chapter 33

Part 33: When Dhirav changed his seatThe next few days passed as usual. Riya and Dhirav would meet each other every day, sit next to each other, laugh, joke, small fun, everything had become a routine. Both had become a beautiful part of each other's life - without labelling it.But that day something was different.Riya came early to the class, like every time. She took her usual second bench seat. Today Dhirav came a little late... and Riya was expecting him to come to her like always, keep his bag and sit casually, and say - "How are you my crazy bestie?"But...Dhirav entered the class... did not even look at Riya once... and went straight to the last bench - sat with some other boy.Riya's heart stopped for a second.She thought, "Maybe he has gone for some reason..."But then Riya saw that Dhirav was laughing and joking with the same girl... who was in his team in the group assignment last week.That girl's name was Khushi. Lively, playful, a little too bold. And that day she was behaving with Dhirav as if they were very old friends.And Dhirav... he was not getting upset, he was enjoying. There was the same smile on his face which was once reserved only for Riya.Riya said to herself:"I am overthinking... Dhirav is not like that... but... I am feeling strange... why?"Her heart became heavy. The homework was open in front of her, but her eyes were on us where Dhirav was happy with someone else.She lowered her eyes... and felt a prick inside - jealousy.But she hid it... behind her feelings. But she could see that sadness without any reason in her eyes. Dhirav did not come to her even during the lunch break. Riya acted as if it did not matter to her... but inside she was breaking down a little.Then she saw a message from Dhirav:Dhirav: “I was busy with the team today... are you okay?”Riya did not reply.That night Dhirav called -Riya: "Hmmm tell me..."Dhirav: “What happened to you?”Riya: "Nothing."Dhirav: “Don't act crazy... why were you quiet today?”Riya thought for another time... and said:Riya: "That's it... I won't like it to see you with someone else. Do you behave the same way with everyone?"Dhirav: "What? Riya... you... are you jealous?"Silence for a second. Then Riya said:Riya: "No... that's it... yes a little."  Leave it, I don't want to talkDhirav said with a small smile:Dhirav: "Don't get angry... You are special for me. Those were just formal talks. You are... You are different."Riya: "Are you sure?"Dhirav: "So sure that you can recognize me without seeing me." Now forgive me, sorry.Riya's eyes lit up with a slight smile.And a slight relief in her heart...But the story doesn't end here - because sometimes it is jealousy that makes the feelings deeper.