Before I knew It, I had started on a new routine for myself, which included my plans to help Priya achieve her bet.

I met with her every day after class for half an hour, as discussed. I gave her a detailed plan for her studies and gave her a lot of homework.

It is not easy for someone to change all their habits in a single day. But I could see that she was determined and was ready to sweat it out. It made me respect her willpower a lot.

Things went by smoothly like this for a month. Initially, there were some rumours about Priya and me being together. But people soon found other stories to gossip about and carried on.

But unfortunately, not everyone in college was willing to accept these changes that readily.

I was having lunch in the cafeteria one day. As usual, I was lost in my thoughts when I got distracted by a huge noise.

There was some kind of argument taking place between someone about something. I wonder why these people have to shout so loudly. Ruins the mood for everyone else.

Wait a second. One of those shouting sounds familiar. I started to pay a bit more attention to what was being said.

"Gaurav. You are making a scene.”

"But you are being ridiculous. “

"It's my life and my decision. Who are you to question me?”

I recognized Priya's voice. She was arguing with a guy. I guess this must be her friend Gaurav who Mary had mentioned before.

"But you have been postponing our plans for a month now. Even now, what you are saying sounds like just an excuse to me. That you have to study. That doesn't make any sense. How come you are studying all the time all of a sudden“

"I don't see why I have to explain anything to you. And who are you anyway? Just because I have been a bit friendly with you doesn't mean you can order me around.”

"Why you!”

Gaurav was getting agitated was not handling the situation well. I could quickly tell the situation was about to get much worse.

And unknowingly, I had walked a bit close to them. Don’t know why but I felt I should try to deescalate the situation.

"Hey, guys. You sure you want to do it here. Everyone’s watching.”

Gaurav didn’t like me interfering in their discussion. He looked towards me with a frown.

"And who are you? Why are you interfering in our matter?”

Ok. Maybe the guy was an asshole and deserved to be insulted. Still not my place to decide. I decided to give them one more shot to see if I can help them. If not, then I was planning to let them shout it out among themselves.

"My name is Jacob, and I'm Priyas friend.”

"Oh. Is he the new one now? Is that why you are avoiding me?”

I felt insulted. And I didn’t like the way he was talking about me.

"Hey. Mind your language.”

"Or else what jerk?”

And he pushed me!

Ok. So not exactly the best thing to do. I think I might have mentioned how I lose my temper about few things. Someone pushing me was definitely one of them. I hated it when people did that, even as a joke. I guess Mary was right after all. When I lose my temper, I do tend to lose my shit.

Before I knew it, I hit Gaurav. Not a weak hit, mind you. It punched him in his face. And I made sure to make that punch count.

Just because I like to study doesn't mean I didn't know how to fight.

Suddenly the entire cafeteria was quiet except for the crying Gaurav. I think I might have broken his nose. Shit. What did I do?

I quickly left the cafeteria before anyone could react. I knew I was in deep trouble.

I spent the rest of the day in my room and went to sleep early.

Even when I woke up the next day, I didn't know how to handle the situation

I was getting ready for college when I got the call from Mary

"Jacob. What did you do?”

"Nothing much. Why?”

"Don't pretend to be an idiot. Everyone in college knows what happened yesterday.”

"Ok. I might have got carried away a bit. “

"A bit?”

"Ok. Maybe a lot.”

"Hmm. So have you heard about the notice?”

"What notice?”

"The issue has been escalated. Both you and Gaurav have been suspended for a week till an inquiry is completed.”

Shit. This is worse than I expected.

"Mary. I need to get my thoughts in order. I'll call you later.”

I ended the call. I had no idea what to do next.

I decided there was only one thing I could do, and that was to wait.

I tried to study a bit but could not keep my focus.

After trying unsuccessfully for some time, I finally gave up.

Since I spend most of my time carefully planned, I rarely got some unexpected free time.

I decided to use this time to finally get some rest.

Time passed away quietly.

I was enjoying my break when I got an unexpected visitor the next day.

It was Priya.

I was not expecting her here. At least not at my place.

"Hey.”

"Hi. How come you are here?”

"Just thought I'll come for a visit.”

"Ok. Don't mind the place. I don't get too many visitors here.”

"It's ok. It kind of looks exactly like how I imagined it to be.”

"What do you mean?”

I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Hey. Nothing serious. I mean books and notes all over the place. That’s all. Listen, I came to apologize.”

This was new. She was behaving differently than I what I was used to.

"I'm sorry you got into trouble because of me. “

"It's ok.”

"No. It's not. You were just a bystander who got involved by accident. Gaurav is an ass. I should have stopped talking to him a long time ago. I wanted to see if I can help you in any way.”

“I don't think you can help. But I’ll let you know if it's possible. “

We kept quiet for some time.

"By the way, you kind of surprised everyone. That was unexpected.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at that.

"Just because I study most of the time doesn't mean I don't know anything else.”

"I have to admit, it was impressive. I'm sure you must have impressed a lot of people.”

I was smiling now.

"I sure hope not. I like to keep a low profile. And I'm not exactly impressed with what I did either. I should have handled the situation better.”

"Maybe. I have wanted to ask something. Why do you always keep to yourself all the time? I don't think you interact with anyone except maybe Mary and me. “

"It's not that I don't want to. I don't know how much you know about me. I grew up in an orphanage. And I had to work hard to get where I am today. And I'll have to work even harder to get what most students in our college will get easily in their life. I just don't have the luxury to get distracted.”

She looked a bit apologetic at my answer.

"That makes sense. I'm sorry that I asked.”

"It's ok. “

"Well, I think I should leave now. Hopefully, everything will be sorted out soon.”

"I hope so too.”

Priya soon left.

I was glad she came. Surprising, I was feeling a lot better despite the situation.

I just wished I could somehow get through this and get back to class soon.