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"Umm, Aditi.."

"Huh?" I and Anshul instantly turned around.

"I know this is my work.. I mean.. Uhh.. Mind if you hand over this list to Nik? I would have done that myself, but, you see, my journal work is pending and I really need to get it done by today. Could you please do this for me?" Shraddha said, almost pleading.

"Actually, we.." Anshul was about to say something, when I stopped him.

"Ya, sure. I'll hand over this list to Nik.. I mean Nikhil Sir." I smiled and said.

"Hope you know where he is. Room No. 24, Second floor. Commerce Building."

"Ya.. Ya I know."

Shraddha, smiling mysteriously, handed me the list and left.

"Aditi, are you crazy?" Anshul snapped me.

"Why? What happened?" I asked innocently.

"You promised me you would attend Megha mam's lecture."

"So?"

"So? It is 10.30 already. She'll be there anytime."

"Ansh, I know. But this is my only chance to.." I stopped.

"Only chance to what?"

"Umm, only chance to...umm.."

"Aditi! Its been a week now. You come to college, make some excuse, and leave without even attending the lectures. The professors have been asking about you, Aditi."

"Why can't you understand Ansh? I want to go. I.."

"What's wrong with you Aditi? You seem to be lost. I'm really worried about you."

"Nothing. Really, I'm fine."

"I don't think so."

"But.."

"Aditi, please tell me yaar. Am I not your friend?"

"Ofcourse you are Ansh. It's.. It's just that.. Nothing." saying so I kept staring a the floor.

"Aditi." Anshul lifted my chin. "We need to talk. I can afford bunking today's lecture for you. Lets go to the canteen." He held my hand and was about to move, when suddenly, I pulled my hand back.

"Whats your problem, Ansh?" I almost yelled at him.

Anshul was shocked. He kept staring at me. After all, I had never talked to him in this manner.

"Why? Why are you hell bent on controlling me? Can't you see? I don't want to go with you? I don't want to attend any damn lectures. I don't want to go to the freaking canteen. And, I don't want to answer your questions. Infact, I don't want o talk to you, for god's sake, stop controlling my life." I was still yelling at him.

"Controlling?" Anshul, who was stunned by my sudden out burst, managed to speak. "What are you trying to say Aditi? I.."

I didn't wait for him to complete his sentence. I left the corridor immediately. I was determined, that today, I would talk to him. Come, what may. After all, it had been five days, since I had seen him. I could hear Anshul calling out my name. But I decided to ignore his calls. Today, not even Anshul could stop me.

*****