Let's Meet After School

CHAPTER 09: YOU LIKE HIM, RIGHT?

They say... you have fallen for someone when your mind is filled with his/her thoughts. You just can't stop thinking about that person... sometimes when you're idle, you think about that someone. Sometimes even when you're working... you start missing that person. You daydream about those scenarios, you replay those memories in your head, you find excuses to stay back with that person, you start spending more time with that person... and then you slowly... gradually start turning into that person. In the end, what stays is one person between those two souls that came together to form something so special... something that we call love. Of course... all this starts when you start showing interest in someone... when you start liking someone.

Just like Ankita seems to be fallen for Aarav... it's becoming clear day by day that these two like each other... not just as friends... but... more than just friends.

14th August 2015

It feels like a different day... something is missing... oh... yes... Aarav is absent today and his absence can be strongly felt by one person... we all know who... this one person is.

"Shreya... Why does it feel so dull today?" says Ankita to her friend as they both are walking together after school.

"I don't know... maybe it's the gloomy weather today."

"Hmm... (sighs)... I'm bored."

"... okay then let me tell you what happened in the library today—"

"Aree... haa... sorry to interrupt you but I forgot to tell you this."

"What?"

"Guess what... one of our friends is a novel writer... isn't that so cool," she says as her eyes sparkling like glitter.

"Uhm, who is it?"

"Aarav... Aarav is the guy who has started writing novels on the web platform. I gave it a shot and his story is so good. I mean the subtle romance between those two people and the hardships that the main lead has to face just breaks my heart."

"Seems interesting to me... maybe I should start reading it too..."

"You definitely should!"

"Now... let me continue what I was saying... do you know what happened in the library today... a senior came near my desk and he asked me if I was standing for the library head elections."

"So... what's the big deal Shreya?"

"Bro... he's standing for the elections as well... but he told me to give it a shot as well. I guess, I'm ready to be a representative for our library... it is so exciting."

"Yeah... sounds good to me. Hey, I will vote for you."

"Of course, you will!"

"Hey... do you know what happened the other day... Aarav was looking so hilarious... actually, we both went to see those stray cats near our school. We pet them and after a while, two cats came and started purring near him, he was caressing those cats like babies... which was so hilarious... he said those cute lovey-dovey words like 'aww... my baby... who's the good girl'... and I just went nuts... that was funny."

"You do the same with cats... you say those words as well. What's funny about him saying those?"

"You won't get it... his face when he was saying those words was just so cute and funny at the same time... hahaha."

"Ankita... may I ask you a question? Be honest...do you like him?"

"Ah... see, we both are just friends and I can call him cute like a friend... it doesn't mean that I like him, right?"

"Do you know... we have been walking for some time now and all I have been listening to is how great of a writer Aarav is... how funny he is... how cute he looks... what happened when you went and saw those cats... Aarav this, Aarav that."

"Uhm... I guess we must have talked about something else too?"

"Yeah... just the weather... I guess I know why you said that it feels dull today... Aarav is absent and you are missing him. It's not the weather... it's you."

"What... uhm... what are you even talking about? Looks like you have been reading lots of fan fiction in the library."

"Oh... me? Honey... the whole summary you told me about Aarav's novel, sounds like his real-life situation where you and him are getting all lovey-dovey."

"These assumptions... Shreya... I like him as a friend yaar."

"Oh... you're just like him... he said the same lie when I asked him—"

"When did you ask him?" Ankita asks her in a hasty way."

"See, even now you're interested in knowing what he exactly feels for you."

"Shreya... I..."

"I can help you understand his emotions and feelings for you."

"You can? It will be a great help... I mean I feel like he likes me but I just want to confirm that first. I would look like a fool if I proposed first and he rejected me—"

"So, you do like him, right? The cat is out of the bag now."

"Yeah... I agree... I like him... now help me find out about him."

"Don't stress yaar... your bestie will help you."

"Thank you yaar... you're my only bestie."

"And... who's Aarav?... your boyfriend?"

"Come on, Shreya yaar..." Ankita blushes as she replies to her.

"Aacha baba chill... I won't tease you... at least for now." Shreya giggles.

"Haa... aree listen, I won't be there for a week now as I have to prepare for our next social work campaign... The school dean asked me to represent our school this time... it's a big opportunity."

"Ohh... Congratulations Mrs. Shah." she teases her.

"Shreya yaar..."

"My bad... you go ahead with your preparations... don't worry about him, I have a plan."