An-EXIT

CHAPTER 27 (GOODBYE)

AHAANA

Sometimes it becomes so confusing. When have I started to look at people in my life like mere extras? All my school life, the only face I could clearly see was Arushi's. Yes, she is important to me. But why aside from her, I'm not able to recognise any other students who used to stay in my surroundings? Not even the ones who sat in front of me for years.

I was somewhat lost in my inner thoughts, that I never paid attention to the people around me. How they think, talk, look or even feel, I never got a chance to experience it. There are times when I zone out all of a sudden and focus on things which are rarely talked about. Like the ants walking on the floor, the pigeon minding its own business, cows crossing the road, water bottle kept on my desk, living or no-living, anything which I can't communicate to.

And now, it's so weird. I never thought that I was missing so much. Strangely, I have started to look outside my comfort bubble. The people around me have started to become a little clearer than before. Now, I've friends other than Arushi, on whom I'm trying to build my trust. I feel comfortable around them. Moorna, Somi and Barkha, they are becoming a part of my life. And..... Mitansh. I don't know what relationship we have. Friends? Jogging partners? Senior-Junior? Uni-mates? I don't know. But all I know is that..... I feel safe around him.

I feel like he understands me. Though he doesn't know much about me, nor I know much about him. But I never felt like hiding my true self in front of him.

I've changed, alot. Is this a good change? Maybe, it is.

"Ahaana, please pay attention in the class!" Professor called out my name. I was hardly interested in what was going on in my class. The activities which do not affect our academic results are least important to me.

"Why does Saumya always need to become the class representative from the girls' side? Ruhi is much better." Barkha said.

"Ya, she's also in the top five students of our batch." Arushi said while placing her chin in her palm. Arushi, Moorna were sitting in my row and Barkha and Somi were sitting in our next row, in front of us. I looked on their side to concentrate on what topic they were talking about. From the point where I was understanding it, their conversation sounded more serious than their percentage in the third semester.

"What are you guys discussing about?" I asked them.

"Professor said that we should let other students come forward for the position of class representatives rather than the usual ones!" Somi closed her text book which was waiting for her attention for the last fifteen minutes. Class representative? Aren't we done with this at the beginning of the semester?

"Looks like he was also not able to control Saumya's ultra bossy behavior." Barkha mocked. Which earned a round of laughter from our group.

"So like, new class representative for fourth semester?" Why did I ask this? It's so clear. Also, who would like to become a class representative in this crucial semester.

"Sir, I would like to vote for Ahaana!" A voice shook my small world. I searched for the person behind the voice and it was Ruhi.

"Yeah, Ahaana is a suitable candidate, she's the first ranker of your batch, right?" Professor replied to Ruhi. Wait, WHAT?

"Why did Ruhi suggest Ahaana's name?" Moorna whispered. Arushi looked at my side. She kept her hand over my hand. What's going on?

"Ahaana, what do you think? Are you willing to participate in the race to become a class representative?" Professor picked up the chalk from his desk, ready to write my name on my single nod of agreement.