***8 years ago****
A long, deep yawn escaped my mouth as I rested my head on the plush cushion of my armchair. The familiar scent of the fabric mixed with the faint aroma of the lunch we had just finished.
"You look exhausted, Bhest!" Melissa remarked softly, taking her usual seat next to me. Her tone was laced with concern, and I could see the worry in her kind eyes.
We were seated in our bustling classroom, where the chatter and laughter of our classmates filled the air post-lunch. I glanced down at my uneaten food, barely touched, a testament to my lethargy.
"I barely slept last night," I answered with a sigh, my voice low and heavy as I lazily turned my gaze toward her. The weight of my fatigue made it difficult to keep my eyes open.
"Did you stay out all night?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and a hint of excitement. I nodded, offering only a brief affirmation.
This incessant headache was like a hammer pounding my temples, and I blamed it on the three nights of restless sleep I had endured. I couldn't turn down an invitation from Miss Davie, my aunt's older sister, who had coaxed me into joining them for a night out at the city's renowned bar.
The atmosphere of the bar was alive and electric, filled with the sounds of a live band performing popular hits. The vibrant lights danced across the dance floor, making it nearly impossible not to groove to the rhythm. Although it was an exhilarating experience, the thrill was somewhat overshadowed by my exhaustion.
"You really should take some rest," a deep voice interrupted my thoughts, causing me to almost tumble out of my chair when I looked up to find Harrish standing right in front of me.
His presence was magnetic, and as he gently placed a small tablet and a chilled bottle of water on my armchair, I felt a flutter in my chest. The simple gesture was somehow both caring and captivating.
"Here," he said, offering them to me as I rose from my seat. "Take this and try to get some sleep," he instructed softly, his gaze earnest and penetrating. It felt as though he wanted to communicate something deeper as I met his eyes.
"Thanks, Jigs," Melissa chimed in, her cheerful voice pulling me back to reality and breaking the moment.
Harrish nodded politely in her direction, but his focus remained locked on me. In that moment, I could clearly see his concern etched across his face, a mixture of worry and kindness that made my heart race.
"Girl, you really should thank him," Melissa said in a low voice, but her words carried clearly. I couldn't help but bite my lower lip to suppress a laugh at the sight of her flushed cheeks, resembling a ripe tomato freshly plucked from the garden.
"No need for that," Harrish said, brushing off her comment as he turned to walk past me, his expression still unreadable.
"Girl!" Melissa squealed softly, her excitement infusing the air as my drowsiness began to dissipate. I couldn't help but glance back at the tablet and bottle of water resting on my armchair, their presence now feeling significant.
"You should definitely take it," Melissa insisted, her tone playful, causing me to chuckle softly as I turned back to her. She was standing beside me, her eyes glimmering with amusement and encouragement.
"And you should take a look at your own face!" I teased, our laughter filling the classroom as we enjoyed the moment together.
********************
"Thank you," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper as I stared down at the polished wooden floor. My forehead was glistening with beads of sweat, and I felt a nervous flutter in my stomach while standing behind him.
The dim lighting of the empty classroom accentuated the tension in the air. It was five o'clock in the afternoon, and the school day had finally come to an end. The usual chatter and laughter of students had faded, leaving only the echo of footsteps from the few remaining cleaners. Fortunately, I was one of them.
"You're welcome," he replied softly, his tone warm as he continued to sweep the floor methodically, the rhythmic sound of the broom against the wood creating a calming atmosphere.
"I really appreciate your kindness," I added shyly, trying to keep up with his movements. I almost tripped when I bumped into something,To my surprise, Harrish caught me in his arms, his strong grip steadying me.I realized he had turned to face me, and I had bumped into his chest.
When I looked up, his eyes were on me with affection and my heart raced as I took in his features, When I finally met his gaze, I noticed the warmth in his eyes, and I could sense a lingering affection behind his smile and being so close made me uncomfortable.
The sudden closeness made my cheeks flush, and I felt like I should say something but couldn't find the words.
"If you really do appreciate it," he said, pausing for a moment with a playful smirk, "you must take good care of yourself," he continued, a hint of mischief in his voice.
"Y-yeah, you're right," I stuttered, my voice trembling as I quickly diverted my gaze to the floor, trying to hide the warmth spreading across my face.
"Dummy," he chuckled lightly, his laughter filling the space between us as he gently released my arms. "Take a breath," he advised, and only then did I realize I had been holding my breath, the tension in my chest finally starting to ease.
Harrish reached up and softly patted my head, a gesture that momentarily made me tense up. But as I felt the softness of his touch, I gradually relaxed, the warmth of the moment wrapping around me.
After a brief moment, he gracefully walked past me, and I watched as he moved toward the door. It was only after I raised my head that the reality of the situation hit me.
Harrish was already heading out of the room, leaving me lingering in confusion. Why was I so eager to do everything he said? Did I somehow give him the authority to dictate my actions? We weren't even close, nor were we in a relationship. A whirlwind of emotions swirled in my mind as I processed everything that just happened.