IN LOVE WITH YOU [SLOW UPDATES]

15

PHI's POV

"WHAT?"

"Phi, just do what I said!"

"But I'm not wearing anything under-"

"Shush!"

I removed my T-shirt without another word and handed it to her. She didn't spare me a glance and started washing the stains on the T-shirt. I didn't like it, standing half-naked in the ladies' washroom, conscious of my body.

"We could have done this in the gent's lavatory."

"And die of the stench! Never!"

"Do you think the stain will go? Without a soap?"

"The stain is fresh, so maybe. At least it should look less obvious."

She kept rinsing it, but the stain did not fade even a bit; instead, it made large blots, making it worse.

"No, its not working. What will I do now? How will I present wearing this wet, stained T-shirt?" I shifted my weight on each leg every second, wiping my sweaty palms on my jeans.

"Calm down," she said, looking into my eyes. Not for once her gaze dropped below my face.

Was I not sexy enough? No, this is not the time!

"Wear my T-shirt, it is pretty loose!"

I stared back at her, trying to comprehend what she had beseeched me to do.

"Phi, the class is about to start. Do you want to stand naked here the entire time?"

"But what will you wear?" I asked.

"This," she said and took my T-shirt inside one of the cubicle and locked it. In a few moments, she opened the door partly to stick out her hand with her black tee.

"Wear it fast and go! I'll come after some time," her voice echoed inside the cubicle.

***

"The Washin.. Washington consensus.. uhh.. led to.. led to.. neo-liberalism.. umm..was like... Smith's mixed.. sorry..free market prescription.."

My legs trembled, drops of sweat seeped down my neck as I faced the crowd. I was short of breath, my voice was uneven, hoarse at some points, inaudible at other. A powerful urge to urinate made it hard to concentrate on what I was saying. I gave a fleeting glance in the room to see the Professor shaking her head with disappointment and students looking at me with sympathy. I wished everyone would turn their eyes away, or I could melt down this instant.

The back door of the room opened and Naina peeked in. She sat in the last row, not wanting to disturb anyone.

Not in front of her!

I inhaled a deep breath and tried again, but the blurry faces of the crowd blanked my mind. With a thumping heart, I ran out of the classroom.

A feathery touch of soft, warm fingers caught hold of my hand near the stairs. I turned to see Naina, a frown forming on her forehead.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

My eyes could not meet hers.

"Don't think about it much. It was just a stupid presentation."

"I'll get an F this time."

"You got A in the last one. Do you want to become a topper?"

"No, I just want to speak well in public. Why can't I do that?"

"Because, it is hard. Practice more, you will ace it too. You sing so well in front of a crowd. This is no different."

"It is. Music comes naturally, this doesn't."