Sunshine

Chapter 13

Aditya

"And that's how we can derive Newton's Second Law," I concluded the class and turned to my students.

No, I had not become a teacher permanently. I had joined a research group and was on the path to become a scientist, and was also planning to do a PhD. But one of my past teachers had requested help from me to be a Physics Teacher temporarily for some 11th and 12th std kids at his school. Just in the meanwhile, he hires someone new. He had confidence in me despite my disability, and I thought it would be a new thing to try and agreed to help him. So far, I am doing great. I can even write normal letters without any mistakes on the blackboard now. And all the students love me...

"Did everyone understand?" I asked the students "And if anyone did not, do speak up and never be afraid to ask a question. You can ask anything? Except for my lunch box. Some kid seems to think he can even ask me for that."

They laughed.

"Can we ask anything?" One of the girls asked.

"Yup," I said.

"Sir, do you have a girlfriend?"

I laughed. "Why?"

"If you don't have one, can I be your girlfriend?" She said.

"What?" I asked.

"You are really cool."

All others clapped their hands. I laughed... "Wah...What should I do? I feel like I got preposed to. What should I do about this, guys?" I asked everyone.

"Accept her." Someone said.

"No way." Another girl said. "Sir, you can't..."

"Well, what should I do? Sir already has a girl." I told the one who said she wants to be my girlfriend.

"Ah... Really?" She said. "Well, obviously... She must be really a good one. To get to be sir's girlfriend."

"Is she pretty?" One of the boys asked.

"Pretty?" I asked... Was she? I could still recollect her features under my fingers.

"How would sir know that?" Another boy whispered to the first boy. "Oh...Sorry." The first boy told me. "I just...forgot. Sorry, sir."

I just smiled... And then clutched the sun disk in my pocket tightly. "She is pretty," I told them. "Really..."

"I will make dinner today," I told mom. Even before she could protest, I had pushed her off from the kitchen and made her sit down on a chair. "You are getting old. You should take some rest."

"That's why you should think about getting married." Mom said.

I ignored that. But automatically my hand went to my pocket... Don't let yourself be down. Don't... You can keep this up. You can hold it up. Don't break...

We heard a knock on the open back door and Rohan walked in uninvited. I knew it was Rohan because only he would come like that. Also because I can identify his footsteps.

"Good that you came," I told him. "I am cooking today. You get the honer to taste my cuisine."

"Shall I call fire force now or should we wait till the actual fire is set off?" He asked.

"Shut up," I told him.

He jumped and sat down on the counter, and from the sound of it, began to help himself to an apple. Then he began to talk with mom... She asked him about Esha...

"She is still giving me a difficult time..." He complained. "It's okay though..."

I felt like he was hesitating to say something. And it's not usual that he comes by at this time, so I was sure he wants to say something.

"Hm..." he began. "You know... Piyali's marriage got fixed."

The spoon I was holding fell down from my hand. I bent down to pick it. Rohan jumped down from the counter and fetched the spoon and gave me. "Thanks," I told him.

"She is getting married next month," he said.

"That soon?" My mom asked. I heard she was shocked about that.

I could not hear anything...

"It's good. Such good news." I said getting up. "What does the groom do?"

"Seems like he is an engineer," Rohan said. "But is that important now? Oye, don't you feel anything? She is..."

"Why would I feel anything. It's fine. And I am happy for her."

The world felt frozen...

I laughed... "It's such good news. Will she invite us all... We should have a blast at her wedding, right?"

My heart- has - stopped - beating?

I rubbed over my chest.

I can't feel it beating... A pain...

"Eh... I suddenly feel like going to the bathroom." I told Rohan and mom. "Mom, maybe it's better if you make food tonight."

"Adi..." Rohan held on to me. "I know you are not okay with it. Do something."

"Do what? This is what is good for her. And I am happy... I want her to be happy. So..this is what should happen. And I am okay with it."

I freed myself from him, and went to my room, and got into my bathroom and locked the door. Once I was inside... I felt it. The pain...

She is mine... No. Is it wrong? She WAS mine?

I sat down on the bathroom floor and took out the small sun she gave me. I clutched it tighter in my heart. I felt sadness and pain that I have never experienced before...

But it's just right to let her go... I should be happy for her.

I can just keep her in my memories forever. Just live remembering her... I should let her go, for her happiness...

Still, it's hurting.