Contagious Smile

We were still entangled for a long time. At last, we moved away from our embrace. Yet we were sitting in close proximity, side by side our shoulders touching, arm to arm, knee to knee, both looking ahead. It was ironic as I always detested any touch apart from my mother's.

"Are you willing to hear something more?" I asked.

He nodded.

"After the incident, with those boys, I had a hard time living with myself. I even considered...suicide...."

"I was eventually stopped by my sister who followed me upstairs."

"And you know I still blame myself for the incident. I wish if I had accepted the call, maybe he would be alive today. I always believed that everything is God's creation, especially humans and no one has the right to end that. Not even themselves."

"I loathed his suicide, but I was doing the same when I lost the will to continue, when I felt I couldn't bear their bullying. I was dazed. But when I sat and retrospected I realised I was becoming a coward." I said all those things which were deep in my heart.

"Thank you for listening. I don't know that the things I'm saying makes sense or not. Please don't change the way you treat me and don't pity me, it's my request to you."

"What is going in your head? I know. You are a strong woman Manya. And I.." He stopped while saying.

"...respect you." He completed.

"Do you still suffer from continuous nightmares?" He asked.

"In the first month, it was regular. I couldn't sleep. But after meeting the doctor I slept well. She was a good Psychiatric. She didn't prescribe me medicines rather talked to me about almost everything, assigned me tasks. Apparently, cooking is beneficial for mental health and so is gardening." I said

"I have nightmares frequently, thrice here in these four weeks," I said. He nodded.

"So, do you want to sleep now?" He asked after a few minutes.

"No, I don't think so. It's a new place and I have a plan to stay awake all night." I laughed.

"Let's watch a movie then. I'll give you some company."

"Okay, " I was genuinely happy.

He brought his laptop over.

"What do you want to watch? I have some movies in these. Select for yourself."

"Wow Mr President I didn't know you had these films too," I said as I glanced at English romantic-comedies.

"How long are you going to call me Mr President, don't I have a name?" He asked exasperated.

"Yeah you do but I like to call you like this, can't I?" I asked as I settled on the movie 'Dear Zindagi'. It's a nice film. Seemingly, I haven't watched the whole movie, just bits and pieces.

He sighed loudly. "Do whatever you want!"

The movie started. A few moments later my eyes felt heavy. I glanced at him, he too was struggling to stay awake. I wanted to sleep now but I pushed that thought away. I don't know when but sleep took me over me. I fell asleep there.

Next morning when I woke up I was sleeping on his shoulder and him on my head. Laptop displaying the screensaver. I glanced at the time. It was at 7 a.m. Sun has just risen. I gently removed his head but he woke up. He is a light sleeper. His sleepy face welcomed mine. He looked funny with his bed hair. His eyes were smaller than usual. Then I remembered it's highly possible that I got bed hair and face. I covered my faces and tidied my stray hairs which came out from my ponytail.

"Wait here, I have a spare toothbrush. Have breakfast then I'll drop you off." His morning voice more deep than usual and somehow made me feel something.

"Okay." I nodded. My own voice was a bit thick.

He brought over a toothbrush and I quickly entered the washroom. When I came back, he was in the kitchen. I wanted to help him as he cooked last night.

"What are you preparing?" I asked him.

"I was brewing coffee. Would you have some?" He asked.

"Yes. Are you a coffee person or tea?" I asked.

"Actually, not both but I prefer coffee over tea." He said. "Would you look over? I should freshen up."

"Yeah, no problem. Take your time." I said and he went away.

I looked around the kitchen. It was neatly stocked. It was so long since I entered a kitchen. I longed to eat home-cooked Indian meal. The coffee was done. I called over him. And he came out.

I was still in the kitchen and he joined me.

"What's for breakfast?" I asked.

"Don't know, what would you like?"

"Aloo Parantha?" I said blowing over my cup.

"Will you cook?" He asked while sipping on his coffee.

"Yeah, just give me the required ingredients," I said. "I hope I'm not intruding or something."

"No, it would be a blessing to me to have a homey meal." He grinned. "I would like to help."

"Okay."

It took him time to find all the things but it was there. I told him to slice the onions and boil the potato while I kneaded the dough. I made the stuffing with all the spices my mumma told me when I learnt.

He looked over with keen interest. I felt honoured.

At last, the paranthas were made. We had two each. I always had that with tomato ketchup but he didn't have in his little kitchen nor did he have any pickles.

Both of us ate along with some butter. I didn't receive any praises but he finished everything. I wasn't able to control myself and asked.

"Was it any good?"

"Yeah, a lot. I was going to tell you after I finished them. I wanted to savour them first." He looked happy and his smile contagious. I smiled too.

It was 9 now. I should go back.

"Can you drop me if it wouldn't be a bother to you?" I asked.

"Wait a second. Are we back being formal? I think after last night at least you would at least consider me your friend." He said.

"Of course you are my friend. The one whom I shared my biggest secret. I was just being courteous. I'm not used to." I said.

"Get used to, then." He said while going out. I followed him out. After locking he came downstairs he brought over the car.

Getting in I asked.

"You said it's not your car," I said. Not a question but a statement.

"Not mine, my family's," he said. I rolled my eyes.

"I like your playlist," I said. He nodded.

"What's your favourite song?" I asked.

"There are many... These are my favourites." He said. "What's yours?" He asked.

"Yeah, this question is difficult to answer. There are many to name." I said.

My phone rang. It was Avika.

"When will you come back?" She asked.

I wasn't sure so I glanced at him.

"It will take an hour." He said.

"An hour later," I said and hung up.

We talked entirely during the drive. I got to know his favourite colour was blue, his birthday was on 19th September, no favourite actor or actresses, he loved eating Biryani and he wanted to travel a lot.

When we reached the college entrance he stopped.

"Thank you for everything, Vihaan. From the bottom of my heart. Thanks." I said.

"Okay, let me breathe first. You called me by my name. I feel honoured and can guess how much it meant to you." He said dramatically.

"You are overacting Mr President." I teased. He groaned at that.

"When will I see you next?" I asked.

"Let's see.... I'll inform you when the rehearsals start. Don't run away this time." He said.

"Oh yeah, it totally got away from my mind that the costumes are still inside your car trunk," I said.

"I need to go back now. I'll come around 2 today." He said.

"I'll take them to my room, Trisha would be expecting them," I said.

"Let me help you." He said.

"Of course I won't be able to carry it all the way," I said. He laughed.

"Let's go." He said while getting off.

The bags were heavy. There were 5 in total. I held 2, while he carried 3 towards my hostel entrance.

I turned to him.

"Go now, thank you."

"In a hurry to burn the bridges as soon as your task is over, not bad Manya." He faked disdain.

"Yeah yeah, you should know this already. I'm crazy, weird and selfish. Do you still want to befriend me?" I asked.

"Yeah, I think I do." He laughed.

"Bye." I said.

And he went away. I called Trisha to come over and help me carry these bags and instructed to call others over too.