Anad opened his eyes to the familiar classroom. There were others, but they might not be there. Anad only saw prof Rufus in the front, Sashi by his side, and himself. Prof Rufus was animated through his lecture on the western desert.
"The new government abolished the noble status of those old and powerful families. The greatest affected were the families deeply entrenched in the practices of old even in the changing new world. The Mirza family of the northwest was a prime example. They were nobles that ruled over the Praharein hills of the northwest. Within three days of the passing of the law, the Mirzas had all the trees of the forests of the Praharein hills cut down for timber. Within a week, the lush forests were gone, the hills turned barren. The hot winds of the northwest blew unimpeded. Wasn't long after that the western desert came to be."
"Think something good happened to him?"
Anad almost couldn't suppress the smile. Sashi was right handed, so she sat to his left. He could write with both hands, but he used the left only for the scribbling during classes.
"Maybe. That bad?"
He could see her nodding as she answered below the question.
"Worse. I almost am of the same mind as the greedy Mirzas."
"Ha Ha HA. Good thing you're not saying that out loud. I think Rufus would make a spectacle of decapitating you."
"Any other time, I'd have some doubt. Listening to him speak about being aware of the ecological consequences of our actions feels like he's talking to me. I'm sure he would definitely enjoy decapitating me."
"HA HA HA. Just a little more."
"Hey, umm, after, let's go out? To eat?"
"Sure. Pizza? And soda. I'm thirsty."
"Yeah. Sure. Pizza is good. But, thirsty? That's the effect Rufus has on you?"
"You crazy?"
"You said it."
"Not everything is related."
"Okay. Fine."
The class ended. Prof Rufus gave homework and left. With his departure, the quiet class turned up the noise. Anad didn't really speak with anyone else, but Sashi had friends. She usually stopped for a word before following after Anad. Today, she was in a rush. Without as much as a bye to her friends, she grabbed Anad's hand and rushed out. Out on the grounds, she only stopped as Anad pulled her back.
"What's going on in here?"
He poked at her head.
"Nothing," she said, shaking her head.
"Really?" He pressed, with a sneaky smile.
"What're you being all weird about?"
She was embarrassed. It was new to her, but not so alien to Anad. This wasn't his first today.
"I'm being weird?"
She knew what he meant. She couldn't answer. The best she could manage was a nod.
"And what about you," he asked.
"What about me?"
She was fidgeting. He pressed her hand in his. Usually, it was comforting. Today, it felt like teasing.
"Come on," he said, pulling her along. "I'm thirsty. And I think I can hear my stomach grumbling. Let's go. Pizza awaits."
She laughed at his impersonation of a hungry pirate. It was from some cartoon he saw as a kid. Funny as it was, the cartoon was just so wrong about pirates. Maybe that was what made it so funny.
"Anad," she called, as she pulled him back. "I meant it as more than pizza. As more than just dinner."
"What do you mean?"
He looked confused. His act was so good, she was convinced. She sighed in sorrow like she pitied herself, and embarrassment from knowing what was in her heart. She braced herself, and spat.
"I'm asking you out."
"Yeah," he agreed. "We're going out. San's. Thin crust pizza with extra cheese and extra jalapeños. And soda."
"I know. But I don't mean like that. I mean I'm asking you out."
"A date?"
They were both red and hot like bright embers. They stood staring at each other. After a while, they walked in silence, holding hands, toward San's.
They sat at their usual table in the corner. She didn't sit by him like usual, but sat across the table.
"I want to be seeing you," she said.
He nodded, even though it made no sense.
"So, a date. How did we get here," he asked.
She laughed freely. Her heart was beating hard as she gathered courage to ask him out. It hadn't gone the way she pictured. In a way, it was better. He hadn't just agreed to the date. He had even answered her unasked question. Knowing that, the embarrassment was gone along the walk to San's.
"I asked you out. You agreed. We got here."
It was an overly simplified answer. Actually, it wasn't even an answer. But then, that wasn't really a question either.
"You know what I mean," he grumbled.
"No. I don't. Why don't you say it clearly."
He squinted at her. Saw her ease. Felt foolish for the embarrassment he was still holding onto. With a sigh, he let go.
"Okay," he said. "A date between friends, like we are, requires affection. Since you so clearly pointed out that you asked me out, let's start with you. Describe your affection, please."
She froze. This wasn't unexpected. Still, she was startled by his directness. Wasn't he supposed to be embarrassed?
"I don't know. Wasn't too long ago. Realised I wanted to be with you all the time. Or, putting it another way, wanted to keep you with me all the time. That was just a short step from realising I was in love with you. Took me so long to gather the courage to ask you out."
She slipped up and hadn't realised. He wasn't feeling nice enough to keep from pointing that out.
"You love me?"
Only then did she realise what she said. All of the departed embarrassment rushed back. She devoured the pizza voraciously, to keep from answering, hoping he'd move on if it was long enough. Unfortunately, she had forgotten how persistent he could be. He didn't look away, didn't even blink, as he waited.
"Okay," she gave up. "What do you want to know? Yeah. I am in love with you. Why else would I ask you out."
"See, that was easy," he praised. "You have to be more honest. That's all."
She was pissed.
"Yeah. Let's all be honest. You agreed so readily. So, you're in love with me too. Let's discuss your affection now."
She was hoping to catch him off guard. She was destined to be disheartened. Because, he was much more comfortable and much, much more accepting of his love. He had been in love with her far longer. They had been a couple for over a year, during which time they had discussed their affection many times. He jumped back with all of the memories intact.
He smiled easily, and answered.
"Yeah, I guess I'm in love with you too. Maybe I was slow realising it. Took you asking me out. In that moment, when you asked me out, I was just, so happy. On the outside it was a moment. Inside my head, it was so much longer. Every moment of us together, from our first meeting, played at half speed so I didn't miss a detail. All of it, heading me to the one inevitable realisation. I love you."
He was supposed to be embarrassed. Instead, she was burning brighter. She even had tears streaming down her face.
"Damn you," she swore at him. "You made me cry."
"I'm sorry."
With the apology, he gently wiped away the tears. The warm touch sent shivers all through her. Her face, where he touched, was scorching. Her lips seemed permanently curved upward.
"No, I'm sorry," she apologised. "I'm happy. So, so very happy. And I'm crying. I feel like the heroine of one of your beloved romantic movies. So foolish. And so happy."
He burst out laughing.
"Tell me, why are you sitting across the table? If you were next to me, like always, I'd pull you into a hug. We'd feel so much better."
"I just wanted to see your face every second. Isn't that easier from across the table? Also, aren't dates all like this? The couple sitting across the table?"
"What crap. Why do we have to be like anyone else?"
"We are being like us. I just wanted to sit across, because we need to have a serious discussion."
"Okay. Begin."
He knew what she was going to say. He heard her once before, and hadn't forgotten a word. She nodded, and began.
"We've confessed and accepted the confessions. But before we confirm our relationship, I just want to make it clear. I don't like short entanglements. You know that. I'm very demanding. My boyfriend, it's not something I can walk away from. It's not something I can ever give up. So, make sure you're just as certain."
He paused just right, before answering.
"I know how big a deal being in love is. I promise you this. I will never stop loving you. I will be ready for whatever it takes. But I have to admit, I'm a little surprised."
"Surprised?"
He was amused by the confusion on her face.
"Yeah. Surprised. You're so blind to affection, but you realised you're in love with me."
"What do you mean, I'm blind to affection? If I didn't know you loved me too, I wouldn't have asked you out. So, I can see just fine."
"Maybe yourself, you can see. Others, you're completely blind to."
"What are you talking about?"
"Nothing. You're coming over?"
He jumped topics too quick. She could only keep up.
"Getting ideas?"
"Yeah," he agreed, surprising her. "I was thinking we'd take the day off tomorrow. Skip classes. Go to east market. Eat out. A light lunch. Buy stuff. I was thinking we'd have a second date tomorrow. I'd make noodles. Spicy, the way you like."
"And this is why I love you. You're so amazing. It's like you read my mind. Sure."
They smiled. Held hands as they walked home. The thought of home widened her smile. Home felt more home now.