Manya entered her college premises and sighed. It was her last year. One more year and all of this would be just memories. Close friends will become distant. All these after college adventures will become beautiful and teary memories.

She had one year. One year to cherish it all. To enjoy to the fullest. To make more memories with her friends. With him.

They were in different sections but shared a common group of friends. She has had a crush on him during the first year of their course. Then, her feelings started getting stronger and stronger and now, an year later, she was sure she was in love with him.

She sometimes thought that even he felt something for her. The way he reacted when their friends teased them about each other. But once alone, he would go back to as if nothing ever happened. Like he was and always has been only her friend and felt nothing out of the box.

As usual, they were gathered in a class for lunch.

"Oyee! Kabira? Kya laaya hai aaj? Badi achhi khushboo hai."

One of their friends asked him.

"Pav bhaji hai aaj."

"Arre waah! Khol na phir!"

And in the next two minutes, his lunch was attacked and finished.

"Oyee! Ek piece chhodo! Kamine saale saare ke saare."

Kabir shouted, saving one of the pieces of the bread. He passed the lunch silently towards Manya who looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Tumne taste nhi kia."

He said and she smiled shaking her head.

"Tumne bhi toh nhi kia na. Have it. Ek hi bacha hai waise bhi."

"Koi na! We'll share."

He said and tore the bread in two parts passing one to her. Their friends watched the conversation with rapt interest and attention. Just as Manya took the piece in her mouth, she heard loud hoots.

"Ohhhoooo! Kabira! Not bad! Hume gaali aur uske saath sharing and all."

Manya blushed and lowered her lashes while Kabir smiled sheepishly.

"Nothing like that. Tum log sab khaa chuke the. Wo aur mai bache the."

"Sure Kabir! We believe you."

Manya closed her eyes. He didn't feel anything for her. Why did their friends tease them always?

She had made peace with the fact that nothing could ever happen between them. He was way out of her league.

Manya, with her hair cascading in loose curls and glasses perched delicately on her nose, had an aura of quiet intelligence. Kabir, on the other hand, exuded a carefree charm with his tousled hair and easygoing smile.

Their internals were near. Manya found a secluded corner in the library, hoping to immerse herself in her studies. She had to maintain the grades. It was the last and the most crucial year. In the final semester, companies will be coming for interviews and offering jobs.

Just as she began to lose herself in a world of words, Kabir appeared, holding a stack of books.

"Hey, mind if I join you? All the other spots are taken."

Kabir asked looking around trying to prove his point that he had no other place to go to. Manya, blushed but composed, nodded.

Kabir took his place beside her. The desks were not very big and Kabir was a good, muscular guy. She looked too tiny in front of him.

As they settled into a comfortable silence, their hands brushed accidentally, sending a jolt of electricity through both of them. Neither dared to speak, but their hearts raced.

Manya tried to keep him from seeing her very evident blush. While Kabir prayed mentally that she wouldn't hear his loud heartbeat.

The internals went smooth. Their college had organized a one day campus camp and their whole group had registered for the same. They had enrolled in various activities.

The camp was in full swing, with booths, games, and performances. Unknown to Manya and Kabir, their friends had signed them up for a three-legged race without telling them.

"It's time for the three-legged race now! We request all the participants to please come forward and take their positions."

The announcement was made and their friends looked at each other and grinned.

"Kya? Tum logo ne bhi part lia hai kya?"

Kabir asked, looking at their weird gazes to each other. One of their friends came forward with a red cloth, similar to the ones the other participants were trying on their legs.

"Humne nhi, but you guys."

He said mischievously. Kabir frowned as he handed the cloth to Kabir.

"Which guys? Me? Aur kaun?"

"You and Manya."

"What?"

He asked shocked and Manya too looked at them wide eyed. Three-legged race? With him? She had not even held hands with him.

"Wait, we have to do this together?"

She asked Kabir as they took their place near the race area.

"Looks like it. Ready?"

Kabir asked and bent down to tie the cloth on both of their legs. Manya stumbled a little as one of legs got tied with one of his.

Kabir stood up after securing the cloth and snaked his arm around her waist. Manya shivered and gulped. His hand felt warm. Too warm. And too cozy. She liked it there.

"Ready?"

He whispered near her ear and she looked up at him. His eyes always held a mysterious depth in them. They made her want to drown in them. And stay there.

She nodded and he tightened his hold on her waist. Her arm too went around his waist and she clutched his shirt holding herself stable.

She didn't want them to fall on their faces because of her. The countdown started and Kabir and Manya shared a determined look before looking ahead and taking a stance.

As they stumble and laugh their way through the race, their friends cheer them on, capturing every moment on their phones. The shared experience brings them closer, and their laughter echoes long after the race is over.

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