OUR LITTLE INFINITY

CHAPTER 5

I woke up the next day. i realised that i had spent the night on the table itself and back hurt like hell. it was already 8:30 and i needed my tea. mumma had probably left for office because she was not seen in the room. stretching my body and yawning like a koala i entered in. to my surprise, there was a steaming hot cup of tea and two toasted breads ready. there was a small note beside it 'aaru, you didn't have anything for dinner. mumma made this for you. eat fast and study well!' it was a note from my mother. i just now realised that it was saturday, means a holiday in school and early finishing of mumma's job. i finished my breakfast and went to the floor lobby. down in the compound, i saw varun tickling his mother. she was laughing and enjoying as varun tickled her. there was a ball in her hand which she was trying to save from varun's catch. i wish i had a similar equation with my mother. but her strictness proved to be a fire extinguisher on my fire of love. finally aunty gave the ball to varun and left. just then varun looked up.

our eyes met, again.
he smiled, again,
i didn't, again.
through signaling, he invited me to play cricket. i lightly shook my head in disagreement. he narrowed his eyebrows asking why. i had no answer so i just turned back and went to my room to study. my first study session was on way and i had to study till 1 PM.

i took a shower after studying and during the time, i thought 'i study so much, i succeed, but that doesn't make me happy. varun on the other hand is so much cheerful, happy. even i deserve to be happy. and there's nothing wrong in being friends, right?' i walked out.

mumma was already back from office. she smiled at me and said 'congratulations my big girl! you have got 50 out of 50 and rank 1 in your PT 1 exam in your school! you are standing first in your class!' she buried her head in my chest

'but....who told you?' i asked

'actually yesterday they declared your results. but you were absent so today your class teacher Mr. Batra called me up to tell me about this!' she said

this wasn't a new thing for me or my mom. but mumma was happy because now my impression as a topper was formed in the new school in just 2 weeks and she can brag about me to my relatives! fine, i take that credit.

'happy?' she looked at me and asked

i gave her a little-fake-smile and lightly nodded.

'i am the happiest person today! ASK ME FOR ANYTHING!' she said

wait, what?

'ANYTHING?' i asked

'yeah yeah, anythingg!!!' she said 'chocolates, cakes, pastries -'

'-friendship with varun!' i quickly cut her and said

the smile on her face disappeared. she looked at me in disappointment.

'mom,' i went near her 'i want a friend, that's it. just friends, i promise.'

"Aarus-"
"Momm!!" I pleaded

'aarushi why don't you search for a female friend in the locality?' she asked

'why? what's wrong with varun?' i asked

'he is such a mannerless boy!' she complained

'maa, he apologised for it. i am sure he won't repeat it.' i said

'but aaru-'

'-you said ANYTHING.' i said

she looked down with worry and thought for a while. 'okay, but JUST FRIENDS. and even you are with him, i need every detail of what you did. and just truth.'