7 years ago;
Sitting in the last seat near the window, she was looking at her crush having a good laugh with his friends. It was their break period and like every twelfth grader would do, they finished their lunch way before their actual break.
Fact.
"Stop daydreaming and confess to him," Anjali poked her friend, stopping her from fantasizing about her crush, "You'll do the same once you are in love." "Oh please, Sam, these feelings and crushes are way out of my league, so I prefer to stay away." Anjali passed a scoffed look.
"You will fall in love, soon," Samaira said, pointing at her friend.
"Yeah, yeah whatever, I am leaving for the library, do you want a book?" I nodded looking at Anjali, "Yes, 'Gone with the wind' if it is still available." Anjali gave Samaira a nod and left.
Samaira took a deep sigh facing towards the window, a small smile formed on her lips as she remembered the first time she met him, and almost broke their heads.
Samaira was heading towards the staff room to submit the chemistry project files; that she was asked to collect. Having a mountain of files in front of her face it was impossible for her to look forward and as she always carries a little bad luck with her, she bumped into someone, falling on her butt.
It was a miracle that she didn't hurt her head. Samaira was brought back to reality when she heard someone groaning in pain. "Oww, my head." And She widened her eyes realizing that she had her head saved but not the other person.
She lifted her head to see a boy holding his head in pain. His eyes squinted and his sharp jaw clenched. Standing up, she took steps towards him. She was hesitating a bit, but he was in pain.
"Hey, take my hand," she asked gently, hoping not to offend him. Hearing her his jaw loosened a bit and he opened his eyes to look at her.
Those honey-brown doe eyes became her weakness since that day. His eyes showed pure innocence but that craziness of a kid, captured her heart the very next second.
He took her hand and stood up stumbling a bit but managed himself.
"I am sorry, I didn't realize someone was in front of me. I would have avoided this but the fi—" "Ah! That's fine, I too wasn't looking" she smiled a bit and handed him the papers he was carrying. "Is your head fine, I mean it hit pretty hard, I guess?"
She asked as she squatted to collect the files before they created more mess, he dropped on his knees helping her, "I am fine, yeah it hit hard, but it was an accident so it doesn't matter. Let's have a proper introduction."
He said as he took half of the bundle. "I'll manage, you can leave." Trying her best not to embarrass herself further. "That's fine, I don't want anyone else to hit their head on the floor, it's risky."
He said with a teasing smirk, and she glared at him. "Hey! I told you, it was an accident." He chuckled a bit, "I know, I am just kidding. By the way, I am Aarush Bakshi, a transferred student who just joined today."
He said forwarding his hand for a handshake and she responded by placing her hand in his extended one.
"I am Samaira Malhotra, and welcome to Jamnabai Narsee School." "Well, that was quite a welcome. I was searching for class Tenth-A, please guide me," he said with an arched eyebrow.
"You are my classmate," she said with a bit of excitement because he will be her classmate, "I would have helped you, but I have to submit these files before the next period starts," she answered and pressed her lips in a thinned line.
"It's okay, let's first help you then you can return the favor by helping me." He winked and she chuckled a bit "You are quite a gentleman, Mr. Bakshi." Sarcasm was clear in her voice. "Oh, I am born gentlemen Ms. Malhotra." He said with a hint of playfulness in his voice. They laughed all the way and walked off.
The only conversation that went that long. After that day, Aarush and Samaira had almost no interactions. The only conversations they always had were related to the competitions they were selected for, together.
It was difficult getting his attention because of the girls pooling around him. The attention he received was something he enjoyed but was the reason for Samaira's jealousy. It was way too hard to find moments where she can watch him peacefully without being suspicious.
One such moment was their games period, where along with all the girls Samaira too cheered for him. The only time she could admire him without being obvious. But that pang of jealousy stayed with her from her tenth grade to even now.
One day, everyone had to leave for the computer lab for some practice, but she wasn't feeling well, so the teacher allowed her to stay in class. Anjali insisted on staying but Samaira sent her off. She didn't want her to miss anything because of her.
After everyone left, she kept her head low on the table trying to ease the pain in my stomach when she felt someone sitting beside her. Without looking at the person, Samaira spoke. "Leave for the class, Anjali, I am fine."
She grunted a little as there was a spike of pain in her lower abdomen. "Anjali is in the class Samaira, but you were missing. So, I came to check on you."
She snapped her head to her side to see Aarush beside her with a worried look plastered on his face. "I... um Aarush, w-why are you here?" She mentally cursed herself for stuttering in front of him. "I am asking what happened to you?"
He asked, completely ignoring her question. She sighed and decided to answer. "It is just period cramps. I will be fine soon you can leave." She said but he removed his coat and placed it on her lap.
"Keep it, it will give heat and will reduce the pain." She couldn't utter a word after what he did. She didn't wear her own coat that day because she forgot in haste to reach school on time.
But his actions fluttered her heart to the extent that she thought it would jump out of the ribcage. He soon left the class after asking her to rest and assured her that he will share his notes with her.
It was difficult to hide her blush because she was red as a tomato but was grateful that he left.
Soon the bell rang, stopping her train of thoughts, indicating that it was the English period next and the time where she could be alone with Aarush in the library.
They were having a debate competition soon and were asked by the authorities to devote the second half of the school time to it. She gathered her bag and stuff leaving for the library, taking a glance at Aarush who was still busy with his friend. She sighed and left.
As she reached the library, she saw Anjali still immersed in the book, so she patted her shoulder. "Anjali, it's English period now, go or else you'll be scolded. "She looked up to Samaira still in a daze and blinked her eyes.
"Oh shit! yeah." She stood up to leave and handed her the book she asked for. But before leaving Anjali nudged her elbow and teased her.
"Enjoy your time with Aarush...." "Leave," Samaira said, rolling her eyes at Anjali and taking her seat.
Samaira kept her head on the table and closed her eyes, reminiscing every moment of her and Aarush's interaction.
The whole twelfth grade was invited as the spectator of the basketball match and this news spread like a wildfire soon making a crowd in the ground. It was one of the moments they received where they didn't have to sit in a boring lecture waiting for time to pass. When all were having the time of their life, Samaira was sulking sitting in the classroom still saddened over the fact that Aarush was absent. The reason was something she wasn't aware of. Even though he was the captain of the Basketball team of their school, he was granted leave even for the match because Manik was there to take the lead behind Aarush's absence.
Samaira remembered showing tantrums to her friend because she couldn't have a look at her crush for the mere reason being he was absent. That day, went in a sour mood for her. Not going to lie, these days she was attending school only to have glances of Aarush.
Samaira raised her head and decided to read the book she had in her hand to pass the time until Aarush arrived. An hour passed but there was no sign of Aarush, she sighed in defeat and closed the book which she was reading, ready to leave when she heard someone panting.
"Sorry, I am so sorry, it slipped my mind". She looked behind to find Aarush standing at the door of the library looking breathless and all sweaty. Nevertheless, he still looked smoking hot.
She gained her senses before she embarrassed herself. "I... that's fine, don't worry" When he politely asked her for permission to sit beside her, her devils even in their wildest dreams would never say NO.
She couldn't help to notice his sparkling honey brown eyes and a wide smile when she nodded saying yes.
"Samaira, your face is so red" She widened her eyes hearing him and looked the other way. 'How can my face not be red if he is sitting so close to me?' She squinted her eyes knowing she was a whole pack of embarrassment.
"I am... fine, yeah fine, let's continue." "Okay".
"Let's add this point, 'Democracies are leading the way in all these areas. It's not rocket science: giving people a voice in government provides them with more dignity and improves the quality of decision-making.
The overall result is better for everyone.' "She nodded her head clearly impressed with the point, "Aarush, I thought of adding this just after the point you mentioned, 'Decisions taken in a democracy are based on discussions and consultations held with various stakeholders. On the flip side, it may take more time, but the big advantage is that when multiple people are involved in decision making, the possibilities of making impulsive, rash decisions, irresponsible and wrong decisions will be avoided.' What do you say?"
He was deep in thought but soon he smiled, "You are right, actually we can just merge both the points to make it look more presentable." "And to end the point let's say, 'There is no guarantee that Governments will not make mistakes. There is no guarantee that mistakes will not happen in a democracy. On the positive side, mistakes done cannot be hidden for long in a democracy, democracy gives space for civilized public discussions and debates on the mistakes. Democracy gives room for rectifying the errors or mistakes.', this way it won't look overrated and will express our view more easily."
"Yeah, it works awesome." Saying this they got immersed in clubbing their points to finalize the debate script.
His thighs were meeting hers every time he moved a little, she was losing her mind every second as his touch created a spark, he wasn't aware of. She started feeling intimidated by him sitting beside her. A bunch of different feelings was exploding in her. The conversation between them has never flowed so beautifully since the day they first met.
"I guess this much enough, they won't even have points against us," "I agree, but still, let's have a few bonus points so even if they have some counter-attacks, we won't be lost". She said while Aarush had his full concentration on her face.
"You are correct, let's be prepared for anything and everything, "
She nodded and looked at him, and that sudden eye contact, 'Shit! I should have kept my face low. It's so embarrassing'. But who is she to look away, it's a once-a-lifetime opportunity to have him look at her, and she is getting that without interruption?
"You have a mole under your lips, it looks beautiful" She parted her lips to speak but of course, who said there won't be any interruption, the school bell rang indicating the end of school hours, and end of their conversation.
She had so much to say, so much to express but she was nervous and now the bell took away her chance.
He got up to leave, "well, let's continue this later, bye, take care," saying he waved and left. She wanted a little more time but that was beyond her reach. She took a deep breath, grabbing her stuff, she too left the library and then school.