Chapter 3 - The Contract

Taking off his tank top, he poured water all over his head to cool off while he heard girls cheering wooing behind him at the benches. Chuckling at that he ran towards the guy who was dribbling the ball and snatched it from him while he ran to make a three-pointer. When it was perfectly going through the basket another round of cheering started.

After the game, Ayaan showered and reached the cafeteria. He ordered snacks for himself and lazily started munching when Nikhil sat next to him and stole fries from Ayaan and got a smack on the back of his hand.

“Ow! Why so hard bro?”

“Because you need to buy your own snacks, you idiot.”

Annoyed Ayaan replied to him while Nikhil stood up to buy snacks.

“So what’s the verdict?”

Ayaan didn’t realize that Ron already has taken a seat next to him causing him to jump a bit.

“What the- why do you have to be a ghost?”

Ron chuckled and stole a couple of spring rolls from Ayaan.

“The hell-”

“You didn’t let me eat them but you gave it to me and asked me to buy my own now this brat is hoging over your plate.”

Ron chuckled while Ayaan slid his plate towards him in frustration causing both Nikhil and Ron to laugh at him.

“Either way, when did you start dating this Sparsh girl?”

Ayaan’s muscles got tensed and he looked away thinking what to answer.

“Umm… uh… a week ago. Uh… that reminds me, it’s our weekversary. Let’s throw a party. Niks, can you ask your uncle to book the club.”

Nikhil picked up his phone and scrolling through it while sipping his latte.

“Sure but why should I do it you ungrateful brat?”

“Because I do all the cooking.”

Nikhil zipped his mouth as he knows Ayaan does cleaning all the time in the house. He called up his uncle and asked him to book the club for him.

“How come you are attracted to Sparsh when you always have liked those barbies either way.”

Ayaan sighed and closed his eyes for a bit and all he could see was those doe-like eyes filled with fear. He just thought that he could just show off his father that no one is perfect. That top scholar of his college dates him because of his status. He even went to the admin department and got her number and address to meet her. But coincidently he found her the next day at the parking area of their institute. Even though she feared those bullies, a weird kind of fire lit her doe-like eyes making him pulling towards her further like a magnet draws iron. If he didn’t hold her at the right moment she would have broken her head over the vehicle behind her. He didn’t understand what she is fearing the most, but at the moment, Sparsh seems like someone he could feel comfortable with.

“... what?”

He felt someone clap next to him to grab his attention causing him to snap out of his thoughts.

“I asked you I booked the club for us, now what? Where is your head doofus?”

Ayaan shook his head and blinked his eyes to get rid of the thoughts filled with Sparsh. She is quite an invader in his thoughts today. All the time he was in his boring classes her brunette locks, her doe-like eyes, her cute button-like nose and dainty and tiny hands. The way her body fits perfectly in his arms- Ugh!

“What now what? You both spread the news and I will make arrangements.”

Ayaan stood up and ran out of the cafeteria while Ron and Nikhil looked at each other and shrugged. They took their phone and started to text people about the party. What they didn’t notice was that a guy was eavesdropping.

Thank god there is no one on the institution premises at the moment. Or else Sparsh would have died with suffocation and not to mention every single person eyeing her and asking her various questions also taunting her. Now that there is no one, it feels like safe haven.

“Where are you going?”

Ayaan startled her causing her to stumble back and just like before Ayaan quickly saved her by catching her in his arms. She could hear her heartbeats thudding out loud and feel her breaths coming out short. Ayaan quickly stood her up and made her stable while Sparsh was still in a daze. She was supposed to hate the male population here but this whole scenario is making everything opposite.

“I… umm...”

“Either way, we have a party to attend tonight so let’s-”

“But I need to be home-”

Ayaan shut her by holding out an envelope right in front of her face causing her eyes to widen.

“I knew you would give this kind of lame excuse hence I have come, prepared girlfriend. Now here is a contract, which states what all you are supposed to do. Read it and sign it fast.”

Sparsh checked through the pages as fast as she could but he took the papers away from her.

“Gosh! You are slow for a scholar. Okay let me read out… hmm… here it is… by signing this agreement, the employee has agreed to do everything that the employer asks them to. A breach in the contract leads to consequences like remuneration of the amount of 30 lakhs or in this case the employer may lead the employee to court in a fraud case… Hmm… now look at this. It’s a very important clause. No real intimate contact or relationship must be in between both parties. If done so, both the parties must never meet each other. Now that I have made everything clear, sign it ASAP.”

He held the papers in front of her and she staggered back with uncertainty and fear. Contract or not, she feels that Ayaan is going to be a huge trouble in her life and she doesn’t want to invite such troubles at any moment.

“Sign it damnit! We have a party to attend.”

She hurriedly signed the papers as he raised his tone and maintained distance while extending her arms to give them back. He grabbed her wrist instead of papers and pulled her with a force that she collided to his chest with a gasp.

“Now my fake girl let’s hit the party.”