As I entered the classroom, my eyes automatically scanned the room, taking in the familiar yet distant faces of the students. My gaze lingered on Shreya, who was seated among her friends. Our eyes met, and for a brief moment, her expression mirrored my own-a mix of recognition and guarded emotion.

"Is it really her class?" I wondered, feigning ignorance. Quickly, I averted my eyes, reminding myself of the importance of maintaining a professional distance. Yet, a part of me couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia and a deep-seated curiosity about how she had been faring all these years.

Throughout the lecture, I noticed Shreya diligently taking notes, seemingly unperturbed by my presence. I forced myself to focus on the task at hand, mimicking her composed demeanor. We exchanged only the necessary interactions, keeping our emotions in check despite the palpable tension that hung in the air.

Maintaining a professional facade, I navigated through the class with deliberate detachment. As the session drew to a close, I made a hasty exit, mentally reinforcing the need to keep my distance for both our sakes, even though my heart whispered otherwise, fueling an internal conflict.

Once the class ended, the students dispersed, chatting animatedly among themselves. Shreya didn't spare me a second glance as she walked towards the cafeteria with her friends. A wave of sadness washed over me, even though I knew I had no right to feel this way. It was a consequence of my own actions, yet the emotions surfaced uncontrollably.

I straightaway headed home It was soon night time, and the sky was a canvas of inky black, studded with a myriad of shimmering stars. The moon cast a silvery glow over the university grounds, painting the world in soft, ethereal hues.

The gentle rustling of leaves in the evening breeze and the distant hum of city life created a serene backdrop, offering a brief respite from the day's whirlwind of emotions.

I was lost in my thoughts when my phone buzzed. It was a message from my dad, reminding me about the upcoming university function where he and Shreya's dad would be the chief guests. The reminder of their presence added another layer of complexity to my already tangled emotions.

Despite the exhaustion from the day, sleep eluded me. My mind kept drifting back to Shreya--kitna harami hoon na Mai fir vhin chala gya*straight face*-- the unresolved feelings that still lingered between us were annoying me to the core. I tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable position, but the thoughts refused to quiet down.

It felt like an endless loop of regret, longing, and frustration.Just as I began to drift off, my phone buzzed again, jolting me awake. Groaning, I reached for it, only to see a call from Aarav and Vedant, mere do paltu kutte.

"You still alive??"vedant said

"Naah I'm paralysed"I said

"Fuck- then how will you be able to satisfy shreya" he said more like yelled over

Is this his first thought ? of course varna is pagal ki vibe mere sath match kaise Hui hoti.

"Bhai ab kya hoga- maine to tayyari bhi kar Li thi Teri shaadi me kon sa dance Krna hai" vedant said while wiping off his fake tears and then started laughing

"Seriously tum logon ne iske liye abhi call Kiya" I said while groaning.

"Ek to pehle se zindagi me itne gam hai vahan neend aur shreya dono mujhe is tareekey se ignore kar rahe hai jaise tum logon ko tumhare Ghar par uncle aunty"

"Ho gya? Bss? To ab ek kaam ki baat sun" they stopped laughing and vedant said

"Dekh shreya hmari behen jaisi hai. Jaisi kya hai hi! To apne is gande se dimag ko gaadi Wale ke sath kachre ke dibbe me fek Dena aur raat me shanti se so Jana agar tune Bina uske permission ke kuch ulta sidha socha bhi na to uske ye dono Bhai Tera katl kar denge baaki to tu lakshay ko janta hi hai"

Permission?? Wh.....WTF- I'm even thinking about

"Shut up you bitches and let me sleep aur haan main Shareef launda hoon tum log apna dekh lena" I said and cut the call and soon drifted to sleep.

THE NEXT MORNING========

The next morning, I arrived early at the university to ensure everything was in order for the function.I noticed Shreya more than usual. She seemed to be handling everything well, laughing with her friends, and focusing on her studies, but I knew better than to think she was unaffected. After all, I knew her well once.

Throughout the day, we crossed paths several times, each encounter filled with unspoken words and unresolved tension.

I couldn't stop thinking about her. Seeing her again after all these years had stirred up emotions I thought I had buried. I replayed our interactions in my mind, the brief eye contact, the way she avoided looking at me, and the tension in her voice whenever she spoke around me.But heck- the pang in my heart knowing our current situation.

We often saw each other but didn't act as if we were bothered by each other's presence. Well- i know that

It's not like we got comfortable around each other but she still, like this, it's better than the time when I first met her in the party that day.

I was checking the arrangements and talking to other students and teachers who were coming towards me to greet.

I saw two senior professors coming towards me while talking something.

They stood up in front of me.

"Hey do you know that professor rajawat was an archaeologist before"

"Umm no "I said & shook my head as no

"Then do you know why he quit his job and start working as a professor here"

"I guess because, he was interested to teach and spread knowledge about his field to other people as well, and uni would be the best option for it." I said

"No atharva,tum bahut bhole ho. He did so because he was tired of digging up the past. He said laughing and went away with pro. Rajawat.

I shook my head, listening them had already been used to me their these kind of jokes within this time. But I can't even guess what words are going to come from their mouth the next second....

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Soo Done for this time...

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See you again in the next update-