The morning sky remained dim in the morning, and the sun was shrouded by the clouds.
The cool breeze swept through Akhil’s house gently lifting curtains on the windowsill.
A few crows stood on the rooftop, cawing loudly.
Akhil remained on his bed, his eyes reflecting his reluctance to get up early in the morning.
Still, he gritted his teeth and stood up reluctantly using every ounce of energy he had.
He walked toward the bathroom, picked up his toothbrush, and applied an adequate amount of toothpaste on it.
He brushed his teeth while staring at his reflection in the mirror.
His hair tumbled across his face, and after brushing his teeth, he moved on to take a shower.
The cool water poured over him, slowly washing away his morning drowsiness.
Five minutes later,
He stepped out of his bathroom, and his damp hair clung to his forehead.
He opened the cupboard and selected a pair of black pants and light blue shirt.
After he freshened up, he stepped out of his room to the dining hall.
He sat on the chair while munching on the bread his mother had set on the table and saw a small note beside his breakfast.
Eat your breakfast and go to college early.
Be careful on your way.
Love you, Mom.
This was the content of the note his mother had left behind, Akhil was confused because he didn’t know where his mother had gone so early in the morning.
He didn’t dwell on it much as he quickly ate his breakfast and left for college.
At college,
Akhil entered his classroom, which was as usual bustling with the energy of the students.
He sat on the bench, and his friends had already arrived before him.
All of his friends were talking in hushed voices, their expressions showed astonishment and bewilderment.
Akhil tapped Rajesh on the shoulder, a curious expression appearing on his face.
He was wondering what they would be talking about.
Rajesh startled when Akhil tapped him, and turned around with a nervous look.
When he saw it was Akhil, his expression relaxed and softened involuntarily.
“Akhil, it’s you.
Don’t scare me like that.
My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.”
Akhil chuckled, waving his hands in the air.
“Why do you look like someone who has stolen money?”
Sanjay’s face brightened as he waved Akhil over.
Akhil leaned his head toward him.
Sanjay recounted everything he had just told Mukhi and Rajesh.
After he finished speaking, he looked at Akhil, waiting for amazement and bewilderment to appear on his face.
Akhil took in what he had said and calmly replied.
“That’s it?
You disappointed me.”
His face showed profound disappointment.
Sanjay blinked once, then twice.
He grabbed Akhil by the collar and bellowed.
“Bastard, don’t do that just to spite me?”
“What I said was genuinely interesting.”
Akhil sighed as he said with a wry smile.
“The fact Mira rejected someone isn’t earth-shattering news.”
“Why should I be astonished?”
Sanjay emphasized every word.
“No, it’s not just someone.
He looked like a rich kid.
He drove to college in a car.”
“Do you hear me?”
“I said car.”
“His clothes are also super expensive.”
“Just think.
If she rejected someone who was richer, then she must also have a pretty big background.”
“If only we could cling to her legs, then we wouldn’t have to worry about money.”
Akhil frowned in disgust, but when he thought about how he was taking advantage of Divya, his face flushed with embarrassment and shame.
Sanjay suddenly realized how Akhil had gotten help from Mira and his own expression shifted slightly.
He glared at Akhil, who was staring back at him with a confused expression.
“Akhil”
Sanjay spoke, his voice trembling slightly as he couldn’t believe the absurdity of his thoughts.
“You and Mira aren’t dating, are you?”
Mukhi and Rajesh were both stunned by Sanjay’s sudden question.
Meanwhile, Akhil himself was flabbergasted.
He pointed at himself in disbelief.
“Me”
“Dating Mira?”
He shook his head repeatedly.
“Impossible.
I’ve only talked to her once.”
“Don’t spout nonsense.”
Just as they were talking, a beautiful girl approached their bench.
“Akhil”
Akhil turned around in confusion, and he saw Mira standing in front of him.
“What is it?”
Even though he was puzzled by her sudden appearance, he still asked her as it was rude to just stare at her.
Mira furrowed her brow hesitantly.
“Can we step out for a bit?
I want to talk to you alone.”
Sanjay’s face twisted with fury as he looked at Akhil.
After thinking for a moment, Akhil agreed with no hesitation.
“Sure.”
They walked outside under the resentful gazes of his friends.
After reaching the corridor where only a few students were present, they stopped.
Akhil began, his voice calm and unperturbed as if being with a girl alone was no big deal for him.
“So, what do you need me for?”
There was no expectation on his face.
His gaze locked onto her.
Mira’s resolve strengthened further after seeing him completely calm in front of her.
She spoke with a serious expression.
“Akhil, I want to participate in the exhibition being held at Anna University.
But the requirement is that each team must have two people.
I have already completed the project needed for the exhibition.
You just need to come with me.”
Akhil listened to her words, and a hint of surprise appeared on his face.
“Why are you asking me when there are clearly multiple students who would be eager to participate alongside you?”
Mira said with a wry smile.
“Well, I certainly can.
But all boys and girls treat me like I’m some royalty.
Some even take it as a sign to get closer to me.”
“And I can tell you will treat me just like everyone else.
I will be more comfortable with you than with anyone else.”
Akhil found himself agreeing to her words as he had just seen how his friends were speaking about Mira rejecting someone as such big news.
He took a moment to think whether he could help her or not.
Since she had helped him before, he nodded as he didn’t mind helping her.
“Okay.”
Mira let out a sigh of relief.
“Thank you.”
She smiled gratefully.