~Sanvi's POV~
After that very motivational speech by Father, I was walking towards the Library when I spotted Tanya sitting on a bench outside the garden, looking deep in her thought.
The girl was in my own section and most of the time, she remained quiet in class. I had never actually seen her speak except to answer questions. I had no idea she was dating Aakash.
Well, I didn't usually have any idea about who was dating whom. But I did overhear someone speaking about Aakash's very public break-up with some girl from my section just two weeks ago.
Apparently, it was embarrassing for the girl as they had been dating for a few weeks.
I harboured pity for the girl.
Usually, I would have brushed past her without a word but that day, I felt like speaking to her.
"Hey.." I seemed to have broken her train of thought because she looked pretty rattled at my greeting.
She must've been taken aback at seeing me speak to her.
I was the djinn in the bottle, of course.
"Hey...Sanvi." Still, she smiled politely although I looked positively awkward.
I noticed the application form in her hand.
"You haven't filled it up yet?" I enquired and she looked down at her hand, sighing.
"No..."
"Why not?" Wow, wasn't I a treasure of questions today?
She closed her eyes with a pained expression.
"All of these seem so sudden. I don't know what to do..."
"Why not? Don't you want to participate?" I involuntarily sat beside her as she looked up at me.
After staying silent for a moment, she answered.
"I'd be lying if I said I don't. This is such a dream come true. Being selected for the dream-team. But...being paired up with Aakash. It's daunting."
I sighed.
Of course, she was hesitant.
"I know...it must be difficult. But think of it in the positive light. You only have to somehow go through one task with him. For the combined one you'll have all of us. Besides, it is one of the biggest honour. Why would you let that asswipe destroy it?"
Tanya's lips curved up a little at my curse.
"I wish it was this simple. But I do know that I have to do this. Honestly, when Father called me up for it, I was not in the greatest state but this morning, I woke up smiling, thinking about being in something so important. I felt important. I am not going to let anything destroy this feeling." Saying so, she beamed at me, making me feel warm in my heart.
The girl was so polite and well-spoken. I wondered whether Rishabh had gotten the wrong information about her. No way on earth would a girl that decent in her right mind, go out with Aakash.
"Take it easy..." I patted her shoulder and stood up to go,
"Also, why don't you ask for a few days from Father to choose your task? Despite what he said to Aakash, you guys didn't have much time to think it over. Go talk to him and plead him for some time extension for you guys..."
"Will do. Thanks."
She nodded smilingly before I waved her bye.
**************
"What are you doing?" I poked my head out from the big shelf of books on the furthest corner or our Library.
Rishabh had made a little corner for himself beneath the big glass window that warmly lit the small arena. He was sitting with his back to the wall, between numerous books scattered all across the floor.
I smiled in amusement as he looked up to me with a piteous expression.
"I can't find anything..." He frowned and threw the book he was holding amidst the pile.
"Such a big library. You'd think they'll have some books on analytical practice. Nothing! Nada! This place is useless!"
I made way by moving a few books and sat down beside him.
"Stop badmouthing the school library when you have low IQ. You should've searched the internet for such practices palettes to begin with!" He didn't look too pleased with my judgy face.
He shrugged, pulling his legs up and supporting his arms with his knees.
"Of course you'd defend this junkyard! The school's your second home." He scoffed, carelessly leaning his head back on the window sil.
My eyes followed his sharp jawline, the slight stubble on his cheeks, a sharp nose and rested on his closed eyes. He looked ethereal.
"Yeah yeah, say whatever you want. You already know in your conscience that I am the superior one here." I joked, pulling my knees to my chest.
"Huh?" He jerked his head up and frowned at me with his twisted lips.
"You so wish, Sanvi. Remind me please..." He turned his body to face me with a haughty expression.
"....who is rank one for this session?" I rolled my eyes at his smugness.
My fingers drew random patterns on my knee which his eyes followed and he gripped my wrist in the flash of a second, making me jerk my eyes to meet his passionate ones.
************†************
To Be Continued.