Unspoken feelings are unforgettable

Chapter 13

"Yes, sir" Tushant's fingers halted moving across the paper which he had littered with scribbles and unintentional doodles. He jerked his face upwards to be able to peek at his chemistry teacher, throwing scythes straight at his raven head, gaping at him with his usual demon eyes, demanding for Tushant to stand up. He obliged, gently getting off his seat while his acquaintances numbed. Everybody observed the boy in awe, while they witnessed the impossible.

"You look...pained. Did someone hurt your soft spot?" Accompanied by a jeering and scornful laugh he added, "Can someone first off?" Boiling up the listener's mood. The teacher was suspended for such comments earlier, but he wouldn't abstain. Tushant could've done so much at the moment. Talking back with this particular teacher was less risky, or excusing would've been the least, but all he did was, lower his head down and shoot a petty glance at a girl nearby, making her swoon. All of the pupils watched him with great anticipation, expecting a sort of dispute but each of them had to settle for a head shake. The bell rang shortly putting everyone out of their daze. Tushant left the teacher gaping at him, drilling holes into his profile, and quietly walked out of his sight.

Arisha caught a glance of him walking towards the washroom, jaw all bunched up, tense, and a hand in his hair, ruffling them into a mess. She was about to head for Kunal's class, and if it wouldn't have been for the discussion about the supplies they had to arrange, she would have run straight to him and offered some comfort. She wants to know what is it with him. She wouldn't assume that she could stroll naturally around the school if he would be a stranger after all this time. Hugging her notebook to her chest, Arisha headed towards the staircase with equal amounts of hatred and fear. Fear of facing someone who just broke Ronil's heart and ultimately hers. Be it Kunal or Samara. And abruptly both their heads popped out of the blue.

Think of the devils, but...

"Why is she crying?" Arisha called out, before finally reaching the bench they had settled themselves on. Kunal's head shot up as his ears took in the faint concern she had to offer but pretending not to perceive, he averted his gaze.

"Kunal?" Deadpan silence.

"Samara?" The girl, who owned this name, shreds a few tears followed by a deep sigh and she stood up, taking Arisha's hands into hers, she voices, "I want to say sorry. Sorry for everything I may have done to you and your friend, maybe it be intentional or not" And she pulled Arisha for a hug, "As a friend, let me tell you. Please stay away from Tushant" Arisha didn't believe a single event happening around her. 

Does she know? He must have infamous-ed everything, just like he does with every other person out of passivity. What special was her? Tushant's a master at such games and he keeps on adding content to the list of why one should hate him. Most probably he enjoys it.

As she pondered over the thought, that there might be so many people who've learned about her parent's issues, her issues, maybe everything she shared with him, her eyes wandered just towards the direction he had followed. And when she thinks her life couldn't fall apart further, Ronil's face came into sight, she endeavored to flash a smile and just as she tried to walk towards him, something loosened around her, Samara's arms. Ronil saw her hugging Samara. His eyes flashed with pain? Hatred? Hurt? She couldn't comprehend. He hurried away just as he saw her taking baby steps his way. 

"Arisha, see you in ten minutes in the computer lab, we're already three days late. And we don't expect you to take another leave before the exhibition" Kunal's crude words sounded more like an order and she hated it. But then all the other emotions floating inside of her shallow heart had made it too difficult to retort. She didn't turn back to look at him, or all the stories going around her mind, imprinted on her face, would be visible. She was more transparent at the moment than ever. Nodding her head, she walked towards her classroom to spare herself the ten minutes Kunal had granted.