Two weeks later,

Aashi was loving the new college and new friends, and of course, the subjects. In span of so less time the trio, Aashi, Suchitra and Kajal, became perfect teacher's pet and butt of most of the jokes. Rishabh was doing well too, he had made few friends from the cricket and football teams, he impressed them with his awesome sports skills.

Aashi and Rishabh were together and rarely, very rarely fought but one night they had a small serious argument while on the phone.

What is wrong with you? Nowadays, you don't even talk to me in college.

She had been noticing the changes in his behavior for one week now. In college, he pretends like he doesn't know her. When she smiles or tries talking to him he ignores her.

(sighs): Yaar, you know na. I am trying to get into this circle. And you and those two are...I don't want to become a joke or be called a nerd.

(gasp): I can't believe you said that. Dude, I was the same me in school and you were the same you. Then we were friends, what happened now.

That was school ya, this is college.

Go to hell, Rishabh

Without waiting for him to respond she cut the call. Angry tears pooled in her eyes. Aashi fell on her bed and hugged her pillow tight, she buried her face and began to cry. Her phone rang but she ignored it. Rishabh's words and his behavior hurt her.

Whenever they fought, they patched up instantly or maximum one day, but not this time. Aashi and Rishabh ignored each other for next three days. Though they missed each other terribly but neither of them wanted to make the first move. Aashi was hurt and Rishabh had his ego hurt because she didn't respond to his calls earlier. And so, they pretended like they didn't care. But it hurt them a lot.

As they passed by each other, it was very hard to not look at each other. At home, their fingers itched to text or call each other but always backed out thinking the other one should make the first move.

This was very dangerous for their relationship. Both feared their friendship might be dying a slow death. Yet they did nothing about it.

One day, Suchitra and Aashi were sitting in the canteen discussing the latest topic Prof. Gupta taught them. Their serious discussion broke when Kajal came to them, she was crying.

'What happened?' Aashi asked concerned as she sat beside her. Kajal shook her head. At first, she refused to speak but Aashi knew something was wrong and when she and Suchitra probed her she spilled the beans. Aashi is shocked to know, a popular boy from their class, Rajeev, was bullying Kajal, he had also broken her glasses.

'Pathetic, we are in College and these boys think they are still in school. Time to teach them a lesson.' Aashi said standing up and pulling up sleeves of her white top. Suchitra tried stopping her but she walked away furiously. Kajal and Suchitra glanced fretfully at each other and hurried behind her.

Aashi found Rajeev in an empty classroom with other boys of the supposedly "cool gang", even Rishabh was there.

'RAJEEV.'

There was complete silence, everyone turned their head and looked at the door where a fuming Aashi stood. Her eyes red and nostril flaring. Rishabh looked like he has seen a ghost. Their gaze met and Rishabh shook his head silently asking her to not get into this.

Rajeev laughed climbing down the bench where he had been sitting.

'Look, who is here? Nerd gang's leader.' He stood few steps away from Aashi, he was good inches taller than her and easily towered over her. But Aashi wasn't intimidated. Rishabh stood up from the bench too, he looked at them worriedly.

'Shut up. Say sorry to Kajal.' Aashi said confidently. She stared boldly into his eyes. With her fiery gaze, Rajeev looked little intimidated but quickly composed himself.

'Huh, looks like the gang leader has come on the behalf of her crying friend.' Rajeev mocked Aashi. She still stood her ground.

'Of course, Kajal is my friend and,' - Aashi looked at Rishabh from over Rajeev's shoulder, - 'No matter what, I will stand by my friend.' She saw Rishabh lower his head in shame.

'Whatever, I am not apologizing, missy. So, get lost.' Rajeev said.

Aashi didn't move a muscle, she kept staring at Rajeev, her arms folded.

'GET LOST, I SAID.' Rajeev yelled. Everyone flinched, but not Aashi, she kept staring.

'Aashi, go.' Rishabh said from behind Rajeev. He is getting worried about his bff. But Aashi didn't move. Rajeev got very angry, he held her arm and pulled her closer, - 'Lower your gaze and get lost.' He said menacingly. Aashi didn't even blink.

This infuriated Rajeev and he pushed her to the ground. The boys hooted in the background. Aashi winced as her elbow hit the floor hard, she closed her eyes and took in her tears. She turned around, - 'Apologize to Kajal.' Aashi said looking back at Rajeev. By this time even Kajal and Suchitra stood at the door, they wanted to go in but were too scared.

'You, B****' Rajeev raised his hand to hit her but someone held his hand. Aashi who had squeezed her eyes tight opened them and found Rishabh standing next to Rajeev holding his hand. Something inside Aashi lit up and she felt more confident having her bff on her side.

'Stop it, Rajeev. Just apologize to Kajal and Aashi.' He said politely.

'Why? And who are you to tell me this?' Rajeev said jerking his hand from Rishabh's grip.

Aashi held her breath, she wondered what will Rishabh say. He looked at her momentarily and then at Rajeev, - 'Because she is my best friend.' Rishabh placed his hand on her shoulder and Aashi felt proud. There was a collective gasp in the room.

'Oh! So, you are friends with nerds...no wonder you are so desperate to get into our group.' Rajeev taunted Rishabh. That moment, Aashi felt like kicking him.

'You are right, I got desperate. But not anymore.' He smiled at Aashi who smiled back.

'I would rather be with nerds,' - he patted her shoulder, - 'than be with wannabees like you.' he said.

Collective gasp again.

'You...' Rajeev raised his hand and punched Rishabh hard in his face.

'Rishabh!' Aashi looked at Rishabh wide-eyed. He stumbled back few steps holding his jaw.

'You! Rascal.' Aashi raised her leg and kicked Rajeev under his belt.

'Arghh...' he winced kneeling down. Having him in a vulnerable position, Aashi started hitting him hard with her elbow...

'Aashi, stop, stop, stop.' Rishabh and everyone else panicked. Rishabh tried separating her from Rajeev but she wasn't stopping, - 'He punched you, Rishabh. I won't spare him.' She huffed, stopping only momentarily to say this.

TING.... TING.... The College bell rang.

**********************************************

Aashi and Rishabh looked at each other and smirked. Aashi looked away, - 'I have never been here this way.' She smiled looking at the door to the Principal's office.

Rishabh shook his head, - 'I didn't know you had this avatar too.' He then looked at her, his smile faded.

'I am proud of you for what you did today.' Rishabh patted her shoulder and Aashi felt her chest puff with pride.

'Thanks...'

'And sorry for being a jerk.' He added. Aashi smiled and held his palm, - 'It's Okay.'

Rishabh leaned forward and joined his head with Aashi's, she smiled closing her eyes.

After the commotion, Prof. Gupta was called who had to separate Aashi from Rajeev. But by that time, Aashi had bashed him to a pulp. Rajeev was taken for medical help while Rishabh and Aashi were called to the Principal's office. Their parents were called too. At first, their parents were worried but knowing the reason they felt proud of Aashi. Nevertheless, they pretended to scold her. But once out of office, her father said, - 'Pizza treat anyone.'

'Me! Me.' Aashi and Rishabh said excitedly.