Vrishali took the time to get ready for university. It had been a long time since she had last seen everyone. Hailey hadn't mentioned it to anyone yet, and Vrishali felt slightly anxiousâanxious about meeting her friends. They have no idea about her marriage, and she isn't sure whether she will tell them.
She picked up her eyeliner and applied makeup while her thoughts wandered to Padmanabh. He had called her father two nights ago. She was uncertain why he hadn't called her or she hadn't been able to contact him. There was a knock at the door, and she glanced over as Hailey sauntered in.
"OhâOh. . ." Hailey let out a low whistle as she checked Vrishali out before plopping on to the bed. "You look smoking hot."
"I've missed being in my element." Hailey's gaze drifted to the lovely black beads of the chain. "Well, aren't you going to take it off?" In an instant, Vrishali grasped the mangalsutra. "I don't know; I just don't feel like removing it. Does it draw a lot of attention?"
"Nah, not at all. It's cute, and you are familiar with wearing plenty of chic jewellery. So, yes, no one is going to focus on it."
"Point." Vrishali took another ten minutes before putting on her shoes. Hailey got off the bed and slung her bag over her shoulder. "Let's go." Vrishali snatched her car keys from the rack and locked the main door behind them. Her parents had already visited a friend in the hospital.
"Do you want to drive?" Vrishali nodded. Vrishali leaned against the elevator wall as the elevator went down. "What happened to the hot guy living on your floor?"
Vrishali chuckled. "He moved out last month, and there's a new tenant. He works for the NFL." Hailey stood straight. "Is he hot?" Vrishali snorted. "I haven't seen him yet. I heard it from Mum."
"Pfft. . . I hope he isn't an old man." Vrishali shook her head. "You haven't tried anything with the man who lived before."
"That's because he is a mystery and always wears a serious expression." Vrishali let out a raspberry as the elevator descended to the car park. "I shall drive while you enjoy the view." Vrishali tossed the keys, and Hailey caught them.
*
Vrishali waved numerous times and paused repeatedly as everyone who knew her wanted to chat and find out where she had vanished all these days. She couldn't help but smile as she received hugs and kisses on her cheeks.
"Good to see, babe. Let's catch up on Friday, ya?" Vrishali nodded as the Gotham twins left. Vrishali was once again pulled into a hug by one of the swim team members. "Vrishali! Where have you been?"
"On a break." Adam chuckled. "Missed you at the parties. You aren't going to vanish without a word this time, are you?"
Hailey grunted while Vrishali rolled her eyes. "You never know." She winked as he laughed before rushing to the community hall where the swim team meet and greet was taking place. "He has always had a crush on you."
"He is cute but not my type." Hailey smirked. "Yeah. . . Yeah. . . Is your husband your type?" Hailey joked. Vrishali bumped her fist playfully on Hailey's back as they continued walking.
Their gaze shifted to Jordan, who had stepped out of the car. "Hey, Jordan." Jordan glanced around before meeting Vrishali's gaze. "WowâVrishali. I wasn't expecting to see you. How are you?" Jordan embraced Vrishali in a friendly hug, his gaze moving to Hailey as he did so.
"I'm running late for the captain's meeting. We'll catch up in the evening. I'll find you in the cafeteria." Jordan patted Vrishali's head before hurrying off. "Why is everyone rushing to the sports building? Has something happened?"
"Someone played a prank on the diving team. The coach isn't pleased as they've damaged the springboard or something." Vrishali's eyes widen. "What sort of prank ruins the springboard?"
Hailey shrugged. "Only the swim team knows. Rumour says that two of the Freshers had done it as one of their exes got into the dive team."
"Wow."
"Is she real!" Stratled they looked around and found Kyle looking at them. Standing beside him was Lexie who seemed lost by Kyle's shock. "Whatâ" Lexie looked to where Kyle was looking. "Vrishali, when did you return?" Lexie rushed to where they were standing and pulled Vrishali into a hug. Vrishali chuckled as she hugged her. "Uff, I missed you so much. Hailey isn't functional and easygoing without you." Hailey glared, but Lexie smiled.
"Hailey was lost without you," Kyle said, wrapping his arm around Hailey. "Isn't that true?" Hailey didn't say anything, but Vrishali knew. Vrishali, Kyle, Lexie, Hailey, Aryan and Michaelâthey had all been a group who stuck together. Although Hailey and Aryan were Vrishali's go-to persons and a familiar trope, she enjoyed spending time with Kyle and Lexie when they decided to hang out with others.
"Have you seen Michael?" Hailey asked. "Man got so wasted last night. He slept in the community house. He is getting ready in the janitor's quarters."
"What?" Hailey and Vrishali exclaimed in unison. "They are the closest ones with showers. It isn't his first time bathing there."
*
Vrishali squealed as Michael picked her up in a bear hug. The man is a hulk, towering over everyone. "Missed you, tan legs."
"Put me down." Hailey glanced at them before retrieving her phone to snap a picture. "How have you been? Where's your husband?" Michael whispered the last part. He was aware of her marriage, having been with Aryan when she called him.
"UhâHuh, is it just me, or can everyone see Vrishali?" Aryan asked as he walked into the room. "Shut up."
"Baby babe... Are you back?! Come here. . . Give the daddy hugs," Aryan said. Michael handed her over to Aryan, who pulled her into a bear hug. "Missed my baby babe."
"Are you planning to stop calling me that?" Aryan let out a laugh. "How about never?" Aryan let Vrishali go, and they took their seats. Aryan took Vrishali's coffee. "I just brought it."
"I will buy you a new one in the evening." Aryan glanced at Kyle and Lexie, who had taken the seats before them and were in their own world. "You didn't mention that your husband is a damn snack."
"Shut up." Hailey smiled while Vrishali's cheeks turned red. "What? Isn't it true? I saw the picture andâ" Aryan looked at Vrishali. "Things I would've done if it were my man." Aryan is pulling Vrishali's leg, and she is blushing. "You would've done things with every handsome man."
"That's given." Aryan placed the empty coffee cup on the floor and turned to Vrishali. "This time, don't betray me by vanishing without match-fixing me with a guy on the swim team."
"What's with you and the swim team? Didn't Sam from the Football team have a thing for you? And the man seemed to fill the blanks you were looking for." Aryan rolled his eyes. "Where is the fun?"
"The Swim team doesn't have a gay," Hailey blurted. "There might be a bi." Vrishali groaned and hid her face while Hailey and Aryan argued. Vrishali's gaze went to the door as Mr Hamilton entered the room. "Good morning, everyone."
Eros glanced around and his eyes met Vrishali's. "Ms Mewar is attending the classes." Vrishali smiled. "Yes, Mr Hamilton. How are you?"
"I'm good. I hope everything is good from your side."
"Yes." Eros smiled before shifting his gaze to the assignments piled up on his table. Hailey leaned towards Vrishali. "Your crush is seeing someone." Vrishali looked at Hailey. "What?"
"He kind of posted with a lady on his socials." Vrishali hummed. "Good for him; beauty shouldn't be wasted by staying single," Aryan said. Vrishali frowned her brows. "That's a shitty thing to say."
"Anyway, he isn't spending most of his time in his college office. He goes home immediately after his classes. I bet a good amount that they are living together," Hailey added. "It doesn't matter now that he's taken. I need to find some decent single men with whom I can take my shot."
"You need to download dating apps," Hailey suggested. "And you need to stop using those dating apps to find a man," Aryan countered. As the two bickered, Vrishali exhaled and looked forward to Mr Hamilton's class. She was eager to learn about this topic, as she had been considering working on the project for a long time.
"Your dating apps give me an ick." Hailey slapped Aryan's thigh. "And you give me the ick."
"Can you two stop it? I need to concentrate." Aryan and Hailey looked at each other before looking at the board.
*
"I hope everyone remembers the deadline; your projects must be submitted by Wednesday. Your fifth-semester timetable will be released tomorrow and shared on the college forum. I believe those living in the dormitory are aware that there will be a dormitory inspection by the student committee," Mr Hamilton said.
"But Mr Hamilton, why are they doing a dorm check? If they were not used to doing it before, why now?" Someone from the front asked.
Mr Hamilton paused for a moment as everyone turned to look at him. "I believe everyone is aware of the altercation at the party that occurred two weeks ago. The college community and the dean are not pleased about it. There will be a dormitory inspection. I hope everyone adheres to the guidelines and permits this inspection. If not, the dean's office will take serious action."
"Makes sense," Aryan muttered.
*
Vrishali sipped the cold coffee that Aryan had bought her. Hailey is munching on the french fries while they wait for Michael and others. Kyle is buying Lexie lunch while Michael is off somewhere.
"Are you not going to get your lunch?" Aryan asked, getting comfortable in his seat. Vrishali shook her head. "I bought my lunch." Aryan nodded. "What did you bring?" Vrishali pulled the box from her bag and handed it to Aryan. She brought it for him. "It's yours."
"Thanks, babe." Michael didn't join them. Lexie and Kyle chatted about the trip they had taken during the holidays. Vrishali genuinely felt happy for them, as they had been holding back their feelings for one another for a while. Something happened at a party that prompted Kyle to confess.
There was a tap on Vrishali's shoulder. She turned around to see Aubree and Xahria. They are smiling down at her. "How are you doing, girl?"
"Where have you been?" Aubree and Xahria asked. Vrishali got up from the chair and hugged them. "Was in India." Aubree greeted Hailey and Aryan. Hailey's cheeks turned red when Aubree greeted her. Hailey always liked Aubree. The girl is beautiful and sweet.
"When did you return?" Aubree asked. "On Saturday." Aubree and Xahria hummed. "We got to know through the socials." Aubree and Xahria's gaze went to the black bead chain Vrishali was wearing. They shared a look before looking at Vrishali.
"Girl, you got married?" Aryan stopped eating. Hailey stopped looking away and Vrishali's breath hitched. "How did you know?"
"That is mangalsutra beads. My Mum wears one," Xahria mentioned. "Iâ I didn't tell anyone, and it's a secret."
"You got married in secret? Did you elope?" Aubree asked, looking worried. "No, it's an arranged marriage, and no one from the university knows about it. Iâ I'm not ready to announce it yet."
"Alright, your secret is safe with us. We won't tell a soul." They glanced to the left, where Elwen was summoning Aubree and Xahria, while Kreo leaned against the car. "Let's catch up soon, shall we? We must be off."
"Sure." Aubree and Xahria left while Vrishali took her seat. "Don't worry, we can trust them."
"Yeah. . ."