Hua hai tujhe jo bhi jo bhi
(Whatever happened to you)

Mujhe bhi is baar hua
(Also happened to me this time)

~Tera Hone Laga Hoon

Now others may say why change yourself for him. But I am not changing myself for him, I am changing myself for us. Maybe this one year of distance would give me enough courage to stay by his side. I shake my head at my ridiculous thoughts and look at the stage where our seniors were dancing. It was a couple dance.

Today is farewell day for our seniors and of course the only involvement of mine was attending it because of someone. He kept on complaining that if I had attended my freshers back in first year we would have already been a couple by farewell 'he surely has a lot of confidence in himself' but it is true I did not attend my freshers because I didn't know anyone at that time I mean I knew Prerna but we weren't that close where I would attend an event for her. I really don't know how things would have turned out if I did attend the freshers event. Would we have become a couple? like Anish said.

After the couple danced, my classmates who were the one anchoring decided to call another senior on stage. So far it has been a fun event and I did enjoy myself. I can't wait for Anish to go on stage. I want to see what they are going to make him do because he is quite popular in our department.

"Now it's time for revenge guys, I remember my freshers day clearly there was this certain someone who had a great fun making us do things, so what do you think should we get our revenge" asks Archana the anchor and as a chorus everyone starts to hoot in response. I turned to look at the seniors group to see who they were talking about. I saw Anish trying to get away but everyone was pushing towards the stage and I understood that they were talking about him. Guess he irritates everyone.

I now watch even more out of curiosity. Anish slumps his shoulder in defeat and took the mike "What do mean I was having great fun, I was just making sure that you guys have a lot of fun" he said

"Oh we had a lot of fun, now we would like you to have a lot of fun" she replied sarcastically and I let out a small chuckle at her words and his expressions.

"Ok fine where is the box I am ready for the challenge" he says

So the game is that they have prepared a few chits with fun activities in it and seniors have to select one and do it. If they don't there are few penalties that they have to face.

"Oh no Anish bro you are special we won't just give you one task"

"What do you mean?" He asked, confused.

"Every junior here decided that you should do all the tasks in these chits" Anish looked shocked and then pouted "Guys this is too much" he said turning to look at us he looked at every junior and when his gaze landed on me he gave me a betrayed look.

I smirked at him even though I was not involved at all in this, my classmates did ask me suggestions and I gave them one. They said they wanted to get revenge from this one person particularly and I was okay with this because I wanted revenge too.

But once he saw my reaction his expression changed to a mischievous one and I frowned, why does it feel like I made a mistake choosing this.

"Okay I accept the challenge bring it on" he says

"Ok let's start with a simple one. Which year during college do you feel is the best year and why?"

"Very simple actually, it would my third year"

"Why"

"I saw the love of my life for the first time" and the moment he says that everyone present in the hall cheers loudly while I place a hand on my head to cover my face and sink in the seat to not be seen. I should have known that he would do something like this to embarass me. 'Thank god there are no lecturers here'. I am pretty sure that everyone here knows that already because there were rumors about him liking someone. As far as I remember Prerna was the one who told me about it.

"Now that is a story everyone would like to hear"

"Well there isn't much to say, actually would it be cliche if I said I saw her at the bus stop?"

This was the first time I heard him say this, until now I never asked him how he knew me, he just randomly popped into my life. Turns out he took a lot of time before he approached me.

As soon as he says those words I hear a lot of 'Aww's'.

"So love at first sight?" Archana asks

"Hmm something like that, she did grab my attention without doing anything and since my eyes would automatically find her in the crowd, even though all she used to do was read a book or draw something, never have I ever seen her talk to someone super excited like they show in the movies, she used to just sit there and the funny part is she used to ignore me even when I stood in front of her, it took me a months to approach her" he says.

I bit my lips to stop myself from crying, is this what he meant by just existing.

"Wow Anish anna, you are so romantic" she says

"Of course I am romantic but only for my Bang- I mean my girl" he says giving everyone a proud expression as if he did something great.

"So who is she?" asks archana curious

'Swecha you better get out of here I am pretty sure he is going to say my name and make me come on to the stage'

I bend a little to use the people in front me as a shield to get to the exit but I see a person standing in front of me before I could reach the exit. I look up and see Ahana was the one standing, I give her a pleading look but she just smirks and shrugs.

"She is your classmate actually..." he says with enthusias.I try to go past her but she doesn't let me. Archana prompts to tell the name "... her name is Swecha"

And as soon as he says my name I give up trying to escape and close my eyes and let out a sigh in defeat. And at the same time everyone's focus shifts on to me, and seeing this Anish was enjoying it.

"Oh my god! Swecha? Really wow... Swecha come up here" she asks excitedly

I shake my head but Ahana was already dragging me towards the stage and half way through Anish also has come to take me on stage "Anish no, please" I say

He basically held me from behind and pushed me forwards. So basically I was just leaning on his body. People were making a lot of noise. And once we were on stage Anish excitedly asked "Ok let's move on to next task"

"Anish anna it seems like you are enjoying this a lot aren't you, ok I am going to change the task, now you guys have to play the game fold the paper" she says while bringing a newspaper.

'I am hating this'

"So you already know the game rules right..." and before she continues "Yeah I know, I know, let's start" he says not even hiding his excitement.

'He is doing this to embarrass me'

"Stop it" I whisper

"You planned this now face it" he replies back

"Ok, I get it you are eager, so let's start the game without any delay"

And let me tell you as soon as the game started and since the game just began it was easy as there was still space between us two but still I didn't want to maintain eye contact. The reason being I am not good at maintaining eye contact. Damn why do I have so many problems.

"Swecha have to maintain eye contact" comes Archana's voice from behind

"I am the one who gave you this suggestion and why am I the one receiving the punishment" I ask

She just gives a awkward laugh and said "Well you should have thought about this before giving the suggestion, how would I have known that you were the one he would call on the stage"

"I shouldn't have come to this stupid event" I mumbled to myself

"But I am enjoying this a lot bangaram"

"All because of you" I complained.

"Ok Let's fold the paper" says Archana

And once the paper is folded and we step on the paper, my breath hitches, I have never been this close to him before and when I say close I mean standing and facing him with my chest pressed against his, not to forget me starting to have feelings for him is definitely not helping me. Once I make eye contact with him I avert my gaze quickly feeling heat creep up my neck.

"Eyes on me Bangaram" he says and letting out a sigh I look up. I resist the urge to avert my eyes. After a minute the paper was folded again, this time only one person could stand on it, so first he stood and gestured to me to come. I look at him confused, not understanding what he means.

"Step on my toes" he says.

I am not sure if I want to do that. I shake my head telling him I won't do it, he rolls eyes and grabs my wrist and pulls me towards him because of the sudden pull I step on his foot and I grab his suit with my free hand to not fall by the sudden impact, after pulling me towards him he sets his hands on my waist and I tense.

It looks like we are in our own world figuring how to stand while everyone who are watching us, are making a lot of noise. 'Damn I want this game to be done'

"I should thank you for this opportunity Bangaram" he says and I glare at him

"Shut up" I say

"Ok time up, now last fold let's see if you will be able to complete it" comes the voice from behind and I immediately move away from him, I could hear my own heart beat. I was in my own thoughts that I didn't pay attention to my surroundings. But suddenly I was being lifted into the air, I let out a sequel and my hands automatically flew around the person's neck.

I look at the person who just now lifted me in bridal style with wide eyes while all he does is wink at me 'He and his winks'

And after we complete the task Archana teases us a bit and praises Anish a bit for the efforts.

"Now that you guys have completed the task, I want you guys to propose to each other" she says and everyone hoots in approval "See everyone agrees and don't give us a normal proposal make it a bit interesting like singing or reading a poem..."

Anish was the first one to reply to this he lets out a sad long sigh and says "I don't think someone would like that"

Archana looks confused "She didn't accept my proposal so I don't think she would do it" he says with a sad face

'Dramatic Ass' I think to myself.

After understanding the situation, she gives me a disapproving look saying how disappointing it is that I didn't accept his proposal when he is such a lovely guy and cute guy. Anish looks offended when he hears her say the word cute. I just roll my eyes at their behavior.

"I'm sorry Anish anna for my friend's ignorance, we can't do anything about it..." I scoff at her words "... now we won't waste much of your time is there any request for us, today is your day we will try to keep you entertained" she says

"Actually I have a request"

"What is it"

"I want Bang- I mean Swecha to sing for me" he says

"Ok, consider it done" She says and looks at me while I shake my head. she stands beside me and pleads"Swecha please you are good at singing right please"

I let out a sigh. I mean yeah it is not a big request he just wants me to sing. Maybe I could even give him some clues that I am starting to feel a few things right. Yeah that's good. So I tell her that I will sing.

Luckily one of our classmates has a guitar, so I borrowed it from them. I already had a song in mind so once I was ready I started...

Bade achche lagte hain (It's all so beautiful)

Yeh dharti, yeh nadiya, yeh raina (This earth, this river, this night)

Aur, tum... (and,you)

Hum tum kitne paas hain

Kitne door hain chaand sitare (We're so close to each other but the moon and the stars are far from us)

Sach poochho to maan ko (x2) (To tell you the truth they all look fake to me)

Magar sachche lagte hain (But what seems real to be are)

Yeh dharti, yeh nadiya, yeh raina (This earth, this river, this night)

Aur? (and) everyone screams aur here making me smile

Aur, tum... (and, you)

I sang the last lines looking at Anish but others did make a lot of sound when I started to sing this song. But he seems to not understand the lyrics because he looks clueless

"Umm Swecha I don't know hindi can you sing telugu songs" he asks hesitantly.

I just blink my eyes rapidly not knowing what to say 'ok no problem he just doesn't know hindi let's sing a telugu song' This time I start to sing a telugu song

Asalipudu nee kanna ghanudu lokana kanabaduna manishai

Adi jaragadani ila aduguvesina ninu valachina manasai

Prathi kshanamu kshanamu nee anuvu anauvulanu kalagannadi naa eye

Inni kalala falithamuna kalsinavu nuvvu theeyati ee nijamai

Naa chethini vedani nee thanuvai

Naa gonthuni verani peru nuvvai

Thadi pedhavula thalukavana navvu-navvana

Entha madhuram,,,

Poolane kunukeyamanata thanu vachenanta thanu vachenanta

(I wonder if any other great person than you look like a human to me now

My heart knows that is never going to happen and has stepped out and started loving you

My eyes have dreamt of every inch of you each and every second..

And as the result of all those dreams yes you have come as a sweet truth

Your body never leaves my hand..

my voice never forgets your name..

Can I become a sparkle of your wet lips by becoming a smile

How sweet it is!

I will ask the flowers to go to sleep, because she came, because she came..)

Everyone applauded but this person still seems to be not satisfied I look at him irritated and ask "What is it now"

"I want you to sing this song" he says, showing a song not caring about what I just sang, I purse my lips 'great, people are giving me disappointed looks that I didn't accept his proposal'. Suppressing my irritation I give him a forced smile and nod my head. The song he requested was from a recent movie 'Hi nanna'.

Anuko Lopalaa

Ayipothundhante Choodalaa (just determine it and see it will be done just like that)

Venake Nee Kalaa

Raavaalsindhe Needalaa (your dreams has to come follow you like a shadow)

Oo Kotte Urumulake

Chepatte Chinukulake (listen to the thunders and spread your hands for the rain drops)

Maarindhokka Varnaalugaa

Vandhellalaa Saagipovaalaa (like a seven color, must flourish them for hundred years)

Hey Hey, Needhe Needhe Needhe

Ningi Nela Needhe (both the sky and earth is yours)

Ninne Nuvvu Nammaavante

Andham Theledhe (if you believe in yourself nothing is impossible to reach)

Needhe Needhe Needhe

Neelo Praanam Needhe (The life inside you is yours)

Neekee Dhairyam Unnannaallu

Nee Navvai Thoduntaadhe (as long as you have that courage in you, your smile will always be with you)

I smile to myself after understanding why he wanted me to sing this song, but he doesn't know one thing, I always thought that there was no reason for happiness before, everything in my life has always been a mess, no I let it stay like that because I never found any reason to stay happy or even wished for staying happy. I started to believe that I am the problem because everyone constantly showed me my flaws. They made me believe that the things I am good at are not important.

But you make me feel seen, you make it seem like all my flaws are nothing, I am loveable just the way I am. You gave me the peace that I have always been looking for.

I look at him with a full blown smile on my face which he reciprocates. So thank you Anish for pushing your way into my life, for arguing with me into doing things I would have never done if you didn't force me to do. Thank you for existing.

'I love you'  

______________________

Finally, she is in love damn it took her 30 Chapters to fall in love... But I must say Anish is a bit Dense,  he is unable to take a hint. What do you guys think?? 

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