Nora Steave

Nora couldn't help but mulled over the situation over and over again. Despite thinking in every way, she could not understand why Mike would want to help her out. She had nothing to give. Moreover at the moment she found Parth nothing but a lunatic.

The way, not just other students in the college but also his own close friend described him was very strange. She realises her mistake and knows that if that had happened to her, she too would have been very angry at that person, but to this point? Makes no sense to her.

'Honk'

'Honk'

She was still in her middle of her thoughts when she heard a continuous honking from her back.

Unhurriedly she looked back at the car. At one glance she could tell who that car belongs to. However the owner shouldn't be present in the city. She slowly walked forward to the shotgun seat window.

Ryan lowered the windshield. "Where is your attention? I have honked number of times." He asked.

"Sorry. I was distracted. How may I help you?"

"Why so formal? And it's not safe to be distracted this much while you are on the road. And where is your mask?"

Nora didn't say anything to that reply. It's true what he said, but so many things happened. She couldn't forget everything at once. Her distraction was inevitable for her. And the... She lost it.

To her no comment face, Ryan didn't persist and continued. "Anyway get in. Let's go for lunch to celebrate your admission."

"There's nothing to celebrate. And I should go back too."

"You are not going anywhere. Get in, there's a lot to celebrate. Fast, the road is getting jammed because of us."

Nora hesitated a little, but hearing continuous honking she quietly got in.

On their way to the restaurant Ryan concernedly looked at her number of times. Earlier he did not just see Nora contemplating alone but also saw Mike's friendly push to her.

He was a little bewildered by their sudden closeness. He knows one thing for sure that Nora isn't familiar with Mike Miller, but why would they look so close to each other then? He followed her from there only, but Nora couldn't hear his calls.

"Something happened?" He asked.

"No."

"You didn't like the college?"

"Good."

"Students?" He dubiously asked.

"Everything is good." Nora simply replied.

"Are you really okay?"

"Yes Ryan nothing happened."

"..." He felt sad to hear her answer.

It's quite evident that she is in trouble or has some worries to contemplate about. But she chose to not share it with him. He understands the fact that their bond is still not that strong enough to actually share each other's problems. But being left out this clearly from her life is still a dejected feeling for him.

"... Nora." He gently calls her name.

Without looking at his direction she hummed. "Hmm?"

"I hope you know that I am here for you. You can share your problems with me anytime."

Nora halted with her movements. Turning slight to her right she nodded with an awkward look. "Thank you. But I am all good."

***

"What's the result?" Parth looked at Mike with a scrunched gaze.

Mike passed the file he arranged for Parth. "This is all you will need."

Aman sitting beside Parth also checked the file to know more about Nora. Her character made him curious about her more and more.

However, reading the file about her made him more curious. Not because of the details but because of how main details were missing.

"Huh? Why is there no personal information?" The only information that file carried was her basic information related to her phone number, date of birth, religion and in the end all her information related to college and her class schedules. Those details were something that can be available to anyone on social networking sites even.

"Because we don't do that kind of business Aman." Mike replied.

"Ohh." Aman had a regretting pout on his lips but he didn't dawdle. With a forced smile he asked anyway. "But aren't you curious about her character? Because I am very much."

"I am not. I know her."

"What do you mean by that?"

"We are friends now."

"What!" Aman exclaimed loudly.

Parth's eyes instantly darkened. Rolling her tongue he smirked at Mike. "Friends? When did you guys become friends?"

"Just this afternoon. We had a nice chat. I proposed my friendship and she gladly accepted."

"Yet you didn't bring her to me."

"Well you both are my friends now. I don't know whom to side with anymore."

"Are you playing with me now Mike?"

"I wouldn't dare Parth... But you tell me. Who would you choose between me and Aman."

"Right now definitely Aman."

"Aiyyaa That hurts. Thank goodness i didn't surrender my friend Nora to you."

"Why don't you go and join her then? You guys will stay together forever." Parth commented angrily.

"But I love you more."

"Get lost."

Although he is no one to decide Mike's or Aman's friendship with others, but no friend would like his friend to make a bound with someone who is his or her enemy. And that girl Nora is his newest enemy. And on top of that, Mike extended his friendship right after she slapped him.

While both Mike and Parth were fighting, Aman checked the regular email he got as a time pass. However the details in that hurriedly make him inform Parth between the fight. "Amm Parth, our investment is doing great but it's still risky."

"After a week, pull it out." Parth simply replied.

"Huh? Won't it affect them a lot?" Aman asked worriedly. If they pull out their investment so suddenly, it will affect that company in a big way.

Parth carelessly shook his head in denial. "They won't be. Someone is waiting for an opportunity to invest in them."

"And we are giving him that?"

"Hmm." He nodded nonchalantly.

Aman couldn't help but roll his eyes with exhaustion. "I hope you know that your words never make sense to me."

"Then you must know I don't care."

All three of them started talking business. All three of them like Ryan were doing their Masters from the same college, from where Nora was doing her graduation. There was a gap of three years between them.

Their majors are the same but the buildings are different. Among them only Ryan is the one who is in his second year of masters. All four of them have also done their graduation from the same college. In college they were not just famous for their looks and backgrounds, but also because of their spectacular academic results.

"Amm Parth." Aman worriedly looked at his friend.

"What?"

"The video of you being slapped is going viral. There were a lot of people who made a video of that whole scene. It will be hard to handle it so soon."

Mike agreed. There were not just a few or even in the tens or twenties. But there were more than fifties. From every different angle.

"I think you shouldn't go out without a mask at least for today." Aman added.

"?" Parth frowned at his advice. "What do you mean?"

"Your right cheek is all swollen and red. It won't help us either. She hit you too hard, man."

'Clack.' The pen Parth was holding on, instantly broke into two pieces. "Nora Steave."