It was his first day in college. Aditya entered the college with all his confidence on. He knew nobody there but nevertheless was confident that he won't take much of time to make friends. He was an expert extrovert who knew how to impress people with his buttery talks and be best of friends with whomsoever he meets, within a few days.

When he entered the class, he saw people interacting with each other. It seemed as if everyone was best dressed on that day taking enough of time to get ready. With high makeup on, the girls rocked their look with shorts and dresses. And why not? Afterall they were admitted to the most fancy college of India, the Jesus College, Bangalore. He soon got mixed up with most of the people in the class.

But when she entered the classroom,he couldn't get his eyes off her. No, it wasn't love at first sight! It was just that, she was different which made him curious. With pink salwar-suit on, she wore a cute but nervous smile. She didn't bother to talk to anyone but sat down on the corner bench.

And this was what pinched him. He couldn't digest the fact that why she didn't join the group chit-chatting on their first day and introduce herself like the others did. She was the only girl sitting astray while others were all together, so, Aditya thought of interacting with her.

He tried to make an eye contact to call her there but she was busy on her phone.So he went to approach her.

"Hey, I'm Aaditya"
"Hi, Nishtha", she said with a certain strangeness in her voice.
And this was the first time they made an eye contact. Her eyes were beautiful. And the kajal on her eye enhanced them like nothing else. No, he didn't fall for those eyes! It was just that he liked noticing everyone's eyes, hers being the most beautiful of all.

Would you like to join the group?"
"No. It's okay. Thanks. "

And they didn't talk after that. At least not for a month. But that didn't stop him from noticing her, specially her black bindi, the jhumkaas that she wore to college and the colorful kurta perfectly suiting her personality. No, he wasn't falling for how elegant she was. It's just that being born and brought up in a metro city like Bangalore, he wasn't used to watching girls wearing typical Indian dresses in a daily basis which he didn't know why attracted him.

A month later, hustle bustle for freshers started. One day, when Aditya returned back from basketball practices, he luckily found Nishtha in the class indulged in her books, alone. Controlling his excitement, he decided to talk to her.

"So, you're coming to the club, tomorrow evening, right? ", he asked.
"Umm club? Sorry, I didn't get you"
"To the freshers party?"
"Oh, no I won't come.I'm not into partying and all."
"Oh okay", it's getting awkward, he thought and decided to leave.
"Okay, okay bye!"
He almost left but something made him return.
"Well, I think you should join us to the party. You never interact with people. That's strange. You just come to college, study, and leave. You're neither indulged in any of the college activities nor do you socialize. I think if you interact with people it'll help you out in future. Umm bye!", Aditya yelled, immediately realising this might be the worst mistake of his life as he lost the only chance he got to become friends with Nishtha.

"Wait, Aditya, is that your name? I'm new to this place. Can you please take me to the club tomorrow?"

Aditya never saw this coming. He had reached the epitome of excitement but somehow controlled.
"Sure. Where do you live? I'll pick you up from your place."
"No, just let me know the location and the way to get there. Also, is there any good arcade nearby? "

"Sure, only if you give me your phone number so that I can text you the complete location. Also, if you don't mind can you tell me what you're wishing to buy. I mean, I'll tell you the best arcade in regard to the stuff you'll be buying. "

"Hmm.. I need to buy a dress for tomorrow. I've never worn fancy short dresses so I don't have one."

"Do you mind me taking you to the shopping mall. I too need to shop for tomorrow. Let's go together."

"Shopping mall! Okay." Nishtha agreed after thinking for a while. She smiled at him and for the first time he saw comfort in her smile.No, he didn't fall for her smile. It was just that, he was happy to make a new friend.

Aditya tried to interact with Nishtha during the ride to the mall. To his surprise, she too happily talked to him, though not much. Aditya chose the best dress suiting her and matching accessories as well which she bought without giving another thought. Possibly she herself liked the dress or may be she trusted Aditya and his choice. Then, they went to the gaming zone and played games for hours there. Aditya explored the happy-go-lucky side of Nishtha, and this cheered him up.

"I'm hungry let's grab a burger from this store. Which one would you like to have."
"Whichever you'll be having."
"Okay here it is madame, your burger, french fries and coke."
"Thank you Aditya."
"For?"
"For taking me out for shopping. You're my first friend here. I'm a shy girl. Even if I want to interact with people, I feel shy. May be because I'm a small town girl and have no idea how the pop culture in Bangalore works. To be honest, I've never been to a shopping mall before or have had a burger in such a reputed food chain. I've worked really hard to get into this college and when I'm here I'm nervously letting my college life go in vain. I too feel like talking to you guys but felt nervous everytime I tried. I myself was stuck with boredom living alone at a new place with no friends. And I just felt like sharing it with you. "

Aditya spoke nothing but just starred at her with a smile. No, he didn't fall for her simplicity and honesty. It was just that, it was the first instance that he has ever come across such a person.

"Its late now. So, I shall drop you at your placeand pick you up tomorrow for the party. Okay?"
"Yes, okay!"

The next day, Aditya was stunned to see Nishtha in the white dress which he had selected for her. She looked gorgeous. The furry dress completely complemented her delicate self. Her brown eyes, red lips and rosy cheeks made her look the most beautiful girl in the city. No, he didn't fall for her looks. It was just that, he felt lucky to be her friend, her only friend.

Later that evening, he introduced her to his friends who gladly welcomed her. He made her groove the best in the club. To his surprise, she won the talent competition held by the college in the party by singing as sweet as a nightingale. Yes, he forced her to apply for the competition but he never knew that she'll end up winning it. He surely offered her drinks which she refused, but he was fine with it. They danced the whole night until they had no energy to even stand.

"Thank you for making my day. " and she hugged him as tight as she could.
No, I wont say he didn't fall for her hug. He did. He did fall for her that night. He did fall for every little stare and moment spent. He did fall for her smile and warmth of her hug. He did fall for her angelic face and honest simplicity. He did fall for her.

The best friendship continued till the end of their college life. They used to spend hours together establishing friendship goals. Nishtha used to help Aditya out with his studies and Aditya used to help Nishtha socialize. She did turn into an extrovert within a span of three years. All thanks to Aditya.

Aditya had feelings for her since freshers. He knew Nishtha felt for him too. He had plans to take the tale which started on freshers to a next level on farewell. He had planned to propose her on farewell. He prepared well for the proposal.

"Do you love her?"
"Hey dad!"
"Do you love Nishtha?"
"Dad! What are you talking about? "
"You do, right?"
"Yes.. Dad.."
"Have you lost it? Do you really think she'll match our standards. Nobody in our family will ever accept a small town girl like her. It'll be better if you get her thoughts out of your mind as soon as possible, else we'll talk to her personally. ", his Dad chided him. He had never expected this to happen. He wept the whole day and didn't even go to the farewell party. He hasn't met or picked up Nishtha's call since then.

No, he did want to propose her and wanted her to be his forever. It's just that, love turned out to be a status symbol for her family which barred him to do so.

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