CHAPTER 7 : HER FORGIVENESS IS EVERYTHING

Roma

It's been three days. Three days since I had the worst emotional breakdown, three days since Nikhil and I had that row in the cafeteria, three days since I reckoned that Nikhil Dixit is a real jerk. I have been disliked, rejected and been called nerdy countless number of times by many. But no one has ever been this mean to me. Doesn't matter how much Nikhil has things in his mind which he isn't disclosing. No one questions my character. Luckily, this time Tanya supports me. I am genuinely surprised how unbiased she is. I wish she were a part of the judiciary system.

TANYA : Don't call me so many times! I have said what I had to say. You are going to make it obvious. (She was talking on the phone and hearing my footsteps she shuts her phone off)

I : Who was it? (Tanya is a morning riser whereas I am a night owl who is always grumpy in the morning. But today I woke up early, probably she wasn't expecting me to).

TANYA : Just the customer care. (She scurried her eyes away)

I : What does the customer care call gonna make obvious? Don't lie to me Tanya. Are you planning some evil work with Nikhil? (She started giving an evil laugh). Trust me, you don't want me to throw the side table on you (I said lowering my voice which turned out to be threatening).

TANYA : Ok I will tell you. It was Advik. (She hung down her head like a child who got scold for eating chocolate at midnight. I caught on that she and Advik weren't on good terms for the row Nikhil and I had)

I : Tanya, it's Nikhil who is the jerk. Don't sentence Advik. You two love each other, besides I like Advik. (She gave me a questioning look and I realised what I just said).

I : I didn't mean that. It's not how it sounds, I mean I..I.. I like Advik as a friend. He is a great guy and a gentle man. He is really funn tto hang out with. (I started stammering thinking that she would be mad but instead she laughed louder than ever).

Tanya

Jesus, Roma is so adorable. If I were Nikhil right now I would have asked this girl out already. She is so sweet. But I must say she has a bipolar nature. At one moment she is scary as hell and the other time she is so cute and gets vulnerable. As a kid I was suggested or appreciated saying I should get into judicial administration but I guess they were all wrong. I am so much better as an actress.

Roma thankfully fell into the trap and didn't asked any question further. The reality-check was, I have been on call with Advik and Nikhil since 5 in the morning. I know Nikhil shouldn't be let go easily this time. He deserves to be taught some moral lessons. But Roma isn't that easy to get either. Advik and I, both want to clear the stiffen air after they blew out on each other three days ago. So we plotted a plan.

Though Nikhil is hell ya wrong this time. He is guilty for what he did. He wants to make it up to her and that's really sweet. Finally, living under the same roof with my Advik knocked some sense to him. Is it weird that in our relationship I am the one who loves claiming Advik as mine and not the other way around ? Not to mention he likes when I say so. But god! How I wish Nikhil were a little less complicated.

I don't know what he has thought to say or do that will make Roma come over with the previous meet up. She is trying her best to hide the emotions but I caught her ample of times within these days to tell that she was badly hurt and was crying her eyes out. Even Advik is uninformed about what's cooking in Nikhil's head. I hope he doesn't mess it up this time.

[AT COLLEGE AFTER AN HOUR]

Nikhil

I reached at college and talked out with prof.Binkin to put off today's lecture, feeding him that Eliana was facing problems with his subject. After Roma told me about Vicky and Eliana, I did some research and found out that prof.Binkan had a soft spot for Eliana. This made tasks easier.

As much as I am doing this to apologise Roma, the more it is to remind myself of what mom taught me as a child. Her exact words if I quote "Women aren't objects and are ought to be respected. They are equivalent as men and at times infallible as compared to men. No matter from where they belong or how they look like". After Sanah's incident all teaching of mother faded like a rainbow in a sunny day. It's Roma who pushes enough buttons of mine and makes me hound on my morals. I did a terrible mistake last time. I don't know why, but at the moment her forgiveness is everything. She is everything.

ADVIK : Somebody is walking like cat on hot bricks.

I : What do you think? Will she forgive me? (The possibilities were negligible but I wanted a positive aura around for the moment)

ADVIK : Even if she doesn't, are you going to give up?

I : Hell NO! I told you Advik, she is important to me.

ADVIK : Then your previous question doesn't hold a place to stand by. (I hung down my head and silently prayed everything to go accordingly)

ADVIK : Tanya just texted. Both of them are here. Are you ready?

I : There is no better moment to do this.

ADVIK : I don't know what's cooking in that dumb head brain but best of luck. (I smiled warmly at him).

We rushed to the campus front gate and Advik left to greet Tanya. According to the plan Tanya somehow needs to make Roma get into the activity room and from there I will be in charge of taking the plane off. Roma needs to know me.

Advik

I greeted Tanya with a hug and looked at Roma. Her eyes screamed she hasn't gotten a proper sleep and her huge bags under the eye proved it. Damn! I presume Roma is quite sensitive. Apart of being Tanya's roommate, she's been a great friend to me too. I want to cheer her up.

I : How is my favourite person's favourite doing?

ROMA : Existing I guess. (Ok, Mental note : don't mess with Roma early morning. After an awkward pause of half a second, she immediately regretted) I am sorry Advik. I didn't mean to react that way. I just didn't get…

I : Proper sleep last night? (She nodded her head) No need of apology Roma, you should see how Tanya reacts if it gets even quarter past her bed time. (Tanya slightly nudged my shoulder). Besides, dosti mein no sorry no thank you. (A/N : It's a famous Bollywood dialogue which means friendship carries no formalities)

Roma chuckled at my comment and I took it as hint of my success of cheering her up.

TANYA : Hey, I just checked out, prof.Binkin's lecture has been cancelled.

ROMA : How to kill time then? Want to chill at the cafeteria?

TANYA : Nah, I feel uneasy since last night so don't want to go anywhere near food. (I looked at her in surprise. That's unusual. She would have told me if she would be having health issues. Then I searched her eyes, I caught on with what was trying to do).

ROMA : Wanna head back? (Tanya shook her head) Alright, let's go to the library.

I : It's closed. (Maybe I said in a higher pitch than usual because Roma was giving me weird look whereas Tanya's eyes got wide, silently warning me to not mess up). Yeah, I mean common girl, it's just 9 in the morning. The library doesn't opens up before 10. (Tanya cut me off)

TANYA : Ya and I also have somewhere to go with Advik, but before that, I want you to come with me to have a word. (Roma suddenly felt uncomfortable and I looked at Tanya to see what she is playing at).

She just gave me a reassuring look and I followed like a lost puppy with both of them going ahead of me. I noticed we are outside of the activity room while Roma was showering Tanya with questions.

TANYA : Listen, Advik and I want to have some "us" time together. I am really sorry to ditch you but can't you manage yourself for the hour in the activity room? (I overheard their conversation and as soon as it ended Roma twitched her head to my direction and I nodded for the confirmation she was looking for).

ROMA : Of course I will. Don't worry about me. Have fun with Advik.

Saying this Roma went inside the room and Tanya took the opportunity to lock the door from outside. She sticked a note on the door saying "sorry". Oh how adorable my little girl friend is.

She turned her head to mine.

TANYA : Let's go, shall we?

I : Where to?

TANYA : For having some "us" time (she said with playful wink).

I didn't know she was serious about that but I didn't need to think twice for it.