*07*
“What trouble in paradise?” Sam whispered when I was graciously trying to ignore Shravan. When the professor was blabbering, I stole a glance at him. Of course he was busy writing down the notes.
Sighing I murmured, “There was never a paradise.”
“Really?! Well you are sounding disappointed.” she nodded at the professor to which I saw he was looking straight us.
Pointing at the blackboard behind him, he chewed “Miss Tiwari if you permit I would love to continue this.”
“Sorry sir.”
Again embarrassed I peeked at Shravan, who was looking at the board with utmost interest but with a scowl plastered on his face.
“So…” Sam arched a brow looking at me as soon as the class got over.
“What?”
“What did you do this time?” She politely asked.
“What do you mean by ‘this time’? Do i always…” I was cut by a shut up immediately.
“Cut the crap Suman. You don't need to prove anything. I was just...Suman see, you need to understand this. I don't have any problem if you like him…” she nodded when I opened my mouth to protest, “hear me first. He is a nice boy and even if you like him the way he likes you then it's fine but if not then be clear to yourself and don't let him see what he wants to.”
“Sam why do you always keep saying this, the way he likes me...how can you be so sure?”
“Now I need a wall to bang my head on. Idiot. Look at him. Don't you get it? Look at his posture. He is all stiff trying hard not to look at you. And his expression...and the way he is scowling I am sure he is going to get wrinkles very soon. Go and talk to him and yes if you like him only as a friend then don't behave like you are already smitten.”
“I am not smitten...please.” I kept clicking the back of my pen, “He is not that good looking.”
“Suman you like him because he is different. How he looks has nothing to do with it. And by the way girls love him and…” she stopped as the professor of the next class entered, “just talk to him.” She whispered.
Whole day that too no Shravan. Yes no Shravan. He was there in front of me but ignored me like I didn't exist. I laughed inwardly, best friend, what a joke.
Couldn't he just come and talk to me, or ask me why did I react like that?! But no why would he! Egotistical fool.
.
.
.
“Where are you going now?” Sam chided while i put my college bag on my study table and took out my purse . “You didn't even eat anything Suman.”
“I am not hungry.”
“Really! And where are you going?”
“I need to buy something. Bye.” hastily I closed the door of my hostel room and stormed towards the staircase.
~♤~
“Should I...or shouldn't I…” the tiny doorbell chimed again indicating someone was going in or coming out through that glass door.
Yes I was standing in front of Chowdhury Book Store debating whether to go in or not.
If he doesn't care, why should I bother. With this thought I pushed the door wide open.
Our usual table was empty, I looked around Shravan was nowhere to be seen. Sighing I went to sit to our usual table not before buying a magazine on engineering and technology.
To say I was disappointed was an understatement. Somehow I thought he would be here reading a book, sometimes rubbing his chin with his thumb and index finger and sometimes looking at me with his light brown eyes...intelligent quiet eyes.
The doorbell chimed again, as if taking the cue I turned to look...there he was, looking straight at me, with flared nostrils, narrowed eyes and clenching jaw muscle...well he looked thunderous. He took four long strides to come to our table, and stood there for a minute or so, by then I was already looking at the magazine I bought. The sound of the chair scraping against the floor could be heard clearly as the store suddenly went silent at his sudden action.
Poor chair and poor tiles.
I kept looking at the magazine which I had to use as a shield against his very much angry gaze.
We sat there for a good thirty minutes in utter silence when I got sure that he wouldn't say anything I gathered all my wits and put the magazine on the table.
“Why are you so angry? I practically can see steam coming out from your ears.” I started softly wishing he would calm down a little.
And all he did was glare at me.
“What? Now you won't talk to me?”
No answer!
“Shravan?”
“I was waiting for you.” He sighed looking at his book.
“Waiting?!”
“I knew you would come here Suman...I was waiting for you like I always do. Then…” he stopped looking guilty, “then I called Sameera.”
“You did what?”
“I called Sam.” He replied in his monotonous voice like it was the most practical thing to do. Now Sam would create havoc in my life by asking again and again things I didn't want to hear.
“But why?”
“I was worried.”
“And you called her? I have a phone Shravan...couldn't you have just called me?” frustrated I asked.
“Really? I did call you but you didn't bother to pick it up.” He clenched his teeth.
“Stop that or your teeth are going to fall out you know.” I blurted out.
Really Suman teeth!!!
“What?” he looked stunned, though I didn't know what stunned him more it's my idiocy or the audacity to speak about his teeth.
“Never mind. You didn't call me or I would have…” I stopped remembering actually I didn't really turn on the ringer of my phone, “sorry I forgot to…let it be. What are you reading today?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?” I pointed towards the book he was holding.
“I couldn't...I was...I was just preoccupied.”
“Preoccupied?”
When he didn't answer I decided this was the most I would get to know.
“So how's Nani?” there was something wrong... terribly wrong and secondly Shravan sitting with a book but not reading anything that wasn't normal.
While still looking at the book he nodded, “She's good.”
“Shravan I was thinking something you know…”
He arched his brow but kept looking at the book.
“I mean you were alone there I mean with Nani, but your parents…”
...And he looked at me. Furrowed eyebrows, ticking jaw and clenching fists looking murderous.
“I don't want to be intrusive...It's just…”
“One thing Suman, I hate it when someone asks me about my parents or if someone is over enthusiastic with my personal life. So. Please.”
“I didn't mean to…”
“Its okay Suman, read what you have bought.”
Weird and rude.
We sat there in silence for another hour and then again like usual we walked back to our hostel. But Shravan was uncomfortable...very very uncomfortable.
Now Sam.
I was pretty much sure that now she would start firing her questions at me but to my surprise all she said to be careful in future with my phone as she hated the fact that she didn't know her roomie’s whereabouts.
~♤~
“looks like all sorted. Are you going to sit with me or with him?” Sam and her questions.
“No I am sitting with you.”
“Okay. But I guess Professor Dutta will be deciding lab partners today. So you sure you don't want to sit with him?” She narrowed her eyes.
“I am sure Sam.”
“So no one with Shravan?” Professor Dutta asked when Ravi denied to be his partner.
I wouldn't blame him, to most of the class Shravan was intimidating. I still remember the glances I got when both of us walked through the corridor it was like I was walking with a dinosaur.
“It's okay sir, I don't mind working alone.” only he could say such things.
“It's not about your capability Shravan it's about the rules. And I don't understand why you aren't getting any partner. A brilliant student like you…”
“Sir may I?” all eyes turned to look at me as if sensing some drama.
“Yes Miss Tiwari?”
“Sir if Ravi can take my place I mean if he is ready to be Sameera’s partner then I can be Shravan’s.”
“I am ready Sir.” Ravi jumped at the opportunity. I almost rolled my eyes seeing his enthusiasm and of course Sam who was looking at me narrowing her eyes.
Yikes.
“Sure then...class let's get back to…”
.
.
.
“You actually...Suman...that Ravi ...Oh I have no words.” Sam paced the room anxiously while I waited patiently for her outburst.
“Okay I am sorry Sam. I should have asked you before.” I sighed, “and stop it please Ravi is a good guy.”
“Yes you are right. Guy he is. Actually no he is a gadha.”
“What are you saying Sam?!”
“Do you know what was the first thing he said after the class?”
“What?”
“Sam you didn't mind no that I am your partner? Gadha, ullu!”
“Calm down calm down. He couldn't be so bad. Overreacting you are.”
“Of course. You got your lover boy what else do you want?! By the way, why did you change your mind? You didn't want to be his partner right? What changed?”
“I don't know Sam, this Shravan na...He is like...nothing affects him. See he didn't even react when Ravi denied to be his partner. I don't understand why doesn't he react?!”
“Well he does. Remember Shekhar or yesterday he was so worried. So he reacts when you are involved.”
And his parents. I sighed.
.
.
.
“Suman.” the next day he came running to me.
“good morning.”
“good morning.” he hesitated, “actually I wanted to say...say sorry you know.”
“For?”
“Last evening at the bookstore...sorry for being so rude.” his voice was noticeably soft, “You aren't angry right?”
I laughed, “No not really as it was my fault Shravan, I shouldn't have asked you about your parents. I am sorry.”
“No...any normal person would ask...But it's just I am not comfortable of...talking about them.” he shrugged.
“Its okay. I understand.”
“No you can't understand...It's just too complicated.” he blinked looking at the floor as if to tame his emotions. “But one thing I promise, if I ever want to talk about them it'll always be you.” his eyes slowly lifted to mine, and for a second raw emotions whirled in them before it came back to its flawless stony facade.
“Nani wanted to talk to you.” when we moved towards our class.
“Really...I would love to.”
“Then I'll call her during lunch break?”
“Sounds great.”
.
.
.
“Namaste Nani.” And I heard a giggle in return.
“Namaste beta...so how are you?”
“I am supposed to ask that not you.”
“Huh! I am as good as always beta. You tell me how are you?”
“As usual same.”
“Same? What are you Seventy?”
“One has to be mature.” to which Shravan rolled his eyes mumbling infant.
“Don't tell me I am talking to a girl who is actually seventy but looks eighteen and she somehow has managed to get rid of those wrinkles and other old age problems.”
“You know you are really cool.” I laughed, “But this…” I looked at him to find he was already looking at me with utmost interest.
“This? Haha! Suman, once a sadu is always a sadu.”
“I wonder why?!” I mumbled and a little V appeared in between his brows.
“Let him open up to you.” she sighed “Just remember he is a good boy and has the same old soul like you.”
.
.
.
“Nani likes you.” he stated with a thinking look.
“What's not to like.” I laughed, “Not everyone is a sadu.”
“Hmm. I actually wanted to ask you something.”
“What?”
“Why were you avoiding me?”
“Who me? Not really.”
“Look at me Suman...did something happen?” from his voice I could feel his anxiety to know the truth.
“Nothing Shravan I was just waiting for Sam. Stop worrying.” I gave him a meek assuring smile.
“No...it's just I thought you wouldn't talk to me. You too…” he bit his lower lip as if to stop himself from what he was going to tell.
“You too what Shravan?”
“We are getting late Suman. We should be going.”
♤♡♤♡♤♡♤♡♤♡♤♡♤♡♤♡♤♡♤♡♤♡