Let's Meet After School

CHAPTER 02: AM I BEING NOSY?

I see that there's a line, a fine line that specifies if we are being too nosy or not. I mean sometimes people can be nosy because they want to know more about you, maybe they want to let their hearts out to you, or maybe they... like you? Let's not get to the conclusion already... the story will unfold itself. Right now, all Ankita wants is to thank the guy who helped her two days ago.

22nd July 2015

We hear the school bell ringing and see the students crowding the streets like always. Some kids stay for a while and eat something at the food stall near the school. While some people have extra-circular activities to do after their school hours. Some students like Aarav, just wanna head straight to their home.

As Aarav's walking by the street, he hears a familiar voice shouting his name from the crowd. He looks back and sees the girl who he helped two days ago.

"Aarav, I was looking for you in the recess but you were nowhere to be found," said Ankita.

"I went to the canteen to have my lunch," Aarav replied.

"Okay. Oh, wait... I haven't told you my name yet. My name is Ankita... Ankita Patil. And I already know your name... Aarav. Aarav... uhm?"

"Aarav Shah."

"Oh... nice to meet you, Mr. Shah."

"So, you just wanted to know my name and that's the reason you stopped me?" says Aarav in a sarcastic way.

"We can talk while we are walking," says Ankita while they began walking together.

"Why were you finding me?"

"I just wanted... to... thank you... properly. That day you came to the rescue and helped that kitten and me as well. I just sincerely wanna thank you for what you did that day."

"Okay..."

"See, you helped me when there was no one willing to step foot near that muddy gutter lid to save a kitten. Even my classmates backed off and my best friend wasn't there at the moment. You came here like a hero and saved me... and the kitten..."

"Sorry? Hero?" he questions Ankita.

"I mean, I'm a huge fan of romance fiction stories, and seeing those heroes save their heroine while she's stuck there in a problem is so charming. I mean, I'm a feminist and I believe in equality. It isn't necessary for a male to save a female... it can be vice-versa---"

"I guess, you have thanked me enough and I should start sprinting ahead because I'm getting kinda late. hmm?" Says Aarav with a fake smile.

"Aree, I said naa... I wanted to thank you properly. So, will you accept a treat from me? Like an ice cream treat?"

"Sorry, but I have already spent my precious time listening to your fan fiction theory. And you have already thanked me enough so, I would like to pass on this treat. Bye." Aarav replies while grinding his teeth.

"Don't get angry with me, I just wanted to thank you properly. See no one helped me that day but you did, despite your clothes getting dirty. I feel bad and I wanted to get equal on our sides---"

"Ms. Patil, I hope you understand that I'm being logical here. I just said that I'm not interested in your treat, not today, not tomorrow, just forget about it."

"Don't you think that you're being a bit mean to a girl who just wants to thank you?"

"Oh... mean? This is me being polite to you."

"Ahh... Aarav this is rude, okay."

"Now I'm the rude guy here... woah. You were the one who came to me and told me that you wanted to give me a treat to thank me for saving that little kitten. I was the one who accepted the thanks but didn't want the treat as I made it crystal clear that I'm not interested. Also, don't say my name like you know me."

"Fine. I'm sorry for disturbing you... you may leave now."

"I don't need your permission to leave... nevertheless, we are about to get on the road end and then I will be going left while you go to the other side," he replies in a furious mood.

"Yeah, go ahead and I will be on my way."

"Fine."

Both go on their separate ways as Ankita takes a right turn, while Aarav takes a left.

After a while walking on the road, Ankita gets a company... Shreya.

"Why are you looking so furious today?" asks Shreya.

"Let me ask you a question, why are you always arriving after something has happened to me already?" replies Ankita.

"Why are you being rude to me, what have I done to you, girl?"

"Yaar... just... I hate that guy. He made me lose my temper today."

"Which guy?"

"I just wanted him to accept my treat as I wanted to thank him."

"Aree yaar but which guy are you talking about?"

"Aarav!" shouts Ankita.

"Calm down baby girl, why are you shouting"

"This baby girl needs to cool down and I need a cold drink."

"Fine, let's have some cold drinks... it would be my treat. So, just calm down for now and we will be there in no time."

"Yes," says Ankita in a relaxed tone.