It Was a Yes, But I Never Said It

4. Friends!

~Five years earlier, College Days~

First year at college and Adira never imagined that she won't be scrolling through any subject notebooks and would be instead juggling through various creative projects in the name of subjects.

Almost half year have passed and she has worked on a lot of creative projects as a part of her study. After painting and sculpture, the class is now getting introduced to another art form called printmaking. As their first assignment, the class is supposed to carve a wooden plank with a subject of their choice. It could be anything, a landscape, still life, portrait etc. They are free to use their imagination for this assignment.

The tutor mentioned that it will be a week's assignment. Hence everyone is required to finish their wood carvings in four days, so that the remaining two days can be used to take prints.

Rihan acted all wierd for these four days. He never got any wood to carve to class. He would just hang around exploring fellow classmate's work. He spent his time trying to sketch but he miserably fail at it and Adira is aware of all this because Rihan has been sitting beside Adira only.

She used to enquire constantly why he is not working on the assignment and he used to say that he is working on one in hostel. Angelie and Aryan use to joke that he is not doing and anything and is just chilling around.

On the fifth day, Rihan finally got his piece of wood to the class. He showed it to Adira and Adira was amazed to see what was carved in that wood. Rihan carved her portrait. She was happy and confused. As a friend she was happy that he created her portrait even though it wasn't perfect but she was also scared and confused that what others will think of it now. She also had this thought if this is meant to suggest something. But she didn't wish things to get wird between him and Rihan. So, she blew away all the thoughts and thanked Rihan when he gave her a print of his word carving. She couldn't figure out if it was a gift or assignment but whatever it is, It is the sweetest gesture she has ever received from a friend and is very valuable for her. And it's very sweet of Rihan to have chosen to create her portrait as his assignment.

Days passed by.

Adira is now finding the behaviour of her fellow mates strange. During lunch hour, she is usually with Rihan. She is unsure of what's wrong. Why the fellow classmates aren't asking her out for lunch and why Angelie is always having some plan wherein Adira isn't involved and why it's only Rihan she is having by her side. She don't wish to give the class any idea that they are together or something by hanging out with him only during lunch hour. So, today she decided to stay in empty class.

Rihan asked her to join for lunch when he saw Adira with her head resting on her crossed arms over the bench.

"I am having a headache and I don't wish to go for lunch" Adira lied.

"I will stay with you" Rihan suggested and that's the last thing Adira would have wanted. She started to wonder what the college will think when they find her sitting with Rihan in an empty class. "No" she heard a loud voice in her head. She conveyed to Rihan that she really need to rest alone as she is having a severe headache and it's best if he go and enjoy the lunch hour. Though hesitant, Rihan left.

Adira was feeling sorry for lying to Rihan and for being a bit rude but she thought that it's in the best interest of both of them. She can't let people gossip about them. She rested like that for an hour, trying to get a nap but it was rather annoying than relaxing.

The lunch hour was almost over when Rihan returned. "Here" he said. Adira moved her head to look towards what he is saying and she found him extending his hand with a medicine lying on his palm. Her eyes were wide open.

"From where did you get this" she asked.

"From the market. I went there to grab this for you. You are having a headache and you need this." he replied.

"You walked to the far off market all by yourself in this sunny afternoon to grab me this" she confirmed.

"Actually, I didn't have a ride so yeah I walked all the way due to which it took me almost an hour but this is important. Take it and you will feel better soon." he replied.

Adira couldn't believe this. How could this guy be so kind. There was a sudden shift in the air. Something that Adira couldn't figure out. She is just staring at Rihan's sweaty face. She couldn't believe that instead of having lunch, she spent the entire time in getting her a medicine. No one has done such a sweet gesture for her ever and she is feeling very bad for lying to him. She felt like hugging him right away for his cuteness but friendship has boundaries and one should not be crossing that. No words would have been sufficient to thank him for his efforts.

Adira decided not to lie to him again. He is her friend and it's all that matters. She would not avoid him for the people who don't even care about her.