Song of the chapter: Kisi ki muskurahaton pe
By: Euphoria
*******
Adrita's POV
"There are so many people on this planet, having different cultures, different lifestyles, different languages. When you will meet them you might feel alienated, you might feel as if there is nothing mutual. But then you will notice something miraculous. The similarities. In smiles, in tears, in love, in hate. Noticing and understanding these similarities is the very first step toward celebrating our differences. The love we share irrespective of everything else is the essence of humanity. So kids, always remember; humanity above all!"
I smile at the cheerful faces surrounding me. The group of 10 kids aged 10-18 sat in a semicircle facing me as they chatted with me about literally anything.
"Ok kids, time to return to your homes," Maithili announces as she plops beside me, the kids groan but heed her command.
Maithili is a sweetheart, a lovely woman in her 30s who is set to make the world a beautiful place, at least for these kids.
"They surely love your Sunday morning meetups." Maithili asserts, organising the scattered storybooks.
"I love it too, I just wish I could play a better role in their lives."
Maithili stops in her motion and lets out an exasperated sigh, "You are doing good, Adrita. You are not a superhero!"
"Okay, okay, before you go all angry bird on me, let's change the topic."
A teasing smile spreads on Maithili's face, wiggling her eyebrows, she nudges me with her shoulders
"What?" I exclaim, chuckling at her weird antics.
"Hmm..hmm...so about your crush? How's he?" She asks, her expression resembling a cartoon with her big round eyes, eyebrows almost touching her head, and a wide grin complimenting the cartoonish look.
With a happy sigh, I lay down on the cold floor, gazing at the star-filled ceiling. "He is amazing, like a character out of my favourite movie. The way he teases me when he wins our little fights, the way he works day and night for his dreams, the way he talks so sweetly about his grandma, everything about him entices me, compels me to know a little more about him."
I tilt my head to look at Maithili, a sweet smile adorns her face as she urges me to continue.
"It's been three months, and we are almost friends!"
"Woah! Friends? And you are okay with that? Only you would be so happy in the friend zone." Maithili blurts, a teasing grin etched on her face. "But don't you want more? Does this friend thing work for you?" She adds.
Friends.
I don't have many friends except, well, Maithili, and now Anirudh. So you can tell I am not an expert in this field but from what I have read, friends are awesome. People who love you, care for you. They are just present; good times, bad times. Honestly, it sounds like every other form of relationship but this one is a little more carefree. Unlike other relationships, it has no worries regarding its age. It's about the present.
But I do worry.
Maithili shakes me out of my dazed state, a questioning look evident in her stance.
I prop on my elbow, facing her and raise my doubts. "Do you think I am sort of betraying him?"
"What?" She gasps out loud. "Why do you even think so?" She exclaims, propping herself on her elbows and mimicking my posture.
Shrugging, I explain, "In friendships, you don't think much, you don't try to extract meaning out of their little actions but I do exactly that! A lot of times I find myself wishing that his actions mean a little more than just an act of friendship. I can't be a true friend to him cause I expect more, I want more. But I am also happy to at least be his friend. Do you understand what I mean?"
Maithili pushes herself up, now sitting crossed legs she shakes her head but bids anyway, "I have never thought about friends to lovers trope so deeply. But why don't you ask him to accompany us on our upcoming trip to the amusement park? Spend some time together away from the office hustle. Get to know him in a more personal way. And then maybe confess or enjoy the casualness of friendship?"
"Really? I can invite him?" I sit upright and shriek my excitement out.
"Why not? Message him!"
And I do exactly that.
Maithili scoots closer to me and places her chin on my right shoulder to get a clear view of my phone screen.
Me: Hello!
After five minutes of agonising nothing from his side, he finally replies.
Anirudh: hey
Me: How are you?
Anirudh: Good. Just working on some files.
Me: oh, nice nice. So I was wondering, are you busy next Sunday?
Anirudh: Do you consider watching television busy?
Me: hmm, depends on what you are watching.
Anirudh: A cheesy rom-com?
Me: ooooh! Didn't consider you the rom-com types.
Anirudh: I am not but I know you are.
Me: I am:D But I don't consider watching rom coms as busy so I guess you are free.
He starts typing something but then goes offline for a minute and returns to type once again.
Anirudh: I am:D
Me: Would you like to join my friends and me on an amusement park trip? It will be fun!
He takes his sweet time to reply but agrees nonetheless.
Anirudh: Sure
Me: yey!
Anirudh: :D
Me: See you at lunch tomorrow?
Anirudh: will wait
****
Author's note:
To compensate for this short chapter, I will update another short chapter today.
YOU ARE READING
A Ray of Sunshine
Storie breviAdrita is a princess. Well, not literally but figuratively. She has everything you could dream of: money, cars, a glamorous lifestyle, a loving family, and too much love. So much love that she can't help but want to share it. On the other hand, is...
