The next morning, Mihran was getting ready for school. He was feeling nervous which rarely used to happen. He tried hard to be confident. Talking to the mirror, he was practicing how to confront Maryam. He wanted to meet her.
'Today, I'm gonna find her and ask her if she's the same girl I know. But, what if she doesn't remember me? Well, that's not possible. Nobody can forget me, so... Why the hell am I nervous? No, no, no, Mihran! This isn't the first time you're facing a girl, this isn't. But, hold up. What am I supposed to ask? Okay. So, let me try... "Hey, girl! Do you remember me? " Damn! It won't work. She's a Kaurian. They are sensitive people. What about... "I saved you that night! " No, no! How does that sound? So cheap! Listen, Wahid! You are just going to ask her... "Do I know you? No? " No, no! This again won't work! So... I don't have any idea what I'm going to tell her, but first of all, why does Mihran Wahid need to do all of that? Yeah man! Khudaya! Late but great. I'm just gonna avoid this temptation. This is bullshit. But, God dammit, she's so freaking gorgeous. '
Irritated Mihran jumped on the bed softly saying, 'How come I not notice her charm that night? '
He continued as if he suddenly remembered something, 'Oh, no! This feel is driving me crazy. I've never been this nervous meeting someone. What if... What if this is... love? (screams) No! Oh, God! (panics) That's a big word. I can't relate to it. Love is creepy as hell. How cheesy! Eww, no! Let's move on from the last minute. '
On the other side, Maryam was going to school with Raza. She was worried about the bullies, but decided to face them. More than that, she was thoughtful about Mihran. She had coaxed herself that even if he was studying in her school, it had got nothing to do with her. Deep down, they both wanted to meet each other. None of them knew each other's names nor did Maryam knew he was the player.
'Maryam, please. It's enough, now. It's been weeks you're not talking to me properly. My fault doesn't worth it. You know my feelings about you. Still, you behave like this to me. Why? You're the only person I'm so attached with. I admit, as always, it wasn't you but me! But now, for goodness' sakes, please stop killing me everyday. I love being with you, but please now, have mercy on me. ', Raza opened up in hurted heart. 'Tell me, what do you want me to do? Believe me, I won't act like that again. '
Maryam halted and felt miserable.
'I'm sorry. This is all i can say. I'm very sorry. I always respected your feelings, but didn't know how to face it. So, I never faced you. I'm just... really, really sorry. ', she sadly said.
'I don't force you. I just want to say you mean a lot to me. You mean (holds her hands) so much to me. '
'Forgive me. ', she apologized to end this daily trauma.
'You're the forgiver. '
She held on a moment and said, 'I forgive you. But, Raza, we have no future together. '
'I know... But, can't we be friends, at least? '
'Sure. But, just friends. It's good for both of us. '
'I'm never going to make you feel uncomfortable, I promise. '
Everybody reached school. In the first period, Mihran was with a classmate of his in the library hideout, playing his 'Touch game'. Maryam was glad with her reunion with Raza. The same day, it was Physics class in Maryam's class. The teacher was giving lecture. Students were listening to him sincerely. Suddenly, somebody entered the class with permission. It was Mihran. It had been a long time since he walked in, so everybody awed in surprise. He lit up everyone's day. His charm was just like that. Maryam recognized him the very moment. After taking the teacher's permission, he faced the students with a smirk and announced, 'All the new students please stand u... '
His words slowed down as he glanced at Maryam. He lost his smirk and turned all red automatically. The new ones stood up, including Maryam. He couldn't help even in that nervousness, checking on her simultaneously.
'Your chemistry teacher is uh, calling you in the lab. Make a line outside... And join me. '
They made a line outside the class, alongside the wall. Mihran acted normal, but was clueless how to confront her. He stood in front and instructed, 'Stretch your left arms, please. '
This was a convenient way of counting the number of people in a crowd. Starting from the head of queue, he counted till the last by tapping each one's hand.
'Satu, dua, tiga, empat, lima and enam... '
Sixth one was Maryam. He halted for just a moment but didn't move his eyes at her. He hardly touched her hand, only his fingers touched hers.
'... Tujuh, sebalan, sempilan and here, sujuluh. '
Girls kept touching his arms amid the countation. He didn't mind. He went in front and instructed, 'So, you guys are ten. Follow me. To the chemistry lab. '
On the way, he kept flirting with the first girl to maintain his sanity. They all entered the lab after putting off their shoes. The teacher was collecting some papers from the desk, while Mihran stood beside her in discipline. The students gathered in a group. Finally, Mihran and Maryam looked at each other and shared the shine of their eyes. They both knew it's weird to stare at someone, but they couldn't take their eyes off. Everyone was whispering. Some were talking about the lab as it was their first time in that lab, and some were talking about Mihran. But, Mihran and Maryam didn't listen to anything nor see anything else. Raza pulled away Maryam, and she tuned out awkwardly.
The teacher announced, 'Good afternoon, students. Hope you all are having merry times in Indonesia. This is the first time of yours in this lab, right? Well, precautions : Be careful during experiments, and don't touch anything unnecessarily. All other precautions and rules will be told by Mihran to all of you. Right now, your lab coats will be distributed. And, from the next turn, whenever it is, we'll be having a proper practical class. But, for now, I gotta go for some official work. Mihran will monitor you for today. Any questions? '
'No, Madam! ', all the students shouted in chorus and in some kind of rhythm that Indian students have a weird habit of. The teacher wheezed a bit.
'Mihran, treat my students kindly. ', she funnily warned.
'For sure, Madam. ', he goofily laughed.
The teacher left and Mihran came in front.
'Listen, boys and girls. Maintain discipline or... there are some dangerous stuff in this room. ', he funnily threatened. Everyone giggled. He did his best to avoid Maryam who was with Raza, going checking on the containers shelf. Mihran turned aback and started putting serial numbers in the register. He sat on the counter and asked, 'Everyone! Make a straight line very quick. '
All the girls but Maryam rushed to make up the line. They were forcing each other to change turns. They all were dying to meet Mihran. Next to first five girls stood four boys, last one being Raza and after him stood Maryam at the 10th. Raza stood at the second last to block any communication or touch of any guy to Maryam. She was just staring at Mihran worriedly, summoning him in her mind. On the other hand, ignoring Maryam somehow, Mihran began flirting with each one of the girls. To the first one, he smirked and said , 'Hi. What's up? Huh? Doing good? '
'Not yet. ', she intensely replied, reducing the distance between her and him.
'You will be... ' He smiled nastily. What's your name, by the way? '
'Yashfa. '
'Full name? '
'Yashfa Khan. '
He noted down her name and said, 'Now, please wait, love. '
She softly said, 'For you?... Sure. ', and she winked at him and went aside. He tried to lean and see Maryam, but she was out of sight. She was standing at the very last. She was on his mind, but he pretended the opposite.
To the second one, he said, ' Hey! Let me guess your name. Um... Hooria? '
'Why? '
'You seemed like a hoor to me, a beautiful hoor! '
'You're not really bad, though. ', she praised smartly.
'Oh, trust me. I'm very, very bad. ', he flirted.
She laughed and said, ' My name. '
'Yes. What's your name? '
'Zoha Siddiqui. '
He noted down her name and smiled at her.
'Good day. '
Tracing his forethighs, she walked away.
To the third one, he didn't say anything nor did she. They had scanned each other with naked eyes only. They didn't need words, only she said her name and he noted it down.
To the fourth one, she jumped upon him before he could say anything. He was startled at once. He felt awkward because they got the sight of everybody, including Maryam. He removed her and softly asked, ' Excuse me, please. What's your name? '
Her voice was screeching sharp. Everybody should have got earache since then. She was less of a cheerful girl than utmost desperate.
'Oh, boy! I've heard a lot about you. I'm a die-heart fan of you. You're the Players. I love you so, so, so, so much. I can't believe I'm meeting you. '
Maryam heard it. She was amazed that he was the Player. Many questions occurred in her mind, "He is one of the Players? Yes! He is a bad boy? Yes! Can he be good enough to help a lonely girl amid a lonely street? Yes! Can he be kind enough to help a weirdo in the school washroom? Yes! Why do I want to meet him? Because I like him? No? I don't know. God knows best! "
Mihran laughed awkwardly and said, 'Oh, girl. Stop! Just tell me your name, FIRST of all. '
'And, by the SECOND, what? ', she said while giggling.
'You'll be provided your lab coat. ', he told her formally. He had zero interest in her.
'Tell me your name if you know there are others too. '
She thought something for a minute. Then, she asked actively at once, 'Are you indicating me to meet you in person? '
He was so done with her as much as everybody alse present there. The boys from behind started shouting for their turns to come. Mihran calmed them down.
'Alright, alright. Fine... My name is... Guess it, huh? ', she asked cheerfully.
'No! How would I know your name? ', he said in frustation.
'Yes, you do. You know everyone's name. ', she shouted at him.
He mumbled, 'Forgiveness! ', then said with a stern look, 'I'm not interested. '
The girl stopped her laughs and asked, 'Why? '
'Just to be forward like you're being for so long. Not interested. Move on... And, now, God forsaken, tell me your name so that I can write it down. Only when registered, you can get your lab coat. And, only when you're wearing the coat, you have entry in this lab. And, in case you need it, tell me your name. Or, I may seek other ways to get your name because I can judge by your behavior that everybody knows your name, but not me. You've already wasted a lot of time... '
'I get it, I get it. Calm down... My name is Nashra Zaid. ', she was intimidated by him.
'Good. Spelling? '
'N-A... '
'Leave it. I know. '
He noted down the spelling of her name correct, and was proud of it because he just remembered some old friend of his.
'Would you please, kindly leave... '
She had vanished to the other side, frightened. He breathed in relief. 'Next? '
The fifth one was terrified of him. She might have get plans for him, but after watching his behavior, she had lost plans. She wasn't even looking at him, just gulping. He got concerned.
'Hey, are you okay? What happened? '
'Shagufta Shaaz, my name. ', she stammered.
'Fine. But, why do you look so unokay? '
She hesitantly looked at him.
'Are you really okay? Looks at me like I'm scary. '
'My n-n-name. '
'Yeah.'
He understood something and wrote down her name. As she was going ro run away, he held her hands and pulled close. 'Don't you worry. That girl... was just not my type. You are my type. I plead you (rolls her front hair locks as she looks in his eyes deep) to meet me in person, alone... if you wish. '
Her fears were much gone.
'I'd got plans for you. '
'Nothing better. '
He smiled wildly as she did. Then, she became hella happy and walked away. She coaxed Nashra that Mihran wasn't too bad. He was good when you didn't lose him brain cells.
Next two of them did normal. Next one's name was Rehan.
'Hi, Mihran. Do you hang out with gays? '
"Guys"? Yes! My buddy, you know, the other one is a guy... a boy, to be clear. ', he nicely answered.
'No, not "guys". I said " gays".' , Rehan emphasized secretly. He chuckled in confusion and said in low voice, 'Alright... Yes, I mean, I do have gay friends. Why? '
'Do you hook up with them? '
'I do hang out with them. Yeah, so? '
'Cool! But, do you "hook up" with them like players do? '
Mihran gulped in nervousness and said, 'Nope. I'm straight, so... '
'Okay, then. ', he said with disappointment.
'Are you... Are you? ', Mihran asked.
'Yes, I am. ', he answered sadly.
'Oh, I see. Good on you. ', he nicely said and smiled with ease. Rehan got emotional.
'Actually, I lost my boyfriend in India. I'm really missing him... if you can understand what I feel. '
Mihran supported kindly, 'Yeah, I do feel you. I know it's hard when you lose someone you love. When you are worlds aparts, and you can do nothing about it... But, everything's gonna be okay. '
He patted on Rehan's shoulders for encouragement.
'But, that doesn't mean I've to get a new partner. '
Mihran exhorted, 'Um... It's up to you. You are the driver of your car named life. Drive it forward, further and faster. No turning backs, no high ways, no bridges, and the road's course. You know, you come across traffic jams and breakers. Need to know those road signs are you feelings. Keep them in mind and drive. It is crazy to go on. Trust me on this, bro. '
'But, we can't jail our soul inside the car's trunk. '
'We shouldn't. No! It's the instructor. We are growing and learning... '
'You're right. '
'Hmm. But, what do you learn when you miss him? '
Mihran was deep in the convo now. He wanted to console him.
'We've gone against the society in India for each other, so i want to get him back. We fought a lot. '
'Did he always love you? Like you did? '
'Yes, of course. '
'Then... he should be happy in your happiness. And, you, apparently, aren't happy. Are you? '
'I'm happy with him only. '
'See, happiness isn't something you receive from one particular person, Rehan. '
'So, what do you think I should do now? '
'Firstly, do you have any idea about the chances to see India ever again? '
'Zero. '
'Right. Chances to see him? '
'Zero. '
'Then, find your happiness in Indonesia. It's a pretty nice place. You have to move on someday anyways. '
'I thought about it, so I came to you. I liked you, but never mind. '
'All my gay friends are taken, but I'll let you know if they break up. '
He made Rehan laugh.
'You're a great person, man. ', Rehan praised heartfully.
'You too. And... Love is love. Here in Indonesia, we celebrate love in all forms. So, you don't need to fight anyone to live the way you want... And, it's a pleasure to meet you, Rehan. '
Mihran gave him a heartful hug and tapped on his shoulder for encouragement.
Next one was the penultimate, Raza. Mihran could clearly see Maryam, but it was too nerve-wrecking for him to keep checking on her. She hid behind Raza completely, on purpose.
'Mohd. Raza. ', he quickly announced.
'Calm down, bro. Your train's leaving, huh? ', he joked and chuckled.
While noting down his name, Mihran said, 'I feel like I've seen you before. Have we met before? '
Raza wasn't listening, only trying to turn about. Mihran watched him and found him strange. He had a gut feeling that he had met him before.
'Raza! You're done! But, you... '
Raza didn't even let him complete, took his coat from Mihran's hands and ran away.
'Oh, boy... '
Mihran was amazed by his attitude. As he turned straight, his face ran pale. His lips and throat dried up. He lost his breath. His folded legs dropped on feet. His right arm he was resting onto the counter, almost broke itself. His body started shivering. He somehow took himself together. On the other hand, Maryam was also trembling. She somehow managed to speak up. She stepped up and greeted, 'Hi. 'That's an achievement itself! Mihran wasn't even in a condition to say hi. He just looked in her eyes and nodded. He forgot all his practices and confidence. While he was nodding a lot, Maryam also started nodding. Both didn't know what to say. After a series of nods, Mihran checked Maryam from head-to-toe in one blink and asked, 'Name, Miss? '
Both had no expressions on their faces, both clueless. After a large gap off one second, she answered, 'Maryam. Maryam Farooqui. '
He started nodding slowly so as she did. He suddenly said, 'Yes', and began writing. His fingers had stopped working. He somehow wrote Maryam, but couldn't write the last name.
'S-s-spelling of last name? '
'Yeah. F-A-R-double O-... '
'Two Os? Of course. Then? ' He had gone dumb.
'F-A-R-O-O-Q-U-I'.
'And? '
'Maryam Farooqui. '
'Maryam Farooqui. ', he repeated and again started nodding. She did, too. While putting the register aside, he asked her, 'Are you a kaurian? '
'Yes, I am. A kaurian. An Indian... Of course. '
'Hmm, of course. '
He thought himself to be a fool to ask that because if she was one of her Indian classmates, she was an Indian, and he had dropped her to the Kaur once, she must be a kaurian. Again, after a few unnecessary nods, Mihran couldn't curb it and drank some water from his bottle beside. His throat had been scorching. He drank it so greedily that he poured some water on his shirt also. He didn't notice the water on his chest, neither did she. She just kept gazing at him the whole time, without expressions though. As soon as he had quenched his thirst, Maryam immediately said, 'The coat. '
Mihran turned his head at the mass of coats and picked up one and handed it to her.
'Yours. '
She immediately said in one breath, 'Thank You', and tried to rush out. Mihran jumped on feet from the counter and called out, 'Hey, Miss! '
She halted with her heart in mouth and turned aback. She wasn't very far from him. He stepped towards her, jerking his right arm.
'Wait, Maryam! '
He gave out an exhale.
'... (clears throat) Um, listen... Don't freak out... Please... Er... I... I just... I feel like I...I know you? '
'I know you. ', she instantly announced.
'What? '
It was too fast for him to understand.
'Oh-yeah. I-I know you! I do!', she announced with more clarity.
'Yes! Like everybody else does? ', he asked to confirm.
'Yeah. No. '
Holding up for some moments, she said, 'I don't know... Differently. '
'Yeah? ' His voice got deeper.
After waiting for sometime to calm down, Maryam moved towards him and said softly as if she was trying to remind him something, 'Saviour?... You saved me? '
His heartbeats sped up, but she was confident. She was looking in his eyes finally. It was clear in her mind that he was the boy that saved her that night.
'Shareeq Office... Street no. 69? ', Mihran completed.
'I don't know the street number. ', she answered and finally someone smiled. She smiled more openly, and watching her, he also grew bright with his cute chesire cat smile. Hope and friendly affection sparked their eyes. They were relieved to finally be known to each other. Both turned blissful and were chuckling in themselves.
'Um, okay (chuckles openly) I...Can't believe this. I mean, this is... crazy... Okay (elongates)... Great! '
'(chuckles) "Mihran", huh? '
'Yeah, " Maryam "! '
'I can't believe I'm seeing you again! ', she happily expressed.
'Hmm. '
'I just... '
'I'm so glad to meet you. ', said Mihran formally but heartfully.
'Hmm? '
'Maryam... It's a pleasure... to get to meet you again... Seriously. '
She smiled with ease and said, 'Likewise. '
They were looking here and there. Suddenly, Maryam saw something and said, 'Your collar. '
He thought there most possibly might be a lipstick stain on his collar, so he spoke without checking, 'Oh! It's nothing. I was just experimenting lipstick on my shirt. '
He sounded dumb as hell.
'What? ', she asked with a totally quizzical look. Then, she continued, 'Water. Water, all over your shirt. '
He instantly looked down at his shirt, and his eyes came out of sockets. He looked at her and without thinking, said, 'Oh, it's nothing! I evaporate it because I'm way (elongates) too hot to handle. '
He was saying things only a dumbhead would.
'Hmm. ' She chuckled but was confused.
In meantime, Raza appeared. He put his arms round Maryam's shoulders to show his companionship. She stopped smiling as Raza entered. By her facelook, Mihran guessed something and said to Maryam formally, 'Is your coat fitting you, Miss? '
For a second, she got confused, but then said with an innocent face, 'Yeah, yeah. It's good. '
Mihran, while walking out of the scene, said to her, 'Be careful. Not everything that shines is gold... in this lab. '
He smiled smartly. She smiled at him as she received his message. Mihran looked at Raza doubtfully. He was totally sure he had seen him somewhere before, but didn't know where.
Raza started investigating about Mihran, but there was nothing that she was able to share. Raza despised Mihran for no reason.
The bell rang. Everybody walked out of the lab. Some girls gathered around Mihran for their appointments, but he was busy watching Maryam leave. She waved a little "bye-bye" to Mihran. He was not used to be waved at cutely, it was always for inviting him back. But, he returned her bye-bye with the same cuteness and innocence.
Mihran and Maryam were blithsome and blossoming. They just met and were separated. Both had soft corner for each other. The day was busy, but whatever else they were doing, they couldn't put their minds in it. Both the brains were too busy to focus on the world.