He is Okay

I know what he did was purely out of kindness but I want to avoid even minimal contact with every XY chromosomes of my age.

I looked at the umbrella, sighing I grabbed and reached my room. I kept my stuffs and went to have a short nap.

When I woke up Avi was studying.

"Hey, when did you come?" I asked still a bit sleepy.

"I called after you when you were walking away in the corridor, but you didn't hear me, then warden started talking to me about the fest preparations. By the time I arrived you were already passed out. What happened today that you were so listless?" She went on.

I got up and drank a glass of water. "Nothing."

"Something must have happened." She still didn't admit defeat.

"No really nothing happened."

"Okay, if only you say so. But you have to tell me if anything interesting happens, okay?" She replied happily

"Hey, I heard that President of Literary Club is super handsome? Did you meet him, I thought today was your official meet?" She asked excitedly.

"Hmm, yeah he is okay." I answered fiddling with my blanket.

"Details, right now." I don't think she is gonna leave me alone on this topic.

"Wait, why didn't we see him on fresher's day? Or on joining of literary club?" I asked

"Apparently he wasn't in town in last 20 days. So no 1st year student got to see him." She answered, forgetting her own question.

So that's why he wasn't there in the library and I didn't see him. But how did he manage to get a reserved place there?

I went to study till dinner. Totally focusing on the subject matter. I reached the end of the chapter and just then Avi tapped and signaled to get food from mess. We headed downstairs together, and in line there we met Trisha.

I introduced Trisha to Avika and we three went to have our supper.

We discussed studies, gossiped a little and ignored the awful food we were eating. Before I went to my bed I kept my books in my bag, then I saw The fault in our stars peeping at me. I remembered his voice.

"Meet me at the cafeteria tomorrow I'll lend you my book." I kept it in. Maybe that annoying boy would be there too, because honestly we three have to cooperate in this. I kept my umbrella in as well as his, I have to return him tomorrow.

Next morning as I woke up, I saw Avi getting ready. Maybe I slept peacefully yesterday. She wore a quarter sleeved black top and a yellow long skirt. With her lovely brown black hair untied ,she looked great.

"Hey beautiful, are going on a date today?" I teased.

"Haha, very funny" she said.

"Why, you look great and besides who won't like to be your boyfriend?" I asked again

"Forget it, Manya. I'm not going to fall for that and react." Then after realising something she said"Miss poet, where are your verses? Why do I hear these flattering lines instead? This isn't your style!"

I laughed and went ahead to wash up.

When I came back she was talking to her Mom. I quietly dressed up in black shirt and white jeans, a high ponytail and my orange coloured lip blam. Wearing black flats I completed my attire. I looked myself in mirror and noticed I need to start my workout sooner, or I would surely gain some weight.

"Hey, come on, let's head to breakfast." She said walking out.

We had our breakfast and walked ahead talking. Took our regular classes and it was time for recess. I walked in the cafeteria after English Literature with both Riya and Trisha. We ordered our food. I was the last one to order my usual veg sandwich. I was glancing at my phone when I felt Trisha's tapping. She pointed me towards the entrance. I followed her pointed direction and saw Mr.President looking for someone. Oh right I had to meet him here. Trisha remembered better than me. I totally forgot about today. He caught my eye, and walked in my direction. For the first time I paid attention to his attire. White untucked collared shirt, black denims and white sneakers. He looked quite good in them. Then it occurred to me that we wore contrasting clothes. By the time he came, I got my sandwich.

"Hey, do you mind if I order something, and then we would discuss?" He asked.

"Uh.. yeah why not." Why is he asking me?

He went and ordered a veg sandwich same as mine and a bottle of water. He spoke so eloquently that it seemed he wasn't giving an food order but talking to some elders.

Both of my friends were still standing there. Avika joined too.

"Hey, what are you all doing, I'm very hungry let me order." Her voice floated from afar. When she reached and glanced at the counter she was first stunned, then beaming. She was more of a health freak than me and ordered black coffee with green salad. While we were waiting, Mr.President's food arrived.

"We should head over there" he said glancing at me, then picking up his tray.

Avika was shocked to hear and then flashed a big toothy grin at me. Her evil expression said 'Wait till you get to the room and I'll bombard you with questions.' I hope Trisha will help me fill them up.

He went ahead and sat on the chair, and I complied by sitting opposite him. He took out the hardcopy of Veronica Decides To Die and handed to me.

"This book is very special to me."

"It's more special to me than you." I muttered under my breath.

"Did you say something?"

"Nope."

"Kabir isn't coming today." He said. Kabir? Who is Kabir?

"Our other member, who was going to read your book." maybe my expression said it all. I have to be careful, he can always read my expressions.

"Why, will he meet us some other day?"

"Actually he dropped out, he said he took part just on insistance of his mother.He came to me in the morning, he wanted to take part in Drama club." As he said this he began eating his sandwich.

"So, that makes only two of us as members?"

"Yeah, any problem?"

"N-No what problem would I possibly have." I said.

I sat there quietly until he spoke

"Aren't you going to eat that?"

"Oh yeah." But I think I lost my appetite.

Anyway, I took a bite and felt familiar taste entering. The food helped me to clear my head. And I thought carefully. It is actually okay to complete project together. I should not restrict myself from making friends. And he seems like a good and talented person, not to mention he is good in studies and love books.

By the time I looked up we have finished and he was looking at me.

"Um.. is something on my face?" Suddenly self-conscious I lifted my hand to remove any breadcrumbs lingering on my face. Seeing this he chuckled softly.

"No, you ate with such concentration that it fascinated me."

Calm down Manya compose yourself. Don't you dare blush. Its okay, you were just thinking some things seriously. I fought back the nervousness and embarrassment that was ready to jump in action anytime.

"Aren't you going to give me your book?"

I stopped my monologue and then took The fault in our stars from my bag and gave it to him. He took it and skimmed through the pages, seeing the library mark he squinted at it then looked at me but I didn't bother to give him a reply. I was going to zip up the bag when I noticed his umbrella.

"Thanks for yesterday and I apologize for my behavior too." At last I spoke which was pressuring me from yesterday.

He then said " You are welcome and it's okay."

He then got up to leave and I went up to my friends.

They were in complete awe.

"What?" I questioned.

"Well, she does suit him!" Avi told and they all giggled.

"Hey, it isn't like that. We are just doing a project together." I protested.

"Yeah like we will believe you. From our view it seemed like a first date." Riya said.

"Trisha say something." I said.

"Well you do suit him" Trisha said smiling.

"I heard he hasn't dated, till now, not once." Avi added thoughtfully.

"Are you kidding me? He hasn't? If it weren't for you Manya I would have thought to date him." Riya said.

"You can still date him, it has nothing to do with me." I said.

"Keep lying to yourself girl, remember we aren't blind." Avi said gleefully.

"Think what you want I don't want to involve in your bantering."

I got to read my favourite book again from a hardcopy, it wasn't that bad.

And suddenly I wanted to know his opinion on this. With this thought I walked out to head towards our other classes. As the day ended here and I walked with my friends back to dorms, I felt quite good on the inside. I feel alive again after a long long time.

I went ahead and completed the assignments for my subject matter. Obviously reading for pleasure shouldn't disrupt daily routine. I was excited to read the book after a long time. That day in the library I had only read few pages.

But why does he like this book, was it personal like mine or something else.

Yeah I was curious. I was inquisitive by nature. Day after tomorrow is the day when I'll ask him questions and he will ask me. Now that I have completed everything it's now time to read to my content.

I stayed awake reading half the book until 2 a.m. When Avi woke me up at 5a.m I didn't want to. I delayed till 5.30 and then got ready to hit the gym. Avi's health freakness will do me benefit, at least I'll stick to my routine.

"Let's jog to warm up." She literally dragged me. Otherwise I would have ran up to complete my slumber. God, knows how have I gotten myself ready with her annoying nagging.

When I forced myself to run and pick up pace, and felt wind caressing my cheeks it felt good, and sleepiness was washed off my face. I maintained my speed and saw some boys practicing basketball. And then I saw him.