Where am I even stuck right now?

Should I run back to class?

Wait, Is Ms.Rude-and-I-know-everything Dean staring at me ?

And what the hell is Vikram doing here?

Did he tell her something?

Yeah, he sure must have gossiped something about me just like Nosey Geeta Aunty, who is more interested in my relationships and life than hers.

What if he had asked her to give me suspension?

Would he really do that?

I think I should just turn back and run.

Yeah, that's the best idea.

Come on suha, you can do it. On the count of three.

1

2

"What are you staring at Ms.Suhana. Get inside, We need to talk" Her stern and cold voice echoed the entire room, sending chills down my spine.

Stay calm,

Stay calm.

At this very moment they both look like terrorists with full loaded guns ready to shoot me.

"Please sit down!"

Wait--Next to him?

"No ma'am, It's okay!"

"If you are facing such difficulties in classes , you could have approached me Suhana!"

Difficulties?

Wait, did Mrs.Ishita complain something about me?

Are they going to give me detention?

For God's sake, this isn't a school.

"Exc--Excuse me Ma'am ?" I grimaced, with completely no idea on what she was talking about.

"Assignments, Paper Work, Projects etc., Nothing is more important than this!"

Then what?

I literally couldn't make out anything from her cringe face and his smirky smile that was fixed on his I-Phone.

Seriously, she is talking about some nonexistent issue, while this guy whom I don't know more than 3 days is all cool and scrolling down Instagram.

Wait--this guy is on Instagram?

Well, I should get his Id and--

"Suhana?"

"Ma'am?" I jumped back from my stupid Instagram thoughts.

"I can understand that you are more devoted to studies and stuff, but right now you should focus on your engagement which is round the corner."

Is this guy for real?

"Ma'am, You can submit the assignment or project whatever that was due for today, whenever you wish." She grinned widely and turned towards Vikram.

"Mr.Malhotra, Sorry for the trouble, your fiancee, Ms.Suhana is all yours, you can take her, wherever you want!"

First of all, I am not his fiancee!

"Good for you!" He shrugged and pushed his chair back.

Seriously-what is he doing?

Trying to impress the Dean?

Does he know that she is married and has kids around his age?

"And Suhana, you can take a long leave. There is no need for you to worry about Attendance and Assignments. I will take care of them. And yeah--Congratulations to both of you!" She smiled and adjusted the thin glasses which refused to stay on her nose.

"But Ma'am--"

"Enough-It's time to go!" He pulled out his shades from his pocket, as he pulled me out of the Dean's room.

Did he just drag me like a dog?

"What the hell was that?" I squawked.

Why the hell is he walking so fast?

Can't he wait?

"Hey, Hello? I am asking you only!"

No answer.

Wow, No respect.

"Hello, Excuse me! Mr. Narcissist,I said answer" I ran behind him as he was chilling with his phone.

What the hell?

"Staphhh!!!" I blocked his way as he gave me a death stare.

"Oh--I am so scared. Please someone save me from him." His face cringed on seeing my not-so-great expressions.

"What? You can't scare me, Understand? So now stop giving me those kinds of stares."

Come on, great going Suhana. Just Maintain the level, and very soon he is going to fall on your feet.

"Okay" His unusually calm tone was definitely up to something.

That's all he has to say?

"Wait, why are--" I stopped midway.

Well, he had left long back, while I was standing in the middle of the corridor, scratching my head.

Run!!

"Whoa---wait!!" I ran behind him.

"What?"

"Okay, What is your problem? You got me out of my class, so that you can make me run behind you like this?" I was panting, trying to catch my breath.

"Get inside the car, you will get to know"

Wait-we are in the parking lot?

Oh geez, when did this happen?

Just now, I was in the Dean's office.

"For what? I won't!" I crossed my arms, with rage boiling inside for all those problematic situations he had pushed me into.

Well, as usual, he gave me one of his standard looks.

Does this guy even know to talk?

"What?" I squealed, on the edge of almost losing my temper as he leaned into his car.

"I called you today!"

There he is ! Looks like he obviously didn't like it.

"Yeah-so?"

"Why the hell did you hang up on me? Do you think I am jobless to call and talk with you?"

"Well, on seeing your action, it does look like that you are jobless, and investing time to push me into all kinds of disrupting situations.

"Listen, I didn't know you are Megha's sister. Otherwise, I wouldn't have asked you to act like my girlfriend, Understand?"

Did he just--?

I want to fight!!!!

Should I start another argument?

"Huh--?"

"You can say something?" He shrugged his shoulders, finding me to be extremely weird.

"Since you apologized, its oka--"

"Wait--I didn't apologize! I just stated the fact!"

This guy really gets on my nerves.

"Okay fine, you can state all kinds of facts, GK questions and answers to all the Cars and Vehicles parked here. I am leaving " I turned back.

Right now, I can go anywhere but with him.

"Hey stop!"

No no Suha, don't stop.

Well my legs didn't listen to my freaking brain.

"What?"

"You need to come with me now"

"Wha--Where?"

"To buy our Engagement Ring "

What the hell?

"Are you out of your mind? We have to first figure out a way out of this marriage and your already ready to buy a engagement ring?" I screamed.

"I know, but right now our families are waiting for us. In Fact, Megha and Rohit are also waiting for us to arrive so that we could select the rings together."

"Seriously Vikram. Is this some kind of joke for you? Do you even have any idea on how much this affects me, my studies , career, My freaking future? And why are you still up with this act? You didn't want to get married in the first place right? Then why are you acting as if you want to?

Tell me Vikram! Is this stupid Engagement Ring very important for you? You--"

"Will you please stop it! Everything that happens is not always about you. Do you get that?

Look at you, so blind and obsessed with yourself and your-so-called future that you fail to see what other people around you really want! This isn't about me or you. Every decision we take is definitely going to affect Rohit and Megha. We can't just stop the act abruptly. Did you even think how they will even proceed with their marriage , with a state of mind knowing that we dont work anymore or we broke up though its a lie.Just think before you state anything. "

What?

"Oh really? We barely know each other. Since two days? Three days?

And you already know so much about me, right ? You have no clue about me. So stay where you are. If you think I am selfish, Yes I am Selfish, and that's why I decided to help you with your act and that's why, I am in a situation where I still have to act like your girlfriend, not just with your parents, but also with mine. "

Can I just strangle him to death?

Or better, Slap him?

"You know what, you are not even worth the calories I burn talking to you. This project is important to me and I am not giving it up for you or anyone else."

I turned back and moved away from him, taking long steps.

He thinks I am selfish? How lame.

What does he even know about me?

Stupid, duffer Narcissistic specimen.

"And you know what? I don't care whether you submit your project or assignment or whatever that is. But I am not leaving unless you come with me. And this day will definitely not come to an end without getting our Engagement rings. Though they are going to be fake rings for our fake engagement. "

He literally screamed back from his car which was definitely more than 20 steps back.

Did he just Challenge me?

"Fine, Keep dreaming Mr.Judgemental Narcissist " I screamed back and left to class.

• • • • •

"What? Did he seriously say that?" Aisha's jaw dropped, shocked.

"Yes, he did." I took a sip of my coffee.

"So, he's here to meet you? How romantic!" Ankita squealed with excitement.

Is this girl for real?

I just stated that how badly a guy blamed me, judged me for being so self centered and this girl--

God, I need new friends.

I just gave her a look which was enough for her to shut up.

"But you know what suha, I think, he was partially right!" Aisha said in a low tone.

"You what???" I shrieked.

"I said partially" She tried to calm me down.

"Okay so now you are taking his side?"

So my friends are now his friends?

"Listen suha, Your decisions are definitely going to affect Megha and Rohit. And he is right about that"

"Yeah he stated that statement and concluded that I am self centered " I turned away.

"Come on suha , Just imagine how Rohit's mom will treat Megha after the drama that might take place if you and Vikram try to end this issue abruptly. It's going to affect Megha, our sister. And also he said that all are waiting for you to pick a ring, Imagine what kind of situation might be taking place there right now.You know what In this situation, it must be you thinking about her, in fact I am kind of happy that Vikram at least thinks for her."

"So now you are also saying that I am self centered and selfish "

"Aww babe, don't feel bad. Well, I don't think so" Ankita hugged me from my side.

"Come on Suha, Now go with him, not for him or me, but at least for Megha's sake."

"Okay--but if he never finds a solution to this problem?"

"Well, you just have to marry him and produce fluffy kids," Ankita said coolly.

"What??"

"Suha, she is just kidding. Now you have to go!" Aisha interrupted.

"Fine, let me first go and submit my assignment and come" I said with no emotion.

Now I have to meet that bulldozer again.

What happiness does he find by troubling me?

"Hey by the way, do tell us about that steamy dream you had with your future husband " Ankita winked.

Again? Seriously?

I picked up the White Board duster and threw it on her.

It almost took half an hour to submit my assignment and also with the viva voce.

They conducted it way earlier for me, else it would have taken time till evening.

Thanks to my dean, though it was Vikram who spoke to her.

"Aisha, that went amazingly well." I squealed.

"Good, now go, he must be waiting. " She squealed back.

As if that guy is waiting to take me for a date.

"Fine,Goodbye! Wait--where is Ankita?"

"No idea, she said she will be back in a while!"

"Oh okay, tell her, I am leaving!"

And yeah somehow, I am taking another decision which is going to take me a bit closer to the Marriage I don't want to happen.

I was thinking of all possible reasons I can state if I have a chance to stop all this act and girlfriend drama, as I reached the parking lot.

Well who is Vikram standing with?

Ankita.

What is she doing there?

Talking to Vikram?

Maybe I should hook her up with him.

Only if I could. Well, it's all my fate.

But who is the other guy?

Wait--

Is that------oh my god.

Vivaan.

• • • • •