child that i am leaving him in the room daily. I explained to him and came to the office by 8:30 AM as discussed. 

I spotted them at our regular table once I reached the cafeteria and bought my breakfast from the counter and went to our table and sat in front of them. 

"Hello my idiots." I wished him winking to which both of them gave me a look saying 'Are you serious?'. I just gave my innocent smile in return. 

"Ya we both are idiots and you are the gang leader of us" said Sahana smirking at me. 

"Ha ha ha. How funny" I scoffed taking a bite of my dosa. It's not that good but it's fine. 

"Ok. So what's the matter mam? Why the meeting in the morning?" asked Charitha looking at Sahana to which i too nodded my head in acceptance with a mouth full. Both of them bought idly for breakfast and almost completed it. Looks like i am late after all.

"Oh ya. I forgot." exclaimed Sahana as if remembering it all of a sudden. 

"Wait. I thought she already informed you about it. You both came before me right?" I asked looking in between both of them in confusion.

"Nah.. this girl was just blabbing about her new baby relationship with Karthik and was so excited about it. So i just let her say without interrupting because it looked like she was so excited about it" teased Charitha looking at Sahana to which i smirked at her. 

"Woah… really? Now girl, you have a lot to tell me then" i said keeping both of my hands on the table and placing my head on them. She blushed knowing that we both cornered her about Karthik. 

"Oh no. Not now. I have already listened to her bla bla for almost half an hour. Now I really want to know about the reason she woke me up in the morning. You can get the information about them later." She said looking at me and folding her hands in front of her with a serious look on her face. 

"Ya, she is right." I turned towards Sahana looking at her "tell us the reason now" I asked taking another bite. 

"So, I have both interesting news here" she said rubbing her both hands together and eyeing me with amusing eyes. 

"What?" I asked getting confused. 

"One of them is for you Athira. And I know that you will be damn happy listening to this one. So i need a party for this one" she stated folding her hands and raising her eyebrows. Charitha just watched me with amusement while I fidgeted in my seat thinking. 

"Ok done. Pray to god that it's useful information. Otherwise you are gone in my hands for good. Now spill" I warned her glaring at her to which she nodded her head. 

"Done. So the thing is, I got to know this information yesterday from my brother that…" she dragged it in a singsong way looking at my reaction while i was getting irritated for keeping me in suspense. 

"Well, Abhilash fought with Omisha for the stunt she has done on Saturday and warned her to be away from him and even from you" she winked saying this which made me look at her in shock and open mouth. Charitha closed my mouth with her hand while smiling knowingly. 

"Oh oh… it's getting interesting here" commented Charitha while I just stayed silent to listen more. 

"And i even got to know that they are not in any relationship. And Abhilash never said yes to her proposal. It was her who always throws herself at him but he always treated her as a friend. They were college friends from degree but in PG he moved to Hyderabad and she stayed in Bangalore itself. She was totally in love with him, so she followed him to this office and joined here just for him and always made sure that no one tried him and even warned some of the girls to stay away from him and that he was hers." She explained looking at me with a smile on her face and continued. 

"And the interesting thing was Abhilash doesn't know anything about her stunts. She used to do it on his back and blackmailed them not to reveal or else she will terminate them. So those girls got scared of her and never revealed anything. It was only yesterday that Abhilash found out everything and warned her. Then he even got to know about her injuring you at the site. You were a challenge to her Athira. Because upto now no one got the attention from Abhilash and now when he was giving you the attention, she became very jealous of you that she pulled all those stunts just to hurt you." She explained smiling at me kindly and took hold of my hand by squeezing it. 

"My brother and Abhilash got this information from their team members before talking with her. Abhilash was so furious after knowing this information it seems. He always thought of her as his best friend, but looks like she took it in the wrong way." She explained while my mind was running in circles with all the questions again. 

"But… He himself said that they were in relation on that day" I asked getting confused listening to this information. Sahana stayed silent but Charitha spoke who was silent all this while.

"It's so clear as day stupid. Can't you see that he was in anger on that day because you informed him that you both need to be as professionals itself and you don't want to interfere in between them." She stated but looking at my confused face she continued again. 

God Athira. You are so blind. He wanted you both to be more than professionals. And you being the girl of insecurities and scared, believed the words of Omisha and decided that it was right to be away from him and directly said to him about the same. But did you ask him if it was right or wrong? No. You just gave the statement and never expected the answer in return. You believed in rumours and her words rather than asking him. You never believed him in the first place since you were scared of falling for him that you pushed him from your life. Then how can you expect him to react? He reacted out of anger and accepted it so that he can create jealousy. But you believed that statement too and went away from him." Explained Charitha with pity and sympathy in her eyes. But at the same time anger too. For me being this idiot of a girl. I kept both of my hands on my mouth not believing her words. 

Oh my god… what have I done? I misunderstood it the whole time and accused him for playing with my feelings when it was me in the first place who was playing with his emotions. 

I have believed every word of her and didn't think of it to be any lie in it and never asked for any explanation from him. I was insecure and scared of facing my own feelings that I pushed him away from me every time he came near to me. 

"Oh no. What have i done Charitha? I have hurted him alot with my stupid insecurities and blamed him all this time." I asked getting worried and tensed for hurting him like that. I am such an idiot. I cursed myself internally for behaving like a selfish bitch. I became emotional and want to smack my head on the wall. 

"Hey, look at me. It's good that he got to know it about her and reacted immediately. And it's not your fault ok, she acted as if she is his girlfriend and we all thought the same. So don't blame yourself for that." said Sahana trying to convince me while Charitha joined. 

"Ya. Instead look for the bright side. Everything got solved so soon and you got to know the truth of her. So thank heavens for this and go forward" assured Charitha while squeezing my shoulder in a comforting way. 

"And you got to know that he is innocent in all these rumours and your line is clear now. And we both know that he too have some kind of feelings for you because you should have seen him on Saturday. He was like a mad boy running here and there with frustration and worry in his eyes. He was unable to stand or concentrate on anything." Commented Sahana wiggling her eyebrows teasing me. I kind of blushed listening to her and faced my plate to cover it. 

"Ya i agree with you. Of Course even Dev was in similar kind of situation. But it was Abhilash who was most terrified and worried sick that he roamed almost three fourth city that night leaving Omisha at restaurant. It was hilarious though." Said Charitha while laughing about the situation. 

"Ya it's was so entertaining to watch her expression. She was like tomato with her anger radiating from her and the funny part was that she doesn't know how to show it or on whom to show it. She just stumped her legs on the floor and left the restaurant and took a cab to god knows where." Sahana said laughing remembering the moment from Saturday. I too joined them and the three of them started laughing. 

"But seriously Athira. He was cute when he was in that frustration you know" commented Charitha looking at me with amusement and teasing tone. 

"Don't call him cute ok" I said looking at her trying to glare her but failing miserably. 

"Achhaaa. Then what should I call him? Beautiful?" said Charitha smirking at me. I rolled my eyes at her in return. 

"He is not cute or beautiful ok. He is handsome, hot and drool worthy" I stated placing my palms on the table like I am debating with her. She just smirked while Sahana was in the mode of shocking. I was confused by her reaction but then she was watching behind me. 

I immediately turned around cursing myself and placing my head on the table and banging my head on it. God what have I done to deserve this day that Abhilash has to listen to my comment. And no doubt that egoistic jerk won't leave me alone for that. I am sure that it was an ego booster for him.

"Oh my god, oh my god… Did he just listen to what i have said?" I asked glancing at my both friends who were trying so hard to control their laugh watching my reaction but failing miserably. 

"The way he is smirking looks like he listened to each and every word" said Sahana almost whispering but burst out laughing seeing at my reaction. I was embarrassed, and was blushing furiously thinking of his reaction. God, me and my mouth. Charitha too joined her in laughing while I smacked both of their heads and took my bag from the floor and got up glaring at both of them. 

All the while I can feel his eyes on me but I am not ready to look at his reaction. Because I am one hundred percent sure that he might me laughing and smirking at my reaction. I just glared daggers to my friends and left the cafeteria in a hurry while covering my embarrassment face. I want to bang my head on the wall repeatedly for having unfiltered mouth. 

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Hello everyone,

I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Do let me know your thoughts and opinions on this chapter. please don't forget to vote, comment and share it if you like.

Love....

Sprinkle...