His Dusk, Her Dawn

Chapter 24. Envy

Sandhya looked peaceful as she placed her hands around the grey thermos her mom gave her, trying to keep herself awake while guiding Nikhil about some important pointers related to our group project.

I slowly moved out of her bed, already missing the soft mattress and duvet. Once I reached her, I dropped down beside her. As expected, after a few seconds, Sandhya pushed me back and asked me why I was sitting close to her.

Please get a hint this time, Sandy Pandy. I am taking a risk in front of my friends; you can at least show some mercy and understand the situation.

"Ved, get away from me," she said in annoyed voice.

As a reply, I put more of my weight on her, and she mumbled curse words under her breath. She tried to push me off her, but gave up when I didn't move even a single inch.

"Ved..." she grumbled. "Move away."

"No," I said plainly.

No matter how many times she scolds me, I won't move. Since we came to her house, she is only busy tutoring Nikhil. She even complimented him for his academic improvement. And look at that Nikhil; he is acting like he has never heard a compliment before.

Getting envious of my friend getting all the attention, I turned around and moved closer to her.

Why won't you look at me without contorting your face in anger, you snail-paced buffoon? Though I have seen worry and kindness sometimes when you look at me, I am not sure if I am just imagining it. I really want you to know that I like you, but I don't have that much confidence to say it directly to your face. I know you will flip me upside down for even thinking about it.

But my heart keeps telling me that you are also aware of my feelings but don't want to accept it as a real thing. I have seen you blush and look away when I catch you looking at me. Do you feel the same too? Can I ask you all this without making you curl up and hide from me?

The more I stared at her, the more doubts rose in my mind. Every small feature of her face seemed to be magnified exponentially, just like my feelings for her, except for my confidence to confess.

"What is it?" Sandhya asked, breaking my chain of thoughts.

You look lovely even if you are cosplaying as a scarecrow, an old grandma, and Rudolph at the same time.

"Your nose is running," I said.

Instantly, Sandhya took her handkerchief and wiped her nose, while I facepalmed internally for blurting out what I said.

I really need to work on my flirting skills. She looks like she wants to murder me.

"Move away, Ved," she said.

"Why?" I asked angrily.

Why does she keep telling me to get away for her?

I refused, and she managed to glare at me even though her eyes were hardly open. On a closer look, her nose seemed redder and brighter, the feverish heat fanning on my skin.

"You will get sick," she said in a low voice.

My ears perked up at her concerned tone, and I looked at her with a mischievous smile; maybe, she finally got an idea of what was on my mind.

"Are you worried about me, Sandy Pandy?" I asked.

"I am just telling you to be careful," she grumbled, her eyes darting here and there, as I felt her body temperature rise.

"Is that so?" I teased.

Again, my monkey stared at me without any reply. I patiently waited for her response, loving the view, but my plan was cut short when I heard Sandhya's mom calling her. Before her mother entered the room, I zoomed away from her, landing one feet away. That was a close call.